|
Post by coffers on Feb 12, 2010 10:27:35 GMT
Polisportiva Alghero srl Nickname(s): - Founded: 1945 Ground: Stadio Mariotti, Alghero, Italy (Capacity: 5,000) Chairman: Giuseppe Sechi Manager: Carlo Bresciani Arthritic Gadgie League: Lega Pro Seconda Divisione A 2008-09: Lega Pro Seconda Divisione A, 13th Prediction for 2009/2010: Lega Pro Seconda Divisione A, 13th The Stadium:
|
|
|
Post by Mr Bismarck's Electric Donkey on Feb 12, 2010 13:46:55 GMT
Where is the stadium? Is it behind that shed?
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 12, 2010 14:37:49 GMT
I think it's behind the Prison like building in the background to the left.
|
|
|
Post by Sonic on Feb 13, 2010 14:01:46 GMT
Bah, I was going to say prision. It's the only thing missing from that picture. Though, you are sure that that blockish building isn't the coporate boxes?
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 15, 2010 10:23:01 GMT
Here's a link to an overhead satellite view of the stadium on Multi-map before the stand roof was put on, the birds eye view option shows it to be not as bad after all: www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=Stadio+Mariotti%2C+Alghero%2C+Italy&countryCode=IT#map=40.5638,8.32639|18|32&bd=useful_information&loc=IT:40.56354:8.3249:18|Via%20Vittorio%20Emanuele%20II%2007041%20Alghero| As you can guess I didn't get any time on this over the last few days, so I'm filling in with general bumph.
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 15, 2010 10:38:02 GMT
Bah, I was going to say prision. It's the only thing missing from that picture. Though, you are sure that that blockish building isn't the coporate boxes? You can still say pris ion and beat me to it. :checkit:
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 16, 2010 10:21:17 GMT
I'm suddenly finding it difficult to get time and/or enthusiasm for this at the moment, hence the slow start. I think I'm still a bit naffed off at losing the last save game.
|
|
|
Post by Moo on Feb 16, 2010 10:49:11 GMT
I completely understand where you're coming from Coffers. Would it be best if you ease yourself into this by doing a monthly (or yearly) summary rather than a game-by-game analysis like you normally do? The speed at which you go through the games rather than having to write stuff up might give you the enthusiasm back.
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 16, 2010 11:07:01 GMT
I think A yearly summary might be best at this stage, but I still need to find some time to run up the game. That is in short supply again.
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 19, 2010 0:06:25 GMT
Suffice to say when I took over the club and reviewed everything I was in a state of shock, the staff were garbage and the players were pretty much on a par with that, apart form one or two exceptions, but those were players either here on loan or co-owned by other clubs.
So a lot of juggling would be needed. I had a transfer budget of just over £9,000 and a wage budget of £10,000 per week. So I would have to concentrate on freebies and loan players by the look of things.
So over the pre-season session I brought in the following:
Twin Carb A 30yo Italian Right Back who apart from his early years with Bologna who he left in 1999 had spent his entire career in Serie D or C2. He looked decent enough for this level though especially as he was free.
Portuguese Sauce A 33yo Italian AMC, a freebie who may have been a mistake but adds depth to the squad. He has drifted slowly down the divisions since his last appearance in Serie A in 1996 when he left Cremonese.
Lion Pussy a 32yo Dutch MC, free and experienced, has jumped about between Serie A, B and the Dutch Eredivisie,, the last two seasons have been in Serie D and non-league, but I think he has something more to offer.
Harmonica Style 30yo Italian MC, again a freebie, who's seen a lot of time in Serie C2, though did spend 4 years with Rimini in C1 and B. He's more a backup player than first team.
Grilled Alice 24yo Italian AM/RC, yet another freebie who spent a year with Modena in Serie A, then dropped to Serie D nd has been without a club for the last 3 seasons. Backup material.
Tomato Puree 29yo Italian DM/M/C, cost us £6,000 from Real Marchionese who play in Serie C1. He did have 1 appearance with Napoli in Serie B back in 1999 but has drifted down the leagues since then. He can pass a ball better than anyone else in the current squad.
Chilli Burger 18yo Italian Striker, on a season long loan from Cagliari, it's frightening but he's probably the best striker at the club.
Pasta Packet 19yo Italian LB on a season long loan from Fiorentina. This guy is quality at this level, rated at 4,5 stars by the Assman.
