2 deals agreed with Barcelona for Season 17 as we have already completed our work for this season.

Tom KRAUSS and Aarón MARTÍN

SEASON 16

On paper, we have a first 11 average of 89 still and should finish mid table of 8th - 13th. 

It is my intention to stay at United and get them back into the first division where they belong. This season I will aim to be mid table and assess what we need for a push for promotion in season 17. It will be interesting to see what rises the players will get and whether we can push for the play offs this season.

With a third of the season completed, we find ourselves in 5th position with W6, D2, L5 and 20 points, and are currently in the play offs, over performing on our seasons expectations. We had a slow start to the season with a single win in our first four games, but things picked up a bit and we slowly climbed up the league. 

We are now at the half way point with 19 games completed and we are in 6th position with W8, D5, L6, and 29 points. It’s nice to remain in a play off spot, but this is a very tight division. We are only 5 points off top spot, 2 points from an automatic promotion place and 8 points off relegation. We have only lost one of our last nine matches and need to continue this vein of form. We are still over performing on our seasons target and have progressed to the Youth Shield knock out stages. 

I am tinkering with the youth team at the moment and looking for opportunities, but will only consider exchanging first team players if players are offered that are on my gold short list. 

Napoli went into season 16 one of the rank outsiders for promotion with odds of 28-1 given for a unlikely promotion. Mullan was busy over the summer bringing in veterans Moutinho, Vidal, Costa and Matic to try and add some spine and experience to a very below standard squad. Bamford was sold on a pre agreed deal to Partizan, but would be available for the teams start.

Napoli were quick out the traps racking up 5 wins on the spin to take a maximum 15 points from 15 available, giving the manager his 10 game point target after just 5 matches. It surprised many, some of whifh had been derogatory in their comments about the teams summer business.

Napoli exited the cup in the first round against River plate, then tasted their first defeat of the season against newly relegated Hamburg. 1 defeat in the next 5 games had the Italian side very much in the promotion race after 11 games.

Napoli progressed to the last 16 of the shield however a run of just 1 win in 8 games has seen the side slip to mid table. Injuries and suspensions have played a big part in the sides worrying slide down the table, plus the earlier agreed departure of Bamford who started the season in scoring form for Napoli.

The manager has today rolled the ultimate dice, by surprisingly agreeing to sell arguably the clubs best two players. Moutinho although 35 has been the one stand out performer when he has been fit or not suspended. With 3 goals, 6 assist and a solid 7.5 season rating, his departure could see the team go on a steep decline unless someone else can fill that void. "I really did not want to part with Moutinho, he has been key to our team and I felt letting him and Stindl go for a highly promising young player may not be my wisest move. We negotiated most of sunday over Kiao Jorge, where the buying club wanted Stindl first and foremost and it was a case of who went with him. We had hoped that Matic would be the one, but the deal at 6pm was pretty much dead, with Celta Vigo unwilling to move on their valuation which was for us to add Moutinho. We were again scratching around to field a strong side against Sassaulo, with a number of players not fit enough to start, it meant a formation change to a 4-4-2 diamond which in the end probably cost us the match. When making the tactical change, I sort of decided in my mind, if we lost the match, then we would reignite the Jorge deal and give Celta their asking price. My rationale? With Moutinho 35, it was probably the last chance i'd have of securing a top young player, before he becomes unsellable.

We have not had to re-evaluate our season target, which is to improve on last seasons 50 points, although the loss of two of our starting 11, is going to make us much weaker and we need to try and battle our way now to around 21 points from the remaining 57 to ensure we dont go down. I'm hopeful we can get 24 points which will give us some improvement on last season.

