County League - Animo et Fide

---

@CO88LER5 wrote:
Results going as expected. It's going to be really hard to crack the bigger teams.

On an admin note, how do you get the heads to go on the pitch graphic?

---

I use createformation.com to make these. Sometimes it's not completely up to date, but you can find most players there.

---

@CO88LER5 wrote:
You have 10 clubs in this division that should be first in line to get out of it, so it'll be interesting to see how long it actually takes to get into that position yourself.

---

That's true. But whilst I probably won't be able to beat the Prem sides to a promotion, I do expect to push a little above the weight of this club to try and be among the next in line. 9th place now, and with a few wins I could already be in the playoffs this season. So I'm slowly closing in on expecting it in the next.

---

@CO88LER5 wrote:
As expected at this point, Stockport lose against the 'bigger' sides, but are doing well against the typical 'tier 4' sides.
You're probably going to finish as 'the best of the rest' in that regard.
Still, if you get some new players in during the January window, things might change...

---

I think you're right. I had hoped for more against Barnsley though, especially with 11 vs 10 for most of that game.

In regards to the January window, I have made the early move for a central/defensive midfielder in Elliot Watt. And I'm in need of a new goalkeeper too, with Hinchliffe departing, leaving Jordan Smith as my only keeper. Apart from that I don't expect to spend a lot (I also don't have a lot to spend), perhaps just filling a gap or two with all the players departing - almost every loan player plus the reserves, who made a transfer request during the fall.

---

@CO88LER5 wrote:
Still going well. A draw at last; I'm quite often the same in my careers.

---

Yes, now you mention it, I think you're quite right. But I think it's a new situation for me.

Hey bro! Been reading your stories for a while, just had to ask. I’m making a career mode spreadsheet to track scouted players, monthly stats, match results, transfers, trophies and more. For example, if you input the score of a match, the “Result” column shows win, draw or loss. When i’m done, should I update you with it and send it to you?

---

@CO88LER5 wrote:
Interesting loan signing; a bit of a conundrum, really; do you play "your" player, to help them develop, or someone else's? I can't see you being able to sign the loanee permanently next summer if you like him; they'll probably be unwilling to drop down so far. I've scouted a few kids from other clubs, and when you put them in the shortlist, they are all labelled as "unwilling to move".

Good first point against one of the big clubs; a sign of development indeed.

---

From a career mode point of view, I'm sure it would always be preferable to play your own player, aiding his development rather than a player owned by another club. But looking at it realistically, signing a player to League Two from Monaco or other top clubs might not be the most likely thing - unless it's a loan.

I do like being a club that bigger clubs want to loan a player to, if that makes sense. And so be it, if one of my own is overlooked from time to time. So far it's a shared duty between the two though. We'll see if it continues that way.

---

@17qp3m5jgvku wrote:

Hey bro! Been reading your stories for a while, just had to ask. I’m making a career mode spreadsheet to track scouted players, monthly stats, match results, transfers, trophies and more. For example, if you input the score of a match, the “Result” column shows win, draw or loss. When i’m done, should I update you with it and send it to you?

---

Yeah, thanks mate. You are welcome to send it to my inbox here, then I'll have a look at it.

@JustinCase0110
Good to see youngsters promoted, although he does look a bit older than 17!

---

@CO88LER5 wrote:

Good to see youngsters promoted, although he does look a bit older than 17!

---

Haha, when I look at 17 year olds today, I tend to agree with you. But I rocked that very same goatee at 17 myself, so I didn't pay it too much mind with this fellow 😃

Most of my academy players so far are 15 year olds with quite a way to go, before they're ready to step up.

This fellow is actually an 'exciting prospect', meaning that he has a potential above 86. Usually I like to provide regular game time to youngsters to avoid a drop in potential. But this time I think it  will be okay with a reserve role and subsequent drop in potential - otherwise I don't think I'll be able to afford him much longer.

Good result against West Ham, showing that the team is developing.  As a matter of interest, have you appointed many coaches?  I have done in the Colchester save (and have on the others, like Plymouth this year) and it does seem to improve the team quite well; a development of the game that EA seems to have coded quite well, for this version.

This Bailey chap seems to be taking his chance with both hands - I like it when that happens.

---

@CO88LER5 wrote:

Good result against West Ham, showing that the team is developing.  As a matter of interest, have you appointed many coaches?  I have done in the Colchester save (and have on the others, like Plymouth this year) and it does seem to improve the team quite well; a development of the game that EA seems to have coded quite well, for this version.

This Bailey chap seems to be taking his chance with both hands - I like it when that happens.

---

I've just appointed one coach for each line - GK, DEF, MID, ATT. I know there's probably something to gain from appointing more, but I don't have much to spend right now.

Besides, I'm also cautious developing players too much or too quickly. Some years ago I played with Brøndby, when the dynamic potential was just introduced. And a few of my younger players would have their potentials grow in crazy numbers, getting bought for €100m or something like that. One had even become so expensive that no team seemed able to approach him, ha.

So I think I prefer a slow development and probably won't sign any more coaches, even when I get my hands on more cash to spend.

Tough luck at Barnsley; taking the lead and then seeing Andy Cole's son hit a hat-trick.

I had him in one of my careers a long time ago, when he was a youngster.  I did wonder where he was, these days...

Good wins against Doncaster and the Orient, too.

It's measuring up to be quite a successful season, being amongst the expected "best of the rest" in a division with such big beasts in it.  Possibly might even get into the playoffs, which would be remarkable.

You even have a positive goal difference, which is more than United have managed so far this season...

---

@CO88LER5 wrote:

Tough luck at Barnsley; taking the lead and then seeing Andy Cole's son hit a hat-trick.

I had him in one of my careers a long time ago, when he was a youngster.  I did wonder where he was, these days...

Good wins against Doncaster and the Orient, too.

It's measuring up to be quite a successful season, being amongst the expected "best of the rest" in a division with such big beasts in it.  Possibly might even get into the playoffs, which would be remarkable.

You even have a positive goal difference, which is more than United have managed so far this season...

---

Haha, yes I thought there was some kind of poetic justice with that hattrick hero against my team being located so close to Manchester. Also didn't know anything about his whereabouts, before he shut me down there.

Successful season in deed, also still in the BSM Trophy and the FA Cup at this point.