So, restart of the Red Star game. Still gonna be a youth focus, but will also load up former Yugoslav states and limit myself to u19 transfers.
Gaming Football Manager 2014
- Thread starter Levo
- Start date
Decided to try Middlesbrough on Classic, replaced all the shite staff, simmed a week, decided I hated their squad, and was sick of England, and it's work permits. Looked at 1860 Munchen then, didn't much like their squad either, 0 money, and promotion expected.
Think I might start a save with a load of countries, but just their 1st and 2nd divisions active, and start unemployed....
Think I might start a save with a load of countries, but just their 1st and 2nd divisions active, and start unemployed....
Spain's foreign limit is annoying too.
I didn't mind that so much, though it was awkward, as much as their B Team system, bugged me not having control when bids came in for B team players I was happy to sell only for the board to reject them, or even loans.
Couldn't pick any special save or club that piqued my interest, though I almost went for yet another ASSE save.
What I done was start a save as an ex-international, jobless, with a handful of countries loaded, but only two divisions each. Wasn't getting anything I applied for, guess I was too big for my boots, Bolton in a relegation battle in November approached me, so I went for that. Squad was wank, but they had a decent AM & winger, so I built a formation and got bollocked in my first game. Change of tack, my love of 3-5-2 and 5-3-2 formations, and all the Van Gaal hype, I decided to try and clone his setup, read up on the analysis of his games, saw a thread about it in the SI forums too, whacked my version together. Haven't lost since, now it's one game off January.
It's a ridiculous set up. My only RWB is a 1* CA 18 year old, while brilliant is getting knackered, so I'm going to try and sell my wingers and replace them with Sam Byram from Leeds, another striker, and some LWB I haven't found yet.
Don't expect to stay here too long, but still, starting to enjoy it.
What I done was start a save as an ex-international, jobless, with a handful of countries loaded, but only two divisions each. Wasn't getting anything I applied for, guess I was too big for my boots, Bolton in a relegation battle in November approached me, so I went for that. Squad was wank, but they had a decent AM & winger, so I built a formation and got bollocked in my first game. Change of tack, my love of 3-5-2 and 5-3-2 formations, and all the Van Gaal hype, I decided to try and clone his setup, read up on the analysis of his games, saw a thread about it in the SI forums too, whacked my version together. Haven't lost since, now it's one game off January.
It's a ridiculous set up. My only RWB is a 1* CA 18 year old, while brilliant is getting knackered, so I'm going to try and sell my wingers and replace them with Sam Byram from Leeds, another striker, and some LWB I haven't found yet. Don't expect to stay here too long, but still, starting to enjoy it.
Gonna give Red Star another go. Have disabled 1st season transfers so that'll give me a bit of peace. Have got a 4-5-1, 4-2-3-1, and 3-5-2 van Gaal style lined up
Incredibly bored of every save I've got, so started in the French league seen as I've not played in it yet. Chose Saint-Etienne and trying 3-5-2 seen as I've never used it before, but they're so stacked with AML/R's I think i'll have to rotate it with a 4-3-2-1 until I can get the right players.
You'll have to let me know how that 3-5-2 is working for you.
I've turned my relegation battle into a promotion battle, from 24th to 7th in 11 games with a record of 8W, 2D, 1L. This squad, while I've massively upgraded it, is probably nowhere near Prem. level, also, while wheeling/dealing I never realised the club had massive money issues, that I've definitely not helped. Thankfully, a few of my transfers were free ins.
EDIT: Picked up Javi Espinosa off Barca for 85k, should make a fine playmaker.
Stacked with wingers, and target men, IIRC. Gutting that now Zouma is only a loan.
Also, IIRC Tabanou is a decent wingback, which is handy.
I'm currently doing a save with Britannia XI in Gibraltar. Only 20 teams overall, two divisions and separate league cups for each. With one main cup competition.
1st season was in the 12 team 2nd division. Won the league, 2nd Division League Cup and more importantly managed to win the Rock Cup which gave me Europa League football. Albeit the 1st qualifying round.
