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- Thread starter Chris
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Currently topping the table with Q.P.R
View attachment 119645
My transfers-
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Also these two players will join me in January
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Did this to Everton in the Carling Cup
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Currently in the semi-finals and will face Birmingham. Man Utd vs Chelsea is the other semi
My biggest win-
View attachment 119649
View attachment 119645
My transfers-
View attachment 119644
Also these two players will join me in January
View attachment 119646 View attachment 119647
Did this to Everton in the Carling Cup
View attachment 119648
Currently in the semi-finals and will face Birmingham. Man Utd vs Chelsea is the other semi
My biggest win-
View attachment 119649
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Lost in the Carling Cup Final, still happy as it was on penalties to a strong side like Chelsea
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Thought I would post my Leeds team success over the past few season if thats cool with everyone.
I'm in the 2018/19 season and im pretty confident enough to say that my Leeds team is the best team in the world in my FM world.
Current league table
Here is my Leeds team
Here a few of my regen players
These next 3 aren't regens there players that I found at the start of the game I have no idea why they were in the Leeds team :/ but they have all been at the club since a young age and progressed into world class players
And here is his history he has now become Leeds United's all time record league goal scorer
and here is just a little look at the history
Thought I would post my current Staff
Very happy with my staff
So yeah it's save to say I'm pretty happy with my Leeds team everyone is playing at the top of there game!
I'm in the 2018/19 season and im pretty confident enough to say that my Leeds team is the best team in the world in my FM world.
Current league table
Here is my Leeds team
Here a few of my regen players
These next 3 aren't regens there players that I found at the start of the game I have no idea why they were in the Leeds team :/ but they have all been at the club since a young age and progressed into world class players
And here is his history he has now become Leeds United's all time record league goal scorer
and here is just a little look at the history
Thought I would post my current Staff
Very happy with my staff
So yeah it's save to say I'm pretty happy with my Leeds team everyone is playing at the top of there game!
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I
iNickStuff
Guest
Richard Lee: Veteraned goalkeeper in his heyday
The Story of an 'Old Timer'
One of English football's forgotten veterans, Richard Lee makes his living from earning £375 between the sticks of non-league football club Burton Albion at the age of 39, having joined the Brewers on a from Londoners Crystal Palace for £7,000 in 2020. Nearing the point where it will be inevitable that the ex-Blackpool shot stopper will hang up his gloves and delve into the dimensional world of coaching and management, Lee is still making the cut ahead of fellow veteraned keeper, Nicky Sykes.
But what happened to Richard Lee? The once-famed Watford goalkeeper who was first-choice for the Hornets during their years in the Championship, and having the regular rumours of several Premier League clubs tugging onto the coat tails of a marvellous goalkeeper. Well, now, like mentioned, he is on his last legs as first-choice goalkeeper for Burton Albion - in the Blue Square Premier League.
Let's look back ten years into the past:
In the 2009-10 season, Richard Lee was being courted by several Premier League clubs, as newly-promoted West Brom, Newcastle United and even Wigan Athletic were looking to acquire his services ahead of the then-upcoming season. After weeks of back-and-forth negotiations, rejected bids and frantic Watford supporters pleading upon Lee to stay, it was to be West Brom to pip the rest to the signature of Lee, as the then-27-year-old signed on the dotted line for the Baggies. Little did he know that it was to be a barron spell from the team that would lead to his decline.
Two seasons at the Hawthorns and not a single pre-season appearance in the navy blue and white shirt, Richard Lee was forced to leave the club in search for first-team football, where a waste of two years in West Bromwich could have been applied to a promotion challenge in his then-club, Watford. During the two years Lee was at WBA, Watford finished 8th and 16th respectively in the Coca-Cola Championship, where they shipped ninety-three goals in both seasons - despite the heroics of then-England hopeful Scott Loach and Loic Marcone, a former French goalkeeping prospect who later on never was capped for the France national team and dwelled in second and third-flight Italian football.
Lee was released on a free transfer and was back again on the market, looking to recover two wasted years and look to re-establish a once fearsome reputation. Blackburn took the then-30-year-old under their wing, and, after being relegated from the Premier League in the 2010-11 season, it looked a perfect chance for him to show his worth and gain back the years. But, with the passage of time, it was again to be to the misfortune of the unlucky goalkeeper that he would succumb to another season of no football between the sticks. Blackburn bounced straight back into the Premier League via automatic promotion, just one point behind the then-champions Southampton, and had the Hoops, QPR, join them in the 2012-13 Premier League season. David Marshall played over 60 games in goal for Blackburn that season, and was as solid as the back four. A rating of 6.97 whilst Lee didn't even make that season's best eleven. Purely because he never played for the Lancashire club.
Frustrated, yet determined, Lee remained with the club during the 2012-13 season, as they looked to survive relegation and not fall back into the Championship. That was mission completed for Blackburn, with Rovers, whilst finishing the league two points above the drop whilst Liverpool won the first of three league titles under Juande Ramos. Marshall, again, deputised in goal, with an average rating of 6.46, whilst Lee was third-choice to the plans of Henrik Larsson.
It was to be Lee to fall for through his own personal trap door for the second time and not touched a blade of grass for any club for four seasons. Again, Lee was released and was now having to seriously pick the right club and shore up what's left of his career. At the age of 32 and clearly lacking more than just match fitness, Lee was on the free transfer market and available to the public once more. By this time, Watford had improved on their previous league position, finishing 13th in 2012-13 and conceded 62 goals - not good enough if they wanted to make the promotion bid. Fulham, West Ham United and Burnley all made it back into the Premier League that season.
It was now becoming questionable whether or not Lee was going to be able to continue with a career that had been on hiatus for the last four seasons, with West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers the ones to blame for the shot-stopper's decline in football's pecking order. After considering retirement from the game at 32, it was a torrid time for the Watford-born ball-handler and rumours in the press that he had retired rummaged all the way through the summer of 2013. Lee quashed those rumours for the third time, and joined Yorkshire club Sheffield Wednesday - his third club in four years. Lee was almost-certain that, with Alan Irvine at the club and the Scotsman having recently signed a new three-year-deal to stay at Hillsborough, this must be the time where he could make the first-team and show what the Baggies and the Rovers were missing.
