thedeeb

As you can probably tell from this, I'm a little new to all this, but bear with me - I'm sure I'll pick it up as I go along.

Anyway, thought I'd contribute to this as I've followed some of the advice on this site (mainly Fedders) and set up my 'ultimate' game. The aim was to have all the leagues I could ever possibly want to play in, on one game. Then I can just swap when I get bored (or sacked) and then move to another country and try my luck there.

So I started with Salzburg (thanks again, Fedders) and struggled a bit in my first season. I had a remarkable Champions League Qualifying win against Lazio. Lost the home leg 0-2 and then went to the Olympic Stadium and won 3-1! I couldn't get a win in the group stage, but got 3 draws against PSV, Barcelona and Rangers. But the season fell away and I struggled to work out what was going wrong. I was trying my own tactics (another tip of the hat to Fedders, but just couldn't get it right. Finished the season in 6th and even missed out on the Inter-toytown cup.

Bought some new players and of course, they took a while to settle. Lost some good ones too, as they wanted to win things!

Pre-season was great with loads of goals, and then nothing. After 9 matches we were

P 9, W 2, D 2, L 2, Pts 8

This was even worse when you consider that the leaders, Rapid Wien, were

P 9, W 7, D 1, L 1, Pts 22

This is where the chase began.

I downloaded a tactic (Flash 3-4-1-2) and it's worked a treat.

At the winter break I had moved into 2nd and was now 9 pts behind Rapid with 10 games left.

Since the break, I've won all 5 of my matches but Rapid have only slipped up in one. So we're 6 pts adrift with just 5 matches to go.

This is really tense each match as I cannot afford to drop a single point.

What is quite good about this league is that a lot of the games are played on different days, so you can concentrate on your match and then have the agony of waiting for the next night when Rapid play theirs.

Things are getting a bit tense, as I said. Away to Klapfenburg (who beat Rapid a couple of weeks previous), I was 2-0 up at half-time, but then they got a goal back early in the 2nd half and I just hung on!

Then next match against Mattersburg I was 0-2 down at half-time. This was disaster, as I have been playing Marcelinho (can't remember if I found him or he was recommended) in the AM position and this guy is ace! 15 goals from him and many long-range efforts, and plenty of assists. But he was injured, so I put Victor Moses in there and he really struggled. I could see the flow of the team just wasn't there, so I gave them a rocket at half-time, took off Moses and moved Zickler into the 'hole' and brought on Bruggink at AMR. Zickler was a revelation. I won 4-2. My word it was so exciting! I felt a bit silly, 40 year old man with his arms in the air at a computer screen, but I was really pleased. Particularly as it seemed to be the changes I'd made that made the difference.

So, here are the positions with 5 matches to go

Rapid P 31 Pts 68
Salzburg P 31 Pts 62

4 of my last 5 are at home (as yet unbeaten), 3 of Rapid's games are away.

8th April is the big one, Salzburg v Rapid.

My goal difference is worse by 8, so Rapid could lose 2 games and still win the title.

It's been a fabulous run and it may all be a little too late. I'd made my mind up to move on after this season. It's frustrating when decent players just want to move on, and Marcelinho won't sign another contract, so I've always got the option of another league. But for now, there are important hills to climb.

I'll see if I can suss out this screenshot malarky for the next update

adamjigey

lol strange but unique way of setting it out look forward to hearing it

Big Thanks to Apthered For A Top Sig cheers mate
My Wigan Atletic Game http://www.fmformation.net/your-curr...emiership.html
Member of FMF Commentary Team
My Guide Portfolio http://www.fmformation.net/fm08-guid...tml#post121240

ChrisA

this is good mate! KUTGW

thedeeb

Thanks mate! By the way, Chris, whereabouts in Guildford are you?

I was born at St. Lukes hospital (it's now a block of flats) and grew up just off the Epsom Road.

Thanks also to Adam, you were quick with the praise, cheers

thedeeb

Well, well, who'd-a-thought it? I managed to follow Wozzers easy guide and there ya go.

What about this, as well?

thedeeb

It's not looking good! Rapid travel to Sturm Graz, who they have perished to twice already this season. This is one on the list of my targets for where they'll lose points. But.....Rapid triumph 1-0.



But, all seems not lost. Everton have finally come to their senses and are planning to get rid of Moyes and who's touted as a possible successor?



Still they can come-a-asking, but being a lifelong Red, I couldn't possibly go there, could I?

Next up, is my home game against Austria Karnten, needless to say a must-win game. Beat them 5-1 last time out.

Is it still too late?

thedeeb

Further disappointment. Banked on this game for 3 pts as I beat Karnten 5-1 and 3-0 in our last 2 meetings, but I'm afraid this could put paid to the hope of the title.



