Football Manager 2018

[Dquincy]

Are you visiting the dole office? Domingos has it nailed on.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It took them 8 days to realise that Domingos is a chancer.

[Mike]

I’ve made my QPR squad too big I think.

[igor_balis]

My mighty Rugby Town side have hit a rough patch of form. Down to 3rd in the league, and LEE HUGHES's (player/manager) Worcester City have gone top. Frustratingly only the winners get promotion and there's no playoffs, and my outrageously good for this level striker is out of contract in the summer so I probably need to sort it out.

What kind of tactics are good on this FM, then? Bear in mind I've got level 9 shitkickers.

[Spikey M]

My mighty Rugby Town side have hit a rough patch of form. Down to 3rd in the league, and LEE HUGHES's (player/manager) Worcester City have gone top. Frustratingly only the winners get promotion and there's no playoffs, and my outrageously good for this level striker is out of contract in the summer so I probably need to sort it out.

What kind of tactics are good on this FM, then? Bear in mind I've got level 9 shitkickers.

3 at the back, attacking wingbacks, 2 in midfield, 3 attackers (either 3 strikers or 1 striker in front of 2 Attacking midfielders)

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

And we're done:

Here is how the league finished:

https://i.imgur.com/MYtGTOo.png

This secured promotion to the top division but we had to have a game against Lalenok to determine the champions:

https://i.imgur.com/knsX9Pu.png

Here are the results:

https://i.imgur.com/eXtrC6H.png

As you can see we also got to the final of the Cup, so how did that go?

https://i.imgur.com/KkiPQZy.png

:(

I thought we had it after smashing a top division team in the semi-final but despite the mountain of chances we created our strikers (who are all shit) just couldn't put them away. On the other hand their strikers put away their chances. Disappointing end but I'd have taken it before hand.

Here are the squad awards too:

https://i.imgur.com/h46NZeY.png

I'm not sure how a DRL was so good, especially as he didn't score any goals and he only grabbed 1 assist but whatever. Probably just goes to show how shit our strikers were.

Two league titles in two seasons is pretty good though.

Oh and the start and middle was awful, my team all hated me because of my shit reputation. Eat a dick lads.

[igor_balis]

3 at the back, attacking wingbacks, 2 in midfield, 3 attackers (either 3 strikers or 1 striker in front of 2 Attacking midfielders)

Gone for something between the two - 3 at the back, attacking wingbacks, 2 in midfield, with an AMC behind 2 strikers. Been absolutely smashing teams since then. so cheers for the advice.

[randomlegend]

https://i.imgur.com/3hJAKMn.png

I'm using this now.

Gelson Martins is somehow top scoreer with 28 in 30. We're in January and the front four have 102 goals between them, lol.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

And I'm back in the job. This time with Kartileh in the Dijibouti Premier League which is already underway.

https://i.imgur.com/sF02gkf.png

12 games left as it's an 18 game league.

I had some better options but three things really pulled me in. The first is their position in the table, they're predicted to finish sixth so they players are doing well. The second is the wage budget, the club is currently spending £40 p/w but the budget is set at £1,632 so I can go fucking mental. Finally, the third reason is the most appealing:

https://i.imgur.com/gJfZYhc.png

I want to break that dominance by the phone wankers.

Facilities:

https://i.imgur.com/hcqYPSl.png

:sherlock: The main team in the league owns us? Surely that's just a bit dodgy.

The stadium:

https://secure.cache.images.core.optasports.com/soccer/venues/600x450/3318.jpg

http://www.europlan-online.de/files/9882a23c80442228f91ae405d2c1692b.jpg

http://www.europlan-online.de/files/2bd97ef2c98294a48bceab76614e1677.jpg

It's a real beauty.

Here is our key player:

https://i.imgur.com/AUbqhtY.png

And our hot prospect:

https://i.imgur.com/TfPtXCw.png

First game is today (the day I was hired) against the phone bastards so that's a nice and easy start.

Edit: They own most of the league, no wonder they've fucking dominated it.

Edit: Oh and my keeper is on international duty for the first match, ofc he is.

[Adramelch]

Do you guys play the offside trap? I find that even though I play with a deeper line I still get a lot of passes behind the defence.

Sir Andy Mahowry: It's the stadium they own, no?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/rKNBIFE.png

:drool:

I'll probably get sacked in the morning for beating the almighty overlords.

[randomlegend]

I just paid £100m for a 17 year old striker from Leicester :eyemouth:

[Baz]

I just paid £100m for a 17 year old striker from Leicester :eyemouth:Lets have a look.

[Mike]

https://i.imgur.com/31SPdJJ.png
Striker from my last team. He wouldn't come to QPR with me. Not a bad bit of business though, I paid £97k to bring him over from Brazil.

[randomlegend]

Lets have a look.

https://i.imgur.com/m4zCSeF.png

[John]

You tit. He's a nobody.

[randomlegend]

I mean you're wrong, but OK.

[Mike]

He’s no Bentinho.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I like him.

He's not worth 100m but then RL is playing as United so the price is doesn't really matter.

[Spikey M]

My director of football bid £175m for Rashford whilst I had 3 contracts pending for better/equal players.

Responsibilities changed quick time.

[Dark Soldier]

This is the best 4123 I've used this version. Utterly lethal, about win the league and Europa with Everton first season with it:

http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/share-download-fm-18-tactics/371453-4-1-2-2-1-4-3-3-great-results-atl%C3%A9tico-google-page-ranking-e-manchester-united.html

Change striker to AF and take off tackle harder on the two full backs.

[Dquincy]

Sir Andy Mahowry - So Dijibouti own your club, the league is named after them, and they've won the league every year?

Crush the bastards.

[Adramelch]

Sir Andy Mahowry - So Dijibouti own your club, the league is named after them, and they've won the league every year?

Crush the bastards.

Djibouti is the country. Also I'm pretty sure they just own the stadium. It's just weird wording.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Hardly any clubs in Africa have their own stadium, somewhere pokey like that they'll play all the league games in the national stadium or whichever grounds local cities have.

[Adramelch]

Hardly any clubs in Africa have their own stadium, somewhere pokey like that they'll play all the league games in the national stadium or whichever grounds local cities have.

Even more so a country of less than a million people.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just got a new striker who shits on all of my other strikers. First game and I see he's ineligible as he's played for too many teams this season.

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/000/063/Rage.jpg

[Adramelch]

So after getting sacked from Soroksar, I applied to a lot of jobs and got a lot of offers. In the end I decided to join:

http://www.stenhousemuirfc.com/images/uploads/images/east%20fife.png

I know it's difficult to guess from just the badge, but that's East Fife. We play in the 3rd tier of Scotland and the club managed to get into the playoffs last season but didn't get past the semis. I would like to say that we can try and get the 1 automatic promotion spot, but Livingston (the team that got relegated from the Championship) and Raith (the team that narrowly missed automatic promotion last season) are significantly bigger clubs that us, so the goal is a playoff spot, hoping that we can cause an upset there.

I've reached the mid-season part and we've been doing quite good so far:

https://i.imgur.com/48N6xpQ.png

But it has to be said that the table is flattering our performance a bit. We are on a great run currently with 13 points in the last 5 games, while the teams around us have been faltering. Our attack is as good as any in the league but our defence leaves a lot to be desired. This chap below has been our best performer with 17 goals to his name:

https://i.imgur.com/O8GVqm5.png

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/SjZBM8K.png

Youth recruitment day and I get this gem.

Looks shit to all of you but he's already one of my best central midfielders. Going to start him in my next game and see what he can do.

Takes my tally of Warsama's to 4 though.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Boy wonder scores 2 in his debut.

Hero.

[Adramelch]

That moment when there's more competition for best Warsama in the club than there is for best midfielder.

[Dark Soldier]

I sold Sandro to PSG for 70mil. The game is fucked.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Done.

https://i.imgur.com/rQug0vH.png

https://i.imgur.com/0VWPn4Q.png

The telephone bastards were surprisingly shit. I thought I'd have a real tough time but we steamrolled it with very little resistance.

Cup final:

https://i.imgur.com/dVsW9Hp.png

Should have been simpler but they but our strikers were shit. Luckily we got away with it.

3 league titles and a cup win in 3 seasons, not too shabby.

[Adramelch]

I finished my season as well.

https://i.imgur.com/FXq8Aax.png

Last game was against Livingston at our place and a win would take us to 1st, but sadly we could only muster a draw (and really we didn't deserve better). Looking back at the season we only have ourselves to blame for not winning the league as we squandered too many a lead. We faced Raith in the Playoffs, but I wasn't too hopeful, seeing as we failed to get a single win in our 4 encounters (2 draws and 2 losses). That said, our performance in the playoffs was abhorrent and we went out, losing 5-1 on aggregate. They went on to beat Ayr 5-1 on aggregate in the finals too, so at least we won't have to face them next season.

I am not sure where to go from here. I want to stay but our star striker (whose loan I had hoped to renew) didn't have his contract renewed at Celtic and I doubt he's going to want to sign for us. Finding a replacement for his 31 goals will be a tough task. On the other hand I don't see much promise in looking for a new club.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I really wish I could hire a PA or something to do these shitty job interviews for me.

They're so fucking shit and pointless.

[Adramelch]

I really wish I could hire a PA or something to do these shitty job interviews for me.

They're so fucking shit and pointless.

Yeah they are somehow even worse than press conferences.

[wullie]

Q - Can you be trusted with our transfer budget?

A - If anything I would be more careful than usual with the budget entrusted to me


First day, new office furniture ordered

https://i.imgur.com/eodnuv4.png

[SvN]

Playing my first game as FC United, and really enjoying it so far. We had an incredible start to the season and were top of the league, but the last month or so has brought us back down to Earth. We lost home and away against Salford, who are now top, and we've slipped to third. Still, I was hoping for playoffs, so anything above that will be a bonus.

