Burnley FM17 Career mode Part 6- Transfer Window and the FA Cup

Hello everybody and welcome back to my FM17 career mode with Burnley as we now enter that period of the season that frankly I hate....THE JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW. Yep I know what is going to happen, since I have been working wonders with my team and my players have been fantastic, the "Big Boys" are going to come in and think this is a sweet shop and pick and mix the players they want from my club. Well the shop is well and truly closed you greedy little buggers and no one and I mean NO ONE will be sold.
(Apart from Dean Marney, he felt that he wanted a new challenge, so he went to Sunderland)
So in today's piece we look to continue our fine form and hopefully start our Cup Journey.....

The one player I want to keep hold off mainly is Michael Keane and if all else fails I will lock him in the Jimmy Mac stand.

Game 1- Liverpool (H)
The first game of the new year and we play Liverpool at home. I didn't realise that the Stoke game from last time out and this one were two days apart so yeah my players are pretty knackered but they die for the team. Last time out we drew against Klopp with Andre Gray netting a 90th minute equaliser.

Andre just loves Liverpool doesn't he, what a WIN!!. Gray bagging himself a hat-trick and that partnership with Bamford....we are cooking on fire ladies and gentlemen!!!

Game 2- Chesterfield (A) The FA Cup
The first game of our FA Cup journey and we face Ched Evans FC and the rest of the Chesterfield crew. I want us to really make a statement so I will playing a very strong squad and hopefully we can get the job done and move on.

That will do, that's exactly what I wanted. BIG WIN for the boys as the Road to Wembley begins.

Game 3-  West Ham (H)
We face the Hammers at home, as we look to continue our fine form in the league. Last time we faced West Ham we picked up our first away win of the season with Andre Gray bagging late to get us a win, hopefully we can get a win over the Hammers at home.

Love that, comfortable 2-0 win and we got there in the end. It doesn't matter when the goals come as long as they do come, so a solid win all round. UP THE CLARETS!!!

Game 4- Tottenham (H)
You gotta love the daily grind of the league and we face one of our top 4 rivals (yeah we are going for top 4) in the Spurs. Tottenham we all know have players who can really hurt us and punish us if we are not careful. LETS HAVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!

We could have been top. A late minute penalty, well i suppose Spurs deserved that but so disappointed, Andre gray bagging yet again as we go to Saint Mary's next. Bamford putting in a shift yet again, we nearly have 50 points.

Game 5- Southampton (A)
Up next is another tricky game as we take on another top 4 rival in Southampton in 5th place. I think this is our game in hand as well, so no pressure there. Defour is back in the side as Tom Carroll drops down to the bench. UP THE CLARETS

Clean sheet away from home puts up top of the league on 50 points but there is now 3 points separating the top 6 and guess what we are in the top 6 BABY!!!!. Top on Goal difference.

Game 6- Wigan (A) The FA CUP
The road to Wembley stops off at Wigan as we face a side who boasts the man who is on fire....Will Grigg. Yep it's time, Besty vs Will Grigg. I am going to make a couple of changes as I am going to look for other players to impress and key players to have a rest.

This year is our year!!!! We put out the fire that was Will Grigg and our extinguisher came in the form of James Tarkowski. We could have put more past them but happy with the result.

As it was the January transfer window, Liverpool put in a £30mil bid for Keane which the board accepted but I protested it because Michael Keane is too valuable to me and he is staying at the turf!!!!

GET IN THERE and before I forget, us at Burnley Football Club wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

UP THE CLARETS

Burnley FM17 career mode Part 5- There we were, now here we are

Hello everybody and welcome back to the one thing in my life that gives me pleasure, my FM17 career mode with the boys from the Turf. We have a little new year special today, no reason I just wanted to treat you all, I know I am too good to you all. Since it's coming towards the new year, I have had time to reflect on the achievements I had had on FM16 and FM17. So I have won the Championship, won manager of the year, beat the Venkys twice (ok not really an achievement), so yeah we have come a long way my friends but this season is only the start of something big. Without further ado here are the games for today..........COME ON LETS HAVE IT!!!

