The Azzrentice! Week 2

by Guest Fri 23 Nov 2012, 12:13 pm

This is the main page for your Apprentice competition. I am mixing up the teams, which are as follows:

Team Scholes
Olly - FIRED
Viva
Trebs - CAPTAIN
Soddy

Team Wilshere
Marky
Zebs
Hero - CAPTAIN
Gregers
Afro

The second task - DEADLINE 2359 ON THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER - is as follows:

You are Rafael Benitez, recently appointed as Interim Chelsea Manager. You want the job on a full-time basis. To get the job, your mandate from the owner is this - win the league, get to at least the semi-final of the Champions League, and win the FC Cup like last year. In order to do this, you can buy/sell as many players as you want in the January transfer window. In addition to funds raised, Abramovich has given you £50m to spend.

So that's it - win stuff, spend some money to do so. What I want from you is the detailed plans you would put together - from now until Christmas how you'll set up, who you'll buy in January, and how your team will set up from then until the end of the season. Player values for transfers in and out will be the TM values please.

Hero, you are the Captain of Team Wilshere, and Trebs, you are the Captain of Team Scholes. Please ask questions if you need any clarity.

Lord Azzy Mahmood

by Trebs Fri 23 Nov 2012, 12:15 pm

Regarding buying and selling, what's the rules?

Do we decide a transfer fee a player leaves for, determine it via TM?
And do we have to be realistic?

by FIFA Diva Fri 23 Nov 2012, 12:16 pm

Lets go team Scholes. Make a page Mighty.

by Guest Fri 23 Nov 2012, 12:19 pm

onlytreblewinners wrote:Regarding buying and selling, what's the rules?

Do we decide a transfer fee a player leaves for, determine it via TM?
And do we have to be realistic?

TM values, yes. And realistic - up to you. I'd advise not buying Nicolas Anelka or Arjen Robben, but there's nothing stopping you going after Ronaldinho if that's what you think is best.

by Trebs Fri 23 Nov 2012, 12:19 pm

I mean more could we get Messi and Ronaldo if we can afford it?

by Guest Fri 23 Nov 2012, 12:20 pm

onlytreblewinners wrote:I mean more could we get Messi and Ronaldo if we can afford it?

If you think that's realistic, then yes. I'd obviously caution you to think about the selling team, for example would Barca even accept £150m for Messi halfway through the season when they're fighting on all fronts?

by Trebs Fri 23 Nov 2012, 12:22 pm

Yeah that's fine, just wanted to get an idea

by Guest Fri 23 Nov 2012, 12:26 pm

No problem. I'm helpful for Day 1 of the task only.

by Trebs Fri 23 Nov 2012, 12:27 pm

Also, to get to the semi-final of the champions league, it's out of our hands Whistle

by **Afro** Fri 23 Nov 2012, 12:32 pm

Not necessarily.

by Guest Fri 23 Nov 2012, 2:02 pm

onlytreblewinners wrote:Also, to get to the semi-final of the champions league, it's out of our hands

This is why working with Abramovich is so difficult. This is part of the problem you have to resolve.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Fri 23 Nov 2012, 3:28 pm

I say we bribe Juventus. We know they will do it...

by **Afro** Fri 23 Nov 2012, 3:41 pm

Did they prove it was not illegal to offer a win bonus to another team. It was paying them to lose that was illegal

by Guest Sat 24 Nov 2012, 12:37 am

BigFellasAfro wrote:Did they prove it was not illegal to offer a win bonus to another team. It was paying them to lose that was illegal

Michael Laudrup came out earlier this season and said it's common practice in Spain for Barca and Real to pay the smaller teams to try and beat their rivals. I think it's all kinds of wrong.

by Trebs Thu 29 Nov 2012, 9:06 pm

THE FACKTS PRESENTATION

INTRODUCTION:

TRAINING:

TRANSFERS:

SQUAD:

TACTICS UNTIL JANUARY:

