Career You Win or You Die

[Aaron55]

"You should have taken the realm for yourself. It was there for the taking. Jaime told me how you found him on the Iron Throne the day King's Landing fell, and made him yield it up. That was your moment. All you needed to do was climb those steps, and sit. Such a sad mistake."

"I have made more mistakes than you can possibly imagine," Ned said, "but that was not one of them". 

"Oh, but it was, my lord," Cersei insisted."When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die."

When you play the game of Football Manager Mobile, the consequences are, thankfully, not so extreme. But we can try and get as close to that as possible, can't we?

In this, my first career thread of FMM19, I will be attempting a Game of Thrones themed challenge, where I try to conquer the "Four Kingdoms" of the UK. 

The Lords of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will all bend the knee, as I travel throughout the lands, winning trophies in each country, taking my rightful place as His Grace, Aaron of House Vibe, First of His Name, King of the FMM Community and the First Men, Lord of the Four Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. 😉

Of course, it wouldn't be Game of Thrones without death and betrayal. Every time I lose a game in one of the required competitions listed below (aka a battle), I have to pick a player to lose (as if they had been captured, killed, deserted etc.). This player must have taken part in that game. Defeated in any cup final though (including those not listed below), and I must lose the player with the highest average rating over the season so far (with more than 10 appearances). This applies even if they did not play in the cup final. Fail to win a single trophy in a season, and my top goalscorer at the end of the season will be lost. 

These lost players must be demoted and sold as soon as possible/have their loan cancelled. Any money raised from these sales can't be used. (Releasing would be easier but seemed to cause a lot of morale and harmony problems in the squad in a test run, and could get expensive)

I must have possession of all three required trophies listed below in a country at the same time to conquer that kingdom, though they don't all have to be won in the same season. For example, I could win the Premier League and the FA Cup in season one, and then win the League Cup in season two while still holding the other trophies.

Free agents can not be signed outside transfer windows and youth players can only be promoted on recommendation.

Trophies Required

England: Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup

Scotland: Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, Betfred Cup

Wales: Welsh Premier League, JD Welsh Cup, Nathaniel MG Cup

Northern Ireland: Danske Bank Premiership, Irish Cup, Bet McLean Cup

All other competitions do not count in regards to player loss (aside from finals as mentioned earlier). If I qualify for Europe (not including a team already in a European competition when I join them) then this competition will count as well.

---

From my home on the Isle of Vibe, I set sail to conquer the first of four kingdoms. Northern Ireland will be up first. 

I will be using Crusaders as my first team. The club badge seemed appropriate! 

First update in the next day or two hopefully! 

[Nucleus]

Very interesting challenge, fantastically written too. All the best mate!

[Ashez]

I'm so freaking excited about this

[Aaron55]

9 minutes ago, Nucleus said:

Very interesting challenge, fantastically written too. All the best mate!

Thanks! 😃

4 minutes ago, Ashez said:

I'm so freaking excited about this

 

So am I 🤣

[kylieboi88]

Hahaha Love IT!

Cannot wait for the next update. Great into had me laughing out loud! 

[Aaron55]

Just now, kylieboi88 said:

Hahaha Love IT!

Cannot wait for the next update. Great into had me laughing out loud! 

Thanks! 😃

[BigAl]

Good luck mate 😁

 

[Kanegan]

Great challenge mate. Waiting eagerly for your first update. 

[Aaron55]

3 hours ago, BigAl said:

Good luck mate 😁

 

 

50 minutes ago, Kanegan said:

Great challenge mate. Waiting eagerly for your first update. 

Thank you both

[Aaron55]

Season One - Part One

After a trouble free journey across the sea, I reached Northern Ireland. Crusaders were convinced to fight with me in my attempt to conquer my first kingdom. I felt that the squad would need an upgrade before being able to do this, so eleven players left, while eleven players also joined up with the team.

Spoiler

The season started off with European qualifiers, which would not result in player losses. I was up against Rosenborg in the Champions League First Qualifying Round. 

Spoiler

,

A great result in the first leg, but after going in front in extra time, we conceded three goals in a nine minute spell in the second leg, meaning we had lost 7-5 on aggregate.

We dropped down to the Europa League Second Qualifying Round, and were drawn against Suduva from Lithuania. After a draw at home, a first half penalty in the away leg saw us exit this competition.  

A cup competition that could result in player loss was the Bet McLean League Cup. We joined in the second round, and were away to NIFL Championship side Dundela. 

Spoiler

A good day for Jordan Brown, scoring four times as we easily progress to the next round and a harder test against Glentoran, where two late goals would decide the game. 

Cliftonville were our opponents in the quarter final, where another late goal would play a major role in the game. A 94th minute equaliser took the game to extra time where the scores remained level and we headed for a penalty shootout...

 

We had suffered a defeat in a required competition, and so needed to lose a player that had taken part in the game. 

David Cushley was the casualty here, but he wasn't the first...

We haven't played any Irish Cup games yet, so on to the last competition that we can lose players in. The Danske Bank Premiership.

Spoiler

League Results

As you can see, we have lost three games so far, and so that means three lost players.

Heading into 2019, these results leave the league table quite tight at the top.

We have also played in other competitions not affecting player losses. 

Spoiler

County Antrim Shield 

A disappointing penalty shootout defeat in the first round.

IRN-BRU Cup

Lawrence Shankland carried his real life goal scoring form into this game, as we were knocked out in the second round, which was our first game.

Mid Ulster Cup

We are still in this competition thanks to a penalty shootout victory over a team from the Championship.

Steel and Sons Cup

Routine win in our first game.

Five first half goals send us into the next round.

What a game! Jordan Owens does just about enough to get us into the quarter final.

With striker Jordan Brown injured and Jordan Owens getting injured midway through the first half, it was left to experienced target man Rory Patterson to score the goals in a dramatic comeback victory.

