The Saints Are Coming - A 2019 Story

A Busy Summer Ahead

Now that I have secured a European spot for my second season in charge, my side will be involved in 4 Cup Competitions. There are also aging players within my side that will need to be either moved on, or will retire. My team also consists of 4 loan players in key positions with I will need to replace

Although I finished high in the league, I still conceded a number of goals, and I need to address my defense to resolve this problem. Samson is also aging, and will need replacing. I can either use my youth goalkeeper, or look to bring in another to take the first team spot.

There is also a possibility that my younger, better performing players may be the subject of transfers. Whilst I don't want to sell my top players, if the offer is right, I will need to accept.

There is possibly 15 players from the first team and reserve team leaving. I think I will need 7 new signings to come into the first team, to replace loan signings and those who may leave.

It's going to be a busy summer ahead.
 
The Man Between The Sticks

My first signing of the Summer window is the arrival of 24 year old, Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra. This man will battle it out with Fergal for the number 1 jersey. Samson is still with the club, and I am currently in the process of making him a player coach. I would like to see him stay at the club in some capacity for sentimental reasons. However, if I am to realise my challenges in this game I have to be ruthless, and remove players who are no longer good enough - no matter how much attachment I have to them.
 
Out The Door

3 players have left St Mirren.

As much as I liked McShane, i needed to make space for my youth players who I am looking to develop. McShane mae a lot of appearances from the bench, which is something Erhahon could do. This frees up wages and makes an additional 80k available to the club.

M'Voto did the job I required of him, but he was getting on a bit, and wouldn't make the grade for a team pushing to finish inside the top 3 again. Again, this frees up more wages and reduces the squad size.

Gary Mac - it's sad to see him go. But he spent the full season injured, and when he returned I couldn't find a place for him in the team. Sadly, it was time for him to move on. Hopefully he comes back as a coach one day. This again frees up vital wages for a side looking to take their first steps in Europe since 1987.
 
Kellerman Joins Pompey

Jim Kellerman has joined Portsmouth for £40,000. Jim had never featured for my side, and wasn't going to be used in future. Another wage free'd up, and more funds for the transfer kitty.
 
Basila Seals Buddies Loan

Thomas Basila seals a season long loan move to the Buddies. Basila is a young centre half who will partner Jack Baird. However, I may need to seek a more experienced centre half for Europe.

Heaton is still at the club, however he won't be good enough to make the step up. Jones has gone back to Southampton and Anton Ferdinand was released on account of his high wages and lack of first team appearances.
 
Two Join...

Another two signings have joined the Ranks of The Buddies.

Kilmarnock left back Greg Taylor joins for a £500k fee - 60% of my transfer budget. Greg is another young player who brings pace, Premiership experience. He will go straight into the team and fill the spot left by Hayden Coulson. It may have been nice to get Coulson back, however I currently have 3 loan players at the club as Morgan is still here, and I don't want to rely too much on loan signings this. Coulson would also have cost me £2.5 million to sign - money I do not possess.

I'm encouraged to see that my £500k investment in Taylor already looks to have netted me a £250k profit

Southampton youth right back Kieran Freeman has also joined on loan, this is my third loan signing attached to my team (Morgan, Basila and Freeman). Another young player, and another Scottish National. High pace, and good tackling for this level should make for Freeman to be a promising replacement for McGinn and Hodgson. However, crossing may be an issue, as I like to use my full backs to get forward and support the attack.
Kyle Magennis has also signed a new contract. Magennis see's his wage almost tripled, with a £5.5 million release clauses added by his agent (only way I could reduce the wage). Magennis will now play with the Buddies till 2022 - I think this is my best bit of business so far this summer.
 
First Team Dilemma

I am currently faced with a dilemma for the club. Club captain - Stephen McGinn is the subject of a number of bids from other clubs, the highest fee being £1.9 million.

At this stage in the game, £1.9 million is a lot of money for St Mirren, and would be useful in bringing in better quality players to replace those that have left. It could also be better invested into the youth system to start pulling through a higher calibre of younger player.

McGinn scored 12 goals last season, with 9 assist and it would be a big loss should he be sold. However, I potentially have a few replacements that could take his place - most notably Erhahon.

If I can get £2.5 million from any team, I will accept it. Failing that, I will need to think long and hard about selling McGinn, and potentially identifying a new captain within my young side.
 
