I love FM2005

[FrogMan]

For all of the people who may think that the "I Hate FM2005 (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=37215)" thread is really about hate, let me say it isn't. We all love the game, we simply hate the fact it's too darn addictive... ;)

now, I said it, no more misleading people into thinking that FM2005 is sooooo bad :)

FM

[SunDancer]

Thread thief ;)

[Mac Howard]

I prefer the other thread ;)

[terpkristin]

I never took FM to start a "parody" thread. ;)

/tk

[moriarty]

Ironically this thread title will probably only get a fraction of responses the other two did.

[Runtheball]

When will they invent wearable computers? I want to take FM with me wherever I go. Was up till 3:30 a.m. last night. I think the wife is getting a bit ticked-off, but I can't help it. I'm a junkie!

To think I knew (and cared) nothing about soccer a couple weeks ago. I always thought there was no strategy to it, and it was just a bunch of guys running around trying to get a clean shot into the net. Hah!

When does the next world cup start?

[Desnudo]

When will they invent wearable computers? I want to take FM with me wherever I go. Was up till 3:30 a.m. last night. I think the wife is getting a bit ticked-off, but I can't help it. I'm a junkie!

To think I knew (and cared) nothing about soccer a couple weeks ago. I always thought there was no strategy to it, and it was just a bunch of guys running around trying to get a clean shot into the net. Hah!

When does the next world cup start?

Summer of 2006. Just wait until you hit the point where you actually start watching soccer on TV.

[Eaglesfan27]

Summer of 2006. Just wait until you hit the point where you actually start watching soccer on TV.
Yep, CM 03/04 made me start watching EPL Soccer whenever I could on Fox Sports Net (or whatever the channel is called.)

Now, I find myself watching taped Manchester United matches while I coach them in FM :)

[Desnudo]

Yep, CM 03/04 made me start watching EPL Soccer whenever I could on Fox Sports Net (or whatever the channel is called.)

Now, I find myself watching taped Manchester United matches while I coach them in FM :)

Hopefully Runtheball will choose Goodness and Light over Evil and Darkness, when the time comes for him.

[SunDancer]

Eaglefan,
Up here, we get YES Network (the Yankees channel). They have a partnership with MU Television. They'll play the previous week's game about 1-2 times a week. Good stuff (though I'm not a huge fan of the team, but I love to watch the stars they have).

Speaking of which, is ESPN/ESPN2 carrying any more Champions League matches?

[vyshka]

Eaglefan,
Up here, we get YES Network (the Yankees channel). They have a partnership with MU Television. They'll play the previous week's game about 1-2 times a week. Good stuff (though I'm not a huge fan of the team, but I love to watch the stars they have).

Speaking of which, is ESPN/ESPN2 carrying any more Champions League matches?

ESPN will carry maybe 1 or 2 matches from each round. ESPN Desportes shows them all. I picked up the Spanish tier from cable even though I don't speak Spanish. Best way to get soccer coverage with Cox Cable in AZ. Someday I might break down and get a dish so I can have GolTV, but until then it is FSC and ESPND.

[Critch]

Speaking of which, is ESPN/ESPN2 carrying any more Champions League matches?

Still only 1 game each week for the quarter finals, Liverpool v Juventus on 4/5, Inter v AC Milan on 4/12. After this round, ESPN2 will be covering both legs of both semifinals live and the final too.

[moriarty]

Yep, CM 03/04 made me start watching EPL Soccer whenever I could on Fox Sports Net (or whatever the channel is called.)

It's the Fox Soccer Channel. How could you get that wrong? :p

[condors]

I have been following the league since 96 (when i played CM for the first time). I spent years reading play by play after the fact, reading about the players back in the dialup days on the internet. A few years ago i could watch a game on PPV for 20 bucks and i was happy to do it, if it was Manutd vs Arsenal, Liverpool, or whoever was in the top 6 in the league at the time.

I think that is a great compliement that a game makes you a fan of the sport (although i had been a fan of the MLS since it started in 93 and was a fan of the old soccer league when i was just a little pee wee player)

I was trying to get to sleep last night and i kept going over my roster for the Crew and i want to add players thru the draft who would they be taking the place of. So far i love playing the MLS you have a roster limit and a salary limit and in the fact you can only have so many players over the age of 18 and only 3 senior international players. I like the whole lets get in some young american players in the squad. It has been a long time since thinking about a game has made me lose some sleep.

