Career mcandrew003 Presents The Journey, An FMM Story

[mcandrew003]

Update 2 - The Journey

Hey guys and welcome to Update 2 of The Journey! Just want to say thanks so much for the fantastic support on the last update, has really inspired me to get season 2 finished as quick as possible! So enjoy Update 2!

It was a warm summer's morning. Training had just finished and the lads walked over to the small stand set up on one side of the pitch. Team photo day. Sweat poured down their faces, and there were water bottles everywhere. Luis Fabiano walked over to where me and Jean-Paul where standing, analysing a tactics board before the photos. "Hey boss, thanks for trusting me this season, I really appreciate it." We shook hands and chatted, before the photos were taken, and the season began.

Tactic

Spoiler

This screenshot was taken towards the end of the season, and this is what we mainly used. A mid - season crisis caused me and the staff to have urgent meetings in order to analyse and evaluate. It worked though!

Staff

Spoiler

I walked into the staff work base, hoping to find it cleaner than last year, but it was, if possible, messier. Paper was now pinned up onto walls, coffee stains on desks and mountains of paperwork still on tables. Just a few minutes after I entered, our new staff entered. Peter and Pádraig. They were brought in after an exclusive meeting between me, Jean-Paul and Paulo about the quality of our staff. We had a brief conversation before they were showed to their desks, and they immidiently started working. Brilliant.

Transfers

Spoiler

Pádraig ran up to me, sweating and tired. " Hi Ethan, was having a look through our systems and found a few players for you, me and Paulo were wondering, will there be a Scouting Mission?" I told him of the plan to send him to Asia, and he looked elated. "I won't let you down!" And he scuttled off, into the work base I believe.

We got rid of ALOT of our weaker players, and also made a healthy 5 Million sale of our Right Back. We brought in a lot of talent, including Zongo on a free and Dean Bouzanis from rivals City.  Brown was our new left back, whilst Atansov, whom I believe to be Berbatov's regen, was given regular game time also.

The FFA Cup

Spoiler

After our early exit last season, I had a clear image in my mind. Win the whole thing. And that we did!

A Zongo brace and other goals destroy Jets, and we get our hands on the trophy!

We walked up the steps, towards the top of the stadium, to pick up the trophy. Ansell was right behind me, posing for pictures like the rest of the team. When I reached the top, the loudspeaker announced ' And thank you to the 73643 fans who came here to witness the crowning of the 'Wizard Of Oz' Ethan McAndrew!' I had a large grin on my face as I went to shake the hand of Greg O'Rourke, the head of the A-League. I watched as Ansell was handed the trophy, and the roar of the crowd was deafening as we were crowned cup champions.

The League Campaign

Spoiler

Hold on, is that an unbeaten season I see? BANG! We walk the League with ease, winning it with 3 games to go, like last season. That goal difference aswell!

Decisive Game

Spoiler

Yet again, we smash our enemies Perth!

Commentator: "Berisha scores! He runs of to the corner flag, his entire team following. That may well be the goal that clinches the title for Victory! What's this! McAndrew has ran to the other side of the pitch and jumped on the team huddle! Crazy scenes of joy here at the AAMI Park!"

Hyundai A-League Rules

Spoiler

Just in case anybody forgot, here are the rules from the last update.

Hyundai A-League Finals Series

Spoiler

So, as we won the title again, we move on to the Semi Finals straight away! However...

We were shown to our seats in the excutive suite, the draw about to begin. I was sat with Mike Mulvey, the Sydney manager. The draw was made, and I felt myself sweating "stay calm" I kept telling myself. "Melbourne Victory will play...Melbourne City!" There was a round of applause from around the room and Mark Bresciano approached me. "Good luck mate" he said, and the night went on.

Semi Finals 

A really close game see's us take our chances and progress to the final! Troisi saved us and on we go!

Final

The tension rose as we stepped out of the tunnel, heading to the touch line. Mulvey and I shook hands, and the National Anthem boomed round the stadium. I turned my head to take in the atmosphere, thousands of fans standing as one. One thing in particular caught my eye though. In the far corner, a large banner read ' The Wizard Of Oz, McAndrew! McAndrew!' I smiled, and the game kicked off...

End of extra time: 0-0

Moussa Djenepo stood over the ball. If he scored, victory is ours. The fans were silent, and the whistle blew. Up he stepped... GOAL! THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS OURS ONCE AGAIN!!

Absoloutley delighted to get another trophy, we battered them and shouldn't have gone to penalties really! 

