After asking for suggestions in the FM2012 thread, it occurred to me that I'd like to do an AAR for whichever team I chose. So here it is, whether you like it or not. :bowler:
Meet Theophilus Funk. Soon to be the world's greatest manager:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2F2012-03-13_1302.png&hash=58f98b799a887736a86eb417109c471478488035)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-09_1426.jpg&hash=0243b44055bfb5d00e29ae3e8d824e874d6ace4b)
This is Athletic Bilbao, a club in the Spanish top flight, widely known as La Liga. I know next to nothing about the Spanish leagues other than the big two clubs and what Sid Lowe talks about on Football Weekly, so this oughta be fun.
The interesting thing with Athletic is that they're restricted to only signing players who are ethnically Basque, so you can't go signing the latest Brazilian wonderkid.
Our finances at the start of the season are pretty good. I don't like buying super-expensive players anyway, but at Athletic you don't really have the choice to. You pretty much have to work with what you have and whatever new kids come up through the youth ranks.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2FFinances_at_start_of_season.jpg&hash=804c2ff44eab2a462078c4ee904941f23ab72621)
After having a long perusal of the team, I decided on a 4-3-3. It's a young and energetic squad with some very good players in key positions. I decided to build the team around four players in particular:
Javi Martinez: He sits in front of the CBs and distributes the ball forward.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-09_1428_002.jpg&hash=53207a108b626f5db9858cb041178f9ff89fd35f)
Llorente: Super strong target man who can score goals and lay off balls for onrushing midfielders
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-09_1428.jpg&hash=a42ae56c2d4861f64501ef10e21bfda4d1c696d8)
And Iker Munian, a 18-year-old wonderkid, as well as Ander Herrera, a playmaking midfielder.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2FMunian_1.jpg&hash=24af663a536c131b9e508550d718e3ccc8e24ed3)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2FHerrera_1.jpg&hash=988ab17f004332edd4e52124c2115eca7d765d87)
Typical lineup as follows:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-09_1424.jpg&hash=c378ae907b0ebe10430ddf0b150618d3b7beb681)
I decide I want to play a very high-line, high-pressing attacking game, with man-marking. I want to get the ball back from the other team and transition into attack as quickly as possible, so I need the team to play high up the field with players in position to run into the attacking third immediately. I figure this will work against most of the teams in the league since they are mostly crap, barring Real Madrid and Barcelona.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-09_1424_001.jpg&hash=458030e41a2d55d4083df9e4c66a6c13fa0f7bbc)
I look forward to hearing how you do.
My next game after this Minnows to EPL attempt of mine will be to try Bilbao.
Almost immediately after I take charge my Assistant Manager (now known as Assman) proposes a friendly between us and our own lower league team of the same name. I agree and decide to have a look at the boys on the field for the very first time. Of course we kick their asses and I tell my team how proud I am that they beat up their younger, terrible counterparts, and they rejoice. Before the game I set up a few optional custom shouts to urge the team on and let them know I mean business.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-09_1505.jpg&hash=375a8ffa2bf5b49a124e8217f7452c23f386664c)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-09_1532.jpg&hash=b325aa0ee404edf397857df526daf631a90738b2)
Not long after the game my super striker Fernando Llorente hurts himself doing sprints and he's out for a month. I tell him he's an idiot for sprinting when he should be laying off passes and smashing in goals. Luckily, the season won't start for over a month anyway.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-09_1629.jpg&hash=b08ebf9c8cc0528f151324dcb880a3c89f888edc)
Next up we face Napoli in a friendly cup game. This is our first real test. Napoli has a really good team and they line up in their typically crazy-like-a-fox formation.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-09_1710.jpg&hash=36a62fc1e0f951190c164d9ad455d7d9803c2f28)
Luckily for me, teenybopper Munian's hormones are raging at just the right time and he puts in a performance of exquisite quality, bombing down Napoli's open right flank and constantly troubling the Napoli goalkeeper. In game terms, I set the Passing to "Down Left Flank", which basically became the WIN button.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-09_1654.jpg&hash=f7d24e7439d41eeec57812f7508e57c01bd96036)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-09_1700.jpg&hash=1362ddace6764de6026d07b51336589cc3e41e20)
Napoli's open flanks and high-line prove their undoing and I swat the Eye-ties 4-1.
