Football Manager 2009 - Follow my game here, managing Stoke City

Who will finish fourth in the premier league?

2010-03-06T14:46:00.000-08:00

Read my views and leave your views at the new website

http://view-from-the-north-stand.blogspot.com/2010/03/race-for-fourth-place-in-premier-league.html

Follow my game on the latest Football manager game here

2010-01-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

Due to a lack of time, I'm merging this football manager 2009 blog with another of my sites called View from the North Stand. This means that you can follow my game here.

http://view-from-the-north-stand.blogspot.com/

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2010 IS HERE

2009-12-05T13:11:00.000-08:00

I've decided to manage Tottenham, you can follow my game here. You'll find teamsheets, screenshots and much more!

http://football-manager-2010-guide.blogspot.com/

England Dream Team - 4-4-2 Diamond Formation

2009-05-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

This is my England Dream Team, playing in the 4-4-2 Diamond Formation.
My two wingbacks will get forward as often as possible - often acting as wingers, supported by Gerrard on the right and Barry on the left when needed. When my wingbacks get forward, my Defensive Midfielder, Owen Hargreaves, will stay back acting a third defender.

GK David James (Portsmouth)
DR Glen Johnson (Portsmouth)
DL Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
DC John Terry (Chelsea)
DC Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd)
DM C Owen Hargreaves (Man Utd)
MC Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
MC Gareth Barry (Aston Villa)
AM C Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
ST Peter Crouch (Portsmouth)
ST Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)

My Midfield is packed with world class midfielders. Gerrard and Barry can also act as wingers, when needed. Peter Crouch is my target man and Wayne Rooney will drop off and receive the ball to feet, as well as creating chances for other team players. Glen Johnson wins the place at right back, mainly because he is so good going forward. Owen Hargreaves wins the place at DM C, just edging out Ledley King.

Submit your England XI by posting a comment below

Good wingers in FM2009

2009-05-22T13:13:00.000-07:00

A good winger (AM R or AM L) will need to have lots or pace and good acceleration. Good dribbling, ball control and crossing are also essential attributes for wingers. With all of the above, your wingers will beat their man and cross the ball from the byline - which are harder to defend than crosses from deep. Here are a few good players I've found.

Theo Walcott (5-stars)
Theo may be a forward, but he plays better on the right wing - a position he played in his early career, for Southampton. He has lightning pace and acceleration with decent dribbling and crossing. He is likely to improve as his career in the game develops.

Nathan Dyer (4-stars)
He is a very similar player to Shaun Wright-Phillips. He is currently on loan at Swansea, but is contracted to Southampton. He is very quick and his other attributes are likely to improve over time. Sign him, if you cannot afford the price-tag of Walcott.

Good players to play as target men in fm2009

2009-05-08T10:13:00.001-07:00

A good target men will need height and good heading ability (to win headers) and strenght to hold up the ball. Here is a list of players ideal to play as target men. These target men as perfect for knocking the ball long and high to.

Peter Crouch (5-stars)
It will be hard to sign him, only the best premier league sides will have the opportunity to. His height of 201cm makes him ideal to win headers to flick balls on to other players.

Nicola Zigic (4-stars)
This serbian is probably the tallest forward in the game. He players for Villareal and would be available for around £12 million.

Andy Carroll (3-stars)
You could probably sign this player on loan during the first season. He is a young player from Newcastle. His young age will make this player more attractive to sign and he would be available for around £5 million.

New football related blog - view from the North Stand

2009-05-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

This is a new football blog, called View From the North Stand. It is basically, your football pictures from the view in your favourite team's stands.

Check it out and post your pics today! It is aiming to be a collection of pictures from all over the world!

http://view-from-the-north-stand.blogspot.com/

Football Manager 2010 - New Features Wishlist

2009-04-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

Football Manager 2009 started rather disappointingly - with the problems of activating the game. Millions had bought the game, yet few could play the game for hours, felt like days!! The phone lines were dead and siga's official website was down. Eventually, when I was able to activate the game, all was forgiven! I loved it from day 2! (day 1 being the struggle to activate it)

However, this post will focus on the wishlist for new features in fm2010.

FM2010 needs to be faster & more responsive than 2009.
Stadium building needs to be better than just saying the capacity has increased by 3,782!
There is only one camera view in the 3d match that I like (corner) - there needs to be more!
A highlights package with a similar look to LMA or FIFA manager.
Being a chairman of a club instead, or as well as, being a manager could be fun
Press Conferences are not that good. I always send my assistant now.
Tactics are poorer now! The arrows, indicating runs, are now more limiting.
There are no fans in the stadium on matchday! I want fans, together with chants!
International Managers don't have a shortlist anymore! It's easier than using the vast national pool.

