FA CUP Fifth Round Lost..Advanced in CheckatradeTrophy Finals

Good news and bad news...The bad news is that I finally lost in the fifth round of the FA CUP to Hudderfield Town AFC 2 to 4. Very winnable game against a championship outfit where I managed to avoid Premiere League sides, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. Noriega and Makris scored

On a good note. I've managed to make it to the finals of the Checkatrade Trophy after beating Sheffield United FC 1 -0. Jesus Noriega, against got on the goal sheet.

Hudderfield VS Walsall : FA CUP Fifth Round

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Sheffield utd VS Walsall FC: Checktrade Trophy Semi final

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SKY BET LEAGUE 1 UPDATE

FIRST PLACE .

Marshall loan expires...McCarthy may be next to leave from loan spell

Mark Marshall, the right winger that I brought in on loan to replace the now healthy Kieron Morris, has left my team after his parent club, Bradford City, refused to re-new his loan contract. Bradford City currently sits in third place in the league while I'm first, so it make sense for them to try to take away a decent player that has helped me reach current status while hoping it will hurt my team since they are a direct rival for  automatic promotion for the 2 top seated squad.

Mark Marshall made 13 appearance for Walsall, scored 4 goals and  added 2 assist for a final rating of 7.04 in league plays. In all matches, he made 13 appearances,  bagged 6 goals and set up 4 goals.

James McCarthy may leave and return to parent club

An even more important member of my squad.  central back, Jason McCarthy is leaning on returning to parent club Southampton after a loan very successful loan spell with Walsall. His loan spell will expire on January 27th. Today's date is January 14th, so still a few weeks to go but McCarthy has so far failed to green light an extension on his loan contract. I' m hoping he'll agree with an extension since Southampton seemed to be okay with it, but the player is not so sure. I will make other attempt closer to expiry date and hope he'll accept.

In all competition, Jason has appeared in 22 matches, scored 3 goals and assisted in 4. James also has played quite a lot at full back where he also excelled at it.

 

FA CUP Third Round Victory

After defeating Birmingham City, a Championship side easily, I will now advance to the fourth round. Makrid, Osbourne and Cuvelier, all managed to get into the goal sheet. Jesus Noriega started as my lone striker and played pretty well while managing to set up a goal.

Winning Streaks Continues - Sky Bet League-1 Update

As the Manager of Walsall F.C, my current league winning streak currently stands at 9 matches, as of December 30th 2016 on FM17.

Jesus Noriega, the 17 year old American WonderKid and adopted son, is not only the team in goals, but also leads the entire Sky Bet League-One in goals. Noriega has bagged 13 goals in 16 league appearance, 8 as a starter and 8 as a substitute.

Walsall F.C now sits second on 43 points, in the League-One standing, only behind Peterborough with 44 point.

SKY BET LEAGUE-ONE GOAL LEADERS

FA CUP SECOND ROUND VICTORY

During my blazing hot run of form managing Walsall F.C, I've also managed to win in the FA CUP second round against Blackpool and will now advance in the third round of the cup against Birmingham 8 days from December 30th 2016.

FA CUP Third Round Upcoming Fixture

WALSALL F.C  PLAYERS RATINGS.

My top rated player is Matt Preston, a 21 year old central back who has recorded a 7.66 rating. Second is of course my wonder-kid, Jesus Noriega at 7.62.

JESUS NORIEGA THE AMERICAN WONDER-KID

8 game winning streak - Playoff spot in the standing

After winning 8 matches in a row being led by wonderkid Jesus Noriega great form, I find myself at the sixth place in the standing which is the final playoff spot in the Sky Bet League One standing.

JESUS NORIEGA EMERGEANCE

Jesus Noriega has managed to lead my team with 10 league goals in 14 appearances, playing as the false 9 in my Barcelona-esque 4-3-3 tactic. His first few matches were spent as a right sided inside forward on the right wing, but later decided to give him a try as the false 9 since my primary striker Simeon Jackson struggling to score enough goals and currently going on a long goal drought.

Sky Bet League One TOP Goal Scorer

Jesus Noriega is tied for fourth place with 10 goals in the league on 22 shots. Teammates and left side inside forward Frank Moussa is tied in 14th place with 7 goals on 15 shots attempt.

Ched Evans who plays for Chesterfield, leads the league in goal with 12 goals on 35 shots.

FA CUP SECOND ROUND MATCH AGAINST BLACKPOOL

For the second round of the FA Cup, I get to play against League two Blackpool in which I should be favored to win but can't take it easy on them. I'm leaning toward playing as strong as a team that I can since this game will be only 3 day after the last match. This will be in away game, so it will be a bit tougher thus the need to field a strong enough team to see through this round and advance to the next round of the FA Cup.

League-1 Update...Jesus Noriega Saves the day.