Two days later I win the "Friendly Cup" by defeating little Hull. Munian's goal was the best of the lot. I promptly dump the meaningless Friendly Cup in the garbage. Stupid English trophies.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-09_2159.jpg&hash=157766d03758c433749d8cbfcb9e42878874e715)
The next match is away in a Europa League qualifier against world famous club side Levski of Bulgaria. I tremble in my boots as they form up in a 3-5-2. The Bulgarians are plucky, but stupid. I net 4 away goals and concede exactly zero.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_1204.jpg&hash=d1d6fb9f054a7a14a83fde02fdb1bf6de5f27c22)
In this game I took pains to see if my high-pressing, man-marking was working with any effect. In this screenshot the players look like they are conforming to the tactics nicely. Every Bulgarian is marked out and we have a spare man in the back to sweep up a loose runner.(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_1132.jpg&hash=426b44efcc28e12b29febb7db928e61e601fd816)
My favorite goal here was Toquero lay off to Captain 'Old Man' Gurpeggi, who curls it in top corner. Brilliant. (https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_1140.jpg&hash=3f9a3d82c313767b7ec7d764852b40ed2902b92a)
In the return fixture at home, I diagram further.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_1528.jpg&hash=c0208987904b6359b43a40a11e77169d2603f9e6)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_1531.jpg&hash=aa5705d545c9b208aa55e863335ff1950c97cc26)
I'm pleased with the team. They're marking out the easy passes and pressing hard. Most of the time the opposing players either have to play it back or lump it out of bounds. We win 1-0.
And finally, after the preseason friendlies and Euro cup qualifiers, the first game of the season is upon us...
Does the game really need the stock photos from the American Male catalog?
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 13, 2012, 01:33:21 PM
Does the game really need the stock photos from the American Male catalog?
:lol: Those are faces modded into the game. There's a few giant face packs that add thousands of dudes that stare right at you while you pick over their stats.
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 13, 2012, 01:39:19 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 13, 2012, 01:33:21 PM
Does the game really need the stock photos from the American Male catalog?
:lol: Those are faces modded into the game. There's a few giant face packs that add thousands of dudes that stare right at you while you pick over their stats.
Super. Can't wait for the expansion:
Foot Manager 2012: Martinus Masturbation Edition
Can you create players? A. Hitler wants to play. :)
Unfortunately no. You can rename players, though.
The game does generate new youth players every year, too, so I'll be renaming them. Generalissimo Francisco Franco will live again.
:)
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 13, 2012, 06:38:42 PM
Unfortunately no. You can rename players, though.
You can? How?
Quote from: Liep on March 13, 2012, 06:59:32 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 13, 2012, 06:38:42 PM
Unfortunately no. You can rename players, though.
You can? How?
Right-click player's name, select" Interaction", click "Set Nickname." You can remove it and it restores the real name.
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 13, 2012, 07:04:13 PM
Quote from: Liep on March 13, 2012, 06:59:32 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 13, 2012, 06:38:42 PM
Unfortunately no. You can rename players, though.
You can? How?
Right-click player's name, click "Set Nickname." You can remove it and it restores the real name.
This is where I named my players
F Llorente 6TM6 Det
A Herrera 8Ap9 Pro
J Martinez 8Dlp8 Amb
Those three guys are great and a very good and balanced core for any team. Muniain usually gets picked up by larger clubs, In my game he went to Man U and is a success there. Keep these guy contracted up to the gills. The last thing you need is to lose one of these guys and find out that no basques competent to play their position want to join the club.