Before we start I just wanted to let you all know I have signed a new contract because lets face it I am better than Dyche (sorry Sean)

Game 1- AFC Bournemouth (A)

As you all know we have faced the Cherries before and we were defeated in the EFL Cup on penalties but I am looking to put that behind us. It's the same lineup but going to go on the counter and pick the Cherries off the tree.

1-1 at half time, 5-1 at full time. What a win! Bamford yet again having a field day with the opposition defence and it was also nice to see Barnes hitting form as well. Those half time team talks of mine are inspirational.

Game 2- Manchester United (A)

Besty vs Jose, Tom Carroll vs Paul Pogba, 1st place United vs 2nd place Burnley. Huge game for us (weird how i am talking about us as if we are gonna win the league). Since it's a big away game I have decided to do a bit of Jose101 and park the bus and hopefully grind out a result.

That bus just became a tank!! What a result, we were resilient, we frustrated them and we hit the bar so we could have won the game but nah I am very happy with that result. Hull City next. Also we got fined by the FA because 6 of my players picked up a yellow.....Pussies

Game 3- Hull City (H)

After the defensive masterclass at Old Trafford, we welcome Hull City to Turf Moor in a game I would like to win. Hull came up with us last season (in real life, on FM16 they finished mid table LOL) so we must beat our "Relegation" rivals. UP THE CLARETS

We have reached 40 points, the target is met with 20 games to go, unbelievable achievement from the lads as we look to go as high as possible. LETS HAVE IT!!!

Game 4- Sunderland (H)

Up next we face the man who is fluent in Spanish, old Moyseh and his team the Mackems. Today we have been brilliant and this is the annual boxing day fixture so I wanna give the Burnley faithful some festive cheer.

We should have won, it was the first game back for Gray who didn't perform well but I am going to stick by him but first we can't beat Pardew and now we can't beat Moyes.

Game 5- Stoke City (A)

The last game before the new year and we have the first of the reverse fixtures as we face Stoke away from home. I think we beat Stoke last time out (I can not be bothered to check because I am eating some chicken, lovely jubbly)  but I want to make sure we close out 2016 with a bang.

At the end of 2016 we are in the top 3 of the premier league, this is remarkable. I expected us to be around 15th or something but top 3 at the minute, can we keep it going? Probably not.

Our team has come a long way since FM16 and all we are doing is aiming high......AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH!!!!

We will be back again tomorrow!!!

Burnley FM17 career mode Part 4 - Why Alan Pardew?

Good evening my loyal subjects, your King has come bearing a late Christmas present, so I give you the gift of Besty (DRINK IT IN MAN) .Over the past couple of days I have been feeling quite down and I have been considering whether or not to carry it on but after some careful consideration and advice from others I have decided to stay on as your King of quality content and give you the time of your lives (non-sexual, gotta keep this PG rated). 

Now, when I last talked to you guys it's fair to say our Burnley side was doing pretty alright, well I say alright, we are top of the league and loving life on top (another sexual reference sorry). We are still undefeated in the league and out of a possible 33 points up for grabs we have managed to get 27 which is unbelievable. On to the next round of fixtures and thanks once again for bearing with us!

Oh and apparently Bournemouth have been the success story this season although we are top....

Game 1- Chelsea (A)
I love this game, we had arguably two of the toughest fixtures last time out and now they give us the hat-trick. That's the trick you see they give you the code so once you install it, there is no point snapping the disc, sneaky sneaky. Anyways if we lose here today I won't be too disheartened as we are clearly over-performing in the league. The lineup is as always as Bamford and Gray are looking mint together. Actually scrap that Bamford cannot play against his parent club, FM101 there Besty, have a word.

Blue is the colour, football is the game, we lost to Chelsea, will things ever be same?. Chelsea end our unbeaten run and now this is the big test, we have not suffered defeat in the league till today and Diego Costa just tore us a new one. Well played.....

Game 2- West Brom (H)
Back in front of the Jimmy Mac stand today as we play host to a mid table West Brom side. I am interesting to see what the mentality is here as we are back to full strength, apart from Defour...I miss him. In this game we can play a bit more fluently as last time it was all about setting up shop.