Plus we've had a brilliant FA Cup Run. We've reached the 4th round, beating Wycombe 5-3 away in round 3. Just had the draw for round 4 :drool:

https://i.imgur.com/zEBZCJu.png

Shame it's not away.

[Adramelch]

My personal favourite is when they ask you if you're planning to stay long at the job.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/XJyXrMu.png

http://www.datasportsgroup.com/images/clubs/200x200/15482.png

Here is the real life team according to Google:

http://www.martinique.franceantilles.fr/images/2014/06/03/cbd94817ba7939ed6c800583ac50c875.jpg

One guy even has a Wiki page:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_Blanchard

Unfortunately I doubt he's a white boy from Quebec who also used to play hockey.

https://i.imgur.com/vjOXYrB.png

Here is the stadium:

http://www.mairie-schoelcher.fr/var/mairie_schoelcher/storage/images/mediatheque/sports-culture-loisirs/sport/stade-municipal/314536-1-fre-FR/Stade-municipal.jpg

http://avpfcs.e-monsite.com/medias/album/dsc03346.jpg

Here is our key player:

https://i.imgur.com/YWBx1Bg.png

Our hot prospect:

https://i.imgur.com/KX355bl.png

Budgets:

https://i.imgur.com/DLBkjQA.png

Table:

https://i.imgur.com/eou5yo8.png

We're predicted to finish 12th so unless I'm incredibly handy in the market I think my run of league titles will end at 3.

[wullie]

It's between Good Luck and Golden Lion for a place in my heart from that division.

[Spikey M]

Your Key Payer and Prospct are both white? In that team? Racist cunt.

[Spikey M]

It's between Good Luck and Golden Lion for a place in my heart from that division.
Jimmy Floyd will love a bit of Club Colonial.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

First big transfer is in.

https://i.imgur.com/wR3na6k.png

https://ssl.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000iiiD7NSjcRk/fit=1000x750/Karl-Vitulin-00.jpg

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/karl-vitulin-of-martinique-plays-against-nicaragua-during-a-concacaf-picture-id812847848?s=612x612

Instantly our best player.

[Adramelch]

Hey that guy has a wikipedia entry. It's french wikipedia and it's a single line, but he has one!

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

We've hit the big time.

He even has international caps and goals.

[-james-]

Sellout.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Christ, I've just seen his value.

27k. The rest of the first team squad combined has a value of £5800.

Like 4 and a half times better than the whole squad :drool:

[wullie]

Foreign versions of Wikipedia pages fascinate me. According to Manx Gaelic Cov are still in the Championship and it's 2008, which is the world I'd like to live with.

[ScousePig]

When using instant result, do people find that the assistant manager changes the players' positions around? I have a couple of players playing as shadow strikers, but as they're only being trained and not natural in that position, I find them being moved up front, or deeper. Is there a way around this?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Foreign versions of Wikipedia pages fascinate me. According to Manx Gaelic Cov are still in the Championship and it's 2008, which is the world I'd like to live with.

The Romanian version of Coventry is a mess.

https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry_City_FC

In the Coca-Cola Championship (so 2008ish), a previous chairman (2007-11), your squad from 2009 but then it has your manager from last season.

Edit: Actually Slade is only on the right, in the detailed staff list Coleman is there.

Happy 2009.

[wullie]

Ah, the days when Andy Thorn was just scouter and we hadn't stupidly decided he should be Antrenor principal.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/UWLvuja.png

Ugh.

[Mike]

Played a match in Chile on the same day I played away to Portsmouth. Drew both.

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://i.imgur.com/UWLvuja.png

Ugh.

I've known one or two local cricket leagues to have a similar system, the idea being that you get 0 if you fail to fulfil the fixture. Probably happens in Martinique football.

[Adramelch]

There's also that Scottish League Cup format where it's the standard 3/1/0 but if you draw you go to penalties and the winner gets 2 points instead.

[wullie]

The JPT did that this season too. I didn't like them adding reserve teams last season, but getting rid of draws in favour of penalty wins and losses made me glad we were rubbish and got out of it on purpose this year.

[Adramelch]

Won a league game 2-0. Told the players "You did well tonight". "Some players have reacted negatively". Ok!

[Mike]

Only September but still...
https://i.imgur.com/m1E5dSb.png

[Adramelch]

Final few games and our rivals have been awarded (and scored) 5 penalties in 2 games, I kid you not.

We did it:

https://i.imgur.com/tnN1zVu.png

It looks close but it took a massive fuckup on our part to make it so. We were 9 points ahead with 6 games to go and we proceeded to only pick 6 points thereafter.

Ridiculously, Ayr had a total of 6 penalties in the last 3 games. Ironically, their 6th penalty was the only one they missed, and it was injury time of the last game that they proceeded to draw.
The whole thing felt sort of unfair as Ayr had a striker that my scouts considered to be "leading Champìonship player", who has been wanting to leave for more than a year and apparently nobody came in for him. He scored 40 goals in the league and 50 in total. They somehow managed to go out on the playoff semis (to the team that held them to a draw in the last game no less).

I don't know if I want to stay in Scotland. This whole "playing 4 times against each team" shenanigans has become a bit tiresome.

[ScousePig]

The good thing about that is you get to actually know the opposition quite well, which adds to the immersion for me. I've just spent five seasons with FC Halifax and I felt like when I left I really knew the leagues down there.

[Adramelch]

My winger won player of the year and yet didn't make it in the team of the year.

[Adramelch]

In the end, summer came, the quality of players that were interested to sign for us didn't go up whatsoever (players that were on loan with us last season even refused to renew their loans), so I just decided to resign and look for a new club. After 15 games in the new season, they have managed to gather a total of 2 points with 7 goals scored so it seems like I made the right choice. I went on holiday for a couple of months and then started applying for jobs. In the end I ended up at:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/dc/Grimb_Badge.png

They got relegated from League 1 last season, and after 18 games find themselves in a dire situation:

https://i.imgur.com/crWoKbT.png

But the personnel seems good, so I think I can turn it around. This guy seems to be the cream of the crop:

https://i.imgur.com/mmGuqeZ.png

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

League:

https://i.imgur.com/nyk6w6w.png

https://i.imgur.com/C9Gtzq7.png

I'd have taken second going into the season as we were predicted to come 12th (although when we signed Vitulin the preciction went up to 6th) but to come so close :( The draw with Golden Lion was the end really, we had them in that match but our strikers all played like Danny Welbeck. I genuinely hate Franciscain now too, they're such bastards.

Cups:

https://i.imgur.com/72MZ2PQ.png

https://i.imgur.com/bSaUFfQ.png

The one that I won doesn't really count as it was some 4 team piece of shit but the rest, I'm gutted with. Franciscain are my first real enemies on this version, lost both league games and 2 of the 3 cup games although we barely won that (they led 3-1 but we scored 2 late on, they then missed a penalty in extra time before we found a winner), no matter how good we were playing at the time, we'd take them on and they'd have the beating of us. Such pricks.

For some reason I got no season awards in my mail so here is the squad view of the first team:

https://i.imgur.com/dBPF6D9.png

Vitulin and Vanitou were the reasons why we were so good, they bossed the midfield and that was vital for us. Strikers wise, they scored a lot but they were the most infuriating dickheads ever. Especially Marin who seemed to have to miss 5 before scoring.

Technically I did win a cup (and it took me to 6th in the Martinique hall of fame) so I'm not leaving empty handed but I do feel that I could have done more. First team I've been at that I almost didn't leave too but I want to start moving up instead of the constant sideways moves.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/vv3CUXC.png

Here is the team in real life:

http://www.balonazos.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/GranValencia_0801.jpg

:cool:

https://i.imgur.com/qsJXlwG.png

Stadium:

https://static.panoramio.com.storage.googleapis.com/photos/large/67543675.jpg

https://static.panoramio.com.storage.googleapis.com/photos/large/48079823.jpg

It actually looks semi-decent, easily the best so far on my journey.

Key player:

https://i.imgur.com/26sWS41.png

Hot prospect:

https://i.imgur.com/oDPKl6L.png

Fuck all else in the youth team.

First team stats:

https://i.imgur.com/pEOVzX6.png

Although I have terminated the loans of 2 players so they're not listed just yet.

Budgets:

https://i.imgur.com/wFhCUGr.png

Table:

https://i.imgur.com/xkdfzZL.png

League is on a 2 month break right now so I've got some time to try and bring players in and get them used to my tactics so the situation isn't too bad.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Our first signing (window opens in a few days):

https://i.imgur.com/kXkJtKj.png

:drool:

I had lined up another Mexican striker (Pedro Goulart) but the prick rejected me.

I've also signed someone from Club Franiscain to try and fuck them up.

[Adramelch]

I might or might not have had intimate relations with a girl from that city. :naughty:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I might or might not have spoken to a camgirl from there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/Eu8Zklv.png

https://i.imgur.com/3d8FTU2.png

£100m, Pep.

[Adramelch]

https://i.imgur.com/kP831kk.png

Pretty good season overall. We easily avoided relegation and although our final position is not flattering, we actually maintained a playoff form during the games I was in charge of. On top of that we also made it to the Useless Cup semis. We definitely need to fix our defense, as we threw an awful lot of points away due to defensive mistakes and lapses in concentration. I believe with a good summer transfer-wise we could be looking at going for a playoff spot next season at the very least.