Looking long term, we now have 19 under-21 players. With Kaio Jorge very much the jewel in that crown. We are going to need some luck with the updates amd real life transfers, hoping some of these young players get the opportunity to move to one of the bigger leagues. First team wise we have 5 players over 30, which from a squad of 50 is excellent progress. From the outside looking in, many will struggle to see where the progress will come from. Our team is not littered with big name players, or indeed household name players. The squad player ratings are very low, and most would need to google 85% of our squad to work out who they actually are. We've done a lot of scouting and really widened our net in our search for obscure young players who have half a chance of perhaps becoming a decent asset. Some are closer to rises than others, but they will all rise at some point, to what level, well thats the million dollar question. I've always said this team is nowhere near ready for Division 2, and to stay in division 3 is a big achievement. We are on a slow rebuilding path, with many incomings and outgoings as we look to build long term foundations. We've a big squad, but one i'm not looking to part with any more players at this stage. I want to see how this squad develops now, it will either become one of my greatest sm achievements or will completely bomb out.

"We've 19 games now and all to play for, we've lost players before and comeback stronger for it. Others will now step up, get their opportunity and try and cement their place in the team. I'm not affraid to chuck some of these kids in the team and despite being rated just 82, i'm sure the likes of Jorge will play a some part in these 19 games"

Another close game and another defeat as Napoli extended their winless run in the league to 6 games. Its a far cry from their explosive start which saw the Italians win their opening 5 fixtures.

"we have hit a blip on this road, and most sides have them. However despite us being now statistically the least in form team in division 3, we are still up there in the play off zone. Injuries to key players like Costa and Wood have cost us over the last few games, whilst tonights sending off of Moutinho is going to further hurt us with him to miss the next three games. I'm slightly concerned as goals have dried up a little, and we are losing flip of a coin games. However no one side in division 3 is tearing it up, and I expect us to go on another mini run of good results before too long"

Napoli have today swooped for Englamd under 20 internationals Jay Stanfield and Jensen Weir, as a continuation of rebuilding their youth set up.

"We have tracked these two for a while but needed to free up the space to bring them in and hope they were not snapped up before hand. Jensen broke on the scene at a very young age at Wigan and comes from a good footballing family with his Dad David having had a very successful career. A move to Premier League Brighton could go either way, but if the talent is there and hopefully over the next few seasons will develop. Jay is very raw and i'm excited to see how he progresses. Fulham think alot of this lad, and that talent is already being recognised by the England under 20 set up. These boys are very much in the Leighton Clarkson mould. They have potential to become good solid players, but are around when England are producing some unbelievable talent. How this affects their long term growth is anyone's guess, however they are a nice addition for us.

"After an explosive start to the season, our form has levelled off a little with a few draws and a couple of defeats and we sit a respectable fourth. Chris Wood is now going to miss 4 or 5 games which is a massive blow for us especially with Bamford now long departed. We've some decisions to make now on who leads the line, With Stindl, Vinicius and Veteran Negredo our options. Douglas Costa also being injured further complicates matters, as we may need to tweek our formation and the way we play. Its a long season and injuries, Fatigue and Suspensions will play a big part. To date we've not been able to field the same side for more than 1 successive game and need to find ways of trying to protect our key players whilst trying to score more goals. I think we are over achieving for this stage of the season and the next 4 or 5 games we just need to hang in there whilst players are out. To date we've not seem a side head and shoulders above the rest, and we've been competitive in all our games. Feyenoord have had a great start but we managed to draw with them during their good run, which gives us confidence and hope."

The last 8 league matches have seen us achieve W4, D2 & L2, and places us in 5th position and in a play off spot

Approximately a third of the season has been completed already and we find ourselves higher in the league than i thought. Looking at the average starting eleven we should finish 8th-13th and this is looking likely. We have played 5 of the teams that should finish top 7 and have W2, D1, & L2 so this is optimistic, and we have achieved 20 points out of the 17 that we should have so far.

Our aim is still to consolidate our position in division 2 and maybe push for promotion next season

Today I sat down with the one, the only, Mystic Meg to discuss what the future had in store for the squad at Juventus over the course of the next real life season & corresponding two Top 100 seasons.

I first asked Meg what she thought for Juventus' chances in the Season 16 campaign but essentially she told me it would be positively mediocre, so what the baffling old bird meant by that, I'm really not sure.

She was however willing to be a little more insightful with the playing contingent of the squad over the next real life year.

