Re: Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR
The one goal I did link took aggggeeeessss to upload. I tried to upload the highlights of the four nil win over Loughgall, but after going out to the shop and coming back again it still hadn't finished decoding the video, never mind started the actual uploading. If I score any vital or impressive goals I'll upload them, but more than one goal seems to take far too long.
Nearly finished pre-season, should have the season preview up in the next few hours. SI's genius new scouting module has seriously affected my ability to get in new players without resorting to what I consider cheating, so I'm not entirely confident for the upcoming season. Still, the board love me because I'm well under budget. I always like to stay £100 or so under to give me a bit of leeway if I find a player I like pre season, but I've nearly half my salary budget left. I just can't find anybody I'm willing to pay, the one player I was buggered off to Scotland, and the two Loughgall guys I was considering signed new contracts there, I dithered too long.
Re: Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR
Institute FC Official Website.
Your monthly round up of all things 'Stute.
Season 2013-14 Preview
The disappointment of last season is now a distant memory, August is here and we start the football season anew, full of optimism for the year ahead. New faces in the Institute squad have given the team a new look, though most of last season's squad are still at the club. John Doggart remains the first team manager, having agreed a new deal, reportedly on reduced terms, soon after the end of last season. Rumours Limavady United were interested in appointing him were quickly scotched when he signed the deal, it would have been a brave man to walk out on 'Stute to take over their rivals. With a summer to reshape his squad, Doggart will be under pressure to turn around the teams fortunes. A top half finish would appear to be the minimum aim of the board, another season flirting with relegation would almost certainly see Doggart removed from his post.
The squad for the year ahead:
Keeper:
Englishman Aaran Taylor is the only first team keeper at the moment, 41 goals conceded in 25 games last year was a disappointing return and he will be hoping to improve on that. Doggart is reportedly on the lookout for another keeper, whether as backup or to take Taylor's place remains to be seen.
Defence:
Another Englishman, Ryan Plowright, was first choice right back for most of last season. Imposing in attacking and defensive set pieces, he needs to work on the offensive part of his game. 20 games, 1 goal last season.
Mark Scoltock will be competing with Plowright for the right back slot. He has spent all his career in the northwest, also turning out for Limavady, Derry City and Finn Harps. 12 appearances last season.
Dean Jarvis will be left back for the season ahead. The 21 year old former Aberdeen player has 11 under 21 caps for Northern Ireland, and is rumoured to be interesting clubs in the Scottish Premier Division. 22 appearances last season.
Club captain John Curran is in his third spell at Stute. 18 appearances last season.
Central defender John Egan will partner Curran in the heart of defence, and has been named vice captain for this season. The Cork man has become a popular figure among Stute fans, and they are looking forward to his performances this season. 12 appearances, 1 goal last season.
Midfield:
Donegal born Barry Clancy signed for Stute last season after a short spell in English football. The pacy left winger was an inconsistent performer last season, but on his day is a match winner. 23 appearances, 6 goals last season.
18 year old Corey Hegarty came into the team toward the end of last season, and a series of good performances convinced many he was the man to replace the outgoing right winger John Martin. 4 appearances, 3 goals last season.
Aaron McEneff is a tough tackling, local born midfielder. Capped at under 19 level by the Republic of Ireland, he will be hoping to cement a place in the midfield this term. 14 appearances last season.
Tom Carlin is another young midfielder, who appeared in the centre and on the left last season. 11 appearances last season.
Former Glentoran and Glenavon midfielder Conor Walsh returned to Northern Ireland after a two year spell in English football to sign for Institute this summer. The aggressive midfielder is likely to compete with McEneff for a starting spot.
Another newcomer is George Young, who left Larne in the summer after two years. His pace and ability to run from midfield should give the team another dimension in the attacking third.
Charlee Adams is another midfield arrival this summer. Little is known about the 19 year old, but we assume with a first name like that he has learnt to handle himself in midfield.
Strikers:
Tam McManus is the final new arrival at the time of writing. A well travelled striker, best known for his spell at Hibernian, he is 32 now, but hopefully has a few good year left in him. Unfortunately injured in pre season, he will miss the first month of the season.
Last year's top scorer Stephen Parkhouse was retained for another year. The target man is not the most mobile, but always a threat aerially. 23 appearances, 6 goals last season.
Portadown had a bid turned down for tricky striker Joe McCready. Wildly inconsistent last season Stute will be hoping for more maturity from the local boy this season. 22 appearances 5 goals last season.
Pre Season:
Seven pre season games for Institute saw a mixture of youth and experience in each game. Manager John Doggart told me he decided that only the first team would play preseason friendlies, and the reserves and youth team would also take part. This allowed his to see how the younger players coped, and gave them experience of first team football, as well as easing the pressure on a small first team squad. Home games against St Johnstone, Kilmarnock and Newry saw creditable displays even if the results went against the Stute. Away games at Newtonabbey and QUB saw convincing wins, though very poor defensive displays at Killymoon and Coagh saw games that should have been convincing victories lost. Institute fans saw enough of that last season, so lets hope it isn't a sign of things to come.
