The Last Ride - RSC Anderlecht to Frankfurt

[Derek]

We are at the half way point of the season now and it's been going quite well as we've been 2nd/3rd most of the season. We've been quite solid at the back so far with only Bayern conceding less in the league.

In the cup competitions I've played the second XI in every game apart from the opening EL game against Hibs which we won 6-0. This has payed off as we've rested players for the Bundesliga games and still finished top of our group comfortably.

However, I did underestimate Werder Bremen in the cup and went out early on which is a shame as we had reached the final in both of my season and won it last year. Lesson learned!

 

[Johno]

Decent half way point and shame you went out in the cup!

[Derek]

9 hours ago, Johno said:

Decent half way point and shame you went out in the cup!

True but my own fault for resting the entire team 

[Derek]

So the season has come to a close and it's been a pretty good one in terms of our progression as a team. We played some fantastic football in the final games of the season with some pretty average players.

I'll be looking to improve the team and squad by selling some of the players I brought in as stop gaps. We will have €70m to spend thanks to the CL money so I'll be targeting quality young German talents.

In our main two competitions we finished second to an amazing Bayern team in the Bundesliga and then failed to perform in the Europa League final against Tottenham, losing on penalties.

We did well beating the likes of Fiorentina, Bordeaux and a strong Newcastle team on the way to the final.

As you can see above we performed exceptionally well in the final 17 games of the season which was started by winning away at Dortmund. We only lost the Europa League final on pens and in the league against Wolfsburg in the period. The Wolfsburg game was a result of resting the entire starting XI ahead of the Semi Final Second Leg against Newcastle.

[Derek]

Summer transfer window closed and it's been a busy one! 

Out went Lafont (€19m profit), Dahoud (Not my signing), Karrikaburu (€14m profit), Zemura (€13m profit), Baena (€750k loss), and Kalimuendo (€7m profit).

Some great young signings in Sikora, Acedo, Berg and Ouattara. I'm taking a bit of a risk as the core of the team is full of youth. GK 19, RB 20, CB 19, CM's 18 & 19, AMR 22 and ST 18.

I signed Berg in the hope that a large bid of €100m would arrive in for Hauge but Newcastle's €80m wasn't enough to tempt me.

 

[cameosis]

don't know if you followed yesterday's game, eintracht grounded leipzig with 4:0. looks better by the week, thrilled to see how trey'll see off sporting in the cl.

[Derek]

We've reached the halfway point of the season and it's been a mixed one. We've performed really well in the Champions League and finished top ahead of Milan, Liverpool and Osijek.

However, we've really been lacking goals in the league while I try and push Bodnar to be our main striker at only 18 years old. I'm going to stick with him but we find ourselves 15 points behind the immovable Bayern who have won 16 out of 17 and remain unbeaten. 

 

 

[Derek]

Well speaking of unbeaten Bayern and my need for Bodnar to step up....  

 

[Derek]

So the season comes to and end and we've finished second again to Bayern. 

We have a lot of young players starting to really play well now like Poku and Pfeiffer so I'm optimistic for the season ahead 

 

[cameosis]

someone means serious business!

[Derek]

I haven't been this mad about an FM save in a long time.

Basically I'm not pleased with the board at all who have decided to accept bids on three separate occasions this summer. The last one for my best player on deadline day as they let Poku go to Tottenham with no chance to get a replacement. Gabbia who is now our best player has been out all season due to injury which has meant our best four players are out or gone.

Currently sitting sixth at the halfway point but between transfers and a lack of ambition to improve facilities etc I think I'm off which is a shame. My plan was to dislodge Bayern and move on but I don't see that happening now. 

 

[cameosis]

damn, i feel your pain. fm is more realistic than i thought!

[Derek]

Unfortunately it was enough for me to move on mate. I wanted to dislodge Bayern but I couldn't put up with the board selling the best players, so I decided to take a new challenge.