[retired_sargent]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> The team has no depth in the centre of defence (partly due to injury) and on the left flank <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This, I think, rings a few bells for a few of us

[retired_priyaa_00]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Church:
This, I think, rings a few bells for a few of us <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just a Few of us, shouldn't that read all of us

[creative36]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bigpants:
Just a Few of us, shouldn't that read all of us <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Not at all. Were one of my centre-backs to get injured, the hole in the middle of my defence would be a very deep one indeed.

[retired_bethx]

End of Season 08/09

Zaragoza fell in the Quarter Final stages of both the Copa del Rey and the Champions League (to Man U).

League form improved and the league position improved to 3rd. However with six games left, and a seven point deficit on the leaders, the lure of Valencia was too much.

Valencia were in 6th place with a debt of £15M and two outstanding loans totalling £15M. Remarkably there is £22M available for transfers.

The team is littered with a bunch of aging Brazilian and Argentinian prima donnas with excellent stats for diving and simulation and minimum stats for rolling the sleeves up and putting the foot in.

The challenge will be to right the financial wrongs, whilst not reducing the overall quality of the team.

Valencia finished the season in 6th place. Time for a clear-out.

[retired_bethx]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> The team is littered with a bunch of aging Brazilian and Argentinian prima donnas with excellent stats for diving and simulation and minimum stats for rolling the sleeves up and putting the foot in.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Disclaimer: Although this apppears to be a sweeping generalisation, please note that it refers to the players I inherited, and not South American players in general .

[retired_insjat]

Going nicely so far, KUTGW! :thup:

Time to load up CM myself I think!

[retired_bethx]

Mid-Season 09/10

I am making a bit of a hash of sorting out the financial situation. The pre-season clear-out raised £82M of much needed cash, but left the first-team squad light on numbers. My, in hindsight, unfortunate response was to recruit £68M worth of talent. The wage bill was controlled, but the amount spent was too high. The result being that Valencia are now £20M in debt.

On the pitch things are progressing reasonably well, considering the majority of the first team have been recently introduced. The team sit a distant 2nd behind Real Madrid, but the maintenance of a 2 point/game average should prove adequate for Champions League qualification.

[retired_pmetzger1]

wahey

[retired_bethx]

End of Season 09/10

The season boiled down to three matches against Real Madrid:

The Cup Final was a close game, which Valencia edged 1-0 thanks to a second half penalty.

The UEFA Cup Final was dominated by Valencia but won (2-1) by Real Madrid in Silver Goal extra time.

Four days later Valencia had to pick themselves up for the final game of the league season at the Bernabau. Valencia (and me) were surprised to still be in contention for the league title, having used most matches for squad rotation to allow prioritisation on the cups. A two point deficit on Real meant that only a win would suffice. The match was a bit of a non-event with only three shots on target in a very even encounter. It took until the 83rd minute to break the deadlock when one of the Valencia midfielders popped up in the box to slot home the winner.

The club is now £28M in debt, and I fear the receivers are closing in. I am unwilling to sell any of the clubs stars, as they will be required for the Champions league next season. I am hoping the prize money and a reduced playing wage bill next season will do the trick.

On a brighter note Castellon are still in the First Division (15th place) and Zaragoza finished 3rd in the league and beat Bayern Munich to win the Champions League.

[retired_bethx]

Mid-Season 10/11

The recievers were called in when the debt hit £30M. This was a totally new experience for me, and I was impressed by their effectiveness. The debts were cleared in six months (all bar £3.5M), and the club is now on a firmer footing.

On the playing side the loss of the starting goalkeeper for (£1.8M) and playmaking midfielder (£17M to Real Madrid) may be having adverse effects if current form is taken into account. The injury list has been extensive in the opening part of the season, but the youngsters made a decent fist of it. Valencia are currently lying third, six points behind Real Madrid, with continued interest in the both domestic and European Cups (Prize Money welcome).