The End to the season...

We managed to claim a Play-off spot. To my disbelief we dropped a lot of easy points in the last 10-12 games. Otherwise we would've hanged on to our secure promotion spot. Too bad, too bad. The chasing pack containing amongst other a deadly Birmingham side, but also a competent Sheff Utd and Bristol.

I was to face off with Bristol while Birmingham got the Sheffield Utd challenge. I beat Bristol in the last game of the season, 2-0. My thoughts on going through to the playoff final was set.. maybe prematurely.

To my obvious dissapointment Bristol instantly got the upper hand of the game by scoring to quick goals. We never got back into the game. In all fairness they were much better on their home turf. We'd have to come out with real force in the second leg...

and we did! An extremely eventful game where we controlled the match in normal time. 2-0 was achieved an extra time had to follow. I felt brimming with confidence, making no changes to the squad. Some fo my important players were on the bench with minor injuries, I had more need for them in a possible final, and we had been controlling the match so far.

..but disaster struck in the 96th minute. Peter Styvar got the better of my defence in a break away situation and placed a cool finish past Jason Brown. We got back into are style of play immediatly but could muster anything more that a few lame shots against Bristols keeper.

I had to keep my cool. I had faith in my men and I kept the squad intact for the second half of the extra-time. We played really well, pushing their defence back, with lethal passing and good runs forward. Vaughan managed to create a corner from a deflected attempt. Bolder went out to take the corner while the rest of the team moved up, leaving only Ekdal and Craig left. The corner was whipped in hard, and it took a deflection off Vaughan in the air, stung the palms of the keeper. But the ball dropped out infront of goal where Cathcart was anticipating it perfectly and volleyd a smashing shot into the top corner. We where level!!!

Both teams were on their knees for the remainder of the game and it had to be settled on penalties.

I picked Ekdal to go first, Bolder second, Anichebe, Alexander and lastly Vaughan. I picked Anita as the 6th man in case there were extra penalties. The rest of the squad had no penalty taking skills at all so it wouldn't really matter after the 6th spotkick.

Ekdal scored - So did Bristol 1-1

Bolder put it wide! - Bristol went ahead 1-2

Anichebe scored - Bristol aswell 2-3

Alexander scored! - and Bristol did a Bolder copy and missed wide off the post. 3-3

Vaughan scored - Bristol scored 4-4

Anita scored - Bristol scored 5-5

Hill scored - Bristol scored 6-6

Craig scored - Bristol scored 7-7

Cathcart stepped up.. and missed!! oh god - Bristols penalty was saved, bless you Brown! 7-7

Robinson... Scored! - Bristol has the pressure. Misses!! 8-7

In a movie-like shoot-out thriller we came out victors!

The final was yet to come and I had a bad feeling. If Bristol posed such a threat then Birmingham would be even tougher. I had to prepare everything, Put the absolute best in-form eleven on the pitch. I put Adu in a more more normal winger position(MR), instead of an inside forward(AMR). Vaughan and Anichebe started up front.

That move was a much needed one. I granted me more control of their flanks and we played more directly when we won the ball in the middle of the pitch, allowing Vaughan to use his strength and pace to break through their defence. We were 3-0 up in HT and they struggle really bad. Second half was a bit boring, they did manage to claw one back through Cristian Benitez but that was it. We won the final with an impressive display and I couldn't be happier.

Millwall is going to play in the Premier League!

Here is the Player ratings for the season. Vaughan won top goalscorer with 35 goals. He also took place in the team of the year, along with Freddy Adu.

2 new signings, and Sam Vokes returns to Wolves

It's been bugging me that I can't really achieve anything with out loaning in players of much higher calibre than my own. Even though it's not cheating it just doesn't feel as good as it would have if it were my own boys.

Therefor I'm trying to adjust it when I get the chance.

My first buy was before mentioned: Razak Boukari



He'll do his bidding down the right wing. Jeremy Pied the loanee has occupied this spot until now. Boukari will from now on play most of the remaining matches, while Pied will be his back-up.

The second player to join Millwall in january is: Victor Anichebe




He's a friend of Vaughan, and Vaughan is his friend. I'm hoping this could help lure James back to Millwall on a more permanent move. Vaughan is already viewing Millwall as one of his favourite clubs. Anichebe has some similar stats to Vaughan. Good aerial skils and finishing, though not as quick as James, but still decent. He's only 22 aswell.