[Passacaglia]

Well, since this is the FM thread closest to the top, I'll ask my questions here.

I just took a job at Northampton, midway through the year. They promised me an 80K transfer budget, but when I tried to buy a player for 2K, I was told I didn't have the funds. I figured that since it was midway through the year, my budget had been spent by the previous manager. But then I get a notice saying that the board has made an injection of another 80K. With this, I bought two players for 2K each, then when I tried to buy another player for 4K, I was told I didn't have the funds. What's happening to all my money?

Also, a more general question, how do I build up a youth system? I've been trying to buy as many cheap young players as I can, and hope that one or two develop. Will I ever 'get' players, like have one of the grayed-out U18 guys turn white or something?

[condors]

Passacaglia: if you gave those 2 players signing bonuses and are trying to give that third player a signing bonus, they count toward the 80K,

[moriarty]

Following Pass's lead, I have a question on work permits.

I have a striker from South Africa who is scoring at a crazy rate (23 goals at midseason). When I go to resign him, it says he can't get a work permit. Now he's played for me for 2-3 years already, and I don't even have an option to appeal it - which seems weird since he had to have a work permit in the first place. So my question is what's the rule for resigning someone that needs a work permit, and is there any way to resign him ... or do I have to let his contract expire and go after him again?

[condors]

moriarty-has he played in 75% of your matches? if not you will not be able to renew. not sure if he is close enough but keep playing him(even if he is hurt bring him on in the 90th minute) and hopefully you can resign him before the contract runs out.

[ISiddiqui]

Freaking work permit rules. I've been burned myself on occasion. Needless to say, if there are work permit issues, make sure the person you are getting is either a starter for you, or a rotation player who you aren't looking to keep for the long haul.

[moriarty]

moriarty-has he played in 75% of your matches? if not you will not be able to renew. not sure if he is close enough but keep playing him(even if he is hurt bring him on in the 90th minute) and hopefully you can resign him before the contract runs out.

This year he definitely has been in 75% of my matches (at least I think, maybe I better go back and look - he did miss some games w/ injury), but over the past couple of years probably not. Is this a year to year type calculation?

Either way, sounds like i need to get him in 100% of the matches and run him into the ground so that he'll qualify.

Thanks!

[tanglewood]

The 75% calculation is across the life of the contract.

[Critch]

There's one of the players screens, the one with the contract details, that has a running count for work permit players. Should have something like 'appeared in 23 of 46 games (50%)'. That'll let you know if that's the problem.

At least it was in the last CM, haven't looked for it in FM, I'm just assuming it's still there.

[moriarty]

There's one of the players screens, the one with the contract details, that has a running count for work permit players. Should have something like 'appeared in 23 of 46 games (50%)'. That'll let you know if that's the problem.
.

That's sweet if it's still in there. I'll have to check later. Can't believe I haven't run into this issue before.

[3ric]

Also, a more general question, how do I build up a youth system? I've been trying to buy as many cheap young players as I can, and hope that one or two develop. Will I ever 'get' players, like have one of the grayed-out U18 guys turn white or something? When the board is "delighted" with your managerial performance, ask them to invest in the training grounds. This also builds up the club's youth facilities and increases the chance that at the beginning of a new season, you get a batch of youngsters to evaluate.

[Desnudo]

There's one of the players screens, the one with the contract details, that has a running count for work permit players. Should have something like 'appeared in 23 of 46 games (50%)'. That'll let you know if that's the problem.

At least it was in the last CM, haven't looked for it in FM, I'm just assuming it's still there.

I haven't seen it in the FM version.

[Desnudo]

This year he definitely has been in 75% of my matches (at least I think, maybe I better go back and look - he did miss some games w/ injury), but over the past couple of years probably not. Is this a year to year type calculation?

Either way, sounds like i need to get him in 100% of the matches and run him into the ground so that he'll qualify.

Thanks!