This lad was far and away our best performer:

https://i.imgur.com/J64JRm7.png

His natural position is left winger and that's where he played, which makes the fact that he finished top scorer in the league (a whole 6 goals more than the second) all the more impressive.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Transfers in:

https://i.imgur.com/34u8uUN.png

Here are some select players:

https://i.imgur.com/KftoMjH.png

https://i.imgur.com/Lhb6PX6.png

https://i.imgur.com/kxEQIww.png

https://i.imgur.com/zvjH5gd.png

I went a bit mental with the forrin lot as you can only play 3 in a game (so it was always the keeper above, one of the African defenders and my Mexican striker), I also didn't spot that it takes 10 years for players to be naturalised. Club will make some nice money though.

League:

https://i.imgur.com/n0DZzm3.png

So that's the overall thing but because of how the league is run only the closing stage and playoffs mattered for us.

https://i.imgur.com/q7Pl6oT.png

I was hoping I might sneak into the top 8 but we were brilliant.

https://i.imgur.com/XThSrpx.png

Somehow we even went through the playoffs, although I was lucky that Aragua beat Caracas as they'd have donned us again.

So due to our performance we entered the champions playoff (us against the winners of the opening stage playoffs) to determine the winners of the league.

https://i.imgur.com/53y7ZSp.png

https://i.imgur.com/ksq2H8v.png

It's a stupid as fuck system but we took advantage. Champions despite finishing the opening stage in the relegation zone.

Cup:

https://i.imgur.com/QBvQjsE.png

So close to winning that as well but Caracas are quality and we couldn't get near them whenever we played them.

https://i.imgur.com/uSUZqPE.png

https://i.imgur.com/GIPauDh.png

Marin was ridiculous, far too good for this league. 27 goals in 34 games with 17 assists was one of the reasons why we were so good.

Also, the keeper finished with a 93% passing completion rate so the price has gone up by £10m for Pep.

Here is my trophy cabinet right now as well:

https://i.imgur.com/bmKTOkw.png

Reputation has gone up by half a star or so by coming here so I should be in line for some better jobs too and hopefully I wont have my squad hating me for 95% of the time that I am there.

[Adramelch]

Chitiyo looks way too good for that level as well.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He is.

He was a rock.

Found it hard to leave as I really do like the players there and I think I could have done well in the continental cup.

[Adramelch]

Are you that committed to "one season per club" then?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's largely one season but I always do more if I find a club I like.

Had their finances been a bit better (we were losing money at a huge rate each month despite me only using like 50% of the wage budget) I would have stayed. The club was about £300k in debt until we got the competition rewards.

[Adramelch]

Yeah, fuck that. Never found much enjoyment in managing clubs that are hemorrhaging money left and right no matter what you do.

[Adramelch]

Might be because I'm in the lower leagues but short crosses seem way off this version. Like the winger is at the edge of the area and he will do a lobbed cross 9 out of 10 times instead of a normal/low cross.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I just got an intriguing offer from a team called 'Disasters' in Guam, mainly due to their name but their club badge is a black hand holding a purple grenade which is also tempting.

Just looked them up though:

https://us.soccerway.com/national/guam/division-one/20172018/regular-season/r42793/

That is the league they are in. They are in 16th place with 4 points from 8 games a goal difference of fifty fucking eight.

Results have been (all away unless stated): 3-0 loss, 11-0 loss (H), 7-0 loss (H), 1-1 draw, 8-2 loss, 3-0 win, 17-0 loss and 17-0 loss. One team in the league has scored 59 goals in 6 games. I can't think of any other league as mental as that, the top 4 or 5 teams must be professionals with the other teams fielding postmen.

The league is normal on FM which is a shame because if it was like reality I'd have jumped at the chance to try and turn them into a powerhouse.

[Adramelch]

I'm used to those funny names in leagues like that, but I don't think anything can top Beercelona. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

And I have my new job:

https://i.imgur.com/HytYQxU.png

Here is the first team squad:

https://i.imgur.com/brblGvc.png

Our key player:

https://i.imgur.com/aIX6xwz.png

Who I will retrain as a striker.

Hot prospect:

https://i.imgur.com/CJsBkRb.png

Stadium:

https://i.imgur.com/IiFppK5.png

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/Estadio_Car%C3%ADas.jpg/300px-Estadio_Car%C3%ADas.jpg

https://www.emporis.com/images/show/599645-Large-exterior-sol-sur-sol-centro-section-of-stadium-e.jpg

Budgets:

https://i.imgur.com/xBA1OmH.png

Table:

https://i.imgur.com/PtObAK9.png

I'm going to stay with the club for a full season too as this season only has 6 games remaining.

[Raoul Duke]

Seems like a cracking little club Mahow. Decent youth facilities too.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They've got money (£1.6m) too.

I might even stay until I win the North American Champions League.

[Adramelch]

They've got money (£1.6m) too.

I might even stay until I win the North American Champions League.

I legitimately thought that meant 1.6m in debt, rather than actual parentheses. I might need a break.

Olimpia used to be one of my go to clubs for regens when I managed mid-level clubs (or top clubs in mid-level leagues).

[wullie]

Offered the Italy job, realised every single player was a regen and got the urge to ditch the game and start again in the present day. Not sure who to start with this time

https://i.imgur.com/vpRIArH.jpg

[Adramelch]

For my next game I have 4 players injured and 3 away on international duty. All of them midfielders.

wullie: I've always been a fan of Journeyman games, although I understand it's not for everyone. Other than that, you could start with someone really low (custom leagues).

Edit: I guess both these options mean you'll end up in seasons where regens dominate though, so I guess you're back to square one.

[wullie]

I'm ok with regens if they've come through for a team I've played as throughout as they don't feel like a big pile of made-up names as much, but the further I get in to a game the less the idea of moving clubs appeals.

[Adramelch]

Then you can probably just grab some custom leagues that go way down the league structure in a country, pick a club and try and go all the way up?

[Mike]

Yeah. Take St Helens Town from tier ten to Premier League and Chanpions League glory. :cool2:

[wullie]

I did get Nuneaton Town up to the Championship once, might go super local and pick Cov Sphinx who play two streets away from me. They've got the glamour covered too, one of their players also does those Ex On The Beach bullshit programmes on TV.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The problem with those is that every season is piss easy until you hit League Two.

I've taken Hitchin to Champions League glory on an old game which wasn't too bad as it they were level 7.

Tried it with a level 21 or 22 and only lasted 2 or 3 seasons as it was awful.

I'd personally not go any lower than 8 unless the club means something to you.

[wullie]

I've gone completely unoriginal and started a Roma game like I always do after Cov. Next Ajax, then just frit around with games I give up on until FM 19.

[phonics]

I did get Nuneaton Town up to the Championship once, might go super local and pick Cov Sphinx who play two streets away from me. They've got the glamour covered too, one of their players also does those Ex On The Beach bullshit programmes on TV.

I think they're sponsored by a quite average football podcast I once listened to for a few months.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Quick end of season update:

https://i.imgur.com/xOTnCua.png

https://i.imgur.com/IHlRDdC.png

Closing stage standings:

https://i.imgur.com/mh2Jt6b.png

Closing stage final:

https://i.imgur.com/2U2E7WB.png

https://i.imgur.com/bAVQDkz.png

I'm so pissed off, we missed so many chances in those two legs. Also their second goal in the second leg was such a cock. My keeper saved the penalty, saved a rebound but then they put the second rebound in.

Promising signs for next season though. £2m in the bank and I've already secured some cheap but promising youth for when the window opens. I've also had one of my forrins get naturalised so I only have 2 first team foreigners but can use 4.

As a teaser, I will say that the cheap youth (4 of them for a combined £26k) are all 4* gold with the 5th star black potentials.

[Adramelch]

I'm playing the Man City U23s on the Checkatrade thingy, and their starting 11 includes Sergio Ramos, Van Ginkel, Sane and Aguero (who's even carrying an injury). :moop:

[Baz]

The problem with those is that every season is piss easy until you hit League Two.

I've taken Hitchin to Champions League glory on an old game which wasn't too bad as it they were level 7.

Tried it with a level 21 or 22 and only lasted 2 or 3 seasons as it was awful.

I'd personally not go any lower than 8 unless the club means something to you.Finding this to be true. St Helens Town are in tier ten and we’re upto League Two in about eight seasons (I think) but it looks like I’ll never escape League Two. :uhoh:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ask to become a feeder club for a higher division team.

Loans are your friend.

[Adramelch]

Even without a parent club, it's easy to secure high quality players on a loan for free really.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I want to win league titles. I need assurances that we will win the league.
We can do it this season
Not soon enough, sell me.

Why bother telling me what you want if nothing will help?

[randomlegend]

I've made a BEAST team of youngsters. They were all out on loan last season, going to keep them at home and see what they can do in the u23 League this season before hopefully promoting a few the season after.

Developing youngsters :drool:

[randomlegend]

Oh I also put in a cheeky enquiry for Ousmane Dembele since he was one of the only players I could find who might realistically improve the team, even if Martins had been extremely good (also I get bored and have to buy someone).

They rejected it, he got in a strop, got him for £90m and sold Martins for the same.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I need a Honduran WBR so I've put my scouts on it.

37 rating is the highest so far ffs.

I've already bought one foreign wing back, I really don't want to have to buy another.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/i4f34ZD.png

RL, how does someone get concussed by jumping?

[Baz]

Ask to become a feeder club for a higher division team.

Loans are your friend.Yep. (https://www.reddit.com/r/footballmanagergames/comments/7xx0ul/all_the_loans/)

[randomlegend]

https://i.imgur.com/i4f34ZD.png

RL, how does someone get concussed by jumping?

Standing under a low bridge?

[Giggles]

Landing poorly.

