
In what might come as a surprise to many, waistcoat loving Gareth Southgate has stepped down as the England manager. Southgate famously led England to the semi finals of the 2018 world cup, and has since been hailed a national hero. His decision to leave however was financially motivated, having been offered a lucrative contract to be a waistcoat model for George at Asda.

The English FA are struggling to find a replacement, and so have appointed Mike Bassett as interim England manager. Bassett recently won the Mr Clutch Cup and is currently the toast of Norwich.


In what is an unprecedented injury crisis, all the current England players have broken their metatarsals, meaning that Bassett has had to call on some veteran England players for the next 5 qualifying games. Some heads may turn at the inclusion of the League one player Stephen Bywater and the League 2 player Adam Buxton. Apparently Bassett's assistant misunderstood the instructions to "buy water, Buxtons!" for the upcoming match.

This is the team selection
Rules* I must always play 4-4-flipping 2.
* There must always be 2 lower league players (championship or below) in the team that have never been capped at senior level.
* If I draw, I can bring a current international player back from injury.
* If I win, I can bring 2 current international players back from injury, or I can upgrade my 2 lower league players.
* If I lose and I have any current England internationals in the squad, one is injured for the next game.
* The current squad can never be injured, so the worst case scenario is I'm always playing with the initial squad.
* If I gain a promotion, and I have the coins, I can bring an England Icon into the team that can never be injured (got to try and give myself some incentive

).
Format
This will be a story driven RTG where I will try to live and breathe the philosophy of Mike Bassett. I expect to lose, and lose a lot, but that all adds to the reality of being Mike Bassett.
Any suggestions
Is there anything that you would like to see? Any tweaks to the rules for me to consider? I've already made this quite hard, so go easy on me.
Comments
It's been a torrid time in the qualifiers for Bassett's England team. Having to pull a load of veterans out of retirement has really shown and England scraped through to Division 6 of the world qualifiers. In the last game, Bassett lost 5-0 with Dybala scoring a hattrick. Bassett faced a lot of unrepeatable chants from the crowd after that game! Things might be looking up though as it's rumoured 2 of the usual line up will be back from injury for the next game.
Results
Drew 2
Lost 3
Top Scorers
Defoe 3
Dawson 1
Cole 1
Lennon 1
Assists
Cole 1
Lennon 1
Barry 1
Rooney 1
Crouch 1
Players back from injury
As it was the division qualifiers, I decided to wait until I completed them to bring back any players from injury. I drew 2 games, so I'll be bringing 2 players back from injury. I will bring in UCL Stones and UCL Smalling because balls over the top were killing me with the slow CBs that I have. Hopefully I'll get my first win now.
None that are English
Ryan Hedges - Welsh - 63 rated - RM
Robert Benson - Irish - 65 rated - CM
Good idea...Kane perhaps?
Yeah I tried my hardest, but had to wing it with the “Bywater, Buxtons” for the mistake
Could be an option as an uncapped upgrade.
I once scored a last minute winner with him and jumped off the sofa, arms aloft. Good times.
I have to agree with this...no first touch whatsoever. Defoe on the other hand is a little gem. I don’t know what his shot power stat is, but every goal he scored was a rocket!
SBC Davis? One of the two lower league players and half decent CB:
Later my friend.
I’m taking you up on this. What a great idea! I’m doing it for as cheap as possible, so unfortunately I’ve been transfer market banned. I’ve bought around 70% of the players for around 40k on bid, so with packs I think I can profit off this.
Thanks @Cadey 5
It will probably be Sunday before I get anymore games in. Out tomorrow, Rugger, and FA cup Saturday...so busy schedg!
Mike Bassett called a press conference today to announce the new England captain...
Press Mike, do you think Davies will make a good captain?
Mike Well, I don't want to predict that.
Press Well why not, you're the England manager?
Mike I know, obviously I want him to be, but I can't say if he will or he won't!
Press Well can he lead them in the next game?
Mike I can't say, I mean what do you flippin think?!
Press Well you're the England manager Mike, not me!
Mike I know, but you're asking me to predict the future so I'm asking you?!
Press It's not for me to say is it?
Mike No! Come on now smartarse, you put your flipping neck on the line, can he captain the team, yes, or no?
Press unanimously NO!
Mike There you go, see, you've all made your own flipping mind up, so what the flip are you asking me for? Flip off!
Need to get him for my England team at some point.
I did most of it by bidding on silvers for 150 coins non rare and 250 coins rare. 150 for any bronzes, 350 for most golds apart from the non rare ones. I started at around 250k on my second account and I have 213k left without selling everything that I packed (did pack Lloris which brought back 31k). So essentially you can do it super cheap, but I did it over 2 days. It depends on how patient you are.
If I sell everything, I reckon I'll profit tbh.
https://strawpoll.com/hezd8986
Thanks, I'll keep those in mind for the future. Grealish has won for this Strawpoll. I'll rotate the non league player from time to time, I just wanted 4* skills to give me a little chance early on.
Any others that you come up with, just post them.
Trying him shortly...I'll let you know.