Hold The Mayo 17yo Italian RB on a seson long loan from Livorno, more a backup for the current incumbent, but may develop.
Giro Sack 17yo Italian AM/LC, season long loan from Inter, now this guy could be very useful, rated as 4 stars by the assman.
Outgoing:
Matelda Hops an utterly shoite goalkeeper. Released on a free, I had to pay £4,500 compensation to get rid of him.
As far as Staff go I released the physio as he was crap, but brought in 3 more coaches, a replacement Physio and 2 more scouts and now have the full complement of staff I'm allowed.
The youth team (U20's) is utter garbage even the assman says we have no player of any note down there. The reserves are crap and I can't get a buyer for any other players for love nor money, so it seems I'm stuck with what I have as I'm running over wage budget by £1,500 and the board won't let me pay any new players more than £100 per week even though I have since found some really worthwhile freebies.
The close season went reasonably well and we went through it unbeaten trying a number of formations some looking better than others.
We started with a 5-0 win over our own reserves, which didn't prove a lot other than the reserves are exactly what I thought they were.
An away trip to Poggibonsi ended in a boring 0-0 draw, they are in Serie C2 too but a different division.
A Home game against Sienna Reserves also ended 0-0 and things weren't looking great for my tactics at this point.
Montevarchi were our guests next a non-league club and it showed as they were trampled underfoot in a 4-0 win.
Oh and then we got a competition game, away to Villacidrese in the Serie C Cup, Group M. They are in our division, the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Away to Non-League Nuoese in a friendly we won 1-0 and then the Final friendly of the pre-season ended in another 1-0 win at home against A Spanish Non-League side Gava.
The final Serie C Cup game in our group was at home to fellow Serie C2/A rivals Olbia, it ended 0-0. We are now awaiting the result of the game between Olbia and Villacidrese to see where we end up in Group M. It seems unlikely that we will progress any further.
We are unbeaten so far but I wouldn't like to say anything exciting looks like happening.
The League season proper started with a home game against Sambonifacese and we ran the first half playing a 4-1-2-3 formation, Striker Clown Impersonator gave us the lead after only 5 minutes but we failed to build on it, our opponents ran the second half and equalised after 76 minutes. The game ended 1-1, and meant at this stage we had zero points, as we'd started the season with a 1 point deduction for financial irregularities in the previous season.
We next traveled to Alto Adige a team based in the Italian Sud Tyrol region, I was happy to come away with a 2-1 win, goals on 12 and 80 from Shaken Not Stirred (DC) and striker Chilli Burger. Alto Adige replied 2 minutes into injury time.
The first game in September saw Rodengo visit and we once again dominated for most of the time. Our DMC Watchman opened on 12 with a superb long range shot, but Rodengo equalised after 26 minutes when a cock up in defence let there winger in to place an easy shot into the corner. I went straight on the attack and within a minute Chilli Burger restored out lead with a chip over their keeper after two of their defenders got in a mess with each other.
After 3 games we had 6 points on the board and sit in 4th place in the table, Spetzia have 9 points, then come Pavia, Villacidrese, Alghero and Olbia all on 6 points. Carpendolo and Pro Sesto have 5 and favourites to take the automatic promotion spot Lugano are on 4.
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 19, 2010 0:15:08 GMT
Suffice to say we have some horrendous injury problems and they are mainly affecting first choice first teamers, so I'm expecting things to start sliding soon.
The one thing I will say about the squad is that when they are all fit, we have possibly the best defence in the division. The problem is they don't all seem to be fit at the same time.
|
|
|
Post by Moo on Feb 19, 2010 10:10:35 GMT
You picked Poggibonsi, Siena (single "n") and Montevarchi based on my honeymoon, right? Decent start there, fella.... I might delve into Italy myself.