First game of the season is against mighty Rayo Vallecano. I know absolutely nadda about these guys, so let's see what happens.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_2140_002.jpg&hash=920cfd4b99b462dad9f77bfce818127caebaea84)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_2140.jpg&hash=1ac22c42c5c96ada87bdccb5bc580eb35dd18ff6)vs(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_2140_001.jpg&hash=8697b73e902a31a250ecdc4799d08144638ceda9)
It turns out Rayo is pretty shitty. They leave a lot of space open in the midfield and my attackers shred them to bits.
Here Javi Martinez is given time to pick his pass. We have four good options, plus one out wide left, and all are easy passes and loosely marked. DEFENSE RAYO LOL
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_2151.jpg&hash=1cad267eefa079d99025a03dd0ba99c875abea21)
Javi chooses the Llorente option and he goes in to slot the ball past the keeper. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_2155.jpg&hash=b9522b4f850052255b21dd669bbf965eec72e01a)
Another look at our defensive strategy. Here the ball ends up out of bounds and our throw-in. Learn to pass next time, idiots.(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_2205.jpg&hash=280911c4ad8dc6420c054373ad412195facd6892)
We go on to win 4-1. We pepper their goal with a brazilian shots. They were lucky we only scored four. (https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_2233.jpg&hash=80bfa52b479be9aa51fe2615a392fdf7e6153447)
But there's bad news not long after the game. It turns out golden boy Javi Martinez, the backbone of our defense and the team's metronome, was trying too hard to impress some Spanish hotties and ends up hurting himself during weight training. I send him to the Doc's room for four weeks. FFFFUUUUCCCK(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_2319.jpg&hash=077f3a5c9b38fe8d7ff31cf41660716b9caf4d28)
The new plan is to use Team Captain Carlos "Old Man" Gurpeggi in Javi's role until he's back to fitness. I pray to whatever false god Basques pray to that he doesn't screw things up too much.
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 13, 2012, 09:56:08 PM
But there's bad news not long after the game. It turns out golden boy Javi Martinez, the backbone of our defense and the team's metronome, was trying too hard to impress some Spanish hotties and ends up hurting himself during weight training. I send him to the Doc's room for four weeks. FFFFUUUUCCCK(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi76.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj18%2FFunkMonk2000%2FAAR%2520Bilbao%2FAAR%2520JPGs%2F2012-03-10_2319.jpg&hash=077f3a5c9b38fe8d7ff31cf41660716b9caf4d28)
The new plan is to use Team Captain Carlos "Old Man" Gurpeggi in Javi's role until he's back to fitness. I pray to whatever false god Basques pray to that he doesn't screw things up too much.
Javi Martinez and Iker Muniain were the guys got caught "partying with porn stars (http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/la_liga/114183/snapshot-javi-martinez-iker-muniain-caught-on-webcam-partying-with-porn-stars.html)"
He must have pulled a muscle in the process.
How many world class Basque players can there be? That sounds like a crippling handicap, being held to such a small recruiting area.
Enough that the team has never been relegated from La Liga. ^_^
Quote from: Viking on March 13, 2012, 10:05:09 PM
Javi Martinez and Iker Muniain were the guys got caught "partying with porn stars (http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/la_liga/114183/snapshot-javi-martinez-iker-muniain-caught-on-webcam-partying-with-porn-stars.html)"
He must have pulled a muscle in the process.
:D
Sometimes we forget that some of these famous superstar players are still kids.
The next couple of games up are home against Litex (ANOTHER Bulgarian side??) in a Europa League tie and away to Real Betis, a miserable little Spanish club that belongs at the bottom of the table. No sweat, YEAH.
