Career Cockers attempts It's A Long Way To The Top 2019

[Cockers2505]

Well it had to happen, I had to do something that would keep me interested, tried a few Tactics with Oldham, then thought, yes ok I have something that works, not brilliant, but room for improvement.

I wasn't going to post this until I could see if I was ready to present it, but as you will read there is a big question I need answering before I continue

So here we are, and thanks to @Scratch for his wisdom on creating this Challenge that will keep me entertained for a few seasons. Link below as always

So the normal settings was chosen as the rules stated

I have started with my Reputation as Unknown, and I am unemployed

Let the Challenge begin, what club wants me??? 

So I have now passed all my examinations to start to look for a club

The Job Centre

The same teams as others (I guess) are ready to choose a manger, obviously I go for them all, but who is the lucky team on my new adventure in Management???

Let me Introduce my New Team

EASTLEIGH of the Vanarama North

Eastleigh F.C.

Eastleigh Football Club is a semi-professional association football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire, England. The club currently competes in the National League, the fifth tier of English football, and plays its home matches at Ten Acres.

The club was formed on 22 May 1946 by Derik Brooks and a group of friends in the Fleming Arms public house in Swaythling, Southampton and originally known as Swaythling Athletic, which then changed to Swaythling. The club began playing home matches firstly on Southampton Common and then at ‘Westfield’ in Swaythling. In 1950 they joined the Hampshire League. In keeping with their early progress, the club moved to a new ground at Ten Acres in 1957 – which remains their home to this day. In 1980 the club were renamed Eastleigh. Eastleigh were consistently one of the stronger teams in the top tier of the Hampshire League, Division One, in the early 1980s and they achieved their highest final position of 4th (three times: in 1982, 1984 and 1985.)

Transfers

In

Out

So Season 1 kicked off and I began the New FMM 19 in the lower Divisions

As the season went by, I had my up and downs, then my first managerial award was presented to me

Wow, this looks all official, the Manager of the Month

What happened next will surprise me to no end, and have I done something wrong, is the game broken or have I cheated in any way (which those who know me will know this is something I just don't do)

I was 20 games in when there was a few Managers sacked, and I thought 'Oh well they can only say NO'

But...

Lincoln in the Sky Bet League Two decided to take a chance on me, even though my managerial career was only 20 games in, what did I do to deserve this I ask myself??

SO this is how I left Eastleigh, 20 games, 11 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses, leaving them in 4th Place

SO here I am with Lincoln, have a broke anything, please if anybody knows of something I may of done to jeopardise this save then speak up now and I'll stop straight away?

And Where are they and how are they doing

Top of the League and doing reasonably well, so again I ask what has happened, is this broken?

Please add comments if this is not legitimate in anyway, or have  just been lucky, @Scratch happy for your comments

 

 

 

 

[Scratch]

Looks good to me mate. I can't see that you've done anything wrong. You can change club and if you apply and they accept you, great! So well done!

I went straight to Macclesfield, so it seems the game is a little more forgiving for unknown managers this year. I tested this out last year and the best I could get was VNL. This year it seems L2 is in range.

Anyway great to see you doing this. Good luck!

[chewkaiwen]

Wow, what a start! You are giving me a run for my money here 😮 

All the best mate!

[Cockers2505]

2 hours ago, Scratch said:

Looks good to me mate. I can't see that you've done anything wrong. You can change club and if you apply and they accept you, great! So well done!

I went straight to Macclesfield, so it seems the game is a little more forgiving for unknown managers this year. I tested this out last year and the best I could get was VNL. This year it seems L2 is in range.

Anyway great to see you doing this. Good luck!

Thanks @Scratch at least I know I can continue without the thought I'd done something wrong accidentally

2 hours ago, chewkaiwen said:

Wow, what a start! You are giving me a run for my money here 😮 

All the best mate!

Cheers mate, I guess just luck of the draw I guess, first season and I'm already looking at Div 1

[Cockers2505]

Season 1 comes to an end, and it has been a strange one taking over Lincoln after only 20 games in charge of Eastleigh

So how did I do and how did it end

My cup run was ok in the FA Cup

First Giant Killing of my career so far

My first award in the 2nd Division

The season went from strength to strength, all I had to do was keep the side winning and I should get promotion to League 1

Then the news came in, I was guaranteed a Play Off place

Could I turn this into something better, a guarenteed promotion would be better, well

I know I was up at the top when taking over, but I still got the results throughout the season to clinch second place, and my Managerial Career guides me to the 1st Division within the second season, can't be bad.