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 19, 2010 10:46:15 GMT
No those friendlies were already arranged by the AssMan, I played no part in picking them. I think finance is going to be a huge problem for me here, but i'm beginning to get a better feel for what's required here, C2 Italy is a whole new set of problems to overcome and the choice of players available if different enough to cause me some challenges and I can't see how this team can ever expand, but I'm sure there are ways and means. Pops proved that with Igea. I've only got Italy loaded so I guess my options for low level players in other countries are severely limited. I did try to get some quality British players in on loan, like Snodgrass from Leeds and Sam Vokes from Wolves amongst others, their clubs agreed to my proposals but the players unsurprisingly didn't. It was worth a try but doomed to failure. The passing and, more to the point, missed passing at this level is comical as are the first touch errors where the ball just bonces away around 10 to 20 yards from a player who is obviously trying to control it. Even at Dot$ level, it's funny.
|
|
|
Post by Moo on Feb 19, 2010 11:17:55 GMT
Spooky that they were pre-arranged. :cab:
I wouldn't know what to suggest about getting players in, Coffers, other than explore the parent club route. Italy definately has this IRL (not like in the UK, even though FM has the option), so it's something to look at. You're more likely to get something from a local team though, so I would check those out first if I were you. Remember that there is no reserve leagues in Italy, so the players in the reserve teams are fair game to loans and their clubs would welcome any chance of their reserve players not just sitting on their arse, I would think.
GL! :thumb:
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 19, 2010 11:32:51 GMT
I'm restricted now in getting players in, I'm over budget and any extra players would have to be total shoite to accept the wages I can now offer so forget even freebies. Evan the loan option seems to have disappeared off the Offer screen now, so I'm either over complement or some crucial window has passed that I didn't notice. I can't offload the crap high earners until January it seems as as no one wanted them for nowt in the pre-season I can't see how that will change come January. SO I'm pretty much stuck with the squad I have for the next few months at the very least, I cant even re-negotiate longer contracts for the players I probably want to keep for next year. It's my own fault I always rush in and sign all and sundry who want to join these clubs and then pay the penalty later. Oh well, I'll get out of this mess somehow, maybe a takeover will solve the finance problems.
|
|
|
Post by Moo on Feb 19, 2010 12:02:02 GMT
If you haven't already, ask the board for a parent club, you might get a loanee in for nowt. I can't recall if there is a loanee window in Italy, there is a separate one in the English Championship, so there might be one in Italy. I dunno.
If it's any consolation, I'm pretty sure you're not the only one that rushes in and buys everyone you can. It's probably why my morale is always shit too.
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 19, 2010 12:10:30 GMT
I already tried the parent club option, the board considered it and came back and told me they couldn't find a suitable club, they also seem to be indicating that I shouldn't ask again.
One annoying thing: just as I've picked up the interest again in this, I can't play it again until; Sunday night, we have teh kids and grandkids round tonight and are going out with friend tomorrow night. Saturday is normally the night I get a 3 hour plus stint on FM, so that's gone with the wind or something.
|
|
|
Post by Moo on Feb 19, 2010 12:52:29 GMT
Ha! I'll taunt you with online poker all weekend. And I might fire up FM and leave it untouched just to taunt you more.
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 19, 2010 14:31:39 GMT
I won't notice as I won't be online until Sunday, then I'll be playing anyway.
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 22, 2010 12:40:15 GMT
Got to the mid season break and will try to write up the games so far if I get chance today. I'm working from home.
|
|
|
Post by Moo on Feb 22, 2010 13:30:10 GMT
Lucky dog.
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 22, 2010 16:43:28 GMT
Following the home win against Rodengo we traveled to Pro Belvedere and salvaged a point from an almost disaster. Belvedere scored first from the spot on 10 minutes after Serene Simon, who was standing in for the injured Shaken Not Stirred at DC, tripped Perelli in the area. The equaliser came on 87 minutes when Disney World topped off a slick passing move down the left with a cool finish. Drew 1-1
Pro Sestro at home next and they were currently promotion rivals holding 2nd place. They had the possession but we snatched the goal that mattered when A English Mustard corner was headed over the line by A Pro Sestro DC on 59 minutes, Won 1-0.
This brought us to the battle for top spot traveling to Pavia who were 1st a win would see us leapfrog them from 2nd to 1st place. It wasn't to be. Benito Carbone (yes Benito Carbone) gave them the lead after only 2 minutes. Chili Burger equalised for us on 24, finishing off a neat Grilled Alice through ball from 8 yards. Pavia struck back late in the 1st half with 2 goals in 4 minutes on 38 and 42, so we went in 3-1 down at the break. We didn't really look like getting anything in the game, but Disney World headed our second on 71 to give us some hope. The hope disappeared with the final whistle and to be honest we were lucky to come out of the game only losing by one goal. Lost 3-2 We dropped down to 4th place as a result of this game.
