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February Review


Results

6/2/15 / De Graafschap v Telstar

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A solid performance and result to start the month. Telstar put up a decent fight, but we were definitely the better team and eased to a 2-0 win through goals from Vermeij and Asdrubal.

13/2/15 / De Graafschap v FC Oss

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A brilliant performance against FC Oss, who are fighting for a play-off spot this year. We showed our class, and completely played them off the pitch. We were 4-0 up after only 16 minutes, that is the definition of starting fast! A perfect performance, shame we couldn't keep the clean sheet but I am not complaining.

20/2/15 / De Graafschap v Jong PSV

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Jong PSV are at the bottom of the table so in theory this should've been an easier game than the FC Oss game. We couldn't break the deadlock and went in at half time 0-0. I got the boys rallied up, and 2 Vincent Vermeij goals dragged us to a 2-0 win. 3 wins in a row!

27/2/15 / Helmond Sport v De Graafschap

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The final game of the month would be far by the toughest. Helmond Sport are in 5th spot, and are fighting for a place in the play-offs. We were 2-1 down going into the final 10 minutes of the game and we pushed for a goal, and it came through Asdrubal! It looked like we would escape with a point, but they came straight back at us and scored. A disappointing way to end the month.


Player of the Month

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I almost gave it to Asdrubal who has been a brilliant addition, but Vincent Vermeij has been too good this month. He has scored at least once in all 4 games, scoring 5 goals in total. He is currently the top scorer of the league, even though he has missed a number of games through injury. He is our key man right now, as long as he is fit we go into every game thinking we can outscore the other team.


Jupiler League

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We have extended out lead at the top of the table to 8 points ahead of FC Eindhoven. Roda are 9 points behind us. They are still the only real challengers with 9 games left in the league. If we can have another good month like we have done in January and February, I can't see us being beaten this year.

Fixtures

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March looks fairly straight forward on paper. We have 2 home games, which are both winnable even though Fortuna Sittard have hit form. Jong FC Twente have struggled all year, Sparta will be our biggest test but I think we are still favourites going into that game.​
 
Dunno why but I love your stories mate. I even reinstalled FM after a few months of abstinence hah :)
 
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Youth Intake Update

We upgraded our youth coaching this year, with hopes that it would improve our youth intake. I was hoping we would bring up some players who within a few season would be challenging for first team football.

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A few promising players by the looks of things, lets take a look at a few of the best.

Daryl Boons

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This guy is in my opinion the most promising. He has high determination and bravery which are 2 key attributes for a centre back, hopefully we can develop him well!

Richard Schouten

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At first glance he is probably the most promising. Has the potential to become a top centre back. Only thing that's letting him down for me is his determination.

Rens Van Boekal


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I like the look of this guy. Has some decent technical ability, I really like his high natural fitness as well. Potential to be a top playmaker.​
 
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March Review

Results

6/3/15 / Sparta v De Graafschap

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An absolute thriller. We come away from Sparta with 3 points after the game finished 5-4, with 9 different scorers! A brilliant result, and a great game of football.

9/3/15 / De Graafschap v Fortuna Sittard


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We were the better team, but we weren't our lethal selves up front. I cant remember the last time we failed to score in a game. We move on.

13/3/15 / De Graafschap v FC Emmen

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A solid performance and back to winning ways. We could've won by more, but I'm not too dissapointed. Hidde Jurius marked his return with a clean sheet, which was very pleasing to see.

20/3/15 / Jong FC Twente v De Graafschap

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We conceded early, but the boys were fired up and stormed to a 4-1 victory against one of the leagues poorest sides.


Player of the Month

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Asdrubal has been superb since coming in from his local side Las Palmas. He has settled in almost instantly, making it impossible to take him out of the team.


Jupiler League

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We have cemented our place in top spot even further after 3 wins in 4 games in March. We need only 7 points from 5 games in April to secure promotion, and that is if Roda win all of their remaining games. FC Eindhoven's title push is over after a poor month, Roda are just about clinging on 9 points behind, but it is now out of their hands and in ours.

