Taking over Manchester 1 league at a Time

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Sky League Bet 1 December

As predicted with the rain and snow, our season starts to dip, Injuries start to mount up and with a waterlogged then a frozen pitch we end up have a mini holiday at the start of December, meaning Christmas/New Year will be amazingly busy. I try to be clever and field a strong FA Cup team. This proves to be a mistake and then next couple of months I will be lament on that error

Fixtures


FC United 4 - 1 Tonbridge FA Cup 1st Rnd
Oneto (3 inc Pen)
W Thomas

I play a full squad against a non league no hoppers and suffer 2 injuries frustration mounts

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FC United 3 - 0 Exeter
Oneto
Wilkinson

A 2nd Striker gets injured and another CB, suddenly I'm struggling to field a full 7 on the reserve bench and a couple of under 21s are called up

FC United 1 - 1 Bradford
Wilkinson

FC United 1 - 1 Oxford
Robinson

3 Games in 6 days and we are so stretched just 2 pts from 9. I'm worried this is turning out to be a bad winter already and 2 more injuries, I now have 7 players out injured 4 of them for at least 6 weeks.

FC United 3 - 0 Bristol Rovers
 W Thomas
Binnom-Williams (OG)

What is my problem I field the strongest team I can in this game against a Sky Bet lge 2 team oh we win but at what cost, yet another Injury, although only for the next game it will be costly.


View attachment 267978
Amazingly even after a rubbish month we are hanging onto 2st spot and haven't really lost that much of the lead. As i mentioned earlier Coventry are really pushing us so I'll have to work hard in January to make my lead count. Crewe after sacking Megson are really in trouble now and have hardle won a game since he went. I know that feeling.
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Sky League Bet 1 January

January worse month of the year so far, we have to squeeze 8 games in, with a squad so thread bear I realise if we get out of this I CAN'T let us get into the position again. WE must have strength in depth going forward. At the end of the month I'm lucky not to have lost my job.

Fixtures

Cardiff 1 - 1 FC United FA Cup 3rd Rnd
Oneto

I should of let the game go, this again would prove costly as players are getting tired.

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Portsmouth 2 - 1 FC United
Williams (Pen)

MK Dons 1 - 0 FC United

FC United 1 - 3 Cardiff FA Cup 3rd Replay
Oneto

Oneto is my 1st striker back from injury he scores but we go down, and Parker is sent of for the 2nd time.

FC United 3 - 1 Leyton Orient
Oneto (2)
Williams

Thanks Goodness I was panicking wondering where the next win was coming from finally 2 players come back from Injury and we can move forward

FC United 2 - 0 Crewe
Oneto
Williams (Pen)

Happy to have this game against Crewe, leagues whipping boys and we oblige

Chesterfield 3 - 2 FC United
Oneto
Williams (Pen)

Oh what we so shouldnt of lost this, cruising 2 nil up I go to hold onto the lead and we ship 3 in five minutes rubbish boys rubbish

Peterborough 1 - 4 FC United
Oneto (2)
Lussey
Trickett-Smith

Finally Trickett-Smith is fit and plays and scores and then is injured again ... WHAT end of the longest month EVER!

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Leads gone as has the 4 players leading the average ratings list, just another hint that the season is starting to fall away. I have a dodgy feeling that it may get worse before it gets better. As I'm still getting players injured and letting in really soft goals. In some games it doesn't seem to matter how I try and tweak our formation they manage to sneak one or two past us.
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Sky League Bet 1 February

Another month of hit and miss results see's us tottering around the play-offs, I thank the lord for the amazing start we had August, September and November. Other wise we could of been the Crewe of the division, By the end of the month we are finally getting the last couple of long term injuries out the way and find a little bit of form. However it will be squeeky *** time for the run in.

Fixtures

FC United 3 - 2 Shrewsbury
C Thomas
Williams
Lussey

A ding dong battle see's us nick a win in the last few minutes, I've given up trying to make us dominate games and win, It's now all about getting as many points in the bag as possible

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Tranmere 4 - 2 FC United
Williams (Pen)
C Thomas

Point here about dominating games we did 2 nil up after 20 minutes and then we were battered

Swindon 3 - 2 FC United
Wilkinson
Lussey

Away games again making us pay :( 2 nil up again after 40 minutes at least we didnt let in 4 this time! Arghhhh
FC United 2 - 1 Charlton
Oneto
Wilkinson

