Taking over Manchester 1 league at a Time

[Poodles]

Sky League Bet 2 November

Ice November, fire works for us and we score and concede for fun, as yet this isn't worrying me, we enter the FA Cup, I have another go at letting the kids play. A big local team try and tempt me to have a go at a bigger league early.

Fixtures

FC United 4 - 2 Oldham
Byrne
Oneto (2)
W Thomas

Morecombe 1 - 3 FC United
C Thomas
Trinkett-Smith
Williams

A great game made more so by another new signing. Williams an ex under 21 at Liverpool was let go in the Summer, I'd been tracking him for a little while but he seems reluctant to join us however as we've moved up the league he seemed more & more inclined to listen to my offers, eventually after a long discussion with his agent, it was agreed as a Hot Prospect he'd join with the promise of some 1st team football at times. This was his 1st game and 1st goal. I also notice in training he takes a MEAN penalty.

View attachment 268964
FC United 4 - 0 Blackpool
Oneto (2)
C Thomas
Byrne

Tranmere 1 - 3 FC United
Melo
Williams (Pen)
Byrne

FC United 4 - 2 FC Halifax
Santos
Hitchcock (2)
Trickett-Smith

Halifax take a quick 2 nil lead, we score one just before half time and then I remind the team, this is the team that came up behind us in the play-offs. IF we play to our best they dont have a hope of staying with us. SO get out there and boss this game. Young Hitchcock is filling in for one of our regular stikers due to injury and as he's leaving the dressing room, I calmly remind him this is his time to impress. We win the 2nd half 3-0 Hitchcock scores twice.

View attachment 268963
Not a bad November, were still clear at the top, Coventry has closed up a bit on us again. 5 pts is a nice lead though. FC Halfiax still doing ok mid table even though going down to defeat from us. Blackpool, Burton and Doncaster lose at the bottom. In other news I get offered a big job but refuse it

View attachment 268962
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[Poodles]

Sky League Bet 2 December

Winter is coming but not for this red army, we are starting to march, I'm going into games more and more confident. We have an FA Cup match coming up at Christmas and if we can do the Boxing Day & New Year with decent results It'll really set us up for the rest of the year.

Fixtures

FC United 7 - 0 Gainsbrough FA Cup 1st Rnd
Byrne
James
W Thomas (2)
Melo
Trinkett-Smith
McAllister

I decide to go full out with this one only James as an up and coming right back is risked against the team promoted to the Premier Conference with us 2 seasons ago and its never in doubt we smash past them and go home happy.

FC United 1 - 0 Barnet
W Thomas

Thomas is finally settling into the No9 position and if he, Byrne and Oneto stay fit I think we'll hold on to our top spot

Bristol Rovers 2 - 4 FC United
W Thomas (4)

Everything the boy touches turns to goals he scores a pure hat-trick at one point, Head, Left and Right Foot lovely game. Bit expensive is goals scored payout

Burton 0 - 3 FC United FA Cup 2nd RndByrne
Santos
Oneto

FC United 5 - 1 Burton
W Thomas (2)
C Thomas
Conlan
Santos

Awww poor Burton, smashed in the cup and then the game afterwards we smash them again at home. Perfect Christmas break for us goals and wins

FC United 4 - 0 Northampton
W Thomas
C Thomas
Byrne
Trickett-Smith

View attachment 268927
What can I say storming the top of the league, we have clear daylight between us and Coventry BUT its only half time in the match season. CAN we hold on, I've thinking if the board come to me now and suggest we make the play-offs I'll take the gamble for the increased wages and spending power, Blackpool Doncaster and Burton still fight for the bottom 3 spots and our old buddies FC Halifax are mid season.
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[Poodles]

Sky League Bet 2 January
The winter of discontent has arrived and omg how bad was it. We had a terrible run in the middle of the month. My holding midfielder goes into a over the top two footed challenge out of nowhere meaning an instant 3 game ban. All 3 front line strikers can injured in the same match and we slip from one defeat to another. Our lead at the top is threatened and then I spend the last day of the month fighting off vultures trying to skim off the cream on my squad

Fixtures

Exeter 1 - 3 FC United
Trinkett-Smith
W Thomas (2)

Coventry 2 - 1 FC United
C Thomas

Top of the table clash, my RB is sent of for two silly yellow cards either side of half time but we seem to be cruising to a 1-1 wouldnt be bad then C Thomas my main attacking midfielder hobbles off from a bad challenge and a minute later were 2-1 down and defeated

Sunderland 2 - 1 FC United 3rd Rnd FA Cup
W Thomas

Arghh played well but lost and thats 3 games on the bounce

FC United 1 - 4 Luton
Tubbs

OMG Melo sent of reckless tackle, then all 3 strikers hobble off, and we just go from bad to worse OUCH 4 on the bounce

Newport 2 - 2 FC United
W Thomas
Tubbs (pen)

Arnason makes his long awaited come back to the defence and although its only a draw we look better already.