Great result for the boys, my only concern is that I have noticed Gray's goals have dried up a bit. Super Scotty Arfield making a case for the case for first team by scoring after coming off the bench, onwards and upwards!!

Game 3- Crystal Palace (A)
We face Mr.Snake Hips himself, Alan "Samba" Pardew. Now I am a slick mover myself after guiding us to the league title last year and top 3 this season but Alan is on another level. In all seriousness I can't lose to Pardew because that will be the be all and end all. Gray and Vokes are injured so Barnes and Bamford up top.

Well Pardew has danced himself to victory there, disappointed that we lost but we are still in the top 4 after teams around us dropped points. But Pardew, I can't beat Pardew.

Game 4- Middlesbrough (H)
The final game today and we face a Middlesbrough team who are there to be beat. I want an improved performance from last time out, so I can wash away the guilt of losing to Pardew. We are unchanged. UP THE CLARETS!!!!

Middlesbrough hadn't bothered turning up, I mean I felt uncomfortable watching that (I loved it really). Bamford proving to be the bees knees and I am considering signing him on a permanent once the season is done. 

Thanks for reading everyone I really appreciate it and yeah cheers for baring with us and I am going to make sure that this blog stays stronger than Kim Kardashians marriage. 

Burnley FM17 Career Mode Part 3- Dare to dream?

Hello everybody (I know you have missed me, feeling isn't mutual) and welcome back to the biggest journey since that Dorothy bird and those three nitwits went to the land of OZ (I think that was the place I don't know). We start today's piece on the back of quite possibly the best episode we have had on this blog(apart from the time we beat the Venkys) we had a sensational September and we are currently sat in the top 4 but we know that the Premier League is a cruel mistress so we are taking it one game at a time. Lets get this over with....

Just a note, you won't believe what is happening on my game (Spoiler, sorry internet geek alert). Also another note: been wondering if I should stop doing this because I feel as though this is pretty sad.

Game 1- Watford (A)
The first game of today and we face the side who is sponsored by this game Watford. So if we beat Watford we beat the game (that is my logic). Hopefully we can continue our good form as Bamford and Gray start up front. UP THE CLARETS!!!

Very happy with the win. The combination of Gray and Bamford are the best thing since sliced bread. Another win and still unbeaten in the league HAPPY FUCKING DAYS.
Do we dream of bigger things?

Game 2- Leicester (A)
On to the second game and we face last seasons champions Leicester and Mr.Tinkerman himself Claudio Ranieri. Gray is injured for a few days but unfortunate Steven Defour is out for 4 months which is a huge blow, so we resort to the 4-4-2 which is proving to be comfortable for the boys.

HaHAHAHAHHAAHAHA. I mean WHAT, HAHAHAHAHAHAH. This game is broken sweet jesus mary of Joseph HHAHAHAAHA. What a win, against the champions away from Home, no defour or Gray and Bamford with a worldie of a game.

Game 3- Arsenal (h)
We are back at home after our back to back away games and we face another team in the top 4 in Arsenal. Arsenal as well all know have fantastic players in the likes of Sanchez and Ozil, so we have to make sure we are assured at the back. That bus is getting parked.

That is exactly what I wanted, Arsenal should of won but we defended as a team and made sure our goal wasn't penetrated. Another clean sheet in the bag and this season is getting more promising by the game. GWARN!!

Game 4- Manchester City (H)
Besty vs Pep. It's 2nd place Burnley vs 1st place Man City, I expect our run to come to an end in this game and that's not me being judgmental against my side but I think our run has gone on long enough. I will be playing the normal counter-attacking 4-4-2 side and our lineup remains pretty much unchanged.

WHAT A WIN! The tactics are working a treat yet again and Bamford is continuing his fantastic form as well as Gudmondsson. I couldn't help but look at the table and see that at this stage we are 3 points clear at the top. 40 points is the target and we have 27 of those already.

That's it for today, I am going to do another piece later on but (probably shouldn't tell you this) confidence is a bit low at the moment, so I am considering stopping the blog but hopefully I won't.

