Part 4 - The Run In

Let's get the end of season one wrapped up. 

So the Aston Villa & Liverpool sandwich didn't go to plan. With losses to Liverpool in the league and FA Cup after a lucky draw against villa. We closed out march with our only win against Chelsea. 

April.

After the last run of form I knew I needed to do a tweak, so we swapped a player role or two first off changing one of the AMC to a AP to help us hold the ball a bit more as our possession stats had dropped. Also the DMC to an anchor man, the data hub suggested we were getting hit on counters and the centre backs were making alot of tackles. The thought behind the change is that the anchor man will be an extra layer of support and allow the wing backs and Segundo's to get back to help out defensively. 

First up was was Arsenal who were battling for the Champions League, if I'm honest I was expecting to get battered but to my delight we ended up pinching a win even though the stats suggested Arsenal were the better team. 

Next another London team in Fulham where we managed to throw away a 2 goal lead and concede both of their goals on the last ten minutes to draw 2-2. I was fuming and let rip on the boys which even getting my fury leaked to the press. 

The boys responded as we absolutely hammered Sheffield United. Look at these stats. 

71% possession they had 1 shot in target. ZERO clean cut chances ckmapred to our 28 shots and 12 on target. 

This appeared to be the kick start we needed, as a beautiful run of form began to emerge. 

Next was a trip to Tyneside where we play a rejuvenated Newcastle side after sacking Eddie Howe. They gave us much more of a game and the stats were pretty even but we managed to take our chances with Eze and young Right back Ryan Andrews stealing the show. Both with a Goal, assist and three key passes each. Andrews looking like a bargain for a few million quid from Watford. 

May.

Now we enter the final month of the season and our final three games. DID someone say unbeaten? Did someone say Europe? 

We did it. We bloody did it.

Winning all three games. We qualified for the Eupra League. 

The most impressive a 4-1 demolition of Tottenham. Ryan Andrews getting POTM again some boy he is. 

It just looks so pretty with all that green doesn't it.

The board set our initial budgets for next season at a nice £49M. 

I'd already agreed the transfers for next season of these lovely boys.  The big names being Moscardo and Seimen. However Moscado and Gonzalez don't arrive till January and Domina is staying on loan for another season. So only half will join in the summer. I also overlooked the fact that Gonzalez is only 5'5" so I'm hoping he's a little magician like David Silva or Chelsea Juan Mata. 

So that means my six foreign under 21 players are confirmed for this season. This means I can only buy UK based players this windo if I want them in my squad now. 

However I'll continue to snap up the best talents for the next window when I am able to complete the signings so essentially I'm buying players for the next season in the current window.

As I said previously I had an option to buy clause on Archie Gray for 23m and he's now interested in joining so I've actived that deal and got him signed up.

A few of the boys have started to develop nicely with Jamie Donnelly being the pick after signing in January. Jamie started off slow then was forced into a big run of games due to an injury to Édouard. 

We've plenty of interest in our best players as normal. And Édouard only has 12 months on his contract so a deal for him and removing dead wood is the next task as well as cracking on with scouting and some new future transfers being arranged. I also need to move on the 30 year olds with an underperforming Lerma and Sam Johnstone being prioritised. 

See you before the season for a transfer round up, squad overview and the tactics update.