Welcome back to The Surprise Shirt Challenge. If you are new to this series you can catch up from the beginning Here.
When we finished the last episode we had squeaked into the final automatic promotion spot, bouncing back to the Eredivisie at the first time of asking.
Lets see how we have prepared for what undoubtably be a long tough season.
Tactics
Even In a new division I was very keen to retain our fluid 5-3-2 formation. Being on the front foot against some of these teams will be advantageous. Others will require a more defensive approach, which can easily be organised with a 5 at the back formation.
Board Vision and Seasonal Objectives
The board have been very realistic in their expectations for the league campaign.
Transfer Business
With one of the lowest budgets in the league there was not much scope for any huge expenditure.
We would be looking to secure some bargains and freebies. Lets check out who has joined us this season.
Ebube Duru joins us from Rivers United in Nigeria for 500k compensation after he agreed terms. I hoping h can have the same effect as the last player from Africa we gambled on.
After not extending the loan of Schenk from Bayern Munich we were in need a bit of competition in Goal. Gersbeck comes in with a wealth of experience and will offer just that.
Some more experience joins us, this time at Right Wing Back. Aliou Coly, another African import, this time via Norway adds some real quality to the first team.
Filip Panak joins for free from Sparta Prague on a free transfer to offer that extra centre back which is desperately needed when utilising 3 centre backs.
More reinforcemnts arrive without spending a penny as Hendrik Weydant joins as cover for either of our first choice front 2.
Pre Season
I really went for the financial side of Pre Season to try and raise enough funds in a short amount of time.
we rotated constantly and this is reflected with the very averages results.
August & September 2023
Its the beginning of the season and its a tough start as we face Feyenoord, AZ Alkmaar and PSV all in the first 4 games of the season.
Nothing like a baptism of fire.
If you had offered me 8 points from the first 5 games including those opponents i would have snapped your hand off.
The loss to PSV was as one sided as it looks on paper but apart from that we really have taken our chances and made the most of the beginning of the season.
A great start to the season.
October & November 2023
We had a decent bit of momentum heading into October and November and with a kinder run of games its a chance to really set the standard for the rest of the season.
Its an even split of a run of games. 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats. But more importantly another 8 points to add to the total.
Another positive is the return of Ngom, who missed the first 3 months of the season through injury. He immediately gets back amongst the goals upon his return. Great to have him back.
December 2023
As we approach the end of the year we have defied all expectations and sit comfortably in mid table. Lets end 2023 with a string of results that really cement that position.
The expected loss to Ajax aside, its another positive month. Boy has Ngom hit the ground running after his injury. Scoring in 5 consecutive games and grabbing 6 goals in 7 games. If he keeps this up then we really have unearthed a special special player.
Halt Way Table
Sitting 7th in the table at the turn of the year is WAY above all expectations. Could it be that we find ourselves pushing for a lot more than just avoiding relegation?
Tune in next time to find out.
Cheers
Panda
Why not check out our first save of FM23 as we take over at Crystal Palace. We have concluded this save but you can start from the beginning here.
