Roaring back to life... An A-League save

Ellis looks awesome! Think they'll be some big clubs coming in for him if he develops well in the next few years

cheers mate - he is definitely going to be hard to hold onto. I will have heaps of space under the salary cap from next year though to give him decent wages though thankfully
 
Congrats on winning the FFA Cup! Gotta be nice to get trophy number 1 under your belt so soon.

Thanks mate - think it bought me some more time to turn around our league form too thankfully.
 
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Season 1 January 2019 Roundup




SUMMARY

On the whole, January was an ok month for Brisbane Roar. In spite of continued turmoil off the field and restructuring of the playing roster with a view to incorporating more young players McGhee managed to guide the club in picking up 10 from a possible 18 points through the most hectic fixture period of the year. That, coupled with other result saw Brisbane finish the month in 2nd​ position, although once other teams play their matches in hand it is likely that the Roar will drop a couple of spots.

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GENERAL MATTERS

Early in January McGhee has some really tough decisions to make. Mikkelson’s shoulder injury meant that, at best, he would only be available for a handful of matches at the end of the season in which, it could reasonably be expected, he would also be struggling for fitness. As a result, a decision was made to de-register him which triggered an automatic discussion concerning mutual termination. A fee was hashed out and McGhee had space in his squad to promote Nick D’Agostino, who was on a full time contract, from the youth squad following recent good performances.

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The emergence of both Wenzel-Halls and D’Agostino has seen Bruce Djite slide down the pecking order of strikers and, like Mikkelson, McGhee took the opportunity in this window to de-register Djite as well. Deep down, Charlie knew this was a call he got wrong. Djite had offered almost nothing over the first half of the season and D’Agostino should have always been included from the start.

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The additional space in the roster, coupled with another collapse of the mooted takeover bid, meant that McGhee suddenly had some space to exploit in his squad. Limited by available funds however, McGhee’s wheeling and dealing was limited to a few free transfers, all young and on youth contracts, as McGhee continues to build with one eye on the future. Although none are expected to compete for first team places over his new batch of youth recruits.

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The final piece of squad news was finalised in late January. Receiving a number of offers from his native Brazil, Henrique eventually signed with FIG. Not wanting to stand in the way of Henrique hitting the ground running though, McGhee allowed him to leave early and he was also de-registered.

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MATCH REPORTS

Forced in experimenting somewhat given their current injury list McGhee was ecstatic with the result over Newcastle and, in particular, the performance of young winger Mirza Muratovic, who took his opportunity following the departure of Mikkelson with both hands, setting up a goal before getting on the score sheet himself.

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What followed in the 2nd​ match of January was the proverbial game of two halves. The Roar started extremely well, taking an early lead following Henrique’s penalty, before Perth stormed back in the second half, completely deserving the 3 point their two late goals secured.

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Brisbane backed up quickly from the Perth match with a trip to Melbourne to take on City. Never really getting into this game, they succumbed to a Rostyn Griffith goal in what was a dour struggle…

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Nick D’Agostino has earned the start against Melbourne City and was retained for the match against Melbourne Victory. He repaid McGhee’s faith in him with an expertly taken hattrick in a resounding win for Brisbane.

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Travelling to Gosford for their next match Brisbane dominated proceedings for large parts of the match with Central Coast Mariners but, in the end, only came away with a point after, at one point, leading 2 nil.

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Match 6 for January was the kind of reinforcement that every Manager needs from time to time that they are on the right path. Having started the youth revolution in the January window McGhee became even more excited for the future after both Muratovic and D’Agostino, both still only 20 years of age, starred in the 4-2 win over West Sydney Wanderers.

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Season 1 February 2019 Roundup




SUMMARY

The Roar continued their general on field improvement throughout February. A blip against Perth aside, the Roar were otherwise solid. This was reflected on the table, as the Roar as starting to consolidate themselves in the top 4, a position which didn’t seem likely even only a few months ago…

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GENERAL MATTERS

One of the key reasons that McGhee puts their recent turnaround down to is the togetherness in the squad. Contrasted with the start of the season where there was a fractured dressing room, the squad harmony could not be described as excellent and, to be honest, Charlie isn’t aware of any unhappy players at all.

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On field aside though things off the field remain as in turmoil as ever. Owner Dali Taher is becoming even more desperate to sell his stake in the club – something which potential investors must be sensing.

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When you take the cover off things though it becomes apparent as to why Tahir is looking to move on. Brisbane’s finances, whilst still considered ok, don’t represent much hope for the future. The Board are refusing to sanction even the most rudimentary expenses such as additional coaching courses and McGhee knows he will be expected to promote from within to replace the 9 players who are off contract at the end of the season. Whilst for most, succession plans are in place, Keeper Jaime Young represents one who will be difficult to replace.