FC United 4 - 0 Cambridge
Tubbs (2)
Byrne
Walton

View attachment 268832
Well it could of been a worse month not sure how though. Lucky we got the win at the start and end the middle well I'm saying that was a bad bad dream. We still hold a nice lead at the top. With the teams behind not completely being able to cash in. At the bottom Blackpool are the team suffering and is it possible they might slip out the league completely!?

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[Poodles]

Sky League Bet 2 February
Slightly warmer weather brings about it a turn around in fortunes and with it an unbeaten month.

Fixtures

Torquay 0 - 2 FC United
Tubbs
W Thomas

FC United 5 - 3 Mansfield
W Thomas
Trickett-Smith (3)
Byrne

Oh my mini wobble, we were 3 nil down at half time, Trickett hadnt been feeling well so I'd left him on the bench but with C Thomas still out with his broken ankle and us 3 down I brought him on and tick tick 3 goals 1 assist and phew game won. Boys in for a bonus.

Crawley 0 - 5 FC United
Trickett-Smith (3)
Oneto
Walton

2 Hat-Tricks in 2 games and suddenly Tickett-Smith as a midfielder is pushing the golden boot for the season guys on fire

FC United 3 - 3 Port Vale
Oneto
Williams (Pen)
W Thomas

Well that was a shocker, 3 nil up 15 mins to go and then they go counter attack, I think were bound to score a couple more now and warm bam thank you mam.

Possible the WORST NEWS EVER

View attachment 268667
I couldnt believe it. I thought he'd give me one more season, Arnason in Conference, Lge 2 & 1 is a legend. I hoped to squeeze him for one more season at least WHO can lose a defend who scores 8+ through multiple seasons GUTTED.

View attachment 268663
Arghhhhhhhhhhh how the heck am I going to replace him .. well I guess that'll be the problem in June/July

Carlisle 3 - 4 FC United
Waghorn (3 inc 2 Pens)
Trinkett-Smith

FC United 4 - 0 Cambridge
Tubbs (2)
Byrne
Walton

View attachment 268662
Thing to notice here I have a nice lead on position 2, things I dont notice Trickett-Smith as a midfielder leading the Scorers Chart. Also that it was 3 teams to get promoted, so used to fighting for top spot for the last three seasons that what happens in March is going to come as a shock well at least for me. PS check out Arnason for the most Player of the Match Awards! and he was injured for 2 1/2 months
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[Poodles]

Sky League Bet 2 March
Simply the best month ever, I start the month trying to shore up the defence a bit as we are still letting in far to many goals however initially well that seems to cause problems at the other end of the team. However I get shocking news at the end of the month. Which makes me sit up and take notice. Also I seem to be in the middle of a mini player revolt and no-one wants to sign new contracts. I may lose half my squad in the close season.

Fixtures

FC United 0 - 0 Dag & Red

Well we didnt let any in hmmmm

York 1 - 1 FC United
Yennaris (og)

Ok a penalty against and an own goal for us interesting.

FC United 4 - 1 Doncaster
Waghorn (2)
Melo
W Thomas

Hahaha that's more like it scoring and only letting in the single goal, we appear to be playing a little tighter now.

Oldham 1 - 2 FC United
Arnason
W Thomas

FC United 1 - 0 Morcambe
Byrne

And that was the end of the month and then this happened

View attachment 268640
Yeps with 6 games to go I'd completely forgotten about top 3 get promoted, I was still point checking 2nd place when all along i was getting nearer and nearer auto promotion. HAPPY DAYS

View attachment 268637
Blackpool on the other hand have the season to forget and are already gone gone gone, and to think early doors thier board asked me to trade jobs phew.. My new problem none of my more important players at the moment will sign new contracts I hope that changes once we go up. I need a lot of them. Also remember last month I told you to look at Most Player or the Match awards check it now... Arnason back and fit and now ahead every game the lads a diamond and also check out the Trickett-Smith as predicted at this level he's a god

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[Hermanos]

Loving this mate! Doing really well, you will be in the Premier League in no time at this rate! Quick question as to how you got to download the Evo-Stik league mate as I am trying but no download links working!