It was at this point that we brought in a young DC called Steamy Window aged 18 who the scouts thought looked a decent prospect for the future, the Assman looked at him and rated him a half a star so he went straight into the U18's team. It looked like I'd bought a dud, I say bought but he was free so that wasn't so bad.
Moving into October we entertained fellow Sardinian side Olbia, who we had drawn with in the Serie C Cup. This was a chance to see how we had progressed. We had progressed well. Disney World opened the scoring on 14 with a well placed shot to the near post after being put through by Lion Pussy. Lion Pussy then put Chili Burger through on 27 and the young striker drove a powerful shot under the keeper. Olbia pulled a goal back on 38 so we went into the second period leading 2-1. On 65 Lion Pussy thumped in an 18 yard shot that took a deflection, for our 3rd and Chili Burger hit the 4th on 69 after being set free by Disney World. Olbia replied again on 77. Won 4-2.
We traveled to lowly Ferapi Salo next and came away with a 1-0 win thanks to a 25 yard drive by Lion Pussy 2 minutes into 1st half injury time. Won 1-0.
Next a trip to Legnano who had been Pre Season certs for promotion but were now languishing in the lower reaches of the division. The first half saw us dominate, but only a scrambled goal from Disney World on 29 separated the two sides at the break. Though English Mustard contrived to hit a penalty straight at the keeper on 40. Legnano salvaged a point with an equaliser on 56, a deep cross evading our defence left an easy finish at the far post for Siciu. Drew 1-1.
Just before the next game we landed another free youngster, Silky Magnum, a 21 year old DC who the scouts rated, but once he arrived he became a fringe player, the Assman rated him as shoite.
Home to Villacidrese another team we drew 0-0 with in the Serie C Cup, they progressed at our expense when they beat Olbia 3-1 in the final game. The first half was a washout as neither team could find the edge, but I kept faith with the starting line up and on 49 Disney World struck a real poachers effort from a corner to give us the lead. On 71 Disney World broke on the right and crossed deep, Chili Burger met it at the far post and headed back across the goal. The Villacidrese keeper flapped and pushed the ball into his own net. Won 2-0.
A day after this match we landed a fantastic bargain free D/WBR/DM/MC, aged 30 called Discerning robber, his last team had been Cesena in Serie B, but he hadn't played for over a year, however his stats were great for all the positions he claimed to be able to play in so straight into the squad he went. Even the Assman agreed this was a good deal.
In the meantime we had released Malted Hops and Famous Name on a free in order to free up the wages to pay Discerning Robber.
An away trip to Mezzocorona was very much like the Legnano game, we dominated the first half and went in 1-0 up at the break thanks to an 18 yard strike by MC Tomato Puree. The second half belonged to Mezzocorona and they equalised on 53, a cross to the edge of the box was unchallenged and their striker headed in with ease. Drew 1-1.
All this time we were hovering between 2nd and 5th place, so we were not dropping too far behind but weren't really making use of any slip-ups by Pavia who were still leading the pack.
Bottom of the League Noceto visited us next and made us struggle for much of the game. Pudding Basin finally broke the deadlock with his first goal of the season to finally end his personal goal drought. He was put through by Chili Burger and created an angle to score from around 6 yards out. A poor game but I'll take the win. Won 1-0.
We left it late at Pro Lion Post headed our first in on 78 on a mud heap of a pitch. Two minutes into injury time with Vercelli pressing for an equaliser keeper Stop In The Name Of Love raced out and booted a through ball clear down the left channel, their keeper raced out into no man's land but Serene Simon got to it first and hit a 40 yard shot into an unguarded net. Won 2-0.
Home to Spezia next and no matter how we tried we couldn't force the ball in, We had 18 shots, 9 on target but their keeper got in the way of everything, so the game ended in a 0-0 disappointing draw.
It was time for Sunbeam Stiletto to leave the club on a free. All these outgoing players aren't going anywhere by the way, I'm just taking a hit on wages compensation.
The final game in November was a trip to Carpendolo who were just outside of the playoff places and could cause a threat if we weren't careful. The first half was awful and they did indeed cause some early problems, but they were overcome and we gradually eased ourselves into the game. ON 68, Tomato Puree split the defence with a lovely ball an Chili Burger made an angle for himself before chipping the advancing keeper. Substitute Clown Impersonator banged in the second from 20 yards with one minute of injury time played. Won 2-0
We now had 3 games to go before the winter break and we were tracking Pavia very closely, I had already indicated to the press that Pavia were red hot favourites for the automatic promotion spot. I was obviously hoping to jinx them as we lay 1 point behind at this point.