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MATCH REPORTS

Brisbane travelled to Adelaide for the first match in February. A closely fought contest was settled by an unfortunate own goal scored by former Roar player Jade North. Agent North, your work here is done!

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Back at home in the second game of the month the Roar completely battered Sydney and, in truth, were actually unlucky to not win by more..

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After that Brisbane traveled to Perth in what must be one of the longest away trips in a national league first division anywhere in the world - a 4 and a half hour flight or over 4,000 kilometers by road... Given the magnitude of the trip it was no surprise that Brisbane were sluggish through, never matching their opponents tempo - resulting in a 2 nil loss.

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Brisbane's final match of the month saw them on the road again, this time away at Central Coast Mariners. At times this match looked like it would be a repeat of the Perth game but ultimately the Roar dug deep, and took home all 3 points.

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Season 1 March 2019 Roundup

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Season 1 March 2019 Roundup






SUMMARY


Another month that is becoming quite typical of Brisbane. The two results against the Sydney teams were fantastic performances but they sandwiched a performance against Melbourne Victory that left a lot to be desired. It is becoming more apparent that that this Brisbane side enjoys the home comforts of Suncorp Stadium - by the end of March the Roar were up to 5 wins in a row at home. Unfortunately, maintaining success on the road continues to elude them.


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And unfortunately that lack of success away from home may come back to bite Brisbane. To be honest, any kind of consistency in their away games would have seen them take first place by some margin. Their up-and-done results though mean that they are firmly locked in 4 way battle between themselves, Wellington, Melbourne City and Adelaide for the premiership with only 4 games left to play in April.


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GENERAL MATTERS


Early in the month further rumors surfaced that another takeover bid had materialized. Whether this was the same group involved in the previous three attempts or an altogether new group was unclear. One thing that was for sure was that McGhee was hopeful that whoever was coming in was at least willing to assist with some financial support. McGhee isn’t chasing huge investment in the playing squad as he is keen to bring through the youth brigade, but some flexibility to send some coaches on courses to upskill wouldn’t go astray...


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McGhee had attempted to start negotiations with Jamie Young to keep the veteran keeper around but it quickly became clear that Young, quite understandably, was pricing himself out of Brisbane’s range. Shortly before his contract expired Brisbane received bids from three English league 1 sides which was quite crazy since they were almost at the point where they could just approach him direct. McGhee wasn’t going to stop Young securing a move back to his native England and accepted all the bids.


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Despite rumors earlier in the year that an overseas club may trigger Adam Taggart’s release clause no such bid was forthcoming. He represents a player of obvious quality and one that will be critical in Brisbane achieving McGhee’s goals moving forward. To that end, McGhee was extremely pleased to see Taggart called up to the Australian squad and for him to earn his 8th full cap.


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In a similar vein to Jaime Young, Brett Holman and Avram Papadopoulos also had bids made for the services despite the fact that each were off contract in September and were almost at the point where clubs could approach them directly. Holman’s offers had come from teams in the middle-east whilst Papadopoulos’ came from his native Greece. All of Holman’s offers were accepted whilst only one of Papadopoulos’ was, as the other’s expected that Brisbane would foot part of his wage bill – an unacceptable cost in their current financial position


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MATCH REPORTS


Going into half time of their first match in March, McGhee could see that he team was playing quite well, but still found themselves a goal down. Instead of going for the hairdryer treatment though McGhee decided that some added belief was all his team needed and they responded in spades, overturning the deficit and running out 4-2 winners over West Sydney.


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Brisbane followed up their slow first half against West Sydney with another lackluster performance in the first half of their second game in March against Melbourne Victory. Despite an again improved performance in the second half this time the damage was too great to overturn and the Roar succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.


The match was Brisbane’s last for a period of two weeks while the A-League took a backseat to international fixtures, during this period the club received some significant injuries. Eric Bautheac head suffered a twisted ankle in the match against Victory and, after an assessment by the club doctor, it was revealed that he would miss at least one month with the injury. Then it was revealed that Daniel Bowles, playing down with the youths for match fitness, has injured his wrist and would almost certainly be unavailable for the entirety of Brisbane’s run home. To cap off the injury trifecta Kai Trewin then tweaked his knee during training and he too would be missing for at least a few weeks. Usually when managers bemoan injuries during international breaks it is as a result of players getting hurt on national team duty, here they had all occurred whilst the players were tat the club.