Jan Oblak (95) - A good season & perhaps back-to-back titles for Atletico Madrid, she said, probably one of the best goal differences across European leagues, she suggested, an unconscious bias limits the player to 95 upon his nationality & the status of Atletico being below the worlds elite clubs meaning he would not rise. (95)

Erstan Destanoglu (83) - Another great season is expected for the young Turk, she said, a good start already in fact & a below par increase last time around, expect him to be around the 87 mark by seasons end she said. (87)

Mathijs De Ligt (92) - More disappointment for Juventus ahead this season she was quoted as saying, more development for the young Dutchman anticipated in fact. But to see the season through with little to no change would certainly be likely. (92)

Benoit Badiashile (88) - She said a player that continues to thrive in a league overlooked but in a team finding mediocrity its consistent. A transfer in the making but a limited season upon the clubs ability to perform she believed. (89)

Nathan Wood (73) - A youngster getting first team minutes in Scotland, she said without a hint of knowing this was common knowledge. An England international at youth level to continue & development towards Championship & Premier League football before long she further explained. (78)

Soumalia Coulibaly (70) - A further season of hype before eventual latter season stages exposure to minutes in the first 11 she prophesied, a future of success she concluded. (75)

Levi Colwill (70) - Little information she gave, little she knew I did not already know. A modern John Terry were her words. (80)

Timothee Pembele (75) - A brilliant season of development at Bordeaux, we knew but still she told, exposure to various positions she added would entail. A bright future at the top of the game was told. (82)

Lucas Hernandez (91) - Another season of elite performance in multiple roles across the elite backline of Bayern, a season of success Meg did predict. A World Cup in the future but an outcome she would not digress (92)

Correa Marquinhos (94) - A Brazilian masterclass to come in a season of firsts at club level she believed, but to better his level would be reliant on his compatriots in the before long World Cup (95)

Taha Altikardes (72) - The young Turk is getting minutes in the second tier but is highly rated at a reputable club, his future is positive upon his recently turned 18 years, but for any youngster here the difference between nothing & plenty is but fine she foresaw (75)

Tanguy Nianzou (78) - Bouncebackability, the words from her lips, brilliance in showcasing an elite career to come but development over time ensures patience to be required with this future star (83)

Benjamin Pavard (91) - The brilliance of Bayern she said would enable an elite platform for the continued development in an ever changing backline of elite ability she did foretell, a World Cup in the future but an outcome she would not digress. (92)

Devyne Rensch (82) - Development the key for the season ahead, but detail in the minutes divulged the explanation behind Megs words, a future filled with glory the outcome of this one. (85)

Mitchel Bakker (85) - You've seen it before, she subtly put, to leave PSG & progress is predictable as such. Levels to be gained at Leverkusen she put. (88)

Aster Vranckx (82) - Patience the key with this one she said, development over the season she said, patience the virtue with Vranckx as he adapts to the Bundesliga this season (84)

Josh Atencio (73) - The home grown Sounder making waves in Seattle has shown a physical ability to command games from deep, making him a prospect to keep an eye on. Expect further minutes & development from the young American (80)

Ethan Ampadu (83) - Exposure to Serie A & the development abroad again for Ampadu not to be overlooked in another season of added development for this forever young it seems talent she told, a tough one it was told, the top or too terrible mediocrity however she could not divulge (85)

Yan Couto (80) - This Brazilian youngster is undergoing a season of adaptation to European football in Portugal where the language barrier has been removed. A Manchester City future ahead of him should he apply off the field in this period & hit the expected heights she hypothesised (85)

Jeremie Frimpong (83) - This Dutchman is bound for the top she suggested, a brilliant Bayer episode to be had before he hits heights beyond Leverkusen are bound she believed (87)

Ricardo Pereira (91) - Back to his best before long the Mystic suggested, but better times ahead for the stuttering Leicester City side he is returning to after a long period on the sidelines (91)

Joshua Kimmich (95) - King Kimmich can command any game & that ability does not change for the foreseeable future she foretold, for Joshua only rule was seen in his future (95)

Alex Scott (70) - An impressive start to his professional career with Bristol has highlighted how Scott can soar to impressive heights she hinted, but a long road ahead for the youngster this year (77)

