Career Nucleus Attempts - The American Pie Challenge - October

[Nucleus]

It’s no secret that I’ve been severely hit by the FMM burnout lately. I’ve been neglecting the game, and most importantly I’ve been neglecting Vibe itself. I’m always thinking of the next long haul challenge that I’ll attempt, which in turn led me to try something a little different.

The American Pie Challenge was created by @Ashez and it looks like the perfect challenge to get me back into the swing of things. After reading @1759‘s fantastic attempt I felt like it was the next challenge on my to do list.

The Team

Any team goes in this challenge so I wanted it to be a little bit personal to the challenge at hand. Logic would say that I’m going to America, and one of the New York Clubs, considering the legendary Don McLean is a New Yorker. I’ve found a much better club and a much more personal touch. I’m heading to Stoke....

What on God’s green earth have Stoke got to do with Don McLean I hear you ask?

Well it’s simple Vibe, it’s a family connection. Don McLean’s great great nephew twice removed through marriage only to be put back in before being removed again is none other than Stoke City’s ugliest ever creation....

James McClean!!

A fitting way to honour the great Don McLean by using an immediate family member if I do say so myself.

Next Time:

American Trio player reveal, along with ins and outs and all pre season fixtures to boot!

Thats it for the opening post Vibe, I will be conducting monthly updates to drag this on as long as freaking possible! 😛

[samhardy]

1 hour ago, Nucleus said:

Thats it for the opening post Vibe, I will be conducting monthly updates to drag this on as long as freaking possible! 😛

That seems to be the tactic on vibe these days so I'm sure it'll work well here too

Looking forward to this.

[Nucleus]

9 minutes ago, samhardy said:

That seems to be the tactic on vibe these days so I'm sure it'll work well here too

Looking forward to this.

It’s the new Black Pearl 😛

At least I’m honest about it! 😂

Cheers

[Woody]

Good luck mate....shame you had to pick Stoke Shitty but still, all the best.

[FuddledFox]

1 hour ago, Nucleus said:

Thats it for the opening post Vibe, I will be conducting monthly updates to drag this on as long as freaking possible

Missing a trick mate.

Do an update per game and then it can go on for months and months.

[Ashez]

2 minutes ago, Foxy said:

Missing a trick mate.

Do an update per game and then it can go on for months and months.

Don't forget a quiz or rivalry to get those bonus comments 😛

Good luck Nucleus!

[Nucleus]

29 minutes ago, Woody said:

Good luck mate....shame you had to pick Stoke Shitty but still, all the best.

I’d debated Newcastle actually mate!!

But then I’d be conceding last minute equalisers constantly 😅

[Ian]

Great intro, looking forward to this now. Will be interesting to see which Americans you go for. 😀

[Woody]

1 hour ago, Nucleus said:

I’d debated Newcastle actually mate!!

But then I’d be conceding last minute equalisers constantly 😅

Woah...thats was a cheap shot 😆

[Nucleus]

Pre-Season: Players Reveal, Transfers and Fixtures

Afternoon Vibe, and welcome to the first update of my attempt at the American Pie Challenge. In this update I’ll be revealing which three American footballers will form the crust,filling and top of my American Pie.

Player One:

I decided to raid the second division of Germany for my first player, he cost me £2.8m and was in fact the cheapest of the three players. He has decent attributes, especially for the Championship. 15 Shooting with 15 Dribbling coupled with his 15 in Strength and Stamina makes him a mean customer and I fully expect him to be a prolific goalscorer at Championship level. Ladies and Gentlemen I give you Andrew Wooten.

Player Two:

This time I went up a league to the Bundesliga to find my next player, more precisely, Schalke. The youngest of the three Americans, this lad has potential and if you’ve got potential, you’re going to cost money. This is why Haji Wright is the most expensive signing of the three at a whopping £3.5m. He’s got decent pace, shooting and can head the ball well. He’ll do just fine!

Player Three:

The middle man, in age, price and on field positioning. This man is the brute. Or in FMM terms, the Target man. He’s got the ability to hear the ball, aggression, shooting, movement, strength and he’s got a decent amount of pace on him. At £3m he can become a superb footballer at this level so watch this space!