Awards

Spoiler

I ran to the conference room quickly, and switched on the large TV. The Australian Player Championship. The TV flickered, and there he was, James Troisi with the trophy in his hand, again. I smiled, and sat, and watched him celebrate. 

Another MOTY for me, nice to see my new LB getting YPOTY! Zongo getting runner up aswell, all in all I would say a clean sweep!

 

Fixtures List

Spoiler

Nothing could stop us domestically! We destroyed nearly everybody and easily swept the league and FFA Cup!

Player Stats

Spoiler

Goals

Trosi leads the chart, everybody attacking wise got a fair few, Fabiano even got 7!

Assists

Again, a lot of players with a lot of Assists! Good preformance!

Average Rating

Troisi with the highest from those who actually played, a lot of good performances for our lads!

Asian CL

Spoiler

Here was our group to start with...

The rest will come either in a separate update or in the next one!

Manager Profile/Trophy Cabinet

Spoiler

That transfer profit though!

Looking good!

Finally

The season had ended, and everybody was happy, but exhausted. I walked into the briefing room, where the players sat, chatting and waiting. "Hello everybody, today's meeting is to congratulate you for this year. All of your efforts were exceptional and I am proud to be called your manager. You fought like warriors in the hardest times and for that I am grateful. Thank you" I stepped down from the microphone to a standing ovation, and Jean-Paul continued the meeting. Finally at the end, Luis Fabiano stepped up. "I just want to briefly say, thank you all for the kindness you showed me here, if has been great, and I appreciate this opportunity." It all got rather emotional I must say, and lots of hugs and handshakes were involved, but Fabiano will remain a club favourite for years to come.

I made my way upstairs to Di Pietro's office, and knocked on the door. "Come in" I heard, and entered. The sun beamed through the window, and he stood there, looking dejected. "I'm worried Ethan. Worried about you. Worried you will leave us." I had a heavy feeling in my stomach. "I'm not going anywhere yet, although I do plan to get home some day." He looked up at me, the sun covering half of his face. "Of course, of course. This is my way of saying thank you." He took out a box from his desk. He passed it to me, and I opened it. It was a crystal ball, with the clubs badge engraved into it. We shook hands firmly, and I left the room, and returned to spend the night with my players.

 

Thank you  for reading! 

Any suggestions, thoughts or general comments are welcome, and thanks again for all the support on Update 1! 

[Brenty92]

Formidable season right there! I have a sudden urge for a career in the sunny outback...

[mcandrew003]

 it's actually really fun and could be a good save for Vibe? If not, still fun!

Thanks for the comment mate, appriciate the support! @Brenty92

[Seth Anacondas]

Some tidy transfer business there, Crotone must be desperate if they are forking out 5.5 M for McGowan!

[mcandrew003]

 I was as suprised as you are mate! Thanks for the comment.

@Seth Anacondas

[mcandrew003]

Dilemma ( Hint for Update 3)

It was a new season, and I had new ideas. I wanted to get home one day, and found myself looking at flights to Turkey. I came across a Turkish man at the information board, who immedienatly recognised me "ETHAN MCANDREW" we chatted and he told me of a small club in Turkey who had just been promoted, and they were erm looking for players and a manager. We exchanged email addresses, and I returned to my office, and found this club

My eyes widened. Was this my chance? What about Melbourne? So many questions raced through my head, and I applied, just in case. 

Update 3 coming soon

 

[BatiGoal]

Congrats on the Invincibles season. No matter what league and no matter how many times.. it's always a great accomplishment.

[mcandrew003]

Thanks a lot mate, felt great to achieve it!

@BatiGoal

[mcandrew003]

Season 3 Mid-Way Update

The heat hit me immediately as I stepped off the plane. It felt good to be closer to home, but not quite there yet. I walked past the dozens of journalists to a Black Land Rover, stepped in, and the car sped off.

 

Staff

Spoiler

The large hallway echoed as I stepped through it. I turned right, to see a tall Turkish man step out of a pair of blue doors. He turned, stared, and dropped his files. "Ethan McAndrew" He smiled a warm smile at me, and we talked and he asked about 50 questions, but I didn't mind. At the end of it all, he handed me a small file. "This is the team report!" And he hurried off, almost hitting a wall as he went so quickly!

Regarding staff, I brought in whatever I could, just to build up the team really!

Fixtures 

Spoiler

We have struggled so far!

Tactic

Spoiler

I sat down later on that day and took a glance at the file. It had past formations on it, and none of them were the one I planned to use. "Great" I muttered, and looked out of my window.