Squad Progress - And The First Steps into Europe

My current squad is shaping up nicely. There is still the hanging dilemma as to whether to sell my club captain or not. Personal feelings towards players have to be taken out of the equation, and I need to think of this on purely a business position.

The Formation

I've decided to stick with my 4-2-3-1 formation. I'm really enjoying using this formation, and it's one I've swore by for the last few FM games now. The shape allows my full backs to get forward and support my attackers, whilst my centre backs are fully supported by my midfield 2. The formation was tweaked using a download from the Steam Workshop. The brainchild behind this creation is Giovani Lo Celo (4-2-3-1 Offensif). Whilst my original 4-2-3-1 tactic was working in my first season, it lacked a bit of oomphf

My wingers are still set as inside forwards, who will support my lone striker.

The Team

In goals we currently have Hale-Brown. My new goalkeeper signing is currently awaiting a work permit, which I have to wait another 60 days to apply for. My young goalkeeper will take the deputy role just now. At 19 years old, the young stopper shows plenty of potential to allow my team to progress.

My defense consists of new signing Greg Taylor (21) at left back. Whilst proving a costly purchase for the side at £500k, his pace, tackling an crossing should hopefully prove deadly to any opposition. Jack Baird maintains his spot at the heart of my backline. As a product of the youth academy, he shows the quality of player that my youth side can churn out. At 23 years old, he is the oldest player who will start in my defense. Basila (on loan from Nantes) joins Baird in the centre of defense. Although only 20, the young player looks to have plenty of talent to hold off the most experienced striker. Loan signing Freeman join the side to play in the right back role, taking over from Paul McGinn. many o the goals I conceded came down the right side so I had to make a change to shore that side up. The 19 year old provides pace, tackling and crossing to assist in the defense and the attack. The average age of my 4 defenders is 20 years old.

In the middle we currently have Stephen McGinn. The 30 year old currently provides the experience and leadership within the midfield. He is the player who will assist my back line. 20 year old Magennis makes up the second half of the midfield duo. Magennis will support the attackers and look to create opportunities to score. With 13 goals and 10 assists in my first season, Magennis is a key man for the side!

My forward 4 consists of the on loan Lewis Morgan. Morgan has successfully joined for a second season with the side on loan from Celtic. 22 year old Morgan will play on the left side, although can switch to be equally as effective on the right. Hammill carries out the same role as Morgan, just on the opposite flank. Since both players can switch sides, it is a tactic I will look to employ to deadly force. Cammy Smith will fufile the role of Shadow Striker - a role I love utilizing within the game. He is effectively my second striker.

Lawrence Shankland nips in ahead of Danny Mullen up front. This was a tough decision and i'm sure Danny still has a huge part to play within the club.


Currently, my average starting squad age is 22. However, McGinn, Hammill and Smith are all the subject of transfer interest.


Those First Steps into Europe

My first test in Europe is against Neftci, an Azerbaijani side.

At home, the first leg ended with a 3-0 win for St Mirren. Lewis Morgan scored a brace, whilst Magennis scored the third goal. All seamed bright headed into the second leg with it looking likely my side would progress.

Away from home my team fared much better. A double from Morgan, a hat-rick for Magennis, a Shankland, Smith and Baird goal saw St Mirren run out 0-8 winners (11-0 agg.)

St Mirren advance to the Second Qualifying round and gain £215k in prize money. Next up Ludogorets
 
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No More Business

Although progress in Europe has so far gone well, my team still requires some work.

With Diarra still struggling to obtain a work permit, I potentially require another goalkeeper.

Defensively i'm still a little light. I required a centre half, and cover for both right and left back.
Centre half Ryan Porteous joins from fellow Premiership side Hibs for £180k. Ryan comes with plenty of potential, and good stats for a 20 year old at this level. Ryan will provide excellent cover and competition for my 2 centre halves.

22 year old Ballo-Toure joins on a free transfer, and will provide cover at full back. Again with good stats and plenty of potential, this is another singing I am happy with.

In midfield, my side was also lacking. I identified 16 year old Jim Johnstone of Ayr as a target. The promising winger provides pace and good crossing, and for £28k, it seems a steal.

Leaving the club is Paul McGinn. Paul joins Partick Thistle for £185k. I would like to thank him for his efforts in the first season. Also leaving is young centre half Josh Heaton for a fee of £100k to Gillingham.