In some other mildly interesting news, our top, top target man Fernando Llorente wins the useless Goal of the Week award. Hopefully he'll add a lot more of these in the near future. (https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FM1Tta.jpg&hash=5ca01d799c4daffb928f4d8a1689e09e472d552f)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FaQWeA.jpg&hash=b51adb890e8445b86f47569a8d5410fdbece0463)
This match turns out to be a slogging bore fest. I'm not sure what went wrong. We were playing at home against a tiny Bulgarian side filled with nobodies so the boys must have dropped their standards accordingly. I'm mad, I'm frustrated, but no amount of sideline shouting and changing the match strategy to "Attacking" will put balls into goals. (https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FxSw2y.jpg&hash=0e25280173b55c5a4ace4914ab0e451a205896da)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FlSf1w.jpg&hash=f274bee93042004e6d81fd5cefc35b27840e4a86)
Thirteen shots but only one on target? WTF? I can imagine what most of our chances looked like:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi43.tinypic.com%2F2s6ad5j.gif&hash=758627443d8ae0c4aede0272972e6e5bb3087363)
But, we shall overcome.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FPE5VD.jpg&hash=91b1d54d0d584e31d8ebeadf3d425d8697b1d57c)
The Real Betis game isn't much better. Our players don't seem up for it and they're perhaps letting the screaming Betis fans get to them. Plus, Betis aren't laying down without a fight. They nick an early goal off a counterattack and we're facing a 1-0 deficit at the half. I decide to switch the formation a bit and sub in Ander Iturraspe. He rewards me with two goals, the winning one in the dying seconds of the game. (https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FjZ8oL.jpg&hash=d4c740134f6f7540061774af45a1ca0cd51dc836)
But I'm still annoyed, and I tell the team after the game how disappointed I was in their performance. Their reactions were amusing.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fh9ISy.jpg&hash=c9d1ea452a9fc24f3ba39c53882a0325eeb087ab)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FDq7lX.jpg&hash=411f92c8583bbaa83d53fc3e284a6b117bfc5d3b)
Filthy traitors.
On another sour note, during the game Llorente was called offsides about sixty times. That gives me an idea. (https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FYkqWN.jpg&hash=0b1ab18e4b4b5f0b65beb79d4bfb80ee3b7b2eb8)
:lol:
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 14, 2012, 12:35:34 PM
Quote from: Viking on March 13, 2012, 10:05:09 PM
Javi Martinez and Iker Muniain were the guys got caught "partying with porn stars (http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/la_liga/114183/snapshot-javi-martinez-iker-muniain-caught-on-webcam-partying-with-porn-stars.html)"
He must have pulled a muscle in the process.
:D
Sometimes we forget that some of these famous superstar players are still kids.
I can't believe I missed that. :lmfao:
From what I can see of your screenshots, you're at the moment relying on overloading the opposing defensive line (you have seven players doing so in one screengrab), am I right?
Your worry there is that against a well-organised side you could lose the ball and then have most of your team taken out of the game by a single pass through the middle.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 13, 2012, 01:33:21 PM
Does the game really need the stock photos from the American Male catalog?
What game doesn't?
Quote from: Warspite on March 14, 2012, 07:51:16 PM
From what I can see of your screenshots, you're at the moment relying on overloading the opposing defensive line (you have seven players doing so in one screengrab), am I right?
Your worry there is that against a well-organised side you could lose the ball and then have most of your team taken out of the game by a single pass through the middle.
Offensively I'm all about getting players forward as quickly as possible when we win the ball, so I have attacking fullbacks support the forwards and attacking midfielders. Javi Martinez sits in front of the CBs and essentially plays a Busquets role, dropping deep and recycling possession.
In FM game terms, I've set the team to "Press More" and "Tackle Aggressively", combined with a high line, tight man-marking, quick tempo, and a default shout of "Hassle Opponents." Its designed to crowd the ball carrier and win the ball back high up the field so we can attack quickly and ruthlessly with our players transitioning quickly into attack. I've noticed most of my goals in the friendlies and early matches are the result of exactly this manner of play. If the opposing defense becomes organized, I'm up a creek without a paddle.
Defensively, this is a worry. Against a good side I don't think this will work that well. If I get a player sent off, it doesn't work at all, even if the other team isn't very good, because their extra player will have enough time to play a good pass down field.