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Prior to the final match of the month the Australia press ran an article on each club vying for the A-League premiership’s run in. In a weird turn of events, all 4 teams play each other in the final 5 round. Crucially perhaps, Brisbane only have one away game in that period, although it is against fellow contenders Melbourne City. To start with though Brisbane began that 5 game stretch with a comprehensive victory over Sydney FC, continuing their fine home form.


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Season 1 April 2019 Roundup


GENERAL MATTERS

No Summary first up this month as the premiership was decided. In general matters, as expected the three player for whom McGhee accepted offers for in March agreed terms with their new clubs. Jaime Young will leave a hole for McGhee to fill as he, at age 33, has secured a move to English sleeping giants Sunderland, a fantastic achievement in what has been a real journeyman career for the glove man. Papadoloulos will also return to Greece with Tripolis and Brett Holman agree terms with Al-Ain of UAE. The transfer window in UAE is open at the moment too so Holman’s departure is with immediate effect.

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MATCH REPORTS

The final four matches in April were going to determine who would take home the A-League premiership. First away was the critical away match against Melbourne City, who were sitting in 3rd​ place and within striking distance of both Brisbane and Wellington. Brisbane were significantly the better side in the first half but found themselves a goal down at the break following Epifano’s long range scorcher against the run of play. Starting the second half with renewed resolve Brisbane battered away at the City goal and the weight of pressure saw City crack in the 70th​ minute as Anthony Caceres, in an effort to stifle a Brisbane break away, brought down Taggart and earned himself an early bath. From the ensuing free kick Lopes picked out Pepper at the back post and it was all square. Try as they might however Brisbane then couldn’t break down the City rear guard as they held on for a point.

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The second match of April was even more pivotal, as Brisbane welcomed Wellington who were 1st​ in the table by a solitary point to Brisbane. A win would take Brisbane ahead by a clear two points whereas a Wellington victory would make it almost impossible for the Roar to take out top spot. McGhee demanded an immense effort from his charges and boy did they deliver!!

A huge result and performance when the pressure was on. Alex Lopez had his best game in a Brisbane shirt, scored two efforts from range while youngsters D’Agostino and Muratovic, both drafted into the first team squad part way through the year, vindicated McGhee’s faith in youth, also getting on the score sheet as the Roar completely dominated proceedings and ran out 4-1 winners. McGhee could almost taste that premiership!!!

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Wary of a trap game following the great effort against Wellington McGhee ensured his team remained focused on the task at hand in their third game of the season against Newcastle. Despite the stats making this game appear closer than it was the reality is that the chances created by Brisbane were significantly better than those the jets could muster. An early barrage had Brisbane up by 3 after only 33 minutes as Adam Taggart took the opportunity to remind everyone just how lethal he can be in front of goal. Playing the earliest fixture of the week, at the end of 90 Brisbane had secured all three points with a 4-1 win and found themselves clear at the top of the table, ahead of Wellington by points with Wellington having two fixture remaining. Providing the Roar took care of business in their last match they knew they would be premiers!!!

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EXCEPT THEY DIDN’T NEED TO!!!!!!

It appeared that Brisbane had destroyed any remaining resolve Wellignton had left as the Phoenix allowed Melbourne City to beat them, at home, 3-1.

Brisbane had taken out the Premier’s Plate!!!!!

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It was party time in Brisbane as the Roar were treated to a hero’s welcome in their final match of the season at home against Adelaide. The result wasn’t important to McGhee as he took the opportunity to blood some youngsters in preparation for next season with the title wrapped up. Dylan Ellis, the jewel of the current youth intake batch, made his debut at the tender age of 16. It is clear to see though that he is already first team quality and between Alex Lopez, Ellis and Kai Trewin the center of the park will be a real strength for Brisbane in season 19/20. Amazingly though Ellis didn’t take out the title of Brisbane’s youngest ever player. That honour went to fellow debutant Jordan Courtney, who along with Brandon Haack had joined Ellis in appearing for the first team for the first time.

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SUMMARY

A quality month then for Brisbane as their home form (final game of the season aside) saw them take out the Premiership. Already building for next season, McGhee has earmarked internal replacements for all departing players. First though, in Australia, the top 6 teams go through to a knockout finals competition that McGhee was turning his attention to. Australian’s love a grand final and Charlie wanted to send out some club stalwarts on a high.

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Great job winning the regular season, hopefully you can keep the good form up in the playoffs.
 
Just read all of this....really enjoyed it and congrats on the success so far mate...KIU!
 
Great job winning the regular season, hopefully you can keep the good form up in the playoffs.