Next up is the big clash against Rapid. Victory for them, and the title's theirs. A draw and I need them to lose their last 3 matches. Time to dust off the CV and search the leagues.

Anyone got any ideas as to which league I should choose next?

thedeeb

So a look at the job centre, and what do we find

[img=http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/852/dermotbranniganjobsjobcah5.th.png]

Hungary seems as if it should be appropriate after Austria! Perhaps Greece?

liveru

I've enjoyed past Greek games.

I've reccommend going there next mate.

thedeeb

That could be a good idea, liveru, me ole' mucker. Panathinaikos seem interested now!

thedeeb

In a diversion to the league chase, Salzburg came up against their great rivals, Rapid, in the Austrian FA Cup Semi-Final.



This was the first leg and a two-match battle involving the top two teams in the country.

First blood to Salzburg. Surprisingly, Salzburg have never won this trophy and now meet Wacker Tirol in the final, themselves yet to lift the cup.

Round two, back in the league. Even if we won, we are still 5 pts behind Rapid with only 3 matches left.

An even better performance from my boys.



So we've done all that we can do. Remember after 9 games we were on 8 pts, 14 behind Rapid.



Now we are just 5 behind, but when Rapid have only lost 5 all season, are they going to suddenly implode? They've been awesome this season, and may just have enough.

All eyes turn to Tuesday 14th April where Rapid entertain Austria Wien. The 3 previous meetings this season have all ended in Rapid victories, 1-0, 5-2, 3-1. So the omen's aren't good.

But......they've just come off the back of two demoralising defeats against their nearest rivals, Salzburg. This has put an end to a chance of a league and cup double. They've done it 3 times before, in '68, '83, & '87 and their performances this year would have had them as firm favourites to do it again. But not anymore!!

On another note, the Salzburg board are rumoured to be considering my position!! Bloody cheek! I wanted to be the one to say goodbye. They couldn't possibly know I was about to go.

thedeeb

More drama. Rapid are held at home.



So here are the standings.



Salzburg meet Altach tomorrow night, knowing that a win puts them to within 3 pts with 2 matches to go.


Stay tuned

thedeeb

Salzburg keep the pressure on.



Now there are just 3 pts seperating the top two.



And now the goal difference between the sides is just 1.

After the winter break, Rapid were 9 pts clear and their goal difference was 10 more than Salzburg.

Rapid are up next, against Ried on Saturday 18th April. Ried have only gained 1 pt from their 3 meetings so far this season. But now there's less certainty about Rapid's play. Will Salzburg ever give up?

On Sunday, Salzburg travel to Sturm Graz. Graz have yet to score against Salzburg so far this season, but it is still a tough match

thedeeb

Would you adam 'n eve it?



What HAS happened to Rapid?

They lost their 28th match to Kapfenberg 1-2, that was a big shock, but then went on a great run 4-1, 3-0, 2-0, 1-0. Then they came up against Salzburg and it's all gone pear-shaped.

No win in 3. Plus their goal difference is now worse than ours.

So, it's quite simple. Win our last 2 matches and we're champions. Then let's see what the board want to do

thedeeb

Sunday 19th April

Venue:UPC Arena, Graz

In 2 seasons, honours are even between the sides - 3 wins each, 1 draw. We've only won once here, but that was our last meeting, 1-0. Sturm have 3rd place still to secure, so a win is important for them, but not as important for my lads.

Vargas is suspended for the match, having picked up too many yellow cards. So Obermaier comes in. Not played him much this season, as he always seems to be injured. Then once he's fit, he whinges to the press that he's not playing! I just hope he's playing for his place in the team (either mine, or someone else's next season). Otherwise we're at full strength.

Come on lads, nearly there!!

thedeeb

5 minutes in, and Graz, who have certainly looked the brighter, take the lead

Haas scores!

Sturm Graz 1, Salzburg 0

Test of nerve now

thedeeb

11 mins in, and they've hit the post!! How did Haas not score with the rebound?

Not until 15 mins before we get our first corner. Nervous stuff, eh!

thedeeb

22 mins - through ball from Illic and Zickler's found some space on the edge of the area

Shoots!!

Tipped over by the keeper. Another corner (our 6th now), pressure's on

thedeeb

25 mins

Marcelinho driving forward and plays a lovely through ball to find Zickler ahead of the defence and only the keeper to beat.....

Oh, he's put it wide!!

Just earlier, from a corner to us, Graz thumped the ball downfield and Wilson found himself all alone and free of the defence....but amazingly, he waited and Dudic got back to make a desperate tackle!

thedeeb

32 mins

Slick passing, Illic to Zickler, then Marcelinho, then back to Zickler and he plays a great crossfield through-ball to the left wing where Caicedo runs onto it and is in the clear.....

But he doesn't hit it cleanly and another shot goes pass the post