The Only Way Is Up - an LLM story by Fodder007

[Fodder007]

MANAGER PROFILE

http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/image.php?u=384499&dateline=1245956773&type=profil e
Fodder007 (1982-)
Favourite Club - Manchester City
Current Club - Hereford (League 2)
Playing Style - Patient
Preferred Formation - 442

CLUB HISTORY

Hereford (2009-Present)

HONOURS

None

STATS

Biggest Win - 0-3 v Cheltenham (League 2)
Biggest Defeat - 1-3 v Sunderland (FA Cup)
Highlight - 2-1 v Sevila (Friendly)
Highest League Position - 3rd (League 2)
Lowest League Position - 20th (League 2)
Players Bought - 1
Players Sold - 3
Highest Fee Paid - £17.5k
Highest Fee Received - £60k
W-D-L - 14-6-10

RULES

LLM Rules - see here
Full manual controls
Board Difficulty - World Class

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Youtube (still not doing these due to EA server problems)

CURRENT CLUB DETAILS

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/75/Hereford_United_FC.svg/180px-Hereford_United_FC.svg.png

Club - Hereford (League 2)
Stadium - Edgar Street (7700 capacity)
Ambition - Reach the Championship within 5 seasons.
League Position - 3rd
League Cup - Knocked oulalala round v Sunderland
FA Cup - Through to 3rd round
FA Trophy - Through to 3rd round
W-D-L - 13-6-7
Highest Scorer - Constantine (11)
Clean Sheets - 11

Board Expectations:

Avoid Relegation
Reach the 3rd round of the FA Cup - Achieved

Players Bought:

Will Hogg - £17.5k (Scouted)

Players Sold:

T Weir - £46k
S Gwynne - £60k
G McCallum - £23k

DIRECT LINK TO MY LATEST POST IN THIS THREAD

[Fodder007]

Today I used my data reviewer privaleges to have a sneak peak at the Hereford squad, not the stats or anything like that, just the formation, number of players etc. I have to say, they look in pretty poor shape! They're a half star team with only 22 players on the books, 2 of which are on loan to them. Out of the 22, 8 play CM and only 2 CB and 2 ST, oh dear, I think the balance of the squad is something that needs sorting out straight away! What else can I tell you, the lowest player has a rating of 39 and the highest has a rating of 61 and they play 4-4-2 by default. I've not looked at the budget but I don't expect it to be very high so the first season might be a hell of a struggle!

[PompeyMegaFan]

Good luck to ya Fodder

[Skorpio678]

good luck ill be starting mine soon with Bury

[SG Cesc]

Good luck

[Alastairhufc]

Good luck my Hereford MM will be up this weekend

[Fodder007]

So yesterday I took the chair at Edgar Street, the newspapers reported that Hereford had been looking for an experienced manager to help them push for the playoffs but they'd settled on me, a unknown rookie manager with a lot to prove. Luckily the boards expectations did match those of the press; my goal for this season was to avoid relegation out of the football league. It was immediately clear that I would be playing most of my football from the lower half of English League 2. The board also has a desire to reach the 3rd round of the FA Cup, which club doesn't wish to be in the draw with English football's elite Premierleague clubs!

The squad didn't look to be in brilliant shape, no depth, players out of position, no backup defenders or strikers, I've got my work cut out here. The first thing I did was to assess my club assets, players and staff etc. I immediately hired a new fitness coach (3/10) because a long relegation battle requires a lot of stamina, and I sent a scout out to Europe (no UK and Ireland unforuntately) in search for new strikers initially. It looks like I may have to make a couple of loan deals to strengthen my squad before the start of the season.

My first signing was of course my VP who was immediately the highest rated player in the squad, captain material and leading the squad from the right side of midfield.

Our first scheduled friendly was upon us so we jumped straight in so I could assess my players and the competition around the league as I was to play Dagenham at home, one of the stronger sides in League 2.

The first half was end to end, a couple of chances each way and then just before half time my VP got injured from a nothing tackle, fortunately it was nothing too serious but he will miss the next match. Neither team could settle down in to a rhythm in the second half but Dagenham managed a break though after 70 minutes, a poor effort from the edge of the box that some how made its way in the bottom corner via the inside of the post. Some late pressure from the home side could do nothing to recover the draw and the first match ended in defeat Hereford 0-1 Dagenham. Nothing too good to take home from that one, defeat and an injury to my best player!

As this is still preseason there's nothing to worry about, I have 7 weeks and 3 more friendlies to turn this team around before the start of the season. Time to start building some depth to this squad...

[Madness11]

Nice start.

[Fodder007]

My second pre-season friendly was to be away at Morecambe, for this I would try to set up my formation to get the best out of my team. Keeping with the 4-4-2 I like to play one midfielder as a CDM and one as an CAM. So I organised my team and told them who should push forward and who should stay back in certain parts of the field. For this game I have kept tactics as default and only changed formation settings, tactics will come in the next match.