Which is exactly what happens in a later match. :lol: :bleeding:
Excellent AAR, and lovely Torres GIF :lol: :thumbsup:
L.
Quote from: FunkMonk on March 13, 2012, 01:06:24 PMI know next to nothing about the Spanish leagues other than the big two clubs and what Sid Lowe talks about on Football Weekly, so this oughta be fun.
Luckily for you, I'm around. ;) Check Lowe's articles in Sports Ilustrated or The Guardian, he's brilliant.
Here's an article he wrote about Marcelo Bielsa, the current coach of Athletic. And the guy you threw into unemployment to get the position in the game. :P
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/mar/07/marcelo-bielsa-athletic-bilbao-manchester-united (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/mar/07/marcelo-bielsa-athletic-bilbao-manchester-united)
QuoteThe interesting thing with Athletic is that they're restricted to only signing players who are ethnically Basque, so you can't go signing the latest Brazilian wonderkid.
Unless he's called Gerson Valdinho Aizkorreta, or something like that. :lol:
Fun fact, one of Athletic's current 1st teamers, Fernando Amorebieta, is a Venezuelan international. He was born in Venezuela from Basque parents and the family moved back when he was a kid.
Here's another piece from Lowe on Athletic's "Basque only" policy, on the ocasion of the debut of Athletic's first black player, Jonás Ramalho (half Angolan, half Basque, born and raised in Bilbao):
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sid_lowe/11/23/jonas/index.html (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sid_lowe/11/23/jonas/index.html)
QuoteOur finances at the start of the season are pretty good. I don't like buying super-expensive players anyway, but at Athletic you don't really have the choice to. You pretty much have to work with what you have and whatever new kids come up through the youth ranks.
Poaching talent from other Basque clubs (particulary Osasuna) is a time honoured tradition of Athletic, so get down to it!
Funny quote on that from Lowe (yet again!) after last weekend's Osasuna - Athletic match:
QuoteAthletic Bilbao had the chance to take fourth but, with Javi Martínez, Ander Herrera and Fernando Llorente left out of the starting XI, they lost 2-1 at Osasuna. There was an argument in the directors' box too where the Athletic president complained about the ball boys. The reply was priceless: don't worry, they're youth teamers here so you can take them off us like you always do.
QuoteAfter having a long perusal of the team, I decided on a 4-3-3. It's a young and energetic squad with some very good players in key positions. I decided to build the team around four players in particular:
Javi Martinez: He sits in front of the CBs and distributes the ball forward.
Llorente: Super strong target man who can score goals and lay off balls for onrushing midfielders
And Iker Munian, a 18-year-old wonderkid, as well as Ander Herrera, a playmaking midfielder.
Martínez and Llorente were in Spain's squad for the WC, doing the same roles you describe, and Muniaín has been recently called up for the 1st team as well, so there's no lack of talent at Athletic this year. Herrera is a couple of steps back, though, but you also have another international in Andoni Iraola, although he's more of a role player.
QuoteI figure this will work against most of the teams in the league since they are mostly crap, barring Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Careful with Valencia, Sevilla, Atlético, Villareal and Málaga, though. ;)
Btw, with your crazy monies and lack of targets, here are a few interesting potential signings:
- Xabi Alonso: Well, duh. He's probably out of your league, though.
- Mikel Arteta: Arsenal's playmaker, childhood buddie of Alonso. Spanish international at all youth levels, but never for the 1st team.
- Aritz Aduriz: Valencia's striker and former Athletic player.
- Manuel Almunia: Arsenal's keeper and/or laughingstock. Originally from Osasuna.
- Raúl García: Osasuna's midfielder, on loan from Atlético. Great long range shot, more of a finisher rushing from behind than a playmaker.
- Asier del Horno: Levante's left back, previously Chelsea's, and former Athletic player. Talented but rapidly fading and with a reputation as a troublemaker.
- Natxo Monreal: Málaga's left back, originally from Osasuna and Spanish international, part of the WC winning squad.