But alas, it was to be deja vu for the yet again. Sheffield Wednesday was to be the third club to not select Lee between the goal posts, as the Owls finished 12th in the Coca-Cola Championship. Watford however finished 10th, and they weren't bothered when they were able to thump the Wednesday 5-1 on their own soil, with Lee sitting on the bench that day, having to suffer a rawcus of boos and jeers from the home support all through the 90 minutes, before he was quickly rushed through the tunnel and out of the stadium to avoid even more trouble - and humiliation.
2014-15 rolled on with optimism, as the Sheffield Wednesday board were less than impressed with Irvine's performance, and sacked him in the midst of February in 2014 following a 3-1 defeat to Southampton at St. Mary's. Three days later, Phil Brown was at the helm, and the former Hull City boss was quick to react to the situation and, after a gruelling three months of a promotion push, the ex-Bolton player needed had Sheffield Wednesday in the Playoffs, but narrowly missed it by a point, where Ipswich Town took the last spot. QPR the eventual Playoff winners.
For the third consecutive time, Lee was released.
Another wasted two years on the bench had Lee looking at only 5-6 seasons of playing time before he would get to the stage he is at now. The Owls board eventually did give Brown the chop in early months of the 2015-16 seaon, whilst Nigel Pearson took over. Skipping through the distress and depression that Lee suffered through when a free agent, Swindon Town, a newly-promoted side from League One, took a gamble on a frail 35-year-old goalkeeper who hadn't played professional football in six years. Whilst the departure of Neil Woods bewildered the Swindon faithful, Dean Saunders took charge at The County Ground, where he was to prove his reputation - and not just the assistant manager to the Wales national team.
But the gamble failed horribly for Saunders, as the 12th Decemebr was to be judgement day for the former Wrexham boss, and he was given the chop. Swindon were relegated from the Championship and joined Doncaster Rovers and Hull City into a familiar third-flight ahead of the 2016-17 season. Lee only appeared eleven times for Swindon Town, averaging an astonishingly poor 6.36. Rhys Evans, another veteraned goalkeeper and now shot stopper for League One outfit Aldershot Town, made more than triple Lee's appearances, and benched the goalkeeper in that club season's best eleven.
The uncapped goalkeeper was immediately sold from The County Ground and was brought in by then-Blackpool manager Leroy Rosenior during the summer. A miniscule £20k was the price at which Lee was bought for, and was to return to the Championship, therefore avoiding League One football. This time, at Bloomfield Road, Richard Lee was to be making in-and-out appearances for the Blackpudlian club, and made an accumalative seven appearances between the sticks for Blackpool from 2016 to 2019. His final season saw Lee actually praised by fellow players for his performances in goal during two league games, and that they sympathise with what has been an indescribable seven years in his career of football.
Like Mark Bresciano, the then-former Blackpool manager, Lee was released from his contract at the Championship club at the end of the 2018-2019 football season, and was forced to find football elsewhere. The Tangerines' shambolic results under the Aussie-Italian (Bresciano) saw him sacked, whilst Jonathan Woodgate was appointed on the 1st January 2018. A poor signing by the Blackpool board might I add. Campbell followed and wasn't getting a rub of the green either.
Crystal Palace snapped by the then-36-year-old on a free, as the Eagles looked for a backup goalkeeper for the following season. Indeed Lee was, and the ex-Watford man was to experience a seventh season without playing, where Palace finished just below mid-table. As you would expect, Lee never featured for the Londoners, and was eventually sold to current club Burton Albion for £7,000 - making his all-time career worth £217k.
Burton, who were a then-newly-promoted club from non-league, found an experienced goalkeeper to try and help them establish themselves in the Football League, following a barren spell from League Two for the last four seasons. It was then safe to say that, yet again, that risk was to backfire and it was to be Burton Albion to be sent straight back down into non-league and have to work their way back up again. Lee played in over half Burton's games that season, but conceded an amazing 104 goals to condemn the Brewers to the BSP for another season.
And now we are back to square one. Where it began.
Having not been capped by the England side and not doing himself anymore favours with his current form for Burton, Lee, now rated at £1,500, looks like he will have to go the rest of his footballing career wondering about what could have been and what he might of achieved if he had stayed at Vicarage Road.
I
iNickStuff
Guest
Three Lions finally end 57-year wait for second World Cup win. A memorable night for now treble-winning manager Nicholas Kituno to cap off a dominant season - reports The Guardian.co.uk
Written by Adam Davies, 2.36am - Monday, 11th July 2022
A night that, surely, the players that played in the match, the fans who were in the arena and watching at home and, of course, the England manager Nicholas Kituno. After 57 long agonizing years, England have won the World Cup, following a 5-4 penalty shootout win against Spain to claim the international jewel. Following a tight 90 minutes where England bossed the game and dominated the Spaniards, an equaliser scored by Borja in the 82nd minute sunk English hearts and sent the match into extra-time, leaving supporters and audiences nationwide in a state of paranoia that this may be another year where they drop at the final hurdle.
Jose Murillo's 92nd minute strike to beat now-Manchester City shot stopper Alex Smithies for 2-1 felt like Spain may have had it in the bag. Matt Preece, Lyon's top striker who joined the Ligue 1 champions from Stoke City, entered the fray and replaced Liverpool's Darren McMahon to try and make an impact. And that he did. Preece, who raced past la Roja's backline, was able to break through and beat Sergio Asenjo for an equaliser. Spain were furious. The offside flag was not raised by the linesman and the goal was given. Now ex-Spain boss Quique Flores argued with the linesman and was almost sent sent to the changing rooms, but escaped. But England fans were ecstatic. A life-line for the Three Lions in what was a tough and arduous journey through the group stages where a quick goal conceded to Finland had the English fighting once more to come back and win the game 2-1.
