Season 131 - Are you ready?

[Arphaxad]

Just played the cup final. My opponent had been on a tear all the way to the final. His setup looked like a 4-3-2-1 (AMC x2), but was a 3-1-3-2-1 in reality. We usually play 4-2-3-1 but changed to 4-1-2-2-1 (AML/AMR) going into this one in order to counter his two AMCs.

The game ended 1-0 in our favour. Although only scoring one goal, we were in total control of the game.



With five games left in the league the season is coming to an end for us since we secured the league title yesterday already. Now we can focus on planning for the coming season. We have some tough decisions ahead as we'll participate in the Champions League as well. Our main concern next season is whether we should focus on building our team for the future or become contenders immediately. I don't see us being able to fight on three fronts the coming season. If decisions have to be made, CL and the cup will be priotitized.

Whichever will be the case (decision will be made in the coming days) we'll build our team around mainly four players:

Gareth Williams
A 18 yo DC/DMC brought in this season. A fast trainer who'll be a great addition for many seasons. Potential future captain.

Renato Vieira
A 18 yo DL brought in this season. A fast trainer and stable player. Had great offensive skills for a wingback. Will not need much training to be ready for the coming season. Potential future captain.

Saeid Talebnasab
A 18 yo MC/DMC brought in this season. A fast trainer and versatile player. Great defensive and offensive skills. Demands some training to be in shape for the coming season as we'll need to maintain all three blocks. Potential future captain.

Manuel Marcusson
A 18 yo ML/AML brought in this season. A fast trainer and the team star. He's the top goal scorer and assist king this season. Will probably win the league's top goal scorer. A centrepiece in our offense. Will require little training to be in shape for the coming season as he has great skills already.

In addition to these four players we have the following at our disposal which will demand some decision making:

Hajy al-Rashad
A 19 yo DC/DMC who was at the club when I took over. The team's current captain. Will probably have to let go of him going into the next season as he has a good market value which I want to take advantage of.

Omar el-Idrissi
A 24 yo DR/MR/AMR who was brought in this season. He's a versatile player who has contributed a lot to the team's current success. Being 24 yo he still has a good market value which I plan to take advantage of.

Robin Vojacek
A 23 yo MC/MR/AMR who was brought in this season. Also a very versatile player who has been urilised all over midfield. Being 23 yo, he still has a good market value which we'll take advantage of.

So basically three versatile players with good market value will leave. I'm expecting to collect approximately 2,5-2,7M for them and replace them with older players. We'll have to make some smart planning and decisions to cover their positions. In addition to those positions, we'll have to strenghten our GK situation. This solution will probably be short term until we sort out our rest pack situation.

Depending on my rest pack situation, I plan to bring in one fast trainer next season. Ideally, I'd like to find either a DL/DC/DR or a MC/AMC.

I'm not sure how we'll approach the next season yet. Rest packs are scarce. We'll have to evaluate our players' quality in relation to the available amount of rest packs by the end of the season in order so set proper goals for the season ahead. Another factor is competition: three fronts will demand Resources. Depending on competition we'll have to prioritize. It's either fighting for titles immediately, which will deplete our resources, or staying put and build for the future for one season.