FM11: Blackpool - A New Era

[hedger_14]

8th May - Blackpool v Wigan - Premier Division​

It was the final match day. A draw would be enough to go through, following Man Utd's victory over Liverpool. I really didn't expect the game to go the way it did though. It took barely a minute to open the scoring when Tarik Brack stole the ball from Pratley before passing the ball to Rodrigo who hammered it home. Franco di Santo found an equaliser a few minutes later to lower our confidence a bit but it seemed to just spark a downpour of goals. David Goodwillie made a run down the centre of the park before laying it off for Stewart Downing to finish in the bottom left corner after 12 minutes. 5 minutes later, N'Zonzi set up Rodrigo for his second from inside the 6 yard box and Goodwillie put the game beyond all doubt just before half-time with a beautiful finish from 25 yards, Rodrigo getting the assist and it was 4-1 going into half-time, the title all but secured.

Rodrigo cut back a ball for David Goodwillie to score his second to make it 5 goals after 52 minutes and really, Wigan were having a horrible day. Their defence was non-existent as Steven N'Zonzi got his name on the scoresheet after 69 minutes after weaving through a couple of defenders before smashing it past the helpless keeper. N'Zonzi might have only scored 3 league goals in the season before this match but he made it 2 in 5 minutes when he headed home Grandin's corner. Rodrigo, Goodwillie and N'Zonzi all had two goals each and were looking for a hattrick but it was only Rodrigo who managed his when he smashed another one past Kirkland 13 minutes from time to make it 8. Unfortunately, Goodwillie or N'Zonzi couldn't find their third goals but an 8-1 win on the final day of the season was one to remember as Blackpool took their second consecutive Premier League title.

Final League Table:

Awards:


Footballer of the Year:

1st: Marek Hamsik (Arsenal) - 29 apps, 17 goals, 12 assists, AR 7.43
2nd: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) - 36 apps, 36 goals, 5 assists, AR 7.60
3rd: Carlos Tevez (Man City) - 38 apps, 30 goals, 6 assists, AR 7.50

Goal of the Season:

1st: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
2nd: Hugo Rodallega (Stoke)
3rd: Djamel Bakar (Fulham)

Manager of the Year:

1st: Brendon Hedger (Blackpool) - 1216 points, 1st
2nd: Chris Hughton (Peterborough) - 953 points, 9th
3rd: Michael Laudrup (Man Utd) - 883 points, 2nd

Players' Player of Year:

1st: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) - 32 apps, 5 goals, 11 assists, AR 7.30
2nd: Nicolas Lodeiro (Man Utd) - 29 apps, 7 goals, 11 assists, AR 7.38
3rd: Charlie Adam (Blackpool) - 33 apps, 3 goals, 19 assists, AR 7.39

Players' Young Player:

1st: Kenzo Buisson (Man City) - 31 apps, 4 goals, 9 assists, AR 7.37
2nd: Phil Jones (Blackpool) - 38 apps, 11 goals, 1 assist, AR 7.58
3rd: Kevin (Chelsea) - 32 apps, 2 goals, 14 assists, AR 7.14

Top Goalscorer:

1st: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) - 36 apps, 36 goals
2nd: Carlos Tevez (Man City) - 38 apps, 30 goals
3rd: David Goodwillie (Blackpool) - 37 apps, 24 goals


Note: The game is biased. Phil Jones had the 2nd highest average rating, most goals of all defenders yet only comes second in the Young Player award and not even in the Top 3 of either of the Player of Year awards.

 

[hedger_14]

14th May - Man City v Blackpool - FA Cup Final​

We had made it all the way to the final but could we make it two trophies for the season with a win over Man City. It was a fairly open start to the match as both sides created a few chances but it was Neven Subotic who opened the scoring and made it 2 goals in the last 2 matches against us as he collected Azpilicueta's long throw and smashed it into the top of the net. We definately couldn't complain about a lack of chances so I was a bit disappointed going into the half-time break a goal down.

Marcin Zajac was substituted at half-time, Salomon Kalou his replacement. The second half was much like the first with chances to either side but no more goals. Blackpool managed a couple of clear cut chances but they just couldn't find a way past Joe Hart and Chris Wood was given a chance to be the hero when he came on for Rodrigo. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be that way as we were made to rue those missed chances and our strong defence wasn't enough to win the FA Cup for the first time in my management.

