FM2005: Most disappointing big $ transfer?

[rexallllsc]

Well. I was really, really hot for a big Midfielder who I could put on the right side to make plays. I already have Kewell on the left side, and he's just amazing for me.

Anyways, I finally decided to go after Wesley Sneijder. It took me a good 3 or 4 months of offers to finally pry him from his Ajax, and once I did, he started pretty much straight away. Here's how the midfield looked:

Kewell - Alonso - Gerrard - Sneijder

I didn't mind giving a young guy in Sneijder so much time right off the bat, as he had some serious talent around him.

Anyways, despite scoring some beautiful goals (his "trademark" is long powerful/bending shots), and scoring on some free kicks, his average is/has never been close to his 3 mates in the midfield. During my run to the Quad last season, he got worn down a bit, and I moved Richie Partridge into his spot. Well, let's just say that Partridge, who is valued at $7 mil outplayed Sneijder (who is valued at $28 mil) handily.

Ugh.

Let me hear your stories!

[bamcgee]

I bought Sneijder once for Barcelona, and I was very pleased with both his versatility and performance. So much depends on the tactics. My worst was while desperately on the lookout for a top notch ballwinning defensive center-mid for my Roma squad, taking into account that DeRossi was an underachiever in this game, I spent a ton of money on Johann Vogel. I don't know what had happened to him because he's typically not that good, but his stats had popped considerably in this game. I paid $35 mm to pry him out, and he was merely competent, nothing more. I eventually ended up using Damiano Tommasi more often than not. Fortunately, selling Totti gave me a lot of leeway to make mistakes.

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by bamcgee

I bought Sneijder once for Barcelona, and I was very pleased with both his versatility and performance. So much depends on the tactics. My worst was while desperately on the lookout for a top notch ballwinning defensive center-mid for my Roma squad, taking into account that DeRossi was an underachiever in this game, I spent a ton of money on Johann Vogel. I don't know what had happened to him because he's typically not that good, but his stats had popped considerably in this game. I paid $35 mm to pry him out, and he was merely competent, nothing more. I eventually ended up using Damiano Tommasi more often than not. Fortunately, selling Totti gave me a lot of leeway to make mistakes.

Yeh. I think I'm gonna try Sneijder in the middle this year coming up, but can he beat our Gerrard or Alonso? I dunno.

How much did you get for Totti? Where did he go?

[klayman]

I ending up selling Kewell in Season 2 (12 million to Man U) after van der Vaart had all but made him a spectator on the bench. Figured I needed at least a an understudy that could fill in on the left side for van der Vaart, and found 18 wonderkid Hatem Ben Arfa in the French leagues. Well, I couldn't get him for anything less than a 16 million (structured deal), but I had the money so I thought I would go for it. He had no problem coming over as a hot prospect so I thought I could bring him along slowly. He ends up playing 2 games and starts complaining about not being played in his strongest position. I change his training to ML so he can get stronger there, and also play him at different positions throughout the rest of the season (AMC, SC). Nothing helps, and he ends up in about 10 matches during the season. As we enter my 3rd season, and coming of a domestic double (prem and fa cup), I'm not too worried about it, but then he slams me in the press after I claim we can easily defend the title. wtf? I warn him for unprofessional conduct, and he skips out on practice the next day, to which he receives a 1 week fine. By now he's causing disharmony in my club, and I get smoked 5-1 by Chelsea in the Community Shield. So I transfer list him, and nobody wants to give me my 16 million back, the best I could get was 6 million from Betis. So I end up playing about 1 million per game played...

[condors]

not sure if it qualifies but as Rushden i spent 12 million on the starting brazilian keeper, i normally sell a bunch of players every offseason and get players on free transfers to raise money. Anyways he plays terrible for me and thinks it was a mistake to come to England. Got several 4 for match ratings but mostly 6's. I don't think i have ever had a player at any level average less than a 6 rating before. After 14 games i transferlisted him and sent him to the reserves i will be lucky to get 3 million for him now. He also has the highest current salary on the team I am in my 13th season and they are both "regen" players. 13 has definatly been a bad year for me. I am seriously worried about getting regulated. My team is full of unhappy players and none of them are playing like they are capable of.

