Career 500 goal midfielder

[OneTouch]

Introduction:

I find myself often bored of a career after a few seasons,  so I've decided to give myself a challenge.

I've selected this because my favorite players of the past have always been the goal scoring mids like Lampard and Gascoigne so I thought I'd set a lofty goal to emulate and surpass those legends. 

typical rules, one club,  no cheating,  must play as a midfielder. I've decided to allow myself to use an AMC, but no inside forwards. 

 The Team:

I've decided to play as West Ham for several reasons:

-First,  they are a decent team that has enough resources to get a quality mid but aren't too wealthy to make the challenge easy.

-Second,  they have Liverpool Legend Andy Carroll who can play with his back to goal and hopefully set up my midfielder.

-Third,  I've never played as them and thought they looked like an interesting.

The player:

I actually had a harder time than I thought getting a decent player,  but after missing out on my first choice,  I landed Otavio,  who has promise. 

Tactics:

After a bit of testing during friendlies I've decided the 4411 is the best, as I don't have enough confidence in my full backs to go for the 4231. Pressing and counter attack should help me to get Otavio high up the pitch and overlap with Andy Carroll up front. If I'm behind,  I'll probably go attacking with a short passing focus to get Otavio involved and maybe win some free kicks. 

 

The Squad:

A very aggressive first transfer window saw me sell Lanzini, Henry and Sakho because they weren't  going to get any playing time.

Ogbonna and Feghouli weren't showing interest in training so I sold them. I want to play as many games as possible,  so fitness is a must.  Riedewald was brought in to replace Ogbonna,  while Vida was brought in because Byram wasn't convincing at right back during friendlies.

Lafont I brought in to hopefully replace Adrian in a few years and serve as a far better back up than Darren Randolph. 

Several players aren't too happy about the sales,  but oh well, Hopefully they will see the method to my madness. 

I'm playing the EME after the winter update FYI. So no Payet, but Octavio will be on free kick duty anyway.

First season will be posted shortly,  then we shall see if this challenge is manageable or if I've finally gone insane. 

[OneTouch]

Also, I set up as an English manager foolishly,  so I likely won't be managing the Brazil national team. He is uncapped currently,  so let me know if you think his international goals should count towards the 500.

Thanks!

[Jack]

The only international goals that should count are the ones scored under your management, that's the rule for the other goal-related challenges. Personally I don't mind, but I'm not all that big on challenges and the people who are will probably expect this rule to be followed.

Challenge looks fun! Currently pushing for something similar with my Steven Gerrard regen. Good luck!

[OneTouch]

Yeah,  fair enough,  I'll try to go for the Brazil job,  but Id be surprised.  Based on the first few matches,  it should be plausible without international goals. we'll see if I'm up to it though... 

Thanks for the support! Good luck with your own challenge,  do Stevie G proud! 

[BatiGoal]

Looking forward to this. Otavio looks great. I'm sure I've come across his page during player shopping in the market several times in different careers but he missed the cut on all occasions. 

Hope to see him make the 500. Goodluck!

[OneTouch]

18 minutes ago, BatiGoal said:

Looking forward to this. Otavio looks great. I'm sure I've come across his page during player shopping in the market several times in different careers but he missed the cut on all occasions. 

Hope to see him make the 500. Goodluck!

Yeah,  I'd never played him before now.  I actually went into the save wanting to use Naby Keita who is also great,  but I couldn't afford him,  so I just searched for Mids with good pace,  decisions and creativity. 

He is working out quite well so far, for my first challenge it's going well. Thanks for the support! 

[OneTouch]

First halfish season results:

Very decent start.  Euro league qualifiers and group stage really helped with the stats. 

Otavio has scored a surprising number of goals from open play,  at least half have come from playing one twos with the striker. 

Notable Matches:

Terrible draw to start the efl cup,  and a very lucky result that kept us in the competition as I try to cram as many matches into the season as possible. 

 

 I'll take a goal for Otavio. Combination of my 17 year old goalie and my 20 year old bpd didn't work too well defensively.

Otavio double saves us against the defending champs. Excellent goals from a free kick and a solo goal one on one.