2nd season lost to Dundee in the Europa league 1st qualifier. But that gave me £100k odd and £30k from the home gate. That let me improve the youth facilities for £90k (Went up to basic) and junior coaching. Won the league, lost in the semi's of the Premier League cup and retained the Rock Cup. Winning the league got me into Champions League 1st qualifier.
3rd season, won my 1st round qualifier over Flora. Then lost in the 2nd to Lech, earned me £400k and £60k from the two home gates. Got the board to upgrade training facilities at the cost of £130k. Retained the League, lost in the 2nd round of the Rock Cup and Won the Premier League Cup. Again qualified for the Champions League. Was also announced that the league will get an extra Europa spot, so now the Rock Cup and 2nd place both get a place.
At the beginning of preseason 4th season. Champions league starts a couple of months before the season. Beat TNS in the 1st qualifier and then lost to Dinamo in the 2nd. Again £400k and £60k from gate. Board have agreed to upgrade my youth facilities again £650k tho and also Youth Coaching improved again.
Long term project to improve the league etc. Next step for me is to try and get pro/semi pro status as it is all amateur.
1st season was in the 12 team 2nd division. Won the league, 2nd Division League Cup and more importantly managed to win the Rock Cup which gave me Europa League football. Albeit the 1st qualifying round.
2nd season lost to Dundee in the Europa league 1st qualifier. But that gave me £100k odd and £30k from the home gate. That let me improve the youth facilities for £90k (Went up to basic) and junior coaching. Won the league, lost in the semi's of the Premier League cup and retained the Rock Cup. Winning the league got me into Champions League 1st qualifier.
3rd season, won my 1st round qualifier over Flora. Then lost in the 2nd to Lech, earned me £400k and £60k from the two home gates. Got the board to upgrade training facilities at the cost of £130k. Retained the League, lost in the 2nd round of the Rock Cup and Won the Premier League Cup. Again qualified for the Champions League. Was also announced that the league will get an extra Europa spot, so now the Rock Cup and 2nd place both get a place.
At the beginning of preseason 4th season. Champions league starts a couple of months before the season. Beat TNS in the 1st qualifier and then lost to Dinamo in the 2nd. Again £400k and £60k from gate. Board have agreed to upgrade my youth facilities again £650k tho and also Youth Coaching improved again.
Long term project to improve the league etc. Next step for me is to try and get pro/semi pro status as it is all amateur.
Started that Steam FC team. Didn't find buying players that difficult. Biggest mistake was buying Lukaku to then remember he won't join for another year. Whups.
Biggest pain is getting the staff in.
Biggest pain is getting the staff in.
Picked up this striker on a free, no one special, named Jorge Galán. I needed coverage, and he was pretty fast, could finish, and had good OTB, Composure, and Determination. Perfect for the Championship. Two games in, wank, next four, a goal a game, a few assists, looked banging once hes match fitness was up. 7th game? Tore his hammy.
feck.
feck.
Save is baffling, despite being 125m in debt, in March I got a note from the board that upgrades had been made to the training and youth facilities, bringing both to Top level.
Little wonder they're shipping 2-2.5m a month, bank balance is expected to be -22m by end of season, it was +6.5 in January. I'm in a playoff spot, I'm wondering, if I don't hold to it, and win my way to the Prem, will they go into administration? Is there a chance they could anyway?
Little wonder they're shipping 2-2.5m a month, bank balance is expected to be -22m by end of season, it was +6.5 in January. I'm in a playoff spot, I'm wondering, if I don't hold to it, and win my way to the Prem, will they go into administration? Is there a chance they could anyway?
Finished the season. Before I joined, they had 3w, 4d, 10l.
This is where I ended up.
Formation is fecking ridiculous, all I really added to the starting 11, was a pair of *decent* wingbacks. I'd imagine if I had the whole season, not just from Dec. on, I'd have walked it.
Handily tipped through the playoffs, set for my first season in the Prem. Given about 10m budget.
I poached Tony Carr off a relegated West Ham to be my HOYD, and finished for the night. I have a pretty handy line of cheap/free players to bring in where I need a bit more class.