 

[Poodles]

Sky League Bet 2 April
So last 6 games of the season win 3 of them and we're Champions. It appears the reason I can't seem to negotiate contracts is we have a transfer embargo placed on ourselves. I had operating under my wage budget all season. Unknowingly though we have the smallest ground in the league just 4500, however for the 1st 5 months we were installing new seats and capacity was just 1200. Gutted this means already I have had to sell Byrne at 22 he will score hundreds of goals in his career BUT not for me a close season deal is done. 500K+ coming in in the 1st few weeks of June MAY allow me to negotiate some of the other deals.

Fixtures

Blackpool 1 - 3 FC United
Trinkett-Smith
W Thomas (2)

Already relegated we dont care and go for the throat letting in a silly goal at the end as I push forward for more goals

FC United 3 - 1 Tranmere
Byrne
Oneto
Waghorn (Pen)

FC Halifax 2 - 6 FC United
W Thomas (4)
Oneto
Trinkett-Smith

Hahaha again we put poor Halifax to the sword they must really hate seeing us, and again Thomas nets 4 against someone when the boys on fire hes on fire. It was also nice to claim TOP spot by winning this game.


FC United 1 - 0 Bristol Rovers
Turnbull

Barnet 1 - 0 FC United

Another one of those strange FM games they have 4 shots 2 on target and score, we have 33 shorts 15 on target and can't freaky

FC United 1 - 0 Southend
C Thomas

After 4 months out it was nice to let C Thomas comeback for the last game of the season and to see him net the winning goal was especially fun.

View attachment 268565
So 128 Goals Scored, 107 Points, 2 players in the top 4 goal scorers one a midfielder, all 4 of the top Average Ratings, and with the Player of the Match awards going to Arnason how much WILL I MISS him next season, Byrne and Oneto also get most assists for the season this will be saf as well seeing Byrne start for someone else next season.

View attachment 268564
Here is my end of SEASON SKY BET 2 Championship Team... Just who will be here next season is the question

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[toddzy]

This story is fantastic.

Been a silent reader.

Cannot wait till you get to the big time...

 

[Poodles]

Loving this mate! Doing really well, you will be in the Premier League in no time at this rate! Quick question as to how you got to download the Evo-Stik league mate as I am trying but no download links working!

Hey Hermanos, I went on the Steam website, you subscribe to someones download/add on. Then you quit latest game and restart.

New Start up Screen you can see downloads

View attachment 268532
Click in downloads if they've worked you'll see pretty much anything you've brought into the game, tactics, player updates etc etc including these lower league starters

View attachment 268529
Then its just about starting a new game and loading the edits

View attachment 268528
See here the editor data files ... I've selected custom as I want to load a steam data patch. I have 3 files here as at the time I wasnt sure which one would work

View attachment 268524
The top one would of been amazing as it has like 15 lower level leagues you can go down to almost like Sunday Pub Teams but the latest update screwed it. The 2nd one although good doesnt have many player details. However the final one has loads of player updates and enables level 11 leagues so ryman, eko and a few others

Hope that all helps
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[Hermanos]

thank you very much mate!

 

[Poodles]

This story is fantastic.

Been a silent reader.

Cannot wait till you get to the big time...

Cheers Toddzy ... I think next season will be the worst as I'm running out of money, the grounds very small and I cant seem to get the decent players to commit to contracts. However 4 promotions on the spin. I guess I shouldnt argue to much right?? HAHA

 

[Poodles]

Season 5 Preview Sky League Bet 1
Well here we go again 5th season already, 4 on the bounce promotions have us already sat in the Sky Bet 1, going head to head with teams like Portsmouth, MK Dons etc. It was a long and sweaty pre-season lost another load of players over contract negotiations including my fav holding midfielder Melo, this may prove with Arnason retiring my two biggest gaps to fill. We've improved the ground again in the off season but with just 5000 capacity its the smallest in the league. I'm holding out that with the couple of strong players I've brought in I may still challenge the top teams.

View attachment 268330
I'm forced to balance the books this could be the difficult bit so the bonus is spend £330K Sales £900K. £600K in the bank... However I only got 10% of that to spend. 30 Out 11 In

View attachment 268329
So we'll start the season with a very slim lined squad injuries in the Friendlies immediately cause a problem Ortega last season on loan as back up to Melo joins on a free and immediately strains his knee ligaments for 2 months. Trickett-Smith start midfielder from last season also makes the move permament and then tears his knee 3 months out. DA FUQ

Big 3 Incoming

View attachment 268328
Connor OMG Wilkinson somehow managed to get him on loan from Sheff United , this is a premiership Striker in the making for sure, I really do think I've got a 30 goal a season player here well impressed.

