Challenges The Entertainers Challenge

[kts365]

Background

Spoiler

Introduction

As a Newcastle fan I have decided to make a challenge close to my heart. In the 1991-1992 season Newcastle United were in a rut. Wallowing in the relegation zone of the second tier of English football there was a need for change.

John Hall could no longer sit and watch, so he and his partners made a takeover bid for control of the club. Once this succeeded they rather quickly replaced Ossie Ardiles with Kevin Keegan as caretaker manager until the end of the season. His mission? To avoid relegation. He motivated the team and together they succeeded at this task.

The following season (92/93) John Hall pumped some money into the club to allow Keegan to push on with the team. He and his back room staff made some inspired signings and this brought Newcastle an 11 game winning run which was only the beginning as they ran riot and won the league that year.

So now in the top flight (93/94) John Hall continued to make cash available for Keegan to bring in who he wanted, and Keegan spent well, he even brought in now club legend Peter Beardsley. All of this payed off and Newcastle finished 3rd in their first year back in the top flight with Keegan utilising a strategy of "score more goals than they do". This was a remarkable feat.

Onto the following season (94/95) and Keegan was forced to sell his prolific striker Andy Cole with Keith Gillespie coming the other way in a part exchange deal and Cole was replaced by Paul Kitson. Phillipe Albert was also brought in. This was a tougher season and the team finished 6th instead of the UEFA qualification they were looking for.

The 1995/96 season was a big one for Newcastle. They brought in Les Ferdinand and David Ginola in the summer which bolstered an already attacking side. They also bought Faustino Asprilla and David Batty in February. They were 12 points clear at the top at one point but managed to blow that lead and lose the title on the last game of the season.

Now into Keegans final season as manager of Newcastle (in his first spell at least). He decided to bring in a striker who had previously eluded him and brought in Alan shearer for a world record transfer fee. This had to be his year. Alas it was not to be as Keegan resigned after a run of 7 games without a win.

Newcastle did however go on to finish second in the league again.

So ends the era of Keegan's entertainers, who certainly lived up to their nickname.

Now to make a challenge based around this period of Newcastle history.

The Challenge

The basic concept of this challenge is to emulate and hopefully surpass Kevin Keegan's time as newcastle manager. I will split this challenge into seperate seasons with each having its own requirements for a pass. This challenge will begin from Keegans first full season and last until the end of the season which he resigned midway through.

Season 1

Keegan brought in some English players for the first team and got the team promoted.

Pass requirements.

1. Get promoted
2. Must buy an English striker in January and play him as a first teamer from then on when fit (Andy Cole).
3. Must play a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 variation (you may use wingers in the Aml/amr positions for a 4-4-2 but not for the 4-4-1-1)

Season 2

Keegan got the team a 3rd place finish.

Pass requirements.

1. Qualify for the champions league
2. Bring in an experienced (29+) English central attacking midfielder and play him as a first teamer whenever fit.
3. Must play a 4-4-1-1 with the new signing behind the striker you purchased in season 1.

Season 3

Keegan lost Cole and finished 6th

Pass requirements

1. Sell or demote your striker from seasons 1 and 2
2. Replace him with another English striker (Paul Kitson) and play him as your main striker
3. Sign a Belgian defender (Philippe Albert) and play him as a first teamer.
4. Finish in the top 6
5. Must still play 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 variant

Season 4

Keegan brought in Ferdinand and Ginola, finished 2nd in the league

Pass requirements.

1. Bring in a French winger/wide midfielder (Ginola) and new English striker(Les Ferdinand). Play them both as your first choices.
2. Purchase a south american striker/cam or rw (Asprilla) in January and an English midfielder (Batty) with at least 1 cap and play them as first choice.
3. Must play 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 variant
4. Finish in the top 2 in the league

Season 5

Keegan buys Shearer but resigns in January. Newcastle finish 2nd.

Pass requirements

1. Buy an English striker. This is the only player you may sign this season.
2. This striker must play every game he is fit for
3. Must play a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1 variant
4. Surpass Keegan. Win the league this year.

General rules

1. You must meet seasonal criteria or the challenge is failed.
2. You may sign any other players you like in seasons 1-4 as long as the stated players are started when fit (no cross next to their name and over 90% condition)
3. Must provide tactical information each season for 4-4-2/4-4-1-1
4. Must provide stats for players to probe they played most games (and info of very long term injuries if they didnt)
5. The stated players don't have to remain in the first team after the season they are purchased
6. No unlockables unless attained during the career
7. No cheating/reloading to avid big injuries/failure

 

Please feel free to ask any questions you like. I hope somebody takes on this challenge despite the list of requirements.

Edited November 21, 2016 by kts365
Advice from a fellow member

[UKFootballScore]

Looks like a decent little challenge mate tbh good job

[kts365]

1 minute ago, UKFootballScore said:

Looks like a decent little challenge mate tbh good job

Thank you. I will take it on after I do my Rinus Michel Challenge. 

[UKFootballScore]

Question, do you have to do it as Newcastle?

[kts365]

3 minutes ago, UKFootballScore said:

Question, do you have to do it as Newcastle?

The challenge was designed for Newcastle but it could be attempted with any second tier side in any country. Just replace the English players you are forced to buy with players of the nationality of the country you are playing in. French players for French league, Portuguese players for Portuguese league etc.

[Ashez]

Really nice challenge mate  

[Robbrown172]

A very detailed challenge with very specific requirements, but will be very rewarding if completed. Will definitely attempt this after the AC Milan/Dutch challenge.

Well done mate!

[kts365]

1 hour ago, Ashez said:

Really nice challenge mate  

 

1 hour ago, Robbrown172 said:

A very detailed challenge with very specific requirements, but will be very rewarding if completed. Will definitely attempt this after the AC Milan/Dutch challenge.

Well done mate!

Thanks guys. Hope you enjoy it if you do attempt it.