I'm having some problems uploading pictures, but I could put them up in my next post.

Millwall is topping the championship at the moment. 1 point ahead of Reading. Blackburn is a contender togheter with Bristol, Nott Forest and Ipswich. Former PL club Birmingham is trailing a bit and hopefully they'll miss out so that i can buy some of their players. Seb Larsson is one of my objectivs if that were to happen.

Still on promotion spot!

It's looking extremely well for my team. Even though there are a lof of games to be played I think it's safe to say that we'll definetly be playing for one of the spots in the top-4.

Had a short slump of form while Vaughan was out injured for a few weeks. I tought that Vokes and Destro would cope better, but it was like all the confidence in the lads had left the field with Vaughan. The opposition was tough aswell, Ipswich isn't letting any goals past them in the league and Reading is topping the table so I could've been worse.

With Vaughan back we play a lot better. I will certainly be looking to make his move permament for Millwall next season. Though I'm not sure on what budget they will give me if I get promoted.

No amazing player ratings. Nemanja Matic and Ekdal has been rather dissappointing, while Bolder is doing a good job. Adu has taken over the role has creator in midfield, Pied does his running on the right wing, but will get back-up from a new buy. Razak Boukari is arriving from RC Lens. I'm also very pleased with my "wanna be the Rock" Goalie Jason Brown. Just look at that face! WWF just called and wanted their wrestler back.

A promising start!

Top of the table...

Good displays, even rattled Burnley in the league cup. They did however break me down in the last 20 minutes. James Vaughan is indispensable, scoring in every league game so far.

This was just a short summary on how the start of the season went. Cheers!

Transfers done. Team assembled.

I'll go over the more important ones. You all know about Adu, Vokes and Destro, I'm sure.
Hill and Vaughan got call-ups again and didn't turn me down. Pied will get the chance to be my new Fleck this season and Vurnon Anita will play as wing-back aswell as defensive midfielder.


Here's the new team that will challenge for the promotion spots in the Championship.


Jason Brown, Gk.
My first signing was a much needed one. Forde wasn't good enough to guard to goal for another year. Hopefully Brown won't let me down. He's a 4,5 star with my scouts and that's always something. He was really cheap aswell - only 10.000 £.



Nemanja Matic, MC
Creative, Big but Slow midfielder. Will do good in this league I'm sure. One of my starting Midfielders.


Craig Cathcart, DC
A Great defender loaned from Man Utd. Will be the anchorman in my defensive line.


Albin Ekdal, MC
The Regista in my midfield. I'll let him pull the strings, linking defense with attack, with sheer intelligence. The best young swede in the game in my opinion.

Happy end to League 1

Good times. 100 points even impressed me! Had an amazing end to the season, but I do fear the next season in the championship. Just hope the club can amass some funds for me to strengthen the squad. I'll prolly use the loan plan again to save the club some money. James Vaughan, Matt Hill, John Fleck and Darron Gibson are more than welcome back.

Some good unbeaten streaks there.

Some new loans were found on the market that I may have missed during the summer window, but better late than never. James Vaughan was a revelation, scoring a whooping 21 goals in 19 games. Teamed up great with Cristaldo in attack. Duff was cover for the defence while Kakuta stayed on for 3 months as cover for AMR and midfield.

Gibson was out injured for 2-3 months. I feared in the beginning but millwalls own Adam Bolder stepped in to fill his shoes. Having only played in one of the other midfield roles every other game, not really standing out, sure surprised me when he got his chance.

Just look at one of his first games as the teams playmaker. It speaks for itself.

He finished the season as the league's top assister(?) with 25 assists in 36(3) games.

Thanks for reading. Do post comments on good buys for next season. I need a solid Gk, DC, MC and AMR. Hell, i need new players everywhere.

/Majk

Mid-season standings

A respectable 2nd place is pleasing to see. Millwall has been playing much better lately and I've managed to figth my way up the table from 12th place. Had a slump of form after just 3 games in the league. I just couldn't get the points with me, ending up letting goals past me in the dying minutes even though we changed to defensiva approach for the last 10 minutes. I even tried staying attacking and still managing to either lose or draw at the end of the game.