TACTICS AFTER JANUARY:

by **Hero** Thu 29 Nov 2012, 10:35 pm

The Chelsea 'Blue' Print

Bring in Pako Ayestarán as assistant coach, after previously working with Benitez at both Valencia and Liverpool he knows exactly what is required and has a strict training regime.
JT is key to getting onboard the dressing room and as a result rather than alienating him we wish to show faith in him and encourage him to acquire FIFA coaching badges in the near future, by bringing him into the fold it should drag his followers onboard.
Torres plays better when he has someone working off him & Hazard has shown that in recent weeks a dip in form when shoved back out on the left wing so we're bring Hazard into an attacking midfield role assisting Torres to create a new and exciting partnership.
Look to bring Marin more into the games, the trio of Oscar, Mata & Hazard have had a lot on their shoulders and Marin can play in an AM or on either wing so this keeps legs fresh and increases competition for places. Piazon too is to be bloodied in when possible.
4 transfers will be brought in but 2 of them are both returning loanees and another is accustomed already to the Premier League and is joining a squad littered with fellow Belgians. We've brought back Courtois as Cech's form at times has dipped and Courtois provides healthy competition to keep Cech on his toes whilst providing excellent cover if required. Fellaini is brought in to add much needed steel to the centre of the pitch, to give Chelsea a 'Yaya'.
No defenders are being brought in in January and this is intentional, bringing in defenders in the window simply does not work, it disrupts the back four and rarely does an incoming defender gel for some time, we have though saved a considerable amount of available funds for the summer months and intend to use that immediately into the summer to acquire Mats Hummels from Dortmund if available.

Chelsea Line Up until transfer window

Cech
Azpilicueta----Ivanovic----Terry(C)----Cole
Oscar----Ramires---Mikel----Mata
Hazard
Torres

Cech - Strong as every. Fairly experianced back line in front of you. Communicate with them, let Terry know peoples positions & where to be. Crosses/Corners which are in or close to your 6 yard box come and collect when you can. Anything crosses/corners further out in the 18 yard box leave for your defence. Stand big in one on ones. Do your research on your opponants regarding Strikers strong foot, their shooting preferances, penalty takers, distance shooters etc our scout will assist you with this.

Azpilicueta & Cole - Both have been selected for their ability to defend well but mainly their attacking exploits. Defensivly mark the wingers. Stick on the, block crosses, anticipation is key to intercepting the ball before they receive. If they drift inside then go with as long as there isnt a fullback overlapping, if there is pick up the fullback and a DM will pick up the inside winger. Attacking push up. DM's will cover if we lose possesion but do your best to get back into position as quick as possible. Overlap our wingers, providing width, look to get crosses in the box from an area 20 yards out from goal. Al;so try get in behind, getting to the byline and crossing or cutting back.

Ivanovic & Terry - Selected for their excelent composure & decision making. Terry is back in as Captain. He is a leader and organises not only defence but the team. Ivanovic is less erratic than Luiz so gets the nod. With attacking fullback we require organised and composed centre backs. Both are great in the air and will challange for every ball that comes their way. Both can mark opposition to good effect taking out opposition threats.

Mikel - Selected to play the DM role. He has preformed steadily in the role for some time now. Main responsabilities are to protect the back line, sit in front of them getting tackles in & making interceptions. Distribution of the ball is also important. Being able to read the game and spread the play is required and Mikel can delivery that.

Ramires - Selected to support Mikel and be a bit more attacking, more of a box to box role. Ramires has a great engine. His pace and late bursting runs can cause damage. His stamina and tenacious nature making him a simple choice to play in the middle alongside Mikel assisting in all defensive duties as well as being able to support the attack.

Oscar & Mata - Selected as wide men for several reasons. Both do not shy away from defensive duties, they may not be great at defending but they will track back when required. Helping out our fullbacks or picking up opposition fullbacks can prevent goals against us. Attacking both are able to be creative on the wings and deliver service as well as coming inside the field and linking up play.

Hazard - Selected in a central role as when out wide he has a tendancy to drift inside out of position too much and neglect his defensive duties. In the centre he can roam, his quick turn of pace makes him ideal to play off Torres.

Torres - With Hazard working behind Torres in a role similar to the one that Gerrard held at Liverpool it gives Torres the best chance to really get back to his best as we play to his strengths.

The transfer window

In:

Courtois: 2m recall
Lukaku: Freebie
Fellaini: Sturridge + 10m
Cavani: 30m

Out:

Sturridge: PX to Everton
Malouda to Marseille 5m
Mikel to AC Milan 10m

Remaining funds 23m

Fellaini - Signing the big Belgian is an essential move for Chelsea Football Club for several reasons. Firstly that he adds much needed height to our midfield. This was something that was solely lacking against Juventus in the Champions League with clearances from Cech being easily won by the opposition defenders. Having someone like Fellaini there to knock it down to Mata/Hazard/Oscar will allow them to play their natural games. Fellaini has constantly proved this season how hard he is to play against and therefore will allow us to dominate more matches. Ideally we will be looking at him going box to box in the Yaya Toure role which will allow him to smash through the opposition. We believe that a deal that sees Sturridge and cash going the other way should be enough to release him from Everton.

