retired_nanciep

Having abandoned Double Flower Football Club I wanted a non-UK team but in a league where there was room for promotion, or at least more jobs available. I had enjoyed the San Marino Challenge so it was off to Italy. Since I felt I had a feel for the town of Castel di Sangro from the book this seemed like a good place to start.
A squad that looks incredibly young but very determined. No chairman listed even though I set up the ARSE file, oh well, I think I know him pretty well from the book.
I think the biggest shock came when I started scouting, apparently there are no more free players, or my scout is too crap to find them. Everybody seems to cost at least 1,000 pounds and even though there is a lot of money 600,000 in the bank the transfer budget is zero and the board is complaining about the fact we are over our wage budget. Hmm, I'll make a request for more money. Turned down and apparently no way to give them an ultimatum. That's probably good as it would probably only get me into trouble.
Seven friendlies and the 4 cup matches scheduled on the books. I should certainly be able to sort out the squad with that many games, even though the players here don't seem to understand the difference between with and without the ball the way all the other players I've managed did. Maybe 11 games won't be long enough to sort that out.
_________
A few games later, no one seems to want to score, everyone seems to just like to pass the ball back and forth across the net, both ours and our opponents. Also, all of the defenders seem to think they should be playing at the mid way point on the pitch and not worry if half the other team is behind them. Maybe I'll get a few crucial offside calls.
__________________________
End of preseason and the cup competition leaves me shaking in my stylish Italian loafers at the thought of playing games which mean something. My players didn't complain about being asked to play the off-side trap and now I know why. They don't know what it means. About half of all the goals scored against us, and there were a lot, were from opposition players breaking the trap. It seems to be a very flimsy trap.
Davy

retired_nanciep

Eight games into the season and it is obvious to me, if not the players, that we have a competitive team (we are 5-2-1) but we are certainly not among the top three elite teams of the division. Poggibonsi, Florentia, and San Marino are topping the table and each has allowed about half as many goals as Castel di Sangro. The squad is incredibly young with no one at the back or in goal over 22 years old and they are leaking goals like crazy mainly by not playing in position. My best DC love to move forward and play in a MC position when we have the ball and is often seen running wildly back down the pitch to try to get into position when we lose the ball. He shows signs of real brilliance at times but those times are pretty rare.
I am very worried about the front line as well. Even though they are scoring well both are on loan from much better clubs so, of course, they can disappear in a split second.
Davy

KingsbayYHPE

Three things, DD:
1) I was certain I replied to this thread yesterday
2) KUTGW!! I like Italy, Serie C2. Had some good times there.
3) Maybe it's a Scottish and Poofland thing, but there's a box you may tick in the loan deal that doesn't allow the loanee to be recalled.

KingsbayYHPE

Hmmm, valid point. I'd look on it as "pointing out the obvious" rather than "tipping", though

retired_nanciep

Thanks for the information on the checkbox, but these loans were already in place when I was hired as manager. IS there a place that will show me now if they can be recalled?
Thanks,
Davy

KingsbayYHPE

That, I don't know. I'll check the next time I get a loanee.

KingsbayYHPE

Christalmighty!!!

retired_mdibrell

Step back lads Ian's about to blow.

Don't be filthy craig, he's not going to blow you!

KingsbayYHPE

DavyD. I had a look at the loanees contracts and, as far as I can see, you can't tell if there's a "no recall" clause.

retired_marnett

I'm managing Castel di Sangro. I totally agree with
DavyDavis, This is a young squad but a determined one. I've played some friendlies and a cup game and the 5 players that have impressed me so far is the keeper on loan from Roma, Hugh the 18 year old centre half (the only centre half in the squad!) , Pugh the left winger, Barney McGrew the midfielder and Cuthbert,the playmaker of my side.
Can anyone get anything out of Dibble? Despite decent attributes he's always offside, and he's expensive also at £2000 a week. Grubb scored a superb goal in my first cup game when we played really well to draw against a C1 side.
Just signed Trumpton (ex Inter,Napoli) on a free transfer, at £300 a week he's a bargain.
Me same also,i read the superb book and that is the reason why i'm managing Castel.

[This message was edited by iajafer on 11 April 2003 at 22:11.]