Neither side could break the deadlock and it was to be the dreaded penalty shootout, as usual to name the winner of the FIFA World Cup on a rainy night in Moscow. The substitutions of Harry Kane and Darren McMahon meant that their best penalty takers were out, whilst Preece and Delfouneso had to deputise. It was the chance to make history. The chance to become heroes on the return flight to England and to be flocked with praise from the old faithful. Shelvey, Wilshere, Welbeck, Preece and Nathan Delfouneso were England's representatives from the 12-yard spot, a duty that has been a poisoned challace in such competitions for England, and a lack of success continentally and internationally is justified through it.
The first four penaalty takers from each side stepped up and converted from the spot to make it anyone's to grab. Next was Atletico Madrid's Gabriel, los Rojiblanco's answer to Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas took the pressure onto his shoulders to try and beat Smithies. Stepping back a few yards, rolling up his socks and taking a large breath of the dense air, Gabriel composed himself. He ran up to take the penalty ...
Missed.
The England fans were in raptures. The red side of Lokomotiv stadium was in shock and silence, whilst the other jeered the distraught Gabriel. Team-mates tried to sympathise and console the fellow Spaniard, but it was to be, possibly, the final nail in the coffin for Spain and their hopes of winning the World Cup once more. Preece and Welbeck both but their feet in and were rewarded, whilst Real Madrid fullback Jose Miguel and Mikel Blanco beat Smithies. But it all came down to one. Nathan Delfouneso. Middlesbrough's ageing striker who had never featured for England in the tournament as a starter. Brought on as a fresh pair of legs by Nicholas Kituno, the insurmountable pressure that Delfouneso was under to gift England a World Cup was overwhelming. Even that is an understatement.
Like Gabriel, Delfouneso composed himself before coming up against substitute goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo from twelve yards out. Hands on hips, deep breath and ignoring the mass jeers and heckles from the Spain side, Delfouneso was to take the penalty. Taking a few steps into the run, Delfouneso ran up and struck ...
A goal. Scored. England had won.
A mass roar from the England fans inside the stadium lifted the roof off Lokomotiv stadium and shook the arena with might, as England were the champions for the second time in their history as a footballing nation. The overjoyed fans celebrated and danced inside the stadium, with many calling their friends to tell them the great news. Spain were defeated as la Furia Roja left for the changing rooms to get ready for their loser's medals. Delfouneso was mobbed, and quite rightly, by team-mates in Rodwell, Wilshere and Shelvey, whilst the England backroom in Steven Gerrard, Peter Crouch and Pako Ayesteran shook hands firmly.
The injuries to Manchester United prospect Carl Blackford, Valencia winger Kieran Gibbs and Arsenal right winger Kevin Howell severely damaged England's chances and the suspension of Jack Rodwell during the campaign did not help too. Improvisation from Kituno was desperately needed, as even fullbacks were given the opportunity to play further up as wingers and the formation was reverted to the simple 4-4-2 to allow two upfront instead of the originally preferred, club and country, 4-2-3-1. Wilshere played down the left, right and centre with Shelvey, whilst Rodwell deputised as a centre half during the absence of Kyle Walker. Theo Walcott's omission from the England 25 was justified through the performances in Blackford and Howell during the group stages, but was later reversed and questioned during the poor performances of Howell as a right winger during the first knockout round and the quarter finals, before eventually suffering from an injury and having to miss the whole tournament - hence the improvisation from the Manchester City boss.
But what now?
Spain's Quique Flores stepped down as Spain manager after being in-charge of the national side for several years, leaving it to Rafa Benitez, who's last job was at Aston Villa, to pick up the country from the devastation of losing to England in the final. Germany sacked Bayern legendary fullback Philipp Lahm from his post, as the national team's abysmal performance in Russia gave a less than impressive response from the German F.A. Holland, Russia, Argentina and Brazil also followed suit with new appointments, with Kituno being targeted by die Oranje as their new national boss. Kituno declined the role.
Having won the domestic league title in England three times in a row with Manchester City, having won the UEFA Champions League for the first time in his career and the club's history, and to now be a World Cup winner, not only the third-highest manager in the national Hall of Fame, times are high for Nicholas Kituno. The rumoured four-year contract offered by the City board to keep the world-class manager on until 2026 seems to have gone through, as leaks from websites in and out of England have become widespread.
But, now that he has achieved international success, the 2024 European championships must be key to maintaining England's status as number one in the World Rankings. The exhibition match against Serbia at Wembley will be an experimental game for the Three Lions, especially with hot young prospects coming through the England U21's in towering forward Anthony Lampard and pacey and explosive striker Danny Crosby, Sinisa Mihajlovic, the current boss to the Serbian national team, will be wary of the three in the pair too. The shame of Euro 2020 has seemingly washed away with the win of the 2022 World Cup in Russia, but will not fully until the ex-Juventus manager wins the 2024 tournament in Norway two years from now. Holland's ability to win 2020 is what has led to their resurgence to a high rank in the World Rankings, but now it must be time for England to do the double.
.. but now that the World Cup has finally been won and brought back home to it's 'motherland' further successes on club and international level are expected of the highly-regarded manager, as the English F.A. and the Manchester City board have high expectations of future successes. And at the tender age of just 42, there is a good 28 years or more before Kituno hangs up his coat for good ...
A night that, surely, the players that played in the match, the fans who were in the arena and watching at home and, of course, the England manager Nicholas Kituno. After 57 long agonizing years, England have won the World Cup, following a 5-4 penalty shootout win against Spain to claim the international jewel. Following a tight 90 minutes where England bossed the game and dominated the Spaniards, an equaliser scored by Borja in the 82nd minute sunk English hearts and sent the match into extra-time, leaving supporters and audiences nationwide in a state of paranoia that this may be another year where they drop at the final hurdle.