The month ahead:
Three games in August, first the trip to Loughgall, which will be a first visit back for John Doggart. The Riverside will host Abbey Villa in the League Cup, and the Championship One visit of Ards. Two tricky league games, and what should be a comfortable victory in the cup, should give us a better idea of the season ahead. Reports here next month.
Re: Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR
Institute FC Official Website.
Your monthly round up of all things 'Stute.
August in review
An encouraging start to the season saw Institute pick up two wins and a draw, sitting in the top three and through to the next round of the League Cup. The thin squad was also strengthened, three defenders and a goalkeeper arrived to give more strength in depth. Central defender Joey Jones was the pick of the arrivals, the former Leicester City man's availability a pleasant surprise to manager John Doggart, who admitted he had been concerned about the lack of experienced backup if Curran or Egan got injured. Left back Jonathan Harkness arrived on loan from Dublin outfit Cherry Orchard, his ability from deadball situations a useful asset already. Right back John Brown and goalkeeper Connor Brennan are expected to turn out for the reserves, though Brennan may push Taylor for the number one jersey.
The first game of the season was Stute gaffer John Doggart's first game at Lakeview since he left Loughgall last year, he had already faced Loughgall with Institute, a four nil victory the highlight of Institute's season last season. His second game against them was an early season highlight this season, with Institute running out convincing three nil winners. Like the game last season, the score was perhaps harsh on Loughgall who had two good chances early in the game but failed to take them. The home side dominated the early stages, but Institute gradually took control of the game, taking a lead after twenty five minutes as John Egan powered a close range header into the net from a Hegarty corner. It stayed that way until half time. The second half continued as the first half ended, the away side controlling possession, but the home side looking dangerous on the break. The vital second came with twenty five minutes left in the game, a left wing Jarvis cross not cleared and debutant midfielder Conor Walsh firing it home. Stute comfortably saw out the final twenty five minutes and even added another goal in injury time, a left wing corner cleared by Loughgall and another debutant firing home. It was a wonderful goal by young striker John Boyce, from all of thirty yards. Boyce arrived in the summer, having previously played under Doggart at Ballymoney.
The League Cup game at home to Abbey Villa was expected to be a comfortable game, and was more one sided than the score would suggest. It also saw the debuts of two players signed the week leading up to the game. Joey Jones came in for captain Curran and the injured Jarvis was replaced by former Linfield man Jonathan Harkness. Institute dominated the game from start to finish, and wasteful finishing from the strike pairing of Parkhouse and McCready was the reason the margin was only two goals. It took the two centre halfs to show how it was done, Egan heading home a Harkness free kick and another debutant goal, as Jones headed a Harkness corner past the Villa keeper.
The final game of August was the visit of Ards, after two clean sheets Stute showed the defensive frailties haven't gone away as they conceded a number of early chances to Ards through poor marking, McConnell putting the away side ahead after twenty minutes. Institute pushed forward for most of the game, and controlled possession throughout but couldn't creat a clear opening until Parkhouse slotted home a Hegarty cross on the hour. They kept creating half chances, which were invariably sent well wide, before Parkhouse found himself one on one with the keeper in the final minute. He scuffed his shot however, and it went harmlessly past the post, leaving Ards to grab a lucky point.
The month ahead.
A tough September for Stute, with trips to Donegal Celtic and Armagh, as well as the visit of Championship One favourites Bangor and the cup visit of Carrick. Drumahoe's finest will be hoping to continue the away form from Loughgall, and will have to play well to take anything from the games at Riverside. All the action and reaction right here next month.
Re: Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR
Institute FC Official Website.
Your monthly round up of all things 'Stute.
September in review
Institute carried their good early season form into September, and are currently second in the table and through to the next round of the league Cup. Coming unscathed through a tough series of games will undoubtedly give the team confidence for the season ahead. The team is looking much more dangerous from set pieces, with John Egan scoring four in seven games. Conor Walsh has also given a goal threat from midfield that was missing last season.
The month began with the long trip to west Belfast to face Donegal Celtic. Celtic went ahead early on after some sustained pressure, but were unable to maintain their grip on the game, which petered out for the rest of the first half with neither team showing enough quality to trouble the score sheet. Stute came out with more purpose in the second half, but didn't create a real chance until fifteen minutes from the end. Parkhouse took control of the ball and played a through ball into the path of McCready, who knocked it past the keeper and fired home from fifteen yards for his first goal of the season. A timely contribution from McCready who must have been aware of the threat to his place from Tam McManus coming back toward fitness.
