shannon2007

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by maollelujah:
I was going to emulate you guys at Swansea, but But I've only got about 5 players in the past few seasons and none of them command a place in the U19s let alone the first team.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah mibbe you don't have a decent academy? Note that I did mention at the very start I had taken the liberty of upgrading the youth facilities. If you look back at players though as they come through, few looked stunningly brilliant tbh, but in playing them they seem to have improved, and I also wonder what part your coaching staff have.

I should also say that I have looked at my squad with CM scout, just to see what was what, and without wishing to spoil the 'mystique', I have one player with a PA above 150 (and thats 155) and the vast majority are 130 and below. So they're decent players, but not world class. I think you just have to take the risk, if a guy has decent key attributes, and hope the rest improve. Its certainly worth it in the long run, as I have to say this is the most enjoyable game of CM I've played since the Jason Young days

shannon2007

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by glamdring:
I've just started a new game with Hibs and Aberdeen (I like to manage two teams for added spice sometimes!) and decided to give every team in the SPL and Div 1 a youth academy to be fair I always try to use the youth when I manage Hibs, but have never made it the foreground aim quite like this <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oops, you better hope your fellow LLama's don't read this :p

retired_marcias

Well, I always have lots of games on the go - some LLM, some not - I personally have no problem switching between ethics in different games :p

shannon2007

The Billy Buchanan Diaries - 26

Although not mathematically won, it was fair to say that our lead at the top of the SPL was such that it would take a spectacular collapse for us to lose it now. There were one or two dissapointing results, a 1-0 loss at Pittodrie, and a 2-1 defeat at Dens Park. The most dissapointing league result game as we ended up on the wrong side of a 4-2 scoreline at home to Rangers, our first home league defeat in over three years. Yet these were but blips, as we secured a 5th successive SPL title with ease, ending some 32 points clear.

In the Scottish Cup, the one we had missed out on last season, we started off with a 2-1 win over Rangers, and so at least one half of the Old Firm wouldn't make it to this years final. The 4th round saw easily overcome St Mirren away, by four goals to nil and in the Quarter Final, Ayr United couldn't hope to match us, and we eased through 4-1 as we sought to regain the cup.

The Semis Finals were an all northern-eastern affair as Dundee took on League Cup winners Aberdeen, and we would face St Johnstone. The Perth side battled well enough, but goals from McMillan and Ferguson saw us through to a Hampden date with Aberdeen, who beat Dundee 3-1.

And so we arrived at Hampden to take on the League Cup winners, a side though who had only finished 8th in the SPL. Yet they had beaten us this season, and most pundits were predicting that the Dons would lift the trophy for the first time since 1990. Of course we had other ideas, Paul O'Neill and David Barker sending us in two up at half time, and the match was effectively over. Scott Craig grabbed a late third, and the Scottish Cup was ours again.

In Europe though, which was our main target, there was to be huge dissapointment, which overshadowed our league and cup double. We had drawn Shaktar in the 2nd round, and a poor home performance saw us go down by a goal to nil, and we had the proverbial mountain to climb now. Twenty minutes into the second leg, Steven Murray sent us ahead on the night, levelling the tie on aggregate, and a minute from halftime, Declan Lawless added the second that we so desperately needed.

We should have been on easy street now, but careless play allowed the Ukrainians back into the tie five minutes after half time, and now we had a nervy last 40 minutes to get through. Of course, a third goal for us would probably kill the tie, and we created one or two chances to get it. But it never came, and as the match moved into injury time, so Shaktar came forward one last time, and Brovkin thundered home the goal that took Shaktar through, and saw us exit the Champions League. Our dreams were over for another season.....

shannon2007

Final SPL Table 2012

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Pos Inf Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts 1st C Forfar 38 29 5 4 90 25 +65 92 2nd Rangers 38 17 8 13 64 52 +12 59 3rd Hearts 38 16 11 11 58 49 +9 59 4th Dundee Utd 38 15 12 11 48 38 +10 57 5th Dundee 38 17 5 16 66 60 +6 56 6th St. Johnstone 38 13 16 9 55 42 +13 55 7th Motherwell 38 16 10 12 65 58 +7 58 8th Aberdeen 38 15 10 13 50 41 +9 55 9th Hibs 38 17 4 17 52 66 -14 55 10th Celtic 38 10 8 20 47 71 -24 38 11th Livingston 38 7 10 21 48 82 -34 31 12th R Ross County 38 3 7 28 26 85 -59 16 </pre>

retired_marcias

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR><pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Pos Inf Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts 12th R Ross County 38 3 7 28 26 85 -59 16 </pre><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

They need a new manager :p

Perth? North East? :p

retired_manpk1

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Peacemaker7:
as we secured a 5th successive SPL title with ease, ending some 32 points clear.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

But from the league table, you won it by 33 points.