 

[Spoobir]

Damn, shame you couldn't do the double but congrats on winning the Premier League!

 

[Bevab]

You,
































Are an absolute legend!!

 

[hedger_14]

21st May - Porto v Blackpool - European Champions Cup Final​

This was the biggest moment in the clubs history, hoping to win the Champions League for the first time in history. Porto won last years' tournament but and they would be looking to make it 2 in 2 years by beating the team which they knocked out in last years' final. Porto won their group despite losing both games to Stuttgart, who actually finished third but wins in all other matches meant they finished above Bordeaux. They drew Valencia in the first round of the knockout stages where they managed a 1-1 draw at Valencia before goals from Souza and Cristian Rodriguez helped Porto to a 2-0 win back at home to progress. They then came up against Real Madrid in the quarter-final who they also beat in last years' quarter final. It was an away goals victory last season but it was a clear victory this season as a double from Hulk secured a 2-1 away win and another goal from Hulk and Cristian Rodriguez in the home leg secured a 4-1 aggregate win. Man Utd were their opponents in the semi final and it was all level going into the second leg after Falcao crossed out Nani's 49th minute goal to secure a draw at home but a trip to Old Trafford wasn't going to be easy. It was a hattrick from Hulk which proved the difference though as Rever and Kiko also added goals in a 5-1 victory at Old Trafford to book their spot in the final. Blackpool meanwhile have defied all the odds to defeat Zenit, Man City and FC Bayern in the knockout stages to book their place in the final for the first time in history. Porto were missing a few players through injury, Pereira, Sergio Oliveira and Vujadin Savic all out while Falcao was doubtful to play. Blackpool were also missing the likes of Giovani dos Santos, Ludovic Sylvestre and Jeffren but they would still fancy their chances. They would need to watch out for Hulk though who has already scored 9 goals in the tournament.


Porto:

GK: Sergio Romero

DL: Alvaro Pereira
DC: Rever
DC: Nicolas Otamendi
DR: Jorge Fucile

DMC: Fernando

MC: Souza
MC: Morgan Schneiderlin

AML: Cristian Rodriguez
AMR: Kiko

ST: Hulk

Subs: Luis Carlos Castro, Joao Moutinho, Tommy Oar, Silvestre Varela, Ritchie De Laet, Ruben Micael, Jose


Blackpool:

GK: Wilfredo Caballero

DL: Tarik Brack
DC: Michele Romano
DC: Phil Jones
DR: Lee Hodson

MC: Charlie Adam
MC: Steven N'Zonzi

AML: Salomon Kalou
AMR: Bebe

ST: David Goodwillie
ST: Marcio

Subs: David Ospina, Craig Cathcart, Ivan Fatic, Elliot Grandin, Stewart Downing, Chris Wood, Rodrigo


The atmosphere was unbelievable at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Charlie Adam was having a perfect season and sent the Blackpool fans into a frenzy when he set up David Goodwillie for the opening goal after only 7 minutes. We couldn't hold onto that lead for long as Hulk chipped Caballero from the edge of the box 5 minutes later to score the equaliser. Marcio wasn't going to take it easy on the keeper though as Charlie Adam set up the second goal of the match as Marcio blasted it from point blank range past Romero to give us the lead again. Things got worse for Porto though when Fucile was forced off the field with injury. Porto took control of the game after that creating many chances but they just couldn't find a way past Caballero, Hulk denied by two brilliant saves as we went into the break 2-1 up.

The second half was pretty even but Kalou had the first real opportunity of the half as he looked to double our lead but his shot went narrowly wide. The match went quiet after that though as time continued to run out for Porto as they looked for the equaliser. We had the chance to put the game beyond doubt with some intense pressure with minutes remaining but the players seemed content in winding down the clock which was what was needed as the game went into stoppage time with Porto still needing a goal. With Porto pushing everyone forward to find the equaliser, there was noone back and Rodrigo should have made the most of it when he was clear through on goal but somehow managed to miss the target but it didn't make any difference as the full-time whistle was blown before Porto could get play underway and we had won the Champions League! What a match and what a result. I couldn't quite believe it. Porto would be disappointed but we would be celebrating well into the night. Charlie Adam was the MOTM for his two assists but it was an outstanding performance and everyone did their job.

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Blackpool have also announced plans for a new stadium.

It will cost ?52M to build Blackpool Stadium (Very original ). This figure will be offset by the ?12M the club will receive by selling Bloomfield Road.

