Who!? The Rhys Burnett Story

Season 7 Game 8 – Stuttgart (a)

Prior to this game I hooked Marvin Sauter up with a new contract that locks him in for another 5 years. The 19k a week wage might seem high at the moment for a 18 year old but he has established himself as a Bundesliga quality player and will only get better. Very happy to see him sign on.

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We played quite well here and really took the game to 3rd placed Stuttgart. Even though we were away from home we tried to play our game and were more than their match. Indeed, for long periods after Gedoz gave us an early lead it looked like we might steal all 3 points but a late Okazaki goal meant we had to settle for a draw. Nothing wrong with away points though!!

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Season 7 Game 9 – BMG (h)

Borussia Mönchengladbach came to town today and I’ll bet they wish they hadn’t - it was domination. Unsurprisingly it was Boga that got us off to a great start netting inside 13 minutes. Sauter then doubled our advantage on half time and it was game over. Substitute Lucas Garcia even managed to get in on the action slamming home from close range. We have really made the Commerzbank Arena a fortress so far this season and if we can keep winning at home it will go a long way to achieving our goals.

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Season 7 Game 10 – Hoffenheim (a)

Stop me if you’ve heard this before – we took the lead from an early Jeremie Boga goal… The man is on fire!! From there though the game was reasonably even however we had by far the better chances but neither side could score so it finished up 1 nil to the good guys.

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Amazingly we hit the woodwork 3 times in this one – things could have been very different…

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Season 7 Game 11 – Leverkusen (a)

Bayer welcomed us for this 2nd rd cup tie and sent out seemingly their strongest possible side. Gabriel Barbosa earning well over 100k a week led the line for them. In contrast, we played our reserves and 18 yr olds Brendel and Salehvand formed our central defensive pairing. Taking that into consideration I was actually really happy with the result. We pushed Bayer for a good part of the game and in the end they could only get the single goal. We may have been knocked out of the cup but we’ve got bigger things on our mind.

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Season 7 Game 12 – Freiburg (h)

Derby day here as Freiburg came to town and boy did we give them a walloping. Well when I say we what I really mean is Jeremie Boga gave them a walloping - he was a one man wrecking crew today, scoring 4 and being unlucky not to be credited with the assist on the Sauter goal after Sauter fluffed his first shot but scored on the rebound. He has been amazing this season – Chelsea must be watching and kicking themselves for letting him go.

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In my eyes there wasn’t really anymore he could have done but a roundup of the media’s player ratings gave him a 9.9. Someone is smoking something to not give him a 10…

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This was are 9 match unbeaten in a row in the league. If you have told me a few months back before the start of the season that at any point in the season we would go 9 unbeaten I would have laughed in your face.

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Table Update

And here we are. Top of the table just over a quarter of the way through. Yes we still have to play Dortmund and Bayern but with the way we are going you never know – we could just surprise a few people.

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CantGetEnoughOfJelavic · Jun 13, 2015

Gonna win the league? How's Stendera doing over in Madrid?

Yeti01 · Jun 13, 2015

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Season 7 – November Roundup

Season 7 Game 13 – Hannover (a)

Iheanacho has come in for some heavy criticism over the past few weeks concerning his failure to score – I don’t know what their issue is, I love how he has been playing. I ask a lot from my strikers involving dropping deep and playing in my attacking mids and he has done a wonderful job opening things up for guys like Boga. Having said that, it was really nice to see him respond to the critics with two exceptionally well taken goals here. For each one he had to let the ball run past him and then swivel and shoot and they we both great finishes. He was effectively he difference today as elsewhere the game was quite even. Still another 3 points and over unbeaten streak is now 10.

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Season 7 Game 14 - St Pauli (h)

This game came after the international break. Boga had been called up to the French squad but unfortunately missed out on the chance for his first cap – I was really hopeful he would get one. He’s only 23 though so plenty of time. Iheanacho picked up where he left off against Hanover netting after only 5 minutes here. Gedoz slotted a penalty and then Sauter scored another trademark curler in the 17th to give us a 3 goal lead. We continued to dominate from there but there was no further goals forthcoming.

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I haven’t mentioned Sauter as much this season and the new shape probably doesn’t play quite as much to his strengths as the old 4-2-3-1 but he is still starting every match and chipping in with the odd goal and assist.

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Season 7 Game 15 – Leverkusen (a)

We travelled to Bayer again here but prior to that I signed a new contract with Frankfurt. I am really happy with how the team is progressing this season and feel that we are going places. Anyway I decided to extend my contract out another season and double my wage. Not a bad little deal if you ask me. Also, with it only being a 1 year extension if things do turn south there it won’t be as hard to find another job.

