Gaming Football Manager 2024

[Chipper]

Having a look regens using Genie Scout in my Motherwell save, just clocked something interesting.

There's young players at some very small clubs who can turn out great if they fully develop. These ones at small clubs are often behind the development curve of players with similar potential at bigger clubs. Most of them are short/lacking in strength and will take longer to fulfil their potential.

It's as if the game is reproducing the real world situation where talented young kids are often deemed not big or strong enough for top clubs academies. That's changed a bit now in real football but it definitely used to be a thing, especially in England. They'll get crap coaching at these small clubs, playing against crap players and never realise their potential, maybe even falling out of the game.

 

[Solius]

It's tempting though! Sounds like you're having a lot of fun and I'm loving the name of that club I found - Route One Rovers. Tier 10 I think.

Might even impose a couple of rules - must play with a target man, no players under 6 foot tall considering the team name.

There’s a brilliant amount of random teams at that level. I played against a Romania FC which I googled afterwards and it’s a group of Romanian immigrants who formed a club in the 90s. I also played against Maccabi London FC.

 

[Maluco]

After literal days of the summer, we are finally finished and ready for the top league in Portugal. It was really hard to find players of the required quality that wanted to be at Viz so it was a painstaking process of scouting, waiting, trying and retrying bids, wearing players down and asking the DoF once a week for ideas.

Cummings, our free signing from Chelsea last year continues in goal and to be honest, the jury is out.

Not much has changed at centre back either, as Mbe Soh and he returning Eduardo Quaresma make up the backline. Nat Phillips is in on a free and we managed to snatch Rafa Martin on loan on deadline day from Real. He probably will dislodge Quaresma quickly.

Full backs is where we really lucked out, shockingly getting in early on wonderkid Andrei Borza and finding Sam Curtis in Ireland. Both are only 19 and look the business!

Free transfer Kuzyaev brings the experience in midfield. Charlie Patino comes in on loan from Villa and Jobe Bellingham was an unscouted punt who doesn’t look great! Filippo Ranocchia was a panic deadline signing from Juve. Midfield looks ok.

We did fabulously well with attacking midfield, signing youngster Peter, for free from Madrid, before picking up long time target Reiner for a club record fee. Jon Guerrero was loaned in for peanuts after he was listed.

The search for a CF was long and frustrating, but with the league days away, we paid a sizeable loan fee to bring in Patson Daka, much better than anyone we could have bought. My scouts don’t fancy him but decided to take a punt on Giuliano Simeone as back up for just over a million.

A complete remodel to compete in this division. We have some weaknesses at GK and CB, which could cost us, but our attack seems potent. Let’s see what happens…

 

[Dan_F]

I’ve just noticed the mobile version is free with Netflix. Is it worth playing? Baring in mind I’m someone who sunk stupid hours into FM games up to about 2018, it seems extremely basic and I’m wondering if you can even have much of an impact with tactics etc.

 

[AFC NimbleThumb]

Ah, the Seville tactic!

Never thought about doing that. Not a bad idea.

Speaking of my team being bottle jobs they just bottled the league. Lost it by 1 point after losing 3-0 & 6-2 away. My away form literally fell off a cliff for no reason. Walked home games but was struggling in any away game. Bottom of the table teams at that.

Feck it I’ve mortgaged the club up to the eyeballs & brought in Evan Ferguson, Guler, Zaire-Emery & a few others.

 

[Jimble]

I’ve just noticed the mobile version is free with Netflix. Is it worth playing? Baring in mind I’m someone who sunk stupid hours into FM games up to about 2018, it seems extremely basic and I’m wondering if you can even have much of an impact with tactics etc.

It's pretty easy managing united.

I won the sextuple last year. Beating city 5-1 in the champs league final.

The board then went on to announce that they are about to break ground on the Eric Cantona Arena new 96288 seater.

Signed some great players

Bhardji
Seiwald
Tchouameni
Guerra
Upamecano
Urbig

Even took Messi on for a season, although he didn't put up big numbers.

Rasmus, Garnacho, and Rashford all smashing it. Shaw had 15 assists last season.

 

[Maluco]

Off to a flier with Viz in the first season in the top flight. Sitting joint first and hoping for Europe.