Burnley FM17 Career mode Part 2- Sensational September

Welcome back to the second part of my FM17 career mode with the mighty Clarets, as we look to maintain survival in the Premier League. In today's piece we are starting to get into the swing of things in the league and the cup as we look to establish ourselves as a Premier League side. In the last piece, we kicked off the season in style gaining 7 points from a possible 9 and progressing to the third round of the EFL Cup (yeah we won a cup game). So without further a do let's have it......GWARN LADS!!

Formation wise, it looks as though the 4-5-1 is working wonders for us, so we may as well stick with what we know.

Game 1- Southampton (H)

The first game for today and the first since the international break and we face a very tough Southampton side. With the home games the players can be a bit more flexible with the formation and away we play it more cautious. The side is unchanged since the break.

A very good win for the boys and with that win it takes us up to second in the league after 4 games, we are laughing at the moment. Nice to see Gudmundsson get his first goal for the clarets.

Game 2- Tottenham (A)

Up next is a difficult trip to White Hart Lane as we face a top Spurs side who are more than capable of smashing us. As mentioned earlier we are going to be more cautious away from home so a defensive 4-5-1 is in order. UP THE CLARETS!!!

Not gonna lie, I was proper touching cloth during that game I mean Jesus that was uncomfortable to watch. Nevertheless it's a great point to get on the road and that man Gray has found his feet in the prem.

Game 3- AFC Bournemouth (A) EFL CUP

It's time for the cup and it's time to see whether we can actually progress even further or was the one victory a blip. A few changes are made as Tarkowski, Bamford, Marney, Boyd, Darikwa come in as I look for those players to impress.

It was quite an even game when you look at the stats but I feel that we could have finished it in normal time but still disappointed that our cup run has come to an end. We are as useful on penalties as the England football team are.

Game 4- Everton (H)

Back to the daily grind of the league and this time round we face Everton at home who are currently 19th in the league. Our home form so far has been magnificent as we revert to the original line up we have set. UP THE CLARETS!

Thoroughly deserved that win, dominated possession and created more chances than Everton. Tom Carroll proving his worth and repaying that £8m I spent on him was worth it, with a commanding display in midfield. Up next is Swansea.

Game 5- Swansea (H)
The last game for today and we face another side in the relegation zone in Swansea City. These boys are here for the taking and with our recent form we should come away with all 3 points. COME ON BOYS LETS HAVE IT!

Joint top with City. WHAT! Sweet Jesus the Prem is a bit easy. That man Andre Gray yet again. Our goal is survival and we are already 14 points clear of the drop zone.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Burnley FM17 Career Mode- The Premier League

We are making history Ladies and Gentlemen, not only at the end of my FM16 blog did we win the League and get promoted to the big time but I have decided to give myself an upgrade and continue our journey on the new Football Manager. I have decided to cut down on the use of colourful language and really do an in-depth type sort of thing (well try to). I am also considering (after a couple of requests by people) changing the blog into Youtube series on it where you get to see old muggins himself lose it playing a football game. Might as well do something productive...

This pre-season I had to reassess the squad because of the real life transfers Burnley have conducted so unfortunately I can't recall Hennings and somehow Jutkiewicz is still at the club. The likes of Jones, Barton, Duff, Dyer, Gilks have left the club and Defour, Hendrick, Bamford, Joey Gudmundsson come in the doors of Turf Moor. At the start of the career were given an £11m transfer kitty and I used that to sign two players. Tom Carroll who is probably my favourite player to use on this game (except Lewis Cook)  and because I needed a LB I have brought in Alexander Buttner. Just a quick mention that the new social media feed is mint!

Pre-Season was good, we lost one game as we head in to the big time.