We were a missed penalty away from reversing the 4-0 defeat we suffered to them in the league, but an earlier spot kick had wrapped up the game and we were into our first final. Which would be played on Christmas Day. Could we give ourselves a nice present?

Spoiler

Yes we could! A goal after just 22 seconds sending us on our way to victory! 

 

My manager record so far is not too bad.

That's the first half of the campaign over, next up is the January transfer window where I'll look to offload the lost players, and maybe try and bring some new blood into the team. 

And remember... 

Edited November 10, 2018 by Aaron55

[BatiGoal]

Lovvvvving this adventure... can't wait for more!! 

[Kanegan]

Nice going mate. Waiting for the next half.

[Ashez]

This is simply thrilling! Next update please

[URz]

Wonderfully twisted challenge. Loving it!

[Aaron55]

18 minutes ago, Ashez said:

This is simply thrilling! Next update please

Soon hopefully. But unfortunately... 

[Aaron55]

3 hours ago, BatiGoal said:

Lovvvvving this adventure... can't wait for more!! 

 

3 hours ago, Kanegan said:

Nice going mate. Waiting for the next half.

 

2 minutes ago, URz said:

Wonderfully twisted challenge. Loving it!

Thank you! 

[Nucleus]

I haven’t got a clue what’s going on. But this is awesome! 😛

[Aaron55]

6 minutes ago, Nucleus said:

I haven’t got a clue what’s going on. But this is awesome! 😛

Hahaha thanks! I hope people can follow it okay 😂

[Nucleus]

Just now, Aaron55 said:

Hahaha thanks! I hope people can follow it okay 😂

Just kidding, I’m following 😛

[Aaron55]

4 minutes ago, Nucleus said:

Just kidding, I’m following 😛

Just needed to make sure lol

[Jack]

Great challenge! KIU!

[Aaron55]

6 hours ago, Jack said:

Great challenge! KIU!

Thanks! 😃

[Ashez]

6 hours ago, Aaron55 said:

Thanks! 😃

Unfair bump!!!! I expected an update!! 😂😂😂😂😂

Na, only teasing.....Kind of 😛

[Aaron55]

2 hours ago, Ashez said:

Unfair bump!!!! I expected an update!! 😂😂😂😂😂

Na, only teasing.....Kind of 😛

Found a GIF of @Ashez waiting for the next update... 😉😂

[Aaron55]

Season One - Part Two

At the end of the last update I mentioned about offloading lost players and bringing new blood in, so let's start off with our January transfer window business (No screenshot sorry). 

IN: Liam Burt, Anthony Cook, Lawrie Wilson, Cohen Bramall, Martin Paterson

OUT: Jordan Owens, Rory Patterson, Mark McChrystal, Declan Caddel, Michael Carvill, Jordan Forsythe, David Cushley, Paul Heatley. 

The last four names on the out list were lost players and were sold for £0. Jordan Owens had been scoring regularly when played, but a £40k bid from Raith Rovers was accepted, and helped fund a £45k move for young Rangers attacking midfielder Liam Burt. Right back Lawrie Wilson, winger Anthony Cook (£3k), and striker Martin Paterson were bought in for cover, while left back Cohen Bramall came in to challenge for a starting slot. 

Onto the games played now. Let's start with the cup competitions. 

Spoiler

Mid Ulster Cup 

A very poor result, thankfully no consequences in this competition. 

Irish Cup

This is the one that matters! 

Our first game was a fifth round tie at home to Linfield, with two first half goals seeing us through to the next round. 

Carrick away was up next, a game we were favourites for resulting in a comfortable two goal victory. 

For them. 

Not what we wanted! Losing this game resulted in the loss of one of our players. 

Next up, we'll take a look at how the league campaign went, which if you can remember was quite tight at the time of the last update! 

Spoiler

League Results 

Three losses resulting in three lost players. 

The most important part though. How did these results leave the table looking like? 

Spoiler

It left us looking like champions! That 4-0 win over Cliftonville almost guaranteed us the title. Winning the league title was great, but failing to win the Bet McLean League Cup or Irish Cup means if we are to conquer Northern Ireland next season, we'll need to win the treble. 

 

Player Stats/Manager Record

Spoiler

Brown, Redmond and Clarke made up the top three for both goals and assists, while Liam Burt also made an impact in his 15 appearances. 

Meanwhile, my record is okay but I definitely hope to improve on it. 

Season two will be up next, which will see another big change in the playing squad. Whether this change will help us or not is yet to be known.

But one thing that is known is that when you play the game of thrones, you win, or you die. 

Edited November 14, 2018 by Aaron55

[Ashez]

Massive congrats on the titles mate, that can't be easy when you're constantly losj g players, well done mate!

[BatiGoal]

When losing games equals losing players every game is a final. That brings a whole lot more excitement to every match. And the updates. 

Congrats on the title. 

[Kanegan]

Great job on winning the title.KIU

[Aaron55]

5 hours ago, Ashez said:

Massive congrats on the titles mate, that can't be easy when you're constantly losj g players, well done mate!

Quite a lot of my players then and now needed release clauses in their contract, so that's another thing I need to worry about haha, been lucky with it so far. 

4 hours ago, BatiGoal said:

When losing games equals losing players every game is a final. That brings a whole lot more excitement to every match. And the updates. 

Congrats on the title. 

Whenever I lose a goal first, I have to stop myself switching straight to overload haha

Thanks! 

2 hours ago, Kanegan said:

Great job on winning the title.KIU

Thanks! 

[Ashez]

3 hours ago, Aaron55 said:

Quite a lot of my players then and now needed release clauses in their contract, so that's another thing I need to worry about haha, been lucky with it so far. 

Your players can be turned 😮