Part 186: Chapter the Sixth: Presenting Vivace, a fragrance by Thiago.
Chapter the Sixth: Presenting Vivace, a fragrance by Thiago.December 6, 2025-January 6. 2026
The FA has given us the gift of time with our families around the holidays. Not only are we not playing on Boxing day, but thanks to the Chelsea match on December 30th being rescheduled we only have four matches before the end of the year. It'll be a good chance to rest up before the going gets tough again in January. From January 14th to February 3rd we play Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, and Man United.
In order to take the pressure off of Thiago (or Stringel, when Thiago isn't playing) for scoring the majority of our goals, I'm having the team practice a 4-4-2 Diamond midfield. Stringel moves up next to Thiago as a Complete Forward, retaining some of his supporting role but increasing his goal scoring opportunities. This allows me to play Scott Shirra as an attacking midfielder, which will make him more involved in our attacks than he has been as a central midfielder. Mujkic and our right winger du jour will play slightly further back so as not to completely unbalance our midfield.
The biggest key will be whether David Maloney or Enrique can prove themselves as the defensive midfielder, who will not only have to be a water-carrier as the wingers vacate the midfield but also be responsible for starting attacks after winning the ball back. This formation offers one major advantage over the old 3-4-3 in that our starting 11 is suited for playing both this and the 4-2-3-1. That allows me to switch seamlessly between formations without needing to play someone out of position or make a substitution during matches. As this is a higher tempo style than our possession oriented formation, I'm labeling it the 4-4-2 Vivace.
Hartlepool are in League One. If we play our best 11 we might set a new Wrexham scoring record.
This again? Non means non, you Froggy creeps.
It should be Thiago, but do you even know his name?
vs Rangers, December 9, 2025
Champions League, Group A
There will be no machinations this go round, Real Madrid have essentially locked up second place and only a loss to Roma at the Santiago Bernabeu could knock them down to the Europa League. So when I play youth it's not in an attempt to throw the match but instead a chance for them to show me what they've got and why the prospect-heads should be excited.
Starting Formation: 4-2-3-1 Control
Starting 11: Kocsis, Reed, Tounkara, Laux, Loseille, Enrique, Bailey (c), Mercado, Allan, Damgaard, Thiago.
Subs: Minami, Patel, Quiboulaz, Maloney, Zouaghi, Shirra, Pickee.
Thiago is killing it recently on free kicks, and finds net on a 30 yard golazo, pretty as you'll ever see. He follows up by doing it again from 25 yards. The greatest striker in the world is clearly back on track after a couple of goalless matches. When he gets his hat trick on a corner sent in by Bailey, only 35 minutes have elapsed.
We don't have all the luck, however. Fate spurns us when Loseille makes a good tackle at the top of the penalty box on a Rangers fast break, but the spin flat-foots Minami and curls past him for an unlucky own goal. But towards the end of the match I'm able to give sixteen year old Kamel Zouaghi his first senior team appearance, replacing a decent but yellow carded Enrique. Claus Damgaard scores his fourth Champions League goal in the 80th minute. Joel Patel and Mitchell Pickee each get brief cameos, coming in at 87 minutes to see out the win.
Down in Spain Real Madrid are nil-nil with Roma, a draw is enough to advance, and entering stoppage time. The referee, Felix Brych, has screwed us over before with bad calls, and continues having shit for brains by giving Roma a penalty in the 91st minute. They convert, and their win means that they move on to the knockout round despite taking only one point from their matches against Rangers.
Man of the Match: Thiago
Wrexham 4-1 Rangers
Roma's last minute stroke of luck makes for the only real surprise advancement out of the group stage. Wrexham ties with Dortmund and Atletico as the only undefeated teams, though I'd say our performance is more impressive considering who we beat.
vs Huddersfield, December 13, 2025
Premier League
Huddersfield, far from being the relegation bait expected by the preseason prognosticators, are sitting in 6th place and don't even have a negative goal differential. I aim at fixing that.
Starting Formation: 4-4-2 Vivace
Starting 11: Minami, Reed, Quiboulaz, Laux, Loseille, Maloney, Parr, Mujkic (c), Shirra, Stringel, Thiago.
Subs: Kocsis, Cirjak, Hammatt, Bailey, Allan, Damgaard, Mercado.