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There was one obvious turning point in this match. Minute 24, as Jose would say, Jung picked up his second yellow. I have been an angel on the sidelines this season but this set me off. Neither incident was a card, the first was the classic ref missed the first chop but saw the second from Jung and then the second yellow was soft as *****!! The little spineless worm didn’t even have the decency to explain himself when I approached him at the half. Refs on a power trip **** me off. I really feel we would have won this but for the send off but even with the man advantage Leverkusen, who only 2 seasons ago won the Champions League, needed an 89th minute winner. Jeez a point would have been nice here to stick it up them.

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I let the media know exactly my feelings after the match too. There might be fine coming my way, who cares…

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Table Update

That last result has allowed Bayern to regain top spot. We need to regroup immediately as we can’t let our push up the table drop off. We have Dortmund and Bayern back-to-back to open December though so it will be very tough!!

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Yeti01 · Jun 13, 2015

CantGetEnoughOfJelavic said:
Gonna win the league? How's Stendera doing over in Madrid?

Man if I could somehow jag a league win here that would be fantastic but realistically Bayern will likely be too strong. I would love a CL spot finish though - thats doable if we continue to play well.

Ahh man just went and checked Stendera and came away feeling sad. He isn't even registered for Real's league squad!! On the plus side he might be available to bring back on the cheap soon!!

PatrickLFC · Jun 13, 2015

Boga is an absolute machine!!! What a player!

Yeti01 · Jun 14, 2015

PatrickLFC said:
Boga is an absolute machine!!! What a player!

He has been amazing mate! Its early days but I can see him becoming a favourite of mine for future FM's if he can keep this up! Also most of goals have been absolute crackers!!

Yeti01 · Jun 14, 2015

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Season 7 – December Roundup

Season 7 Game 16 – Dortmund (h)

So here was the first of two games that would really show us exactly where we stand. The vaunted Dortmund rolled into town. Jurgen Klopp, in his second stint with the club, said that we had been overachieving prior to this one. I really wanted to reply that we weren’t overachieving but rather they were underachieving but I wasn’t sure that would be the most professional response. We took this lead in this one in rather comical circumstances, a corner fell to Rossiter and as he tried to hit it on the half volley he mis-kicked it pretty badly and the ball seemed to be screaming out for a goal kick before ricocheting in off Kinsombi’s face – he really didn’t know much about it but we don’t care!!

Dortmund were level just on the half hour mark, we failed to deal with a cross fully and the ball was played back into Arango who managed to pick out Hofmann at the back stick. Parity wouldn’t last long though as Rossiter fired us back in front, his low shot picked a path through a sea of bodies before nestling in the bottom corner. It stayed 2-1 almost the remainder of the match and it looked like we might take home all 3 points but up popped Hofmann to secure a point for Dortmund in the 86th minute when he tucked away a rebound. In all honesty this was as even a game as I have ever seen. 50/50 possession and the exact same amount of shots means a draw was probably the right result. Amazingly Bayern lost to Schalke yesterday so this result actually put us back on top of the table!

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Following this game the noise around Iheanacho’s future grew to deafening levels. He was under contract for another season and a half but there was no less than 30 sides sniffing around him despite the 40 mill price tag I had slapped on him. In the end I decided to offer a new contract – he has certainly been playing at a level deserving of one. I had to settle for a wage they was probably slightly higher than I would have ideally liked but a happy Iheanacho for the run in could be the difference between European football or not next season.

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Season 7 Game 17 – Bayern (a)

We were under the pump from the first second as our formation appeared to be playing directly into Bayern’s hands so it was no surprise when Lewandowski put them ahead after only 3 minutes. I was hoping we would play our way into the game but when he doubled their lead 3 minutes later changes were needed. I scrapped the 4-3-3 with the DM and moved back to my more attacking 4-2-3-1. Nothing was working though and on a day where everything that could go wrong was it was no surprise when Jung was sent off for the 2nd time this season – that’s a paddlin’.

Shortly after the ref, who may as well have thrown on a Bayern shirt, awarded them a penalty for god only knows what and Lewandoski had his hat trick. I asked the guys to give me everything they had ad they responded with a goal through substitute Garcia but really the extra man advantage was taking its toll and as we started to tire Bayern ran in 4 more – how humiliating. As I trudged over to shake hands with Simeone he had a smile from ear to ear and as he grasped my hand and patted my back he lent and said “get back in your box.” I had nothing, no comeback, other than a mumbled, “go, f*ck yourself,” as I turned and steamed up the tunnel. I didn’t lose it at the guys, oh Jung will pay – literally – for his moment of madness, but I resolved never to lose in such a manner again.

