The Table
I took a screenshot of the final table which you can see below. I managed to score over 100 goals this year which is good. In the last couple of years, I haven't been able to pass this benchmark so it feels good to hit it again this year.
Despite the fact that I won the premiership by 14 points, the reality was that it was a lot closer than the final table suggests. Aston Villa were chasing me the whole year and, even by April, they were still only 2 points behind me. Not exactly leaving me much room for error.
However, in April, they just fell apart for some reason. A string of defeats, one of which was to my Liverpool squad, meant that I managed to pull away and win the premiership with several games to spare. Still, it was the closest I've been to actually having a challenger for the title in over 2 decades.
The Squad
The below screenshots shows the final stats for my squad together with details of the squad.
A couple of points to note this year
My GKs were very disappointing. Van Dijk was leaking goals badly in the start of the year and I had to replace him with Orlando. Unfortunately, Orlando was also playing badly as well. It wasn't until around Christmas time that Orlando started to play better which meant that he started to play more games. Unfortunately, his form didn't last and by the end of the season, Van Dijk was back in goal. Luckily, he did well for the last couple of Champs Cup games as Inter really pushed us to the limit in the semi-final (I've come up against Inter several times in recent years and they always push me hard).
I got a big surprise from Ross Crawford at right back. As a kid, he was identified as a hot prospect and this year, he really showed what he could do. As you can see from the stats, he had an incredible year. Unfortunately, the bugger wanted a new challenge so I had to buy someone to replace him for next year.
Tom Murray also had the best year of his life. Despite being valued at only GBP5.5M, he managed to easily outscore all my other strikers. The main reason for this is that Murray is the best goal poacher I have ever seen (images of Ally McCoist flashing before my eyes here). Although he scores some great goals as well, a lot of his goals came from him being in the right place at the right time and poking the ball into an open net.
Both Gerard Dembele and Tom Anderson are past their best. In the case of Dembele, this is no surprise as the bloke is 34 years old. Midway through the year, it was clear that he just wasn't able to play the full 90 mins at which point, Jamie Sadler started to get more playing time. As you can see from the stats, Sadler came in and did well.
The bigger surprise is Tom Anderson. Although he managed to get 18 goals, a lot of them came against weaker opposition. Granted, he is no spring chicken anymore but he really should have been good for a couple more seasons. Anyway, judging from how well Ross Mills did in the games I played him, I will probably demote Anderson to the reserves next year and focus on developing Mills instead.
The player of the year
One of the biggest unknowns in this game is how the game judges who will win awards. As you can see from the next screenshot, Julien Karlen was voted the best player of the year over Fernandez. However, Fernandez had a higher rating despite playing more games and also managed to score 7 goals (no mean feat as a defender). If I was Fernandez, I would be feeling pretty ripped off.
Anyway, my new signings in preparation for next year.
Zdenek Kucera - At 21 years old, Kucera is a like for like replacement for Ross Crawford who was sold for GBP3M. Although he is valued at GBP2.2M, I had to spend GBP16.5M to prise him from Fulham. Part of this is because he was considered as an important first team player and rated as a hot prospect for the future by my scouts. He will slot in as my second right back behind Lee Daly.
John Farrell - Another 21 year old who has been brought in as a backup player to replace the aging Dembele. I expect that James, Marcio and Sadler will be my main CMs for next year with John Farrell as the 4th string CM. Valued at just under GBP4M, I had to pay GBP12.5M to sign him from Middlesbrough.
Andy Rogers - A 19 year old hot prospect for the future. I signed him with the expectation that Marcio, at 29 years old, may only be a first team player for another couple of years. By the time Marcio is on his last legs, Rogers should be ready to step into his place. I got him from Chelsea for GBP8.5M.
Darren Barber - A 16 year old potential wonderkid. I paid Scunthorpe GBP180k for him to join our under 18 squad as a hot prospect. Actually, Scunthorpe didn't want to let him go. The reality is that, as Barber is under 17 years old, he isn't actually under contract so I was able to approach Barber directly. The GBP180k was the fair value as deemed by tribunal. :)
Other than Crawford (and some under 18's who aren't worth mentioning), no other players left the club.
