Seven miles north of the Parc des Princes live Red Star FC, the historic heart of Parisian football. Now Martin Vert needs to make them the powerhouse they should have been, signing only players born in Paris.
Continue reading “This is Paris: September ’21”
Steve is looking sheepish as I make my way into training. He’s been avoiding me all week, and quickly darts up to the boardroom where I suspect he has locked the door. The youth team debacle means that there are just 23 players in the entire club, and I have almost no resources to add to them. Still, Jose Alcocer comes in to fill the vacant coaches position. He has great all round stats and can make a real difference on the training pitch. I select Charly Paquille from a list of applicants to be my Assistant. His first piece of advice is to switch Damien Durand from his favoured Inverted Winger position to an out and out winger. I may have made a mistake.
Continue reading “This is Paris: Preseason 2021”
November 1989. A pivotal month in global history. And pretty important in the North East too. Newcastle and their moronic, meddling manager didn’t have the greatest of starts to their season, but October saw an upturn, with just the one defeat and some comfortable fixtures. The fans are slowly coming around, there is near-constant talk of the Leazes End being rebuilt, and the squad despite that defeat to Leeds, is feeling confident. But, like the poverty-stricken Soviet Union, there are rumblings of discontent. It’s another 5-game month, and it starts with the visit of Bournemouth
Continue reading “CM 89/90 Challenge: November ’89”
We somehow came though September no worse than we went into it, which given my meddling was an absolute miracle. The fans still hate me, the squad still terrifies me, and a poor run of form could see my head intimately acquainted with some Leazes End rubble, but we’re in the hunt. And that’s all I can ask for at this stage. Old as bloody time Dave Mackay is the first manager to face the chop.
Continue reading “CM89/90 Challenge: October ’89”
There are seven games in September, but we head into the month in high spirits. It might not be as solid or as comfortable as I would have liked, but we’re unbeaten so far with two wins and two draws, and against a couple of good teams too. We’ve conceded four goals in four games, which is too many for a Catenaccio acolyte like me, and we’ve scored six, which probably isn’t enough to be the entertainers Newcastle want, but it’s early days and It’s promising.
Continue reading “CM89/90 Challenge: September ’89”
We return from the continent buoyed by the final two results. The fans are in a slightly better mood and I am more confident in the 4141 that seemed to find its feet, although I do now need to have a frankly terrifying conversation with either Micky Quinn or Mark McGhee. There are bids flying now for the reserves I’ve placed on the transfer list, but the scouts aren’t forthcoming with answers to strengthen the squad. We’ll go with what we have for now and see what happens.
Continue reading “CM89/90: August ’89”
Standing among the rubble at the Leazes End, looking at the new stand, is a good metaphor for the basketcase Newcastle are in 1989. The first XI look impressive. Strong, powerful, bags of talent. But behind them there isn’t very much. Especially at the sharp end of the pitch. We need a left winger, or a centre midfielder to free up Kevin Brock to play out there, and probably two new forwards as cover for McGhee and Quinn.
Continue reading “CM 89/90 Challenge: Pre-Season 89”
It is 1989. The Conservatives have been in power for a decade, despite widespread unpopularity. Labour are unable to capitalise, stuck with infighting between centrists and the traditional Left. The economy is in a fragile state. British holidaymakers are stranded abroad. Liverpool are serious title challengers, looking to make up for this disappointment of the previous season. Man Utd haven’t won a trophy for years. An exciting England team are eyeing potential glory at next year’s World Cup, but are concerned about the heat. And we are out of Europe. It really is 1989, I promise!
Continue reading “Championship Manager 89/90 Challenge: Introduction”