This will be my 5th season (though my first season was only a couple matches) & my third in USA 3/10. After initially battling my way to avoid relegation in S66, I finished a disappointing 5th place last season. Season 68 I'm going for it all! The department looks winnable for me so I'm really going to make a push to win this season. 

YOUTH

My team has young players at all outfield positions & I'll be working hard to train them in friendlies & cups. I'm looking for some moderate gains from my 3 young defenders to bring them to Q75-76 by the end of the season. My midfield has is lacking direction to an extent at the moment with Duane Holmes Q78, age 21 is my best midfielder right now & behind him I've got two lesser youngsters & my new 17 year old, Mario Reeves, Q68. I haven't played any matches so I don't have a gauge on his prospects. However, I've got 3 young midfielders to develop plus Holmes. My attackers are still young & good but also unproductive. Last season Alistair Thomas racked up a team high 20 goals but he is now 35. Philip Fitzpatrick is Q78, age 24 & Michael Roy is Q77, age 22. Behind them I have a Q75, 21 year old as well, so there is a lot of depth to train at each position. 

REGULARS

Obviously this is the focus of any team trying to win their department. My regulars for S68 haven't quite coalesced yet as I am likely going to purchase two or three veterans. The question is, where & how good? 

Keepers

I've got a keeper who has played consistently for me over the last two seasons since I purchased him. He's given up one goal per game with performance 52 each season. I'm on the lookout for a better keeper (mine is Q76, age 33). My backup is worse than crap so this is an area I'm looking to improve. I just don't know how much I'm willing to invest at this point. Either way, I'm pretty sure I'll be alright if I hold steady this season but a slightly better keeper would help. On the other hand, a young keeper would be nice for some future stability & a backup I'm excited about playing in friendlies & cups. 

Defenders

I'm weak at defender with just two defenders above Q75. However, Sammy Goots is 28, Q79 & Angel Browning is 19, Q76. I'll be looking to get a Q82+ defender. 

Midfielders

3 players above 75 at midfield who did a good job of controlling the ball last season. I sacked my Q80, age 37 midfielder at the end of last season & will need a replacement for him, so that will probably be one of my purchases this season.

Attackers

I've already mentioned all of my attackers but this is definitely the strength of my team. 

DEPARTMENT 10

Five new teams are in the department this year & at least two of the returning teams should turn into bots this season. I currently have the 4th highest team Q, fwiw, but two of the teams above me are the soon to be bots. I think I can win, but my team needs to come out of the gates running. My first two matches are against the teams that finished 2nd & 3rd in the department last season followed by a road match with a Q83 team that was relegated from Division 2 & a home match with Q81 soon-bot. 

If I come out strong, I'll be in a pretty strong position but it sure would be nice to have a couple easier matches early to build my team morale. 

Cheers to the new season!