It only has to be league matches, btw. Europe and Cup matches don't matter. It's not Mokoena by any chance, is it? :)

[Desnudo]

Well, since this is the FM thread closest to the top, I'll ask my questions here.

I just took a job at Northampton, midway through the year. They promised me an 80K transfer budget, but when I tried to buy a player for 2K, I was told I didn't have the funds. I figured that since it was midway through the year, my budget had been spent by the previous manager. But then I get a notice saying that the board has made an injection of another 80K. With this, I bought two players for 2K each, then when I tried to buy another player for 4K, I was told I didn't have the funds. What's happening to all my money?

Also, a more general question, how do I build up a youth system? I've been trying to buy as many cheap young players as I can, and hope that one or two develop. Will I ever 'get' players, like have one of the grayed-out U18 guys turn white or something?

It sounds like the board is injecting money into the team bank account, not the transfer budget. And are you sure that the 80K promised wasn't the weekly wage budget? You can check the total transfer budget by clicking on the Information hyperlink. BTW, the Northampton nickname is The Cobblers. *snicker*

[Passacaglia]

It sounds like the board is injecting money into the team bank account, not the transfer budget. And are you sure that the 80K promised wasn't the weekly wage budget? You can check the total transfer budget by clicking on the Information hyperlink. BTW, the Northampton nickname is The Cobblers. *snicker*

You're right about the first part -- the board injected another 140K, but into the team bank account, not the transfer budget. But yeah, I'm sure the 80K was the transfer budget -- my wage budget is set to yearly, and on the finances page, it says that the transfer budget for the season is 76K and change, but the transfer budget remaining is 0. Maybe the last manager went all-out trying to save his hide? Also, the team had used all 8 short-term loans, and it was too late in the season for me to use any of my long-term loans (at least, the option for end of the season is grayed out).

Heh, Cobblers, cool. I liked having Terras when I was with Weymouth, but this should be fun, too!

And thanks for the training ground info, 3ric! I'll have to try that out, if they're delighted. Does board confidence only change the first of each month?

[Eaglesfan27]

It's the Fox Soccer Channel. How could you get that wrong? :p
I just know it is 324 on my cable box :p

[Desnudo]

It seems like I constantly see new things in this game. I'm checking out Real Madrid's roster and see a player listed for loan. He's unhappy about it, and his profile says, "Thinks he is being loaned out to ensure that he leaves the club." Poor guy. :)

[moriarty]

It only has to be league matches, btw. Europe and Cup matches don't matter. It's not Mokoena by any chance, is it? :)

Nah, it's Benni McCarthy. I inherited him as I took over Man City (after getting unceremonoiusly dumped by Liverpool after winning 3 trophies in one season ... but that's another story). Anyways, since I inherited him I'm not sure how much he played under the previous regime, so I'll have to check but it sounds like very little.

So I'm not sure if this guy is waiting to crash or what, but he has like 23 goals by December 7 in the Premiership and he's unhappy because I can't renew his contract. My luck I'll play him enough to sign him and he'll return to his blah pre-contract year form.

[Bea-Arthurs Hip]

What does "Caps" stand for in the statistics collumn?

Looked in the manual and could not see any reference to this...Sorry for the stupid question but I cant seem to figure out what the hell this stands for.

[vyshka]

What does "Caps" stand for in the statistics collumn?

Looked in the manual and could not see any reference to this...Sorry for the stupid question but I cant seem to figure out what the hell this stands for.

A Cap is an appearance for the national team.

FM question for everyone:

Does having a coach assigned to multple schedules reduce his effectiveness? Does it continue to decrease with each added schedule? I am trying to figure out how many coaches you should have on a team.

[kingfc22]

Is is possible to assign player's a jersey number? I thought I was able to do it back in CM 01/02 and I haven't found the ability to do it in FM2005. I really hate when I sub in a player and then have to figure out which guy is running around on the field because his number changes every game.

[vyshka]

I think it depends on the league you are in. Usually you assign squad numbers at the beginning of the season. I did that in the Irish 1st Division, but my Cambridge City side in Conference South didn't do that. I am about to start a Conference National season so I will update when that time comes.