Paulo Dybala, to be my Welbz/Robben/Support Striker
Matej Vydra, to be my RvP/Rooney/Attacking Striker
Ezequiel Munoz, as my defence is wank
Nicusor Stanciu, to be my Mata, a far more deadly option than my current pair of playmakers
Few other options include,
Aleksander Ignjovski, on a free from Werder Bremen, would be good if I shift some of my mehfielders.
Dedrick Boyaya, looks a'ight for free cover as most of my CB's are old and injury prone, if he doesn't want massive wages.
I'll see what else is available, but if/when I get that first four, I'll be very happy.
This is where I ended up.
Formation is fecking ridiculous, all I really added to the starting 11, was a pair of *decent* wingbacks. I'd imagine if I had the whole season, not just from Dec. on, I'd have walked it.
Handily tipped through the playoffs, set for my first season in the Prem. Given about 10m budget.
I poached Tony Carr off a relegated West Ham to be my HOYD, and finished for the night. I have a pretty handy line of cheap/free players to bring in where I need a bit more class.
Paulo Dybala, to be my Welbz/Robben/Support Striker
Matej Vydra, to be my RvP/Rooney/Attacking Striker
Ezequiel Munoz, as my defence is wank
Nicusor Stanciu
, to be my Mata, a far more deadly option than my current pair of playmakersFew other options include,
Aleksander Ignjovski, on a free from Werder Bremen, would be good if I shift some of my mehfielders.
Dedrick Boyaya, looks a'ight for free cover as most of my CB's are old and injury prone, if he doesn't want massive wages.
I'll see what else is available, but if/when I get that first four, I'll be very happy.
Nice work @Earthquake.
Just a quick question with your 3-5-2, what kind of mentality do you go with? Have got it set to control atm. Results are mixed
Just a quick question with your 3-5-2, what kind of mentality do you go with? Have got it set to control atm. Results are mixed
Starting that Steam FC thing but going to try and get to the Prem signing only ex-United players. Might allow myself to buy players they transfer list too.
Standard/Rigid. I'll flick to Counter if I think I need to be cautious, or I want to draw a defensive team out of it's shell, or Attacking if I'm chasing a game.
Also, I use WB(a)'s in this, so when I'm chasing, they also get flicked to CWB(a)'s.
To close out games, I drop the tempo and add Retain Possession.
Added to the list above, I forgot, I probably won't be able to afford what I need, but to get even closer to Van Gaal's style, I really could do with a DLP, and more importantly, a BPD, but BPD's are rare enough at the top table, never mind in my situation.
I always like experimental tactics. Came up with;
Its a sort of barca-esque formation with no central striker. The false 9 can lure CBs out of position, and the IFs cutting inside can cause havoc, exploiting the space left by the opponent FBs - if you get the right personnel for it, its deadly. Rooney makes a great False Nine in FM, and from the United squad, Nani on the left and RVP on the right work really well as the wide forwards.
It takes the players a while to get used to it, but its well worth a try dropping the out-and-out striker.
The defense is optional, I often go with just a back 3 rather than the Anchorman.
Its a sort of barca-esque formation with no central striker. The false 9 can lure CBs out of position, and the IFs cutting inside can cause havoc, exploiting the space left by the opponent FBs - if you get the right personnel for it, its deadly. Rooney makes a great False Nine in FM, and from the United squad, Nani on the left and RVP on the right work really well as the wide forwards.
It takes the players a while to get used to it, but its well worth a try dropping the out-and-out striker.
The defense is optional, I often go with just a back 3 rather than the Anchorman.
Since there's no F9 role in the AM position(nor can a F9 be set to A), I assume you're using Shadow Striker?
I'd try it with Trequartista too.
I'd try it with Trequartista too.
Same thing in my Newcastle save. About 170M wage budget, when I'm actually just spending about the half of it. And almost zero transfer budget. Right after the takeover. Must be some kind of restrictions from the board.
"Right after takeover"? Like within a week or two?
If so they're still evaluating whether to sack you or keep you, if they keep you, you'll get a message in a few weeks, and can then adjust as you like.
If so they're still evaluating whether to sack you or keep you, if they keep you, you'll get a message in a few weeks, and can then adjust as you like.