As expected, attack always manages to score. Daka is too good for the weaker teams and Reiner is a top player for this division. I had my doubts about young player, Peter, but he is doing really well and will end up being a real value free transfer.

Jon Guerrero has made his move permanent for a million and I feel that will be a bargain too once he gets going.


Patino is absolutely bossing it in midfield and there is no way we will get back him and Daka. The two 19 year old FBs are having great seasons too.

The hardest part has been keeping everyone fit and navigating three competitions with a lack of quality after the first choice. We have no money at all and a very tight wage bill.

We have won the League Cup after a two footer in the final after 5 minutes gave us a super easy final after a very easy run. Still delighted though in first season.

Plan for the end of the window is to try and loan Bellingham and sell a few players for pittance and try to squeeze a good player on loan out of it all. Prices and fees are crazy though, so doubt anyone quality will be affordable.

Big 3 are still way too good, and Braga give us problems too, so will have to beat 2/4 to give ourselves half a chance in the league. It shouldn’t really be possible, but who knows?

 

[Maluco]

150k budget, -2 million in the balance and 4K free in wages. 15 hours left of the transfer window and trawling through loans and expired contracts to find someone, anyone who can cover CB and LB.

14 hours left, Crystal Palace bid 3,7 million + 1 million in installments, plus 20% of next fee for my Captain Mbe Soh. He is an ok CB, but has been great this season and is my most influential player. By the time it goes through, will I have time to get a proper replacement who wants to come here?

Decide to negotiate it and if he complains, tell him he can go in the summer. Negotiate 10 million leave it and they come back with 8 million up front!!

I have only ever sold a player for just over a million twice, so, at the risk of derailing a season, I accept. It means we can offer proper contracts to free transfer players and hopefully, maybe, get in a few players now.

The disaster is, if he goes, and I can’t find a CB in time…

 

[Solius]

Apparently the supporters are very disappointed that I’ve failed to ‘Record a regional first divisions top half finish’ which is planned for the end of the 2025/26 season.

It’s Sept 2025 and we’re top.

Broken piece of shit game.

 

[Lay]

Off to a flier with Viz in the first season in the top flight. Sitting joint first and hoping for Europe.

As expected, attack always manages to score. Daka is too good for the weaker teams and Reiner is a top player for this division. I had my doubts about young player, Peter, but he is doing really well and will end up being a real value free transfer.

Jon Guerrero has made his move permanent for a million and I feel that will be a bargain too once he gets going.


Patino is absolutely bossing it in midfield and there is no way we will get back him and Daka. The two 19 year old FBs are having great seasons too.

The hardest part has been keeping everyone fit and navigating three competitions with a lack of quality after the first choice. We have no money at all and a very tight wage bill.

We have won the League Cup after a two footer in the final after 5 minutes gave us a super easy final after a very easy run. Still delighted though in first season.

Plan for the end of the window is to try and loan Bellingham and sell a few players for pittance and try to squeeze a good player on loan out of it all. Prices and fees are crazy though, so doubt anyone quality will be affordable.

Big 3 are still way too good, and Braga give us problems too, so will have to beat 2/4 to give ourselves half a chance in the league. It shouldn’t really be possible, but who knows?

I managed in Portugal a few editions ago and it seemed every 3 games for the whole season there was a game. Is that still the case? My players were dead half way through the season even with rotation

 

[Maluco]

I managed in Portugal a few editions ago and it seemed every 3 games for the whole season there was a game. Is that still the case? My players were dead half way through the season even with rotation

It has gotten like that now, since December. A midweek game every single week since then despite no Europe, so I have no idea how that would fit in.

 

[Charlie Foley]

I managed in Portugal a few editions ago and it seemed every 3 games for the whole season there was a game. Is that still the case? My players were dead half way through the season even with rotation

I often found that with Benfica. Bought FM 20 during Covid. Second half of the season I was basically always playing second string in the league. But that was with good European runs.

 

[Carlsen19]

Promoted to the Championship at the second time of asking with Darlington. Was generously given a £2.5million transfer kitty Going to be tough.

 

[AFC NimbleThumb]

Promoted to the Championship at the second time of asking with Darlington. Was generously given a £2.5million transfer kitty Going to be tough.