- César Azpilikueta: Olympique Marseille's right back, originally from Osasuna and Spanish U 23 international. Was touted to become great but suffered a nasty injury last season which slowed down his progression.
- Íñigo Martínez: Real Sociedad's centre back, U 21 Spanish international player.
- Asier Illarramendi: Real Sociedad's midfielder, also Spanish U 21.
Check also Atlético's Juanfran eligibility. He's a right winger who played for Osasuna in the past, but was not born in the Basque country, so who knows his background.
As for other players, keep a permanent check on Real Sociedad and Osasuna, as they'll be your main sources of players besides your own youth system, and you have many more monies than them. There'll also be a smattering of middle class players around the league, most probably all former players of either Athletic, Real Sociedad or Osasuna. This is a bad time for Basque footie besides these three clubs, as the next teams are in the Segunda B, the Spanish 3rd tier of the pyramid. There you should check Alavés (they've come a long way down since reaching the UEFA finals against Liverpool in 2001) and smaller Basque teams like Eibar, Sestao, Real Unión. These teams all have to play against Athletic's B team, which is in the same group, as well as Real Sociedad's and Osasuna's own B teams.
There might be other eligible players abroad, either youngsters in English clubs or middle class guys all over Europe.
As for your current squad, here are a few interesting characters, in case you want to include their shenanigans in your AAR.
- Carlos Gurpegi was banned for two years for testing positive for nandrolone in 2003, and after much litigation (during which he argued that his unusually high nandrolone levels were natural because he's so fucking tough, which earned him the moniker of "Drugpegi" from other teams' fans) finally served the ban during 2006-08. He was never released from Athletic during that period.
- Gaizka Tokero is a fan favourite because of his tireless style of running up and down the pitch all match long, workhorse attitude and never giving the fuck up. He wears number 2 despite being a striker and is nicknamed "The Lehendakari", the title of the Basque regional president. He is a late arrival to first tier footie, having played in the lower levels of Spanish footie all his career until he was spotted by Athletic playing for Sestao and signed when he was already 24.
- Óscar de Marcos received this season one of the most gruesome injuries you can imagine, a scrotum tear during a match which required 25 stitches. :pinch: :x
- Aitor Ocio, a backup veteran centre back is also part of the male model clique at Athletic, with Llorente and Javi Martínez. Seriously, those three have all modelled at some point or the other.
Quote from: Pedrito on March 15, 2012, 02:45:52 AM
Excellent AAR, and lovely Torres GIF :lol: :thumbsup:
L.
He's now played 24 hours straight without scoring. He passed the 24 hour mark as a substitute in Chelsea's 4-1 win at Stamford Bridge.
QuoteA few weeks ago, Bielsa was stopped by a group of kids who asked him to sign their sticker album. He said no, he had a better idea. He took the album off them and told them to meet him the following day, same place, same time. When he turned up 24 hours later, the entire team had signed the album. Not just any team: El Loco's team, the most exciting Athletic have had in three decades.
That's cool, damn you for sacking him Funk!
Quote from: Viking on March 15, 2012, 05:41:39 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on March 15, 2012, 02:45:52 AM
Excellent AAR, and lovely Torres GIF :lol: :thumbsup:
L.
He's now played 24 hours straight without scoring. He passed the 24 hour mark as a substitute in Chelsea's 4-1 win at Stamford Bridge.
I feel sorry for the guy. :Embarrass:
Yeah, I know of Bielsa's awesomeness.
Thanks for the info Larchie. I will use your information wisely. I've picked out a couple of the players you listed already. :ph34r:
QuoteAthletic Bilbao had the chance to take fourth but, with Javi Martínez, Ander Herrera and Fernando Llorente left out of the starting XI, they lost 2-1 at Osasuna. There was an argument in the directors' box too where the Athletic president complained about the ball boys. The reply was priceless: don't worry, they're youth teamers here so you can take them off us like you always do.
:lol:
QuoteCareful with Valencia, Sevilla, Atlético, Villareal and Málaga, though.
