Welcome back aboard the Uniao de Lamas ship! After a moderate first season, it’s time for Human Diogo and AI Miguel to revamp the squad for the upcoming campaign.
Our initial focus is on contract negotiations, with three deals nearing expiration. We’ve extended an offer solely to hardworking CDM Altino. Interestingly, both Quim and the loaned right-back Sousa will soon be free agents, presenting an opportunity for potential free acquisitions. However, we’ve decided to part ways with bit-part winger Rochinha to urgently reduce the wage bill. Additionally, backup keeper Motta departs as his contract concludes, leaving us with just the three keepers!
Backup midfielder Luis Miguel departs for a meagre sum, but facing half a million in debt, we’re left with no alternative.
Gordon Durie hits the free agent market, catching Miguel’s attention as one of his early favorites. We dare to make an audacious bid, only to find out that Gordon Durie isn’t familiar with our identity or whereabouts, swiftly declining our offer. Following this, backup keeper Feijao exits, fetching a decent amount. Consequently, Silvino will remain as our de facto second choice behind Rufai.
In a surprising turn of events, Mexico claims victory in the World Cup. Diogo, in a bid to celebrate, hosts a Mexico-themed party for the team at his house. However, no one attends. Despite the season’s panic buying and constant adjustments, it seems the team is eager to evade their co-managers for as long as possible.
Given the absence of an imminent windfall, it appears Miguel will need to reconsider his approach to attract the top prospects he desires. Before turning him loose, I ensure he comprehends the concept of a regen.
Exciting times ahead! Miguel, armed with determination, ventured out to scout some promising regen talents for our squad. He returned brimming with pride, presenting a list of regenerated wunderkinds: Maurice Malpas, Andreas Brehme, Stuart Pearce, Chris Waddle, Jon Aldridge, Dean Saunders, Steve Bull.
Disappointingly, all of these prospects declined our offers. Miguel is crestfallen, and the rejection from these transfer targets is an entirely new experience for both of us. Regen Saunders chooses Maesteg Park, while regen Aldridge opts for Cobh Ramblers, and we’re deemed insufficient to trigger their release clauses. Unbelievable!
In an unexpected turn of events, Rio Ave extends a job offer to Diogo, leaving us puzzled as to the reason.
Diogo promptly declines Rio Ave’s offer in a show of solidarity with Miguel. The club’s relegation from the top division and financial struggles were, of course, entirely irrelevant factors in this decision. Absolutely.
With the regenerated players turning us down, our focus shifts to the loan market. We swiftly secure three young talents from Portugal’s leading clubs:
Then one from Spain:
The AI graphics department works overtime to capture the essence of our four precocious borrowed talents.
Looking at our new, scarily young recruits, it’s evident we’ll need to complement them with some serious experience!
Regrettably, we part ways with our third striker, Armando. It’s a necessary step to balance the books, and even though it’s far from ideal, we managed to secure a 50k profit on him in just a few months. If this move helps keep us financially afloat, then it’s a sacrifice we must make!
The new season kicks off with a familiar pattern. Despite the commendable performance of our Man of the Match centre-back, we end up losing 3-2 in the first game.
Almeida doesn’t even get on the pitch before he is recalled.
A second straight defeat follows. Captain Pinto is looking old, we might have to put him out to pasture on the subs bench. He can be “club captain”.
Securing the first win of the season against Maia, the same team we encountered at the outset of this save, brings a sense of positivity. However, the limited availability of potential acquisitions is causing concern about our prospects for promotion.
Tilico gets off the mark for the season, but we go down 3-1 to newly promoted B.C.Branco. A 4th minute sending off is largely to blame.
The upcoming home match turns into a nightmare. We’re desperately seeking a way to revive this save from its current slump! Both Miguel and I are at a loss for ideas. Perhaps it’s time to break away from our usual formation and experiment with a more defensively solid approach to inject some much-needed stability into our game.
A rapid-fire hat-trick from loanee Leal, after being brought on as a substitute, secures a crucial victory against second-placed Alverca. In a desperate attempt to find a winning strategy, I made the decision to substitute Lopes and positioned Leal as a number ten. This unexpected turn of events begs the question if there’s potential in this tactical adjustment.
We follow the win up with a dismal away defeat. The defence is soft as pastry, and Miguel has had his Filo this team. It’s time for one of his team dressing downs….
Yikes! Come back next week to see if Miguel has calmed down, and we can find a way out of this dead-end job!