Unlucky in Europe. Good luck for next season

shannon2007

32, 33 its all irrelevant really cos we lost to the cheat team

shannon2007

The Billy Buchanan Diaries - 27

Another summer passed, and we were able to get away from it all, and look forward to the new season. This would be a big season for me, as I finally got my Scotland career underway with the qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup. We have been drawn in a group with Cyprus, Faroes, Israel, Sweden and Ukraine, which we can certainly come through, but will be far from easy.

On the club front, a fresh batch of youths arrive from the academy to keep the squad fresh, and one or two of them look very promising indeed. We head into the season looking for our 6th successive domestic title, but there is no hiding the fact that our aim this season is to win the Champions League. I'm sure we have what it takes to give it a go.

Squad 2012-2013

Goalkeepers

Mark Williamson(21) (2 caps). Youth Academy 05. Quite a poor season by the standards he has set himself, and will have to be on his toes as the two keepers below him in the pecking order are knocking hard on that door. (52 apps, 39 conc, 26 clean sheets, 1 MoM, 6.62) (Overall: 196 apps, 119 conc, 110 clean sheets, 13 MoM, 7.02)

Jimmy Ross(20) ( 8 U-21 caps) Youth Academy 07. Didn’t manage any starts as Williamson managed to remain uninjured, but will surely push for a regular start soon. (Overall: 30 apps, 19 conc, 17 clean sheets, 4 MoM, 7.00)


David Shearer (18) Youth Academy 09. The highly promising youngster will be on the bench this season, as Jimmy Ross will turn out for the reserves. David is possibly potentially the best keeper at the club, but only time will tell if that is true.

Defence

Craig Campbell (24) (33 caps, 3 goals) Youth academy 04. Spent most of the season in the reserves, which seriously affected his Scotland place. Finally signed a new contract towards the end of the season, but will have a tough job regaining his place in the side. (16 apps, 1 goal, 1 assist, 7.00) (Overall: 261 apps, 7 goals, 27 assists, 3 MoM, 7.31)

Scott McKeown (18) Youth Academy 09. Came into the breach for Campbell and as predicted had a very good season, and will start as the No1 right back. (44 apps, 5 assists, 7.14)

Robert Hunter (23) (capped at u-21 level) Youth Academy 05 Again only managed two first team appearances, but seems to content to get paid for nothing. (2 apps, 6.50). (Overall: 49 apps, 3 assists, 6.73)

Paul O'Neill (22) (13 caps, 3 goals) Youth Academy 04. Continues to be the number one left back, penalty taker and dead ball expert. (44 apps, 10 goals, 10 assists, 1 MoM, 7.41) (overall: 253 apps, 44 goals, 41 assists, 8 MoM, 7.24)

David Barker(19) (10 Caps) Youth Academy 07. Is developing into an outstanding central defender, and will go on to big things, and gain many caps.. (44 apps, 4 goals, 5 assists, 7.32) (Overall: 211 apps, 14 goals, 22 assists, 4 MoM, 7.33)

Tony Murphy (18) Youth Academy 09. Another excellent season for Murphy, and he has to be at his best with Declan Lawless pushing hard to dislodge him. (36 apps, 2 goals, 7.28) (Overall:139 apps, 8 goals, 4 assists, 2 MoM, 7.08)

Declan Lawless (18) Youth Academy 09. Pushed his way into the first team, and looks to be a player with some potential. Will be hoping to dislodge Murphy, and form a partnership with Barker. It’s a good thing to have competition. (30 apps, 4 goals, 1 MoM, 7.20)

Pat Kenny (22) (2 U-21 caps) Youth Academy 06. With only 2 sub appearances, Pat is surely on his way out, and any offers will be accepted. (2 apps, 6.00) (Overall: 47 apps, 1 assists, 6.40)

Alan Kelly (24) Youth academy 04. Has failed to make much of an impact, and finds himself transfer listed. (5 apps, 6.00) (Overall: 18 apps, 1 assist, 6.39)

Steven Hamilton(21) Youth Academy 07. Only three sub appearances, another player who will probably be on the way out soon if the new batch of youth produce anything remotely decent. (3 apps, 7.00) (Overall: 20 apps, 6.60)

