With a transfer budget of under 2 million quid it looks like being an uphill battle from the start for me as the new manager of my beloved Rovers.
I've chosen to go with Koflok's Goals Galore tactic.....a risky and bold strategy but one which I hope will pay off and will allow me to maybe squeak into Europe come the end of the season.
1st transfer window
----------------------------
What they may lack in quality, Rovers more than make up for in numbers boasting a good size squad full of capable if unspectacular players.
I decide to splash the cash on Vaclav Kadlec as I'm happy with my options and see Kadlec as a future wonderkid that can score a bundle of goals after a few seasons. Its a gamble spending all my transfer budget on one player but I'll take a risk!
2010
--------
Notable results
--------------------
2 - 1 win at home to Chelsea
1 - 1 draw at home to Man Utd and Arsenal
1 - 0 win at home to Liverpool
Come the end of the year I'm sitting pretty in 5th place, which is a big surprise to me!
2nd transfer window
---------------------------
One issue is that Rovers have a fair number of fringe players who are on big contracts and this is losing the club money hand over first. I decide to clear out some of the dead wood in January...
Major outs
---------------
Benjani
Olsson
Roberts
Emerton (loan)
Major ins
-------------
Jenas (loan)
A hectic transfer window comes to an end and I'm happy that I've now got the wage budget under control for this season. I also take the opportunity to do what I do best and nose around those players whose contracts are expiring in months. I sign the following players for next season for nothing, again gambling on a good league place to get me into europe and give me a decent cash prize from the league for a good finish.........
Urby Emanuelson - Givet has played as my makeshift full back all season and altho I intend to play Urby in rotation with Diouf and Pederson as a winger, he can play as a fullback so can provide cover
Marco Amelia - May challenge Robinson for the No.1 jersey but Robbo has had a reasonable season so its unlikely. Still he provides better cover than what I currently have.
Luis Jimenez - a useful aquisition but more a squad signing than first team signing. He'll add another creative dimension to my otherwise defensive looking options. I'll rotate him with Dunn.
I get knocked out of both cups but my main priority is the league this season.
Notable results 2011
---------------------------
3 - 1 win at home against Man City
2 - 2 draw at home to Liverpool
2 - 1 win away at Arsenal
2 - 1 win at home to Tottenham
From March to the end of the season Rovers win 7 of 10 games, losing just 3 and manage to get themselves into a fantastic 3rd in the league ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool.
14.4 million quid into the coffers quadruples the club's original start of season balance of 3.5 million and returns the club into the black.
Looking forward to Champions League football next season. I'll be happy to get throught the qualifiers and maybe secure a quarter final spot but it'll be tough given the still limited resources.
Further transfer deals
----------------------------
Sebastian Larsson - Birmingham got relegated and put up most of their squad for sale so I had a look around with my scouts and was shocked to see him being available at a ridiculous cut price of 325k! He's valued at 3.1 million so this is a no risk deal given that he's had a solid season, can challenge my current right wingers, cover my right full back and even play in the centre if I get desperate. A no brainer.
Mikkel Thygesen - Rated at 3.5 stars by my scouts and available on a free at the end of his contract.....erm yes! Adds further attacking options in midfield and on both wings. A cracking find.
Players to be sold and released
-----------------------------------------
Chimbonda and Salgado - I'll let their contracts expire as whilst they have played well this season, they are both old and command a combined wage of 58k a week.
Ryan Nelson - Ok he's a good defender. But he's 33 and not even my first choice. He's also on 35k a week and has a year left on his contract. I decide to sell him for 925k.
Major concerns
---------------------
63 goals scored......47 conceded. This tactic is known for its attacking prowess but for being a bit shaky at the back. I'll need to try and revamp my defence starting with my full backs as a priority and I'll need a good centre back to partner Samba. Phil Jones will be a star for the future and Givet will provide cover for left back and centre back unless someone comes in with a sizeable offer him.
Samba is wanted by Lyon and Fiorentina so I've slapped a 10 million asking price on him just in case. I had to persuade him to stay a few months ago but my league finish will help no end. Still if the right offer comes in I may have no choice but to sell as those funds could potentially help strengthen my defensive options greatly.
