Earlier today, we uploaded the 22nd part of the Everton CM01/02 challenge. It’s not going well. There were specific reasons why Everton were chosen as the vessel for this particular experiment. It was because, though they begin with heavy debts and an inability to buy new players, or indeed resist the sale of their own, in every CM01/02 game ever played, they are rescued at some point in the first season. In short, it would mean that all the old favourites, Cherno Samba, Mike Duff, Mark Kerr etc, would be signed up by the AI teams, leaving a far purer challenge. But this time there has been no rescue. And the challenge is far harder than anyone could have expected.
We’ve been worrying about this. We worried that you might get bored reading the same old struggle from one month to the next. That you might consider the lack of new characters and the total absence of hope to be troublesome in a narrative sense. We wondered if perhaps it would be worth moving on at the end of the season and attempting success elsewhere. And so we asked you. And goodness me, did you respond quickly.
Iain Macintosh
DON’T QUIT
Dear Pansy, let’s talk man to man. It’s come to my attention that you’re having second thoughts about the Everton slog. This is worrying because if I can’t read them every week, I’ll have nothing to do in the office other than the actual job I’m actually paid for and I really can’t let that happen. So I’m begging you – carry on. Let this be your legacy. I’m not going to go as far to say that you’ll be a failure as a human being if you quit now, but that notion is heavily implied. Anyway, if you get relegated in the 3rd season you can win the play-off final and complete it on a technicality, which is the best way to win anything.
Yours angrily,
Alex Emberton
@thesetpieces @iainmacintosh I don't mean to ruin your existence, but don't leave Everton! Both aim of the series & the misery entertain me.
— Richard Johnstone (@richardjpf) November 24, 2015
DON’T QUIT
If you could live with yourself you should quit Iain. I’m not sure how you could live with yourself, but if you’re able to…
Andrew Lawn
@iainmacintosh Nobody likes a quitter Iain.
— Tom Murphy (@tommcfcmurphy) November 24, 2015
DON’T QUIT
Dear Mr. Macintosh
How can you even say that? Do you have the conscience to leave Everton in such a mess? These articles are the best thing that has happened to me since the game itself. FFS don’t give up. Can you hear me? Don’t you give up! DON’T YOU DARE GIVE UP!
Warm regards and good luck to you.
Finn Anders Aarsland
@iainmacintosh you think you deserve to be happy or something?You're going nowhere until Goodison is closed and you're sharing with Tranmere
— K H (@keitthpunter) November 24, 2015
DON’T QUIT
Hello chaps, though this one is specifically for Iain. Just wanted to drop you a quick email regarding the Everton quest. Not much to say really, except the following:
DON’T YOU FUCKING DARE GIVE UP ON THEM YOU BASTARD. YOU’RE A COWARDLY TRAITOROUS FUCK FOR EVEN CONSIDERING IT. ALL THOSE WONDERFUL ARTICLES FOR WHAT?? RESIGNATION??? FUCK YOU!!!
That’s all for now, hope this finds you well and you take my constructive feedback onboard.
Kind regards,
Brett
@iainmacintosh I vote for truth. I vote for honour. I vote for Carsley. I vote for Everton.
— Nathan Hughes (@njbh86) November 24, 2015
DON’T QUIT
You should very, very much continue with Everton. They need you. I’m enjoying this more than the actual football season.
Michael Powell
@iainmacintosh don't you dare stop now! I want to read about your pain and anguish as you play in front of an evr decreasing stadia capacity
— Mike (@mollow) November 24, 2015
DON’T QUIT
You’d best stay with them MacIntosh.
Will be devastated if you don’t.
Neil Atkinson
@iainmacintosh winners never quit and quitters never win, despite the fact you are not currently winning, please don't quit
— Green Days (@GreenDaysGolf) November 24, 2015
The people have spoken. There will be no new mission. The CM01/02 will continue at Goodison Park until it’s just me, the players and the only 17 fans that Health & Safety allow through the turnstiles. We will continue. We may not prevail. But we will continue.