The stadium expansion really does need looking into. On other games, such as LMA manager on the playstation, I used to love being a small team and developing their stadium. I was even the manager of Barnet for this reason. In the highlights, you got to see how your stadium looked and how development was progressing.

Season 5 updates

2009-04-18T00:17:00.000-07:00

The injuries continued to mount as I began Season 5. I soon remembered why I lost motivation for the game in the first place! It is incredibly frustrating, especially as I'm doing nothing wrong. I'm not overtraining, nor under-training, my players

Pre-Season News

2009-04-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

I have managed to sign a number of players on free transfers. Most noticeably, the below players.

Jeremie Aliadiere, Matty Ritchie, Stephen Bywater, Jordan Stewart, Richard Eckersley, Lubomir Michalik & Gylfi Sigurdsson.

I have set the target of avoiding relegation - anything more will be a bonus!

Season 5 - Opening Fixtures

2009-04-06T11:15:00.000-07:00

Season 5 - Opening Fixtures

Here are the fixtures for the Championship, season 5.

Rest of the season

2009-04-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

Here is my archived copy of my Carlisle team from Season 4...

Here are the results from the last 4 games of the season...

Port Vale 2-2 D
Swindon 3-0 W
Luton 1-3 L
Bradford 2-2 W

I used these games to bring in some youngers players to the team. I finished second in League 1 to gain promotion to the championship.

Promotion Guaranteed!

2009-04-05T09:36:00.000-07:00

Gillingham 0 v 5 Carlisle
Hutton 3, 27
Simpson 37, 61
Madine 88

A brilliant result against third placed Gillingham. This has guaranteed Carlisle promotion to the Championship. We have not conceded in 7 games and have won our last eight. I will start looking at the players whose contracts are close to expiry, to bag some free transfers.

I have four games left now, so I will bring in some younger players into the team.

April 2013

2009-04-05T03:39:00.000-07:00

The games against Millwall and Port Vale were called off due to international call-ups. So the next game was against mid-table Plymouth Argyle.

Carlisle 2 v 0 Plymouth
Simpson 28
Taundry 31 (og)

We got our fifth victory in a row here to close the gap on leaders Millwall. It is also our fifth cleen sheet in a row! The next game is against leaders Millwall (a). Gylfi Sigurdsson comes back into the starting line-up after injury. Jay Simpson and Gary Madine continue upfront, whilst David Hutton returns from his injury, on the bench.

Millwall 0 v 1 Carlisle
Aleksandrov 72

Over 11000 were at the new den for the match between League 1 leaders and second place. A single goal by Milan Aleksandrov won the game for Carlisle.

League Table P Pts
1 Millwall 42 91
2 Carlisle 41 85
3 Gillingham 42 75

The next game is away to third place Gillingham.

Carlisle v Leyton Orient

2009-04-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

Leyton Orient are 10 points behind Carlise, but they have a game in hand. If they win today, it'll just out a little pressure on us. A win for Carlisle though, would virtually clinch automatic promotion.

Team News
David Hutton refused to take the injections to get him through this match, so Gary Madine, still lacking match fitness, comes in to replace him.

Carlisle 1 v 0 Leyton Orient
4 Potter

Darren Potter scored a cracking freekick after only 4 minutes to give Carlisle the win.

League Table P Pts
1 Millwall 39 85
2 Carlisle 39 79
3 Preston 39 67
4 Southend 39 67
5 Leyton Orient 39 66
6 Gillingham 39 66

Promotion to the Championship is looking very likely now, as we are 12 points clear of our nearest rivals.

Injury setback to star striker

2009-04-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

David Hutton damaged his foot in training and could be out for a month. I've advised the physios to give him painkilling injections, so that he can be available for the next match. He will not start and will only play if needed.

The next game is against Leyton Orient, at home. They are sitting in third place, so this will be a tough game.

In other news, I have signed Stephen Bywater from Northampton, on a free transfer. The experienced goalkeeper should improve the quality in that area of the pitch.

Carlisle vs Notts County

2009-04-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

Exeter 0 v 1 Carlisle (Jay Simpson)
Jay Simspon scored the only goal in the win against lowly Exeter. The win further cements our promotion place.