Game 1- Liverpool (A)

First game of the season and they give us Liverpool away from home, thanks boys. I have noticed that on this game, the formations and tactics are more on point in terms of positioning and man to man marking. I have decided to play a counter attacking 4-5-1 formation and hopefully be structured in defence. The lineup for today's game: Heaton, Lowton, Keane, Mee, Buttner, Gudmundsson, Defour, Hendrick, Carroll, Boyd, Gray

Great result to start the season, the players hung in there till the very end and then Mr.Twitter king himself pops up with a last minute equaliser to take the points away from Klopp. Defensively we were sound and although Liverpool bossed it, happy with the grit showed by my team.

Game 2- Stoke (H)

The first home game of the Premier League season and we face Mark Hughes Stoke City who lost the opening game. I have decided to revert back to the system that got us here in the first place, the 4-4-2. Carroll drops to the bench and Vokes and Gray are up front. UP THE CLARETS!

First home game and the first win of the season as well, great result for the team. Alexander Buttner proving his worth with a 25 yard free kick which beat Butland in the Stoke net. Let's face it he had no bloody chance did he?.

Game 3- Fleetwood (H) EFL Cup

The first cup game of the EFL Cup and I want us to win at least one cup game because last season wasn't exactly what I hoped for when I said cup run. We make 8 changes to the side which beat Stoke so the lineup is this: Heaton, Darikwa, Keane, Long, Ward, Kightly, Marney, Zealelem, Boyd, Vokes, Bamford.

Erm....I suppose it's a win and we have finally won a cup game but we need to step it up against better opposition.

Game 4- West Ham (A)

Back to the daily grind of the league and we face West Ham at the Olympic Stadium in a big away test. We play the same side who started against Stoke with one exception Tarkowski replaces the injured Ben Mee. UTC!!

3 games played in the League and we have got 7 points out of it. I am not gonna lie, I am quite happy with that. The Vokes injury is a bit of a concern but Andre Gray pops up with the winner, he is starting to really impress me.

That's it for the first month of this season and we started brilliantly. Through to the next round of the cup and 3rd in the league. Early days but positive signs ahead.

Burnley FM career mode Part 7- Season Finale (Last piece on FM 16 )

This is it, make or break, this is what we have been working towards all season and it comes down to this. 7 games to win the league or Brighton will take it away from us. Injuries have hit us all season but I believe in my boys and hopefully we can take the league title back to the Turf. To be fair I didn't think we would be in the situation we are in ten games ago but that is the nature of football.

Oh and I am finishing the season and the series today because I am buying FM17 from Argos for the low price of £21.99.

Game 1- Cardiff (H)

Game 1 and we face Cardiff at home and to ensure that we see the season out we must get our heads in the game and make sure we just take it one game at a time. Due to injuries the side remains unchanged and Keane and Vokes are up front.

Good news is we won, bad news is that so did Brighton and they are now 2 goals away from us in the league. Tom Carroll yet again proving his worth, signing of the season.

Game 2- Leeds (H)

Another tough game this time against 3rd place Leeds who realistically can't catch us in that automatic promotion place. If we win we secure playoffs but we know we have bigger fish on the horizon.

We lost but so did Brighton, christ sake I really hate this game.  Supposed on the face of it Leeds deserved a win and we have Birmingham next.

Game 3- Birmingham (A)

Up next is Birmingham and on the Friday night games Fulham beat Brighton, GET IN!. We remain unchanged because of injuries but I believe in my side.

A draw, yep thanks for putting me at ease. The positive is that Will Keane now has 2 in his last 3 and we are a point clear. Up next Middlesbrough at home.

Game 4- Middlesbrough  (H)

On paper this should be straight forward since the away side is 12th in the league but with how unpredictable this game is we can not be complacent especially at this stage. One change as Barnes comes in for Vokes.

YESSSS GET IN 3 POINTS CLEAR 3 GAMES TO GO! Joey Barton with a penalty Masterclass. One more win and we have promotion!!

Game 5- Preston (A)

A local derby so late on in the season and we need to take the momentum we got from the 4-1 win at the weekend. We remain unchanged again due to injuries.

2 points dropped again and I saw that we now have 13 draws in the league. Was happy to see Barnes get a brace. Two games left.

Game 6- QPR (H)

The last home game of the season and perhaps the biggest home game this season. We make two changes as Gray and Lowton are back for the last couple of games. OH MY GOD BRIGHTON LOST. WE CAN WIN THE LEAGUE WITH A WIN HERE!!!!!!!!!