Xavi Simons (70) - The boy wonder has turned man, but is the man going to display wonder or leave people wondering what happened she bumbled on about. 'Watch this space' is all too common with Simons but will he hit the hype, she continued. Who knows what she meant (75)

Yegor Yarmolyuk (70) - "Young Yegor has a way to go but minutes for the youth will show brilliance you know" - She is actually a fruitcake (77)

Pedri Gonzalez (89) - "Prince Pedri we know is going to the top, but how high he can go may be upon leaving Barcelona in tow". Yeah she's crackers. (92)

Phil Foden (90) - Pep roulette is the biggest game Phil plays, but she prophesied plenty of potential still for future of this season despite the mixed odds. A successful season for club & country, will see Phil find a weighty reward (92)

Jamal Musiala (85) - Another season of elite performances for Jamal lays ahead, multiple roles across the elite front line of Bayern, a season of success, Meg did predict. Outperforming & outplaying opponents of elite levels, but still finding himself limited by the status of youth she did further suggest (89)

Gio Reyna (85) - Reyna with reign, she rambled. A mixed season for club & country the standard however for this youngster. Gio has a way to go but a move in his future Mystic Meg did wonder. A season of highs but no mountainous summits (89)

Florian Wirtz (85) - The wonderkid Wirtz will continue to work his magic this season. His comparisons to Havertz will only continue but his tactically tailored exposure to exhibit his wonder will ensure this youngster hits heights where he can plunder. A Bayern future for this youngster, our meg did wonder (89)

Bernardo Silva (93) - Stylish Silva shall continue his season with more minutes that he desired, where his departure from City was flirted with prior. She prophesied a key role in this team as pundits did additionally did wonder, a key role & success further he would discover (94)

Adam Karabec (80) - A bright future Meg mentioned for the Czech boy wonder, but a mixed season of minutes ahead before transfers links are in his near future (83)

Bukayo Saka (89) - Stylish Saka she believed would be one to watch in abundance but limited by his club would in turn see his rating slumber. "A short term future dependant on his successes Internationally, before the boy can really show his brilliance elsewhere if he is but so fortunate" - Batty old bird (90)

Romelu Lukaku (94) - Big Rom she applauded & left little to wonder, champions Chelsea she did additionally suggest, which would see Lukaku reach a higher rating, no jest. Champions of what however Mystic Meg would not digress (95)

Nacho Ferri (67) - Near 'Two Metre Peter', Ferri will feature but little but in finding game time in the final stages the youngster has been forecasted (70)

Loum Tchaouna (70) - Loum looks likely to find himself in minimal minutes territory she said, the obvious for anyone to see I said, cut the cheek she said (77)

Joshua Zirkzee (82) - Zirkzee finds himself a key figure once again but this time in the Juplier League of Belgium, he'll return to Bayern a man she did behest, although what authority she has to do so, I doubted (85)

El Bilal Toure (83) - Toure was the talk of Reims before he wound up the hierarchy by seeming to want to leave she did liaise but Meg questioned a future unknown for his short term ability to live up to said talk (85)

Fabio Blanco (70) - A blank for Blanco so far in a promised move for minutes but a loan will remove the limits for which the youngster yearning for (75)

Shola Shoretire (73) - The shunned Seventeen Shola of United prophesied to break the first team this season will feature but little, Meg digressed, but due time will see the stunning star shine. Eurgh (77)

Jadon Sancho (92) - A stuttering start for the star, Sancho. A first season adapting was foreseen by many away from the counter & quick style of Bundesliga' Borussia Dortmund for the measured Manchester. Time is key (92)

Kai Havertz (91) - Kai will be king, deflect the doubters & watch him rise as once did a Brazilian of similar attributes also hailing from Germany in the form of Hoffenheim. A player of value from underlying statistics she further uttered, at your peril will you write him off too soon (92)

Kevin Zefi (65) - Who!? She cried, a pause for a moment, before stardom for the Irish she stated as she sauntered wearily across the room (70)

Adam Hlozek (85) - A name to remember, Meg did promise, for Hlozek has a future of the highest level like once came compatriot Jan Koller. Whether however, Hlozek will hit the physical height of Koller, Meg would not murmur (87)