League Table
1 Millwall P 37 PTS 81
2 Carlisle P 37 PTS 73
3 Leyton Orient P36 PTS 65
4 Preston P 37 PTS 64

The next game is against my old club Notts County. Notts Co. are sitting in 17th place in League 1, so in theory it should be a win for Carlisle. However, County still have a lot of players who I'd taken to the club though, so i'm not expecting an easy game.

Gary Madine has recovered from his injury, so has a place on the bench, but he is Severely lacking match fitness.

Carlisle 2 v 0 Notts County
Madine 87
Jerome 90

Two late goals won the game for me against my old club. Simpson and Hutton were replaced by Gary Madine & Sam Jerome, after 65 minutes, who both scored.

Season 4 - vs Exeter (a)

2009-04-04T12:30:00.000-07:00

My next game is away to Exeter, they are in 23rd position so a win is expected. I have a couple of injuries going into this game...

Vincent Pericard (2 months)
Kamil Tevfik (1-2 months)
Gylfi Sigurdsson (2-3 weeks)
Gary Madine (1 week)

I think I'll be playing top scorer David Hutton, along with Jay Simpson up front.

Season 4 - results and fixtures

2009-04-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

Here are the remaining fixtures from Season 4. It's been a while since I've played on FM2009, but I'm gonna pick the game up again, hence why I've tried to update this blog.

Season 4 - Results so far

2009-04-04T12:11:00.000-07:00

Here are the results so far for Season 4. I am now currently in 2nd place in League 1. Here are some players I have signed ahead of season 4.

Kaspars Gorkss

Darren Potter

Gylfi Sigurdsson (on loan)

Luke Chadwick

Javier Martina

Jay Simpson

Vincent Pericard

Season 3 - summary

2009-04-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

I had a great run of results as Carlise manager, with a star striker called Gary Madine getting me a bagful of goals. I got to the playoff final, losing to Blackpool. However, optimism is high for Season 4.

Season 3 - Notts Co/Carlise

2009-04-04T11:38:00.000-07:00

The 3rd season ended with promotion to League 1 with Notts Co. We finished 3rd! I managed to sign more quality players now that I had gained promotion.

Kevin Thornton (Leeds)
Adam Drury (Norwich)
Mark Davies (Wolves)
Jaime Peters (Ipswich)

All were free transfers. The first 3 games were all defeats, but I managed to put in a good string of results to get County to a mid-table position. Then, I got linked with the Carlisle job. They were a team lower than County in League 1.

I decided to take the job, because I had taken Notts Co. all I could do with no money. Carlise already had a decent set of players, but they had money to spend as well. However, I didn't want to rush spending my money, so I looked into the loan market and free agents list.

Sam Jerome
Jordan Rhodes
(both on loan from my old Stoke team)
James Beattie (loan from Sheff U)
Matty Ritchie (loan from Portsmouth)
Martin Albrechsten (free transfer)

Season 2 - New Job

2009-04-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

After being sacked from Stoke, I was offered a job at Notts County. They were 23rd in League 2, facing relegation to the Blue Square Premier.

I managed to sign a few good players on free transfers - as there was no budget available to buy players! Including...

Leigh Mills (released by Tottenham)
Netan Sensara (released by Wallsall)
Tresor Kandol (released by Leeds)
Andrea Orlandi (released by Swansea)
and most impressively, Kayode Odejayi (released by Barnsley)

I had a good second half of the season with County, eventually finishing 16th!

Best Signings on FM2009 - (including wonderkids and bargain buys)

2009-04-03T16:20:00.001-07:00

Best Signings on FM2009 - (including wonderkids and bargain buys)

Here are a few players that are worth a check. Most were out of my reach, as Stoke manager, but I also have bargain buys too!

Andy Carroll - You should be able to sign this player on loan from Newcastle. He is a young, very tall striker! Peter Crouch of the future!

Hatem Trabelsi - A right back who starts the game as a free transfer. You may be able to sign him as a good championship club upwards.

Joe Mattock - A young left back from Leicester. Sign him straight away! He will be a good player in the future.

Adel Taarabt - Young midfielder playing for Tottenham. Has the potential to be a star!

Darijo Srna - Brilliant attacking wing-back. A player that I always signed in fm2008 & 2007. He'll cost you a small fortune these days though.

soooooo many injuries

2009-02-14T14:52:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or are there soooo many more injuries in fm2009 than 2008? Why!?!!? What am I doing wrong? I'm certainly not overtraining my players. One particular game, I had 5 injured players that had to come off the pitch - meaning I ended the game with only 9 men!

Updates

2009-02-14T14:46:00.000-08:00

After a run of poor results, I was eventually sacked from Stoke City. Click on the image above to see my team at the time of sacking.

