My search for a new central defender has given me 2 good new players, that are quite cheap and very important, quite flexible.
I am starting to see a pattern in my team that I need to correct. My system works very well but it demands a lot from the DMC and MC. They always get tired really fast and cannot finish in good shape.
So I am starting to think that apart from tweaking their training schedule, maybe what I need is to plan my changes for the second half. And to do that, I need to have players that can switch positions in the field.
So I hire flexible defenders, and we'll see if I can build a good late game strategy.
Elgin seem to be a tough team and I play at their home.
They just beat Livingstone, so they could perfectly do the same to me.
As I analyse the upcoming game, I realize that probably morale in Elgin is very high. They also have field advantage. So maybe I should be cautious and defend more. And maybe try to keep possession so I take less pressure. I choose to play a balanced cautious game, with my standard formation but less of an attacking spirit.
Elgin proves that I am still way away from understanding this game.
In minute 20 I score one of my favourite move goals, in a fast transition. Elgin seem weak and unmotivated, so I keep my tactic.
However, luck and bad coaching combine in a explosive mix.
My tactic is not very intelligent, because by not attacking, I am actually being defensive but not enough. So what I am trying to do is a lot of things at the same time, the result is a lot of nothing.
I am not holding well to the ball and I am not attacking fast. My wingers are not doing anything and I am not in a good defensive position. So, instead of winning my second game, before the half time, Elgin scores in a static play. Well, I can live with a tie away from home.
At half time I encourage the players and ask them to attack more. It seems the team suffers when my instructions are not clear and I want them to at least try to win this.
In minute 65, Elgin steal my ball in midfield, makes two good passes and gives the ball to the striker in the box. He's well covered, my two defenders are with him. So he loses the ball, that rebounds towards the goalie. He walks to the ball and stands near it without touching it, nor does the defender by his side.
So the striker walks up, takes the ball and shoots, hitting on the defender.
The ball rebounds on one post and rolls parallel to the goal line.
The referee calls the goal and my players morale goes down.
I lose 2-1, and I feel things are evolving in my team and I need to understand them. Specially, my luck.
I say good words to my team after the match and look at the others.
Montrose loses, East Stirlingshire wins thanks to a lucky penalty and Livingstone wins too.
I fall from 2nd to 4th, for the moment it's not a problem.
Ideally I want to be placed second or third at the end of February, with a maximum distance of 5 points behind the leader, whoever it is. I have planned to use my current resources to the fullest before the next transfer window opens, and then play a surprise card, because I have a secret...
As of now, I still have a margin of 250 euros in player wages, so I intend to spend all the winter looking for the ideal AMC and then paying through the nose for him. If it works and he does not get injured, I could win the league with a strong second leg.
At the end, after all this pain, the Queen will be the most beautiful.
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