LLM Across the Atlantic

retired_brunette7854 · 08-21-2006, 08:57 PM

Having played LLM in Spain, England & Scotland (grudgingly) I went to Frank (some time ago actually) for a new challenge and he directed me to Querétaro of the Mexican First Division A. Started with the Mexican league activated with normal database and also activated the MLS to help give the game longevity (though I want to crack Mexico first).

retired_brunette7854 · 08-21-2006, 08:59 PM

Season One (2005-2006): Querétaro (Club de Fútbol Gallos Blancos)

I was informed on taking the job that both the board and fans expected promotion. Took over a relatively poor squad by the standards of the division but was given £2M transfer budget & a £18.5k wage budget to expand the squad. I also had a 40,000 all-seater stadium (!) to help balance the books...

It's LLM Jim, but not as we know it...

In the first half of the season (Open) having brought in 3 midfielders (all starters) I never left the top 6 but a couple of poor results towards the end meant I finished 5th. Ended up going out in the quarter-finals of the promotion play-offs despite an aggregate score of 3-3 with more away goals due to a seeding system (it's probably advisable to learn the rules of the competition before you enter).

The second half of the season (Closed) was a bit of a disaster; after winning the four of my first five games the team completely self-destructed (not helped by injuries, suspensions and me selling one of my key players having received an offer I couldn't refuse). Ended up finishing 16th - winning just one of my last 12.

Finances still in good shape though (and board satisfied with my performance giving me a new contract) so should improve next season if I can bring players in and get rid of some dead wood out of the squad.

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Final league position: 5th/16th
First Division: Toluca
Champions' Trophy: Toluca
Interliga: Tecos & Tigres
First Division A: Correcaminos

World Cup: Spain (England out to Brazil in the 2nd round... on penalties)

[nb: found out after the season ended that they got promoted (winning the closed section) IRL - obviously their manager's a better LLaMa than I am!]

retired_DinoSaadeh · 08-21-2006, 09:01 PM

R.T.F.F.H

retired_brunette7854 · 08-21-2006, 09:01 PM

Season Two (2006-2007): Querétaro (Club de Fútbol Gallos Blancos)

More reasonable expectations this time round as the board wanted a respectable league position. Brought in a few young players cheap and loaned a couple more to strengthen the first XI and squad. After losing the first two games things clicked tactically and the players gelled - put together a string of victories (including scoring 18 goals in four games at one stage) and jumped to the top of the table, sealing top seeding in the Open promotion playoffs with a 4-1 away win on the final day.

In the quarter-finals I dominated both legs, had hundreds of good chances and hit the woodwork twice but couldn't score (denied by their super-keeper time after time) and a defensive error in the 2nd leg gifted them their one chance, which they obviously took - lost 1-0 on aggregate.

Another shocking start to the Closed section of the season saw a four game run where I shipped 14 goals and scored one - seriously denting my goal difference. I did pick up a bit after that but never recaptured the form of earlier in the season. Finished in 12th, missing out on the playoffs after failing to beat Coyotes on the last day of the season.

Doing well financially having spent little this season (and an ave. attendance of over 35k helps as well) so it might be time to push the boat out a bit in terms of transfers.

At the end of the season my star RW (20 goals) won full-back, defensive & attacking midfielder awards (somehow) and one of my strikers won player of the season.

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Final league position: 1st/11th
First Division: Cruz Azul
Champions' Trophy: Cruz Azul
Interliga: Cruz Azul & Necaxa (not a bad season for Cruz Azul then)
First Division A: Coyotes

retired_mujerenforma · 08-21-2006, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaleyJaggie:
R.T.F.F.H

I have a feeling you may have been a tad premature!

retired_DinoSaadeh · 08-21-2006, 09:03 PM

oops did i come too soon?

retired_bcollier2005 · 08-21-2006, 09:03 PM

I think this might actually be a three season update ... but why the reference to Spain in the second post? Have I missed something?

retired_brunette7854 · 08-21-2006, 09:04 PM

Season Three (2007-2008): Querétaro (Club de Fútbol Gallos Blancos)

I'm either brave or just very stupid as I sold my two best players (both wingers, one a full Mexican international) at the end of the season - both had a year left on contracts that they weren't going to renew, so I cashed in to the tune of around £3.7M over 18 months.

This however, coupled with the release and retirement of squad players and return of loanees left me with a first team squad of 14 players and losing the scorers of over 50 of last season's goals. Brought in suitable replacements, most notably gambling on an underachieving Paraguayan striker.

And initially it seemed to have worked - the Paraguayan ST scored 8 in the first 6 as we rocketed to the top of the table. Unfortunately our collapse was just as epic; won 1 of the last 11 games due to a ridiculous injury list and a worrying run of red cards (3 in 2 games and 9 overall) meant most games I was missing 8 or 9 of my first-choice 14 and fielding a team with 4 17-year olds.

Still somehow managed to limp into the Open section playoffs despite a 13th placed finish but low on morale, condition and featuring my 4th choice ST (17) alone up front, my 3rd & 4th choice CBs & my reserve team LB (etc. etc.) as well as injured players I lost in the first round for the third successive time - despite a battling 3-3 draw in the 2nd leg where I had the chances to go through.

The Closed half of the season was eventful to say the least; after a consistent start where I won all my home games comfortably & lost all my away games easily the board finally grew dissatisfied and gave me my ultimatum in the next game. My players rallied around at the thought of losing me (the idiots) and I won 7 of my next 8 games keeping 8 clean sheets in the process.

Qualified for the playoffs comfortably and avenged previous playoff defeats by León and Correcaminos before losing to San Luis 4-3 (agg.) in the final - they didn't get promoted either. Frustrating place the Mexican league...

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Final league position: 13th/5th
First Division: Pumas
Champions' Trophy: América [MEX]
Interliga: Tigres & Atlas
First Division A: Lobos BUAP

[nb: this season's futile bravery award goes to one opposition keeper who saved one of my penalties & four subsequent rebounds before it was eventually put into the net]

retired_DinoSaadeh · 08-21-2006, 09:06 PM

Yes i'm afraid I came too soon. My Bad (sorry Church)

retired_yolanda · 08-21-2006, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RomfordPele:

[nb: this season's futile bravery award goes to one opposition keeper who saved one of my penalties & four subsequent rebounds before it was eventually put into the net]

KUTGSlumpingInClosingStage

LLM Across the Atlantic

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LLM Across the Atlantic