Results - August 09

2008-11-26T10:25:00.000-08:00

Norwich 1 v 1 Stoke
Ricardo Fuller gave Stoke the lead in the first half, before Marcus Tudgay rescued a point for Norwich in the second half.

Hartlepool 2 v 3 Stoke - League Cup 1st round
I gave my first team a rest for the cup game. I was regretting this decision after 30 minutes - as Hartlepool took a two goal lead! Making 3 subs, I played much better in the second half, with Dave Kitson scoring the winner!

Stoke 3 v 0 Southampton
A brilliant performance here against a good Southampton side. Goals from Ricardo Fuller, Seyi Olifanjana & Santiago Solari move Stoke up to 3rd in the league.

*OPENING FIXTURES - Season 2

2008-11-24T10:44:00.001-08:00

Having set my targets on promotion back to the premier league, I've been given a decent transfer and wage budget. A lot of my first team requested to be put on the the transfer list. I sold my captain Danny Higginbotham for £2 million. I'm hoping to keep hold of as many of the rest as I can.

I've spent £1.8 million on Marek Matejovsky from Reading, £2.2 million on Andy Carroll, Santiago Solari on a free, Karl Collier for 190k from Leicester, Jordan Mutch from Birmingham for 600k, Chris Porter & Lee Wilkie on free transfers.

*END OF SEASON 1 - Roundup

2008-11-24T10:38:00.001-08:00

click on the image to enlarge

Here are the results from the last few games of the season. Highlights include beating West Ham 3-0 & leading twice against Arsenal - before they eventually ran out 4-2 winners. Stoke are relegated! The good news is, that they are sticking by me, and I have set my sights on automatic promotion next season.

Results - March/April 09

2008-11-23T04:25:00.000-08:00

Stoke 2 v 1 Bolton
A win against Bolton has extended the unbeaten run to three games!! Johann Elmander gave Bolton a first half lead, before Mama Sidibe scored the equaliser. On the 87th minute, Diego Tristan was in the clear and scored with a beautifully executed lob.

Man Utd 2 - 0 Stoke
I wasn't expecting to get anything from this game, but I kept the same team and formation that has been doing well for me lately. United goals came from Patrice Evra & Dimitar Berbatov.

League Table - March 09

2008-11-22T13:54:00.000-08:00

click on the image to enlarge

Here is the latest league table. As you can see, I'm still at the bottom of the league. I have vital home games against Hull & West Ham coming up. I need to win both to have any chance of avoiding relagation!

Liverpool v Stoke - The re-match!

2008-11-22T13:44:00.000-08:00

http://football-manager-2009-guide.blogspot.com/2008/11/stoke-2-v-2-liverpool.html

Click the above link to see what happened in the first match between Stoke & Liverpool. You will see how unlucky I was not to get my first win. If you thought that was bad, see below for details of the rematch at Anfield.

3-0 up! How could I throw away a 3-0 lead!?! At 3-3, Mama Sidibe had a 1 on 1 with Reina and he hit the post! I was so close to making it two wins in a row!

Results - March 09

2008-11-22T13:36:00.000-08:00

click on the image to enlarge

Stoke City 2 v 1 Fulham

I've finally managed my first league win!!! Goals from Ricardo Fuller and Rãzvan Rat secured the win! Can I build on this and get out of the relagation zone!?!? Probably not, but I'm just happy to get the win! I have a few decent chances of more wins in the home matches coming up.
Bolton, West Brom & Hull.

Updates-Nov08 to Mar 09

2008-11-22T13:22:00.001-08:00

I have updated the teamsheet for my team - you will find it on the top of the page.

Transfers

I sold a few players (including £1 mill for Leon Cort), giving me some sort of spending power at the transfer window in January. I signed Keith Andrews - to play in centre midfield - from Blackburn for 675k. I also signed experienced forward Diego Tristan - until the end of the season.

Results

Results in the league haven't been too kind! Losing 5-1 to Everton, 3-0 to Wigan amongst the worst performances! I did, however, get draws against Chelsea & Middlesborough.

In the cup, I was drawn against rivals Port Vale - again!!! Having been 2-0 up after 20 minutes, I was expecting an easy win. Vale pulled it back to 2-2 before I, once again, took the lead. Vale equalised before I got a late "winner." - Only for Vale to get an even later equaliser!!

In the replay, I beat them 3-0 to play Sheff Wed in the next round. Expecting an easy win, I drew in the first match & the replay finished 3-3! Penalty Shootout! Losing 5-3.