Raheem Sterling (94) - An ironic player to finish with, Meg said, as finish he cannot. Harsh I said, but she continued. A move in the making for Raheem, Meg promised, a positive prospect she believed it would be (94)

Napoli today swooped for young Ukrainian centre back Valeriy Bondar, in a move the boss see's as shrewd business. "Its no big secret that at centre back, we have a short term weakness, however we like the look of Bondar, who we think has good improvement in him. We've a number of young up coming prospects at centre back now. We really like the look of Marco Burch who we signed over the close season, I think by the end of the season he will get some improvement and will be pushing for the first team. Bondar is in the same mould of Rodrigues and Robinson, who have the potential to become big players for napoli over the coming seasons."

Napoli who suffered successive relegations falling from Division 1, to Division 3 then finished 12th in division 3 in their first season, find themselves top of the table after 9 games into 16 season, which is a remarkable turn around of fortunes. Manager Glen Mullan who inherited a team in steep decline has stuck at it, and is currently bringing a whole level of optimism around the place. We caught up with the chairman today who had these words.

"Napoli is a big big club, reaped with history and tradition. Over the last few seasons a big dark cloud has hung over the club, through some poor manager appointments and terrible business in the transfer market. Four seasons ago we were rock bottom of Division 1, 20 points from safety with relegation all but guaranteed. We tried to get a manager in, but no one wanted to take this task on. Glen Mullan was approached, who had a little unknown to top100, but if we scratched under the surface has a CV as good as anyones in SM. 11 years a manager, 126 trophies, which range from play offs, promotion champions, cups, League titles, European titles and of course World Cups. We gave him full autonomy to start the rebuilding process, and to try and halt the decline. We had at best a Division 5 squad, yet we were in Division 1. I suspected we'd go down again and probably again to Division 4. Over the last 4 seasons we've probably turned over nearly 200 players, attempting to trade our way to some form of stabilisation. Internal trades until this summer have been hard to do, given we had no assets to trade. I'd say 80% of our business on the whole has been external. Last season finishing 12th, with good defensive figures, gave us something to build on during the close season. We knew our weakness was scoring goals, but even with that weakness we agreed to sell our best Striker in Bamford before his transfer ban was even up. Trading your biggest asset is always a gamble, but one the manager convinced me was right for us. After all when the manager came in, having players like Bamford seemed so far away. So we need to trust the manager, his judgement, and I think we've done that. Its seen results improve, the squad look significantly different to those dark days of division 1.

Being top of the table after 9 games is an incredible turn around of fortunes. Nothing is won after 9 games, but the lift around the place is phenomenal. We set ourselves a 15 point target from the first 10 games, and we are 6 ahead of that with 1 game to go. We have set ourself increment targets to aid the teams growth, and to allow the new players time to bed in. We watched the latest pod cast a couple of weeks back and noted the panel wouldnt want our squad, and didnt think us bringing in the likes of Moutinho and Vidal was a positive move? I strongly question those remarks, we are top of the table, both of those players are amongst the top performers in the division, and yes although they are at their end of the careers, the last time I checked winning football matches is the name of the game. Would those managers have achieved much better with the starting block which Napoli had 4 seasons ago? I very much doubt it!!! How do you get a better squad when your best player was 87, the next 10 or so were 86/85 and either over 30 or late 20s and the remainder were either early 20s below 80 rated, or low 80s mid 20s. We are in a gameworld where cash is not relevant, trading is how you get players, but only if you have something to trade. We spent months making contact with managers offering the whole squad for a trade, but was always met with "you haven't got anyone." We then went external with players with any rating 86 plus pretty much gone. It was a case of trusting the manager in signing players from obscure places and hoping one or two could become an asset to start a chain which could restart internal gameworld trading. We got to that point at the end of last season. We didnt have lots of stars, but a few players with potential and the odd player like Bamford where we could possibly get 2 players in for who would improve our best 11. We've not littered the team with over 30s, although I admit our key players right now are of that age. However we've rebuilt the youth somewhat, and in there i know we have a couple of gems that others dont realise yet, but will as time progresses. We parted with 5 or 6 young players over the close season who we'd aquired the previous 3 seasons, they were internal trades, so I know our business model is beginning to work. On the pitch results have improved dramatically and are going hand in hand with good performances. We are still pretty tight at the back with just 7 conceded from 9 games. However we are also scoring goals with 14 so far which is much better than last seasons average of less than a goal a game.