View attachment 268327
Flip Helander, my biggest spend £200K for a CB, however I NEEDED to replace Arnason and I think this could be the player he had 3 seasons for Norwich in the Championship. So I didnt expect him to step down a league but once I showed him my plans and explained I needed someone with experiance and leadership to take this team forward he signed up. Also at 25 I see him in the team for a few years to come.

View attachment 268326
During the off season I had the heart of my Mid-Field taken away contracts expiring etc, while I was chatting to Liverpool over bringing Trinkett-Smith on a perm deal, Smithy mentioned Jordan a player who'd he'd played with for a couple of season in the Liverpool under 21s, I was shocked that Liverpool were willing to let him go so for free

What the Board and Bookies think

Board Expect Mid Table
FA Cup Rnd 3
Capital One Cup Not Intrested
Johnsons Paint Trophy Semi-Final

The Bookies are giving us an outside chance

View attachment 268325
The shocking news just before the season kicked off .. I got a BIG JOB OFFER

View attachment 268324
Premiership Football, it was an exciting offer BUT after a few days thought I declined the offer and pledged my future to FC United



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[Poodles]

Sky League Bet 1 August

Suns shinning, the ground is rammed we start the season with a couple of Home games including an early Capital One game. Can't say I'm not a little nervous. Not so much about the games but our strength in depth, which is noticeable by its absence. I'll spend the 1st month trying to increase the numbers but still balancing quantity against quality. Somehow we have the start every team wants and suffer just one defeat in the 1st month.

Fixtures

FC United 3 - 1 Coventry
Williams (Pen)
Wilkinson (2)

Last years play off winners we quickly despatch them at home no issues at all and nice to see Wilkinson get off the mark with a double. Sign of things to come erm no

FC United 0 - 0 Chesterfield Capital One Cup 1st Rnd
5-4p

Oxford 2 - 4 FC United
C Thomas
Oneto
Lussey
Robinson

FC United 2 - 0 Peterborough
Williams
W Thomas

Crewe 0 - 1 FC United
C Thomas

FC United 1 - 3 Huddersfield Capital One 2nd Rnd
Helander

Hmm 2nd round Capital one and I get Championship Side Huddersfield and they simply take me apart, The thing I've noticed so far I've won games above BUT I'm not bossing the games, shots possesion etc has been very even. I think the wheels are wobbling

View attachment 268216
Getting on a bit but Scott I think can still over something in League 1 and his leadership skills are unquestionable. Unfortuanately he joins and then twists his ankle so will be a few weeks till we see him

View attachment 268214
Interesting start we are top but I'm not sure why, we aren't controlling games, we are being over run at times but lucky that the other teams cant hit a barn door from 5 yeards. We need to improve a lot as the season continues. Outstanding player at the moment is my LB eck, Crewe it appears seem to be this seasons sacrifical lambs

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[Poodles]

Sky League Bet 1 September

Suns still out as we say good buy to a couple of the cup competitions, We're still not quite good enough to field a couple of youth players for cup matches and it shows. In the league we continue to get results without playing well but as the sun starts to wane towards the end of September so the results start to slip. It looks like I'll have work to do in October

Fixtures

FC United 2 - 1 MK Dons
Williams (Pen)
Oneto

Won it not sure how, MK Dons totally battered me it was the sort of game that last year as a Manager I was throwing cups and knocking over water bottles, i had a lot of sympathy for the MK Dons manager and said so over a glass of wine after the match we should of lost this.


Tranmere 3 - 3 FC United Johnstones Paint Rnd 1
15-14p
Oneto
Williams (pen)
Wilkinson

15-14 on penalties well about as much as we deserved another game we got dominated in and the rest for once was fair, I need to tweak for the system a bit.
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Leyton Orient 0 - 1 FC United
Oneto

25 shots to 9 again how are we winning these games.

FC United 2 - 1 Chesterfield
Skarz (og)
W Thomas

Shrewsbury 1 - 1 FC United
W Thomas

Hmm dominated again scrap a draw. Poor game trying hard to figure out why we cant get a foot hold in games

FC United 1 - 1 Swindon
Oneto

Phew 1 nil down into the last minute of extra time and Oneto sneaks in at the far post and plants a header into the corner, however again should Swindon have won, answer probable dammit

Charlton 1 - 0 FC United

Last game of the month and bang there it is, we defended like tigers but couldnt get a shot of and go down in flames, I'll start tweaking the system at the start of the next month as I believe otherwise this is only going to go one way.