My tweaks paid off instantly when I took the lead in the 22nd minute through a lovely ball over the top and a nice 1v1 lobbed finish in to the top corner. We stayed on top of the match for the remainder of the first half. 3 substitutions were made at half time to give some of the younger players a game and stop the start players picking up injuries or getting tired.

The second half started with Hereford on the back foot and they never really got in to the match. Morecambe made them pay for playing too deep when they equalised through an 18 yard header from a corner close to 60 minutes. Hereford created a couple of chances late on but then a mix up at the edge of the Hereford box, where the two CBs tackled each other, resulted in a late winner for Morecambe. Defeat again Morecambe 2-1 Hereford. This one really should have been in the bag. Tactics will definately need tweaking for our next match, against Blackburn no less, to try and plug the gap between defence and midfield that is being exploited by the opposition.

[Alastairhufc]

Woooooooooooooo we got rid of Trewick

Unlucky with the defeats though. Any chance you could PM me the Hereford ratings?

If you like I can tell you the current Hereford Line Up

[Fodder007]

Following the first two matches of the season it was time to further assess the squad because going in to a match against Blackburn Rovers in our current form was a disaster waiting to happen. I've assessed our tactics and tried to best match our style of play with the skills of the players available and the patient build up approach that I try to play. Hopefully our positioning on the pitch will be much improved over our last match where we were caught out of position on many occasions.

My scout has found a young striker and I've snapped him up at a bargain £17.5k whilst also shipping out a young CDM because the squad is heavily weighted with midfielders and somebody has to go for me to strengthen the attack and defence before the new season starts. Now to list a couple more players on the market before our showdown with Blackburn. The fans need a decent performance to give them that hope that we will do the job this season and also to keep the media from an early assault on my reign at the club...

[Fodder007]

The fans wanted a performance and the fans got just that. Unfortunately for the 3rd consecutive match they also had to suffer defeat. Hereford 1-2 Blackburn was the score and with Hereford dominating for large parts of the match they were very unlucky to come away with a loss. The two Blackburn goals came in the first half due to what can only be described as a goalkeeping blunder and a 45th minute penalty that should never have been.

We looked much better in possesion of the ball and contained Blackburn for large parts of the game, no one would have thought there were 3 leagues between the teams. The Hereford pressure paid off 2 minutes before time when a headed effort rebounded off a Blackburn defender only for Lunt to slot home from 8 yards.

Off the pitch, 2 more centre mids sold for a total of £83k which frees up the wage budget for the 3 or 4 players I'm looking to bring in.

The final preseason friendly is away to Sevila. I won't be expecting to come away with anything but defeat from that match but if we perform like we just have against Blackburn then I'll be more than happy with the lads...

[Fodder007]

Of all the preseason matches it was this one that caught the eye; an away tie against Sevilla. Hereford going in to the match with 3 straight preseason defeats and Sevilla off the back of a 6-0 thrashing of Barnet. Hereford had no right to come away from this with anything but defeat but somehow claimed possibly the most famous victory in their history! Sevila 1-2 Hereford.

It was Sevila who applied the early pressure and came very close to scoring after hitting the bar in the first 10 minutes and then a couple of very good blocks from the Hereford defence to deny Fabiano. Hereford started to settle down and then shocked everyone in the stadium when they took the lead on the half hour. It was a scrappy goal but who cares, Hereford had the lead 1-0. Hereford started to look comfortable in possesion and came close to a second on the stroke of half time with a 20 yard volley going narrowily wide.

Hereford started brightest in the 2nd half and contained much of the Sevila posession. Then on 70 minutes Pugh dispossed the Sevila keeper close to the corner flag and scored brilliantly 25 yards out from a very narrow angle to make it 2-0 to Hereford, a great shock was on the cards.

Sevila responded well and Fabiano scored a 20 yard driven effort within 5 minutes of Herefords second but despite all the late pressure from Sevila, Hereford managed to hold on to the lead and go away with a well fought victory and a massive morale boost heading in to the first match of the season against Lincoln.

Board Comments: Great result against a strong opponent, just what we needed.

[Muzzy]

The most unlikely fixture ever? .

[Fodder007]

Lincoln 1-0 Hereford

Not the result we wanted from the first match of the season. This was a game we dominated but we failed to convert out chances including a sitter from 8 yards that came back off the post. Lincoln made us pay by scoring from a corner late on.

Hereford 1-1 Burton Albion

We played very well here and again dominated the game but our failure to convert chances cost us when Burton got a late equalizer. 1 point in 2 matches, the reality of a long hard season in the lower half of League 2 was evident here. To make matters worse we were struggling to sign players, who would want to join one of the worst teams in the English League? We need strikers and defenders and we need them quick, with our scout returned from his striker search after finding only one suitable player we are desperately looking through the free agents list to see who we can snap up.