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Season 7 Game 18 – Wolfsbug (h)

We needed to turn it around and quick. Fortunately the Wolfsburg game was only 3 days later and gave us a chance at redemption. We dominated the early proceedings and only some inspired goalkeeping from Benaglio held us at bay. On 38 minutes though Andre Schurrle found a yard of space in behind and tucked it in at Felipe’s near post to give Wolfsburg the lead. Despite us continuing to dominate we found ourselves 2 down shortly after the break – Punec has been very dependable so far this year but here he was found wanting when he scored a senseless own goal.

From here I asked the team for more, actually I stood at the edge of the area and demanded it. They responded like champions! Barkley lead the comeback with 2 fine strikes and it was completed by Boga as he hit a shot in the 81st minute that took a deflection to leave Benaglio stranded and complete the comeback – great 3 points.

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After the game I was quizzed about Iheanacho’s poor performance in this one and I answered it truthfully – he wasn’t good enough today and he knows it and will work to get better. I really didn’t think it was that harsh and answer, I hardly blew up. Yet this apparently passes for a ‘slam’ these days…

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Season 7 Game 19 – Düsseldorf (a)

The game against Wolfsburg was the first time I thought we had seen the real Ross Barkley and he continued his improvement here scoring 2 goals in the first 6 minutes with 2 scorchers. Sauter and Iheanacho also netted prior to the break to give us a commanding 4 nil lead at the change.

Bakaj pulled one back for Düsseldorf after some slack marking allowing him a free run into the box. After that we continued to be the better side but there was no more goals. Special mention must go to Marvin Bakalorz today – the 31yr old was one our better players when I first joined Fankfurt but has slipped down the depth chart as others have joined. Today with Lucas Silva out suspended he stepped in and did a fantastic job.

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Table Update

Even though we had the heavy loss against Bayern we are still equal with them at the top of the table on points. Also we have now been to the Allianz Arena so the hardest road trip is done. We have also established a 6 point lead on the chasing pack so the hope at this point is to put as much pressure as possible on Bayern, who knows - they might crack, but at least win qualification to the Champions League.

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CantGetEnoughOfJelavic · Jun 14, 2015

Good to see you are making friends in Germany!

AndySams10 · Jun 14, 2015

Good stuff so far in the league mate. Deffo a Champs League spot at the end of the season.

Yeti01 · Jun 14, 2015

CantGetEnoughOfJelavic said:
Good to see you are making friends in Germany!

Eh - Simeone is an ***.

Yeti01 · Jun 14, 2015

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Season 7 – January Roundup

We played 2 friendlies in the winter break. Neither were much to write home about. About the only other real thing of note that happened was Iheanacho was runner up in the African Player of the Year voting but made the select xi.

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Season 7 Game 20 – Bremen (h)

Well this was our first game back from the break and from the restart it appeared that the guys were still on holidays as Bremen kicked off, ran the length of the field and scored within 20 seconds. I wanted to jump up and do my nut but I decided to see if the guys would work it out themselves. Thankfully I have some big characters in my team and 2 of them, Sauter and Boga combined to give us our first goal. Garcia then gave us the lead with a moment of pure inspiration.

A well-weighted through ball was played by Barkley in behind the Bremen defense to Garcia on the right hand side of the goal. It looked like Garcia was going to have to turn out or try to cut in but instead he took the pass and hit is shot first time with the outside of his right foot, curling it around Husic in the Bremen goal, and in to the far corner – great stuff. From there we were the better side but couldn’t find the goal that would seal it but it was no matter as we held them out easily at the other end. Nice win.

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Season 7 Game 21 – Hertha Berlin (a)

As an added bonus after the Bremen game Bayern were held to a draw at Freiburg so we were now 2 points clear at the top of the table. The first half here was realtively cagey. We had the better chances but failed to make them count until the 31st minute when Gedoz sent us clear after some clever lead up work by first Boga and then Garcia. Also there may or may not have been an offside in the leadup I, um, couldn’t see from where I was sitting…

Second half was a bit frustrating as we had plenty of chances to kill the game and thankfully we weren’t made to pay by Hertha although there was one heart-in-mouth moment right at the end when a Per Ciljan Skjelbred shot flashed wide. Overall though a nice solid away win.