Fingers crossed for next season!
I've chosen to go with Koflok's Goals Galore tactic.....a risky and bold strategy but one which I hope will pay off and will allow me to maybe squeak into Europe come the end of the season.
1st transfer window
----------------------------
What they may lack in quality, Rovers more than make up for in numbers boasting a good size squad full of capable if unspectacular players.
I decide to splash the cash on Vaclav Kadlec as I'm happy with my options and see Kadlec as a future wonderkid that can score a bundle of goals after a few seasons. Its a gamble spending all my transfer budget on one player but I'll take a risk!
2010
--------
Notable results
--------------------
2 - 1 win at home to Chelsea
1 - 1 draw at home to Man Utd and Arsenal
1 - 0 win at home to Liverpool
Come the end of the year I'm sitting pretty in 5th place, which is a big surprise to me!
2nd transfer window
---------------------------
One issue is that Rovers have a fair number of fringe players who are on big contracts and this is losing the club money hand over first. I decide to clear out some of the dead wood in January...
Major outs
---------------
Benjani
Olsson
Roberts
Emerton (loan)
Major ins
-------------
Jenas (loan)
A hectic transfer window comes to an end and I'm happy that I've now got the wage budget under control for this season. I also take the opportunity to do what I do best and nose around those players whose contracts are expiring in months. I sign the following players for next season for nothing, again gambling on a good league place to get me into europe and give me a decent cash prize from the league for a good finish.........
Urby Emanuelson - Givet has played as my makeshift full back all season and altho I intend to play Urby in rotation with Diouf and Pederson as a winger, he can play as a fullback so can provide cover
Marco Amelia - May challenge Robinson for the No.1 jersey but Robbo has had a reasonable season so its unlikely. Still he provides better cover than what I currently have.
Luis Jimenez - a useful aquisition but more a squad signing than first team signing. He'll add another creative dimension to my otherwise defensive looking options. I'll rotate him with Dunn.
I get knocked out of both cups but my main priority is the league this season.
Notable results 2011
---------------------------
3 - 1 win at home against Man City
2 - 2 draw at home to Liverpool
2 - 1 win away at Arsenal
2 - 1 win at home to Tottenham
From March to the end of the season Rovers win 7 of 10 games, losing just 3 and manage to get themselves into a fantastic 3rd in the league ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool.
14.4 million quid into the coffers quadruples the club's original start of season balance of 3.5 million and returns the club into the black.
Looking forward to Champions League football next season. I'll be happy to get throught the qualifiers and maybe secure a quarter final spot but it'll be tough given the still limited resources.
Further transfer deals
----------------------------
Sebastian Larsson - Birmingham got relegated and put up most of their squad for sale so I had a look around with my scouts and was shocked to see him being available at a ridiculous cut price of 325k! He's valued at 3.1 million so this is a no risk deal given that he's had a solid season, can challenge my current right wingers, cover my right full back and even play in the centre if I get desperate. A no brainer.
Mikkel Thygesen - Rated at 3.5 stars by my scouts and available on a free at the end of his contract.....erm yes! Adds further attacking options in midfield and on both wings. A cracking find.
Players to be sold and released
-----------------------------------------
Chimbonda and Salgado - I'll let their contracts expire as whilst they have played well this season, they are both old and command a combined wage of 58k a week.
Ryan Nelson - Ok he's a good defender. But he's 33 and not even my first choice. He's also on 35k a week and has a year left on his contract. I decide to sell him for 925k.
Major concerns
---------------------
63 goals scored......47 conceded. This tactic is known for its attacking prowess but for being a bit shaky at the back. I'll need to try and revamp my defence starting with my full backs as a priority and I'll need a good centre back to partner Samba. Phil Jones will be a star for the future and Givet will provide cover for left back and centre back unless someone comes in with a sizeable offer him.
Samba is wanted by Lyon and Fiorentina so I've slapped a 10 million asking price on him just in case. I had to persuade him to stay a few months ago but my league finish will help no end. Still if the right offer comes in I may have no choice but to sell as those funds could potentially help strengthen my defensive options greatly.
Fingers crossed for next season!
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