[Adramelch]

Checkatrade final and 3 of my 4 first XI defenders are unavailable. :moop:

New plan: Outscore the other team.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Transfers out:

https://i.imgur.com/PLGUIFZ.png

Transfers in:

https://i.imgur.com/tqBY3XJ.png

Wesley Alex:

https://i.imgur.com/gb7bBtL.png

Alexandr Andreev:

https://i.imgur.com/4g34WtS.png

Kevin Ellis:

https://i.imgur.com/odYyQqP.png

Vladimir Ryzhakov:

https://i.imgur.com/IRkvkdH.png

Jose Martinez:

https://i.imgur.com/rHBlnhn.png

Ruben Murillo:

https://i.imgur.com/jeRrYXT.png

Francisco Andino:

https://i.imgur.com/HZ0uIz5.png

Jonathan Marin:

https://i.imgur.com/ygJOK5C.png

Johnny Arzu:

https://i.imgur.com/oZGruT9.png

Kevin Alvarez:

https://i.imgur.com/P44amYI.png

David Lopez:

https://i.imgur.com/Or7cW8n.png

Christopher Raudales:

https://i.imgur.com/gBRIhBj.png

Jose Rivera:

https://i.imgur.com/JauZCPy.png

Quite a lot in but I really wanted to try and get the squad a bit younger and I'm pleased with what I've got. Murillo and Wesley Alex are the ones that can make a real difference this season as they're far better than what we have. It was also important that we kept these two:

https://i.imgur.com/tLGIksd.png

https://i.imgur.com/PCKm0EY.png

Shandong were going hard for Ruiz but they ended their interest and he quickly settled down. Delgado though was subject to offers from big clubs (Tottenham were the biggest) but luckily I gave him a contract before he got pissed off. Those two (along with Murillo) are the best Hondurans at the club so it was crucial that we kept them. Also no release clauses in either of their contracts too so they're here for the long haul.

[Adramelch]

https://i.imgur.com/myTrsbT.png

That must be one of the most dominant seasons I've ever had in this game. Given our form last season and the improvements I made in the squad I expected us to challenge for the automatic promotion spots, but we just demolished the league with ease. We scored 4 or more goals in 14 games, including a majestic 7-1 win at Yeovil. I have to feel a bit bad for Coventry who spent like 25 straight weeks in the automatic promotion spots and only needed just 1 point from their last game, but, unfortunately for them, that game was against us and we beat them 4-0 at their place.

On top of that we won the Checkatrade Trophy, beating five League One teams in the process.

Here's the squad stats:

https://i.imgur.com/pRTJwUa.png

Khoury, Aarons and Barnes all smashed it playing from the wing, but I'm more proud of Stephens who I decided to give a chance to after the other strikers failed to impress. While he needed a few games to get going, once he started, he didn't stop.

I'm thinking of staying another season, as I believe we have what it takes to comfortably stay up. It will be my last season at the club no matter what, and I will be on the lookout for any interesting jobs that might open in the meantime.
Edit: I got offered an interview by Volendam (they just got relegated from the Eredivisie) and it looks attractive.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/h7iJ5aN.png

Shocked...

https://i.imgur.com/9djDpr5.png

Maybe he was shocked that I didn't take away any of his wages.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This is the squad available to me for my next match:

https://i.imgur.com/xrLUNY0.png

This is my unavailable list:

https://i.imgur.com/MiQSRTR.png
https://i.imgur.com/D7pPBtN.png

And it can't be rescheduled :\

[Adramelch]

Clearly your fault for not registering those half/one star guys.

Edit: I just saw you can request that the board reduce the compensation demands if you want to sign for another club. How long has that been there (I don't remember the last time I wasn't hired because of high compensation)?

[Adramelch]

RL, how does someone get concussed by jumping?

For what it's worth (and even though the post was made half jokingly) I just had the same thing and a player of the other team got injured at the same time so I'm assuming it's a collision on the air.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I've just had my 4th one this season.

I'm going for low bridge just above the playing surface.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

3 Transfers in during the window:

https://i.imgur.com/V7guWak.png

Freebie and another winger come striker who isn't great at finishing. It seems to be working for me though.

https://i.imgur.com/EQ7ribZ.png

£135k which is a tad too much for him but I am trying to hoover up any half decent Honduran.

https://i.imgur.com/0gaZY6z.png

A striker with actual finishing! I could only secure a loan for him as Corinthians want £41.5m for him which is a little out of our budget right now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/2cHYn2p.png

https://i.imgur.com/WmYlEM0.png

Quite happy with that.

[Adramelch]

I'm apparently heavy favourites for the Swansea job, a full 2 leagues above my current post. And that's a few months after I was rejected by Dundalk and St Johnstone and stuff. :cab:

[Clunge]

When do we expect the data update?

[Adramelch]

When do we expect the data update?

1st week of March usually.

[phonics]

Still can't find this on the shelves here. It's a disgrace. All I want is a Steam key.

[Disco]

Is there a reason you aren't just buying it from Steam?

[phonics]

No credit card.

[Adramelch]

No credit card.

You can do it with a debit one.

[Disco]

Or PayPal.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bank transfer too.

[phonics]

Love all these people thinking they understand how Swiss Banking law works.

Debit Cards can't be used online here. Privacy. I can pay them 70 quid a month to upgrade my account to a public-facing one but fat chance I'm doing that to buy a video-game once every 6 months.

[wullie]

What about the Steam gift cards you can get in-store in places?

[phonics]

Don't get them over here. XBox, PS, Nintendo, sure but I guess PC gaming is for big ol' nerds.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

No, there's absolutely no way. You just don't understand Switzerland Wullie.

[phonics]

No, there's absolutely no way. You just don't understand Switzerland Wullie.

They literally do not sell them. I'm going to have to ask for my parents credit card at 29. Embarrassing.

[Disco]

I bet they take Nazi gold.

[phonics]

Don't we all.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I just got a news item saying that my reserves have won the league again. I thought it was a little early so I checked their results:

https://i.imgur.com/wVyNjO5.png

26 wins out of 26, 131 goals scored and 18 conceded. Heroes.

[Mike]

No credit card.

Can you do a bank transfer?

[-james-]

Love all these people thinking they understand how Swiss Banking law works.

Debit Cards can't be used online here. Privacy. I can pay them 70 quid a month to upgrade my account to a public-facing one but fat chance I'm doing that to buy a video-game once every 6 months.

This doesn't sound any less ridiculous than it did last time you mentioned it about a year ago. I'd move.

[Spikey M]

They literally do not sell them. I'm going to have to ask for my parents credit card at 29. Embarrassing.

If only there was a way to apply for a credit card.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

If only there was a way to apply for a credit card.

He'd be worse than Magic with one.

[phonics]

If only there was a way to apply for a credit card.

Lol yeah, as a functioning alcoholic that's starting to notice a rather nasty coke habit, I definitely have the self restraint to not murder myself via debt.

[phonics]

No, it affects my ability to get coke when I don't have the money for it.

[John]

What are you considering 'nasty' there. If it isn't more than twice a week you'll be fine.

[phonics]

if I was doing it for twice a week I'd put myself in a clinic.

[-james-]

I nipped it in the bud when I got to doing it every weekend. I found it affected my mental health far more than anything else I've ingested.

[-james-]

Physical health as well actually. Proper exhaustion for days after the event.

[Dark Soldier]

Its not a habit unless you're dead from it

[Disco]

Give me the money and I'll gift it on Steam.

[phonics]

How?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ask your Mum for her chequebook.

[randomlegend]

Post it to him.

[Baz]

phonics I’ve got £25 in my steam wallet from selling cards and items, so you can have it now and figure out paying me later if you’re really stuck.

[Disco]

How?

Post it to me in whatever passes for pennies over there.

Honestly, no idea. Find a way that doesn't involve me giving my bank account to an alcoholic and I'll do it.

[-james-]

phonics I’ve got £25 in my steam wallet from selling cards and items, so you can have it now and figure out paying me later if you’re really stuck.


I don't understand, how do you get affiliate money from that?

[Baz]

Fancy not trusting the guy who SAVED THE BOARD :nono:

EDIT: was aimed at disco but it kinda still works.

[Disco]

Oh I'd do it for SvN in a heartbeat.

[randomlegend]

Here's my team of children.

My scouts assure me they will all be monsters so we'll see:

Squad/reports:
https://i.imgur.com/bMINbSC.png

GK:
https://i.imgur.com/wvaeACg.png

RB:
https://i.imgur.com/g48za4Y.png

CB:
https://i.imgur.com/hr8OkcG.png

CB:
https://i.imgur.com/VqP7Ofj.png

LB:
https://i.imgur.com/PpfvnLD.png

RW:
https://i.imgur.com/AW3K6x2.png

CM:
https://i.imgur.com/HHyTL9T.png

CM:
https://i.imgur.com/yxJ4E6j.png

LW:
https://i.imgur.com/S0qgpz7.png

ST:
https://i.imgur.com/RCLDvQp.png

ST:
https://i.imgur.com/RXP6FHK.png

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Olimpia 2021/2022 review:

League:

https://i.imgur.com/mlNINoq.png

https://i.imgur.com/tBqUw9M.png

Opening stage wasn't a challenge at all.

https://i.imgur.com/q6CDRz8.png

https://i.imgur.com/MwxKB26.png

But the closing stage was even easier.

Domestic cup:

https://i.imgur.com/gLABDJZ.png

We're so far ahead of everyone else in the country.

Continental:

https://i.imgur.com/wRtNRRU.png

Thought we'd have more trouble but yeah. Almost shat myself in the first leg as we gave away penalties in the 88th and 94th minutes to make it a little shaky.

https://i.imgur.com/Vebhl3b.png

The 9-2 second leg semi final is probably the best result I've had in a knockout continental game. My Russian lad scored 5 and should have had more. I didn't think we'd win it this year, I thought it would take another year at least.

