The Robins - FM22

[Derek]

So as I've begun to work on FM22 logos I decided it was time to abandon my Villa save and move forward with my first FM22 game. After a bit of deliberation I decided to go with The Robins, Bristol City.

I chose them for two very simple reasons, a young exciting squad which I felt I could improve and quite honestly I just liked the logo .

It's been a good start to the season so far as I'm currently unbeaten in the league and sit second but I've not played any of the tough sides yet like Fulham. I've decided to choose Bakinson and Massengo as my midfield pairing ahead of James and Williams, who are arguably individually better.

In terms of transfers I had just over €1m to work with and sold a few players including my first choice keeper Bentley and brought in Musonda from Chelsea and Eppiah from Leicester.

The media have predicted we will just about stay up in 21st spot so its likely to be a tough season ahead despite the good start!

Come on The Robins

 

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[parsdaft1983]

No bad start there mate, good luck there

[Derek]

I have to say I'm delighted to be third at the halfway point in the season, having only spent just over a million on Musonda and Eppiah combined and raising more through senior player sales.

In saying that I still feel I will be very fortunate finish in the top six as I've a lot of the big sides away from home in the second part of the season.

The huge amount of chances we're creating each game is the main reason why we have only slipped to two defeats so far. Nahki Wells has been in great form and leads the goalscoring charts, while Bakinson, Massengo, Semenyo and Musonda have been sensational.

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[parsdaft1983]

Tell you what mate, there is nothing stopping you going all the way! Thats good going tho, looking forward to seeing how you get on!

[Derek]

Bristol City are in the Premier League and I've won Manager of the Year!

We've only gone and done it. I have to say I had my doubts after the media predicted we would finish 21st but the team has been amazing and in particular the youngsters. However the main man has been Nahki Wells with 42 goals in 44 games.

I went with my favourite tactic, with being Liverpool fan is no surprise the Gegenpress. Despite many reviews saying it's a difficult tactic to get right in FM22 I've enjoyed it with Bristol City as it worked a treat.

We managed to finish in 4th place and I'm delighted with that despite being in 3rd most of the season. I was worried though when Wells was away on International duty for both playoff semi finals but Eppiah stepped up by scoring in both games against Blackburn. We destroyed Bournemouth 3-0 in the final to reach the EPL. 

I'm pretty confident we will be favourites to go down but we will give it a good go. My transfer plans are to buy young English players if possible that I think I can improve but we will see what happens.

One of my most enjoyable FM seasons I have to say.

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[parsdaft1983]

What a season mate, massive congratulations to you! Onwards and upwards now for the mighty Robins

[Derek]

Posted by: @parsdaft1983

What a season mate, massive congratulations to you! Onwards and upwards now for the mighty Robins

I'm definitely getting relegated mate  

Unless a billionaire comes in it will be a miracle.

[Derek]

I didn't get a chance to provide any updates during the season but yes as predicted we got relegated which was only the 2nd time ever for me. Largely the problem I had was recruitment in the summer window as despite having a small amount (€24m) cash to spend in EPL terms I just couldn't get my deals across the line with many offers accepted. Wuilker Farinez was a great purchase in that window but apart from that I got a future prospect in and Ben Davies from Liverpool.

Apart from these two signings this was mainly a side which had been predicted to be relegated from the Championship the year before and it really showed as we went the first 22 games without a single win which obviously left us bottom for most of the season.

The turning point came in the January window when I was able to convince Talles Magno to join from New York City and sell off a number of fringe players for decent money including sub keeper O'Leary for €13m. This made a difference when recruiting Lloyd Kelly, Chris Mepham, Joshua Zirkzee, Hamza Choudhury and loanees Neco Williams and Liam Delap.

We finished the season really strongly with only 3 defeats in our final 16 games and beat the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal. Another big reason for this was a switch to 5-2-3 Gegenpress which suited my team best by playing Kelly, Mepham and Davies as a back three with Williams bombing forward.

I somehow got asked to interview for the Villa job halfway through the season which was bizarre but obviously I was unsuccessful and wouldn't have taken it anyway . We spent a lot of money improving the facilities for both the seniors and youth teams while also putting us in a stable financial position going forward.