But that's in the past. Now my team is playing a great attacking football and always play to outscore the opponent and not playing to secure a 1-0 lead.

The best players being the obvious gem of the transfer market Gibson. I'm playing him in a attacking midfield-playmaker position. Gary Alexander is the goal-mahcine while Cristaldo is starting to really find his pace on english ground. John Fleck is some way down on the list but is putting on good displays, we have to remember that he's only 17 so he's not the most consistent performer.

In other news I'm knocked out of the League Cup in the first round.

But I'm through to the semi's in the Johnston's Paint Trophy. Where I'll meet Torquay.

I'm also through to the 3rd round in the FA cup. Opponents: Aston Villa (ouch!)

Loans are cheaper, go figure.

No real money spent this first transfer window. Sold of the big earners that I really saw as dead meat. Went for loaning players, prety much the best I could find, and only Hills club (Wolves) wanted some payment for his wages. The other ones were completely free until the end of the season. A great deal as Gibson, Soares and Fleck is first team material.


Hill is being retrained for the CD role and is really doing good in pre-season. He will probably take one of the 3 CD roles. I play with my Reggina tactic, 3-5*-2



Soares is looking good, not as deadly as Gibson but will play a lot for Millwall this season I'm sure.

Gibson is the cogwheel in midfield, linking the attackars with the midfield and seems to be a real goalscorer aswell. The big coup on the market so far.

Fleck is a real favourite of mine. Very flexible and will play both on the AMR and one of the ST roles.

Cristaldo will se plenty of minutes of the field but will prolly need some time to get used to the english style of play.

New team, fresh start

I have started a new game, In what you seem to think is the toughest league in the world.

Premier League!

I'll be starting in the Coca-cola league 1, along with teams like Leeds, Norwich and Southampton.

The team i chose was Millwall FC. I have some affection for the team and their culture, especially the air of fear surrounding the away team supporters at Millwalls stadium, The Den.

Summer transfers

The big signings will be showed here in a short reel.

Starting with the biggest one.

Coutinho

Signed as Javier Pastores replacement. Bigger, better, smarter. I have big hopes for him.

Marquinhos is tutoring him at the moment.

Guiseppe Rossi

Everybody knows about this fella. The italian wonder from United and later Villareal. I actually bougth him from Man Utd for about 19 mil €. A cheap price for such an offensive talent. Will rotate with Marquinhos and the right winger. He's my replacement for Borriello.

Andrea Esposito

When Masiello wanted to further his career with Inter I did the obvious thing and bougth my replacement from the same team. I was after Esposito since his Lecce time but couldn't attract him to Reggina. Having won both serie A and CL this year there was no doubt in his mind as to Reggina being the bigger club.

Luis Fernandez

A youngster from Argentina. Signed him from Frankfurt to replacemtn Vargas really, who left in mid-season last year. Jeremy Mathieu didn't impress and is now loaned out to Padova. Luis Fernandez will rotate with the Norwegian, Hauger.

Saul Santos

A young Versatile defensive starlet. Can play in both midfield aswell as centre back. An important player for the future obviously but will get his fair amount of playing time this season too. Some of my cetre backs are getting old now ( Zapata,29;Esposito,30;Verkhovtset,29)
so I'm hoping Saul can step it up in the next few years to claim a starting place.

Oh My..

Is this really happening.. I just ..won.

I've just played through the Champions league final against Manchester United...

And I won. On extra time. The overtime on the second half of the extra time. Geez.

Fabio Ceravolo equalised Rooneys 1-0 goal. Then he finished the whole thing off by being a real poacher in front of goal during a hectic corner situation where United just couldn't clear the ball.

Reggina won CL!

but that's not it.. they're also champions of the Serie A.

In front of Roma and Napoli.

I'll have some trouble swallowing this idea of being the best at everything.. well except for the Italian cup.

Now I'm looking forward to relax and play some qulifying games wiht Ghana whom I took control of some way in to the season (february 2016)

Star players there are:

Michael Essien

Kwadwo Asamoah

Sulley Muntari

Asamoah Gyan

Who the F*** is Barcelona?

Reggina knocked out the spanish giant from the first knockout round in the CL.

Who'd believe that at the start of the season. Well now it's reality.. at least gaming reality. My former serie B club got the better of Barca with a 3-2 aggregate win.