Bangor came to Riverside on a four game unbeaten run, and were expected to provide a stiff test for the Stute. They were swept aside convincingly in a peformance that must have delighted manager John Doggart. They were a threat throughout, but it took until just before half time for the goal to come, Egan powering home Clancy's corner. It was two on the hour mark, Stephen Parkhouse losing his man in the area, turning and firing into the bottom corner. The icing on the cake was skipper John Curran's first goal for two year, a fine finish from the right hand side of the Bangor area. Bangor rarely threatened, and the defence coped confidently with their counter attacks.
Premier League Carrick visited three days later in the League Cup. A closely contested match, with Carrick having more shots on goal but Institute creating the clearer opportunities, ended with a close victory for the home side. Stephen Parkhouse nipped in front of the Carrick keeper after ten minutes to put his side ahead, Carrick had controlled the ball previously and the goal helped Stute into the match. The top flight side were level ten minutes layer however, slack marking allowing young striker Paul Devine to score. Both sides pushed for the winner, but it was five minutes from time before the goal came. A corner from McManus headed back by Walsh and a thumping header from Egan clinched a place in the next round.
September ended with a trip to Armagh. Another close match, with both sides wasteful saw Institute grab another one goal victory. Conor Walsh, with his second goal for the club, got the goal ten minutes before halftime. Barry Clancy drifted a right wing free kick in toward the back post and Walsh rose to head home. The win left Institute in a play off spot with three league games at home in October.
The month ahead:
First up in October is the top of the table clash with Limavady at Riverside, with Warrenpoint and Harland and Wolff Welders also due to visit in league games. The League Cup tie with Tobermore gives the team a chance to reach another quarter final after last season's Irish Cup run.
Re: Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR
Institute FC Official Website.
Your monthly round up of all things 'Stute.
October in review
The seven game winless streak at the end of last season is a distant memory for 'Stute fans, four wins in October brought the teams unbeaten run to eleven, with seven consecutive wins. The season had begun with most fans content with the team staying away from the bottom end of the table, only the most optimistic of Drumahoans would have suggested such a start to the season. One noticeable difference this season is the consistency of selection, barring injuries most 'Stute fans would be confident of knowing the eleven to start a match. The only real choice Doggart has had to make has been at left back, where Jonathan Harkness and Dean Jarvis have both been outstanding. Conor Walsh and George Young have made the central midfield slots their own, the area Doggart described as his biggest concern over the summer. The only area lacking cover is probably the right wing, with no real back up if Corey Hegarty gets injured, Walsh and Tam McManus can play there, but it certainly isn't the strongest position for either player. The League Cup game against Tobermore Doggart introduce soem rotation, seven changes from the previous game without impacting on the performance. Surely a sign of a squad happy and confident.
A huge game at Riverside for the first game in October, not only a local derby, but a match seeing the top two teams in Championship One come together. Limavady were a point clear of their neighbours and were looking a win to open a gap at the top of the table. Institute knew they couldn't let United pull away from them so early in the season. And of course there was the small matter of local bragging rights. The match came at a difficult time for Institute, they had three players away with the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland youth sides. Young midfielder Ruari Donaldson came into the team as Conor Walsh moved into a wide position. The changes seemed to affect 'Stute as they struggled for fluency in the early stages, controlling possession, but unable to penetrated a stubborn Limavady defence. The stalemate lasted well into the second half, with the home side controlling possession and the visitors limited to long range shots. Insitute's new found potency from set pieces was the decisive factor in the game, nine corners to one the defining statistic. Conceding nine corners against 'Stute this season will find most teams conceding at least one goal, and today two goals in the last ten minutes both came from corners. First John Curran met a Conor Walsh corner at the near post, a Limavady defender managed to block it, but John Egan was on hand to sweep it home. Deep into injury time came the clincher, Barry Clancy trying an outswinger from the left, and debutant Donaldson met it with a firm header. A fantastic moment for the young midfielder, sure to endear him to 'Stute fans.
Next came the visit of Warrenpoint, sitting toward the bottom of the table and lookng like having another season of struggle. It looked like an upset might be on the cards as the away side struck first, poor marking allowing Chris Bloor to score. It's a sign of the new found resilience in the side that the lead lasted less than ten minutes, Stephen Parkhouse sent clear through to slot confidently past the Point keeper. The second half was the McCready show, the striker scoring two goals and showing his ability with a superbly taken half volley after being sent clear by John Egan. A lovely pass from George Young found him free in the area five minutes later and he finished with aplomb. The rest of the game was McCready's search for a hat-trick, despite a few good chances he was unable to get it however and the game finished three one to 'Stute.