Yeah, I know these are quality teams. I was being deliberately obtuse. :D
Also, I just realized something.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FDq7lX.jpg&hash=411f92c8583bbaa83d53fc3e284a6b117bfc5d3b)
Apparently I "victimised" (:bowler:) 18 year old boy wonder Iker Munian in the dressing room. What does that make me now? :o
We've done pretty well so far, although you must consider all the friendlies, except for perhaps the Napoli game, as gimmies.
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After I discover that a couple of our players are terribly weak-willed girly men who can't handle the least bit of criticism, I try a different approach. I have a private chat with both Muniain and Mikel San Jose and attempt to soothe their fragile little psyches.
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The young Spaniards approve of my purple pimp suit and giant blunt and are naturally put at ease.
In the next game we're away to Malaga. They're an up-and-coming team flush with new oil money from their Sheikh owner. They have a decent squad, fortified with some old but still dangerously good players. This will be tough.
Especially since in the 3' minute of the game Team Captain "Old Man" Gurpeggi decided to lunge two-footed into Malaga's playmaker Julio Baptista, failing to permanently injure Baptista but completely screwing us over since he's instantly awarded a red card.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F2mX8G.jpg&hash=4ffab151a10599b8f8a7004a6de2575019a89132)(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FeUpik.jpg&hash=807717d9f40df794e829dcee5c405d557f40ca78)
Are you shitting me?? Right in front of the referee too???? Goddamn idiot...
After I'm finished cursing and gesticulating wildly on the sidelines I'm forced to change my formation and use up a sub to make up for numbers in the midfield. My brave squad responds with a show of force...
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... and Llorente smashes the ball into low-earth orbit. That little white pixel in the upper right corner is the ball. :moon:
Minutes later, Malaga scores:
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:frusty:
We end up losing 2-0. I'm convinced we could have won that game had we played with eleven men and our usual formation. What's more, our dependable right-back, Andoni Iraola, is viciously fouled himself and appears to have some terrible malady of the hip. Out for two to three months.
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:bleeding: :bleeding: :bleeding:
Not to mention Old Man Gurpeggi is suspended for another match. I have to use a loaned Basque Frenchman in the Javi role now. Against Villarreal. Shit.
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This game is going off-the-rails way too quickly. I was hoping to at least make it to the winter break. :D
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Needs more soccer riots.
WAD
Now the eagerly anticipated game against Villarreal. We're at home so I'm hoping for a good performance from my American Male catalog models, especially since Javi Martinez is back from injury. He's still fucked up from lack of fitness but he makes the bench. My Frenchie Basque plays in the DM role.
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At first the game is a little chippy, but we settle down and soon score the first goal. Herrera places a wonderful shot passed their keeper into the right corner. Their goalkeeper cries in agony while the fetal position.
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Not long after that we win a free kick about 25 yards out and Susaeta walks up to take it. No pressure man. No fucking pressure.
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In the second half Herrera owns Villarreal again by playing a lovely through ball to Llorente which he expertly smacks passed an extremely depressed goalkeeper.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FxAMYc.jpg&hash=feae7cdbb3720bf8b6b7e3a7f6781cf184bbb630)
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We dominate the game and roundly dispatch the pretenders to the La Liga crown. I am proud of my kids and their handsomely boyish looks.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FAAAv8.jpg&hash=be6f301838cb3de4a8f58edff9e0fa746feaf345)
The fans are very impressed at the result and our display on the field and applaud our team. We rightfully take our place at third in the table, right behind Real Madrid and Barca.
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Unfortunately lightning seems to hit my team repeatedly in the same spot. Our top, top striker Fernando Llorente is struck by a hamstring injury just before I was going to sub him off and he's out for a month. It's like the game was reading my mind as I was moving the mouse to press the substitution button.
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Next up in the Europa League: Team Ikea.