Alan Lynch(20) Youth Academy 07. Another player who finds himself on the transfer list. (2 apps, 6.00) (Overall: 14 apps, 6.71)

Midfield

Kevin McMillan (20) (14 caps, 2 goals) Youth Academy 07. Turning into a superb young winger. We have already had a bid of £1.5M from Milan hat we felt simply wasn’t high enough, but with Juve also now sniffing around, it wont be long until Kevin moves, and although it will be sad to see him go in one way, in other it will be fantastic to see him ply his skills in Serie A. (48 apps, 9 goals, 14 assists, 4 MoM, 7.69) (Overall: 195 apps, 26 goals, 68 assists, 15 MoM, 7.55)

Scott Adams (25) (12 caps, 1 goal) Youth academy 04. Another great season for Scot, in many ways his best yet. (46 apps, 7 goals, 24 assists, 2 MoM, 7.70). (Overall: 184 apps, 27 goals, 58 assists, 11 MoM, 7.52)

David Davidson (22) (2 caps) Youth academy 04. Perhaps hasn’t played as often as he would have liked, but is totally devoted to the club, and has declared that he would happily spend his whole career here.. (28 apps, 3 goals, 4 assists, 1 MoM 7.18) (Overall: 123 apps, 36 goals, 25 assists, 7 MoM, 7.33)

Peter Martin (23) (capped at U-21 level) Youth Academy 05. With his contract now unprotected, and refusing to sign a new one, if anyone comes in for Peter he can leave. (7 apps, 2 assists, 7.00) (Overall: 81 apps*, 5 goals*, 8 assists, 2 MoM, 7.12) (*Incudes 8 games and 2 goals on loan at St Mirren in 2007/08)

Ross Kelly (22) (Capped at u-21 level) Youth Academy 05. Despite being a fairly talented player, he remains as a squad player, although of course a very import one. (20 apps, 3 assists, 6.90) (Overall: 73 apps, 2 goals, 6 assts, 7.07)

Mark Parker (23) (capped at U-21 level) Youth Academy 06. Another player whose contract is unprotected, and he can leave cos he won’t be missed really. (5 apps, 6.80) (Overall: 82 apps, 4 goals, 7 assists, 5 MoM, 6.83) ( Dundalk record: 62 apps, 4 goals, 6 assists, 5 MoM, 6.79 2007-2009)

Mark Mitchell (20) (3 caps) Youth Academy 07. Contract is up at the end of the season, and if he doesn’t sign a new one soon, he’ll be playing in the reserves . (27 apps, 6 goals, 1 assist, 2 MoM, 7.48) (Overall: 134 apps, 30 goals, 11 assists, 10 MoM, 7.47)

John Foley (18) (6 U-21 caps, 2 goals) Youth Academy 09. The promising young winger is still waiting for one of the players above him in the pecking order to leave, so that he can command a regular place. (7 apps, 2 goals, 3 assists, 7.71) (overall: 37 apps, 5 goals, 10 assists, 1 MoM, 7.32


John Ross (18) Youth Academy 10. Finds himself on the fringes of the first team, with four appearances. Looks as if he could be an ok player. (4 apps, 1 goal, 1 MoM 7.50) (Overall: 7 apps, 2 goals, 2 assists, 1 MoM, 7.14)

Attackers

Alan MacDonald (23) (4 caps) Youth academy 04. Still revelling in his role through the middle, Alan just proves what a slight change of position can do for a player. (50 apps, 12 goals, 2 assists, 3 MoM, 7.26) (Overall: 261 apps, 85 goals, 46 assists, 17 MoM, 7.15)

Steven Murray(24) (17 caps, 9 goals) Youth academy 04. Voted the fans player of the year, Steven recorded his 2nd highest goals total with the club. Yet after 14 league matches, he had only found the net once. Its this anomaly that leave him short of being a truly great striker. He also becomes the first of my youths to reach the 300 game mark. (52 apps, 29 goals, 21 assists, 11 MoM, 7.88 ) (Overall: 341 apps, 171 goals, 111 assists, 63 MoM, 7.74)

Scott Craig (18) (1 cap, 1 goal) Youth Academy 09. The youngster had an explosive start to the season, before injury put him out for five months. Made it back for the cup final, and managed an impressive goals to games ratio. (19 apps, 15 goals, 8 assists, 7 MoM, 8.32) (Overall: 78 apps, 47 goals, 34 assists, 20 MoM, 8.03)


John Ferguson(23) (3 caps, 1 goal) Youth academy 04. His versatility saw John gain quite a decent run in the team. (34 apps, 13 goals, 8 assists, 3 MoM, 7.53) (Overall: 123 apps, 45 goals, 28 assists, 9 MoM, 7.39)

Andy Fraser (20) Youth Academy 09. Only managed 5 appearances, a player on the fringes who can go either way. (5 apps, 2 goals, 7.00)

John Morrison (23) Youth Academy 05. Made no appearances last season at all, and finds himself transfer listed. (Overall: 11 apps, 1 goal, 6.55)

Under 19 Squad

Goalkeepers


Peter Kelly (15) Youth Academy 12.


