SEASON 18 (Division 2)

It appears that the strength of division 2 will be similar to that of season 17, but at worst, no stronger.

Just before the end of season 17, I tried to make some changes to the team but found that I was being offered poor players in return for mine and can only assume that the players I was offering did not meet other managers expectations. I do not talk up my own players as I like to give other managers the credit of knowing their worth. I therefore start season 18 with pretty much the same team that finished season 17, so I expect the outcome and league position may be similar too.

We still have an average rating of 89.0 for the best starting 11,  and therefore my aim will be to avoid relegation and our Chairman states “this season he expects us to avoid relegation”. My contract requires me to finish 10th, but this is a bit unrealistic when you compare our squad against the others in this division, and the leagues stats suggest 14th.

 I am carrying out a long term build which does not meet the objectives of a contract where you have to improve every season. My aim is that once we gain promotion to division 1 we stay there. Due to having contracts and having to achieve short term gains, the teams promoted from division 2 are now struggling in division 1

Looking back over the last few seasons, 44 points should see us safe.

The new season did not start very well for us commencing with a 1-3 loss at home, followed by a 2-2 draw away and then followed by another 1-3 loss but this time away.

I Sold Justin(87)24yo (rose 1 to 88) to Atletico Madrid for Lokonga(87)22yo and Koita(83)22yo, and swapped Torres(89)27yo for BIA(88)25yo with Malaga. Time will tell how these changes pan out. 

We are now midway through the season and have completed 19 games of which we have achieved W4, D6, L9 and only 18 points. We are in 18th place and in the relegation zone and the reason for this is that my counter tactics have not worked so well. We do need to pick up our form and I need to see some improvement in the formation/tactics.

No need to panic yet as only 3 points from safety