[moriarty]

It only has to be league matches, btw. Europe and Cup matches don't matter. It's not Mokoena by any chance, is it? :)

Upating - looks like the previous coach only played him 4 (4!) matches last year which is why he can't get his work permit. I'm not sure I can get him in enough games to qualify before he signs w/ someone else. Grr.... He's already scored 27 goals at the midpoint of the season (a new Man City record ... w/ half the year yet to play!).

No wonder the previous coach got sacked.

[Francis_Cole]

This year he definitely has been in 75% of my matches (at least I think, maybe I better go back and look - he did miss some games w/ injury), but over the past couple of years probably not. Is this a year to year type calculation?


Its 75% of international matches, not matches for your club.

Cheers
Fran

[Bea-Arthurs Hip]

The role(s) of physios, are they to treat injured players only? or do they help to prevent , condition, etc..?

Is it good to have numerous physio's if you can afford to?

Thanks

[ice4277]

It seems like I constantly see new things in this game. I'm checking out Real Madrid's roster and see a player listed for loan. He's unhappy about it, and his profile says, "Thinks he is being loaned out to ensure that he leaves the club." Poor guy. :)
Towards the end of the season I just played with Barnsley, I somehow got into a love-fest with the Wimbledon...er, sorry MK Dons :rolleyes: manager, where we both praised each other's management skills a few times and mentioned how great of a guy the other was. When I went back to my team screen, a few of the younger players were impressed that the Dons manager liked me, and were "sure that their my management would have a positive effect on their careers" or something like that. Pretty cool.

[FrogMan]

Towards the end of the season I just played with Barnsley, I somehow got into a love-fest with the Wimbledon...er, sorry MK Dons :rolleyes: manager, where we both praised each other's management skills a few times and mentioned how great of a guy the other was. When I went back to my team screen, a few of the younger players were impressed that the Dons manager liked me, and were "sure that their my management would have a positive effect on their careers" or something like that. Pretty cool.
pay attention to your squad screen after about everytime there is some kind of media interaction, be it manager mind game, or when you answer a question from the mediam there is usually a "PR" tick next to a few players. I like hunting for who on my team has a reaction to what's being said. Sometimes it'll be as simple as them saying they liked what you said and think they could work well with me both on and off the pitch, to more important stuff, like a player saying that he thinks that the team cannot fail to perform under my management :)

FM

[ice4277]

pay attention to your squad screen after about everytime there is some kind of media interaction, be it manager mind game, or when you answer a question from the mediam there is usually a "PR" tick next to a few players. I like hunting for who on my team has a reaction to what's being said. Sometimes it'll be as simple as them saying they liked what you said and think they could work well with me both on and off the pitch, to more important stuff, like a player saying that he thinks that the team cannot fail to perform under my management :)

FM
Yeah, it took me a while to notice that, but its a nice new feature, it makes it a lot easier to find player reactions.

I think my favorite thing out of each new version of CM/FM is to discover all the new 'feelings' that players develop over the course of the game.

[Passacaglia]

The one I get a lot is that the player thinks the teams can win big games without much effort. At first, I thought that was really cool, but then I started to worry that maybe he was saying he didn't think he needed to try all that hard. Am I just reading too much into that statement?

[FrogMan]

The one I get a lot is that the player thinks the teams can win big games without much effort. At first, I thought that was really cool, but then I started to worry that maybe he was saying he didn't think he needed to try all that hard. Am I just reading too much into that statement?
I see it as overconfidence too, like "we don't need to work all that hard" and it drives me a bit crazy, so I don't think you're reading too much... ;)

FM

[Passacaglia]

Hmm. No wonder we tanked at the end of last season, losing three out of our last four games, and drawing the other.

[kingfc22]

How long does it take to retrain a side for a player? I have a young right footed player who is currently a M L and I want him to be a M RL.

I know that sone players will not respond, but for those that do, how long does it take?

[Marc Vaughan]

I see it as overconfidence too, like "we don't need to work all that hard" and it drives me a bit crazy, so I don't think you're reading too much... ;)

FM
It does indeed show over-confidence, this means that the player is likely to be less motivated but more confident in the next fixture (ie. liable to be lazier than normal and somewhat cocky, trying things he might not normally, ie. overhead kicks etc.).