Final League Standings 

So apart from the 20 games, I still won another 11 and drew another 9. I lost 6 games throughput the rest of the 26 games.

The Goals tally was good though, scoring an impressive 56 goals

End Of Season 1 Stats

Goals

Akinde takes the top with 33 goals for the season

Assists

On loan Mensah helps the team by creating 13 assists, with Bostwick not far behind with 11

Transfers (including those already made)

The Loan player was to bolster my Midfield as this was really lacking in talent, plus there was a few oldies that had to go

Spoiler

In

Out

Final Awards for Season 1

League 2 Top Goalscorer

John Akinde wins the league 2 Top Goalscorer award with 27 League goals

League 2 Player of the Year Award 2018/19

John Akinde also wins the Player of the Year award 👏

Well thats season 1 over, and I look forward to taking Lincoln into Division 1 in my second season

Thanks for reading, and as always happy for your comments or questions

Edited November 4, 2018 by Cockers2505

[Scratch]

Great job mate! Are you still unknown? Or has the promotion give you boost to Obscure? Or Local? 

Anyway, great stuff! League 1 already!

[BatiGoal]

This must be a super duper fun challenge for everyone attempting this at the same time 😂 

Goodluck! 

[Cockers2505]

2 minutes ago, Scratch said:

Great job mate! Are you still unknown? Or has the promotion give you boost to Obscure? Or Local? 

Anyway, great stuff! League 1 already!

Thanks mate, I am now Obscure? is that good or bad? Anyway, I'm doing ok with Lincoln, surprised myself how I'm getting on, Update will tell all later

2 minutes ago, BatiGoal said:

This must be a super duper fun challenge for everyone attempting this at the same time 😂 

Goodluck! 

It is mate, actually it's one of those let's see what happens, where as when you jump straight into the big leagues, PSG, Real Madrid, City, Arsenal etc, you get bored after a few seasons of winning everything, with this you simply have to try harder to get up there, and see what happens, it's like climbing a mountain, we can all do it, the question is who will get there first!!

[Scratch]

1 minute ago, Cockers2505 said:

Thanks mate, I am now Obscure? is that good or bad? Anyway, I'm doing ok with Lincoln, surprised myself how I'm getting on, Update will tell all later

Well it's gotta be better than Unknown! Not sure if it's better than Local or not. Either way you're going in the right direction.

 

2 minutes ago, Cockers2505 said:

with this you simply have to try harder to get up there, and see what happens, it's like climbing a mountain, we can all do it, the question is who will get there first!!

Yeah, it's a bit like snakes and ladders. Are you best to build a club up? Or jump at the opportunities above. Gotta time them right. 

[Cockers2505]

1 minute ago, Scratch said:

Well it's gotta be better than Unknown! Not sure if it's better than Local or not. Either way you're going in the right direction.

 

Yeah, it's a bit like snakes and ladders. Are you best to build a club up? Or jump at the opportunities above. Gotta time them right. 

I think this will be like the Strikerless challenge or the Slab head brothers, once there is a couple of scores, everyone will jump on the bandwagon, well done for creating this, it's been good so far and I'm only on Season 2

[Scratch]

1 minute ago, Cockers2505 said:

I think this will be like the Strikerless challenge or the Slab head brothers, once there is a couple of scores, everyone will jump on the bandwagon, well done for creating this, it's been good so far and I'm only on Season 2

Thanks mate. I actually created it because I'd been tied up in a one club challenge for sooooo long, where everything was optimised and losses were rare. This one takes you to the other end of the table and also gives you the chance to jump around a bit, both of which I find fun (especially after a 1KC). 

[Cockers2505]

2 minutes ago, Scratch said:

Thanks mate. I actually created it because I'd been tied up in a one club challenge for sooooo long, where everything was optimised and losses were rare. This one takes you to the other end of the table and also gives you the chance to jump around a bit, both of which I find fun (especially after a 1KC). 

