Witton Albion Promoted to the Blue Square Premier

Taking charge of a Witton Albion squad with only one on-loan team member to speak of; I had to build my squad from scratch, and was well prepared for a tough first season in the Blue Square North.

I didn’t expect my free transfer signings to perform miracles, they did though, and despite losing on the last day of the season to a team from near the bottom; I was able to finish the season top, two points clear of Boston United.

I’m half expecting my team to be relegated straight back down again; it’d be nice to be able to stay up though, so hopefully I’ll be guiding Witton to a second season in the Blue Square Premier. If we do stay up then next season will probably be my last, and I’ll probably then look to take charge of a league team again. If I can get Witton promoted next season though then that will change things entirely, and I’ll be looking to remain with the club more long term.

So my football management future is still uncertain, I’d love to achieve great success with Witton though, so hopefully things will work out well for me next season, and I can begin to move up the leagues with the part-time football team that is Witton Albion.

Andrei Arshavin in Football Manager 2009

As is also the case in real life; Andrei Arshavin is a player that is most definitely well worth signing in Football Manager 2009. He can cut it at the top level, and if you’re managing a team that has ambitions of lifting the title/performing well in continental competition; Andrei Arshavin is a player that would be an absolute asset to your squad.

A consistent performer with a powerful ability to chip in with a few goals and many assists; Andrei Arshavin is an absolutely amazing player, and you can guarantee that he’ll always work very hard for you.

You’ll have to splash out somewhere in the region of £14/15 million for Andrei Arshavin, so he’s definitely not a player that can be purchased on the cheap; pay that sort of money for him though and you will be impressed with what he can do for you, and Arshavin will no doubt become a first-team regular for you.

I really rate Andrei Arshavin as a player, and since joining Arsenal in the Premier League; it has been an absolute joy to watch him in action in England. A quality player in real life, Arshavin is equally effective in Football Manager, so definitely do sign him if you’ve got the money to do so as he really will become a hugely effective member of your squad.

Another 40 Point Challenge Failure

Having failed to achieve 40 points in my first season in charge of Hull City; I once again set myself the same challenge for my second season as manager. The season started poorly, and I felt at the time that I was probably going to get relegated. Form picked up as the season progressed though, my players began to play more like a team, and ultimately I finished the season 14th.

Despite finishing the season two places higher than I did the first time round; I still only managed 38 points, and once again failed in my quest for 40 points. As planned, I left the club in the summer, and decided to take charge of Witton Albion, a club that had just achieved promotion to the Blue Square North, and a team that only had one player when I joined; Matt Freeman on loan from Crewe.

25 players were signed in a bid to make Witton Albion a real football team, 23 of which were free transfers, another on loan from Crewe, and 1 player I paid £1,000 for from Southport, Hakeem Araba. I thought he had potential as a player, and would fit in nicely in my quickly constructed team of Blue Square misfits.

Most players I signed had experience in the Blue Square Premier/North/South, a few of them though were ex Football League players that had failed to make the cut at their respective clubs. Not exactly a team of champions, I’m rather pleased with the part-timers that I’ve signed though, and although pre-season was poor as the players got to know one another; the season has started well, and I’m confident of achieving success with Witton Albion.

Who knows; I may even be able to guide Witton to the Blue Square Premier.