The board have got a loan of ?10.5M to help finance the stadium project (?68K p/m until 30.5.2031)

Additional funding has also been secured with a stadium sponsorship deal worth ?20.23M (?1.34M per season until 2031)

The new stadium is scheduled to be completed on the 22nd June 2018, will have undersoil heating, a retractable roof and a capacity of around 26,163 (Bit disappointed with that. We'll be filling out that stadium each week as well)

 

[Bevab]

You must be an icon now.

 

[hedger_14]

Yes, I'm updating everything on the first post and I'm currently an Icon. David Goodwillie is also a legend.

 

[Spoobir]

Oh I guess you did do the double after all!

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Also why aren't they calling it Hedger Park?

 

[hedger_14]

Also why aren't they calling it Hedger Park?

Wouldn't have a clue They should though

And nevermind, David Goodwillie is back to Icon status for some reason.

And Evatt, McFadden and Jeffren have all left the club.

Ian Evatt ends his career with 451 career league appearances with 22 goals. That includes 300 league apps and 13 goals for Blackpool. A wonderful career for the centre half.

 

[JBlues08]

I'm at lost for words for your success. Amazing. Simply amazing.

Shame that you couldn't complete a memorable treble but guess winning the Premier League and Champions League in one season is no mean feat either.

And I actually when I saw you got Bayern in the semis.

----------

Also why aren't they calling it Hedger Park?

SI is rubbish when it comes to naming a new stadium.

----------

Wouldn't have a clue They should though

And nevermind, David Goodwillie is back to Icon status for some reason.

Had that before. Giuseppe Rossi was a club legend in my Chelsea save but then drop down to an icon. However, he later became a club legend, again.

Strange.

And Evatt, McFadden and Jeffren have all left the club.

Ian Evatt ends his career with 451 career league appearances with 22 goals. That includes 300 league apps and 13 goals for Blackpool. A wonderful career for the centre half.

Contract expired? Too old?

 

[hedger_14]

Contract expired? Too old?

Too old. 34 now and with Jones, Cathcart and Romano, he hasn't really got much game time. Contract expired but his age meant I didn't offer him a new contract.

 

[JBlues08]

By the way, who will you be facing in the Euro Super Cup?

 

[hedger_14]

Olympique Lyonnais after they beat Barcelona in the Semi Final before defeating Liverpool 2-1 in the final of the EURO Cup.

 

[JBlues08]

That match should be interesting.

 

[hedger_14]

Elliot Grandin has completed a ?6.25M to Liverpool after requesting to be transfer listed following a lack of game time this season.

European Championship Tournament Roundup

Winners: England
Runners Up: Scotland


Best Player:

1st: David Goodwillie (Scotland) - 7 apps, 7 goals, 4 assists, AR 8.01
2nd: Ashley Young (England) - 6 apps, 1 goal, 4 assists, AR 7.70
3rd: Wayne Rooney (England) - 6 apps, 5 goals, 1 assist, AR 7.75

Golden Boot:

1st: David Goodwillie (Scotland) - 7 apps, 7 goals
2nd: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 5 apps, 5 goals
3rd: Wayne Rooney (England) - 6 apps, 5 goals


Scotland:

David Goodwillie - Played in every match, scored 4 goals in the group stage as Scotland won every game, set up Scotland's only goal in their 2nd Rnd victory over France as they won on penalties, scored in their 2-1 win over Croatia, scored a double in their 3-2 semi final over Romania before setting up Scotland's only goal in their 2-1 Final defeat against England.

Charlie Adam - Also played every game, no goals, no assists, every match rating was 6.9 apart from the first game which was a 7.0. Consistent performer

James McFadden - Made one appearance off the bench but nothing else. Now left the club.


England:

Phil Jones - Had a great competition, playing every minute of every game. 1 assist. Ratings of (most recent games last) 7.3, 6.8, 7.3, 8.6, 7.9, 7.2 and 7.3


Netherlands:

Tarik Brack - Had a good tournament in the group stages with ratings of 7.2, 7.6 and 7.3. Had a rating of 6.9 against Serbia before Netherlands were knocked out by Romania in the Qtr Final, Brack with a rating of 6.8.


Wales:

Neal Eardley - A pretty poor performance in the competition, starting the first 2 games but was substituted with ratings of 5.7 and 6.0 and didn't play against Spain as Wales only managed 2 points as they finished last in the group.