Jose Murillo's 92nd minute strike to beat now-Manchester City shot stopper Alex Smithies for 2-1 felt like Spain may have had it in the bag. Matt Preece, Lyon's top striker who joined the Ligue 1 champions from Stoke City, entered the fray and replaced Liverpool's Darren McMahon to try and make an impact. And that he did. Preece, who raced past la Roja's backline, was able to break through and beat Sergio Asenjo for an equaliser. Spain were furious. The offside flag was not raised by the linesman and the goal was given. Now ex-Spain boss Quique Flores argued with the linesman and was almost sent sent to the changing rooms, but escaped. But England fans were ecstatic. A life-line for the Three Lions in what was a tough and arduous journey through the group stages where a quick goal conceded to Finland had the English fighting once more to come back and win the game 2-1.
Neither side could break the deadlock and it was to be the dreaded penalty shootout, as usual to name the winner of the FIFA World Cup on a rainy night in Moscow. The substitutions of Harry Kane and Darren McMahon meant that their best penalty takers were out, whilst Preece and Delfouneso had to deputise. It was the chance to make history. The chance to become heroes on the return flight to England and to be flocked with praise from the old faithful. Shelvey, Wilshere, Welbeck, Preece and Nathan Delfouneso were England's representatives from the 12-yard spot, a duty that has been a poisoned challace in such competitions for England, and a lack of success continentally and internationally is justified through it.
The first four penaalty takers from each side stepped up and converted from the spot to make it anyone's to grab. Next was Atletico Madrid's Gabriel, los Rojiblanco's answer to Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas took the pressure onto his shoulders to try and beat Smithies. Stepping back a few yards, rolling up his socks and taking a large breath of the dense air, Gabriel composed himself. He ran up to take the penalty ...
Missed.
The England fans were in raptures. The red side of Lokomotiv stadium was in shock and silence, whilst the other jeered the distraught Gabriel. Team-mates tried to sympathise and console the fellow Spaniard, but it was to be, possibly, the final nail in the coffin for Spain and their hopes of winning the World Cup once more. Preece and Welbeck both but their feet in and were rewarded, whilst Real Madrid fullback Jose Miguel and Mikel Blanco beat Smithies. But it all came down to one. Nathan Delfouneso. Middlesbrough's ageing striker who had never featured for England in the tournament as a starter. Brought on as a fresh pair of legs by Nicholas Kituno, the insurmountable pressure that Delfouneso was under to gift England a World Cup was overwhelming. Even that is an understatement.
Like Gabriel, Delfouneso composed himself before coming up against substitute goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo from twelve yards out. Hands on hips, deep breath and ignoring the mass jeers and heckles from the Spain side, Delfouneso was to take the penalty. Taking a few steps into the run, Delfouneso ran up and struck ...
A goal. Scored. England had won.
A mass roar from the England fans inside the stadium lifted the roof off Lokomotiv stadium and shook the arena with might, as England were the champions for the second time in their history as a footballing nation. The overjoyed fans celebrated and danced inside the stadium, with many calling their friends to tell them the great news. Spain were defeated as la Furia Roja left for the changing rooms to get ready for their loser's medals. Delfouneso was mobbed, and quite rightly, by team-mates in Rodwell, Wilshere and Shelvey, whilst the England backroom in Steven Gerrard, Peter Crouch and Pako Ayesteran shook hands firmly.
The injuries to Manchester United prospect Carl Blackford, Valencia winger Kieran Gibbs and Arsenal right winger Kevin Howell severely damaged England's chances and the suspension of Jack Rodwell during the campaign did not help too. Improvisation from Kituno was desperately needed, as even fullbacks were given the opportunity to play further up as wingers and the formation was reverted to the simple 4-4-2 to allow two upfront instead of the originally preferred, club and country, 4-2-3-1. Wilshere played down the left, right and centre with Shelvey, whilst Rodwell deputised as a centre half during the absence of Kyle Walker. Theo Walcott's omission from the England 25 was justified through the performances in Blackford and Howell during the group stages, but was later reversed and questioned during the poor performances of Howell as a right winger during the first knockout round and the quarter finals, before eventually suffering from an injury and having to miss the whole tournament - hence the improvisation from the Manchester City boss.
But what now?
Spain's Quique Flores stepped down as Spain manager after being in-charge of the national side for several years, leaving it to Rafa Benitez, who's last job was at Aston Villa, to pick up the country from the devastation of losing to England in the final. Germany sacked Bayern legendary fullback Philipp Lahm from his post, as the national team's abysmal performance in Russia gave a less than impressive response from the German F.A. Holland, Russia, Argentina and Brazil also followed suit with new appointments, with Kituno being targeted by die Oranje as their new national boss. Kituno declined the role.
Having won the domestic league title in England three times in a row with Manchester City, having won the UEFA Champions League for the first time in his career and the club's history, and to now be a World Cup winner, not only the third-highest manager in the national Hall of Fame, times are high for Nicholas Kituno. The rumoured four-year contract offered by the City board to keep the world-class manager on until 2026 seems to have gone through, as leaks from websites in and out of England have become widespread.
But, now that he has achieved international success, the 2024 European championships must be key to maintaining England's status as number one in the World Rankings. The exhibition match against Serbia at Wembley will be an experimental game for the Three Lions, especially with hot young prospects coming through the England U21's in towering forward Anthony Lampard and pacey and explosive striker Danny Crosby, Sinisa Mihajlovic, the current boss to the Serbian national team, will be wary of the three in the pair too. The shame of Euro 2020 has seemingly washed away with the win of the 2022 World Cup in Russia, but will not fully until the ex-Juventus manager wins the 2024 tournament in Norway two years from now. Holland's ability to win 2020 is what has led to their resurgence to a high rank in the World Rankings, but now it must be time for England to do the double.
.. but now that the World Cup has finally been won and brought back home to it's 'motherland' further successes on club and international level are expected of the highly-regarded manager, as the English F.A. and the Manchester City board have high expectations of future successes. And at the tender age of just 42, there is a good 28 years or more before Kituno hangs up his coat for good ...
I
iNickStuff
Guest
Hogan Ephraim battlign against Portsmouth midfielders in the Rs' 4-3 win over Pompey at Fratton Park
QPR look to stretch lead over Boro in hunt for promotion, following 4-3 goalfest
- Kituno's side are looking to defy the critics and make it into the top-flight this season.
- Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town the firing contenders to follow Nottingham Forest and Derby County up.
12th March, 2011
Down south in Portsmouth, past the gates of Fratton Park on a breezy, cold night at the home of one of this year's promotion contenders, was a match that QPR were desperate to win. Fans from both sides crammed into the stadium to witness the rawcus atmosphere set by the hosts, as Kituno's side looked to get a win and maintain their status as a promotion contender. The thirty-seven games played by the Rs has seen them win nineteen times, draw eleven and lose seven. With that, they possess the strongest defence in the league, having only conceded thirty-four goals so far and have the smallest goal difference in the top six - with forty-six goals scored by the London side, in comparison to the fifty-six banged in by Ipswich Town, and Roy Keane's Tractor Boys.
Steve Cotterill needed to win the game at home to maintain the faith within the home fans and the board that they can return to the Premier League and start to lay the foundations for a new financial structure within the club that would have them stripped of their administrative status and move away from possible liquidation. The former Notts County boss took over a month after leaving the League 1 Magpies in the summer of 2010, and replace Israeli now-West Ham boss Avram Grant. Portsmouth were pitched to finish tenth this season, but have found themselves in the Playoffs, with less than ten games before the end of the season.
But it was after the second half that things between the sides really started to get going. Drawn level, in the wake of a classic and quick goal from Scotsman Leigh Griffiths, and then an own goal from skipper Fitz Hall, had tensions running. Less than ten minutes after the kick off for the next forty-five minutes to begin, Peter Utaka made it 2-1 to the homeside, before it was cancelled out by Argentinian playmaker Alejandro Faurlin a couple minutes later. Past the hour, ex-Portsmouth man Tommy Smith made it 3-2 to Rangers, and it was once again cancelled out - this time by the scorer of the first goal in the second half, the Nigerian striker, Utaka.
If you were at the game and can anticipate situations well, then I am sure that what you are about to read next wouldn't surprise you as much - but rather deligh QPR fans. 3-2. Matthew Connoly's towering header from a set-piece sent the away fans into raptures, and calm the loud and ever-present Pompey fans, shirtless in such poor weather. Five goals in twenty minutes made it one **** of a game, and one that will replay on the Football League Show the goals quite a bit this weekend.
Eventually, Kituno and his squadron of determined players hung on for the win, and counted their blessings that Utaka wasn't on form to score a third goal and sink their hearts below the rain-lashed pitch once again. Uneasy defending from both sides calculated an entertaining game for the neutral, and a win that now allows them to move into 3rd, ahead of Middlesbrough. With that now in the bank, it's now the challenge of facing the Teesiders at the Riverside in their next game away from home. If another win can be repeated, without the drama, then the Blues can look at extending their lead above Boro and Ipswich Town by seven points, in which can possibly lead to going top of the npower Championship table for the first time this season. Nottingham Forest and Derby County's rival battle for top spot has been going on for half the season, and four other teams are looking to break it. Whoever does will also have the challenge of maintain top spot, and even the smallest games look like cup finals.
But with that challenge also comes the threat of injury crisis', drop in form for players and the occassional team slump. Since the signing of Leigh Griffiths last month, the 20-year-old has practically carried the team for the last few games he's been in, and scored five goals in nine games to become joint top-scorer in the team. The inclusion of Peter Vaagan Moen to the midfield means that there is little space for inconsistent (and selfish) trickery man, Adel Taarabt - his form earlier on in the season was shocking, and was subsequently benched to allow the likes of Akos Buszaky, Gael Kakuta and even Alejandro Faurlin try their luck.
But really now, the march to May has begun, and only gets tougher as the season goes on. Prior to QPR's loss to Forest at home, the Rs were unbeaten in twelve, with dodgy performances not being the slightest of the fans worries, so long as they were still in the Playoff places. It'll be difficult to repeat that now.
WHO IS MICK MCDERMOTT?
The world's only interview with one of today's greats.
The world's only interview with one of today's greats.
The Sun; 15/11/2015
As McDermott is preparing his Uruguay team to take on Venezuela, we here at The Sun finally managed to break the enigma and now we can finally tell you more about one of the modern greats of the game.
The man that Celtic fans have called "Star maker" started out life... quite humbly. He never thought he would've been known as much as he was today. He got into football by chance after being spotted by Partick Thistle's scouts. After impressing them, McDermott began to train with the players regularly... but only lasted one season before being picked up by Celtic. His career began to skyrocket, but McDermott did not change his club. He picked up 27 caps, and scored one goal for his nation... until a horror tackle sent him spiralling out of the club he loved. The tackle to his left leg still rates as one of the most horrible tackles in todays game. It was so bad, in fact, it was close to causing amputation to the young Scot. However, he managed to battle back and, in 2010, he returned to the club he loved... Celtic.
His dogged determination was instantly transferred to his players. For players who weren't prepared to play for the badge were quickly shown the door and, with a profit of £1.5million in the bag, McDermott opened his managerial account in style, winning the League Cup and the Premier League. This same style meant that he would win the double for another two years.
His nickname from the fans of "Starmaker" came from when he bought in players Antonis Agapiou and Roman Vanek, two very young players who the fans didn't think would cut it. These days, these two players are hardly seen out of the first team and their potential is just about reached. The fans are still stunned to this day by Vanek's freekick scoring ability, which reminds them of early Shaun Maloney play.
McDermott, whilst keeping Celtic under control, began his international management career with Cameroon, a team that was always very good. McDermott had a near legendary career with Cameroon, losing only 3 games, two of which were in the Confederations Cup. Following his Quarter Final run however, he left Cameroon, stunning them in the process after winning the African Cup of Nations for a second time in a row.
