Career Mode Discussion - 30 - Page 4

LegendOfNufc
Thanks mate, could be monaco or fc metz. Metz would be more challenging but I like Monaco's team so will decide over tomorrow and post my squad, results etc.

Legendofnufc

Good start, I might start as NY Red Bulls. What sort of budget did you get?

KillaAshley I went on Ameatur because I am a noob
I got 6m though. I think Red Bulls have about 5.5m

Shortman maybe tonight or tomorrow, I am updating a friendly vs Liverpool and all my transfers

Decided to start as Monaco. I will post tomorrow to show you transfers etc. but do you have any ideas on who to get cos im kind of stuck.

Shortman

Great idea that is. I actually never thought of that

I can't seem to score with my two strikers I have up front atm, update tomorrow too.

Shall I start with NY Red Bulls or CSKA Moscow?

KillaAshley

CSKA Moscow! Better league and DOUMBIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHELTENHAM TOWN FC
YOUTH CHALLENGE



2011-12 Season Review

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The 2011-12 nPower League Two season drew to a close last week as Rotherham United beat Oxford United 3-1 in the play-off finals to secure the final promotion spot to League One. On their way to the playoff final, The Millers saw off a promising Cheltenham side 1-0 on aggregate. They will join champions Shrewsbury, runners-up Northampton and 3rd placed Crawley Town in League One for the 2012-13 season.

For Cheltenham and new manager Gary Kinnock, it was a respectable if unremarkable campaign, with key injuries towards the season's end costing the side possible playoff success, with a late patch of bad form dropping the side from 5th to their final finishing position in 7th. Despite missing out on promotion, the club executives have been pleased with the young manager's new vision for the side, with the average age of the Starting XI dropping from 27, one of the oldest in the league, to just 22, one of the youngest. This was achieved through heavy investment in the club's youth system and some tactical transfer dealings.

AUGUST 2011 TRANSFER OVERVIEW

Out >>
Brian Smikle, Aldershot Town, £110,000
Jeff Goulding, Macclesfield Town, £100,000
Bagsan Graham, Bray Wanderers, Season Long Loan

In <<
Joe Ralls, Cardiff City, £800,000
Alphonse Aréola, PSG, Season Long Loan
Sergio Araujo, Unattached

The captures of Sergio Araujo and Alphonse Areola were lauded at the time by critics, both being judged to be of a standard well above what Cheltenham should expect, both being brought in for no fees. Concerns were raised, however, over the wages being paid to the two big name signings, with Araujo being offered wages reportedly double Cheltenham's previous wage cap to entice him to the club. Official club statements say he is on £10,000 a week making him Cheltenham Town's highest earner ever. Aréola impressed on his loan, but Araujo failed to have the impact many expected, the 19-year old managing just 11 goals in 32 league appearances.

18 year old Cardiff midfielder Joe Ralls, however, turned out to be one of the bargains of the window. The youngster established himself in a floating midfield role and dramatically increased the supply of goals for the club, recording 12 assists and 13 goals in his 29 appearances, before an unfortunate cruciate injury received in late February cut his season short.


At the start of the season, Kinnock expressed an intent to eventually make the club entirely self sufficient on it's revamped £20million youth system. Scouts scoured the local area for the best talent, connections were made with academies abroad and the Cheltenham Town Youth Academy produced 6 senior debutants in its first year.

CHELTENHAM TOWN YOUTH ACADEMY
Promoted to First Team during 2011-12 season

 Callum Rose        17  CB  51  82-86
 Anton Gorchakov    16  CB  58  84-90
 Guillermo Sanchez  16  CB  55  78-84
 Hugo Madrazo       17  LM  56  84-90 
 Dmitry Zharkov     16  LM  54  81-85
 Paul Smith         16  LM  58  82-86

In January, Cheltenham were dealt a serious blow as defensive midfielder and star man Marlon Pack demanded a late transfer. The 22 year old managed a move to Championship side Ipswich Town for a considerable £875,000 fee, used to bring in replacement man Oscar Gobern.

JANUARY 2012 TRANSFER OVERVIEW
Out>>
Marlon Pack, Ipswich Town, £875,000
Theo Lewis, Released
Harry Hooman, Crewe Alexandra, £80,000
Callum Rose, Bohemians FC, Season Long Loan
Luke Garbutt, Bolton Wanderers (Loan Expired)

In<<
Lee Nicholls, Wigan Athletic, £500,000
Oscar Gobern, Shrewsbury Town, £650,000

Cheltenham had been playing well but struggling to string together a good run of results, sitting just outside the playoffs in 8th. Fans were unhappy with the goalscoring returns of main strikers Sergio Araujo and loanee James Spencer, so Kinnock reacted by restoring Daryl Duffy to the starting line up. The Scotsman repaid his faith with 14 goals in 19 games as Cheltenham flew up to 5th in the table. However, their inexperienced squad was left looking thin as the season ended, taking just one point from their last 3 fixtures as fatigue and injuries to Joe Ralls and Alphonse Aréola took their toll.

quote

2011-12 Season Breakdown

League Position : 7th
Top Goalscorer : Kaid Mohammed (15)
Top Assister : Joe Ralls (12)
Player of the Season : Daryl Duffy
Young Player of the Season : Joe Ralls

Looking ahead to the 2012-13 season, Kinnock has been once again tasked with achieving a high finish in the league, with playoffs and promotion at the back of the mind. A lot will depend on the summer movements in the transfer market, as the retiring of veteran goalkeeper Steve Book as well as the end of several loan deals has left the side looking emptier than ever. The manager's unwillingness to dip into the transfer market has been met with concern by fans, but Kinnock insists there are 4 or 5 more Youth Academy players who could make the step up this season to plug the holes.

CHELTENHAM TOWN YOUTH ACADEMY
Ones to Watch

 Kerry Revell    16  GK  55-77  72-91
 David Powell    16  GK  55-67  80-91
 Jack Lewis      16  CB  52-62  68-82
 Will Collins    15  RB  59-63  81-87
 Stephen Harney  14  CB  60-72  77-91

As yet, the side have stayed quiet in the transfer market, so Cheltenham's prospects this season come down to a simple question. Is it true that you can't win anything with kids?