Full Transfer Activity:

As it’s a one season save I didn’t want to lose anyone that I may have some sort of use for. For that reason I decided not to let anyone leave the club during the transfer window, I didn’t even loan out any youngsters!

As for incoming transfers, I blew my budget on the three Americans and i was in fact happy with my team and how we would line up. Stoke have hands down got the best team in the Championship by a country mile with players such as Joe Allen, McClean and Diouf standing out.

Pre Season Fixtures:

We had four friendlies to look forward to, all at home, and all winnable matches. 

Friendly #1: vs Bournemouth

We opened pre season against Premier league side Bournemouth and despite having the majority of the ball and chances, we just couldn’t hit the target as often as I’d have liked, Tom Ince gave us an early lead but it was cancelled out in the 87th minute by Junior Stanislas after Sam Clucas was sent off for foul play

Friendly #2: vs Stevenage

We welcome Stevanage in our second outing of pre season, and this was in fact the match where our American trio made their debuts, and what a debut it was for two of them! Haji Wright nets a superb hatrick whilst Terrence Boyd closes the match with a towering header after Shawcross had been sent off for our second red card in as many matches. Something I’ll no doubt have to address.

Friendly #3: vs Watford

We welcome the Hornets in our third match, and despite the apparent different in quality we really should have taken this game. An Andrew Wooten missed penalty summed up our day as Deeney and Gray scored to give Watford the win.

Friendly #4: vs Lincoln

A match to let the big boys rest before the real stuff start. Diouf, Imbula and Allen score in a clinical 3-0 victory to send us into the real competitions on a high.

Fixture List:

Player Attributes:

 

Next Time: August

Six Championship matches to look forward too, along with a Carabao Cup second round tie against Aston Villa.

As always Vibe, thanks for reading. Any comments are also much appreciated

 

[Ian]

Nice player choices, hopefully this’ll help you get back into fmm again. Look forward to the season ahead!

[Ashez]

WWB look kinda good 😛

[Nucleus]

7 minutes ago, 1759 said:

Nice player choices, hopefully this’ll help you get back into fmm again. Look forward to the season ahead!

 I hope so too! Thanks mate 😁

4 minutes ago, Ashez said:

WWB look kinda good 😛

I love the value of the German leagues! Dirt cheap for what you get 😛

[Nucleus]

August

Here we go then. Our first month of this season should prove to be entertaining enough as we have 7 games to dive into, including a Carabao Cup match against Aston Villa.

Matchday One: Leeds United (A)

A tough match to kick things off as we visit Elland road to take on Leeds. It proved to be a drab affair as we struggled to take our chances, Terrence Boyd gave us the lead on 65 minutes but it was cancelled out by a Stuart Dallas equaliser for the home side. 1-1 the final score as we open our league campaign with a draw.

Matchday Two: Brentford (H)

Our first home match of the season was an entertaining one as we put Brentford to the sword by a score of 3-2. Haji Wright and Andrew Wooten were both on the scoresheet as we take the 3 points.

Matchday Three: Preston North End (A)

Wright wasted no time in this match as he opened the scoring in the first minute. A Boyd hatrick was to follow as we destroy the home side 5-1.

Matchday Four: Wigan Athletic (H)

We make it three on the bounce as Boyd nets again along with the superb James McClean either side of a Will Grigg equaliser. 2-1 it finishes as we lose Mame Diouf to injury.

Matchday Five: Hull City (H)

Once again we waste no time in taking the lead. Verlinden this time netting in the opening minute and a Haji Wright brave was to follow as we comfortably win 3-0.

Carabao Cup Second Round: Aston Villa (H)

A sell out crowd came to what promised to be a close run affair. After a goalless first half the game came to life after the hour mark as on loan striker Benik Afobe gave us the lead and that was swiftly followed by a towering header from young CB Harry Souttar to send us through to the third round by a score line of 2-0

Matchday Six: West Brom (A)

Our fine early season form continued at the Hawthorns as our American trio bag a goal apiece in a 3-2 thriller.

Fixtures:

League Table:

A fantastic first month at the club sees us top of the league and with a 6 point lead heading into September. The target is to now hopefully stay there and never look back.