I must admit the only thing I don't like, is the Training aspect, I think it's a tad over zealous for a mobile game, I just want to say, he needs Fitness, he needs speed etc etc, but this is a liiiiiitle over the top for me, bu tI'm sure there are many who love it, just not me

[Scratch]

23 minutes ago, Cockers2505 said:

I must admit the only thing I don't like, is the Training aspect, I think it's a tad over zealous for a mobile game, I just want to say, he needs Fitness, he needs speed etc etc, but this is a liiiiiitle over the top for me, bu tI'm sure there are many who love it, just not me

Yeah, took me a while to set up and I haven't gone back in there much. I like some parts of it a lot (like setting a focus on an attribute) but it does feel a little heavy. So I'm in the middle camp. I do think I like it more than the previous one, but a little too much work maybe.

[Cockers2505]

Season 2 of this really really interesting Challenge set by @Scratch

I missed out a screenshot earlier to show my Managerial Development to show the First Season

My first season as shown above got me to Lincoln from Eastleigh after 20 games, and then eventually winning promotion to Division 1 in the same season after finishing second in the League

So how did it go for my first full season in Sky Bet League One

Transfers

In

Notably Jack Rodwell to bring experience into the Midfield, and Ethan Ebanks-Landell to help make the Defence more solid with his strength and experience. An up and coming striker Luka Djordjevic came on a freebie from Zenit to bolster my attacking options

Spoiler

Out

No real losses here, needed to freshen up the team as I moved up a division, Neil Eardley, Club captain probably the main loss, but needed the funds

Spoiler

First Game 

A disastrous start, loosing my one of my CD's cost me, going down 0-2 at home, welcome to the League One

First Win

My first win in League one, sorry it had to be my Home Team of Oxford, oh well i'm off to a good start now

My Coaching qualification just got real

My first Four goals of the season, and at an away game

What is bizarre, this is a screenshot taken at the end of the game, but if you search the Fixtures, this is how it looks oddly?

So the season continued to get better and better, predictions was getting more positive throughout the season

Glory is in the offing?

But the Team Summary was somewhat different in it's suggestions

Spoiler

My Cup runs went ok, shocking a few on the way

Akinde was spectacular throughout, with injury to Luka Djordjevic, Akinde came up with all the right moves to help us in the League 

Couldn't ask for a more prolific player to keep banging them in for us

The FA Cup run ended with a thump at home to Nottingham Forest

We showed good character even having more chances, just couldn't put them away losing 0-2 eventually 

The Checkartrade Trophy followed suite not long after at home against Doncaster in the North Quarter Final

Enough chances, just not able to put them away again

My First Manager of the Month Award in Division 1

Doesn't it look good with my name on it!!

Corners, has anybody had the same amount of corners in one game!!

18 Corners in one game, this has to be a record!!!

Good news came through to the club, we was guaranteed a Play-off place

But we continued to play on, getting a few scares near the end, but then a win was needed in our last game to guarantee promotion, but the shock of the season was thatSunderland had lost their last game, meaning

Would anybody ever believe this, Lincoln not only getting promoted after one season in Division one, but actually clinching the League title, wow!!!!

Final League One Standings

I can't believe I got over a 100 Goals, the GA doesn't look pretty though, that needs to improve

Lincoln Team Stats

Goals

An impressive 45 Goals for Akinde, with Djordjevic getting 22 throughout his Injury ravished Season

John Akinde

Spoiler

An Impressive 45 goals in 45 games

 

Luka Djordjevic

Spoiler

Could of done so much more, but got to many injuries

Assists

Williams steps up as an attacking Left midfielder producing many of the assists, with Ward on the right helping himself to a few

Randell Williams - Excellent Freebie

Spoiler

Final Managerial Stats

My Reputation has gone to Regional, so hopefully I can possibly get a bigger team, or bring in better players as I step up another League

My Loyalty is at a all high LOW, but that's because I'm always applying for teams in the higher Divisions

I've just noticed, how come this says I've finished 3rd in the League when clearly I won the League and came 1st????

Final Achievement Unlocked

Don't know what it means, and I don't care, it looks good!!

Lastly, the Manager of the Year Award, whooppee

Thanks if your reading this, happy for comments as always

Edited November 5, 2018 by Cockers2505

[Dave994]

Great season, hopefully you'll get promoted again next season.

