Author: 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” →

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” →

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” →

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Hey there, readers, and welcome to season 4 of my Football Manager 2021 journeyman series!

Shama Deadman is currently managing Espinho in the Portuguese third division. In Part 13, Shama completed the 2022/2023 season by leading the Tigres to 14th place – but now he’s set his sights higher as he prepares for his first full campaign on the Costa Verde!

Today’s chapter is the 2023/2024 season preview, as Shama makes sweeping changes to his squad. We’ll also find out why Pitbull is playing such a big part in the next stage of this story. Fortunately, it has nothing to do with cringey Latino hip-hop!

Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #14 (Espinho) – The Pitbull And The Tigers” →

Right, who’s ready for another installment of my FM21 journeyman series?

Last time out, Shama Deadman officially kicked off his new career at Portuguese third-division side Espinho. As you might have guessed, the first three months haven’t gone terribly smoothly… but it’s not been a total disaster. Yet.

Today, the 2022/2023 season comes to an end as Espinho look to secure a respectable top-half finish under their new manager. We’ll then look at some awards and statistics, before checking in on Cambrian & Clydach to see how they’ve fared since Shama left south Wales.

Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #13 (Espinho) – It’s Not Fair!” →

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Here we go again with the latest installment from my Football Manager 2021 journeyman career, as Shama Deadman kicks off the second leg of his European managerial adventure!

Shama has left south Wales behind and found a new job in Espinho – a Portuguese holiday resort that’s perhaps better-known for playing football on the beach than on grass. The local team have struggled in the bottom half of the Terceira Liga and need a saviour, so could he be their man?

Today’s chapter will take you through the first three months of Shama’s reign (from January to March 2023) as he looks to keep the Tigres da Costa Verde clear from relegation.

(I would recommend reading Part 11 first if you haven’t caught up yet, as that post explains how Shama wound up at Espinho before introducing you to his new team.)

Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #12 (Espinho) – The Espinho Experience” →

Welcome to an important chapter in Shama Deadman’s managerial career.

Last time out, a disappointing first half to the 2022/2023 campaign saw Cambrian & Clydach’s promotion push collapse. Shama was called into an urgent board meeting, during which he decided to jump before the chairman could push him out.

Now jobless for the first time in just over two years, we rejoin the story with our hero looking for a new club to manage. Where in Europe will he end up?

Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #11 – From Despair To Where?” →