For this game I go a little bit more defensively, we opt instead of the gung ho, storm the beaches to be a bit more pretty boy passing seems to work 2-1 but it was an easy 2-1

Colchester 0 - 2 FC United Rae (Under 21s)
W Thomas


Yeovil 1 - 0 FC United

Pretty boys but no end result how many chances does a team need ouch

Rochdale 1 - 1 FC United
Lussey



View attachment 267844
We that could've been worse in the last game at Rochdale I was finally able to field what I think is my best 11, although 2 of them were completely under cooked it felt like a win at 1-1 we have lots of chances and just let in a silly goal. Since they at the time are top of the league at least it stopped a bigger gap forming. Possible for only the 2nd time in 5 season this one will go down to the wire.
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Sky League Bet 1 March

Finally we move into the slightly warmer weather and with it we again find our form, Cup games are long gone so focusing each day on the game ahead I work the players on pass and move pass and move, we need to be getting in front in games. When our strongest 11 players we win, however I have a couple of players who seem to be constantly injury prone, or hot heads with Yellow/Red cards.

Fixtures

FC United 3 - 0 Fleetwood
Williams (Pen)
Oneto
Lussey

We dominate the game, shots, shots on targets, tackles etc. As I say to the players when we have you all fit and available no-one can stand in our way

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FC United 1 - 0 Bristol City
Lussey

Williams one of my main CB sent of for 2 silly yellow cards, we also have 6 other players booked in a bad tempered affair. Causing the FA is issue a fine after the match. We'll be without Williams 1 game and now C Thomas one of main CMs for 3 games

Notts Co 2 - 3 FC United
Oneto
Lussey
Routledge

With Williams missing we give the opponents lots of strikes BUT score more than them. 3 wins on the bounce

FC United 3 - 0 Stevenage
Oneto
Wilkinson
Robinson

The last game of the month see's C Thomas finish his ban, I should start April again with a full strength squad. More importantly all 3 strikers score for the 1st time since September



View attachment 267747

With 4 games won on the bounce, we see a little breathing space appear, between us and 2nd place Rochdale, This time I remember that top 2 get promoted so its 9pts between myself and Coventry (Remember them Play-Off winners last season) win 3 out of the next 6 and we're Up
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toddzy said:
NEARLY THERE :D
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Aii thanks Toddzy, really thought we'd lost it there for a while, Just made breakfast, grabbed coffee, this was all last nights games. However "DAYS" holiday today so its time to finish the season.

April light rain but warm, I realised C Thomas actually had one more game ban so he's off doing to light running this morning while the rest of the lads prepare for an away trip to Rotherham mid table but pushing for play offs
 
Sky League Bet 1 April

After a crazy winter of trouble, defeats, silly goals, a manager who constantly tinkers with the system, we lose just one game in the last 11 matches, I learn not to keep swapping players in and out. We control the charts with Assists, Goals, Average Ratings.

Fixtures

Rotherham 2 - 2 FC United
Wilkinson
Robinson

Away from home, I'll take the point and move on. With both Rochdale and Coventry losing, I move further away.

​
FC United 5 - 1 Plymouth
Lussey
Wilkinson
Oneto (3)

Amazing game we totally destroyed Plymouth, was a great game, after the match things happen.

View attachment 267737
Crewe are gone and who didnt see that coming, all season long they've diced with the drop and with 4 games to go it takes them.

View attachment 267736
Weeeeeeeeeeeeee with 4 games to go we confirm the 3rd place team cant catch us so now then 1st or 2nd. Next game I decide to rest a few players try and boost some confidence of the bench warmers

Bradford 1 - 0 FC United

Well that was silly, trying out 2 many youth players we hit plenty of shots but cant score

FC United 4 - 1 Portsmouth
Oneto
Trinkett-Smith
Williams
C Thomas

Thats more like proof again when the 1st 11 play no-one lasts against us


Exeter 1 - 3 FC United
Oneto
Trinkett-Smith
Wilkinson

FC United 3 - 0 Tranmere
Oneto
Robinson
Conlan


View attachment 267735
Crazy in the end we finish a good 11pts clear, makes me feel it was easy BUT god it wasnt the boys really played well. Oneto was the leading scorer however on loan from Liverpool, I tried to keep him for another year refused. His contract ruins till 2020 another year yet. So I through in a cheeky bid, it was accepted BUT he then asks for 15.5K a week, 3 times my biggest earner, who has a match the biggest wage at the club fee. For now thats on the back burner. So Rochdale will join us in the Championship, 4 other teams to fight for a play off win. Down with Crewe go Bradford, Colcester and Exeter.