We entertained Canavese at home and they fancied their chances for some odd reason. Pudding Basin put them in their place on 32 when he slammed in a 12 yard shot after Grilled Alice had laid a diagonal balled into the area. English Mustard hit another penalty straight at the keeper on 60, but made amends on 82 when he finally go the hang of penalties and hit one in off the left post. Won 2-0.
Pavia drew at home 1-1 against Sambonifacese and we overtook them to go a point clear at the top. It was the first time we had led the table all season and I didn't want to give it up at this stage.
Alto Adige were the next visitors and they were effectively disposed of in the first half. English Mustard added to his penalty count on 26 and Tomato Puree doubled the lead on 36 when he thumped a badly punched ball into an empty net from the edge of the area. The game fizzled out in the second period, but we hung on to the lead. Won 2-0
Pavia beat Pro Belvedere 4-1 to keep the pressure on us.
For the final game before the winter break we traveled to Valenzana and started early with Shaken Not Stirred collecting near post corner on an ice bound pitch, he turned and drove the ball into the 6 yard box, the ball flew into tthe net off a Valenzana defender with 8 minutes on the clock. Valenzana were level 5 minutes later when they walked the ball through our defence as an attack broke down. The game then became the Chili Burger show as he plunders a hat-trick with goals on 21, 52 and 75, two placed shots sandwiching a thunderous strike from 22 yards. Won 4-1.
Pavia lost 3-0 away from home to Alto Adige so we start the winter break with a 4 point cushion at the top.
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 22, 2010 16:43:48 GMT
The League Table:
|
|
|
Post by coffers on Feb 22, 2010 17:06:17 GMT
As per usual in mid season breaks I arranged some friendlies to keep fitness levels and sharpness up to scratch. I had also been trying to offload some of the make weights to other clubs on free transfers to avoid anymore compo payouts.
Plus I had eyes for improving the depth of my strikeforce and goalkeeping positions and had brought in a load of trialists. One purchase I did make was the signing of English Mustard who was a long term loan player from Cittadella. He has been a star at DC all season and I consider £3,000 to be peanuts for someone who is a consistant performer. I'll live with his inability to score from the spot as no one else in the squad is any better.
We sold Slow Bus a pitifully slow DMC for £5,000 and close season free signing Portuguese Sauce for £500 to Fano and Verese respectively. Out on free transfers went Morbid Razor to Melfi, Top Shelf magazine to Figline, Humb went to Prato, Nickle Lie went to Pro Verchelli and Sacred Cow found his place at Gogligno. All the outbound players were considered bargains by their new managers, which caused me to look closely at my Assman who had been saying they were shoiite all along.
My Assman was dismissed and replaced by Heat Vent, who saw potential in players I had been led to believe were total garbage. He seemed to be viewing players the same way as the scouts had. So there was hope for Steamy Window and Cadillac Valour, even Silky Magnum went from 0.5 Stars to 2 stars.
I hadn't been standing still on the incoming player front either. In came Rodeo Spar on a free, he'll be a 2 star backup AM/LRC/ST aged 24. Plus I have contract offers on the table with a 2 star backup keeper who if he signs will allow me to get rid of two crap backup keepers with bit of luck.
In the meantime we played 2 friendlies at home:
vs Hinterreggio we won 2-1 thanks to goals from Chili Burger on 18 and Disney World on 90. Hinterreggio replied on 50. Giro Sack and Lion Pussy were both injured in this game.
vs Trevisio we won 4-1. Two early goals from trialists; Rodeo Spar on 2 and Italian Carpet on 8 looked promising before Trevisio replied on 18. Chili Burger made it 3-1 on 22 and completed the scoring on 90.
Unfortunately Italian Carpet turned down our offer and went to Manfredonia, at least Rodeo Star accepted our offer.
We are now in a position where we can only offer pitence wages until we offload more tripe.
The winter break is coming to a close.......
|
|
|
Post by Mr Bismarck's Electric Donkey on Feb 22, 2010 23:24:28 GMT
So you're top then Coffers?
I'm surprised. No wait... what's the opposite of surprised?
|
|