[Marc Vaughan]

How long does it take to retrain a side for a player? I have a young right footed player who is currently a M L and I want him to be a M RL.

I know that sone players will not respond, but for those that do, how long does it take?

It depends entirely on the player, his personality, age, sutiability to the position etc.

Normally between a few weeks and 3 months for most players, but some will pick up a position after an extended time (as much as a year).

You can encourage learning by playing him in the new position during real matches ... nothing like on the job learning ;)

[Pumpy Tudors]

If I try to retrain a ML to be a MR, after the training is over, does he retain his left side qualification and become a M L/R, or does he just become a MR? I've been scared to retrain guys because I'm afraid they'll lose what they already have. :(

[Marc Vaughan]

If I try to retrain a ML to be a MR, after the training is over, does he retain his left side qualification and become a M L/R, or does he just become a MR? I've been scared to retrain guys because I'm afraid they'll lose what they already have. :(

In most cases they will retain all other positions, normally the only exception for this is if you've retrained someone for a position already and then retrain him again for another new position - if this happens (and you're lucky enough for him to learn it) then he might start to decline in the first learned position (depends on his adaptability and how settled into that role he is).

[Passacaglia]

After the season was over, teams started loaning guys like crazy for 3 month terms -- why loan a guy for the offseason?

Also, I'm wayyy over my wage budget -- the budget is 1.5 mil and I'm pushing 2 mil. Will I have more problems, besides just having wages restricted?

How good of an indicator is a player's rating as to how well he played?

[illinifan999]

Just a few questions, how long does it take to retrain a player?
And if a player who has been a first teamer all year, and wants reassurance at the club but it also unsettled by first team football asks to be listed and you reject does that make him feel that you want him more?

[WSUCougar]

Hey Guys

I have tinkered with CM4 a bit in the past, and am wondering what the substantive differences are in FM 2005. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks.

[Marc Vaughan]

Hey Guys

I have tinkered with CM4 a bit in the past, and am wondering what the substantive differences are in FM 2005. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks.
Huge difference from CM4 -> FM, a few of the bits and pieces (apart from the general difference in maturity of the game engine itself), I'm lousy at this sort of thing as all the versions tend to blur in together for me - but here goes a few off the top of my head:

Loads more leagues
Pre-game database editor
View previoulsy saved matches
Improved media
Numerous small UI improvments (ie. Players past matches visible on their profiles)
Split screen match UI (so you can watch the 2D in one section and have stats in another if you like that sort of thing)
Pretty player photo's visible (hurrah ;) )
Team Coach reports (ie. a coach report on your teams overall strength/weaknesses)
More tactical options and flexibility
Agents sending video clips of players
Chairmen interference (ie. certain chairmen will suggest you purchase a big-name player, don't do it and they'll take matters into their own hands, in a similar manner more conservative chairmen may sell players from under you if they feel the club needs cash)

[WSUCougar]

Thanks, Marc. :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Hey Guys

I have tinkered with CM4 a bit in the past, and am wondering what the substantive differences are in FM 2005. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks.
It's not perfect, but the 2D engine is SO much better. Shots get deflected by defenders more, passes get deflected more, etc. The game seems much more realistic than CM 4 did when watching a match.

[SunDancer]

Agree with EF's...It will get better for the next version (though it is pretty damn good). Also, it's also alot more "heart-wrenching" and you can really get a feel for the players more. This game is a major improvement from CM4, much more then you would expect for a typical game "version update".

[Pumpy Tudors]

I've started a new game with a new team (I had too many leagues loaded for my last one, and it went far too slowly), but I just can't seem to remember how to get to know all of my players. I have so many plpayers and no way to distinguish them all right now. I mean, sure, I could look at their attributes, but I need a decent way to get every player's attributes in front of me at once so I have at least some idea of how to use my team. Any suggestions?