Gilligham 3-4 Hereford (AET)

Yet to win a match in the league we went in to this League Cup tie in dire need of a competitive victory to lift our spirits. Despite going 1-0 down to an early goal, again a set piece, we managed to equalize and then take the lead in 10 second half minutes. Gillingham then switched to ultra-offensive and through everybody forward in an attempt to draw level and the very high pressure combined with some poor defending gave them the goal they needed. 2-2 after full time and extra time was needed to settle the match. Hereford came out of the blocks quickest and made it 2-3 after 98 minutes before killing the game off with a 112th minute winner, a superb curling effort from just inside the box. Gilligham again came back strong and grabbed their third goal and were only a lick of paint away from an equalizer in the 120th minute as the ball came back off the underside of the bar only to be cleared away for full time. A competitive victory at the third time of asking but the 3 goals conceeded here are a worry for the manager who desperatly needs to bolster his defensive options.

[Skorpio678]

Looking good. I'm onto my third season. finished 4th with Bury, 2nd with Dundalk FC(League of Ireland) and no im currently 14th with Rotherham FC on Match Day 11.
Manager Reputation of 2 in Match Day 10 Hereford won 2-1 against me they had a nice strong time in their third season and are currently 2nd. Lets hope you can do even better then the AI

[mattbuck]

Nice story. Keep it up.

[Fodder007]

Gillingham-Hereford report added above.

[Fodder007]

Yet again Hereford have dominated the match, had more possession, loads of chances, yet there's a glass wall over the opponents goal and a the most rediculously stupid incredible string of amazing saves from the opponents keeper that you will ever see. The most one sided match ever yet the game finishes Hereford 0-0 Northampton.

There are serious concerns in the Hereford camp over the failure to put the ball in the net. 3 league matches and no wins, currently sitting in 20th place in the league (out of 24) but only 3 points off 8th place. It's early days and there's still a lot to play for.

More concerning is the fact that we have yet again failed to sign any of the players that we have approached. With one last chance before the transfer window closes I think I'm going to have to throw some money at a couple of strikers!

[Fodder007]

Barnet 1-1 Hereford

Once again a game that should have been won but 2 points lost. Hereford took the lead in only the 3rd minute with a lovely 10 yard header from Fodder, his first goal for the club. Hereford dominated but a series of fine saves from the Barnet keeper denied them the 2nd goal in the first half. Twice in the second half Hereford hit the post and then Barnet scored from a corner. The Hereford defence are looking really vulnerable from set pieces.

Once again we have been unable to sign any players either because we don't have enough skilled players or because the players we have approached don't feel they will be in the starting 11. Looks like we will need to venture forth with a 20 man squad consisting of only 2 out-and-out strikers and only 2 centrebacks. Before the next trasfer window the club will, without a doubt, need to appoint a new negotiator.

Our squad already looks very tired and this is certainly affecting performances on the pitch. With the transfer window about to slam shut it looks like we will need to look closer to home and get the best out of the players we already have. We must invest in the club and it's staff if we wish to retain our place in the English Football League...

[Alastairhufc]

Good games there, where are we now?

[Fodder007]

[RANT]

Sorry but I can't believe for one minute that the outcome of matches in manager mode isn't scripted. Every game I've played so far the CPU has or has very nearly scored in the last 5 mintues. And every time it's either from a set piece or a goalkeeper error. I don't know what the hell is going on but I can be on top of the entire match with the CPU having very few chances and then from absolutely no where they score. I'm finding it impossible to break this pattern at the minute. The last match the goalkeeper fumbled the ball right at his feet with no one near him and their striker finished in to an empty net because of it. Shocking. The match before they took a shot from a rediculous 40 yard to force a corner and then score from it.

Maybe I'm just having a bad day but it's happening in every single game, is completely out of my control and is frustrating the hell out of me!

[/RANT]

[Fodder007]

Hereford 1-1 Rochdale

There's quite a pattern taking shape at the moment with this being the 4th consecutive league draw and another in which Hereford have dominated the match and conceed a late goal which has cost them the points. Hereford took the lead early in the second half with a strike in to the bottom corner from Constantine. Hereford continued in search of a second goal to seal the victory only to be denied by a couple of fine saves. Then in the 87th minute disaster struck with the Hereford goalkeeper fumbling a nothing cross right in to the path of the Rochdale striker to gift them a goal and allow them to take away a point which they really didn't deserve.

Up to 19th in the league with 4 draws and 1 loss, 3 points of 7th place, how dearly we would like a victory now to give us the confidence boost we so need.

Following the match the transfer window slammed shut and we must now go on with the squad that we have. Further investment in our physical game must be a priority because our squad was looking very tired from the start of the last match.

[Alastairhufc]

Unlucky there but 4 draws in a row is nothing for as we were doing really bad until last week

[Collison31]

Try and include some players' names, I like to see who got what.

But good, nice and simple which is what I like