Team stats:

https://i.imgur.com/L2lEf4R.png

https://i.imgur.com/k5SxTZ5.png

https://i.imgur.com/XmkfgcZ.png

Our front 4 (3 are played and Ryzhakov wasn't registered for the league) were absolutely incredible. 55 goals and 28 assists in 53 games for Ruiz, 49 goals and 27 assists in 53 games for Alex, 20 goals and 14 assists in 21 games for Ryzhakov and 19 goals and 14 assists in 23 games for Henrique. Madness.

I was planning on staying another season at least but with the league being an absolute cake walk and as I've already captured continental glory it's time to move on. I'm going to miss the club and players (I will hopefully bring some with me) a lot though.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

And I've just had my shortest job search. I was eyeing up the Newcastle job but the dickheads hired a different Greek in Giorgios Donis, as such I was left with my second choice:

https://i.imgur.com/4H7LhdH.png

First team squad:

https://i.imgur.com/wdY2arq.png

Ante Coric :cool:

Our key player according to our club screen:

https://i.imgur.com/Y6Bz4rv.png

Our hot prospect:

https://i.imgur.com/Iz28SaH.png

Stadium:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Maksimir_2011.jpg/1920px-Maksimir_2011.jpg

http://gnkdinamo.hr/Repository/2016/9/stadion1.jpg

Budgets:

https://i.imgur.com/9Sfwtf6.png

Board expectations:

https://i.imgur.com/b92qcsM.png

I wanted to come to Europe following my time in North America and I like where I've landed a lot and I will be staying here until I win the Champions league.

[Dark Soldier]

The scene of John's favourite save iirc, quality club with youth prospects out the arse.

[Raoul Duke]

Almost a bit of a shame you donned Honduras so quickly. Would have been nice to see some of those players develop a bit.

Winning the CL with Dinamo sounds like a fairly tall order (don't think John managed it? But then again he wasn't buying players in).

[Baz]

FM18 is easier too.

[Adramelch]

FM18 is easier too.

I don't know, FM17 was by far the easiest I've played. This one does seem easy too though.

Dinamo is like cheating. They are such a properly run club that you have to fuck up majorly not to succeed. And them regens. :drool:

[Reg]

Winter update is out. Changes: http://www.footballmanager.com/news/football-manager-2018-winter-update?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=tweet&utm_campaign=winterupdate

[Giggles]

I've just lost 5-4 in Marseille in the Europa playoff. What I wouldn't give to shit out a 1-0 now :drool:

[Adramelch]

I've just lost 5-4 in Marseille in the Europa playoff. What I wouldn't give to shit out a 1-0 now :drool:

I don't know what it is, but I typically have problems shitting out narrow wins in scenarios like that. I'll either like lose or win by 3 goals.

[Giggles]

3 fucking 1 :cool:

All 7 goals in the tie from Cummins too. That tactic posted a while back by someone (a Man U one) is unreal at this level.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'll take a loss up to 3 goals or a score draw. I always get nervy if I have a narrow win after the first leg.

Oh and it's great when a new signing scores a hattrick on his debut.

[Dark Soldier]

3 fucking 1 :cool:

All 7 goals in the tie from Cummins too. That tactic posted a while back by someone (a Man U one) is unreal at this level.

Probably RL's, or the 4123 I posted on FMBase

[Giggles]

Probably RL's, or the 4123 I posted on FMBase

Think it was the latter. It's basically cheating :drool:

[Giggles]

Think that's the first full season I've done. It's not officially over yet as I've Galatasary in the 1st Europa knockout in two months and I still have to finish the Scottish Challenge Cup too.


Transfers

https://i.imgur.com/9DtPgre.png



Season Review

https://i.imgur.com/28s3R34.png



Results

https://i.imgur.com/IAJNWGd.png



Squad Stats

https://i.imgur.com/b2yXFyn.png



The two main men

https://i.imgur.com/B1VJKFJ.png


https://i.imgur.com/Ufa63sq.png



And a young regen who went straight into the side when he appeared at 16. Won't sign but is already getting watched for a senior international call-up. Savage player for this level.

https://i.imgur.com/CEBLvnp.png

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Transfers in:

https://i.imgur.com/OpABkXC.png

Transfers out:

https://i.imgur.com/SwUm0jE.png

Toplak:

https://i.imgur.com/YJZV3pH.png

Signed before I came.

https://i.imgur.com/UcP14DE.png

I couldn't stay away from Olimpia and I only got the three I got as they had release clauses in their contracts. A little expensive for Andreev but my scouts have him at 4*/5* potential.

https://i.imgur.com/dRlNkwA.png

Alex was the one that I had to have (and he scored a hattrick on his debut), they guy is class and I may have agreed to put a clause in his deal when I knew I'd be moving.

https://i.imgur.com/cQG6wen.png

He's very raw and I wasn't sure if I'd bring him along but my scouts are really high on him.

https://i.imgur.com/KkrvKRe.png

18 and already slightly better than my other options at CB. He is going to be special.

Euro Cup:

https://i.imgur.com/Q7AuL47.png

Easy enough, although I did think that Hamburg would trouble as more than they did.

Here is our group:

https://i.imgur.com/Gv46b7M.png

[John]

Davor Lovren was brilliant for me. Think I sold him to Arsenal for five or six times that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I did slap on a 50% next sale clause.

He does look good but I just don't play wingers (5-2-3) so I'd have to convert him to a striker or a wingback where he'd be wasted. So it was just a case of getting him, Boldas, Agra and Savarino out before they started moaning bringing the rest of the team down.

[phonics]

Still can't find this on the shelves here. It's a disgrace. All I want is a Steam key.

Found it at a mom & pop independent store :cool:

Now to decide who to play before abandoning that game for another save I'll abandon. Did anyone elses copy come with a massive poster tellling you the difference between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-1-3-2?

[Adramelch]

Finished my third and final season at Grimsby and boy was it a good one:

https://i.imgur.com/OLn7qC6.png

The table looks way closer that it should have been as at some point we had a 12-point lead, but we got hit by injuries, lost a couple of games and things went downhill from there. For reference, we only got 10 points from the last 9 games. It was agonizing to watch, but we did it in the end. We actually won the league in the penultimate game, where Portsmouth were losing 2-1, scored twice in the last 10 minutes and then conceded 2 goals in injury time (4th and 6th minute even) to give us the title.

On top of that we won the Checkatrade trophy again, playing almost exclusively backup players. We also made it to the 4th round of FA, where we took Leeds to extra time at their place but unfortunately we couldn't hold on for penalties.

This must have been the most dominant I've had a team perform (across the last 2 seasons) in the lower leagues. I might even keep a copy of the save aside and come back to it and take them all the way, but at the moment I think I need a change.

Here's the squad stats:

https://i.imgur.com/AxYqxEs.png

And our top 3 performers:

https://i.imgur.com/5U0hZmq.png

It was a toss up between my compatriot and Aarons for the 3rd place but the latter was injured more often than not, and he was also very inconsistent while Karagounis was solid all the time.

https://i.imgur.com/b1P9uTe.png

Our top scorer and a very important player. He had a bad run of form at the end and it resulted in us dropping so many points.

https://i.imgur.com/CjuxHTZ.png

Sogaard had a terrible start for us. He shot all the time from weird positions, he misplayed passes breaking down attacks and I actually dropped him from the team. An injury to our other options put him back in the first XI and he really outperformed everyone. The 11 PoM awards really paint the whole picture. Weirdly enough, we loaned him from Reading, who are also in League One and never gave him a chance. Well, their loss clearly.

So that's it for me at Grimsby. 2.5 very successful seasons with 2 consecutive league wins (and subsequent promotions) and 2 Checkatrade trophies to boot. I've now spent the last 5 seasons in the UK so I'm looking for a change (I had offers from Championship sides with the highlight being Wolves and their 40m transfer budget but I decided against it). A team in Scandinavia or something like Switzerland, Austria and the likes would be my first choice, but let's see what's available.

[Dark Soldier]

Been using this, an adaption I made of a way too attacking 2-3-2-3 formation. A lot more solid and some beautiful forward play:

https://i.imgur.com/soT7R6r.png

Results, I started using it in the 3-0 against Juve in the cup, as you see before then it was drop a bollock football defensively:

https://i.gyazo.com/8eb47626ded3b3422855a84cc2eae53a.png

I lost against Roma due to a Naingolan 35 yard screamer in the 85th minute. We concede a lot of shots but barely any are clear goalscoring chances, most are potshots from outside the box.

[phonics]

The way you view players through the whole scouting thing is so much more confusing and adds little to nothing. What are all these constant scout reports that I have to personally acknowledge one by one.?

[Giggles]

The way you view players through the whole scouting thing is so much more confusing and adds little to nothing. What are all these constant scout reports that I have to personally acknowledge one by one.?

That's the biggest failing of this version for me, scouting is absolute dogshit. It was the one part of the game I wanted to do (no interest in tactics, training, etc) but I've had to hand that off to staff too and it really feels like I'm not really playing at all now. They fucked it up good.

[igor_balis]

with level 8 Rugby Town I've been trying to get my two useless part time scouts to go through all the interested unattached players but they're so slow i realised it was easier to just sign every single cunt as a trialist and get my coaches to look at them. is this grey area semi-cheating?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's almost as bad as Indoctrin you scummy bastard.

[igor_balis]

:redcard:

in fairness i did cheat more unambiguously and FMRTEed the chairman's stats because him selling my players off like a cunt would wind me up too much. Plus I see this as a relaxed sandbox kinda save. That's my excuse anyway. Cunt still won't increase my transfer budget though.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Quick Euro update:

Here is how the results in the group went:

https://i.imgur.com/FrnIOSm.png

Table:

https://i.imgur.com/FA26AL8.png

43 goals scored (a record) already with Santacruz (there is a screenshot of him on this page) scoring 13 in 11 as well as grabbing 9 assists. He's currently 4 behind Falcao's record of 17 in 2010 and he's tied for assists which Gylfi set in the first season.