[Marc Vaughan]

I've started a new game with a new team (I had too many leagues loaded for my last one, and it went far too slowly), but I just can't seem to remember how to get to know all of my players. I have so many plpayers and no way to distinguish them all right now. I mean, sure, I could look at their attributes, but I need a decent way to get every player's attributes in front of me at once so I have at least some idea of how to use my team. Any suggestions?
Easiest thing to do this with a brand new team is to uss a combintation of:

- Initial asssessment of players
======================
* Use view which show the attributes you're interested in (ie. defensive/attacking) and then sort by a few of them to get a feel for who the strongest in your team are in each area).
* Coach report
* Assistant Manager squad selection
* Play some friendlies and try some players out

[SunDancer]

Marc, does the game have a "left wing" bias in the game?

How do you guys build your teams, when you intially take one over, and most of us take over the struggling or financially limited, regulation battlers? Do you try to implent a "rebuilding" plan to turnover the staff and roster over a year or two? I notice that you can re-sign all the staff to deals that expire at the end of the season.

[illinifan999]

Striker is the first place I go to. Then the midfield, and then keep and finally defense. I figure if I score 5 goals and they score 4 we still win.

[SunDancer]

Striker is the first place I go to. Then the midfield, and then keep and finally defense. I figure if I score 5 goals and they score 4 we still win.

I'm pretty much the opposite way. Quality goalkeepers and defenders are tough find, and I think a strong defense can carry you more. Just my thoughts though.

[condors]

I go with the midfield first, feel the see the most of the ball and get the best bang for the euro. I try to get "promising" players with good determination and workrate and coach them up.

[Desnudo]

I've started a new game with a new team (I had too many leagues loaded for my last one, and it went far too slowly), but I just can't seem to remember how to get to know all of my players. I have so many plpayers and no way to distinguish them all right now. I mean, sure, I could look at their attributes, but I need a decent way to get every player's attributes in front of me at once so I have at least some idea of how to use my team. Any suggestions?

I use FM Scout. It has filterable and sortable columns so that you can see your summarized player ratings all in one place. You can export to various formats. Be warned that some of the columns contain hidden information and you'll want to remove them from the view if you don't want to see them.

http://www.nygreen.net/program.php?id=3

[Marc Vaughan]

Marc, does the game have a "left wing" bias in the game?

Hmmm not sure what you mean - but not.

If your plays always seem to be down that side then there's probably a reason for it if you look through your squad and tactics.

PS> Both in the game and irl there is a shortage of GREAT left footed players, so you'll find a slightly higher percentage of left-sided players are right footed than vice-versa - this will cause them to be less likely to cross than a normal winger as they'll have to cut-back onto their stronger foot to do so.
(random odd fact - not sure why I've thrown it in ;) )

[Marc Vaughan]

Striker is the first place I go to. Then the midfield, and then keep and finally defense. I figure if I score 5 goals and they score 4 we still win.
Heh I'm the opposite - I get the defense tight and then slowly look to score goals, I'm very much a - if we don't conceed we don't lose kind of chap (speaking as someone who's made the play-offs with only just over a goal a game scored before :D).

[Eaglesfan27]

Hmmm not sure what you mean - but not.

If your plays always seem to be down that side then there's probably a reason for it if you look through your squad and tactics.

PS> Both in the game and irl there is a shortage of GREAT left footed players, so you'll find a slightly higher percentage of left-sided players are right footed than vice-versa - this will cause them to be less likely to cross than a normal winger as they'll have to cut-back onto their stronger foot to do so.
(random odd fact - not sure why I've thrown it in ;) )

In my dynasty thread, it seems like Stewart Downing is just absolutely dominating. Also, Damien Duff is doing very well. I've also heard several other places where people have mentioned that left wingers seem to get very high "form" scores. Downing has been averaging close to a 9 for me for the past 2 seasons. Of course, I focus my passing to him and give him plenty of opportunities to make plays. Also, his attributes are outstanding so it is not surprising that he makes so many good plays. However, Duff isn't as good (but does have outstanding physical attributes) but still has an average form of over a 8. So, I wondered about a "left wing" bias as several other people have in various spots on the forums. I think that was the impetus for the question.

[Katon]

I'm experiencing something similar in my dynasty. I just got appointed as England manager and while Downing is great, there are no really good right wingers. In fact, the right wing has about the same available talent as the left wing does irl - a couple of people playing there regularly but not particularly well and a few promising-looking prospects. I don't think other countries are having the same problem, though, so I don't think it's a gamewide situation.