Why Chosen? - Adds much needed height to our midfield
- Going box to box he can allow us to control the game
- Has amazing hair that will link up well with David Luiz's
- Is available to play in the Champions League and will be playing teams that will have seen very little of him

Courtois - The recall from loan of Courtois is an essential one as if Cech suffers a long standing injury then we would be relying on Hilario (or even Ross Turnball). Furthermore by directly competing for the number 1 jersey with Cech it should increase the performances that both are giving. We are holding back some of our budget incase there is a fee involved in his recall.

Why Chosen?
- Recalled (even if more a nominal fee) means we're getting a fantastic keeper on the cheap
- Is good enough to be number 1 in his own right so will push Cech to keep delivering as he should do
- Means we don't have to rely on Hilario/Turnball if Cech gets injured
- If Cech plays in the CL midweek then Courtois can play in the league on the Saturday (or FA Cup) keeping both of them fresh

Lukaku
When Romelu Lukaku was signed from Anderlecht in 2011, he was seen as the long term replacement for Didier Drogba. Despite Drogba leaving in the summer of 2012, Lukaku was sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion to get some regular Premier League action. We believe that Romelu is ready to play a significant role in the second half of this season for Chelsea, as an impact substitute, as an exceptional target man, and to give Chelsea the option they lost when Didier Drogba left the club.

Cavani
Edinson Cavani is to be this Winter's marquee signing. A lot has been made of Radamel Falcao's form recently, but as a group we decided Cavani would be the better investment. Cavani is a lot more versatile, as he can fill in out wide as well as play the main striker's role, he is widely regarded as one of the most natural finishers in Europe currently, and while Chelsea are seen as big spenders, it does make a difference that for the minimal differences between Cavani and Falcao, the difference in transfer fees between the two are ridiculous. Falcao's fee is rumoured to be in the £45m-£50m mark, with Napoli strongly rumoured to let Cavani leave for "only" £30m. Cavani would also be eligable for the Champions League should we progress.

Chelsea tactics post transfer window

Cech
Azpilicueta---Ivanovic---Terry---Cole
Fellaini---Ramires
Oscar----Hazard---Mata
Cavani

Goalkeeper
Cech keeps his place, but under pressure from the young Courtois returning from his loan spell. This will spur him on to raise his level of performance to what we know he is capable of, otherwise his starting spot is, for once, under serious threat from a quality keeper.

Defenders
Terry is still Chelsea’s best CB and is still the man that commands respect and organises the team. And that is what he will do. Him and Ivanovic will pick up any strikers, forming a strong, formidable partnership.
Azpilicueta and Cole will firstly pick up any wide players from the opposition, keeping them outwide and stopping any crosses into the box. They will also support the attack, providing width and overlapping, allowing Oscar and Mata to move in narrower.

Midfielders
Fellaini and Ramires will provide the drive, energy and physicality in midfield. Both will play box to box, working in tandem to support both the defence and attack. When the full backs bomb on, one of these two will provide cover. Fellaini provides more physical presence, which we feel Chelsea have been lacking.
Oscar, Hazard and Mata will play in interchanging roles to keep the defence guessing and making them harder to mark. They will get on the ball and look for passes into Cavani (and each other), or the chance to run at the defence. They are the flair of the team

Attackers
Cavani will play as a “lone” frontman, but he will always have support from Oscar, Mata or Hazard meaning he is never isolated. He will look for runs in behind onto through balls and crosses from wide. Any chance of a shot within range should be taken. This is similar to his Napoli role where he played with Lavezzi, Hamsik, Pandev all playing deeper and roaming a bit more.

Summary

Getting back to basics is key and ensuring that each player is utilising their strengths is our focus. Bringing the renowned Kingmaker Terry onboard through encouragment into the early days of his own managerial career so bring harmony into the dressing room. By putting forward an attack minded side hungry for goals and suited to the style of Torres it should then too begin to win back the fans as well as getting Roman onboard who's keen to see flair as well as results.
Once the window opens it allows us then to strengthen weaker areas whilst consolidating others to increase competition for places. It also provides us with the ability then to change formation and options dependent upon the opposition if the inital plan A fails to break them down.

Thank you for your time Lord Azzy and we welcome any questions.

by Guest Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:29 am

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen.

by Trebs Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:31 am

Good morning Lord Azzy

by **Afro** Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:31 am

Morning Lord Azzy

by **Hero** Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:32 am

Gord morning Lord Azzy

by Guest Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:35 am

This task was all about winning trophies. Your new boss, Mr Abramovich, wants you to win the League, FA Cup and Champions League.