In other news Wigan, Gillingham and Barnsley will drop out of the Championship, Ashton Villa & Sunderland will head back into the Premiership. I may check out Wigan see if I can pick up any bargains.

In the Preimership it looks like any 3 from 7 coming down to join us so again MIGHT be somewhere I can raid for players if they need to release some etc. West Ham, Newcastle and Swansea all carrying players I wouldnt mind having a pop at.

View attachment 267734

Finally my end of season squad, the main concern for me losing the leading goal scorer and Callum Robinsons in ability despite the skills to find the net on a regular basis. I'll need to make a decision if its cost effective to look at selling him and bringing in a new striker. ALL the bench warmers to be honest aren't up to scratch and will need to be moved on in the close season the best I can.

View attachment 267733
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Season 6 Preview Sky Bet Championship
Phew what a Journey so far who would of thought 6 years ago that we'd be soon banging our heads against the big boys the the Champion Ship. I hope this season my team can be competitive. I lost quite a few of my 1st team in the summer, both my on loan strikers went back to their perspective clubs and weren't now available instead of trying to loan more players I think I might end up being in this league at least one if not two seasons so I've brought players in instead, the only place I haven't is left back. I picked a young 19 yr old kid but I think he might need a year of reserve football before being thrown in.

View attachment 267610
Final the board decide to increase the capacity, but it means a season ground sharing so were off to Bolton, nice ground 22K so lets hope we can fill it. If we do I'll make money this season

View attachment 267609
Ok so quite a few players in and out again, half the ones coming in are straight into the under 21s as I kept the reserve squads thread bear before hand to keep costs down. Some of them half a fair chance to come into the team if we suffer injuries, again I make the board money this time 1.4 Million profit on players. I was gutted to lose Robinson to newly promoted Huddersfield but it was my own fault for leaving his BUY OUT fee so low, recon there was another million in that deal

Fresh Faces

View attachment 267607
Adam on a cheap deal from Newcastle 40K i think its a steal I see goals goals goals

View attachment 267606
100K buy in from Leicester, my new number one as I couldnt stop Neil heading off to Arsenal profit though and I think maybe a better keeper

View attachment 267605
Eric American and my biggest spend I lost my right back and wanted someone I could trust in that position, also Eric has an awesome long throw. I can see him setting up a few for us.

View attachment 267604
Finally Neneca, I was going to pick up as a reserve team member however having had a good look at him in friendlies and checking out his stats, how could I not offer him a starting spot.

What the Board and Bookies think

Board Expect Mid Table again
FA Cup 4th Rnd
Capital One Cup 2nd Rnd

The Bookies give us odds 200-1 to get promotion so er NO CHANCE at all... ******


Starting Line Up Championship Season

View attachment 267602


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Best of luck buddy.

2-3 season in this league wouldn't be too bad would it?
 
toddzy said:
Best of luck buddy.

2-3 season in this league wouldn't be too bad would it?
Click to expand...

Hmm I'd not like ending up being down here for 3, but yeah I certainly think it'll be next season before I can push for the promotion, this year I need to secure my mid table finish, finishing crossed.
 
JamesScott2908 said:
Unbelievable run with back to back promotions and champions!
Click to expand...

Thanks James yeah its certainly been a fun ride, as I noticed last season though its really got hard now and I think this next season will be the issue
 
Sky Bet Championship August

I make two more last minute deals, an ageing midfielder Lucas Castiglia, will be a good back up for the mains and Liverpool a day before the 1st game of the season list Oneto back up for loan, I immediately place an offer for him which is accepted. So 1st day of the season Balls, Music and Big grounds how will we do! VERY nervous

Fixtures

Sheff Wed 2 - 4 FC United
Helander
Trinkett-Smith (2)
Samuel

Well proof we can score at this level but easy to see its can we keep enough clean sheers or always score more than the other team

FC United 4 - 1 Crewe Capital One Cup 1st Rnd
Lussey (2)
Samuel
Garrett (og)

FC United 4 - 2 Notts Forrest
Oneto (3)
Samuel

Brighton 2 - 3 FC United
Castiglia (2)
Lussey

FC United 2 - 2 Reading
Williams (Pen)
W Thomas

FC United 1 - 3 Fulham Capital One 2nd Rnd
Lussey

Hmm Premiership Team pops down and shows us how to play. I think I met the boards request at least get to Capital One Cup 2nd Round

Derby 2 - 1 FC United
W Thomas

Of all the games this one was the disappointing one, not because I expected to run out winners or anything BUT it was the one I thought we'd have a decent chance of a draw at least frustrating.