Unless I see any other high potential signings, I think my transfer business is done - with the exception of potentially a goalkeeper.
 
Eurotour - Saints go Marching On

Second Round - First Leg

After my early First round success. The Saints play Ludogorets.

After Cammy Smith game the Saints an early 0-1 lead, the home side pulled level just before half time.

Saints once again went ahead shortly after the restart with Kyle Magennis slotting home, only for the home side to draw level late on. The first leg ens 2-2 with Saints taking a vital away goals.

Second Round - Second Leg

Stephen McGinn puts the Saints ahead in the second minute, only for Jack Baird to give away a penalty. At 1-1 the away side have now pegged back an away goal. Lawrence Shankland gets Saints dreaming ith his 52nd minute effort, only for the visitors to draw level in the 94th minute. Extra Time.

No goals in extra time saw the game run to penalties. Young saints goalkeeper made 3 important saves to sent St Mirren through.

Third Round - First Leg

The third round of European qualification saw St Mirren pitted against Greek side Panionios. The free scoring Saints continued to show their dominance through a 5-0 victory - with goals for Shankland, Hammill, Magennis, Smith and Morgan. 5 vital away goals.

Third Round - Second Leg

With qualification to the next round pretty much secure. I opted to give my younger players a run out. a 6-1 win for my young Saints proved I have quality littered throughout the side. New signing Johnstone grabbed a brace, as did Al Hassan and Maragh.

Fourth Round - First Leg

European giants Feyenoord was up next and this tie had me believing my European adventure was over. Morgan and SMith secured a 2-0 home win in the first leg.

Fourth round - Second Leg

I thought 1 away goal would be enough to secure my qualification through to the group stage - even if the Dutch side were to make some sort of fightback. An early goal for Feryenoord had me sweating, but goals from Morgan, McGinn and Mullen were enough to see me through.

All in all there was an additional £3million added to the clubs finances through prize money.

European Goal Table
Lewis Morgan - 7
Kyle Magennis - 6
Cammy Smith - 4
Lawrence Shankland - 3
Al Hassan - 2
Herman Maragh - 2
Jim Johnstone - 2
Stephen McGinn - 2
Jack Baird - 1
Adam Hammill - 1
Danny Mullen - 1

Total European Goals Scored = 31
Total European Goals Conceded = 6
Overall Club Balance (Finances) = £5,735,460.00
 
Returning to League Action

The start of the second season has kicked off with my side currently playing 3 sides - Rangers, Hamilton, and Hibernian.

The season started with a 0-1 loss to Rangers, followed with two 5-0 wins over Hamilton and Hibernian.

My side currently sit top of the league, however Celtic still have a game in hand.

League Goalscorers
Adam Hammill - 3
Herman Maragh - 3
Stephen McGinn - 2
Lewis Morgan - 1
Thomas Basila - 1

Total Goals Scored = 10
Total Goals Conceded = 1
League Position = 1st/12
 
Betfred Cup

By finishing third in the league, my side did not have to go through the group process (due to playing in Europe) for the Betfred Cup. My first opposition was Partick Thistle. After taking the lead 3 times, only to be pegged back 3 times, my team saw the Glasgow side off 6-3.

Betfred Cup Goalscorers
Lawrence Shankland - 4
Herman Maragh - 1
Jim Johnstone - 1Total Goals Scored = 6
Total Goals Conceded = 3
 
Europa League Group Stages

My side have been handed a tough group in the Europa League. St Mirren have been drawn against Portugal's Sporting, Belgium's Standard and Turkey's Fenerbahce.

It wont be an easy group to get out of, but does present a chance to bring in more money for the club.
 
Player and Manager Awards - August

So as August comes to a close, the league reflects on the performances by announcing the Manager of the Month, Player of the Month and Young Player of the Month Awards

Manager of the Month
1st - Brendan Rodgers (Celtic)
2nd - Scott Dickson (St Mirren)
3rd - Robbie Neilson (Aberdeen)

Player of the Month
1st - Adam Hammill (St Mirren)
2nd - Stephen McGinn (St Mirren)
3rd - Rory McKenzie (Kilmarnock)

Young Player of the Month
1st - Odsonne Edouard (Celtic)
2nd - Thomas Basila (St Mirren)
3rd - Kieran Freeman (St Mirren)

Haddad, on loan at Falkirk, also won the Championship Player of the Month and Young Player of the Month awards.