It was back to League Cup duty next, and the visit of recently relegated Tobermore for the chance to play in the quarter finals. A number of fringe players were given an opportunity in the game, including goalie Connor Brennan. He had a quiet afternoon however, with no real chances to show his ability, though he will certainly be happy with the clean sheet on his debut. despite the changes their were some familiar names on the score sheet, with Curran and Egan scoring from set pieces and Joe McCready coming off the bench to make it three in two games.
Last up in October was the visit of Harland and Wolff Welders. Another dominant display by 'Stute saw them run out two nil winners. The welders looked like they had seen out the first half without conceding, the man McCready intercepted a sloppy back pass deep into stoppage time however, and fired past the keeper to send the home side in a goal ahead. Great work down the left flank by McCready saw his side two goals up mid way through the second half. A delightful through ball by Young sent McCready scampering down the wing, he cut inside and beat his man before sending a ball into the six yard box and leaving Corey Hegarty a simple tap in for his first of the season.
The month ahead:
Unfortunately Institute can't have four home games every month, November starts with a trip to Ballinamallard in the Intermediate cup, before the League trips to, Doggart's former side, Ballymoney and fourth place Moyola Park. Last up will be the visit of midtable Wakehurst. A Championship Two side in the cup, two promoted sides and a team in the relegation mix for most of last season will give the 'Stute boys confidence for another good month.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Originally Posted by Oh! TheLastDays!
Thanks for the videos. Go 'Stute!
No worries, going quicker now for some reason. I'll put at least one video up per update, though I'll have to edit one in for this month as I'm dling Skyrim right now and can't upload. The updates will probably be a bit less frequent for a while as I'll probably spend most of my gaming time on Skyrim for the next few weeks. I'll try to get at least one update week though.
Thanks for reading folks!
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
That yellow for Bangor and HW Welders is horrid, I'll have to make sure I get out of this division to get away from it...
Re: Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR
I've come across an oddity in the game which appears to hugely unbalance the financial situation in Northern Ireland, basically clubs partaking in a certain cup are getting ludicrous amounts of prize money. I have logged it with SI, but I believe it is a problem that cannot be fixed without starting a new game. I'm not sure I'll be able to enjoy continuing the save with the issue.
Re: Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR
If anybody is reading, I have come up with an idea how I can continue. If I play out this season with 'Stute, and quit at the end of the season, I can deselect the Irish leagues as playable, and move over to England or Scotland and continue on from there.
Still playing Skyrim though, I have the latest month played, just need to break away from the land of the Nords long enough to write it up.
If I werent playing games Id be killing small animals at a higher rate than I am now - SFTS
Si je n'étais pas jouer à des jeux que je serais mort de petits animaux à un taux plus élevé que je suis maintenant - Louis VI The Fat
"Why do you hate the extremely limited Spartan version of freedom?" - Lemur
Re: Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR
Liking this John and I love FM-am avoiding getting '12 as am so into Shogun2 TW! Think though (and this is constructive) personally might have enjoyed more if it had been written with some sort of dramatic angle in mind or from someone's specific perspective..just y 2 pennies worth
Re: Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR
Thanks for the feedback mamba, I know what you mean, for a piece on football it's missing the passion of the game.
I've tried a few things to ensure I'd be able to get a job after deselecting the Irish leagues, and it's not looking good. I made the positions at clubs with the very lowest reputations in England, Scotland and Wales available and applied, I was laughed off from all of them (East Stirlingshire were rude enough to laugh off my application four times... ) I'm holidaying to the start of next season to see if the Irish leagues being unavailable will make any difference. Annoyingly I was linked with jobs in top division clubs in Northern Ireland while testing.
I could continue, but the problem really is unbalancing the situation in Ireland. The winners of the All Ireland Cup get £5 million, I think in real life it's £50,000. The other clubs all get around £2 million for competing. The highest transfer fee ever paid in Northern Ireland is £55,000, clubs are spending £250,000 in my save, I can't even remember the last time somebody actually paid a fee, that record was set around fifteen years ago. To put it in perspective, it's probably the equivalent of four Premier League clubs in England playing a preseason tournament, with the winner getting £1 billion and the others half a billion for competing, that's how unbalancing it is.
Re: Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR
That's rubbish that is-clearly a glitch my friend. Maybe time to give up and start again with a new league and re-start a new story from that more 'passionate' perspective? Just saying lol
Re: Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR
Yeah, it's an error, I've already reported it to SI and it will be fixed in the next patch, no good to me for this however. Just holidayed to the end of the season and I still get laughed off by the lowest level clubs, looks like this is dead unfortunately. I'll start another one in the next few weeks.
Re: Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR
Sorry to hear that it is dead. Very annoying bug with the prize money, and from the sounds of it, the job applications on the other side of the Irish sea seem a bit off as well.
Re: Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR
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Originally Posted by johnhughthom
) I'm holidaying to the start of next season to see if the Irish leagues being unavailable will make any difference. Annoyingly I was linked with jobs in top division clubs in Northern Ireland while testing.
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