View attachment 267483
You know what If I'd been offered this at the start of the season 3 wins 1 Defeat, 1 draw from the 1st five in the league I'd of snapped someone's hand off... SO one of my usual better months out the way and not a bad start. Millwall and Coventry looking in real trouble already
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DaveAzzopardi said:
What a story! Love this. Keep it up.
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Awww cheers Dave, RL took over this afternoon and evening BUT there will be further news in the morning. I have a 5am wake up call. SO I suspect I'll have a few hours to see where the season takes me! :)
 
Sky Bet Championship September

Now I'm out the Capital One, September is all about the league but with a 10 day break for internationals that is something I'll have to get used to this season. Just 5 games BUT frustrating ones. Win/Lose Win/Lose Win arghhh and I can see the difference in this league teams DONT need many chances to score goals, however I seem to need 5 to score 1. Is this my System, My Strikers or My Defenders times will tell

Fixtures

FC United 2 - 1 West Brom
Oneto (2)

Hard fought win as we let a goal in early but fight like tigers to pull of a win, 6700 attendance not bad

Newcastle 2 - 0 FC United

An early season visit to a last seasons premiership club and a good one proves how hard this season is. I try parking the bus and get thumped phew lucky not to go home 5 nil. Just some reality here.

View attachment 267306
Newcastle come down make 32Million in sales and still manage to spend 13million on players ... If you remember mine £2.5Million in and £1.6Million out

View attachment 267305
And lets not get started on Salaries huh :) My BEST player is on £7000 a week most of them are on 5K :)


FC United 2 - 1 Swansea
Samuel
Armstrong

2nd ex Premiership team in a row, but this time at home and it pays off with a win

Wolves 2 - 1 FC United
Armstrong

Away games again, these flater wider pitches are going to be our undoing, I need to find a way to close up away and hold onto games. Probable start being happy with draws

FC United 5 - 3 Norwich
Armstrong
Samuel
Oneto
Lussey (2)

All 3 strikers notch goals and we finish the month on a high. However more information in the locker home we can win away we suffer



View attachment 267304
Tooked into 4th after 2 months, more wins that defeats is always nice. Newcastle & West Brom at the top not surprising, I noticed while loading this ... Robin Van Persie banging in the goals for West Brom. Couple of quid on there for the leading goal scorer I think. Also Tim Krul still keeping clean sheets for Newcastle.
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Sky Bet Championship October

Another lesson in away games, 5 more games this month, 2 wins 2 draws and a defeat seems a reasonable one however when does a team go away from home score 5 and NOT win the game! this will prove to be a frustrating month. I guess just another reason I should be happy if we manage to finish in a reasonable position this season and secure a title push next one.

Fixtures

Leicester 5 - 5 FC United
Armstrong (2 Inc Pen)
Samuel
Oneto
Trinkett-Smith

27,000 peeps watch a 10 goal thriller AND WE take the lead each time, at one point we are 3-1 up and cruising. Why oh Why cant we defend. at some point I may have to go back to the drawing board and rework the defence as we just CANT stop them going in

FC United 3 - 1 Sheff Utd
Samuel
Trinkett-Smith (2)

Home game again and a win, we are building a fortress :)

Millwall 4 - 1 FC United
C Thomas

Hmm New Den and we can thrown to the lions ouch, that defence tweak didnt work

FC United 1 - 1 Cardiff
Neneca

Stoke 1 - 4 FC United
Armstrong
Trinkett-Smith
Lussey (2)

BOOM an away win, AWAY win yes yes we are on our way .. Much singing on the way back up the M6 on the coach that was a good win

View attachment 267303
Still holding in on that 4th spot, really happy with how this is going so far, we now have 3 players in the average ratings and people may have noticed I use this as a good gage on how my seasons panning out as we go on. What people may also have remembered is normally we have a good run for the 1st 3 months of a season and then November. December, January has me turning grey. It looks like this seasons sacrifical lambs are poor Coventry, they seem to have worse luck than us in recruitment and are struggling.

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Bullardinho said:
fantastic achievement so far mate! keep it up!
Click to expand...

Cheers Bull, gotta be honest this is proving the hardest season by far, I'm actually going into some games just trying to find ways not to get over run and swamped :)

But its fun gotta be honest
 
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