Author: Chris Fuller

Journey of a Deadman: #22 (Győr) – The One That I Want

Published on by Chris Fuller

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Welcome back to my ongoing Football Manager 2021 series, as Shama Deadman’s coaching journey has taken him to his third club in a third different country.

After five years honing his craft in Wales and Portugal, Shama has taken on a new challenge with Győr in Hungary’s second division. In case you missed it, you can find out how he got here by reading Part 21, where we also see how the football world looks five years into this save.

You now join us in the summer of 2025, as we take our first look at Shama’s new club. After a couple of lean seasons, can he awaken this sleeping giant of Hungarian football? Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #22 (Győr) – The One That I Want” →

Journey of a Deadman: #21 – Five Years Later

Published on by Chris Fuller

Shama Deadman has now been a football manager for five years… but his career hasn’t exactly gone to plan.

Job 1: Cambrian & Clydach. Solid first season, almost promoted in the second season, then all it fell apart and Shama resigned midway through the third.

Job 2: Espinho. Solid first half-season, almost promoted in the second season, then all it fell apart and Shama resigned midway through the third.

After leaving Portugal in Part 20, Shama is back at the job centre, just as the 2024/2025 season is ending. In today’s chapter, we will find out where he goes next. As an added bonus, I’ll also take a closer look at the football world in 2025, as we’ll see which teams have won the major leagues and competitions during the first five seasons of this save. Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #21 – Five Years Later” →

England At Euro 2020… Without ‘Big Six’ Players

Published on by Chris Fuller

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We’ve had to wait an extra year, but Euro 2020 is finally here! Or is it Euro 2021 now?

Anyway, with the European Championships about to kick off, I thought I’d get you in the mood ahead of England’s inevitable Last 16 exit. It’s time for a Euro-themed Football Manager 2021 experiment!

In today’s post, I’ll be managing England as they launch their latest attempt for continental glory. However, as the title suggests, there is a twist: I CANNOT use any players from the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ teams. Continue reading “England At Euro 2020… Without ‘Big Six’ Players” →

Journey of a Deadman: #20 (Espinho) – Saving My Job?

Published on by Chris Fuller

Welcome back. It is crunch time for Shama Deadman, as the Espinho manager faces a potentially career-changing few months.

The previous chapter saw the Tigres make a shaky start to the 2024/2025 Terceira Liga season, as inconsistent performances and even more erratic shooting left their promotion charge in tatters. They also exited the Taça de Portugal after a heavy defeat to Portimonense.

Quite simply, results HAVE to improve over the winter months, otherwise Shama will be shown the door. As a new year draws near, can he save Espinho from a relegation dogfight – and save his job? Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #20 (Espinho) – Saving My Job?” →

Journey of a Deadman: #19 (Espinho) – What A Mess!

Published on by Chris Fuller

It’s time for another chapter in the tale of mediocrity that is Shama Deadman’s managerial career.

Last time out, we previewed the 2024/2025 season – Shama’s third in charge of Espinho in Portugal’s third tier. He has made several additions to a side that missed out on promotion by just six points… but has he changed too much too soon?

This chapter will take us through Espinho’s results in the first four months of the new Terceira Liga campaign. Can the Tigres make a strong start in their quest to reach the Segunda Liga? Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #19 (Espinho) – What A Mess!” →

Journey of a Deadman: #18 (Espinho) – You Espinho Me Round

Published on by Chris Fuller

Welcome to the fifth season of my Football Manager 2021 journeyman series, where Shama Deadman has reached a career crossroads.

In Part 17, the 2023/2024 season came to an end as Shama led Espinho to an unexpected Terceira Liga promotion challenge. No spoilers here, but if you’ve not read the last chapter yet, now might be a good time to catch up. ;D

It’s now the summer of 2024. England have won their first European Championship after an extraordinary comeback against Portugal. Meanwhile, back on the Portuguese coast, Shama has made a decision on whether to stay at Espinho or move to another club… Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #18 (Espinho) – You Espinho Me Round” →

Journey of a Deadman: #17 (Espinho) – Portuguese Promotion Push

Published on by Chris Fuller

This has not been the easiest of seasons for Espinho manager Shama Deadman, but it could still end in glory!

In Part 16, a spate of injuries forced Shama to do some troubleshooting, which led to an upturn in form. It’s now March 2024, and the Tigres have plenty of momentum as they target an unlikely promotion from the Terceira Liga.

By the end of this chapter, Espinho could be a Segunda Liga club. Can their journeyman coach complete a remarkable recovery, or will injuries disrupt Shama’s side again? Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #17 (Espinho) – Portuguese Promotion Push” →

Journey of a Deadman: #16 (Espinho) – A Winter Of Injuries

Published on by Chris Fuller

Welcome back to my FM21 journeyman series.

It’s almost the end of 2023, and Shama Deadman is now well into his second season at Espinho. In the previous chapter, the Tigres made an unconvincing start to their Terceira Liga campaign and enjoyed a mini-run in the Taça de Portugal, while Shama picked up his first UEFA coaching badge.

Today’s chapter will take us through another busy Portuguese winter. Shama is hoping for a rather less stressful festive period than the last one… but it might not be that simple! Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #16 (Espinho) – A Winter Of Injuries” →

Journey of a Deadman: #15 (Espinho) – Rocky Form

Published on by Chris Fuller

rocky

Welcome back to Portugal for another installment of my FM21 journeyman series!

In Part 14, Shama Deadman unveiled a new-look Espinho squad ahead of the 2023/2024 Terceira Liga season. He’s also enlisted a Dutch legend to help him build a team that can finish in the top half – or even challenge for promotion.

Today’s chapter will officially kick off the new campaign, as we track the Tigres’ fortunes over the first four months, from August until November. Has Shama got the eye of the tiger, or is he facing an early knockout? Seconds out, Season 4… Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #15 (Espinho) – Rocky Form” →

Retro Review: Total Club Manager 2005

Published on by Chris Fuller

It’s time for another ‘retro review’, where I find a vintage football management video game and see if it’s still as good (or bad) as I remember it.

This is the third part of my ‘EA MAY’ mini-series. Throughout this month, I am picking out a number of titles from EA Sports’ opinion-splitting FIFA Manager series to see how they developed – for better or worse.

This series ran from 1997 to 2013, and for today’s review, I’ve plucked out a game from the middle of this run. Let’s find out if Total Club Manager 2005 really was as special as the man on its cover… Continue reading “Retro Review: Total Club Manager 2005” →