We will review our position after the next game and but will stick to our season objectives. Internally we wanted to improve on last seasons finish and break into the top 10. We felt with a bit of luck we could sneak into the play offs with a potential 6th place finish. With 8 games to go last season, we were being tipped to go down, so on that basis to reach our target would be a tall ask. We were given odds before the season started of 28-1 to go up, so again externally we were not given very much credit, and were literally written off. It's these knocks, which are spurring us on, its why we constantly remind people of the journey Napoli are on, and its why the manager wont rest until this club is back in division 2 as a minimum. We know his disappointment at being totally overlooked for every position which became available over the summer. It made no sense in his mind, what people were expecting from Napoli. Everyone have and continue to write us off, you'd think a 12th place finish and major stabilisation job was a massive success and achievement? We watch with a keen eye other clubs, we watch the favours in the transfer market, which makes other managers appear better in building teams, when in reality they are getting a steriod boost from mates on transfers unavailable to 85% of the gameworld. Yes they certainly know their stuff, but lets not kid ourselves from the reality, its always easier when you are getting a clear leg up. This is something which cannot be thrown at Napoli, and to be honest, its not how we operate. The best managers, build success and win trophies regardless of how poorly the cards are stacked. We've learnt very quickly, there is no favours for us, and it will be grit and hardwork which gets us to where we want to be. Had our Manager been in these circles, im pretty sure he wouldnt be our manager now as the panel would of given him a leg up to a better team.

Where now for us???? Well we are still the underdog, the underrated, but hey we dont actually care anymore. We will do our own thing, its working for us right now and we are certainly on the right path for our club.

Unfortunately I missed my previous bi weekly update and so i will combine the two and complete a ”Season so far” update

With a win and then 3 defeats in our first 4 games, we were left languishing in the relegation zone in 16th place. Looking at the average rating of our starting eleven we were below our expected 8th-13th place, and therefore needed to improve our results

The next five games included a single defeat and four wins. This run of form has propelled us up the league, and we now find ourselves in 2nd place in an automatic promotion spot. Division 2 is very close and all teams are losing against each other. We are now over achieving but i am sure that the season will even itself out.

My aim is to consolidate our position in division 2 as we are probably not strong enough for division 1. By mid season i hope to understand the changes we need to make to ensure that we can make a challenge next season for promotion

After 2 weeks in my new job at PSV I thought I would write a blog post about the story so far.

Its not been pretty.....

The squad is pretty average. When I had to spend time on google to research some of the players here I knew it wasnt a good sign! We have a number of players in mid to late 20's whose ratings are probably safe but also are not likely to improve. (Apart from Ait Bennasser, who already dropped -2 since I arrived!) . We only have 4 players 30+ which is good, but I am not convinced by most of them at the moment. We need them for the ratings though!

That said, its not all doom and gloom and there are a few decent looking youngsters here, although arguably our best talent - Soteldo - has just decided to move to the MLS in real life so his progress might slow up somewhat.

Rating wise I feel we are well below average for this division, and my target to not get relegated pretty much reflects that! Working out how to improve the squad is proving tough. I need to get a feel for the internal market in this GW but external doesn't look like it will be a whole lot of help in the short-term. Realistically for ratings this season what we have might be as good as its going to get, but I will see what I can find.

Results wise I started with a draw against fellow new-manager Lee, at fellow relegation battlers Bordeaux. We then lost back to back league matches against CSKA Moscow and Fernerbache, each by 1 goal.

In between we had a 4-1 cup win over Roma and a Youth Cup win over SC Internacional, so are still going in those, and the shield (bye in the first round)

I get the feeling its going to be a long backs-against-the-wall type season here but once I get familiar with squad I hope to carve out enough results to still be here next season! Looking forward to the challenge.

(And Feel free to approach with any transfers offers, big or small. )