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by klayman

I ending up selling Kewell in Season 2 (12 million to Man U) after van der Vaart had all but made him a spectator on the bench. Figured I needed at least a an understudy that could fill in on the left side for van der Vaart, and found 18 wonderkid Hatem Ben Arfa in the French leagues. Well, I couldn't get him for anything less than a 16 million (structured deal), but I had the money so I thought I would go for it. He had no problem coming over as a hot prospect so I thought I could bring him along slowly. He ends up playing 2 games and starts complaining about not being played in his strongest position. I change his training to ML so he can get stronger there, and also play him at different positions throughout the rest of the season (AMC, SC). Nothing helps, and he ends up in about 10 matches during the season. As we enter my 3rd season, and coming of a domestic double (prem and fa cup), I'm not too worried about it, but then he slams me in the press after I claim we can easily defend the title. wtf? I warn him for unprofessional conduct, and he skips out on practice the next day, to which he receives a 1 week fine. By now he's causing disharmony in my club, and I get smoked 5-1 by Chelsea in the Community Shield. So I transfer list him, and nobody wants to give me my 16 million back, the best I could get was 6 million from Betis. So I end up playing about 1 million per game played...

Note to self: Stay FAR away from Hatem Ben Arfa

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by rexallllsc

Well. I was really, really hot for a big Midfielder who I could put on the right side to make plays. I already have Kewell on the left side, and he's just amazing for me.

Anyways, I finally decided to go after Wesley Sneijder. It took me a good 3 or 4 months of offers to finally pry him from his Ajax, and once I did, he started pretty much straight away. Here's how the midfield looked:

Kewell - Alonso - Gerrard - Sneijder

I didn't mind giving a young guy in Sneijder so much time right off the bat, as he had some serious talent around him.

Anyways, despite scoring some beautiful goals (his "trademark" is long powerful/bending shots), and scoring on some free kicks, his average is/has never been close to his 3 mates in the midfield. During my run to the Quad last season, he got worn down a bit, and I moved Richie Partridge into his spot. Well, let's just say that Partridge, who is valued at $7 mil outplayed Sneijder (who is valued at $28 mil) handily.

Ugh.

Let me hear your stories!

I HEART Richie Partridge but Lionel Morgan is better. Neither one ever looks like first team material but man can they play.

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by Axxon

I HEART Richie Partridge but Lionel Morgan is better. Neither one ever looks like first team material but man can they play.

Lionel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I brought him into my Cannes side before I got fired.

(and having never played FM with real players, really, before, had no clue he was a hidden gem)

[DaddyTorgo]

on the subject of FM...how do you guys usually handle the "In need of a rest" message? I'm curious as to a couple of things: Do you usually rest the guy right away, or just take it into consideration with the upcoming fixtures and find a weak one soon? I know if you don't rest him eventually he becomes exhausted which is very bad. Secondly, how do you incorporate that information? As far as I can tell there's only two ways: 1) you have to just remember it and react to it 2) you have to take the guy out of the lineup immediately (which can cause problems if you say quit and then come back the next day and forget why he's out of the lineup). This of course assumes you're not wasting paper by writing it on a scrap in front of you or anything.

I guess my point is...I wish that this info could be put in the "fixtures" info, maybe down where the "ineligible" or "injured" player info goes. Something in-game so I didn't have to scroll back through a week of news to figure out who needs to rest, or trust my forgetful memory...

[finkenst]

daddytorgo: Pen & Paper. Windows notepad/wordpad? Be like a Canadian and use Excel (props to FM).

Reading this thread is making me want to blow some money and get this game.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by bamcgee

I bought Sneijder once for Barcelona, and I was very pleased with both his versatility and performance. So much depends on the tactics. My worst was while desperately on the lookout for a top notch ballwinning defensive center-mid for my Roma squad, taking into account that DeRossi was an underachiever in this game, I spent a ton of money on Johann Vogel. I don't know what had happened to him because he's typically not that good, but his stats had popped considerably in this game. I paid $35 mm to pry him out, and he was merely competent, nothing more. I eventually ended up using Damiano Tommasi more often than not. Fortunately, selling Totti gave me a lot of leeway to make mistakes.

I'm playing a Roma game now and DeRossi is playing great. I'm about to sell Tomassi so I hope he keeps it up. I'm in late december of season one and first in the league, trying to forget that I'm going to have to sell Totti too. I really don't want to but can't see any way around it. I may also lose Cassano because he won't even discuss a new contract. I don't know what he's mad about but the thought of losing my two top scorers isn't a nice one.

All in all, Roma is a fun challenge. Very good, but very broke and in a very tough league.

My worst big money transfer was back in CM2 with Lee Sharpe. He was supposed to be the final piece of the puzzle for my first div team. How bad was he? He was the guy that I released at half time in a match I hated him so badly. I called him Mister 4 since that was his favorite rating or so it seemed.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by finkenst

daddytorgo: Pen & Paper. Windows notepad/wordpad? Be like a Canadian and use Excel (props to FM).

