This is gonna be a super long post. Just kicked off my second season, won all 4 trophies in my first with some seriously amazing games. I won the Carling Cup on penalties to West Brom with my reserves, but the game finished 4 - 4 after extra time, with them scoring a last minute equaliser in normal time to make it 3 - 3, and me scoring a last minute winner in extra time to make it 4 -4. It didn't end there, because they picked up the advantage on penalties with me missing one, until they missed the one that would win them the game and i eventually won it.
Second amazing game was the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barca. I really buggered up the first leg, they destroyed me and it was lucky to end 4 - 2. Anyway, i had it all to do at Old Trafford, and i was seriously clueless as to what my tactics would be. In the end, i thought 'feck it' and started the game with an all out attack mentality. Got the 2 goals in the first 2 minutes by hitting them on the counter attack. Evra then decided to get himself sent off in hte second half and Barca were all over me, but somehow i managed to hold on and win by away goals.
I've also made some very impressive transfers, although i've probablly overspent for a couple of players this second season.
In 2006/07
Morais - Brilliant winger, plays similar to Ronaldo, hopefully will become near as good this season and onwards. Cost £5.5 million.
Bodmer - Did average in his first season, didn't really do bad but was nothing special, but i probablly should have give him more of an attacking role. Ended up selling him in my second season to make room for my midfield signings.
Eddie Johnson - My mate told me about this guy. Brilliant and a bargain. Queiroz told he wasn't good enough. I decided i didn't care. Scored 25 goals in 24 starts (although he doesnt affect games coming off the bench much.) 4 of these goals were scored in my 5 - 0 win over Arsenal, and another 2 at the Emirates, one of those being a last minute winner that knocked Arsenal out of the title race (it was a three way race up until the last few games of the season.) Did i mention he was the signing of the season? £1.2 million.
Out - Wes Brown to Real Madrid. £3.4 million. Didn't really need him, only reason i sold him i suppose.
2007/08 - In
Transfer Window is nearly up, but ive made a few signings, and probablly over paid for 2, but the board were happy to give me a high budget after my success so it didn't bother me.
Reo-Coker - £2 million. Wanted him in my first season before i got bodmer, West Ham wouldn't sell for cheap, i unsettled him and got him on a free at the end of the season. Paid West Ham £2 million compensation.
Now...the overspending.
Micah Richards - £20 million & Huddlestone - £15 million plus Keiran Richardson.
I was thinking more long-term with these, from previous FM games i know how good they can be eventually, my midfield is sorted for a very long time providing Morais improves to the abillity of Ronaldo and i also have a decent replacement for Neville eventually when i train Richards at RB position.
I've sold a large number of players to reduce my squad, Bodmer already being mentioned. Rossi is coming through nicely, winning my the Charity Shield against Chelsea in a close game after Vidic got sent off.
Anyway, i have so many possibillities with my team atm, but my main team is going to be this for now.
Van Der Sar
Gaz --- Rio --- Vidic --- Heinze
Ronalo --- Carrick --- Scholes --- Morais
Rooney --- E. Johnson
My new midfield signings will be used in rotation,to be come eventual replacements and i will also use 5 in midfield to grind out results from difficult games. they only i worry i have is players becoming unhappy, but that happens every game.
Anyway, i don't know why i posted such a long post, i think it's the first game on FM since the Championship Manager days i've really got into. I've always tended to get bored half way through a season no matter how well i'm doing on the FM games, but i think some of the matches this season have kept me entertained to keep going. So i think i just got the urge to share my experience.