[Kanegan]

Great season mate. Way to go!!! Lincoln for Premier League!!!

[Cockers2505]

1 hour ago, Dave994 said:

Great season, hopefully you'll get promoted again next season.

Thanks Dave, I guess a Mid season finish is not to much to ask for, then either get the team to a point for promotion, or move to a bigger club

12 minutes ago, Kanegan said:

Great season mate. Way to go!!! Lincoln for Premier League!!!

I would like to think I could mate, I would need to improve the team in all areas, I think my budget is only a couple of Million, so lets see how I go, thanks mate

[Scratch]

Great work @Cockers2505! Setting down a marker for others to try to match here. In the Championship after only 2 years, great stuff. But then you are the Special One!

Can't wait to see your next update.

[fmhaberdeenfan]

Quality read so far mate 👍🏽

[Cockers2505]

On 05/11/2018 at 22:58, Scratch said:

Great work @Cockers2505! Setting down a marker for others to try to match here. In the Championship after only 2 years, great stuff. But then you are the Special One!

Can't wait to see your next update.

Cheers mate, need to keep it up so I can stay in front of you lol 

On 05/11/2018 at 23:04, fmhaberdeenfan said:

Quality read so far mate 👍🏽

Thanks mate, it is an interesting challenge to be truthful

UPDATE

Season 3

End of Season 2 ended like this:

Sky Bet League One

Akinde and Williams got into the Players Team of the Year for Sky Bet One 2019/20

Akinde also go the Sky Bet One Top Goalscorer with 39 Goals for the Season

The beginning of season 2 in the Championship already looked bleak

Team Report - Summary

How many Greens!!!! The High Energetic piece was the only saving grace, all the rest simply depressed me!

Season Expectations

I went for a safe bet of Mid-Table Finish, I guessed I could achieve this with the players I currently had

Job Centre

Do I look elsewhere or stick with where I am, there was some good looking choices in the Premiership and a few INT Jobs

Spoiler

No luck anyway, so Season 2 in the Championship with Lincoln it is

Transfers

IN

Andy King was a good buy to bring experience to the midfield 

Emiliano Martinez was a really guy GK to get, this was the main man to help me this season

Others are more for the future

Spoiler

OUT

These was more of a tidy up, get rid of some drab, and get a bit of money for the half decent to bolster my bank account

Spoiler

First Game - vs Sheff Utd Away

Well I have my first point in the Championship - whooppee

This then followed with a few good games later on:

2 games where I got 6 against the opposition, Forest Away and Bolton at home, this is a good omen

First Giant Killing in the Carabao Cup - vs Cardiff

Akinde is simply brilliant, he is getting on but he doesn't half get around

Manager Of The Month Award

This is one of many I'm sure this season hopefully

John Akindi

Nothing Special, but he certainly knows where the goal is

If only he was younger and this was the 1K Challenge, he might just do well

6 Goals in one game, this has to be a good start to FMM 19

First Season in the Championship and he has already exceeded my expectations scoring a remarkable 23 in 16 games

It's Early Days!!

Its early days I know, but this how I stand so far

No 1 after 19 games, scoring 54 goals

First Giant Killing in the FA Cup - vs West Brom

Another good win against one of the big guns from the Premiership, winning 3-0 against West Brom at home

So the season continued to go from strength to strength, my expectations was blown out of the water in the Month of April when this dropped into my In Tray

What!!!! this can't be correct, 1 season in the Championship and we have made the Play-offs, this must be dream come true for the Supports of Lincoln

Another game tops up our Gaol tally for the Season, have we outscored our biggest rivals in the League

Preston take a beating, eventually going down 6-0 to us with Akinde scoring ANOTHER hat-trick

Is this RIGHT, have we really... wait... you have to be joking right... nope, it's true...

PROMOTION

We have done it on the first ask, Promotion to the Premier, Lincoln City, is this real, or am I simply dreaming...

Not only was this something to celebrate, we had guaranteed promotion, but could it get any better, I mean we had Leeds hot on our tail, surely with the fixtures we had left we couldn't finish at the top, could we...