Reading this thread is making me want to blow some money and get this game.

it wouldn't be blown money. It would be money invested in your happiness. I don't know anyone who has bought this game who has regretted it or thought they didn't get their money's worth out of it. That is, if you play the demo and enjoy it first I mean.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

on the subject of FM...how do you guys usually handle the "In need of a rest" message? I'm curious as to a couple of things: Do you usually rest the guy right away, or just take it into consideration with the upcoming fixtures and find a weak one soon? I know if you don't rest him eventually he becomes exhausted which is very bad. Secondly, how do you incorporate that information? As far as I can tell there's only two ways: 1) you have to just remember it and react to it 2) you have to take the guy out of the lineup immediately (which can cause problems if you say quit and then come back the next day and forget why he's out of the lineup). This of course assumes you're not wasting paper by writing it on a scrap in front of you or anything.

I guess my point is...I wish that this info could be put in the "fixtures" info, maybe down where the "ineligible" or "injured" player info goes. Something in-game so I didn't have to scroll back through a week of news to figure out who needs to rest, or trust my forgetful memory...

You can add that information to your "notes" section.

If they are above 90% I play them anyway since a match off here and there doesn't really seem to help that much. By the time you get that message, it basically means they won't fully recover until the summer break. I do try and sub them during games if their fitness drops below 65% or the team is far enough ahead that I'm not worried.

[DaddyTorgo]

you can add it to notes?? Have i just totally missed that button all this time??

[Ragone]

Torgo and i were discussing this.. we got 2 words for you

Nicolas Anelka!

[finkenst]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

it wouldn't be blown money. It would be money invested in your happiness. I don't know anyone who has bought this game who has regretted it or thought they didn't get their money's worth out of it. That is, if you play the demo and enjoy it first I mean.

heh... let me rephrase that..

I don't know that I want to blow the rest of my free time on FM2005.

My choice of wording probably wasn't the best to begin with.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Ragone

Torgo and i were discussing this.. we got 2 words for you

Nicolas Anelka!

I'll have you know that I have gotten good results from Anelka once. Led my team in scoring for three straight seasons and twice lead the league as well.

Alas, one day out of the blue he decided he wanted to leave and went AWOL until I sold him. I think he didn't like the post game buffet or something.

[DaddyTorgo]

Denilson was no saint either.

FYI...Anelka IRL is now on the move from Manchester City to Fenerbahce in Turkey for 7 million pounds.

[Ragone]

Anelka was clearly the best player.. until he goes nuts.. then he's worthless..

he's kinda like a pele time bomb

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Ragone

Anelka was clearly the best player.. until he goes nuts.. then he's worthless..

he's kinda like a pele time bomb

True, but so much fun to manage during the good times and the bad.

[Ragone]

I remember using him back when he was with Psg..

he had like a whole page worth of complaints.. including

"Can't adjust to the lifestyle"

WTF.. he's french.. and in a french league

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

You can add that information to your "notes" section.

If they are above 90% I play them anyway since a match off here and there doesn't really seem to help that much. By the time you get that message, it basically means they won't fully recover until the summer break. I do try
and sub them during games if their fitness drops below 65% or the team is far enough ahead that I'm not worried.

just finished a game. there's no option to add the post-match info to your notes. just FYI.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Ragone

I remember using him back when he was with Psg..

he had like a whole page worth of complaints.. including

"Can't adjust to the lifestyle"

WTF.. he's french.. and in a french league

I had him complain about being substituted in a game when he broke his leg. Top that one.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

just finished a game. there's no option to add the post-match info to your notes. just FYI.

Just create a brand new note and type in what you want to say. You can even set a reminder so it will tell you when you want to play him again.

[Ragone]

Originally Posted by Axxon

I had him complain about being substituted in a game when he broke his leg. Top that one.

Oh Yea?

I had him complain about getting first team football.. when i started him every game

[DaddyTorgo]

i had the same thing happen with I think it was Zidane one time. He got injures and had to come off and then complained about it. WTF!

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Ragone

Oh Yea?

I had him complain about getting first team football.. when i started him every game

Yeah, had that one too. I'm pretty sure that's the one he gave after those three magical seasons. It's been a while though so I can't be sure. I've also had him complain about that when he was recouping from surgery.