Our reward:

https://i.imgur.com/l04MQw9.png

:cool:

The team that I ended up at in my great Journeyman on FM 15 IIRC before it died on it's arse from a huge crash dump that SI couldn't fix.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Transfers in:

https://i.imgur.com/ekrhmxY.png

Freebie which my scouts are pretty high on.

https://i.imgur.com/i23oSlW.png

£325k and he was signed as I really wanted more EU youngsters.

https://i.imgur.com/Cy8N2Y8.png

£21k and he also has Italian nationality and I really wanted to bring someone in to provide depth for my wing backs as I have a starter (and they keep getting fucking suspended) for each side and nothing more.

https://i.imgur.com/YJ17BUV.png

£250k, he looks like he could be a beastly finisher in the future.

https://i.imgur.com/BvjQCzt.png

The fucking big one. I SMASHED the transfer record to get him, the previous record was just £3.1m. I agreed to pay £7m up front and a further £13m in instalments for him. I was hoping to get him for less (I also had to give him a huge contract) as every single fucking major club was after him, no one made a bid but I acted fast. He better turn out to be some absolute demi-god.

[Giggles]

Shiiiiiiit :uhoh:



http://i66.tinypic.com/vx25b5.png

[Adramelch]

Just had a game where I conceded 4 goals from 3 shots at target, while battering them the whole game. Ended up losing 2-4. :moop:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Recruitment day throws up 2 fairly promising guys:

https://i.imgur.com/SEbsPtz.png

https://i.imgur.com/deKdwko.png

I actually need a goalkeeper as I'm selling my current two and only have one lined up for the Summer window who is a non-EU guy although he's only 17 so I'm not sure if either of them will be ready for next season.

The midfielder might struggle as I have a few prospects there. I was really hoping for a CB or wing back to come through.

[Baz]

Think it was the latter. It's basically cheating :drool:Does it have wingers?

[Giggles]

Does it have wingers?

There's two lads in line with the full backs anyway.

EDIT: They're inside forwards if that matters. They're wide though.


.

[Adramelch]

I've created my own, pretty standard 4-2-3-1 and it's been quite dominant so far. Same with last year's version. Seems a bit too easy in that regard.

On another note, I genuinely hate that some instructions are "locked" when you pick a role. I have a ball winning midfielder and he often picks yellow cards and I want to tell him to ease off the tackles and I can't without changing the role. Is here something I am missing?

[Giggles]

Nice.

https://i.imgur.com/UNqgFrK.png


I didn't fare as well though.

https://i.imgur.com/AhMN6Gw.png

[wullie]

Drawn against PSG, Chelsea and Celtic and mustered two points from the first four games. The last two were basically to fight it out with Celtic for the Europa League loser spot

https://i.imgur.com/tHvwcLN.jpg

Turns out the last round of fixtures really worked in my favour, complete steal

https://i.imgur.com/BWb4Pil.jpg

[Giggles]

I've Celtic coming up the first knockout round of the Europa after scraping 3rd in my CL group. Won't be happening until next season though, think it'll be the first two games.

[Spikey M]

Shiiiiiiit :uhoh:



http://i66.tinypic.com/vx25b5.png

Top of the group. :cool:

[Giggles]

Top of the group. :cool:
And 3rd by the finish. Which is basically akin to a world cup win with my squad.

[Bam]

There's two lads in line with the full backs anyway.

EDIT: They're inside forwards if that matters. They're wide though.


.

Link a brother.

[Giggles]

Link a brother.

Not sure on the link but it's somewhere in this thread fairly recently. Search for fmbase.

Dark Soldier might have it saved.

[Bam]

Have you got any idea on how far back it could be, weeks or months?

[Giggles]

Have you got any idea on how far back it could be, weeks or months?

No, I can't seem to find it either but I vaguely remember the post saying you remove the hard tackling instruction from the two full backs and make the striker an AF. That might job someones memory.

[Giggles]

This is the best 4123 I've used this version. Utterly lethal, about win the league and Europa with Everton first season with it:

http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/share-download-fm-18-tactics/371453-4-1-2-2-1-4-3-3-great-results-atl%C3%A9tico-google-page-ranking-e-manchester-united.html

Change striker to AF and take off tackle harder on the two full backs.

Bam

And he's right, it's unreal.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just PM Bamster.

[Bam]

Bam

And he's right, it's unreal.

Top man, cheers.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/Oq8LPHE.png

Two cup games and some shit youth 2/3* potential thinks he's an established member of the first team :cab:

Edit: https://i.imgur.com/knr0jpi.png

Fair play to SI for putting in that response.

[wullie]

https://i.imgur.com/nPNFt5G.png

You fucking what?

[Dark Soldier]

https://i.imgur.com/nPNFt5G.png

You fucking what?

Just let him go and sign Arthur. Arthur is life, Arthur is bae.

[wullie]

The dream is to eventually have a Brazilian team that sound like they could all be from Emmerdale. Arthur, Fred, Allan, Malcom, the lot.

[randomlegend]

Half my team are permanently wanted by Madrid and/or Barcelona. Parasites, fuck off.

EDIT: Also half the teams in the league play fucking 5 at the back, 2 defensive midfielders and some token nobend striker isolated up front against me. It's a pain.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Dianmo 2022/23 review:

League:

https://i.imgur.com/IWMmZ9x.png
https://i.imgur.com/K3Lrv3Y.png

https://i.imgur.com/55eUKsm.png

Easy enough and I was able to give the youth some decent game time.

Domestic cup:

https://i.imgur.com/mESXRIT.png

Again, easy and plenty of games for the youth.

EUROPE:

I've given some updates throughout but here is how it all ended:

https://i.imgur.com/K7nJFCJ.png

Every time we drew someone I thought we'd lose and I thought we were done for when we lose 4-3 to Swansea (they scored 2 in the first 5 minutes and looked like they were going to fist us) before we came back.

The final then, saw us take on Arsenal at Schalke's stadium.

https://i.imgur.com/x8F8raP.png

Lukaku came on in the 68th minute and then absolutely tore through us. I had people missing because of shit youth internationals including our main CB and the backup was all over the fucking shop. Also didn't help that Wesley Alex struggled.

A tough, horrible ending but it was a great run.

Team stats:

https://i.imgur.com/dPnVWgv.png

https://i.imgur.com/QLhhIaU.png

Shout out to wing backs who murder babies on their days off. Despite being on 'EASY TACKLING', Stojanovic got 16 yellows and 2 reds with Lecjaks getting 17 yellows and 2 reds. The number of reds would have been through the roof but I started taking them off in games when they had a yellow. Lecjaks doesn't seem to have form but Stojanovic is a fucking batshit, here are his discipline stats for the previous 3 seasons:

15 yellows, 1 red
9 yellows, 3 reds
8 yellows, 4 reds

The guy needs to be fucking locked up.

https://i.imgur.com/ivSprKJ.png

Wesley Alex :wub: 55 goals and 32 assists from the hero which beats his tally from the year in Honduras. He seems to be in the right place almost all the time. I also want to praise Battini and Zougah who have already taken over in the first team. I first tried Battini up front (natural MC/AMC/ST) but he was dogshit so I put him at MC and he has thrived, especially next to Zougah, they're going to be special.

Awards:

https://i.imgur.com/If755UC.png

Euro player of the year:

https://i.imgur.com/f3mDY8L.png

Euro team of the year:

https://i.imgur.com/5BQ60X2.png

£10m in the bank and the club has just started to upgrade youth facilities. I have 2 transfers already secured and I've already got my keeper (Rakovsky) and one of the murderers (Lecjaks) going but I feel like there might be a bit of an overhaul.

Edit: Wesley Alex:

https://i.imgur.com/hFfBe0t.png

https://i.imgur.com/SE6PJ4V.png

https://i.imgur.com/oAyC01r.png

Hero.

[Adramelch]

I'm in Croatia as well, but with Rijeka and it feels as if it's a bit too easy. Dinamo are crap this season though which makes it easier for sure. And boy is there a ton of high-valued youths. I even sold a couple of first teamers to the tune of 7-8 million just to play kids.

[John]

Yeah Croatia have a terrific youth rating for the number of pro clubs, so if you have an even vaguely competent academy you should be getting at least one decent player through every year.

When I was Dinamo I thought the game was fucking me in the first couple of years but it turned out my first couple of prospects were just slow developers.

[Adramelch]

I just sort of decided to scrap my first season here and play some kids a lot so they develop. We're still leading the league still, so it feels like it was a good decision.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I didn't realise that Santacruz had a low (£4.2m) release clause and every fucker is in for him :(

Hopefully he accepts a new contract but I doubt it.

Edit: https://i.imgur.com/Pg1JPBZ.png

Fucking Bologna :(

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Transfers out:

https://i.imgur.com/nHB2gqX.png

I tried to push a few more out the door and I had to accept a little lower than I'd have liked for some but not too bad. Obviously losing Santacruz for peanuts is a real kick in the dick too.

Transfers in:

https://i.imgur.com/icS1kEr.png

£5m, probably wont get so many starts but it just adds another option to the rotation that will be happening for the third striker spot.

https://i.imgur.com/EGHm7CX.png

£4.3m. I was really hoping to secure a loan deal for him in Croatia but he rejected them all. Hopefully he'll be more receptive to the idea in January, although he will get some games here.

https://i.imgur.com/OVdPjsk.png

£4.1m. Doubt he's going to be anything special but I needed a body at CB.

https://i.imgur.com/FwtrKlb.png

£500k. He's instantly coming in to be the number 1 but I do think the 16 year old Croatian I got in the intake last year will end up taking over.