Another tough draw in the EFL cup,  and again we snatch a victory. 

Injury and Otavio with doubles.  Magnificent long range free kick for his second. Pardon my rather poorly time screen grab. 

I suppose it's good to be disappointed about drawing with Chelsea,  but that 35 yard Kante strike in the 93rd really hurt.

While Carroll has been struggling for fitness,  Calleri has really taken advantage of his opportunities. He's a good one for the future. 

Finally an efl  cup goal from Otavio. Calleri and Otavio are starting to really mesh together. 

Hard fought win,  as discipline and clean sheets have been struggles for the Hammers this year. 

Another scrappy game as we cannot hold onto the lead.  Otavio is starting to feel the effects of this very busy schedule.

The young attack partnership of Calleri and Otavio is a lone bright spot in a poor game for us. 

December was a difficult month for the team,  but an Otavio Brace gives hope to end the year. 

Goals by competition:

Euro: 9

EFL: 1

Prems: 13

Summary:

A successful start to the challenge as the young Otavio develops into The Star he is destined to become.  We even got a surprise early Christmas present.

After this season,  I'll likely only post one  shorter update per season,  but I'll start with this data dump just to kick things off. 

Thanks for reading! 

 

 

 

[Nick11]

Very nice start mate & otavio is  good choice ? 

Looking forward to see how he performs next season.

[Ashez]

Fantastic start mate

[OneTouch]

I fear the second half of this season has begun poorly,  as goals seem to elude us,  especially our man Otavio. Perhaps a tactics change is in order,  as games like this seem to become too common. 

I hope our young Brazilian rekindles his form soon. 

[Nick11]

24 shots & clearcut chances still no goal. Doesn't it feels annoying?

[OneTouch]

Infuriating,  it makes me wish I was playing with PSG or Juve.

But alas,  I wanted a challenge,  and I have one.  Otavio and I shall press on! 

[OneTouch]

Season 1 final results:

A torrid second half of the season saw us drop out of all three of the cups we were in.  The defense lost focus too often while our attack just couldn't find the back of the net like they had been.  

Liverpool Legend's season ender:

This is actually quite problematic, as Andy the Giant played well with his back to goal,  and provided assists for Otavio as well as win free kicks in dangerous areas. 

His back up,  Calleri, scored too much for himself.  A new target man looks like something we will have to invest in over the summer. 

 

All matches with Otavio goals:

If you're interested. Sorry about being slightly out of order,  but I can't be bothered to fix it, honestly. 

Spoiler

 

To cap it off:

Not terrible,  but enough to miss two matches against relegation contenders.

He recovered enough to play our last match of the season, the Seventh!  match against Man city (counting replays and second legs). 

Unfortunately;

A second contender for West Ham starlet decided to steal the show.  Silly striker thinking he should score goals.

 

Season Results:

Not the haul I was hoping for,  but 40 goals a season isn't out of reach for us,  which I find acceptable. 

 

T minus 467 goals

[BatiGoal]

33 goals for a mid is great. 40+ would be fantastic for an AM. I'll be impressed if you consitently get him to score 40+ gls throughout his career. KIU.

P.S. Liverpool Legend.. Carroll.. 

[OneTouch]

49 minutes ago, BatiGoal said:

33 goals for a mid is great. 40+ would be fantastic for an AM. I'll be impressed if you consitently get him to score 40+ gls throughout his career. KIU.

P.S. Liverpool Legend.. Carroll.. 

Yeah,  33 is good,  but not enough to hit 500. I'm convinced 40 is possible, especially if I can get a player who plays well with his back to goal. 

 

As far as Andy the Toon,  I'm honored to be at the same club as such a legend.  I just wish I could pair him with Balotelli.  

[mcandrew003]

Mate that's class, keep it up!

[OneTouch]

The unbeatable formation:

This game is driving me to drink.  4 (out of 5) missed penalties by Otavio this season,  countless missed CCCs and an obscene number of super keepers means this challenge is dead in the water right now.  

I haven't changed tactics, and yet in the first four months Otavio scored 23 goals.  In the subsequent 14 months,  he's score 25.