It's gotten even more ridiculous. I just spent big because because they bumped my transfer budget to 60 million and wage budget to 400K post take over. And the board just halfed my wage budget because of "poor financial performance"
. I've just come off three seasons of league titles and 1 CL with Fulham FFS, and you just injected extra funds 2 months back.On another note, I just signed a 5 star (current ability) defender, basically comfortably the best defender in the game, and my defence has gone to pieces. And my 50 million pound left winger keeps feeling nervous every game.
Hopefully I can sneak the title for 4 leagues in a row and these big players peform better after one season.
My post-takeover board started to up the training facilities on their first day, only to cancel the project 4 days later.It's gotten even more ridiculous. I just spent big because because they bumped my transfer budget to 60 million and wage budget to 400K post take over. And the board just halfed my wage budget because of "poor financial performance"
On another note, I just signed a 5 star (current ability) defender, basically comfortably the best defender in the game, and my defence has gone to pieces. And my 50 million pound left winger keeps feeling nervous every game.
Hopefully I can sneak the title for 4 leagues in a row and these big players peform better after one season.
Managed to sign Pogba in the end. £200m he cost me, had to sell a couple of player and request extra wages to adjust my budged. Scored on his debut too. Happy days!!
I want to stab Jermaine Beckford, no one wants him for free, won't accept a mutual termination, and would cost me a million to flat out terminate it.
About 6, maybe 7 players I want rid of, no one wants them.
About 6, maybe 7 players I want rid of, no one wants them.
having a really tough opening season with my Southampton team so far. I'm relatively stable at the back but it's very difficult to find goals. The likes of Lallana, Lambert and Osvaldo have been a bit shite for me. Hoping to make it through the season without getting sacked so I can get a proper grip on the squad in the summer.
What kind of formation you using? I used the old English "wingless wonders" 4-1-3-2 with Southampton. Found the strikers worked best in pairs.
4 - 2 - 3 - 1 at home and 4 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 1 away. With wingers and one striker. Might try the wingerless one.
Southampton have a lot of good mids, getting a bunch of them on the pitch, and two strikers, is pretty dangerous.
I had Honda too, though.
I had Honda too, though.
Spurs gave me 20m for Schneiderlinn which allowed me to bring in Balanta and Will Hughes (who I loaned back to Derby), figured it'd weaken me initially but benefit me long term so I had to go to it. Although Balanta's already turning into an absolute beast, it would help to have Schneiderlinn in midfield, for sure.
The game hates your face.
I sold him to Man Utd,
I think my midfield was
Honda---Ramierz---Cork/JWP
Wanyama
With Adam Vass for rotation.Wanyama
I forgot how fecking shit this was compared to FM13. The amount of open goals and 1v1's missed every match is absurd, like, completely absurd. The engine is shit, the results always seem completely fixed, I hate it. I'm uninstalling it. Go feck yourself SI.
Oh and not to forget the 3-4 offside/disallowed goals per game, and generally ridiculous amounts of goals from corners.
Can you still get FM13, or 12, I'd love to try them if they're much better, as I keep hearing.
I tried a couple of the "classic" ones, but tbh, without rose tinted spectacles, they mostly seemed clunky, awkward, and wank.
yeah I have FM13 but I've played it to death at this stage, I never played with anyone other than Utd in 14 so I said I'd give it ago.
tbf, since posting that, I've gone on a great winning streak with Southampton and went from 16th to 6th
Life is good again, then!
why does the game always pelt you with a ridiculous fixture list over the space of around 10 days? My Xmas schedule is
26th: Man Utd (away)
28th: Spurs (away)
1st: Chelsea (away)
4th: Liverpool (away) - FA Cup
7th Man Utd (away) - COC
feck you!
26th: Man Utd (away)
28th: Spurs (away)
1st: Chelsea (away)
4th: Liverpool (away) - FA Cup
7th Man Utd (away) - COC
feck you!
There was a run in my Roma save, where 5 out of my 7 fixtures were Juventus. I didn't even think that was possible.
The first week where I didn't actually have to play them I considered arranging a friendly.
The first week where I didn't actually have to play them I considered arranging a friendly.