[Ajaxab]

In my Ajax career, I got the England manager's job in '09 and took them to the World Cup in '10. I played Downing on the left and used Shawn Wright-Phillips on the right. They both performed really well, but I think our midfield of Lampard and Gerrard was getting a bit too old to compete at their peak and we lost in the quarters. I subsequently got sacked as England manager. Wright-Phillips is one of the better right wingers I was able to find though. I ended up buying him for my Ajax squad and he has continued to do well.

[Butter]

I've also heard several other places where people have mentioned that left wingers seem to get very high "form" scores.

So, I wondered about a "left wing" bias as several other people have in various spots on the forums. I think that was the impetus for the question.

My dynasty also contains a left wing player who has averaged around an 8 for 2+ seasons in League One and the Championship... he is dominating in my attacking scheme and I'm not really doing anything special for the guy. No one else on my team has even come close to the form he's displayed.... he is a left winger with a strong left foot.

[WSUCougar]

Since this thread has some good info flowing I'm gonna piggy-back another CM4 (gasp!) question: why do some teams have such a huge discrepancy in number of players under contract?

Example: I wanted to start in a 2nd Div German club, and started out looking at St. Pauli (yes, largely because of the beer name, shaddup!). Their opening roster was HUGE. They had something like 48 players under contract. No reserve team, and the "Draft A" team roster (or whatever it's called) was totally separate. Anyway, I was overwhelmed and had no idea how to approach management of such a beast.

So I restarted with Lűbeck, and their roster is much much smaller...maybe around 20. This is more to my liking, but why the big difference? What should I generally be looking for in terms of roster size?

[moriarty]

I'm experiencing something similar in my dynasty. I just got appointed as England manager and while Downing is great, there are no really good right wingers. In fact, the right wing has about the same available talent as the left wing does irl - a couple of people playing there regularly but not particularly well and a few promising-looking prospects. I don't think other countries are having the same problem, though, so I don't think it's a gamewide situation.

Depending on what year you are in Shawn Wright Phillips and Stephen Gerrard (if you want to let him out of the center) perform very well down the right for me. Also check out Jermaine Jenas and Pennant (sp? - the guy who just went to jail IRL).

[MikeVick7]

Marc or anyone for that matter - In using a Target Man or Playmaker...can only one be specified while on the pitch? Or if I pick three to be playmakers...for example...in my team instructions would the team then seek out any of those three players if they are all on the pitch at the same time? Or will they only seek out the top Target Man/Playmaker that is listed?

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm experiencing something similar in my dynasty. I just got appointed as England manager and while Downing is great, there are no really good right wingers. In fact, the right wing has about the same available talent as the left wing does irl - a couple of people playing there regularly but not particularly well and a few promising-looking prospects. I don't think other countries are having the same problem, though, so I don't think it's a gamewide situation.
I'm in 2012. Christopher Eagles has developed into a very good right winger for me. Actually, both of my wingers are performing better than everyone on the team (although Rooney is finally having a good season.)

[Eaglesfan27]

Since this thread has some good info flowing I'm gonna piggy-back another CM4 (gasp!) question: why do some teams have such a huge discrepancy in number of players under contract?

Example: I wanted to start in a 2nd Div German club, and started out looking at St. Pauli (yes, largely because of the beer name, shaddup!). Their opening roster was HUGE. They had something like 48 players under contract. No reserve team, and the "Draft A" team roster (or whatever it's called) was totally separate. Anyway, I was overwhelmed and had no idea how to approach management of such a beast.

So I restarted with Lűbeck, and their roster is much much smaller...maybe around 20. This is more to my liking, but why the big difference? What should I generally be looking for in terms of roster size?
As far as the ideal roster size, I think there are different views of thought on that. Some people like a small tight knit group in which you only have 16-20 good players. The downside to the small roster is that guys can get jaded at not having enough competition or they can become tired from playing too many matches.

Other people like to have huge rosters in case injuries hit. I've been guilty of having 40 good guys on a team before. The downside to that is that guys can get angry at not having enough PT. Also, they tend to get rusty.