To do that, he gave you £50m to spend.

Neither team has mentioned trophies. All you've done is get the club back on its feet - there is no mention of Champions League tactics (although Team Wilshere has stated their preference for a goalkeeper rotation system), nor any tactics for big games in the Premier League.

I'm very disappointed.

Team Scholes, Trebs was your captain. I want to hear from you - by 1045 - what you thought of him as a team leader, and who you think contributed the most to your submission.

by Trebs Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:41 am

We have options in all positions. We have mentioned two players who would be able to play in each position to give us the opportunity to rotate.

We have given plans. If you were expecting six or seven sets of tactics for each opponent, then no, we didn't do that and i'm sorry.

by FIFA Diva Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:44 am

Morning Lord Azzy

I think Mighty was a decent leader, he did listen to everyone and we all shared our ideas and he took them on board. I just feel with the Terry issue he should have spoke to us about that I had to ask him if we were going to keep him or not.

Everyone put thier part into the task all contributed, I can't really say one person put more effort into then another.

by Guest Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:45 am

Thank you both of you. The rest of your team are unable to join us at the moment, so let's move on.

Team Wilshere, your captain was Hero. Good team captain? By 1100 I want to hear your opinion on that, and who you thought did good, and who did bad.

by **Afro** Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:54 am

Morning Lord Azzy.

Hero was a good leader and captain. He delegated well based on what he saw were orr strengths, which I think he picked up on well.

Everyone contributed well to the task. We all discussed all areas and then focused on our own jobs - me and Zidane looking at tactics, Marky and Gregers looking at transfer targets. hero then brought the two together and created a very impressive submission for me.

Hero can also take credit for the additional stuff too. I can't remember whose idea it was to offer Terry a coaching role, but Hero then took that on and fine tuned it so that it was something that brought Terry to being part of our clique rather than the player's clique

by Gregers Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:55 am

I thought Hero was a very good captain as he delegated the roles well with Marky and me being in charge of transfers. Everyone's opinions were listened to and taken on board which was great.

Tactics for individual matches wasn't something that we took into account as they are very situational.

by **Afro** Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:58 am

As Gregers said, we didn't target particular matches. We felt to start allocating time to individual matches, more rather an overall ethos before and after January.

To look at individual matches would have taken focus and time away from more important elements, which was building a squad and team, with a united feel that we could take into every match, regardless of the opposition

by Guest Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:07 am

Okay, thank you all. I've heard enough to make my decision.

Team Scholes - I looked at your submission, and I like parts of it. Other parts I'm not keen on. In particular:

Likes - sale of Malouda, purchase of Cavani, M'Vila, Ogbonna, Aguirre as AssMan, your tactics until January, playing Ivanovic at RB.

Dislikes - sale of Lampard, purchase of Schneiderlin, training schedule (if you're playing on a Tuesday there's no real training between Saturday and then?), tactics post-Jan were a bit vague as to when each system would be utilised.

As for Team Wilshere...

by Guest Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:10 am

It was similar again - I liked some, I disliked some. In particular:

Likes - sales of Sturridge, Mikel and Malouda, the purchase of Fellaini and Cavani, the recall of Courtois, Ayestaran as AssMan, not spending all of the money (keeping £23m).

Dislikes - recall of Lukaku, who would see limited game time with Cavani and Torres ahead of him and who creates a very bad atmosphere when not used, goalkeeper rotation (which doesn't work at Tottenham, and never works anywhere), Hazard supporting Torres as an AM (he hates to pass), and using Ivanovic as a CB.

So I have a very tough decision to make.

You've both presented two excellent pieces, and I don't like having to choose between them. But I have...and...

by Guest Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:11 am

Team Scholes...you...

by Guest Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:17 am

have sadly lost this task. It was a very close call, but ultimately there was a bit too much not to like about your piece.

Team Wilshere, go back to the house. Your treat this week is a good one - you get to watch Youtube videos of Anderson's greatest footballing moments. Enjoy that 30 second clip.

Team Scholes, at 1130 we will begin our dissection of what went wrong and, regrettably, one of you will be fired.

by FIFA Diva Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:18 am

Thank you Lord Azzy for your greatness xx

by **Afro** Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:18 am

Unlucky Team Scholes. A very closely fought battle clap

by Marky Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:19 am

Cheers Azzman

(Lord Azzy)

by Gregers Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:20 am

Good submissions from both teams, top top stuff

by **Hero** Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:20 am

Congrats team, excellent performance by all Hug

by Zinedine_Ze_Zebra Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:29 am

I can't remember whose idea it was to offer Terry a coaching role

Mine!

by Guest Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:30 am

Right, Team Scholes. Obviously two of the team aren't here, so you're going to have to help me out a bit.