Fixtures

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The first 3 games will be tough, especially at home to NEC and away at Voldenham. But I think that we should secure the title this month fairly comfortably. Lets go!​
 
Boons and Schouton are promising...
Good results btw,but not agains Fortuna :)
 
Great going so far this season mate, I'd say the title is in the bag.

I'm 7 or 8 seasons into a save with ADO Den Haag and I'm finding that Holland is an interesting country to manage in as the reputation of the league has been on the slide for a few years but there is still quite a lot of potentially big clubs with room for growth if you can get the league to improve a bit.
 
Great going so far this season mate, I'd say the title is in the bag.

I'm 7 or 8 seasons into a save with ADO Den Haag and I'm finding that Holland is an interesting country to manage in as the reputation of the league has been on the slide for a few years but there is still quite a lot of potentially big clubs with room for growth if you can get the league to improve a bit.

Thanks man, I hope so! Ahhh yeah, used to be a lot bigger when Ajax were in their prime. Hopefully if we grow, Dutch football will too.

Boons and Schouton are promising...
Good results btw,but not agains Fortuna :)

Yeah hopefully they can develop, thanks mate :)
 
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April Review

We went into April with the title in sight!

Results

3/4/15 / De Graafschap v NEC

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A great result to start the month! We battled hard, and beat NEC 4-2 at home.

7/3/15 / MVV v De Graafschap

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We were the better team in this game, unbelievable how we lost it by 3 goals. We had more chances, we hit the post 3 times!

10/4/15 / Voldenhem v De Graafschap

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We went into this game knowing that a win would guarantee us the title. We went 2-0 down, and it looked like a repeat of last game was happening. But we didn't give up, Yesil and Vida scored within a few minutes of eachother and we only needed 1 goal! It came 10 minutes later through Jordan Garcia-Calvette. Unbelievably though, Lazic who was been awful lately conceded a penalty which they scored, making it 3-3. We would have to wait for the Roda game, anything but a win for them would win us the title.


Roda drew 0-0 with Sparta, and we had won the title with 2 games to spare! A great achievement, considering we were 50/1 to win the league at the start of the year. The Eredivisie awaits!

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I immediately signed a new contract with the club, keeping me at De Graafschap until 2017 on 2.5k per week.

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17/4/15 / De Graafschap v RKC

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I instant resulted the last 2 games as I knew we had won the title. Don't know how we lost this game, but we did.

24/4/15 / De Graafschap v FC Den Bosch

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I instant resulted this game too, a good way to end the season.


Jupiler League

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We win the league! It was fairly comfortably in the end, winning by 9 points. A great season!

Fixtures

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Not the best month we've had this season, but it doesn't matter!


Transfer News

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The board set an insane budget once we achieved promotion! We are currently spending around 30K p/w on wages, they are giving us 90K p/w with 1.5 million to spend on players!​
 
Can't wait to see the transfers. I used to manage in Holland as there's is always a bunch of good and cheap national players to pick up!
 
You've done quite a lot around here ! A marvellous job,winning the league...
But why so little money to spend ?
 
Can't wait to see the transfers. I used to manage in Holland as there's is always a bunch of good and cheap national players to pick up!

Thanks a lot man! I'm in July, its been alright so far, just looking for deals! It's a lot harder to get Dutch players than I thought it would be though.

You've done quite a lot around here ! A marvellous job,winning the league...
But why so little money to spend ?

Thanks man! Really happy with the first season. That is loads of money considering I have only just been promoted to the Eredivisie! The highest earner at my club is earning 1.8k, and I have 60K available to me :)
 
Just caught up mate well done on winning the league :)

Looking forward to see what you're going to do next.
 
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End of Season Awards

Jupiler League Player of the Year

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Pereira won player of the year, with Vincent Vermeij finishing in 3rd.

Young Player of the Year

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De Graafschap players dominate Jupiler League young player of the year.

Jupiler League Manager of the Year

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I walked Manager of the year.

Play-off Result

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SC Cambuur will stay in the Eredivise, and Voldenham will join us in the Eredivise next season.​
 
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Summer Transfer Window Review

I was given a really nice budget by the board, but instead of wasting it on big contracts and transfer fees I looked to spend it wisely, trying to get the best deal I could on every player. Let the Pozzo wheeling and dealing begin!