Stringel scores in the 3rd minute. It's his first goal in four games and a good sign that the new formation might pay off. Loseille scores his first league goal two minutes later, and we're dangerous throughout the next forty minutes even if we don't add to our lead. I switch to the 4-2-3-1 for the second half, with the lead we can focus on maintaining possession and they won't be able to bunker against us if they still want points. Thiago proves this by scoring at the hour mark to make it 3-0. He gets his brace on another free kick, he must have scored four or five times from free kicks in the last month. Sixth place Huddersfield don't manage a shot until the 83rd minute.
Man of the Match: Isaac Stringel
Wrexham 4-0 Huddersfield
Hey, it's our first ever matchup with the Catalan giants. After having played their archrival Real Madrid nine times (with a record of 4 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws) we're finally going to get a crack at them.
More bad news on the injury front. Johnny Q has been really important for us this season, his speed is a part of what makes our high defensive line possible. Tounkara is just as fast, but he's not nearly as polished and this is a decided downgrade. It also means that Laux will get fewer chances to play as a defensive midfielder as we're down to three first team centerbacks.
I'm soooooo ooooooold.
At Burnley, December 20, 2025
Premier League
I like the idea of starting in the Diamond and moving to the 4-2-3-1 when we get the lead. Let's try it again. Loseille has picked up five yellows before the start of the new year, so he'll be sitting out this match.
Starting Formation: 4-4-2 Vivace
Starting 11: Minami, Cirjak, Tounkara, Laux, Reed, Maloney, Taborda, Mujkic (c), Shirra, Stringel, Thiago.
Subs: Kocsis, Enrique, Hammatt, Bailey, Damgaard, Mercado, Parr.
The Diamond midfield does what it's supposed to, opening up the game and allowing us to beat Burnley on the break. Thiago scores our first goal in the 22nd minute with the only other touch in the opposition half prior to his run being a through ball from Shirra. It's Thiago's 100th goal in a Wrexham kit, less than 30 months since he joined the club. He adds a second when he's played onside by the Burnley fullback in the 54th minute.
I decide not to break out the 4-2-3-1 yet, despite playing at a high tempo and not focusing on possession we've still had 60% of the ball. The only thing that concerns me is young David Maloney looking very nervous on the pitch.
When Stringel draws a penalty at the near post edge of the box Shirra is a mensch and lets Thiago get his hat trick. He's rewarded for that act of generosity by getting a chance of his own to score in stoppage time, and is as accurate with that shot as he is from the penalty spot. The win puts us at the top of the table for two days, as Manchester United are the Monday match and have fallen behind us on goal differential.
Man of the Match: Thiago.
Burnley 0-4 Wrexham
The Brown Manse
Christmas Morning
(The COACH is sitting at the dining room table with the traditional Brown family Christmas breakfast of bagels, smoked salmon, cream cheese, and whitefish as WILL BROWN comes down the stairs.)
: Hey, son...
: There's not even any presents under the tree. Do you even want me here? Maybe I should just go back to Moms.(The COACH pulls out a festively wrapped manilla envelop and slides it across to WILL)
: No... is this real?: Merry Christmas, son. I love you.: I love you too, dad!(The two EMBRACE MANFULLY)
Clubs in the United States have their Youth Intake on December 27. I have the Wrexham scouts combing all 597 of them for potential stars who need to be rescued from the awful developmental system.
vs West Ham United, December 27, 2025
Premier League
Our last match of the year comes at home against the club in 19th place. Did I mention that our strength of schedule is front-loaded?
Starting Formation: 4-4-2 Vivace
Starting 11: Minami, Reed, Hammatt, Laux, Loseille, Maloney, Parr, Mujkic (c), Shirra, Stringel, Thiago.
Subs: Kocsis, Cirjak, Tounkara, Enrique, Allan, Taborda, Damgaard.
Thiago gets a yellow card, and it'll cause him to miss the next match. We're getting downfield, but giving up the ball too easily and West Ham has looked potent on their ripostes. Our unimpressive performance causes me to give the lads a gentle harangue at the half. It works magic and leads to Loseille finding Thiago at the near post for our first goal. It's Thiago's 30th of the season.
I switch to the 4-2-3-1 to maintain possession, something we hadn't done a good job of earlier in the match. It does what it's supposed to, but doesn't stop West Ham from mounting a furious assault in the final minutes. Minami has to make two important saves, but we don't give up the equalizer before the match is called to an end.