WINNERS - SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

So not only have we done the unthinkable, promotion, but we only went and finished TOP of the table with an impressive 90 Points

Final League Table - EFL Championship

114 Goals scored by LINCOLN, yep LINCOLN people, who TF is LINCOLN you ask, well they are the 2020/21 Championship Winners

THE PLAYER - John Akinde

I had to mention him again, can he last a season in the Premiership, take a bow son

Another season of goals from the 31 year old, 43 in 40 games in his first (and only) season in the Championship, having a tally of 121 goals in three seasons for us

Team Stats

GOALS

Akinde does it again, with young Brewster on Loan from Liverpool getting a tidy 15 goals 

Assists 

Both Andrade and Williams get 14 assists each, with Brewster impressing getting into double figures

Final Managerial Stats

No luck with the cups, but a big bonus winning the League

And Finally the Awards 2020/21

Manager of the Year 2020/21

What a season, winning Promotion and the Manager of the Year

Akinde gets Top Goalscorer for the second season running

Young Curtis Young, one for the future clinches the Young Player of the Year

Another Unlock, this time the Loans restrictions has been lifted

And I have achieved the Loyal Manager Unlock (surprised with all the times trying to leave lol)

Manager History

So 3 Season in and I've got myself in the Premiership

That's that, thanks and happy for comments as always 

 

 

[Joshholland12345]

What tactic you using?

[tigerseye6]

Very nice! I hope Akinde continuous to bang those in Premier League

[Kanegan]

Great job done mate. Can't wait to see your premier league exploits.

[Scratch]

Great work mate, fantastic stuff. Are you using your FMM18 tactics? They seem to be doing the trick in 19!! Can't believe you're still Regional after back to back promotions. Anyway, knock some heads in the Premier League next year.  

[BatiGoal]

Didn't expect things to go this well, amazing stuff. Now the big league.. you got this. 

[veerus]

At some point, those giant killers are just another day at the office for you.  I wonder if the game will ever figure that out before you leave.

[Cockers2505]

18 hours ago, tigerseye6 said:

Very nice! I hope Akinde continuous to bang those in Premier League

He is losing his Stats in the Premier so he might be a bit player, I will keep him though just out of respect

13 hours ago, Kanegan said:

Great job done mate. Can't wait to see your premier league exploits.

Thanks mate, the prem might kick me up the arse as I am struggling to bring top players in, but we will see

13 hours ago, Scratch said:

Great work mate, fantastic stuff. Are you using your FMM18 tactics? They seem to be doing the trick in 19!! Can't believe you're still Regional after back to back promotions. Anyway, knock some heads in the Premier League next year.  

Cheers Scratch, I'm not no, they kind of didn't work in the lower leagues, maybe as the team get better an stronger, I can revert, but currently I am using  simple 4-2-3-1 formation that seems to work, so as they say why change something that isn't broke

12 hours ago, BatiGoal said:

Didn't expect things to go this well, amazing stuff. Now the big league.. you got this. 

Cheers BatiGoal, I'm sure I will come down with a bump in the Prem, the team is a little light of talent currently, and I've yet to see what my transfer funds will be

11 hours ago, veerus said:

At some point, those giant killers are just another day at the office for you.  I wonder if the game will ever figure that out before you leave.

You are right Veerus, but will I get many of them, that is the question, hopefully I can put together a half decent team for the first season, survive relegation and then push on to improve, never know i could be the next Leicester City (If only) 

[Cockers2505]

UPDATE 

Season 4 - My first in the Premier League with LINCOLN City, but how did it go!!!!

Transfers

IN

New GK in Jonas Omlin

Patrick Roberts to booster my attacking option

Ian Bailey, I could not believe my luck getting this guy, to come to Lincoln!!!!

A couple of Loans including Kangin Lee and Patrick Cutrone 

Spoiler

OUT

Sold a few players to booster my Transfer Budget, I guess Jack Simpson was my only loss as a solid CD

Spoiler

How was the Club looking at the start

Team Report -Summary

My team summary scared me a little, 3 Green and the the rest RED, will I survive this!!

Spoiler

Season Expectations

I thought why not go for the Mid Table, they was expecting Relegation, I thought 'No way' I WILL keep them up!!