We needed better defensive stability, so I switched to a CDM, and it has worked so far!

League Table

Spoiler

We are currently struggling in the league, but hopefully we can hit about 10th come the end of the season!

Manager Profile

Spoiler

Not too much change!

Full update coming soon

Comments appreciated!

[Brenty92]

Fair play on rechecking the tactics to switch it up a bit, good luck for the rest of the season bud! ??

[mcandrew003]

Thanks a lot for that mate, the boost I need I think, it's been a struggle so far!

@Brenty92

[Nick11]

Back from grad. exams. lots of contents are posted but of all the one that drew my attention is this post & inspired me do my own. 

It's really a  Great career mate . I'm looking forward to see how your career unfolds & I hope it help me posting my own.

Starting from A-leauge was real brave thing.

[mcandrew003]

Oh man, that's actually really great to hear I'm inspiring people in a way. I'm really glad your enjoying it and this makes me want to double the effort to upload the next part, thanks so much this means a lot mate!

If you need any help with your career, Private Message me and I'll be happy to help, and good luck with your career!

@Nick11

[mcandrew003]

By the way guys, I'm sorry if this is a bad/rushed update, I wanted to get something out for you guys, so I rushed it I guess. The full update will be much better, I promise!

[Cockers2505]

Well done mate and good luck for the rest of your career

[mcandrew003]

Thanks a lot mate! 

@Cockers2505

Cheers mate, it's nice to try something different, I admit up I only usually stay in the 'Big 4' Leagues, so it's a positive change!

@Eogtuc0910

[Nick11]

56 minutes ago, mcandrew003 said:

Thanks a lot mate! 

@Cockers2505

Cheers mate, it's nice to try something different, I admit up I only usually stay in the 'Big 4' Leagues, so it's a positive change!

@Eogtuc0910

Managing in Leauge other than Big 4 is interesting but the competitiveness of Big 4 is something different & attractive too. 

 Managing in small leauge doesn't interest me much as i feel players names alien to me . 

[mcandrew003]

You make a good point mate, with the A-League, it was quite easy, whilst in for example Spain or England I'd have no chance of an unbeaten season. Thanks for the comment mate @Nick11

[BatiGoal]

Looks like you inherited a squad full of unhappy lads. Goodluck sorting that out

[mcandrew003]

Mate to be fair, I think it's because of training and their all old! But not sure yet, cheers mate! @BatiGoal

[Seth Anacondas]

I use both 4-3-2-1 (the new formation) and 4-2-3-1 (your previous formation) in my save. Noticed that 4-2-3-1 is more attacking, but it is also more inconsistent. You really need a fine balance in central midfield. Naturally I prefer 4-3-2-1 (with a CM instead of a DM), but it does limit my attacking.

In conclusion:

4-2-3-1

+ Good attack

- Hard to get right

 

4-3-2-1 

+ Stable

- Lack of versatility in attack, especially if wingers are isolated

[mcandrew003]

I agree with that mate, I find that 4-3-2-1 only really works if you have fantastic wingers, and sticking them on IF helps the strikers out a bit, but 4-2-3-1 is hard, as you say, because there is so many variants of it.

Cheers mate! @Seth Anacondas

[kylieboi88]

Great update mate enjoying reading this

I did a turkey save with a low league team called Hacepette Spor (think the spelling is right) I did post to here but the seasons crumbled away after promotion. 

Wish you the best of luck. When im lower league I always try and get a striker with high shooting and pace...normally helps me get away from having a crap 9 around him lol

[mcandrew003]

Yeah the striker is important as you say, mine is awful though, so having to cope!

Cheers for the comment mate!

@kylieboi88

'

[mcandrew003]

Hey Guys

Just wanted to say thanks so much to everybody who has commented or supported me so far, it really means a lot, and this may be my most popular save on Vibe so far. Thanks so much to you all!

The next update could either be tonight or tommorow!

[mcandrew003]

Update 4 ( I think )

Hey Guys, before I start, thanks again for the support, it has really driven me in to post this next update! 

4 Months prior to the events of the last update...

I strode into the conference room, wearing my best suit. Di Pietro looked over to to me, looking downhearted, already knowing what I was going to say. "I have been offered an opportunity, I feel I must...." He stopped me in my tracks. "I know why your here Ethan, you have worked wonders for this club, and I thank you for your service. I hope you reconsider, but you are and will be a club ledgend." With a slight tear to my eye, we embraced, and shook hands, before I left, feeling sad, but full with hope. I was escorted into my house, fans shouting and waving, I could only wave, before turning away and closing my door.