Player Attributes:

Some very decent improvement here, especially from Boyd, and he now looks a real quality striker at this level.

Player Stats:

13 Goals scored between our Yank trio is a solid enough start, more of this please.

Score:

Games Played - 7

Goals Scored - 13

Total - (13/7) = 1.86

Early days right now, but I’m happy with the progress, as the season gets on the players should naturally improve.

Thanks for reading Vibe, and do remember to leave a comment  

 

[Ian]

Great start! Looks like you are going to bang some goals in with your trio!

[Rob]

Great start and the players look great for that level of football.

You should have done your Silva career as monthly updates too 😭

[smoggy90]

Love the look of this challenge and great start mate!

[Nucleus]

September

After our brilliant start to the season, the sole aim this month was to keep up the high level of performances whilst also trying to up our goals per game ratio of our American trio.

Matchday Seven: Sheffield Wednesday (A)

A trip to Hillsborough was on the cards in Matchday Seven, and James McClean wasted no time in giving us the lead after 12 minutes with a super strike into the top left corner. Terrence Boyd then doubles our lead in first half injury time to spark wild scenes of celebration from the travelling faithful. Wednesday had two goals disallowed for rightful offsides in the second half as the Potters held on for their sixth league win on the bounce

Matchday Eight: Swansea City (H)

The Welsh side gave us a stern test at our own ground, but our finishing proved decisive as we run out comfortable 3-1 winners with Boyd netting the opener before young winger Verlinden scored a brace in the final quarter of an hour to make sure of the points. Wilfried Bony pulled a consolation goal back for the visitors but it was to no avail as we make it 7 from 7.

Matchday Nine: Blackburn Rovers (H)

An evenly contested match throughout, with similar possession numbers and identical shots, this match proved to be a thriller. Boyd continued his rich vein of form with the opener before Wright scored a brace, Blackburn scored twice themselves but the second was a little too late to form any sort of credible comeback. 3-2 the final score as we stamp our authority on the rest of the league.

Carabao Cup Third Round: Carlisle United (H)

There was no doubting this result. Our Americans run riot in a 4-1 drubbing with Wooten scoring a brace as Wright and Boyd grab a goal apiece. Stoke comfortably into round four of the League Cup.

Matchday Ten: Rotherham United (A)

A tense away day looked like it was heading for a draw but Boyd scores from the spot with ten minutes to play to make it nine league wins on the bounce for this Stoke side. Former FMM wonder kid Bojan opened the scoring for the away side before Michael Smith equalised for Rotherham, Boyd silenced any doubters with his calmly placed spot kick to finish the month on a real high.

Fixtures:

League Table:

All of a sudden we find ourselves seven points clear at the top of the table. Will anyone stand in our way and put up some sort of challenge?

Player Atrributes:

Boyd is an absolute unit! Look at those attributes 😍

Player Stats:

Score:

Games Played - 12

Goals Scored - 23

Total - (23/12)= 1.92

A huge improvement as our boys are on nearly two goals per game. I’d happily take this score as it is now.

As always, thanks for reading. Any comments are much appreciated

[Ashez]

Impressive going mate, you'll need a nice improvement to hit π but you look on for a solid score either way! 

[Ian]

Looks like you are going to steamroller through the league. Your trio are doing you proud!

[Rob]

Great results again. Keep it up!

[FuddledFox]

Very tasty start matey.

So when do you start the Haji Wright 2kc?

[Nucleus]

5 hours ago, Ashez said:

Impressive going mate, you'll need a nice improvement to hit π but you look on for a solid score either way! 

Cheers mate. Impossible to hit pi 😛 Not that bothered about the score tbh 😂 just nice to enjoy a career for a change lol

5 hours ago, 1759 said:

Looks like you are going to steamroller through the league. Your trio are doing you proud!

The leagues going great! I’m happy with my choices, decent players at a very decent price

4 hours ago, Rob said:

Great results again. Keep it up!

Thanks Rob

1 hour ago, Foxy said:

Very tasty start matey.

So when do you start the Haji Wright 2kc?