View attachment 268196
Last couple of games cost us the top spot, not surprising really, we're still missing a striker in the top 4 goal scorers and in the top 4 best average stats, well its our LB & RB we need to improve going forward.
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[Poodles]

Sky League Bet 1 October

October the weather turns a little colder, I tweak my system at the start of the month it looks like it may of worked then back fires quickly, so a few more tweaks mid month seem to have us playing a little more of a unit. Scott Parker finally gets to play and instead of using the 37yr old as a substitute I ask him to play the holding midfielder roll and be my Quarter Back.

Fixtures

FC United 4 - 1 Colchester
Williams (Pen)
Oneto
Wilkinson
C Thomas

Much better game we are more on par with the opposition shots/possession a lot more even, and of course running our 4 - 1 winners never a bad thing.

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Yeovil 3 - 2 FC United
Robinson
Chicksen

Arghh that was awful, Yeovil mid table mediocre, but they controlled the game better than us. Although I thought we deserved a draw 2 missed penalties cost us.

FC United 4 - 0 Rochdale
Wilkinson
Lussey
Oneto (2)

Fleetwood 2 - 3 FC United
Oneto (2)
Robinson

This is one of those score lines that doesnt look right, Fleetwoods goals came in the 91 & 92nd minutes we bossed the game.

Bristol City 0 - 3 FC United
Oneto
C Thomas
Parker (Pen)

View attachment 268195
Finally we push a 3rd player into the average stats screen and a striker appears in the top 4 in the league for goals. We get back on top of the league, I cant really see at the moment who the main contenders are, although its noticable that Coventry have pushed themselves in the play offs spots.

In other new Crewe start to claim out the bottom 4 however it doesnt save Mr Megson, footballs a funny old game

View attachment 268192
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[KeiranB]

can see another promotion this season for you pal what league are sheff utd in?

 

[Poodles]

can see another promotion this season for you pal what league are sheff utd in?

Hi well we'll see later we have the November, December and January times to go always my worse time with this team. Sheff Utd presently in the Championship with Wednesday local derbys are back on

 

[SamPeters]

just read all the way through, amazing work here mate and can't wait to see them in the Premiership

2 questions

How is Adam Chicksen doing for you? I feel he is very underrated on here.

How are Brighton doing? see they came down and went back up lol

 

[Poodles]

just read all the way through, amazing work here mate and can't wait to see them in the Premiership

2 questions

How is Adam Chicksen doing for you? I feel he is very underrated on here.

How are Brighton doing? see they came down and went back up lol

Hey Sam, Chicksen, didnt stay long unfortunately. I'd couldnt find a regular place for him within in 2 months he fell out for my however, Torquay offered my 20K for him which covered off the wages so I let him go.

Brighton are presently 8th in the Championship doing quite well

 

[Poodles]

Sky League Bet 1 November

We go on a good run through November, securing more wins, I get a couple of injuries towards the end which could become an issue with the size off squad I have, I'm also a little worried I cant seem to close up defensively in this league everytime I try and close a game out we end up losing. But for now we power through

Fixtures

FC United 7 - 0 Notts Co
Williams (Pen)
Oneto (4 inc Pen)
Wilkinson
C Thomas

Seven of the best could of been a a cricket score we were that good, if this continues through the season we'll romp the league.

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Stevenage 3 - 3 FC United
Helander
Wilkinson
C Thomas

We lose a defender early on and then keep having to peg Stevenage back as they keep taking the lead. This is a problem strength in depth

FC United 6 - 2 Rotherham
Wilkinson
Lussey
Oneto (2)
Williams (Pen)

Fleetwood 2 - 3 FC United
Oneto (2)
Robinson

This is one of those score lines that doesnt look right, Fleetwoods goals came in the 91 & 92nd minutes we bossed the game.

Plymouth 2 - 0 FC United

Ouch that was painful and costs us 2 more players to injury, and Scott Parker is sent off

View attachment 267981
Nice little lead going into what is notoriously our dodgy months December, January & February. But now we have the 4 players topping the Average Ratings thats a good sign, plus a leading goal scorer. Normally this means a good season ahead. However not quite half way yet so we'll see what December brings
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