.Defence

Mark Gray (18) Youth Academy 09.

Andy Duncan (18) Youth Academy 09.

Kevin Fraser (18) Youth Academy 09.

Peter Kelly (14) Youth Academy 12.

Gary Cronin (15) Youth Academy 12.

Alex Lynch (15) Youth Academy 12.

David MacKenzie (16) Youth Academy 12.

David Davidson (14) Youth Academy 12.


Graham Wilson (15) Youth Academy 12.


Midfield

Craig Cameron (18) Youth Academy 09.


Gordon Paterson (18) Youth Academy 09.


Steven Cameron (18) Youth Academy 09.

David Rae (17) Youth Academy 10.

Craig Strain (14) Youth Academy 12.


Mark McDonald (15) Youth Academy 12.

Attackers

Stuart Murphy (16) Youth Academy 10 Despite gaining a few more first team appearances, Stuart is back in the u19’s as we don’t want to push him too much. (11 apps, 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 MoM 6.91) (Overall: 16 apps, 2 goals, 1 assist, 1 MoM, 6.94)


Paul Ferguson (18) Youth Academy 10.


Paul Gibson (16) Youth Academy 12.

John Davidson (16) Youth Academy 12.


John Young (15) Youth Academy 12.

Craig Cowie (15) Youth Academy 12.

Graham Wilson (17) Youth Academy 12.

Player Who Have Gone To Other Clubs

Scott Gibson (21) ( 1 cap) Youth Academy 06. Only managed 6 appearances for Hertha, but scored four times. (Overall: 118 apps, 45 goals, 38 assists, 11 MoM, 7.61)

Kevin Smart (23) (capped at U-21 level) Youth Academy 06. Left during the season to join Abderdeen in a £250,000 deal, and became their regular keeper.


John Murray(23) Youth Academy 05. Made a £250,000 summer move to Aberdeen, where he joins Kevin Smart.

Youths who didn't make it


Scott Scott (17) Youth Academy 11. Failed to make the grade and has been released, and is without a club.

Gerry Walker (19) Youth Academy 09. Another player who has been released, and is without a club

Paul King (20) Youth Academy 09. Remains at Irvine Meadow.

Mark Rooney (22) Youth Academy 05. Released and still without a new club.

Alan Mitchell (21) Youth Academy 06. Remains at Threave Rovers.

Gary McMillan (22) Youth Academy 06. Still at Inverurie Loco Works
.
David Martin (21) Youth academy 07. Managed 11 appearances for Airdrie United last season.

Colin Gray (20) Youth academy 07. Still a fringe player at Derry City.

Paul Thompson (23) Youth Academy 05. Still at Bathgate Thistle, where he is a regular.

Brian Miller (22) Youth Academy 06. Still at Maryhill.

Andy Russell(20) Youth Academy 07. Still at Lossiemouth.

Kevin Scott (23) Youth academy 04. Still plugging away at Benburb.

Peter Breen (23) Youth Academy 05. Was a bit player at Derry City as they regained promotion.

David Black (22) Youth Academy 06. Still at Cambuslang.

John Kavanagh (22) Youth Academy 06. Still a Fraserburgh.

Gary Dunne (24) Youth academy 04. Still hasn’t found his way back into football yet refuses to give up hope.

John Byrne(25) Youth academy 04. Still plugging away at Pollock.

David O'Reilly (25) Youth academy 04. Still at Buckie Thistle.

Martin Aitken (22) Youth Academy 05. Still at Benburb.

Paul Johnston (23) Youth Academy 06. Is now at Wick Academy.