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Season 7 Game 22 – Hamburg (a)

Hamburg were languishing in 17th spot coming into this one but they are a huge side who we knew we needed to respect. We ran into a spot of bother here as we were still missing our Africans Iheanacho and Kinsombi as they were away on international duty and both Purnec and Jung were suspended for this one so it was a makeshift defensive line. We took the lead here when Gedoz cut in from the right and unleashed a wonder strike with his left foot in the 22nd minute and we were two to the good when Gedoz turned in a Boga cross seconds after the restart. Barkley made it 3 as it approached the hour mark with a thunderbolt and I could relax.

Really happy with the performance and it even gave me time to blood new signing Insurralde who I signed on a bosman as his Banfield contract expired – Robinho, the former Brazilian wonderkid, has been brought on as my South American scout and he efforts in identifying free signings has been crucial in us being in the good position we are in today. Kopplin was guilty of a going to sleep at the end and gifting them a goal but by then the game was all over.

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Table Update

At the end of January we have held the 2 point gap over Bayern and it is still 6 points to Dortmund. We now have a 10 point gap to Schalke in 4th as they battle for the last Champions League spot so we are starting to become more assured of European football next season but we can’t rest on our laurels.

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PatrickLFC · Jun 14, 2015

You are killing it!!

Yeti01 · Jun 14, 2015

PatrickLFC said:
You are killing it!!

I still feel Bayern will end up being far too strong in the league but every time I'm certain they'll kick away they drop points...

PatrickLFC · Jun 14, 2015

Yeti01 said:
I still feel Bayern will end up being far too strong in the league but every time I'm certain they'll kick away they drop points...

You've got this, don't worry!

CantGetEnoughOfJelavic · Jun 14, 2015

Promotion to beating Bayern to the title in year 1 would be mad!

Yeti01 · Jun 15, 2015

CantGetEnoughOfJelavic said:
Promotion to beating Bayern to the title in year 1 would be mad!

It would be crazy. I still feel I am 2 or 3 quality players, particularly in the backline, away from really challenging but we are doing the job so far.

I think I'm used to Bayern being the behemoth they are at the start of the game but in this story we are a fair way in and a number of their main players have retired.

Yeti01 · Jun 15, 2015

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Season 7 - February Roundup

Season 7 Game 23 – Koln (h)

Boy oh boy oh boy. Where to start… It looked like this was going to be a walk in the park when Barkley put us ahead after just 4 minutes. Evidently the players also thought so as we had plenty of chances in the remainder of the 1st half and beginning of the second but just could take them. Our wastefulness came back to bite us big time when Holger and the Catellazzi scored for the visitors to secure them all three points. I mean I quite like Koln as a club, but I don’t really wanting to be gift wrapping them points… Bayern somehow lost to St Pauli 2 nil at the Allianz today so we remain in first – we can’t be losing games like this though if we want to challenge for the title.

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Season 7 Game 24 – Schalke (a)

We traveled to 4th placed Schalke here looking for a win to get us back on track. Prior to the match I received news that Gedoz, who has played really well for us this season, picked up a strain in training and wouldn’t be available. It wasn’t the end of the world though as I have Kakuta who can slot in there. I needn’t have worried though as today was all about the attack of the killer b’s. Barkley continued his rich vein of form scoring our first two before Boga got in on the act with a wonderful solo effort. In amongst there Coulibaly got one for Schalke against the run of play. Good 3 points.

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Season 7 Game 25 – Kaiserslautern (h)

Well that was a lot harder than it had to be. Prior to the match all the talk was around how many we would score as Kaiserslautern had lost 3 of their last 4 and slid down to 16th in the process but in the end we needed some harsh words at half time and a second half comeback to secure all 3 points…

Boga was our best on pitch today but I was really disappointed with the ease with which Hofmann scored both his goals for them. Even if we somehow win the league I will be looking to reinforce the back line over the offseason.

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Season 7 Game 26 – Stuttgart (h)

Stuttgart came into this one sitting in 4th spot. A win here would really solidify our chances of finishing in the Champions League spots. The game started well and we looked on our way when Iheanacho put the ball in the net after only 5 minutes but it was called back for offside. We then had another goal disallowed for offside – Boga this time, before Boga finally scored a legal goal in the 42nd minute.

Things got a bit testy when Stuttgart were awarded a penalty for an ‘apparent’ push in the area – I’ve watched the replay probably 10 times and can’t see what the ref was on about. It was time for Iheanacho to step up though and his late double secured all three points. The Nigerian has been quiet since his return from the international games but he was big when we needed him today. Massive 3 points here.

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