Champions League:

https://i.imgur.com/cebNM6j.png

Easy path into the groups which is what I was hoping for. Here is our reward for making it to the group stage:

https://i.imgur.com/Y0i3m6S.png

Looks bad on paper but it's actually not too bad. Barca aren't that much of a force now, they came third in their group last year with Bayern, Milan and Basel before losing to Roma on away goals in the Europa knockouts. They've actually come third in 3 of the 6 groups they've been in on my save winning the CL once and losing in the final another time.

Fenerbache have not won a knockout game (in either competition) on my save and lost 5 of 6 group matches (Madrid, Napoli, Leverkusen) last year.

Inter have only had 1 good run in Europe on my save and came third in their group the last 2 seasons.

So third, third and fourth last year in the Champions League. Between them they won 7 games, drew 2 and lost 15 games in Europe last year. We won 18 and lost 3.

[Adramelch]

Finished my first season at Rijeka:

https://i.imgur.com/ZoygZ5q.png

It was quite easy for the most part, what with Dinamo being a massive disappointment. Winning the league was sort of par for the course, seeing as we were last season's champions as well (their manager left to manage Salzburg). But it was a welcome surprise given that I sold quite a few first team players and promoted youngsters in their place.

We also reached the Champions League playoffs where Celtic beat us 5-4 on aggregate, although I thought we bested them over the two legs (see aforementioned 2-4 defeat where they had all of 3 shots on target). We had quite a tough draw in the Europa League with Marseille, Malaga and Qarabag. We held our own, demolishing Qarabag twice and beating Malaga at our place but it wasn't enough to see us through. We also failed to progress far into the Croatian Cup, losing to Hajduk on penalties in the quarters.

Squad stats:

https://i.imgur.com/2uPGkYZ.png

[Dark Soldier]

The fuck has even happened here?

https://i.gyazo.com/73b3ff9e58ba57f347dcadf31a7af058.png

He's done alright but four players have done better than him in the squad and he didn't even make the team of the year. His rep is only two and a half stars ffs.

[Adramelch]

https://i.imgur.com/OVskgB8.png

Another way too easy league title. Dinamo were better than last season but still quite bad really. The highlight of the season were Istra however, who got taken over by a tycoon, spent about 10 million euros on transfers, paying twice as much as Dinamo in wages and still barely escaping relegation, through the relegation playoff.

We coupled the title with a cup (and super cup) win (both against Hajduk).

The main news of the season was that we made it to the Champions League proper after knocking out Kairat (Kazakhstan), APOEL, Slavia Prague and Club Brugge to get there (winning every single game in the process). We got handed a group of Real, Arsenal and Benfica and proceeded to gather a grand total of 0 points, with 4 goals for and 20 against. At least we definitely held our own at home, narrowly losing every game by 1 goal and I genuinely thought we were good value for 4-5 points.

I think this was my last season with Rijeka. I was thinking of maybe staying a little longer, developing some yoofs and whatnot, but it's a bit of a boring league really so I'll see my contract out and look for another job in the summer.

I also briefly took over Serbia, gathered 4 points in a group with Spain and Sweden (who are very high in the rankings), which really should have been 7-9 and then promptly got sacked (even though the expectation was to not get embarassed).

[John]

You're taking a parallel route to my last two big saves, the second of which was my only save on the last version. I took Dinamo, you took Rijeka. I managed OFK Beograd in Serbia, you took the national side.

[Adramelch]

You're taking a parallel route to my last two big saves, the second of which was my only save on the last version. I took Dinamo, you took Rijeka. I managed OFK Beograd in Serbia, you took the national side.

Last version at some point in my J'man save, I managed Partizan and Croatia at the same time so it felt a bit funny that I got to do the reverse (even if briefly) this time around.

Serbia had all of 1 winger worthy of getting picked. At least he was one of the best players in the world, but I play a very winger-centric tactic and playing strikers on the wings didn't really work.

[John]

How far in are you?

The Serbian league is decent fun, if only for the novelty factor of their league split system, where everyone's points are cut in half with a few games to go and the league splits, so a team with a considerably worse overall record could win the league if they win the right games. It's almost American in its madness.

[Mike]

My aim this weekend is to get QPR up. We’re top at Christmas in League One

[Adramelch]

How far in are you?

The Serbian league is decent fun, if only for the novelty factor of their league split system, where everyone's points are cut in half with a few games to go and the league splits, so a team with a considerably worse overall record could win the league if they win the right games. It's almost American in its madness.

8 seasons in. 1 in Hungary, 2 in Scotland, 3 in England and 2 in Croatia.

Belgium and Austria have the same playoff structure if I recall correctly.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I've just SMASHED my transfer record :uhoh:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Transfers out:

https://i.imgur.com/uFz18az.png

The big one there is Succar. He was our 3rd striker going into the season but he's barely featured this year due to Camus, Holan (both pictured in an earlier post) and a chap who was listed as our hot prospect when I joined the club.

Transfers in:

https://i.imgur.com/AE9AorT.png

£500k although he's been loaned back to his old club. I feel that he could be good.

https://i.imgur.com/qLqm2IN.png

£950k and I have high hopes for him too. They both are quite natural advanced forwards which is good for me.

https://i.imgur.com/Fl9AXh1.png

£275k and he's mainly a backup guy as I realised I don't have too many options at MC as I had cleared most of them out.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/s6hlY8S.png

The fucking big one. Produced by Zadar in 2022/23 and bought by PSG for £3m in July 2023. I'm gutted that I didn't spot him prior to that as he's cost me a staggering £45m. I paid £15m up front with a further £30m in instalments to be paid. It's a ludicrous amount but he looks solid as fuck and he's arguably our second best CB right now. It's far too much but PSG really didn't want to sell him and I should have just waited.

It did create this too:

https://i.imgur.com/EI9QTBN.png

Youth intake and I get this beast:

https://i.imgur.com/bRxe9Hp.png

Which is fantastic as he's already our best WBR.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

So that Krecak is a mad bastard.

I play him in a European game and he gets sent off, he then plays in our league game a few days later and gets sent off again.

For some reason my WBL and WBR are card magnets even though they are on easy tackling :\

[Adramelch]

So after I left Rijeka, I applied for a host of different jobs, but nothing unrealistic (I was a 3.5 star manager applying for 3-4 star jobs) and got rejected by basically everyone, with them often opting to go for 2.5 star managers. Something seems weird in the interview process really. Anyway, Croatia approached me and I thought I might as well get a year off and play some international football. Those were our results:

https://i.imgur.com/MeDBl6s.png
https://i.imgur.com/5cP6Pog.png

A very impressive qualifying campaign, followed by a strong performance in the World Cup group stage, but unfortunately the draw meant that we would face Brazil in the knockout rounds. We actually played pretty well and we were value for extra time/penalties but their finishing was on point, while ours wasn't, so out we went. I decided to resign after that (that was the plan from the moment I took over anyway). I applied for a few jobs that were available and I ended up at:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/SV-Werder-Bremen-Logo.svg/125px-SV-Werder-Bremen-Logo.svg.png

Werder Bremen that is. They've been bouncing between the Bundesliga and the 2nd division for about a decade now and they recently returned to the top tier this season. So my task is fairly straightforward: "Don't get relegated". The squad was relatively poor, apart from a couple of star players, so I had to bring in a total of 9 players, with 6 of them going straight into the first XI. Those two are the cream of the crop:

https://i.imgur.com/r9mSTwW.png

https://i.imgur.com/tIVwQDH.png

[John]

I like that striker. How much did he set you back?

[Adramelch]

I like that striker. How much did he set you back?

Just 2.4 million euros (with about 1m extra on clauses). He scored 4 goals in our first 2 games and then proceeded to get injured for 2 months, on international duty. :moop:

[Adramelch]

How does everybody feel about this year's version by the way? It feels like a downgrade to me, but the game has had a downwards trajectory in general over the last few years in my opinion.

[Giggles]

How does everybody feel about this year's version by the way? It feels like a downgrade to me, but the game has had a downwards trajectory in general over the last few years in my opinion.

The only big one for me is the mess they made of scouting which is part of the game I liked the most. I've played it a bit but once you hand that off to staff too, it really feels like I'm not playing the game at all. I'm just hitting continue and instant result, it's like the mobile game now.

The other stuff they need to fix like media, etc are so broken for so long that there's no point in hoping it'll ever be fixed.

[John]

Scouting has long been part of the game I least enjoyed. That's what sent me down the youth system only route. I haven't bothered buying it this year though, and I doubt I will. I still enjoy my Beograd save when I get the urge to play FM so there's a small chance I'll never buy another one.

[Giggles]

You'd definitely not enjoy it now then. About 30 reports, which are really badly laid out, landing together into your inbox every few days that you've to 'OK' or 'Discard'. God knows why they just don't go into a list of your scouted players without discarding anything.

[Adramelch]

You'd definitely not enjoy it now then. About 30 reports, which are really badly laid out, landing together into your inbox every few days that you've to 'OK' or 'Discard'. God knows why they just don't go into a list of your scouted players without discarding anything.

My favourite is the one where they're not even scouted to begin with. They're just there.

I'm mostly paying attention to the match engine and it just feels like it never improves and it just cycles through a couple of gimmicks every version.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Dinamo 2023/24 review:

League:

https://i.imgur.com/eTbC18w.png
https://i.imgur.com/77k8j6B.png

https://i.imgur.com/xyAET69.png

Can't really ask for much more than going undefeated. There were a few strange draws in there but overall there was nothing to stop us.

Cup:

https://i.imgur.com/ChWE1UT.png

We set a new record for goals scored thanks to those first 2 games and then the reserves just ran out of steam.