I think we're in with a really strong chance of coming straight back up if I can keep the majority of the team together.

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[parsdaft1983]

Mate, that was so unlucky going down on goal difference. Did you manage to keep your job? I have never been relegated on FM yet, but there is always a first time lol.

So what are your plans going forward?

[Derek]

Yeah I kept the job mate because it was kind of accepted that from the board and players we we're going down before the season even started which wasn't the best sign!  

The only frustration was going into the last game at home to Leeds in great form and only getting a draw.

I'm buzzing for the new season to be honest as I've kept the players I wanted and brought some better players in. It's still going to be tough to go up but I'm hoping to achieve it first time around.

I've decided to take a bit of a risk and have some young players on the bench that maybe aren't quite ready for the first team but I'll see how they go.

This is the confirmed team for the season ahead. Turned down €38m for Massengo from Tottenham but he's one of my best players with a great future.

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[parsdaft1983]

Good luck mate, hope you smash it. Glad you managed to keep your best players, nothing worse than losing the best,

[Derek]

So it's been a reasonably good start to the season as we sit 4th and just 6 points off the top. The trouble lately has come as the injuries mount up with 10 first team players carrying a knock or unavailable altogether.

If we can stay within touching distance of the top two until I get some players back we're in with a chance but it will be a tough task as I'm having to call upon some youth team players now.

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[parsdaft1983]

There is still time to make a good push for automatic promotion there. Whats your media prediction? I hate it when injuries occur, I always try make sure I have decent youngsters but thats hard as a lower league club. Hopefully things will get better for you.

[Derek]

My media prediction was 5th mate so I've been ahead of that most of the season but things have got a easier on the injury front now. I got four good loan signings in the January window too and now I'm top on goal difference. I'm spending a bit more than I wanted on wages but I felt I had to with all the injuries.

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[parsdaft1983]

I think you got this mate! I know anything can happen but I reckon its going to be in the bag!

[Derek]

Just like that and we're champions! Some outstanding performances this season but Neco Williams was amazing while playing a similar role to Trent at Liverpool and he certainly lived up to it with 17 assists.

Manager of the Year again was nice too  

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[parsdaft1983]

Brilliant mate!! Back to the PL you go! Have you got much money to spend? 

[Derek]

Posted by: @parsdaft1983

Brilliant mate!! Back to the PL you go! Have you got much money to spend? 

I had just over €25 million to spend which again is not much for the Premier League. However, this time around my team and players  have improved a lot.

I signed an 18 year old wonderkid goalie and sold Farinez for a €31m profit. I moved a few more out and in the end spent over €100m while bringing in €82m. We've started really well and have beaten Chelsea and Wolves but have drawn against West Ham and Burnley.

My second XI battered Tottenham away in the Carabao Cup with Plymouth away in the next round.

I think this has been a great window for us and we will surely aim for mid-table despite the 18th place media prediction.

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[Derek]

So far so good as I sit 6th in the league at the half way point. Nketiah has been great so far and tops the scoring charts with 15 league goals in 19 games. 

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[Derek]

So the Robins have qualified for Europe! I'm delighted with how the season went and probably would have done a bit better if Nketiah hadn't got injured for six weeks near the end of the season. I've a young team with lots of room to improve and I'll certainly be on the look out for some more gifted young players.

I'm going to take a risk and put Gerashchenko into the First XI next season and I'd take an offer of €80m for Magno if I can negotiate it. 

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I've a transfer budget of €55m even if I hold onto Magno and I intend to move Zirkzee, Sorinola and Semenyo on if possible to raise further funds.

[parsdaft1983]

Congratulations mate, what an effort by the team! Thats a good budget to play with, and Zirkzee is bound yo get you a few extra euros for your budget!

[Derek]

We're ready for the new season but the media don't seem to have much fate in us staying up as they predict a 16th place finish. I kept a hold of Magno despite getting a bid of €58m from Dortmund and Bayern as I'm holding out for at least €70-80m.

Some small changes with the squad again but overall I'm quite happy and think this could be another season of progress if the squad can handle Europe being thrown into the schedule.

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