McDermotts next big move though was the one-and-a-half season signing of Yaya Sanogo. The fans were intrigued by him... but no one, not even McDermott, could predict his scoring record. In 93 games, Sanogo scored 104 times, making him one of the most prolific goal scorers of McDermotts reign, behind Giorgos Samaras. McDermott then sold Sanogo for £15.25million, a profit of £4.25 million, to Chelsea, encurring the wrath of the fans, but there was a saving grace. McDermott managed to find another three youngsters, Harold Pirson, a man tutored by Samaras, Philippe Demeyere, a man who is looking to stand in line with Antonis Agapiou and Inyigo Pérez, a former Athletic Bilbao player. None of them had played many matches, but the partnership of Pérez and Pirson has been demolishing this season, taking ou each team that stands up to it.
McDermotts foray into Europe, however, was not as successful as his league haul [5 premier league titles, 5 league cups and 2 Scottish cups, all consecutively.] It took him 4 seasons to get past the group stages of any European competition, but then he finally opened the taps. In 2013/14, he got to the Quarter Finals of the EUROPA League to take on Arsenal and was very close to going further. In 2014/15, he got to the Quarter Finals of the Champions League, taking out Roma on aggregate of 10-2 on the way, only to be defeated by Real Madrid. He now looks like he can do it once more, sitting in Second place by 1 goal, having already qualified.
It may only be November right now? But it's time for the star maker to really make his name. When the draw happens in January, there will be no luck of the draw, only that raw determination he showed in the first season will be enough to take him through to the finals.
The man that Celtic fans have called "Star maker" started out life... quite humbly. He never thought he would've been known as much as he was today. He got into football by chance after being spotted by Partick Thistle's scouts. After impressing them, McDermott began to train with the players regularly... but only lasted one season before being picked up by Celtic. His career began to skyrocket, but McDermott did not change his club. He picked up 27 caps, and scored one goal for his nation... until a horror tackle sent him spiralling out of the club he loved. The tackle to his left leg still rates as one of the most horrible tackles in todays game. It was so bad, in fact, it was close to causing amputation to the young Scot. However, he managed to battle back and, in 2010, he returned to the club he loved... Celtic.
His dogged determination was instantly transferred to his players. For players who weren't prepared to play for the badge were quickly shown the door and, with a profit of £1.5million in the bag, McDermott opened his managerial account in style, winning the League Cup and the Premier League. This same style meant that he would win the double for another two years.
His nickname from the fans of "Starmaker" came from when he bought in players Antonis Agapiou and Roman Vanek, two very young players who the fans didn't think would cut it. These days, these two players are hardly seen out of the first team and their potential is just about reached. The fans are still stunned to this day by Vanek's freekick scoring ability, which reminds them of early Shaun Maloney play.
McDermott, whilst keeping Celtic under control, began his international management career with Cameroon, a team that was always very good. McDermott had a near legendary career with Cameroon, losing only 3 games, two of which were in the Confederations Cup. Following his Quarter Final run however, he left Cameroon, stunning them in the process after winning the African Cup of Nations for a second time in a row.
McDermotts next big move though was the one-and-a-half season signing of Yaya Sanogo. The fans were intrigued by him... but no one, not even McDermott, could predict his scoring record. In 93 games, Sanogo scored 104 times, making him one of the most prolific goal scorers of McDermotts reign, behind Giorgos Samaras. McDermott then sold Sanogo for £15.25million, a profit of £4.25 million, to Chelsea, encurring the wrath of the fans, but there was a saving grace. McDermott managed to find another three youngsters, Harold Pirson, a man tutored by Samaras, Philippe Demeyere, a man who is looking to stand in line with Antonis Agapiou and Inyigo Pérez, a former Athletic Bilbao player. None of them had played many matches, but the partnership of Pérez and Pirson has been demolishing this season, taking ou each team that stands up to it.
McDermotts foray into Europe, however, was not as successful as his league haul [5 premier league titles, 5 league cups and 2 Scottish cups, all consecutively.] It took him 4 seasons to get past the group stages of any European competition, but then he finally opened the taps. In 2013/14, he got to the Quarter Finals of the EUROPA League to take on Arsenal and was very close to going further. In 2014/15, he got to the Quarter Finals of the Champions League, taking out Roma on aggregate of 10-2 on the way, only to be defeated by Real Madrid. He now looks like he can do it once more, sitting in Second place by 1 goal, having already qualified.
It may only be November right now? But it's time for the star maker to really make his name. When the draw happens in January, there will be no luck of the draw, only that raw determination he showed in the first season will be enough to take him through to the finals.
I
iNickStuff
Guest
Tommy Smith and Adel Taarabt in conversation during QPR's 1-1 draw with Hull City last season.
Kituno enters the Premier League fray, can he keep them up or go straight back down?
- The Rs have been put down to be bottom of the league come the end of the season.
- Kiuno and company are determined to establish themselves as a Premier League regular over the next few seasons, should they stay in the top-flight this year.
Combined with that was the improved financial status of the club. Taken over by millionaire personel in the last two years, QPR have had their fortunes turned around, and the club now needing that stability to be converted into football terms, and to establish themselves as a top-flight regular, ever since that season in '96. Whether it'll come through the managerial reign of Nicholas Kituno is yet to be seen, as the 26-year-old is still living in the fans' realms of their promotion to the Premier League.
Summer cleaning and investment
The first and foremost thing on Kituno's list was the need to revamp an ageing squad that was primarily pitching for mid-table obscurity, and repeat the same lowly and unispirational finishes that they have been so used to over the years. The defence was the main culprit, and was to be saying goodbye to Peter Ramage and Fitz Hall, who both left the club, following the Rs' unwilligness to renew their contracts. The same was for Czech goalkeeper Radek Cerny, who was instrumental in the second half of the season last year, whilst Paddy Kenny was recovering from injury and poor form.
Eight other players followed Ramage and Hall out of the door, including Gavin Mahon, Heidar Helguson and Lee Cook. Cook's contract was actually terminated, despite underlining his determination to stay put at the club. With it was the obvious fact that the club didn't want to take a gamble on the ex-Watford winger (due to injury proneness) and couldn't risk adding him to the provisional 25-man squad for the following season, which could've been taken up by another player. Patrick Agyemang and Shaun Derry were both transfer-listed, and were sold to respective Championship clubs Watford and Norwich City, in a combined £750k profit. Antonio German has left the club on loan to Derby County for five months, following their inability to gain promotion via Playoffs. The Rams lost their place to Rangers, and were knocked out by Burnley.