The first game was a tight affair where Lukaku scored a late goal in the dying minutes.

Dani Alves did claw one back in stoppage time though, and a draw was a fair result to say the least.

The second game felt a bit more open, with barca being the controlling team and Reggina playing some devastating counter-attacking football. Marquinhos opened the scoring early on, with Barcas new signing Rebov equalised just 15 minutes later.

After some time in the second half we did the unthinkable. We got the better of Barca on their home turf when Verratti blasted in a long range missile, and the Reds from Italy manage to fend the remaing attacks off surprisingly easy.

January passed. Vargas got the big bucks!

So Vargas dropped ship. Milan offered me 21 mil € for the 32 year old after just 6 months at Reggina. I doubled up on him moneywise so I'm not to depressed.

Jeremy Mathieu was bougth in as cover up and also as a tutor for my up-and-coming star Hauger.

Nice thing to see!

Looking extremely pleasing at the moment. Just qualified for the knock-out stages in Champions league and on top of that I'm topping the table in Serie A. Very impressive looking at the teams I've played against so far.

Only one loss so far, a few draws against good oppostion. I had a lucky outcome against Fiorentina where I squeezed in the winner on overtime from an amazing break away run from Russotto.

My tactics

I will present my tactic more deeply this time. It has been tweaked throughout the season to the point where I feel its at its peak. On the picture you will see that i've written out each positions instructions and they way that they're put out they do an excellent job covering up for the others who hold a more offensive position.

I had som trouble making my CM the playmaker. What happened was that i pushed the opposing team back to far, so much that i had trouble breaking through the defense, and I got a lot of counter attacks against my backline aswell. By making one of the striker a playmaker he drops down a bit and breaks the mold of the defensive opposition, opening up ways for the AMR to pass through between defenders.

The left wingback also tends to play great long passes when we counter attack. The target man being the primary goal for long passes. The wingback also acts as the forth defender and tends to stay back a bit.

The defensive ball-winning midfielder covers up the right side decent enough but i would focus on putting the best and fastest central defender on the right side cause he tends to get the most attacks on his flanks. Your weakest CD should therefor be put on the left CD position.

Other than that its pretty obvious. Box-to-box midfielder should be well rounded and versatile. Preferably with a good long shot. The target man should have good airial abilities, and be pretty strong with good balance.

An impressive string of matches have been produced right of the bat. This is a reward for my tactic, my player purchases and most importantly... The players are familiar with this setup now. Let your tactics sink in before you change it.

The transfer window has closed

As for the transfers I'm really pleased with the material i brought to Reggina.I cut off the dead meat of the troop and i finally think I have a balanced and competitive team on all fronts. With Vargas i strengthened the left sides a great deal, and wiht both Russotto and Ceravolo I got some flexibility on the right wing, seeing as they can both be on the pitch at the same time because of their ability to cover more than one important position.

Ceravolo would work really well in both of the attacking spots due to his good technique and arial ability, and his pace is a treat on the flank. Seeing as he is an old reggina product he's even more vital to the team by adding to one of the 4 local grown talents needed for CL.

Juan Antonio Salas

One of the younger players i aquired. A fast, technical right winger. Solid back-up option for Russotto and Ceravolo.

Andrea Russotto

My old gem who left me for Schalke 04 a few seasons back. Didn't really want to sell him back then but he was unhappy with not being able to move on. Now he is back though and I love Italian players and i focus a lot on having a big domestic group of players.

Franco Zuculini

My free transfer coup this season. A great, young defensive midfielder. Will compete with Rodwell for the spot as the ball winner on midfield but could just aswell let Rodwell move on to the box-to-box midfield role on the left hand side.

Romelu Lukaku

Hot prospect for Reggina this year. Is only just behind Silvestri on the scale but should nevertheless get a lot of playing time. Looks really intersting and has started of the pre-season really good.

Fabio Ceravolo

I have covered a lot in the sumary text already, but lets just say that he is one of the big catches for me this year, due to his versatility.

Miles Addison

Another Englishman in Italy for me. I Love it! A great solid defender that can fill that spot Subotic left 2 seasons ago. Muniesa did a decent job but i got a good deal of money for him and Addison is a bit better in my opinion. Plus he has 2 other english players to gel with in Wilshire and Rodwell.