Coaching Staff

Manager : Billy Buchanan Career: 438 games, 258 wins, 107 draws, 73 defeats, 869 goals scored, 357 goals lost; 5 SPL titles; 3 SFA Cups; 2 League Cups; 1 SFL Division 1 title; 1 SFL Division 2 title; 1 SFL Challenge Cup (Incudes record with England & Scotland)

Assistant Manager Reserves: William McStay

Assistant Manager U-19’s: Khodadad Azizi

Goalkeeping Coaches: Phil Harrington; Malcolm Thompson

Defensive Coaches: Fred Davis, Michael Reiziger, Mariano Flores, Boudewijn Zenden, Rudiger Vollborn

Mid/Attacking Coaches: John Philiben, Mario Stanic, David Bowman, John Ritchie, Fran, Billy Kirkwood, Craig Burley, Augustine

[b]Youth Team Coaches[b]: Eamonn Bannon, John Brown, Steve Walford, Billy Davies

Physios: Brian McNeill; Alistair MacFie; Hugh Allan; Paul Greene; Jim Peacock; Don Hutchison; Henning Berg; Nuno Capucho; Winston Bogarde; Jerome Morel; Ryan Giggs

shannon2007

The Billy Buchanan Diaries - 28

With Rangers having revived themselves a bit last season, and ending 2nd, perhaps we could find ourselves with a bit of a challenge as we looked to win an incredible 6th successive SPL title. Then again, perhaps I was totally wrong in that assumption, as once again we reached the New Year unbeaten domestically, our only blemish being a 0-0 draw at home to Aberdeen on the 1st of September.

With 20 games having been played, just over the halfway stage, we had won 19 and drawn one, and had 58 points, exactly double that of 2nd placed Hearts. It seems the title race is already over, and with a place in the Semi Finals of the League Cup against Dundee booked, it might well be we are on course for the domestic treble.

We have had some pretty outstanding results in the last few years, but few could have matched the performance we put in against Bayern as we trounced them 6-0 in Germany on our way to once more reaching the last 16 of the Champions League. A 1-0 loss in Denmark to Copenhagen, and 1-1 home draw against Bayern ensured we would be far from overconfident, as we await a tough tie against legendary Portuguese side, Benfica.

On the Scotland front, the World Cup Qualifying got underway, and the press seemed rather put out when I named 17 current Forfar players in my squad to face Faroe's and Cyprus. But let's face it, we're so far ahead of the SPL, how on earth can we pick anyone else?

The Faroe's match in Torshavn was a bit edgy, as the home side simply put up a brick wall and asked us to break it down. After 16 minutes, Alan MacDonald did just that, and two minutes from halftime, Steven Murray added a second. We were cruising now and probably should have had more, but it took until the 90th minute before Scott Gibson added a 3rd. A nice easy start.

Cyprus became the first team to play us at Hampden under my charge, Steven Murray opening the scoring after 32 minutes. One minute after the break, Scott Craig made it 2-0, MacDonald added a third on the hour, and then a minute from time Craog made it four, and we had the six points everyone fully expected us to have.

The trip to the Ukraine should have been one of our hardest matches in the group. Until the Ukraine team was announced, and Andriy Shevchenko was playing....... in goal. Exactly why the Ukranians had no recognized goal keeper in their squad was a mystery, but after six minutes they were left realizing just why we have these specialist players as Adams and Craig had us two ahead and coasting. Another from Craig, plus goals from Barker and Murray sent us in a sensational five up at the break, but it took till three minutes from time before MacDonald finally added a 6th.

How They Played:

versus Faroes (away): David Shearer 7; Scott McKeown 8, Declan Lawless 7, David Barker 8, Paul O'Neill 8; Kevin McMillan 7, David Davidson 8, Scott Adams 10; Scott Craig 7, Alan MacDonald 8, Steven Murray 9 Subs: Scott Gibson (for Scott Craig 61) 8

versus Cyprus (home): David Shearer 7; Scott McKeown 7, Declan Lawless 7, David Barker 7, Paul O'Neill 7; Kevin McMillan 7, David Davidson 8, Scott Adams 8; Scott Craig 10, Alan MacDonald 7, Steven Murray 9 Subs: John Foley (for Kevin McMillan, 73) 7, Ross Kelly (for David Davidson, 73) 7, Craig Campbell (for Scott McKeown, 73) 7

versus Ukraine (away): David Shearer 7; Scott McKeown 7, Declan Lawless 7, David Barker 9, Paul O'Neill 8; Kevin McMillan 7, David Davidson 7, Scott Adams 9; Scott Craig 9, Alan MacDonald 8, Steven Murray 7 Subs: John Foley (for Kevin McMillan, 56) 7, Ross Kelly (for David Davidson, 56) 7, Tony Murphy (for Declan Lawless, 56) 7