What I didn't like about your submission was this:

1. The sale of Frank Lampard, club legend and fan favourite
2. The purchase of Morgan Schneiderlin, who is not of a good enough standard
3. The training schedule, which wasn't asked for (good initiative shown though), and which I read as saying that, if you're playing on a Tuesday, there's no real training between Saturday and Tuesday
4. The tactics for post-January were a bit vague as to when each system would be utilised.

Please can you tell me who was responsible for each of these four let-downs, by 1145.

by FIFA Diva Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:30 am

I thought I was Team Scholes Laugh

Well done guys.

by **Afro** Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:31 am

You are Team Scholes

by FIFA Diva Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:32 am

I meant I thought I was Team Wilshere and that you lot lost. hahah i don't know where I am at the moment. Its Friday give me a break.

by Guest Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:33 am

VivaPaulScholes wrote:I meant I thought I was Team Wilshere and that you lot lost. hahah i don't know where I am at the moment. Its Friday give me a break.

I can see someone digging themselves a hole here Laugh

by **Afro** Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:33 am

You name is Viva, you like dodgy deals and dislike duck sized horses. You also support Liverpool Ok!

by Trebs Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:35 am

Sale of Lampard
He is past his best. He doesn't contribute enough to the team any more, he isn't going sign a new contract from the looks of things, it's either cash in on him now or have him leave for nothing in the summer.

Purchase of Schneiderlin
Sodhat suggested Schneiderlin as we were short one CM, I had a different player I wanted but Schneiderlin has had a very good season, and could develop. He would be happy on the bench but given time, admittedly will not become a world beater but a decent Premier League central midfielder.

Training schedule
If we were to have a game, then there would be a training schedule. That was given for a typical week. If we have one game in a week, then that schedule applies. If it's two, then slight adjustments could be made to ensure we get training.

Tactics post-Jan were a bit vague as to when each system would be utilised.
Sodhat wrote these tactics, he maybe could have included a when each system could be used, I agree with that.

by Trebs Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:36 am

Also, can I point out the other team has put Fellaini alongside Ramires in midfield? Is that serious? There's no balance in that whatsoever, both of them like to drive forward and you need a sitting midfielder alongside one of the two, someone like a Mikel or a M'Vila.

by Marky Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:38 am

onlytreblewinners wrote:Also, can I point out the other team has put Fellaini alongside Ramires in midfield? Is that serious? There's no balance in that whatsoever, both of them like to drive forward and you need a sitting midfielder alongside one of the two, someone like a Mikel or a M'Vila.

Actually Fellaini has been known to play the holding role very well in the past. Thanks anyway Ok!

by FIFA Diva Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:39 am

1. The sale of Frank Lampard, club legend and fan favourite
That was Mighty who suggested that we let him go, he said it a few times and seemed very adamant, Olly agreed with him. I would have prefered to keep Lampard I should have said that at the time.

2. The purchase of Morgan Schneiderlin, who is not of a good enough standard
It was Sodhat said we should sign him and Mighty agreed with that so did Olly stating that he is better then Jordi Gomez another player who is not at the level Chelsea require.

3. The training schedule, which wasn't asked for (good initiative shown though), and which I read as saying that, if you're playing on a Tuesday, there's no real training between Saturday and Tuesday
This was done by Mighty, maybe it was done for extra credit but there is no point doing something if its not done right you're only going to get marked down for it.

4. The tactics for post-January were a bit vague as to when each system would be utilised.
That was done by Sodhat, Mighty seemed happy enough with the final article by Sodhat.

I would like to say that I wanted Ivanovic at RB instead of CB like Olly did and I was the one who did the tactics Pre January which you said you liked.

by **Afro** Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:40 am

And being able to play holding or box to box and change your game according to the opposition makes your midfield much more balanced rather than having to change your side depending on the situation.

by FIFA Diva Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:42 am

Mighty I'd like to see you tell the truth please, you are quick enough to blame Sodhat for the January tactics and the purchase of Schneiderlin but you won't take responsbility of point 1 and 3 which Azzy asked about and we can go back to our page to clearly see that you were fault for that.

by Trebs Fri 30 Nov 2012, 11:42 am

Viva, you didn't give an opinion regarding any of these though.

I asked on a couple of occasions, does anyone disagree with anything, have any concerns etc.

You didn't say anything, nobody did apart from the Terry issue. If you knew of all of these mistakes you should have spoken up.

by Sponsored content