[Kurt]

Hey, this is my first story, hope you enjoy reading. I have chosen to manage Blackpool, as consolidating their position in the EPL will certainly be a challenge initially. Also there is also much improvement needed to the club’s facilities and finances aside from the squad, which should provide a difficult and exciting challenge.

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Number of downloads: 9

A decent amount of cash at my disposal, should allow me to bring in a few good players. That is a very low wage budget though for a Premier League side, which could be a big stumbling block...

[Xulu]

Blackpool lasted 37 games before they faltered back into the Championship on the final day. That is far longer than most expected. It is certainly possible to get them above the line, but anything longer will require a good multi-year plan and some luck.

[Kurt]

SUMMER TRANSFERS 2010

Lucas Digne - 2.4 Million (LOSC Lille Metropole)

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Number of downloads: 3

Position: D(L)
At just 16 Digne looks an exceptional talent, with the pace required to be a great full back. With a shortage of good left backs Digne will no doubt be a regular starter if he performs well enough, although premiership attackers are sure to be stern test for the youngster.

Pedro Morales - 800k (Dinamo)

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Number of downloads: 2

Position: M (RLC), AM (RLC
For under a million Morales is a quality player with excellent creativity and technical attributes. With a long shots attribute of 18 and passing of 17 he has the potential to both score and provide goals from midfield.

Leonardo - 1.6 Million (NAC Breda)

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Number of downloads: 1

Position: M (L), AM (L)
At 1.6 Million Leonardo is somewhat of a gamble; with impressive attributes such as Dribbling (20), Technique (19), First Touch (18) etc. he has the ability to cause havoc on the wing and give any full back a torrid time. However, his mental attributes are terrible – Work Rate (1) says it all – which will be a problem playing in a team that is fighting relegation, as we will be chasing the ball a lot no doubt. Hopefully he can settle in and we will see the best of him, if not he may be used more often as a substitute.

Eliaquim Mangala – 1.8 Million (Standard)

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Number of downloads: 1

Position: D ©, DM, M ©
Physically strong and quick, Mangala has all the makings of a great centre back. With a weak defence to work with Mangala should be a regular starter immediately, allowing him to gain valuable experience and aid his development to become a top class defender.

PLAYERS OUT

Paul Rachubka – 800k (Aston Villa)
Jason Eull – 350k (SC Herenveen)
Sergey Kornilenko – Loan terminated (Zenit)
James Beattie – Loan terminated (Rangers)
Jason Puncheon – Loan terminated (Southampton)

Rachubka and Eull both of insufficient quality to retain, with the money I got being more than enough for me to part with them. The 3 loan players also not worth paying the wages, with enough strikers and attacking midfielders already in the squad.

PRE-SEASON SQUAD SUMMARY

Overall I am pleased with the work I have been able to do in the transfer market, bringing in two promising young defenders and two attacking midfielders to add depth and quality to the squad. With David Vaughan and Charlie Adam we look strong in midfield, with pace on the wings coming from Leonardo, Matt Philips and Elliot Grandin. There a several options in attack, with Ormerod, Harewood, DJ Campbell and Luke Varney, who should all get a chance to impress. However, our weakness lies in defence which lacks real quality. Digne and Mangala could be forced to play leading roles so early in their careers and inevitably I expect us to concede a lot of goals. 4-4-2 will be the formation we play, as I hope to try and utilise the attacking options I have and put teams under pressure, otherwise I fear our defence will be unable to cope.

[Kurt]

SEASON 1:

Final Position: 17th (Fulham, Birmingham and Wigan relegated/ Man U Champions)
League Cup: Finalists (Man U Winners)
FA Cup: 3rd Round (Chelsea Winners)

A great season sees us avoid relegation against some strong teams at the bottom and have a fantastic cup run, reaching the final to be beaten by a superior Man U team. With 30m to spend in the summer, things are looking up for the Seasiders...