The Samba
A couple of points to note this year
My GKs were very disappointing. Van Dijk was leaking goals badly in the start of the year and I had to replace him with Orlando. Unfortunately, Orlando was also playing badly as well. It wasn't until around Christmas time that Orlando started to play better which meant that he started to play more games. Unfortunately, his form didn't last and by the end of the season, Van Dijk was back in goal. Luckily, he did well for the last couple of Champs Cup games as Inter really pushed us to the limit in the semi-final (I've come up against Inter several times in recent years and they always push me hard).
I got a big surprise from Ross Crawford at right back. As a kid, he was identified as a hot prospect and this year, he really showed what he could do. As you can see from the stats, he had an incredible year. Unfortunately, the bugger wanted a new challenge so I had to buy someone to replace him for next year.
Tom Murray also had the best year of his life. Despite being valued at only GBP5.5M, he managed to easily outscore all my other strikers. The main reason for this is that Murray is the best goal poacher I have ever seen (images of Ally McCoist flashing before my eyes here). Although he scores some great goals as well, a lot of his goals came from him being in the right place at the right time and poking the ball into an open net.
Both Gerard Dembele and Tom Anderson are past their best. In the case of Dembele, this is no surprise as the bloke is 34 years old. Midway through the year, it was clear that he just wasn't able to play the full 90 mins at which point, Jamie Sadler started to get more playing time. As you can see from the stats, Sadler came in and did well.
The bigger surprise is Tom Anderson. Although he managed to get 18 goals, a lot of them came against weaker opposition. Granted, he is no spring chicken anymore but he really should have been good for a couple more seasons. Anyway, judging from how well Ross Mills did in the games I played him, I will probably demote Anderson to the reserves next year and focus on developing Mills instead.
The player of the year
One of the biggest unknowns in this game is how the game judges who will win awards. As you can see from the next screenshot, Julien Karlen was voted the best player of the year over Fernandez. However, Fernandez had a higher rating despite playing more games and also managed to score 7 goals (no mean feat as a defender). If I was Fernandez, I would be feeling pretty ripped off.
Preparing for next year
As per usual, I spent a lot of money on transfers over the year. Despite this, I have a transfer kitty of GBP53M for next year. A clear sign that all is financially well at the Kop.
:)
Anyway, my new signings in preparation for next year.
Zdenek Kucera - At 21 years old, Kucera is a like for like replacement for Ross Crawford who was sold for GBP3M. Although he is valued at GBP2.2M, I had to spend GBP16.5M to prise him from Fulham. Part of this is because he was considered as an important first team player and rated as a hot prospect for the future by my scouts. He will slot in as my second right back behind Lee Daly.
John Farrell - Another 21 year old who has been brought in as a backup player to replace the aging Dembele. I expect that James, Marcio and Sadler will be my main CMs for next year with John Farrell as the 4th string CM. Valued at just under GBP4M, I had to pay GBP12.5M to sign him from Middlesbrough.
Andy Rogers - A 19 year old hot prospect for the future. I signed him with the expectation that Marcio, at 29 years old, may only be a first team player for another couple of years. By the time Marcio is on his last legs, Rogers should be ready to step into his place. I got him from Chelsea for GBP8.5M.
Darren Barber - A 16 year old potential wonderkid. I paid Scunthorpe GBP180k for him to join our under 18 squad as a hot prospect. Actually, Scunthorpe didn't want to let him go. The reality is that, as Barber is under 17 years old, he isn't actually under contract so I was able to approach Barber directly. The GBP180k was the fair value as deemed by tribunal. :)
Other than Crawford (and some under 18's who aren't worth mentioning), no other players left the club.
The Samba
Remember how I said that I gave up international management? Well, I changed my mind. Again.
After the World Cup (which Portugal won 2:1 in the final against Germany), the Brazil manager got the sack and the Brazil FA (together with a host of other countries) came and begged me to be the manager. Seeing as how I was never going to be England manager, I decided that the Brazil job was my best chance of winning a future World Cup - one of the last remaining milestones for my current manager.
I have no idea how things will turn out but its a safe bet that I'll tell you all about it.
After the World Cup (which Portugal won 2:1 in the final against Germany), the Brazil manager got the sack and the Brazil FA (together with a host of other countries) came and begged me to be the manager. Seeing as how I was never going to be England manager, I decided that the Brazil job was my best chance of winning a future World Cup - one of the last remaining milestones for my current manager.
I have no idea how things will turn out but its a safe bet that I'll tell you all about it.
:)
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