Bit of strengthening needed and no mistake. The large ground makes raising cash easier, and promotion means I can target better players. In order to fit them into the ridiculously large squad, a cull is in order. Out go loads of crapsters, mostly on a free, although I get 5 million for the strangely useless Claudio Husain.
Goalkeeper back-up arrives with the promising youngster Agliardi from Brescia for 1.5 million.
Defensive reinforcement comes in the shape of Mexes (SW) and Pivotto (DC) on Bosmans and Cesar (D/DML) for 2.5 million.
The midfield is strengthened with Peixe (DMC) on a Bosman, Timoschuk (D/DMRLC) for 2.5 million, Sixto Peralta (AM/FRLC) for 3.8 million, and in February, Nikiforenko (AM/FC) on a Bosman.
Valuable firepower is added up front with Cherno Samba on a Bosman and, come November, Vasilyuk on yet another Bosman free.
It becomes clear fairly quickly that the 442 formation used in Serie B isn't going to do the job. Particularly away from home, where early season points are thin on the ground. So after 10 games and a not too bad mid-table position, I revert to "old faithful" or 352A at home, and the dreary looking, but bizarrely effective 31411 away from home.
Results improve markedly, although not enough to prevent a round 2 Italian Cup defeat to Atalanta, and Napoli push up into the top 8 for the second half of the season. From 4th to 10th it's pretty tight and it's a scrap for various European spots. Eventually, with a fine end of season run, 6th place is obtained, and a place in the UEFA Cup. The result of the season a marvellous 3-0 win at home over AC Milan, Sixto Peralta the architect with 2 goals.
Fan's Player goes to Graffiedi again, with 16 goals and a share of the golden boot with Batistuta at Roma and Shevchenko at Milan. Illustrious company for the young man. Sixto Peralta is the best of the newbs with 10 assists and 7 goals. To Europe!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Napoli - Season 1 - Victory Through Bargains
New laptop, new game. Sticking with the Italian league for the same reasons as before. This time however, I'm skipping the whole Serie C2C thing as the first 2 seasons have a depressing sense of inevitability about them. Also, I want somewhere with a big ground as ground expansions seem almost unobtainable.
So no to Foggia. I go for Napoli. No money to speak of, but a big old ground (72'810 capacity) and a mixed squad. Some overhaul required, but there are a few decent players, including Mancini (GK), Bonomi (DRC) and Graffiedi (ST). A start in Serie B to boot, a league I have failed to win on many occasions.
The low amount of money on offer means not too many transfers in for season 1. I sign a few youngsters, with the notable additions being Bras (DC), Pedro Emanuel (DM/FC) and Andrey Milevskiy (D/DMLC) for 14k, 22k and 180k respectively.
I expect promotion as the squad is decent enough, but a run at the title depends on luck with injuries, as quality doesn't run too deep. Fortunately, luck favours me in this regard. Never outside the top 4, and the title is secured with a tense 1-0 victory over Como on the last day of the season. Graffiedi is the star man, with 24 goals and an average rating of 7.89. Francesco Moriero does surprisingly sterling work from the right wing, accumulating 15 assists, and the new boys, Milevskiy and Emanuel combine well in central midfield.
As usual, the Italian Cup is a bust, with Serie A Torino dispatching me comfortably, 4-1 in the first round proper. One notable result is the 6-3 defeat of title rivals Salernitana, bringing to an end their 11 match winning run, Milevskiy starring and bagging 2. Graffiedi is Fan's Player. To Serie A!
So no to Foggia. I go for Napoli. No money to speak of, but a big old ground (72'810 capacity) and a mixed squad. Some overhaul required, but there are a few decent players, including Mancini (GK), Bonomi (DRC) and Graffiedi (ST). A start in Serie B to boot, a league I have failed to win on many occasions.
The low amount of money on offer means not too many transfers in for season 1. I sign a few youngsters, with the notable additions being Bras (DC), Pedro Emanuel (DM/FC) and Andrey Milevskiy (D/DMLC) for 14k, 22k and 180k respectively.
I expect promotion as the squad is decent enough, but a run at the title depends on luck with injuries, as quality doesn't run too deep. Fortunately, luck favours me in this regard. Never outside the top 4, and the title is secured with a tense 1-0 victory over Como on the last day of the season. Graffiedi is the star man, with 24 goals and an average rating of 7.89. Francesco Moriero does surprisingly sterling work from the right wing, accumulating 15 assists, and the new boys, Milevskiy and Emanuel combine well in central midfield.
As usual, the Italian Cup is a bust, with Serie A Torino dispatching me comfortably, 4-1 in the first round proper. One notable result is the 6-3 defeat of title rivals Salernitana, bringing to an end their 11 match winning run, Milevskiy starring and bagging 2. Graffiedi is Fan's Player. To Serie A!
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