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As my long running Everton game has decided to corrupt itself, I'm sticking two fingers up at my hard drive (and my productivity) by purchasing FM 12. I shall start a running AAR shortly. :ph34r:
Before the game I decide to play some mind games with the opposition. I tell some media goon what I think about Helsingborg's goalkeeper, some bloke named Par Hansson. He responds:
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I light a fire into some reporter's ass and brush off the rebuke. Surely this won't translate into superior play by the Swedish fish? We'll see.
The game starts and, with Team Captain Gurpeggi back in the side because his Spanish ban only applies to La Liga games, we get rolling.
Until he decides to scissor tackle Alvaro Santos:
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I am despondent. Team Captain and Basque Hero Gurpeggi has been sent to the stockade in both La Liga and the Europa League. I fuck myself.
The rest of the game goes as expected: Both sides with decent chances and a goal apiece. If we had a full complement on the field I believe we would have taken all three points, but alas, my team captain swears by God that he will personally murder every player on the opposing side. While I am agreeable with this view, it screws with our game plan, and I fine him two weeks' worth of wages.
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Though we only have two points from two games in the Europa league, we're still third in our group and have a good chance of making it into the next stage. Here's hoping...
Next up is a league game against our Basque cousins, Real Sociedad. Surely we won't fuck this up too?
Quote from: Warspite on March 18, 2012, 01:04:45 PM
As my long running Everton game has decided to corrupt itself, I'm sticking two fingers up at my hard drive (and my productivity) by purchasing FM 12. I shall start a running AAR shortly. :ph34r:
You should manage Spurs. :ph34r:
Enjoying this, thanks. :lol:
Me too :)
:)
Updates have slowed because of my school work, but I'll try to keep posting once or twice a week.
Next we face Real Sociedad, number one assholes. Local rivals and all that. This oughta be fun. We pile up on the Basque-Bus and travel down the road to whatever stadium Sociedad play in. GAME ON.
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The game starts off very well. We kick off and within a minute we get a goal with a nifty throughball via Ander "BALLA!!" Herrera to reserve striker Toquero, who slides it past the goalkeeper. 1 – 0 Athletic.
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A little later we get a lucky deflection off a Sociedad defender and the ball bounces out to our backup right-back, some chap named Zubiaurre. I don't expect much from the boy but he puts in a decent cross and Iturrapse manages to sneak the ball into their goal.
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The half continues and I notice we're getting a little too tackle-happy. While I enjoy seeing my team hack and stomp the opposition into bits of overpaid whiners who play a children's game for a living, I also like winning, and to win I need eleven players on the field.
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We hold on in the second half against a deluge of chances from the other side and bag three points to take back to San Mames. Also, we're second in the league. I am happy.
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After the game I learn that UEFA, in its infinite wisdom that is NEVER TO BE QUESTIONED, has banned my infamous Team Captain "Idiot" Gurpeggi for a further two European matches.
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Old man Gurpeggi is disappointed but he shouldn't be surprised. UEFA, FIFA, and soccer federations in general are WONDERFUL and INFALLIBLE organizations, who do only good for the world.
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The draw for the Fourth Round of the Copa del Rey is upon us now. We draw some teeny tiny team from like eight divisions below us, a club called Eibar. Any Spaniards here have any idea what this little club is all about?
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Also, I'd like to note the full name of the cup tournament is Copa de su Majestad El Rey DON JUAN Carlos I.
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The official anthem of the Copa del Rey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq2KgzKETBw)
:wub:
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 14, 2012, 08:50:33 PM
The draw for the Fourth Round of the Copa del Rey is upon us now. We draw some teeny tiny team from like eight divisions below us, a club called Eibar. Any Spaniards here have any idea what this little club is all about?
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They're a small team from the Basque country (hint: Scout the hell ouf of them in case they happen to have a promising youngster or two), currently in 2ªB after having spent many years in the 2nd division. Xabi Alonso and David Silva played there on loan at the beginning of their careers.
Also, the main industry at Eibar is small arms manufacturing.
Thanks Larchies. I'll remember to scout them out.