Club Finances

This is what a small club looks like in it's first season in the Premier League - £33.29M to spend, with a Max wage of £41K

My First Home & Away game in the Premier League

Home - Leeds Utd were the first to play me at Home

What a start, could this be a dream come true, could we win the League - (I can dream can't I)

Away - My first away game was against Southampton, would this be the start of our undoing

Another win under our belts, 6 point taken from the first 2 games, this is it, Lincoln for the Title 

The League Table

I had to show it, this will probably the ONLY time Lincoln will be at the TOP!!

A few more games to mention as our journey took some surprises (plenty of tumbles also)

Win against City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and a massive win against Crystal Palace 7-0

Spoiler

 

One game earned me another Award

As simple win against Huddersfield at home, but the next surprise was...

MASTER Manager achievement

100 Matches won, how nice

The Carabao Cup

This came to a shattering halt losing against Bolton 1-2 at home, not his year I'm afraid, but...

The FA Cup

Really, beating Chelsea 7-2 in a cup game and in front of the Home crowd, we are now getting ourselves on the Map, remember this team LINCOLN

Our Loanee from Milan was making all the headlines, Patrick Cutrone was simply brilliant for us

How many chances - FA Cup against Swansea 

Spoiler

23 shots, 10 on target and we score 1 goals!!!

The FA Cup comes to a grinding halt for this season

We did ourselves proud, reaching the Semi Final and out playing Liverpool, we was simply to Leaky at the back, this will show in the Final League table also

End of the Season - The premier league is a hard place to come, and especially with such a small club like Lincoln, but I could only give it my best shot and see how the story went, we was either going to fail dramatically, and get relegated straight back down, or could we surprise a few and do really well?

Final Table - English Premier Division 

We lost the last game against Brighton, and emphatically 2-7 which dropped us out of 7th place and a shot at the Euro's, but not to be tis season. My worst part of this was the GA, 78 goals leaked, not good in this division, a plus was the 83 goals scored, the best in the League, so there is room for improvement 

Team Stats

Average Ratings - Don't normally show this, but as it's my first in this division I thought I'd show you how the team rated

As expected, Bailey & Cutrone are up there, but the surprise for me has been Harry Toffolo, he has gone beyond expectations each season to be simply brilliant at the LB position

Goals

Sorry to say, but Akinde wasn't my main man, Cutrone and Reina took that responsibility, with Cutrone getting himself a good 35 goals, and at 24 years old he has a bright future ahead of himself

What an achievement, as I said Cutrone has a bright future ahead, maybe one for the iscout

Assists

Roberts and Bailey shoes the most, expected a few more to be truthful, but 16 and 14 are not to be ignored

What an achievement for myself, 1st season in the Premiership

English Premier Division - Manager of the Year 2022

Yep, managing a small club can bring you rewards, even though the season was brilliant

Players' Player of the Year

Ian Bailey

His assists exploits get's him the Player of the Year award

Players' Young Player of the Year

Carlos Reina

Not bad as a back-up striker to Cutrone

Players' Team of the Year

I can not believe I actually got 4 players into the Team of the Year, Reina (ST), Bailey (M RL), Tanganga (DC) and Segura (DC)

Manager History

So end of the first season, finished a respectful 8th, scoring 83 goal, but conceding 78, good run in the FA Cup reaching the Semi final, so all in all a pretty good season, I can only get better each Season from now on

Manager Profile

My Loyalty has gone up as I didn't try to look for another Team, my Reputation remains at Regional, but, today I'm in the Premiership with Lincoln, things are looking relatively good so far

Thanks as always for those reading, comments are appreciated

 

 

 

[BatiGoal]

You managed to build a pretty competitive squad there, big credit for that, despite the collection of reds 😂 

Really good first EPL run and epic results nonetheless. I have to say I'm starting to believe in this Lincoln side. 

[Cockers2505]

2 minutes ago, BatiGoal said:

You managed to build a pretty competitive squad there, big credit for that, despite the collection of reds 😂 

Really good first EPL run and epic results nonetheless. I have to say I'm starting to believe in this Lincoln side. 

Thanks Batigoal, I just need to improve in the Transfer market, but it's not as easy with such a small club, maybe my exploits will get me a bigger club offer, even though I would like to see Lincoln do well, but it won't get me the Challenge title if I do stay I guess?