Tactic

Spoiler

This was posted in the last update, as nothing has changed, please refer to that.

 

Staff

Spoiler

This was posted in the last update, as nothing has changed, please refer to that.

Transfers

Spoiler

Transfers In

I walked into the staff work base, smaller than in Melbourne, but still big enough to get the job done. There were several lists posted up onto the wall, each with approximately 20 names on. I looked through, jotting the higher rated players onto my arm with a pen, and when finished, sprinted back to my office, eager to find out more about them. I bumped into the excecutive, knocking over his mug of tea! He shouted at me in Turkish, and gave me a angry frown, before scurrying on. 

 

I joined the club with only 3 players at my disposal, and I needed to have a complete overhaul! One player I brought to the club in the January window was Mhadebi, who really turned our season around!

Future transfers

A few decent first teamers to improve the squad next season, I'm about 30% confident Ancelotti is Totti's regen, but I'm not fully sure. As you can see, I'm picking of Melbourne a bit 

Turkish Cup

Spoiler

The Turkish  Cup is a lot different to anything I'm used to. It starts with a group stage, which I failed to surpass. The below screenshot shows my Cup campaign, as short as it is!

We won half of our games, but unfortunately we lost 2 and drew 1, meaning we lost out by 2 points!

Turkish Super League

Spoiler

I was so happy with this! After a poor start to proceedings, we go on a brilliant run that takes us into the top 10! My aim at the start of the year was 9th or 10th, so I'm glad I could hit my target!

As the final whistle blew, a sense of relief went around everybody at the club. The staff, the players, the fans, myself. This season was a success, and I walked onto the pitch and applauded the fans. The players came up to me, 1 by 1, and I shook their hands, a warm smile on each of their faces. The fans sang a song, although my Turkish wasn't great, so I only made out three words. 'Great' 'Coach' and 'Magic' I'd like to think it was a positive song! 

Decisive Game/Turning Point

Spoiler

As Guardiola scored, I jumped up into the air. I was grinning a massive grin, and my staff ran up to me and jumped on me! I fell and mud covered my new Tuxedo! I wasn't angry, but delighted. Guardiola ran up to me, High-fived, and quickly returned to the field of play, and the match started again. This was the loudest the fans had sung all season, and it was, well, amazing.

Player Stats

Spoiler

Most Goals

A few goals for a few players!

Most Assists

Lots of creativity all around the team!

Average Rating

Key Player

Spoiler

We sat at the intricately laid tables, awaiting our drinks. It was the ends of season awards, and the fans player of the year was next up. To my right sat Sergi Guardiola, who had been our maestro all season. He looked nervous. His hand was shaking. I remember a time when I was nervous, not to long ago, back in Australia. Anyway. "And the winner is......Sergi Guardiola!" He jumped up, hands in the air and laughing out loud, being applauded as he picked up his trophy. He approached me with a large smile "Boss, I want to say thanks, you gave me this, and I will remember it for the rest of my career" We shook hands, and the ceremony continued. 

Guardiola had a stellar season for us, one of the main reasons we climbed the table was his attacking presence on the pitch!

Manager Profile/Board Confidence

Spoiler

I expect better points next season!

Board Confidence

Im liked it seems!

Fixtures

Spoiler

To Finish...

The stadium was beautiful. The grass, as green as green as anything. I stepped onto the field, the wind blowing through my hair. This was my new home, this was my place, and I was here to stay! 

Hi guys

Let me know what you thought of this, it was a bit shorter as I wansnt in as many tournaments or anywhere near a trophy. Thanks for reading!

[Nick11]

9th placed finish is really good Start mate . With more quality addition , you will surely finish top 4 .

Amount of goal scored & assists from mediocre players has really amazed me .

What about your loyalty man ,only one rating.

Looking forward to see  how your next season will be .

And yeah gonna give a try to ur tactics.

[mcandrew003]

Cheers mate, was delighted with 9th place! The players turned out decent after a few tactical switches, and am really pleased, like I said! 

Loyalty is only 1, but that's because I'm not smart and apply for jobs randomly  will try to sort it out lol 

@Nick11

[Nick11]

When you get job offer don't accept it immediately first resign from ur job then accept this way you can increase ur loyalty 

[BatiGoal]

I never kind of care for trophies in my first season. I know clubs work and think differently but my personal objectives are squad building in the first year. That's it. Second season I go for it

The future's looking good. Can't wait for the all-important 2nd season at the club.