Thanks mate. It seemed earlier in the year that we were playing better in the cup so hoping we can continue that knockout comp form now.
 
Just read all of this....really enjoyed it and congrats on the success so far mate...KIU!

Appreciate it mate as I know you are quite busy with the Chairman game. I want to get around to reading through yours and a couple of other stories here later today when I have a bit of extra free time so hopefully I can return the favour.
 
Just came on FM-BASE for the first time in a few weeks. It's good to see an A-League story. I read it from start to where you've finished.

I live in Mackay, Qld though i was born in Newcastle so i am a Jets fan and i am dissapointed to see we have another wooden spoon to our name. I actually started a game yesterday with The Jets. Good luck for the finals.
 
Just came on FM-BASE for the first time in a few weeks. It's good to see an A-League story. I read it from start to where you've finished.

I live in Mackay, Qld though i was born in Newcastle so i am a Jets fan and i am dissapointed to see we have another wooden spoon to our name. I actually started a game yesterday with The Jets. Good luck for the finals.

Jets are doing much better in real life though mate! Best of luck with your story
 
Season 1 May 2019 Roundup

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Season 1 May 2019 Roundup







GENERAL MATTERS


Once the hysteria of winning the premiership had died down there was a short lull between the culmination of the regular season and the start of Brisbane’s involvement in the finals series. In that time the season awards were handed out. As expected, Brisbane personnel featured heavily in them. 6 players were selected in the All-Stars side as Young took out Goalkeeper of the Year, Lopez was named overall Player of the Year and Muratovic was declared Young Player of the Year.


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After seeing his players secure a number of awards and, given his side has significantly outperformed pre-season expectations McGhee was hopeful of recognition in the Manager of the Year awards. Unfortunately, McGhee was pipped to the award by Wellington boss Mark Rudan. Frankly though McGhee felt spurned, especially seeing as he had his side playing its best football at the most important times of the year whilst Rudan was Wellington’s Nero as he fiddled whilst they capitulated and lost their last 3 games…. In the end, McGhee resolved to use this as additional motivation for the upcoming season and remaining finals series.


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MATCH REPORTS


Still smarting from the Manager of the Year snub, McGhee was secretly hopeful that they would be able to face Wellington again in the finals. Of course, fresh off the 3 game losing streak to end the year, their skid continued and they promptly lost in the first round of the finals to West Sydney.

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Brisbane then faced Perth at the Semi Final stage of the final series. By virtue of finishing first Brisbane would receive all home match up to and including the Grand Final if they made it. And made it they did. Another dominant performance saw them comfortably dispatch Perth 2-0. Taggart and Lopez again finding themselves among the goals as they led from the front.


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So this was it, Grand Final time. Facing West Sydney Wanderers at home McGhee had a prime opportunity to rub the judges’ decision to award Rudan the Manager of the Year award in their noses. He couldn’t have asked for a better performance. Again the state belie what was quite a one sided affair. Adam Taggart continued his fine end of season form with a headed opener in the 8th minute. Club Captain Matt McKay, expected to hang up his boots at the end of the season, then stepped up to convert a penalty in what might be his last ever game in a Brisbane shirt. Adam Taggart completed the dream season for McGhee as he made sure of the cup late in the second half and McGhee had his third piece of silverware for the season and they sent out the departing players on a high.


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In a strange twist, only weeks after the Roar saw the record for their youngest ever player broken another record was set, this time at the other end of the age spectrum. As Matt McKay’s penalty in the Grand Final saw him become the Roar’s oldest ever goalscorer.


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TAKEOVER


As final bit of news in May Dali Tahir was finally successful in finding new owners for the Roar. Incoming Chairman Nathan Southall was quick to contact Charlie and advise that there would be some investment in the club. McGhee, sensing the opportunity was quick to request from additional training courses for his backroom staff and the investment saw Brisbane’s bank balance return to a positive figure. Interestingly though, it appears that the takeover was facilitated through the owner taking out a loan as McGhee was soon advised that they would be required to begin making repayments shortly thereafter.


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Hi anyone who had followed this. I may have bad news sorry. I keep getting error messages like the below. Have gone back to previous saves a couple of times now and tried to play through. Also have cleared cache and deleted the 'caches' and 'preferences' folders from the C:\Users\[USER]\AppData\Local\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2019 directory...

Does anyone else have experience with fixing these? I am not sure if it a problem with the database as I am using a custom one or the game itself. A bit bummed about it...

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will hang onto the save for a few days but if I can't find a solution will have to look at starting a new story it seems...
 
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