Despite only bringing in six players, half of them were loan signings. Granddi Ngoyi, Dennis Appiah and Matthew Kilgallon have arrived at Loftus Road to join the cause in season-long loans, whilst Charlie Adam, Alex Smithies and Marcel de Jong were bought on permanent deals. The biggest being playmaker Charlie Adam, for a weighty sum of £5.75million, and given the no. 24 shirt. Alongside him was prospectful shot-stopper Alex Smithies, for £2million and on a five-year-deal from Huddersfield Town. In need of a young goalkeeper, the now-former Terriers goalkeepers was in a long line of targets that included Kieren Westwood, Vincent Enyeama and Jamie Ashdown, but signed eventually £17k per week deal. Marcel de Jong was brought in to replace the aged Jlloyd Samuel for £3.3million, coming in from German outfit F.C. Augsburg, where the 25-year-old Dutchman would also provide competition for the club's fullbacks in Clint Hill and Gary Borrowdale.
The bill has now been run up to £11.5million, out of a rumoured £19million handed over from the QPR chairman, Gianni Paladini. The £30k in total that was added to the club's finances following the departures of more than fifteen players also suited it and has them financially secure for the transfer window. But what Kituno and Co. can do this season will be largely down to how they play their squad over the possibly (and most likely) thirty-eight games in the league, that include clashes with Manchester United, Arsenal Chelsea and Manchester City. Trips to their stadiums will not be pleasant, as the pressure to hold them to draws and possibly scrape wins would undermine their success of last year. But dwelling on 2010-11's success cannot be done. They know that they need to do the best they can. Survival is not critical, but must be tried.
It's all down to the next thirty-eight games. Starting with Stoke at home.
---------- Post added at 10:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:45 AM ----------
Charlie Adam in his finer days last year for Blackpool, captaining the side during their top-flight campaign.
Smithies finding his feet, Griffiths nearing a decent tally and Adam becoming the cog to QPR's midfield
- Kituno has recently expressed his faith in new signing Alex Smithies, despite a very poor start to his new club.
- Leigh Griffiths' good form in the Superhoops' last two games has turned his season around, and put him in the Premier League's top 20 goalscorers, alongside Charlie Adam.
- Ex-Blackpool captain Charlie Adam has instantly found himself settled in QPR's midfield this season, having played in every one of their Premier League games this season.
It has been twelve Premier League games and two cup ties since QPR's start to the new season, and picking up eight points from a possible thirty-six - well, it's not like they were going to get anywhere near that thirty-six anyway. The Rs, who were predicted at the start of the season to come last, have found themselves, within the last two games, in 16th place and an away game to cross-town rivals West Ham United to get further away from the drop zone. Three points at Upton Park would allow Kituno's side to swap places with even-closer rivals, Fulham, and a point behind Sunderland in 14th. It seems as if the eleven games without a win has begun to vanish from the minds of the fans, as two games have seemingly seen a dramatic turnaround in the club's fortunes.
Before QPR's win 5-0 away thrashing of Nottingham Forest two weeks ago, two late goals at home to Birmingham City and Newcastle United had snatched three points from the team's grasp, with the piled misery of 4-0 and 4-1 hammerings, courtesy of Everton and Manchester United at Old Trafford and Goodison Park respectively. In fact, QPR, following their spirited 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, went seven games losing consecutively, with their only highlight of holding Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at home, and frustrating the Blues to cave into a very stubborn and defensive Rangers.
But, alongside having the second-worst defence in the league, were the poor performances of Alex Smithies, a new signing for the club and joining them for £2million in the January transfer window from Huddersfield Town. A prospectful England international, the Three Lions U-21 has been poor between the sticks, having conceded 24 goals in 12 games. But that has not made manager Nicholas Kituno criticse the youngster for such abysmal goalkeeping. The Huddersfield-born shot-stopper has had his own boss on his side in recent weeks, and been defended, despite his poor performances. The faith shown in him from Kituno seemingly led to two clean sheets in his last two games, and thank the 26-year-old for his continued trust in him.
The same has been for young Scottish striker, Leigh Griffiths. Signing for £300k last year to give QPR more gas into their promotion push last season, the ex-Dundee prospect has hit four goals in twelve games, and has only just recently started firing. He contributed in the club's recent 3-0 win over Blackpool at home on Tuesday with a double, and before that, scored from twelve yards out to put them infront after seven minutes. Despite going hours-on-end without a goal, Griffiths has had faith returned in him from the QPR boss, and is now determined to score more and possibly become one of the top goalscorers in the league by the end of the season - a feat that seems quite a long way off.
But even so, the best signing from Kituno this season was the purchase of Blackpool's former playmaker in Charlie Adam, another Scotsman who joined the club, but this time for a cool £5.75million. The 25-year-old, five years Griffiths' senior, was also born in the same town as Griffiths, and signed for the club on a five-year-contract, spreading over to the summer of 2016, and when he reaches 30. A playmaker of the highest standard at Loftus Road, it's no surprise that his great performances in the heart of the midfield, alongside the rotating mix of on-loan PSG midfielder Granndi Ngoyi, recent signing Eric Djemba-Djemba from Odense Boldklubb and local veteran Mikele Leigertwood, has earnt him his own chant amongst the Rangers faithful. Shirt sales have increased, and chairman Gianni Paladini has expressed his happiness in the club being able to sign such a 'fine player'.
It's unfortunate that with this purchase, comes the slowly ebbing away of Argentine playmaker, Alejandro Faurlin, a once-regular player in QPR's midfield last season, in which he was able to play thirty-times in the blue-hooped jersey. But he cannot complain. Again, it's the performances of Adam that has made him surplus to reserve football and have to work doubly-hard to even scratch a place on the bench. But really, Adam is becoming the cog in QPR's midfield, and a vital asset to Kituno's plans.