After 15 matches, I've managed to collect 19 points and currently stands at the 14th spot. Had a 9 game unbeaten record going but drew too many games and did not pick up sufficient points to push me at the top of the table.

Standing as of October 23rd 2016

After losing 2 games in a row, I finally won my most recent game in convincing manner against relegation battler Swindon-Town, 9 to 1.

Jesus Noriega had a magical match and managed to score 4 goals while adding 4 assist.
Frank Moussa who had asked me for more first team matches and accepting his request, managed 4 goals.

Jesus Noriega, the 17 year old American, is now the top goalscorer at 7 goals.

First Senior Goal for Jesus Noriega

Noriega, the American WonderKid reached a mile-stone by recording his first goal of what may look to be a great career. Jesus actually scored a brace during the league-one tie pitting Peterborough against Walsall.

Walsall managed to win decisively 5-1. Left wing back Scott Laird was the player of the match at 8.6 ratings and a penalty goal. Noriega finished second with a 8.5 rating.

Jesus Noriega first 2 goal of promising career

Wallsall defeated in EFL CUP

My EFL Cup journey has now ended with a defeat at the hands of premiere league outfit Manchester City but we did managed to push the match into extra time before 2 of my players got red-carded and eventually gave up 2 additional goals to City.

Kelechi Iheanacho was the player of the match. Isaiah Osbourne scored a long ranged goal from outside the box. My other goal was scored by an own-goal by a City defender.

One of the positive about this game is that I was successful in controlling possession but I was eventually out-shot.

Now that we're eliminated from this cup, I can fully turn my focus to the league and the Checkatrade Paint Trophy tournament.

Jesus Noriega First appearance..Sky Bet Lague One Standing

I've decided to give American Wonder-Kid his first appearance on the first team and brought him off the bench against Bristol Rover in the Sky Bet League-1 encounter.

Jesus managed to record a 6.8 ratings which is pretty good for a 16 year old making his first appearance and Was all FC managed to beat Bristol Rover 2 to 0.

Jesus completed 11 of 12 passes and completed a dribble and put 2 shots on target out of 2 overall.
Jesus was subbed in at the 69th minute for Mark Marshall on the right wing spot.

 

Sky Bet League-one Update

recorded my second win and have moved up the table to the 12th spot on 9 points overall.

Last match won was against Bristol Rover who now stands at the 7th spot.

First Sky Bet League-One Win As Manager

As the first woman manager in England, I've managed to finally record my first win and 3 points against Bury FC in the Sky Bet League-1. This brings my total points to 5 points on 5 games.

Mark Marshall managed to get on the scoring sheet again, bringing his goal tally at 3 goals in 4 appearances throughout all competition. for the season as the right-wing. Jason McCarthy, playing right-back, was the player of the match with a 8.7 ratings.

EFL Cup Third Round: Walsall FC VS Manchester City

After defeating rival Wolverhampton in the second round, I've drawn Manchester City for the third. I guess this is where my luck stops but I've managed pass expectation by winning 2 games in the EFL Cup. Expected to lose but let's give them a game.

Game will take place in 3 weeks at the Bescot Stadium which is home ground.

American Wonder-Kid Jesus Noriega Update

My adopted son and wonder kid, Jesus Noriega has done better than expected in the U-23 and U-18 games so far. He's played 1 game each on the U-23 and U-18. Scored 5 goals in 1 U-18 match  and managed 2 goals playing on the U-23 side.

If he keeps this up, I would bring him up in no time, eventhough he's 16 and might need the time in the youth set up to get acclimated to England.

Walsall FC Beat rival Wolverhampton in EFL Cup.

Managed to beat Walsall's rival Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 - 0 in the EFL Cup second round match. Inside right winger Mark Marshall scored both goals to forced Walsall into the next round.

Sky Bet League 1 current Standing

My last league match was against Charlton which finished on a 1-1 draw, so I picked up 1 point but still need to get my first win as a manager to move up the standing and keep the pressure off me.

New wonder kid signing..

Signed my created adopted son into the game and made him as a 16 year old wonder kid and I've just signed him to join me at Walsall FC. My plan is to bring him on slowly for the moment and let him develop into the next Messi.

Jesus Noriega played for the New Jersey Soccer Academy 04 and did good enough there for me to believe he would be good enough to come to England and develop as a very good player.
As a 16 year old with great speed and acceleration, Jesus surely has a great future.

JESUS NORIEGA

Jesus Noriega played his first game in England with the U-23 squad and scored 2 goals on his debut and recordd an assist.. Walsall U-23 defeated Worcester City-U23 4 to 1.

First managerial win in EFL Cup

Managed to record my first win as the first woman managing a professional English team and it came on an EFL Cup match against Yeovil Town FC who plays a level down, so I did good beating this league 2 side.