Players In

Asdrubal & Cihat Celik / Las Palmas & NEC - Free

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The two guys who we agreed to sign in January join us on a free. Asdrubal was brilliant last year, hopefully he can continue his form.

Borja Granero / Racing Santander - Free

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I think I am most pleased with this transfer. We picked Borja up for free, and he looks a real talent. One are which we lacked quality last year was a defensive minded midfield, hopefully he can fill that gap and progress to be a top player for us!

Branco Van den Boomen / FC Eindhoven - 190K

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We signed Branco from last seasons rivals FC Eindhoven for a small fee. He will play in midfield or at centre back for us, and looks a really good player already, and he has only just turned 20!

Florian Riedal / Kaiserslautern - Free

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Van der Wal isn't good enough to start at Right Back for us in the Eredivisie, I think this guy is a much better player.

Javi Noblejas / Real Madrid - Free

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Vlatko Lazic was really poor at the end of last year. I think I have found a real gem at left back, I think he will develop well and make an instant impact in the first team.

Saleh Gomaa / ENPPI - Free

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I wanted to bring Periera back on loan but Man Utd wanted to keep him after his top performances last season. I thought it would be really hard to replace but I think Saleh Gomaa could be even better than him. He has played on loan in the Portugese League for the past 2 seasons, and could be a really good pick up for us!

Kevin Pannewitz / Goslar - Free

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I didn't need this man, but he was too good to ignore.

Darren Keet / KV Kortrijk - 275K

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A solid keeper. I felt Hirius was slightly too young to be our first team keeper in this league, so I bought a more experienced keeper Darren Keet. He has a good work ethic, hopefully he can tutor Hirius.

Davy Williams / FC Eindhoven - 76K

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A young player with some potential we will see how he develops.

Sami Messaoudi / Telstar - 100K

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Another decent Dutch regen, we will see how he develops too.

Gedion Zelalem / Arsenal - Loan

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We bring the promising youngster in from Arsenal for the season as a back-up, we won't need to pay any wages.

Federico Piovaccari / Sampdoria - Loan

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The board decided to link up with the big Italian club and become affiliates. They finished 2nd in the Serie A last season. I wanted to bring in a back-up striker on loan especially as we have had a few injuries, hopefully he will make an impact, and he is free!


Players Out

Caner Cavlan / Heracles - 850K

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He had a half decent season last season, but he was fairly poor in some games and I didn't really know where to fit him in. I think his stats do not represent how well he actually plays. I believe I got a really good fee for him aswell.

Jerry Van Ewijk / Heracles - 550K

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He is a decent player, but I dont think he is worth that much money.

Lars Van Roon / Sparta - 285K

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He is a useful player, I didn't want to sell him but again he isnt worth that money.

Jasper Heusinkveld / KV Kortrik - 110K

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Basically swapped him for our new keeper Darren Keet. I think we got the better deal.

Vlatko Lazic / Voldenham - 150K

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I sold him as I didnt really want him, and he was getting ready to leave.


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All in all I am happy with the window. There were a few players we missed out on as other clubs snapped them up, but I think we have a good foundation to build on in the Eredivisie.


Transfer Window Round-up

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The big teams in Holland lost some of their better players, PSV loosing Bakali and Ajax loosing Lasse Schone both for free.


Season Preview

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We are predicted to finish 11th after our brilliant year last season. My personal aim is to finish in the top 8, it will be tough but I think we have the squad to do it. We are 50/1 to win the league again, just like last season ;)

Eredivisie 14/15

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PSV stormed past Ajax on their way to winning the Eredivise last year. Mainly because of Memphis Depay, he averaged 8.14, scored 16 and assisted 14 in 27 league games!


Pre-Season Injury Blows

We suffered a few real blows in the build up to this season. Dean Koolhof who was a key player for us last season and will be this season tore his calf, meaning he wont play until November at the earliest. Kristopher Vida will also miss some time.

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Nice transfer window mate. Like the look of quite a few of the signings, Gomaa especially looks like an absolute bargain.
 
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