STARS LEAVING, YOUNGSTERS TO STEP UP?
Luís Guilherme and Dodo to leave, Can Sergio make the step up?
Luís Guilherme and Dodo to leave, Can Sergio make the step up?
The Sun, 26/12/2016
With Celtic's top players leaving, the fans are beginning to wonder if the youngsters can make the eventual step up to the big time. Sergio was always seen as a backup player when he was brought in for £300k in the summer from Spanish giants Real Madrid. However, with comparisons being made between him and Spanish number 1 Victor Valdes, there are serious questions. With 6 days left until Guilherme leaves the club that made him, the fans know that Sergio's age will make him first choice.
However, it doesn't end there. Celtic's undoubted best signing, Dodo, is also on the way out, to Deportivo la Coruna to be reunited with Jonjo Shelvey. For the rest of the season, it seems that Maximilliano Acosta, who has been capped 3 times for Argentina, will take up that left back position, with Belarmino taking the right hand. But the real question is when Chaloupka returns from loan. Aged just 17 and with no real Premier League experience, there are serious question marks around him. However, these scenarios ring bells to when McDermott brought in Roman Vanek and Antonis Agapiou, who had no real experience at all.
But then this leaves Tony Graham with no mentor. The 18 year old Englishman has finally been making huge strides under the tutelage of Luís Guilherme but now he'll just be used as backup, which is a position he didn't really expect to be in. McDermott does have the funding, sitting on a transfer kitty of around £19 million. He still can bring in a player who can teach Graham and another who can bring Chaloupka to his full potential. But will he? After all, right now he has assembled a team which has astounded everyone. He sits atop of the table with 15 wins and 3 draws, no losses to his name this season as Celtic manager. To add to his luck, he has finally become manager of Scotland, a goal he had tried to achieve for such a long time.
McDermott's potential targets list is endless, with Charles Sutter turning heads at Las Palmas. But it has been documented that McDermott buys young and develops them into true stars, or sells off if he doesn't see anything in them. The perfect example of this has been Harold Pirson this season. He has scored 24 goals in 21 games and has truly turned into a star. Inigo Perez, the man who people predicted to be better, has been non-existent since Vaclav Kadlec entered the fray from Dnipro on a free transfer.
And it seems that the luck keeps coming, with Cristian Molina's third season at Oostende to gain his Belgian citizenship is coming close to an end. Molina is seen as a technical genius, the only problem is that his agent, Pablo Cabrera, doesn't see eye-to-eye with the Scottish Manager. McDermott has actually been quoted as saying this; "I may as well buy my players from the Barras, I get the same top quality with no fees!" He continues. "Seriously, he charges over the odds to ensure his player signs with us. I know for a fact that Cristian isn't here to gain £78,000 a week, he's here to play some football. I just wish that he'd see the light, same as Maxi Acosta actually, and sack him."
However, Cabrera laughed this off, stating "I try to get the best deals for my players. What McDermott has said is completely fabricated. It's clear that he doesn't know what he's talking about."
6 days until we find out what McDermott will do about Sergio and possibly Chaloupka... 6 days until we know.
However, it doesn't end there. Celtic's undoubted best signing, Dodo, is also on the way out, to Deportivo la Coruna to be reunited with Jonjo Shelvey. For the rest of the season, it seems that Maximilliano Acosta, who has been capped 3 times for Argentina, will take up that left back position, with Belarmino taking the right hand. But the real question is when Chaloupka returns from loan. Aged just 17 and with no real Premier League experience, there are serious question marks around him. However, these scenarios ring bells to when McDermott brought in Roman Vanek and Antonis Agapiou, who had no real experience at all.
But then this leaves Tony Graham with no mentor. The 18 year old Englishman has finally been making huge strides under the tutelage of Luís Guilherme but now he'll just be used as backup, which is a position he didn't really expect to be in. McDermott does have the funding, sitting on a transfer kitty of around £19 million. He still can bring in a player who can teach Graham and another who can bring Chaloupka to his full potential. But will he? After all, right now he has assembled a team which has astounded everyone. He sits atop of the table with 15 wins and 3 draws, no losses to his name this season as Celtic manager. To add to his luck, he has finally become manager of Scotland, a goal he had tried to achieve for such a long time.
McDermott's potential targets list is endless, with Charles Sutter turning heads at Las Palmas. But it has been documented that McDermott buys young and develops them into true stars, or sells off if he doesn't see anything in them. The perfect example of this has been Harold Pirson this season. He has scored 24 goals in 21 games and has truly turned into a star. Inigo Perez, the man who people predicted to be better, has been non-existent since Vaclav Kadlec entered the fray from Dnipro on a free transfer.
And it seems that the luck keeps coming, with Cristian Molina's third season at Oostende to gain his Belgian citizenship is coming close to an end. Molina is seen as a technical genius, the only problem is that his agent, Pablo Cabrera, doesn't see eye-to-eye with the Scottish Manager. McDermott has actually been quoted as saying this; "I may as well buy my players from the Barras, I get the same top quality with no fees!" He continues. "Seriously, he charges over the odds to ensure his player signs with us. I know for a fact that Cristian isn't here to gain £78,000 a week, he's here to play some football. I just wish that he'd see the light, same as Maxi Acosta actually, and sack him."
However, Cabrera laughed this off, stating "I try to get the best deals for my players. What McDermott has said is completely fabricated. It's clear that he doesn't know what he's talking about."
6 days until we find out what McDermott will do about Sergio and possibly Chaloupka... 6 days until we know.
Leicester City - First game on 11.3 patch
So, I reinstalled Football Manager and gave the final patch a go and I must say, I have thoroughly enjoyed my first game back in the manager's chair. I chose Leicester City because they have money behind them but also the challenge of getting promoted and then staying in the Premier League, somewhere that the board believe I have to be.
It has gone very well so far, I have even used my old Leicester tactics from the 11.2 patch (with a few tweaks to tighten up the defence), which have been successful so far.