[Ragone]

Seems like we could create a Survivor:Nicolas Anelka Thread

[Axxon]

I always used to buy him though. No matter what, no matter how long before he blew up, I'd always sell at a profit. I think it goes back to what PT Barnum said.

[DaddyTorgo]

if enough people request it i'm willing to buy him in this career I"m in (i have the cash lying around and maybe I'll just create an alternate savegame for him to poison).

[Ragone]

Haha.. i shipped him to Real Madrid once.. and a month later it was

"Wants to move to a bigger club"

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Ragone

Haha.. i shipped him to Real Madrid once.. and a month later it was

"Wants to move to a bigger club"

Classic.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

just finished a game. there's no option to add the post-match info to your notes. just FYI.

I meant clicking on the player and adding it that way.

[Desnudo]

I just got a cool message that I hadn't seen before. Too bad my team had to lose 2-1 in ET after having a chance to win it in regulation on said penalty kick. Maybe the David Beckham effect?

[Ragone]

Ooh, that reminds me of that super defender in the last cm game.. Mark Smith

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by Ragone

Torgo and i were discussing this.. we got 2 words for you

Nicolas Anelka!

Him and Alan Smith are basically untouchables for me, despite how much I love them IRL.

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by Axxon

I HEART Richie Partridge but Lionel Morgan is better. Neither one ever looks like first team material but man can they play.

Definitely! He was always decent as a spot player, but he just went ape in this last season:

[MrBug708]

My best message was seeing Ronaldo get tossed for 6 months for headbutting a referee

[GoldenEagle]

I want a cool looking skin.

[atatange1]

I still find myself loyal to Partridge after CM 01/02 (I think) when he came on-loan to my Port Vale Div. 2 team and helped me get promoted.

[bamcgee]

Sorry for the delay, but in response to the third post, I sold Totti to Chelsea for $60 mm US.

In my games Cassano had always been more trouble than he was worth. I pawned him off to Barcelona for $18mm. He immediately began skipping practices and causing problems, much to my relief.

[Crapshoot]

Yeah- Partridge was pretty good in CM 4. As Forest, Im in love with Andy Reid- he wants to move to a bigger club and was out of contract, but somehow Im keeping him, and the 13th place Premier finish in the first season up means I have the cash to throw everything at him. Got Crespo on a free, and essentialy run a system with 9 mediocre players, with Reid running at the defense and passing the ball to Crespo- very amusing how well it works.

[Sharpieman]

Where do you guys play Partridge? I usually play him as my attacking left winger but I don't know if thats his natural position or not. I don't think I'll change his position because he's done well. I actually got him on a free because he was released by Liverpoo and he's been a regular starter for my Everton squad.

This is my first dynasty where things haven't gone horribly wrong. I'm currently 5th in the Preimership after 24 games, my highest league position yet. I finished 14th the first year and 6th the second season. I think the turning point of my franchise was the amazing and unlikely signing of Diego Tristan from Deportivo for 6.25m Euros. Man am I obsessed with this game.

[McSweeny]

i'm also in love with Reid and usually build my FM teams around him

i'll be very sad to see him go, but i must admit it will be great to see him playing alongside Keane

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by McSweeny

i'm also in love with Reid and usually build my FM teams around him

i'll be very sad to see him go, but i must admit it will be great to see him playing alongside Keane

Lost him (oh wait- you're talking real life with Spurs- woops) ? Man U and pretty much everyone else was interested in him, but no one made an offer for him as an FA (he would have only cost 3 million pounds as an under 24 player on a free- no negotiation on my part possible), and I finally managed to talk him into hopefully staying. I think the fact I had him designated as a "will not sell" deterred teams, even though it shouldnt, given that he was a Bosman free possibility. Great, great, player.

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by Sharpieman

Where do you guys play Partridge? I usually play him as my attacking left winger but I don't know if thats his natural position or not. I don't think I'll change his position because he's done well. I actually got him on a free because he was released by Liverpoo and he's been a regular starter for my Everton squad.

This is my first dynasty where things haven't gone horribly wrong. I'm currently 5th in the Preimership after 24 games, my highest league position yet. I finished 14th the first year and 6th the second season. I think the turning point of my franchise was the amazing and unlikely signing of Diego Tristan from Deportivo for 6.25m Euros. Man am I obsessed with this game.

Attacking Left Mid when Kewell is out, and Attacking Right Mid every other time.

He seems to score for me when he plays left, whereas he just plays and crosses like crazy from the right.

[McSweeny]

yep, i'm talking real life

i always manage to keep him around through thoses first two years or so where i'm trying to get Forest up and to stay up