Simeon Jackson, the player of the match, managed 2 goals in this EFL Cup match which bring his tally to 3 goals in all competition.

EFL Cup Second round draw announced

After beating Yeovil, my next opponent for the EFL Cup is now known after the second round draw took place. It will be   Wanderers FC. Match will take place on August 23rd of 2016 at my stadium, the Bescot Stadium.

Second league match against Oldham AFC

Also played my second league match against Oldham and only managed a draw there, so I've lost 1 game and drew 1 for a total of 1 point. Need to record my first win as soon as possible before pressure grows. Kevin Toner, the left footed CB was the player of the match for this game at 8.1 rating.

Erhun Oztumer injured

Huge disappointment so far this season as one of my key player, Oztumer has suffered a long time injury and will be out 7-9 months. I was really counting on this guy to be my main play-maker and most advanced CM on my 4-3-3 formation. Now, that he's out, Florent Cuvelier and Asaiah Osbourne will have to play more prominent role on the squard and other guys like Maziar Kouhyar will also be expected to help as rotational player.

Lost opener....Walsall FC 1 - 3 AFC Wimbledon

Terrible lost to swallow after a great preseason, so now to scare 1 and regrouping the squad for the next match. AFC Wimbledon jumped on us nearly and took a 3 goal to nil after the first half. In the second half, things got better and was able to get a goal back but too little too late.

The positives in this game is that I had 56% possession to their 44% and I did generated 20 shots although only a few of that were on target. Simeon Jackson scored on his debut which is good to see the striker get on the scoring sheet in the first game.

Simeon Jackson Goal

Walsall FC VS AFC Wimbledon Preview

This is a quick preview of my opening day match up against AFC Wimbledon in which I'm favorite to win. I'm a 4-5 favorite to win and I frankly have the better players while Wimbledon was just promoted this year to league 1 so their players may not be up to par for this level.

AFC Wimbledon will probably set up on a 4-4-2 formation and their best player is a striker by the name of Dominic Poleon. He's got very good speed/acceleration + decent finishing at 12, so I'll have to keep an eye on him.

PROJECTED STARTING LINE-UP AND FORMATION

I will open the season under a 4-3-3 formation and I'm hoping to dominate possession while scoring as many goals as possible. Simeon Jackson is set to lead my attack as the false 9 striker while my 2 inside wingers  will probably be Frank Moussa and Mark Marshall.

In the midfield, I'm leaning toward the trio of Oztumer as my most advanced CM with Cuvelier beside him and finally Chambers as the defensive mid.

My back 4 will be Jason McCarthy at DR...He's a natural CB but can also play at RB but since my only DR specially is injured.

Scott Laird at LB. Callum Mollett should start based on preseason performance, but he's only 17 and will get his chance. Laird is a veteran, so he gets the nod to start opening day.

Matt Preston and James O'Connor at CB...O'Connor being the ball-handling CB...Kevin Toner had a good preseason, but couldn't keep the vice-captain out of the opening day match. Matt Preston was my best CB during preseason, so he's a lock at one of the CB spots.

Asaiah Osbourne is a very good player and based on his attribute, deserve to be starting, but Florent Cuvelier had the better preseason, so I'll start him...But Osbourne has the better defensive attribute which may balance out Oztumer.

Preseason friendlies over, Opening day of season Tomorrow

After a full month of preseason friendlies and getting the team fit, opening day is finally around the corner. My preseason record was 6 wins and 1 draws, so things went very well and the majority of the players are well conditioned with good sharpness for tomorrow's game against  AFC Wimbledon

Preseason performance and record below.

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My best performer for the preseason was Matt Preston, my 21 year old central back who is battling for an starting role on opening night against James O'Connor who is supposed to be my captain and this surely will be a game-time decision for me on who start at right-central back.

Preston finished with a rating of 7.88 while O'Connor finished with a 6.77 ratings.

I could of course decide to pair both of them as my 2 central-backs but the 2 of them are right footed and Kevin Tomer, a left footer CB also had a good preseason at 7.40 ratings...

My 4-3-3 tactic relies for one of the 2 CB to be a "ball-playing" defender who is somewhat comfortable on the ball and O'Connor fits that bill the best out of my 4 central backs, so I will have to decide whether this is enough to start O'Connor.

Battle at Left wing back

Scott Laird, a 28 year old full-back on loan from Scunthorpe is battling 17 year old hot prospect Callum Cockerill-Mollett, for honor to start on opening day of the season. Surprisingly, the 17 year old has had the better training camp and has performed much better posting a rating of 7.09 in compare to Laird's 6.67 ratings.

While well aware of the rating, I'm still leaning on starting Scott Laird, out of respect for him being a veteran while Callum is just starting his career at 17 and will get plenty of chances to start.