So here we start 2013-14.  However much of the analysis of the team was done at the end of the previous season.

• Season 2012-13 Retrospective: Part 1-  The players
  • A look at the players performances in 2012-13
• Season 2012-13 Retrospective: Part 2 – Celticman/results
  • A look at myself and the results achieved
• Season 2012-13 Retrospective: Part 3 – Finances
  • A look at our financial performance over 2012-13
• Season 2012-13 Retrospective: Part 4 – End of Season Summary
  • A quick look around the footballing world in the game

New leagues

Just a reminder.

Clearly I play in Scotland and our closest neighbours are England (as are my parent club Manchester United); I have hired a lot of people from France and signed a few players from Italy and Spain.

Facilities

I’d asked for a couple of upgrades.

I’ve no idea when this takes effect, my Junior Coaching still shows “Good”.

This is a very important upgrade for me.  I want to bring through the best newgens.

Staff leaving

Some members of staff left.

These guys left at the end of their contracts.  I just didn’t believe they were good enough anymore.  Furthermore a number of coaches retired;

• Danny McGrain (Celtic legend)
• Felix Carnero
• Stewart Henderson

So I’ll need to bring in some new staff this season.  Hopefully they’ll continue to improve the coaching standards at the club.

Initial Budgets

Here is what the board have offered so far.

I expect to sell a number of players to increase this, however it is a lot of money for Celtic

Initial Analysis

Here’s the squad, sorted by assistant managers rating of their current ability.

The red dashes indicate players with a potential ability of 2.5 stars or less.  I group these into three categories;

1. Senior players (Izaguirre, Juarez, McFadden, Commons)
2. Youngish Players (Hanlon, Slane)
3. Promotions from the U19s (Ortola, Thomson)

Of the senior players, I have already identified that Izaguirre should leave, while Commons has requested a transfer.  Should all of these players leave?

Of the youngish players, Slane will leave and I am undecided upon Hanlon.

Of the promotions from the U19s, I want to keep these two however one of them will go out on loan.  Most likely it will be Ortola because he is not yet “Home Grown”.

Here is the Squad Depth Report from coach Jozo Bandic, my coach with the highest Judging Player Ability attribute.

From this I can conclude;

1. Our right back position and left midfield positions are the weakest.  This is despite the fact Juarez and Commons played very well last season
2. Although I consider Viatri a stronger player, Baba is rated higher.
3. Right midfield is also fairly weak, with Scott Brown (a central midfielder) the strongest player for that position.

My plans

I will sell;

• Baba
• Stokes
• Izaguirre
• Slane

It is also likely I’ll have to sell Hooper, who has refused my latest contract offer.  His agent dislikes me and so with his contract up at the end of the season, I’m afraid I have no choice.

I will probably buy;

• Senior Poacher (to replace Hooper)
• Young Poacher as backup
• Young Left winger as backup to Commons and McFadden
• Right winger
• Right back (unless Juarez looks good during pre-season)
• Left back (unless Shinnie, when he returns from last seasons loan, proves to be good)

What are your thoughts?

Targets for this year

1. Win the SPL
2. Get to last 16 of the Champions League
3. Win the Scottish Cup
4. Use Scottish League Cup to bring through young players again
5. Bring through three young players into the first team squad
6. Make a profit

Can I manage all of these targets?