Promotion, we have promotion. We could have wrapped the league up but we have to hope for either Brighton to slip up or beat Charlton last day.

Game 7- Charlton (A)

This is it, judgement day, all or nothing a win is needed I can not risk getting a point. We remain unchanged from the QPR game. COME ON BOYS LETS DO IT!!!!

CHAMPIONES CHAMPIONES OLE OLE OLE!!!

HAHAHA WOOOOO GET IN THERE!!!! BRIGHTON NEVER STOOD A CHANCE.

This is my last post on FM16 because I have decided to retire.........and play FM17 cheers!!!

Burnley FM career mode part 6- Besty vs The Venkys Part 2

This may seem like a waste of time me doing this but you really have no idea how much I am enjoying writing these little pieces and hopefully the mobile version will be fixed. Anyway here comes the standard introduction, hello everybody and welcome back to the journey (no not that Alex Hunter bullshit)  I am talking about my journey in the managerial hot seat at Burnley football club. 

Now last time out we had a bit of a shocker, we lost a 7 point lead and it was cut down to 3 and we had a whole host of injury problems set us back. To rectify this because Vokes and Keane are a bit lacking on the goal front and with their recent history with injuries, I have brought in Joseph Dodoo on loan.

Game 1- Bolton (A)
We start today's proceedings with a trip to Bolton in a big derby game where we need to pick up on the recent form we had at the end of yesterday. Vokes and Will Keane start as we are back to the good old 4-4-2. LET'S HAVE IT.

Dodoo conjuring up some voodoo FUCKING GET IN THERE! Nothing beats a last minute winner to win a derby game. After the end of those games we are now 5 points clear of Brighton. UP THE CLARETS

Game 2- Blackburn (H) 
We know how big this game is and more importantly the fans know even more how much it means to get one over the Rovers. The last time we played them Hennings got us the winner but this time we can not rely on the German machine gun. I have decided to play Keane and Dodoo up front.

Dodoo Dodoo Dodoo Dodoo Dodoo JOSEPH DODOO. There is only one team in Lancashire and have a nice trip back to Ewood Park boys. We are now finding form again UTC!!

Game 3- Fulham (A)
Two wins out of two, can we make it 3 out of 3? After the two big derby wins we face a Fulham side who are sat in mid-table as we look to keep the lead at the top of table. We remain unchanged.

0-0 bit bland really, we needed that extra bit of spice up front, that bit of paprika which gets things goings (please can someone speak to me, I am so lonely). Strikers off form today and now our lead is cut down to 3 points but we can't get relegated so result.

Game 4- Huddersfield (A)
Another game, another away day and this time it's at Huddersfield. The game marks the first start of the season for Ashley Barnes who has been sidelined with injury throughout most of the season. Also coming in are Arfield, Ilori and Darikwa. 

Harry Bunn you are not getting a christmas card son, I am gutted that we didn't win the game after coming back from the dead to get level. One game at a time!

Game 5- Wolves (H)
I have realised that I have to calm down in life after playing this but up next we have Wolves who beat us last time out. I am going to keep the same line up as the one who were unlucky against Huddersfield. UP THE CLARETS!!

Wolves have done the double over us and what looked so promising at the start of the piece has turned into make or break for our season because guess who we have next, yep Brighton away.

Game 6- Brighton (A)
The biggest game of the season by a country mile. 1st Place Burnley face 2nd place Brighton with 3 goals separating the teams. It's been another mixed piece for us and we couldn't be playing Brighton at a worse time than now. Injuries have hit us again, Lowton and Boyd are out but hopefully Gray is back so I am going to start him and Will Keane up front. 

My teamtalk for today's game : 
Look
If you had
One shot
Or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted
In one moment
Would you capture it
Or just let it slip?

I don't know how to react to that because we haven't lost but then it doesn't really put me at ease, man i am actually so nervous. This is our fault that we are in this situation, if we win the league then it will be amazing but we can't afford a slip up now.