Nice.

I was given £4.5m after winning Serie A for my first Champions League run. You’ll be fine, just backload your deals & pray for a takeover. I’m £400mil in the red. If the club dies, it dies, I’m winning titles.

 

[Chipper]

Can't be bothered defending the title in Scotland with Motherwell right now. Got a stronger squad than last season when winning it by 10 points so I'm almost sure I'd win it again. The only lure was Europe so I might come back to it for that at some point.


Time for a new save.

 

[SilentWitness]

I completely forgot that my boy Kusi-Asare is at AIK at the start of the game... Two saves in a row I've managed him and two saves in a row he's been incredible. Just the 32 goals in 30 appearances for our title win.

 

[SilentWitness]

Great, the board in the January transfer window before our season starts have began just accepting transfer bids for our players. Kusi-Asare is off for 5m to Newcastle and a promising regen is off for only 2m. cnuts.

 

[Chipper]

New save = Rochdale St. Clements in the 13th tier. Let's go! It's the Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division.

We have 0 players and 1 season ticket holder who piad £10. Bargain!

 

[Solius]

New save = Rochdale St. Clements in the 13th tier. Let's go! It's the Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division.

We have 0 players and 1 season ticket holder who piad £10. Bargain!

Oof that's further down than me I think.

Be prepared to have the worst squad turnover of all time because contracts are only 12 months. I start every season horribly because there's about 12 new guys who've just met.

 

[Chipper]

Oof that's further down than me I think.

Be prepared to have the worst squad turnover of all time because contracts are only 12 months. I start every season horribly because there's about 12 new guys who've just met.

Would playing a load of pre-season friendlies help to build up tactical awareness/cohesiveness?

 

[Solius]

Would playing a load of pre-season friendlies help to build up tactical awareness/cohesiveness?

Maybe but there's also no transfer windows so you can sign or lose players at any time. I don't do pre-season, I leave it to the ass man.

 

[Solius]

We just got our third promotion and are now in the Southern League Premier Central.

Promotion from this league gets us into the Vanarama National League South. We might be able to turn professional then.

 

[SilentWitness]

We just got our third promotion and are now in the Southern League Premier Central.

Promotion from this league gets us into the Vanarama National League South. We might be able to turn professional then.

Is that the same league as hashtag?

 

[Solius]

Is that the same league as hashtag?

Nah they're in the Ithsmian League, whatever that is.

 

[SilentWitness]

Nah they're in the Ithsmian League, whatever that is.

Also can go into the National League South. I guess one team from each league can.

 

[Chipper]

Not many games in my division in the 13th tier, doesn't start until September so I'm arranging friendlies every Saturday to fill in gaps.

Saw the Stretford Paddock team at this tier, they're in the Cheshire Football League Two. Will challenge them to a game.

 

[sebsheep]

Apparently the supporters are very disappointed that I’ve failed to ‘Record a regional first divisions top half finish’ which is planned for the end of the 2025/26 season.

It’s Sept 2025 and we’re top.

Broken piece of shit game.

Technically you haven't achieved it!

 

[sebsheep]

Not many games in my division in the 13th tier, doesn't start until September so I'm arranging friendlies every Saturday to fill in gaps.

Saw the Stretford Paddock team at this tier, they're in the Cheshire Football League Two. Will challenge them to a game.

Are we in some weird time traveling universe where this is how Howson gets his shiner?

 

[Solius]

I've got a midfielder who when he signed was an important player but now is more of squad/fringe player. I've had conversations with players in similar situations who have accepted reduced roles as it's clear they're down the pecking order ability wise.

I try with him and he basically says feck that, you're so audacious. So I reply saying well if you think that way then you should leave.

He replies saying he's upset or whatever and that "I'm not leaving. I'll get my way eventually."

Gave him a free transfer. Bye. The one advantage of part time contracts

 

[Maluco]

Ended up selling Mbe Soh and club is now in the positive balance.

Spent about 1.5 million of the windfall bringing in Tanganga, Lyanco and a young CM from Brighton all on loan. Tried to actually sign a few youngsters who promptly told me to feck off or asked for 30k a week. No dice!

