Hello and welcome back to our unique human/AI management endeavor. The Lamas have amassed only six points from their initial seven games, and Diogo’s patience with our lacklustre defence has run its course.
It’s time for a drastic alteration! Our chances of promotion are dimmed by our continuous defensive lapses. I’ve tasked Miguel with taking the reins of our formation for the first time. Let’s see what innovative approach he brings to the table…
4-1-4-1 it is!
In the initial round of the cup, our revamped defensive structure unfortunately leaves good old Tilico isolated. With minimal service to him, we limp to a disappointing 1-0 defeat.
We therefore make a tweak to get Pinto supporting Tilico, and it seems to do the trick. A clean sheet and goals!
Away at Breira Mar our now impenetrable defence coasts to a very dull 0-0. The only moment of note is when our star winger Tavares goes down for three months. Hip-Hip-Hooray (not).
Mbarga then does his hammy, so it’ll be backup wingers all around for a while.
A third straight clean sheet follows, the Cork-Baron Comendador would be so proud. Our Nigerian legend Peter Rufai has barely had to make a save recently, probably a much-needed rest after 105 international caps!
We’re pretty toothless in the next away trip and conceded the first goal in forever! A triple sub at half time makes little difference, and we go down 1-0 in a snoozefest.
High flying Rio Ave visit the Comendador’s stadium next. A quickfire Pinto double sees them off, and we’re just three points off promotion suddenly! Why didn’t we switch to a defensive system a year ago Miguel?!
We’re dismal in the first half at home to Penafiel, but a quick switch to 4-4-2 and sub Leal fires home a winner. Yet another clean sheet. I’m starting to enjoy ‘winning dirty’ a la George Graham. We creep ever closer to the promotion places; Miguel has promised me a special AI-surprise when we reach them!
Away at bottom club Estoril we race into an early lead (pun intended). Gabriel gets his marching orders again, but we hang on to pole position with yet another clean sheet.
This latest win gives us our first taste of the promotion places. Look out Porto, we’re coming for you!
Miguel is excited. He ushers Diogo and the team to the front of the stadium to unveil his promised AI-surprise.
Despite the club being almost half a million quid in debt, he has only gone and commissioned a statue of the Comendador in all his cork-wealth finery! Bravo Miguel, a lovely touch.
Keeper Rufai is out for the next game, but we go 3-0 up and take the three points despite a late wobble. Up to second!
Our first crowd of over 3,000 for a long while turn up to see our rampaging superstars. Unfortunately our boys seemingly get stage fright and play like ass.
We make the trip to 1st placed Pacos Ferreira, which always sounds like a middling ‘Clay Court Specialist’ tennis player to me. Not much happens for seventy minutes, they score, then Leal equalises from the kick-off. Aces!
On a whim we give goal machine Tilico a rest. Lopes repays the faith by missing a second minute penalty and plays so bad we sub him after 40mins. Four minutes later a snarling Tilico scores, pointing to the bench in a “never rest me kn*bheads” manner. We’ve tinkered our way to a 1-1 draw, leaving us handily positioned in 6th at the halfway point, just three points from the promotion spots.
Miguel assesses our chances of promotion, which hopefully doesn’t curse us like last season! He’s a bit more cautious this time, but 60-70% feels about right.