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Been a slow week for updates, so I apologise. Work has unfortunately been getting in the way of some vital Football Manager time. There are a few updates due out today and hopefully a few videos to follow.
 
Europa League Group Stages

A great start in the Europa League Group Stages saw Saints run out 4-2 winners over Fenerbahce. A goal from Hammill early on set the tone for what would be a physical game. Stephen McGinn would score brace, shortly before being sent off. Fenerbahce would pull 2 back before Lewis Morgan would seal with 3 points.

European Goals
Lewis Morgan - 8
Kyle Magennis - 6
Stephen McGinn - 4
Cammy Smith - 4
Lawrence Shankland - 3
Adam Hammill - 2
Jack Baird - 1


Sporting CP would beat Standard 4-0 at home to take them top of Group B with St Mirren in Second place on goal difference.
 
Early Cup Exit

With my teams current form, i'd have thought they would have gone further in the Betfred CUp. unfortunately we slupped to a 2-1 loss to Aberdeen. After taking the lead through Magennis in the 3rd minute, my team looked set to book a place in the next round. However a good second half by Aberdeen, from Jason Cummings and Steven May, saw me fall to a 2-1 loss away from home.

Magennis tried to take the tie to a replay after a late goal, however the whistleblower insisted that the shot from the young midfielder was offside.

Since I am now out of the Betfred Cup, my focus will shift back to the league, where my aim to secure a top 2 finish this year remain on track.

Progression continues within the Europa League with the first group game win over Fenerbahce. The Scottish Cup has not yet commenced for me.

Due to the fixture congestion during the winter months, I will need to rely very heavily on squad rotation throughout the cup competitions. I'm torn between giving the Scottish Cup to my youth side, or push for a trophy as I'd quite like to get a major trophy win in early within my managerial career to make a claim for a future Scotland Job.

That's a dilemma for another day!
 
League Run

September started off well with a 3-0 win in the league over Motherwell. A brace for Stephen McGinn, and an Adam Hammill goal saw the Buddies run out clear winners.

Cammy Smith scored inside 14 seconds against St Johnstone to put St Mirren 1-0 ahead, only or S. McGinn to recieve a red card for a late challenge. 10 man Saints struggled and went 1-2 down, only for a late goal to be scored by Morgan to salvage a point.

Saints got back to winning ways with a 6-0 demolition of local rivals Morton. A hat-rick for both Shankland and Morgan saw Saints win the 3 points.

With a game in hand over the rest of the league the team sit in 4th place.
 
The League - End of September

September ended well for St Mirren with a 2-1 victory over current champions Celtic. A first half goal from Adam Hammill took the Buddies ahead at St Mirren park, before star man Edouard levelled the scoring before the stroke of half time.

Some fine tinkering by the St Mirren manager at half time saw Kyle Magennis released by Al Hassan to slot the ball past the Celtic stopper in the 80th minute and seal the 3 points for the Paisley side.
 
The League - October Update

The month of October saw St Mirren in League action 3 times - Hearts (A), Kilmarnock (A) and Dundee Unite (H)

Hearts started well, scoring in the 17th minute, only for Shankland to equalise 2 minutes later.

Hearts went ahead again for a second time, for Shankland to level just after half time

For the third time in the match, Hearts took the lead with 8 minutes remaining in the game, and extended tis lead 2 minutes later to make it 4-2.

St Mirren would have a late reply with a 91st minute penalty converted by Maragh. But it was a case of too little too late.

League redemption was the goal against Kilmarnock. Cammy Smith sent Saints fans wild with his 47th minute effort to temporarily move the club into second place. Herman Maragh made it 0-2, 20 minutes later. Cammy Smith finished his second of the game to make it 0-3.

Saints were unable to hold a clean sheet however as Jordon Jones late strike made it 1-3. The three points head home to Paisley, and the Buddies were temporarily 2nd in the league - pending results elsewhere.

New league Boys Dundee United were next to visit St Mirren Park. St Mirren now found themselves in 4th place after result went against them elsewhere. Cammy Smith continued his fine form from just behind Shankland by scoring just before halftime. Young starlet Kyle Magennis completed the scoring shortly after the restart to see St Mirren run off 2-0 winners. Another 3 points in the bag.
 
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