I've sort of settled on a good middle ground of aiming for 25-30 guys which many people would say is still too high. I tend to try to get a complete first team and a complete 2nd team that become comfortable playing with each other and try to rotate in both teams regularly with the "2nd team" playing against weaker opponents. I think this sort of depth is vital in the higher leagues where a team will play many cup games.

[Katon]

I'm in 2012. Christopher Eagles has developed into a very good right winger for me. Actually, both of my wingers are performing better than everyone on the team (although Rooney is finally having a good season.)

I'm also in 2012, and Eagles has a ton of talent, but he never gets good ratings for Man U. I'm normally wary of that sort of player. If my job was riding on one match, he'd start, but I'm using my easier group matches to look for alternatives. Wright-Phillips never really took off in my game and he's currently playing in the Championship, while Gerrard is a bit too old. Thing is, there's basically the same situation on the left except that one player, Downing, just happens to be incredibly good. Apart from him, England is having a real winger shortage. Fortunately, we've got vast hordes of forwards, so goalscoring is not impossible.

[Desnudo]

I think the ratings balance is a little out of whack. Forwards don't receive a high enough rating, I've seen two or three goal scorers receive only an 8, and wingers are getting too much credit for whatever they're doing. I've noticed the dearth of quality right wingers as well.

I've noticed the lack of quality at the right wing position for England. Of course with my patched save game, the larger problem is that 99% of all the good regens are coming from Brazil. I think every team in the EPL has at least 3-4 in their line-up. Maybe it's because players like Beckham are still playing at 37. I started trying to "convert" Brazilians to Englishman, but unfortunately they get capped before they get their dual-citizenship.

Anyway, I use Shawn Wright-Phillips on the right wing, in 2011. If he went down with injury, I'd probably consider using Rooney. Jermaine Jenas seems to be more suited for the middle of the park. I prefer Joe Cole to Downing on the left due to his high flair skill, which is so rare in an English player.

[condors]

I like to get 22 guys on the main squad (although lately i have been having 24 a couple young wingers to sub in every game as my tactic seems to wear them out and i like to use young guys as subs).

I like to have 11 young guys in the reserve team and transferlisted players there.

I normally empty my under 18's squad before the end of the year (to make sure i have the best chance of getting a new batch) so 35 players is when i have all the pieces + transfer listed guys

[WSUCougar]

Thanks for the input, guys.

Can you create a reserve team if you don't have one? Also, how do you conduct "actions" with players that are not on your senior squad?

[Eaglesfan27]

Thanks for the input, guys.

Can you create a reserve team if you don't have one? Also, how do you conduct "actions" with players that are not on your senior squad?I've never heard of a team not having a reserve squad. It might be all guys that are non-professionals, but you should have one. On the left hand side of your team screen, there should be an option under your team's main name that should say your team name and reserves after it. Also in the upper right hand corner of that screen, there should be a tab for filters. You can change your filters and show your U18, reserve players, and main players all on one page if you wish.

[ice4277]

I've never heard of a team not having a reserve squad. It might be all guys that are non-professionals, but you should have one. On the left hand side of your team screen, there should be an option under your team's main name that should say your team name and reserves after it. Also in the upper right hand corner of that screen, there should be a tab for filters. You can change your filters and show your U18, reserve players, and main players all on one page if you wish.
In some of the leagues, I think the teams are handled differently, and you may not be able to have direct input on all of them. I'm not sure about Germany though, I've never managed there.

[WSUCougar]

Thanks, guys.

Yeah, Eaglesfan27, that was my experience as well, but not for Germany, apparently. There is a minor team called a "Draft A" (or something like that - I don't have the game in front of me) which may equate to the Under 18 team (and is run by the Assistant), but no reserve team. Same was true with a Danish team I tinkered with awhile back - no reserve team.

[Eaglesfan27]

Thanks, guys.

Yeah, Eaglesfan27, that was my experience as well, but not for Germany, apparently. There is a minor team called a "Draft A" (or something like that - I don't have the game in front of me) which may equate to the Under 18 team (and is run by the Assistant), but no reserve team. Same was true with a Danish team I tinkered with awhile back - no reserve team.
I guess I need to get out and manage in more countries :D