Man of the Match: James Loseille
Wrexham 1-0 West Ham
While we were topping the Hammers Watford was holding United to a draw. We're a point behind on the table, but they still have a game in hand.
After three and a half seasons with us this clause finally kicks in.
Just in time for him to get injured again.
Our Chelsea match is rescheduled once again thanks to the Capital One Cup, they're in the semifinals after beating Manchester United.
Sky Shadowing has a shot at Europe still! I'd be very happy if anyone other than Chelsea wins the League Cup, it's always good when one of the non-power teams take home a trophy.
Guess which player below won both major individual awards and which wasn't even shortlisted.
Player A
Club Appearances: 42
Club Goals: 27
Club Assists: 17
Club Player of the Match Awards: 6
International Appearances: 9
International Goals: 2
International Assists: 5
International PoM Awards: 1
Player B
Club Appearances: 51
Club Goals: 57
Club Assists: 8
Club Player of the Match Awards: 14
International Appearances: 7
International Goals: 5
International Assists: 1
International PoM Awards: 1
Yeah. Thiago scored 62 goals. That's good for 8th all time, displacing Cristiano Ronaldo's unreal 2012. He did it against the highest level of competition. And he's not even in the picture when it comes to the best players in the world.
He doesn't even get into the World Starting XI, the guy he put out of a job on the Italian team gets the striker role despite scoring HALF as many goals.
Oh, nice consolation prize. No, I will not shut up about Thiago getting screwed.
No, I don't care that you've given me my umpteenth manager of the month award as well.
No, I don't care that Rouissi is doing well on loan... Okay, maybe I do care about that.
I bet Mujkic only wins this award because there's no one on Manchester United from Australia.
Ikeda could be pretty good in a year or two.
Where's that speculation about my imminent sacking now, huh?
It's the end of the year, so we're able to make deals on future free transfers. I can't resist free, high ceiling young players.
vs Hartlepool, January 3, 2026
FA Cup, Third Round
Remember Chesterfield! Though I could be accused of not taking Hartlepool seriously enough... I am starting my son in our midfield. I don't want to hurt all the progress we've made in the last week on our relationship. He's not even slamming every door he goes through if he thinks I'm in the house now!
Starting Formation: 4-2-3-1 Control
Starting 11: Kocsis, Cirjak, Tounkara, Hammatt, Loseille, Maloney, Brown, Mercado, Allan, Mujkic (c), Stringel.
Subs: Minami, Spyropoulos, Laux, Zouaghi, Taborda, Bouzid, Bale.
The heavens opened just before the match started and rain is coming down in torrents. My son hits the crossbar with his first shot! Good effort, son! Mercado gives us all the offense we should need in the 18th minute; I will be deeply disappointed if Hartlepool manage to score against us. Stringel puts the result beyond doubt 20 minutes later.
The second half is a cavalcade of debuts. Ali Bouzid gets to make his with 35 minutes left in the second half. Kristian Bale joins him fifteen minutes later after Tounkara scores from a corner to make it 3-0. Our final debut comes with five minutes remaining, as Cirjak makes way for Antonis Spyropoulos. The weather was nasty, but I'm sure the three debutants will remember it as having been a perfect day.
Man of the Match: Mateo Mujkic
Wrexham 3-0 Hartlepool
Stoke may be a Premier League team at the moment, but that won't last past this season. They haven't won a single league match yet, and are sitting on four points.
So, who deserves to take the helm of this 162 year old institution?
The 4-4-2 Vivace seems to be working as intended, and Thiago is on pace to massacre the Premier League goals scored record. The next month and a half will be tough, though. We'll play all four megabastards, as well as potential stumbling blocks Everton, Tottenham, and Liverpool before March. If we win every match we've got a pretty good shot at the title. Even if we draw a couple we should still have a hope and a prayer.
Election Day!It's election day here at Wrexham, and there's x candidates up for the job. Below are their plans for our new stadium and the Racecourse Grounds:
TheMcD
TheMcD posted:
Right, I've got just the idea. We've been hitting a bit of a slump with Dreamsicle at the helm, and I believe it was due to a lack of America. I mean, come on, channeling Jericho? A Canadian? Bah, no wonder that didn't work out. So what we need is a double dosage of America. Me as the president, and a stadium modeled after a baseball stadium. Still with the same pitch in the middle, but built like a baseball stadium otherwise. Gives the team some more unique flavor, and might throw opponents off. Now, I'm not sure what stadium exactly we would model ourselves on, but I think Fenway would do just fine. Got that iconic status.