My Formation 4-3-1-2 v1.0

2008-11-17T13:23:00.001-08:00

Click on the image to enlarge

Here is my new formation. 4-3-1-2
This has been created around my star player Sergiy Rebrov - whose favourite position is AM C.

Stoke 2 v 2 Liverpool

2008-11-17T13:12:00.000-08:00

Still searching for my first win, Stoke's next game came against Liverpool. The first half started really well, I was having a lot of shots, but couldn't score. However, Dirk Kuyt scored for Liverpool before the end of the first half!

Second half was much of the same, before Abdoulaye Faye was sent off for Stoke! I just knew this wasn't going to be our first win! 3 Minutes later, a long ball from Thomas Sorensen landed straight on the head of Mamady Sidibe and looped over Reina in goal for Liverpool! Yessssssssssssss!!!!!

Despite having a gap in my defense, I didn't change tactics! 4 minutes from the end, Dave Kitson finally got a Stoke goal in the league! That's it surely, my first win as Stoke manager in the league.

No! 4 minutes into injury time, Dirk Kuyt equalised for the Scouse erm...

Greatest Goal 001 - Stoke 2 v 2 Liverpool

2008-11-17T13:02:00.000-08:00

A long kick by Thomas Sorensen landed straight on the head on Mama Sidibe - catching Reina off his line & looping over his head!

Stoke 2 v 2 Liverpool

Click on the image to enlarge

Fixtures - Aug 08 to Dec 08

2008-11-17T10:41:00.000-08:00

Here are all of my results so far & the upcoming fixtures. As you can see, I've still not won in the league! Losing by late goals to Newcastle, Blackburn & Fulham. I will be working on a new formation next - I will post it soon!

I've now lost 6 in a row. Any tips? Post your comments below

Results - August/September 08

2008-11-16T10:41:00.000-08:00

Results so far
Stoke 0 v 0 Wigan
Man City 2 v 0 Stoke
Port Vale 0 v 3 Stoke (League Cup 2nd Round) - Cresswell 2, Whelan

Aug/Sep 08
Stoke 0 v 0 Aston Villa - (I still haven't scored a league goal! However, a good draw against Villa.)
Tottenham 4 v 2 Stoke - Sergiy Rebrov, Mamady Sidibe.
Stoke 1 v 2 Newcastle - Fuller (Newcastle scored in the last minute to take the points)

I still haven't managed a win, but I was leading against Newcastle, before Alan Smith equalised, and Jonas scored the winner in the last minute! West Ham next in the League Cup 3rd round.

Results - August 08

2008-11-16T02:09:00.000-08:00

I have made a good loan singing - Andy Carroll from Newcastle. He is a 19 yr old striker, which I'll use as a target man. He is 199cm tall and has the following attributes. (heading, jumping, bravery, strength --> 14,17,15,14)

Results
Stoke 0 v 0 Wigan
Man City 2 v 0 Stoke
Port Vale 0 v 3 Stoke (League Cup 2nd Round) - Cresswell 2, Whelan
Stoke v Aston Villa

I've started poorly in the league, drawing 0-0 with Wigan & losing 2-0 to Man City. I scored my first goals in the league cup, beating arch rivals Port Vale 3-0. Two goals from Richard Cresswell & one from Glenn Whelan.

The next league game is against Aston Villa at home.

Pre-season News

2008-11-15T05:20:00.001-08:00

I have spent most of my transfer budget on Rãzvan Rat - a D/WB L from from Shaktar Donetsk. He scored on his pre-season debut, against Stoke Reserves in a 1-0 win. I also 675K on Jordan Rhodes - an 18 yr old pacey striker from Ipswich.

The rest of my signings are as follows.

Keith Treacy - AM L (on loan from Blackburn). Sergiy Rebrov - AM C (signed on free transfer). Terry Dixon - AM/F C (signed on free transfer). Alexey Smertin - DM, M C (Currently on trial). Stephen Carr - D R (signed on free transfer).

Pre-season Results

I have not lost in the 4 pre-season games so far. However, drawing with Falkirk & Gillingham are not good results!

My first league game is coming up shortly - I'm at home to Wigan

My Formation 4-4-2 v1.0

2008-11-15T05:10:00.001-08:00

Here is my first team as of Nov 15th. I am still in pre-season on the game

Welcome to the football manager 2009 blogspot

2008-11-15T04:33:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the football manager 2009 blogspot - Here, you will find latest news from the game, good players to buy & you can follow how well I'm doing in my game