FC Rage have been around since Season 7 and after an enormous Season 18 (and a teensie weensie bit of luck), they now find themselves in the League of Ireland.

• So Rage, your best yet in 12 seasons in the game sees you promoted to the big time, what do you put this season’s success down to?

Well, for starters it has been an amazing season. I want to give a shout out to Serenity City who should probably be sitting here instead of me. He led 2.1 from week 5 till the final game. I sat in 2nd from week 12 to the end. I got luck and jumped 1 point over him in the final week.

This season, I was fortunate to see two playmakers really turn it on for me. Lawrie Hoban and Cian O'Mahony both increased their production dramatically. I was also fortunate to have very few injury/card problems this year. It seemed like in past years I would go a few games playing subs and moving the lineup around a lot. This year, players injuries were short and came at easy times of the schedule.

• Twelve seasons is a long time in anyone’s book, what keeps you coming back to TM?

I've played other football simulators and have left those after a few seasons, but TM provides a nice interface along with lots of control over the team's development over multiple season. I've really enjoyed watching my team evolve season after season. 

• You spent a brief sojourn back down in 3.2 in season 15 and 16, what happened there?

At that time, I was playing with much the same lineup that I play with now, but at that time they were very young and had little routine. Many of my starters today were getting their teeth cut in season 13 and 14. As my experienced payers retired or lost ASI, the younger players became the better option. But that led to a lot of inconsistency.

• Big changes this season with the new ME, presumably with those results you’re all for it, but what are you thoughts on the change?

I like the new interface, in a cup match I experimented with throwing an asymmetrical formation in to battle a lower division team. I managed to win, but it was close. 

It really gives you a lot of freedom to do what you want. At the same time, I've settled on using a 3-2-3-2 formation most of the time. And like you said, I can't argue with the results.

• There were a couple of patches to the ME during the season, did you notice any changes?

I can't say that I have. My team was pretty consistent throughout the season.

• Your YD is at 6, has it always been so low and do you find you are getting enough quality players coming through at that level?

I think I had YD up at 7 at one point, but bumped it back down after looking at the budget.

I've tried to build my team around players from my YD. Looking at my starters, 8 of them came from my YD. Two were purchased on the transfer market and 1 is from my original team assigned in season 7.

I keep a full squad and obviously not every player is worth keeping, but I've had a few surprises. 

• Who was your own MVP for this season and why?

Cian O'Mahoney. Only 6 goals, but he contributed 19 assists. Eight MoM with only 1 card and no injuries. He led 2.1 in assists and MoM. Also he was second in average rating.

• Who would you most like to beat next season?

Oh, time for some smack talk, eh? 

It has be the obvious choices. Le Sharks, Pirate Ninja Dinosaurs United and Athletico Teabag. I mean they have been the class of the League of Ireland since before I first logged in. I don't think I can say that I've arrived until I beat them. They are the teams which all other teams are compared against. 

• In your opinion, is the League of Ireland really getting tougher every season?

I don't see how it can't be getting harder. to win it, you've got to beat some really great teams. To just stay in it you've got to finish in the top 12. Just looking at the members of LOI should give any manager the chills. All of the teams in there are recognizable names who have been on TM for a while. These are some dedicated managers.

• Which is the toughest Div 2 group and why…?

I think I have to say 2.1, but looking at 2.2 you've got 4 teams within striking distance at the top. And 2.3 had a ton of goals scored. 

Lets say 2.3. Athlone Town was just spectacular with 95 goals scored over 20 given up. And they held off Buzzin Hornets(tm) who scored 104 goals. Amazing.

• You’ve only a couple of foreigners in your squad is this a conscious decision to stimulate the Irish economy or are you merely fascist…?

I've been pretty fortunate to get some great players from my YD, so I don't dabble in the transfer market a whole lot. When I do, I don't concern myself much with what country a player is coming from because I don't have to worry about the 5 foreign player limit. I recently sold a players from Denmark who had been a good Dc for me, but since my home grown guy had surpassed him he wasn't getting much playing time and I knew I could get a good amount of money by selling him. I'm not fascist, just practical.

• Any plans to strengthen the squad over the sales?

I think I may have to, if I want to stay in the League. I think I may have to strengthen my back line. Perhaps a DL as my current DL is playing out of position. I do have a few promising youth in that position, however.

• New LoI entrant B Sharps had a great start to their top flight status finishing 3rd as well as a Cup Final – where do you think you’ll end up?

I hope to just avoid being relegated. Lets say 10th place.

• Cheers and good luck with it - hope you do better than me!