As for the name, I'm not quite sure. I mean, we could go with the obvious route and have it named after Brown himself, nothing says "god-king" like having a stadium named after you before retiring. Plus, I don't think we're at the stage where we have "club legends" yet, at least not ones comparable to the level we're on right now. Or we could just name it after Pete Rose, that might work.
And as for the Racecourse Ground, the solution is obvious - turn it into a football stadium! An American football stadium, that is! Fuck London, we're taking over the European NFL market.
I can't see anything possibly going wrong with this plan. Seems flawless to me.
Serperoth
Serperoth posted:
I would like to make a humble proposal when it comes to the Racecourse Ground. It stays with us, with no name change. To honour our progress, we erect a statue near the entrance, not of any one player, but rather a few footballers, dressed in period attire, to show Wrexham's history, from the 19th century, until its rise through football in the 21st, a modern piece of art, a testament to how the beautiful game transcends mere years.
Brony Hunter
Brony Hunter posted:
Using my local knowledge here *flexes*
Okay, for our new stadium, we are demolishing the dire Eagles Meadow shopping centre, because fuck that place. It's an eyesore and was an utter waste of money that's crippled Wrexham's high street. Atop it's smouldering ruins we are building our new ultra super stadium, which will be convienently located near the town centre, bus depot and train station, with it's entrance on Yorke Street. It will be called the Tommy Bamford Ground after a real life Wrexham legend and the club's leading goalscorer. As there is a severe lack of fine drinking establishments to entertain our loyal fans nearby, we'll also be buying up property on St. George's Crescent, such as the Subway and that terrible Thai food place no one goes to because it's fucking awful and the only time I've ever been there I got food poisoning and was sick for two days. In the place of these shitty eateries will be Yr Tafarn Glyndŵr, a glorious new sports bar and pub that has exclusive deals on Wrexham Lager for season ticket holders. Free pies on matchdays, with 2-for-1 pints for an hour after each game.
As for the Racecourse, we are of course keeping ownership of it (and the Turf pub too, leave my Turf alone!). As we are dominating the world of football, our old stadium will be used to begin our rise in another sport - Wales' national sport, Rugby Union. (Sorry Crusaders fans, Rugby League never cut it up here) With bribery and vague threats we will convince the WRU to incorporate a fifth Region and professional team, the Wrexham Warriors, based at the hallowed Racecourse. From here, we shall begin a quest to climb the ranks of the Pro 12 and European championships until all rugby teams before us lay shattered like so much chaff on the wind.
Outside the Racecourse, a massive golden statue of the God-King will be crafted, with legends such as Bailey and Meteor gathered around his throne of skulls that is build atop the corpses of players and managers from teams that tried, and failed, to stand before him.
C. Everett Koop
C. Everett Koop posted:
Naming rights to the highest bidder! I don't care if it's Enron Park, the Comcast Center, The McDonald's Pitch brought to you by BP, or Blumpkin' Ben's Discount Empornium Coliseum, as long as we get paid magnificently for the naming rights!
As for the old joint, burn it down and build a museum there, dedicated to the brilliance of the only man to bring two World Series titles to the ungrateful people of South Florida, as well as the man to rid the world of the Montreal Expos menace, Jeffrey Loria! A fitting tribute to a king!
AAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Preid
Preid posted:
I hereby toss my hat into the ring for the shiny title of president,
Now, I am going to dissent a bit from the popular opinion here, but I say that we sell the field to ourselves... That is to say, the fans and citizens of Werxham. The field itself would be preserved as a local landmark while the stadium around it is converted to the Wales Museum of Football History.SuckersFootball fans from far and wide will flock to see thistourist traptemple of football!
The new stadium should be constructed in Wrexham to keep the name value up, but it might be prudent to invest in an airstrip, or perhaps a monorail system, which would be developed near the stadium so that fans of the away teams traveling to Wrexham stop getting lost.
I would suggest that we name the new stadium Brown Stadium, but brown is such a dull color that it would drive people away, so we should instead go with Dreigiau(Dragon) Stadium to keep things simple. Ya see, if we get all fancy we might confuse the tourist who want the local culture feed to them in bite sized pieces.
Voting will be open until 12pm EST on October 24.