Money also enabled me to offer a contract to Liam Delap, who was already on loan here, and Roberto Sanchez will join as our number 1 in the summer.

Slowly but surely building a nice little side with, just about, a decent 11 with no loans. It’s a struggle and I am hoping the wage bill that is left will help us get a few more freebies in when our rep goes up. Unfortunately, our best CB (Dani), our best CM (Patino), our best winger (Moreira) and our best CF (Daka) are all loans that we have no chance of getting back in.

A loss at home to Sporting really hit our morale and we drew our next game and then went 3-1 down at home to Porto. Going on the attack second half and a 93rd minute penalty puts us 4-3 up…..only to concede a 94th minute equalizer. 4-4 and absolutely gutted.

So, no wins in three games and the league is like this as we head into the final stretch…

Viz 68
Sporting 67
Benfica 66
Porto 65

Our final 3 games of the season are away to Sporting in the cup semi-final, home to Benfica, and away to Braga

It should be an incredible season for our first season in the top league and a patchwork team, but I just know that the collapse to three better teams will kill me even so.

Morale hit and tough games with young players is a terrible combo. Feeling pessimistic, when I would have bitten your hand off for top 4 at the start of the season!

 

[Solius]

Just somehow reached the first round proper of the FA Cup and then managed to beat League 2 Cambridge. We got 41k for winning. That's an insane amount for the club

 

[Maluco]

Just somehow reached the first round proper of the FA Cup and then managed to beat League 2 Cambridge. We got 41k for winning. That's an insane amount for the club

You could be a beast with momentum by the time you hit the Vanarama! Maybe 10 promotions in a row!?

 

[Solius]

You could be a beast with momentum by the time you hit the Vanarama! Maybe 10 promotions in a row!?

We won in the second round too! Managed to draw with Derby at Pride Park in the 3rd round and was leading at my ground but they won 4 - 1 in the end.

I’ve got the board to upgrade the training facilities with the money.

 

[SilentWitness]

Swedish League must have a terrible rep. Won the league with AIK two years in a row (In our first CL campaign and have two games left to try and get through - probably won't as they're against Madrid and Barca) but nobody else wants me. Applying for jobs and getting rejected every single time.

 

[CallyRed]

New save = Rochdale St. Clements in the 13th tier. Let's go! It's the Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division.

We have 0 players and 1 season ticket holder who piad £10. Bargain!

Yeah I've started in the 13th tier with Attleborough Town. Decided to go down the FM editor route. Ended up with Stuart Pearce and Kevin Bonds as my assistant. Also signed Danny Rose.

Think I'll go back to my original save with Leyton Orient struggling in league 1

 

[Solius]

Promoted to the Vanarama South!

I'm asking the board to expand the 1000 seat stadium or at least turn us professional and they're refusing both. Not sure if it's because I haven't reached the 25th June Leaderboards screen where it actually changes everything round so the club still think we're in the current division because the game logic is dumb.

 

[Chipper]

Yeah I've started in the 13th tier with Attleborough Town. Decided to go down the FM editor route. Ended up with Stuart Pearce and Kevin Bonds as my assistant. Also signed Danny Rose.

Think I'll go back to my original save with Leyton Orient struggling in league 1

I think the thing with starting so low is that it might all be a bit samey until you reach a certain level. Amateurs v Amateurs for the most part for season after season with no big jumps in class of opponent. Sticking with it for now but could get a bit boring until reaching the level @Solius seems to be at now.

 

[Solius]

I think the thing with starting so low is that it might all be a bit samey until you reach a certain level. Amateurs v Amateurs for the most part for season after season. Sticking with it for now but could get a bit boring until you start reaching the level @Solius seems to be at now.

Yeah it's been a slog at parts. There's tonnes of free agents all at a similar level so you just kind of rotate through them as you go up the leagues and the squad turnover is massive because of the contract types.

My record appearance holder only just reached 79 apps.

 

[Solius]

Ah, we're renting a 4.5k capacity stadium used by some other clubs as our one doesn't meet the requirements. Makes sense why they rejected my proposal now.

 

[Solius]

City relegated

Will be fun passing them on my way up.

EDIT: Erm... feck off