Cheers dude. Erm...how about...never 😂 I’m done with long haul careers for a while I think. Happy plodding along with shorter saves 😁

Cheers for the comments lads

[Nucleus]

October

We head into the new month still unbeaten in all competitions. With ties against the likes of Sheffield United and Norwich City this month, could we see that run end?

Matchday Eleven: Bolton Wanderers (H)

We go into this match as red hot favourites on the back of our scintillating form so far. Bolton’s Eddie Brown had other ideas mind, as he cancels out Andrew Wooten’s first half injury time goal to rescue a point for the Trotters. We lost Mame Biram Diouf to Injury in this match too as he must sit on the sidelines for three weeks.

Matchday Twelve: Norwich City (A)

Toughest league match of the month lay ahead of us in the shape of Norwich away. The majority of the chances fell their way but our efficiency in front of goal shows as we run out 3-0 winners with a brace from Wright either side of a Wooten goal.

Matchday Thirteen: Birmingham (H)

Wooten and Wright continue their blistering form this month as their goals help us to a 5-2 win against the Blues. Wright grabs a brace as Wooten cracks in a hatrick to give us a huge three points at home.

Matchday Fourteen: Sheffield United (A)

Another match I was expecting to be tough this month. Wright Scored the opener within five minutes, and we weathered the Sheffield storm up until the 63rd minute where John Lundstram nods in the equaliser to salvage a point for the home team. Decent result for both parties.

Matchday Fifteen: Bristol City (A)

A clinical performance in match fifteen sees us put four goals past Bristol City, our three Americans grabbing a goal a piece after MOTM James McClean had rifled one into the bottom corner from range.

Carabao Cup Fourth Round: Fulham (H)

We end the month wit another cup tie. A place in the quarter finals was up for grabs as we take on Premier League side Fulham. The away side took the lead as Captain Shawcross put one into his own net. Wooten equalised 10 minutes later with a fine free kick to keep the tie alive. Ten minutes after the restart, Schürrle put Fulham back in front before once again we equalise, this time through CB Erik Pieters. The tie looked like it was heading for extra time before the absolute beast of a man Terrence Boyd rises highest to smash in a 60 yard header in the 94th minute! If that isn’t drama I don’t know what is! 3-2 the final score, and we can prepare for a quarter final showdown with Brighton in December.

Fixtures

League Table

We extend our lead to nine points at the summit and there’s surely no catching us now.

Player Attributes

Player Stats

Score:

Games Played - 18

Goals Scored - 38

Total - (38/18)= 2.11

A huge improvement from last month as finally our boys are on over 2 goals per game combined. Can they keep this up until the end of the season? It would be a stunning score if they did.

As always, thanks for reading and any comments are much appreciated

 

[Ian]

Another great month, nice to see Wooten getting himself a few more goals this month. It’ll be interesting to see who scores the most out of your trio come the end of season.

[Ashez]

All have developed nicely and delivering the goods mate!

[samhardy]

Hi Nucleus,

Lovely thread here, big fan of your work.

Now tell me why the fuck you've centre aligned everything as it looks absolutely shit.

Thanks

Sam

[Nucleus]

1 hour ago, samhardy said:

 

Hi Nucleus,

Lovely thread here, big fan of your work.

Now tell me why the fuck you've centre aligned everything as it looks absolutely shit.

Thanks

Sam

 

 

Could ask you the same thing!

[samhardy]

19 minutes ago, Nucleus said:

Could ask you the same thing!

And that's those new staff permissions gone!

[Nucleus]

23 hours ago, 1759 said:

Another great month, nice to see Wooten getting himself a few more goals this month. It’ll be interesting to see who scores the most out of your trio come the end of season.

Thanks mate, it was nice to see Wootten amongst the goals, but it looked liked it cost Boyd his as he could only manage two this month iirc. As long as they’re all fairly close to each other at the end of the season I’m not fussed who is the top scorer.

16 hours ago, Ashez said:

All have developed nicely and delivering the goods mate!

Cheers mate! It’s an enjoyable challenge, it’s making me think of another save I’d like to undertake too 😁

Question: Does the new centre all formatting look “shit” as Sam would put it? Or should I revert back to my usual style?