Europe:

https://i.imgur.com/siJhoxf.png

Disgustingly we drew 4-4 with Inter at home (we were 4-1 up and I went for a piss thinking we'd casually ease to victory) and 1-1 with Fener. We lost out to Inter in the group by just 1 point so it stings a hell of a lot.

https://i.imgur.com/9EDbMFr.png

This was a nice consolation though as we managed to go one better than last year. The final was such a nervy experience though. we missed a penalty in the first half, had a player (the mental youth wing back) sent off and then we missed the first penalty before my keeper saved their next two.

European awards:

https://i.imgur.com/Y4KvN03.png

https://i.imgur.com/eZ7oGrR.png

https://i.imgur.com/O1V11dN.png

Team stats:

https://i.imgur.com/LOwaOSe.png

https://i.imgur.com/cLzm72I.png

The mental twat had 3 reds and 2 yellows in only 22 games.

https://i.imgur.com/5zsR6n4.png

Also, as it's been a while here are individual screenshots of my first team plus a select few:

https://i.imgur.com/qJ8W31S.png

I was a little nervous with him being our number 1 due to his age (GK is the only one that I'm not fully alright with) but he was brilliant.

https://i.imgur.com/A5RR0d4.png

The only non-regen that still gets games for us. I keep thinking that I'll sell him the next Summer but I never do despite a heap of others. He's too good for us.

https://i.imgur.com/VOXmNDY.png

The first of my former Olimpia players and he's our rock. Easily our best CB and I'm surprised he hasn't kicked up a fuss about leaving yet.

https://i.imgur.com/qqqXMLE.png

Our record signing and he did well when he came in.

https://i.imgur.com/Q8nE4vr.png

Played a lot prior to Tadic joining but still gets quite a few games.

https://i.imgur.com/8RzRANJ.png

Another former Olimpia player and he's really not kicked on at all. I've been busy training him up as a WBL so he can get more matches which is where he plays most of the time but I think I'm prepared to cut him.

https://i.imgur.com/eDdDXJ9.png

The axe murderer. He's easily our best wing back option but he needs to CALM THE FUCK DOWN.

https://i.imgur.com/L6ZSa2d.png

I guess he's our main option at WBL but he's pretty shit.

https://i.imgur.com/T4y3df7.png

I want to sell him since getting Krecak but we've got no one else and I need someone for when Krecak is suspended.

https://i.imgur.com/3i5azoF.png

I saw him as a striker when he joined but he struggled to finish. At MC he's been a fucking revelation, he just runs everything.

https://i.imgur.com/nflj89L.png

Our former record transfer and he's come along nicely. He plays almost all games now.

https://i.imgur.com/JSaLund.png

Not sure why he's come out so white as he's black on my game but whatever. Hasn't played much for us as he goes out on loan.

https://i.imgur.com/h4eFs1z.png

I didn't expect him to feature much this season but he was only outperformed by Wesley Alex.

https://i.imgur.com/XZ6Xqk5.png

The absolute don.

https://i.imgur.com/zVJHZvT.png

He went out on loan in my previous seasons but I kept him around as he had improved a lot. He can go missing in games at times but when he's on it he's deadly.

https://i.imgur.com/mYspxd6.png

He did well last year but I expected more as he was outplayed by everyone else at the position.

[John]

Why would you see Battini as a striker when his best stats are teamwork and vision? :cab:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Well it was more that we needed a body there more than midfield at the time of buying him. He was also scouted at striker and his media description is striker so I was more hoping he'd fit there than anything.

[Adramelch]

He's also a midget. If I put a midget up front, I want him to at least be a lethal finisher which isn't the case here.

[Mike]

You'd definitely not enjoy it now then. About 30 reports, which are really badly laid out, landing together into your inbox every few days that you've to 'OK' or 'Discard'. God knows why they just don't go into a list of your scouted players without discarding anything.

There’s an option somewhere to get your cheif scout to look at the 30 reports and just tell you the best one to look at.

[John]

I'd missed that. For fuck sake Mahow.

[Giggles]

There’s an option somewhere to get your cheif scout to look at the 30 reports and just tell you the best one to look at.

I found that for the last game I started and it's a godsend, though it's yet another thing that makes it feel like you're not playing any more then. It used to be so much more usable and better.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I thought it for only like one in game month/2-3 games.

I wanted him to be a godly striker but then realised it wouldn't happen.

[Adramelch]

Just conceded this equaliser against Bayern:

https://i.imgur.com/mDsjsoK.jpg

Paused the replay at the time of the pass. Ball was passed to the circled player. Apparently he isn't offside. :moop:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They used the shit VAR lines for that.

[Adramelch]

#realism

We proceded to lose 6-1, which I definitely attribute to the bad call.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fuck the Olympics and fuck players rejecting the only offer they have.

[Adramelch]

I have a player who won't sign a contract because he's unhappy about the lack of first team football. He's started 16 of our 22 games so far, and has also featured in 5 more as a sub.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I really hope he's listed as a backup or rotation too just to make it even worse.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sweet.

The board had accepted two big bids for Makarun £27m and I had resigned myself to losing him but they gave me final say right at the end.

Edit: The team he was about to move to came back with a bigger offer and the board accepted but listened when I kicked up a fuss \0/.

Fuck off he's mine.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/MKaa85t.png

Fuck you all.

Edit: https://i.imgur.com/931mOzk.png

:cool:

[Adramelch]

I really hope he's listed as a backup or rotation too just to make it even worse.

Rotation indeed.

[Adramelch]

My defence is so fucking abysmal. They are all "good second division" players and boy does it show.

I have just conceded 4 goals from a corner in a single half and it's your standard "the ball bounces around until it ends up in the net" thingy that seems prevalent in this version. I never had that problem with the same tactic in previous teams so I can only assume it's my defence. Strong focus on defending set pieces from now on I guess.

Edit: I call it the "Liverpool approach":

https://i.imgur.com/AnuWBUs.png

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Transfers in:

https://i.imgur.com/8MNIAXX.png

Only £16.75k and I think he's going to be quite good. Only problem is that my game had a hard Brexit and he counts as a non-EU.

https://i.imgur.com/jw5XBU3.png

£5m, I need to get his composure up but he looks like he could be a bonkers finisher.

https://i.imgur.com/kCNRYU9.png

£5.25m and our second transfer from Auxerre (Poirier also came from them), I don't really need a keeper but my scouts were raving about him.

https://i.imgur.com/h2TjAwO.png

£2.5m which is a bit hefty but I've been hoovering up any semi-decent natural WBL's as I need them.

https://i.imgur.com/OflsMTv.png

£1.3m and he's incredibly raw but scouts are high on him too. Could be a glorious finisher in the future.

https://i.imgur.com/MIcMt9P.png

£1.1m and largely bought for future profit as I can't see him getting games at the club.

https://i.imgur.com/qOhojAq.png

£120k, bought as I need DC bodies and he'll be loan bait for a bit.

https://i.imgur.com/XobvRd7.png

£4m and another potential clinical striker with some holes right now. Hopefully like the other two those will be filled in.

Transfers out:

https://i.imgur.com/dYeuVss.png

Well the main transfers out were Ante Coric who I've been trying to sell for a couple of years now, Romein who I brought with me from Olimpia as he hadn't really kicked on, Andreev for the same reason and then Velasquez, Diallo and Ojeda. I was planning on selling Diallo as I remembered about Alioune Camara for backup (I recalled him after selling Diallo) but wasn't planning on Velasquz or Ojeda. I good good offers for both though so accepted them.

[Adramelch]

It's nice to play in a normal league for a change. So far I had either played in leagues where you face each team 4 times (Scotland/Croatia) or leagues with a shitload of games (League 1/2). With that said, I took over Werder Bremen at the start of the season, after they just got back to the Bundesliga and my task was simple: Don't get relegated. And it became obvious from the first few games that we didn't really need to worry about relegation.

https://i.imgur.com/3WtDth2.png

I knew we could do better than the media prediction (17th), but I didn't really expect us to end up getting a Europa spot. I have to say it was most definitely one of the weirdest (if not the weirdest) seasons I've had in this game. Each game was like gambling, you never knew which Werder Bremen was going to turn up. The one that scored the 4th most goals in the league, or the one that conceded the 3rd most? Often it was both, as evidenced by our 2 (!) 5-5 draws. We scored 4+ goals in 6 games and conceded 4+ goals in 5. At the very least, our games were entertaining to watch. It's pretty clear that we have to essentially overhaul our whole defence if we want to improve from here on out.

Here's the squad stats:

https://i.imgur.com/ubwQAas.png

Cohen delivered with the goals, although he missed a big part of the campaign due to injuries (which is a risk I took when I signed him, as my scouts said he's injury prone) and Olivari also shone whenever he was available (he's not meant to be injury prone, but he got injured a lot too). Holse is that "jack of all trades, master of none" type of player. He doesn't really excel at anything, but can do pretty much everything you ask him to as you can see:

https://i.imgur.com/ijkX9F0.png

Honorable mentions go to Nikolic (whom you might recognise from Rijeka, I signed him in January), Schneider and Friedrichs, who all covered for injuries and often carried the team on their own (eg Schneider's hat-trick in the first 20 minutes of the game against Dortmund).

Sir Andy Mahowry: Coric left Dinamo for 9 million in my save and then moved for 30 million to his next club. He was also in my first XI when I was managing Croatia, but he mostly featured as a 10, which I don't think you use in your formation.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yeah he didn't fit and the offers just weren't coming in, I knew he'd be worth more (he's valued at £6.75m now) but I just couldn't squeeze more.

Seems to be harder to sell this year too, especially to sneak in future clauses.

[Adramelch]

Ye it does seem harder. I mean I have no problem struggling to sell players that I don't think are good enough for my team, but the players that are actually good and they just don't fit my tactics should be easier to sell.