ALRIGHT BOYZ...HERE WE GO...The Football Manager 2012 THREAD!!!

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by CAsterling

I'm definitely buying that book. I have been playing it since the first version, so I suspect I will be able to relate to many of the stories they will be telling.

I'll be getting it - if only to see if they put any of the stories I posted into it

PS - Apologies for starting the other thread; now noticed that some people had already mentioned it here.

[Icy]

I started playing CM in 1996 and have played every version since then, (in fact it was in SI forums where i read about FOF and this FOFC forum) .

For sure will buy and enjoy that book, hope will be released in digital version too.

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Icy

I started playing CM in 1996 and have played every version since then, (in fact it was in SI forums where i read about FOF and this FOFC forum) .

For sure will buy and enjoy that book, hope will be released in digital version too.

1998 for me, but yeah - I discovered OOTP and FOFC from FM. That place was the motherload of my geekery in text-sims.

[Sweed]

My path to FM..

2001 High Heat forums led to OOTP, led to FOF, led to FM.

Being a typical American I had no interest in soccer, to boring. Continually hearing how deep FM was and how you were dealing with players and not "bags of ratings" got me, in 2006, to finally break down and buy my first FM (WWSM 2006) and have bought every version since. Became, like many, a football fan along with losing a good deal of my life to FM.

[Marmel]

Quick question, which actually applied to FM11. There must be a setting somewhere to skip watching the actual games. I would really like to just quick-sim the games and look at the stats afterwards. I'm about to give up on the boringness of watching, even if it is commentary only at the fastest speed.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Marmel

Quick question, which actually applied to FM11. There must be a setting somewhere to skip watching the actual games. I would really like to just quick-sim the games and look at the stats afterwards. I'm about to give up on the boringness of watching, even if it is commentary only at the fastest speed.

Holiday through each game.

[Marmel]

OK, thank you. Also, it seems that whichever team I take, whether they are predicted to be top 3 or mid pack, they just sucks. I've tried starting with a variety of teams and can't even get past the first couple months. My teams never win and hardly score any goals. I lose to lower division teams in these cup matches as well. I am not even really tinkering with the team, just letting my assistants handle as much as possible at this point. Any advice before I shelve this for good?

[Grover]

http://guidetofootballmanager.com

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by Marmel

OK, thank you. Also, it seems that whichever team I take, whether they are predicted to be top 3 or mid pack, they just sucks. I've tried starting with a variety of teams and can't even get past the first couple months. My teams never win and hardly score any goals. I lose to lower division teams in these cup matches as well. I am not even really tinkering with the team, just letting my assistants handle as much as possible at this point. Any advice before I shelve this for good?

Out of interest which teams are you taking over - the team, their players etc. will help dictate the best approach to utilise ... a team which suits 4-4-2 might be awful if you play a 3-5-2 because they don't have the players required to exploit that formation effectively.

As a 'bog standard' approach play a 4-4-2 and simply dump the best players in each position into the formation, finally ensure that:

(1) You don't have two players the 'same' style up front (in attack) - normally for a simple setup you'll want one 'Target Man' (tall player, strong and good in the air) and one 'Poacher' (smaller player, fast with good finishing).
(2) If your defenders aren't comfy on the ball (most English ones aren't) don't risk them as anything but limited defenders in the center.
(3) Make sure at least one midfielder is reasonably physical and decent in the air (so he can help win the ball from goal kicks).

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

1998 for me, but yeah - I discovered OOTP and FOFC from FM. That place was the motherload of my geekery in text-sims.

Spent some more time thinking about it, and realized it was more than that - I got interesting in what Joe Stallings and Craig (Sca?, I think) were doing at the time, which was supposedly releasing a next-gen baseball game. That, is what in a roundabout way, lead me to OOTP. I never realized the drama associated with Stallings and all at that time, but this is a small corner of the world, eh?

[Marmel]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

Out of interest which teams are you taking over - the team, their players etc. will help dictate the best approach to utilise ... a team which suits 4-4-2 might be awful if you play a 3-5-2 because they don't have the players required to exploit that formation effectively.

As a 'bog standard' approach play a 4-4-2 and simply dump the best players in each position into the formation, finally ensure that:

(1) You don't have two players the 'same' style up front (in attack) - normally for a simple setup you'll want one 'Target Man' (tall player, strong and good in the air) and one 'Poacher' (smaller player, fast with good finishing).
(2) If your defenders aren't comfy on the ball (most English ones aren't) don't risk them as anything but limited defenders in the center.
(3) Make sure at least one midfielder is reasonably physical and decent in the air (so he can help win the ball from goal kicks).

Well, I'm going to give this one more go with MK Dons. The expectations are a top half finish, which sounds good. I just want a team that can win their share of games, but I don't want to worry about promotions to get started.

So, any tips to get started? staff I should replace? Tactic I should use? Players to sell or sign? This is FM 11 for the record.

[Marmel]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

(1) You don't have two players the 'same' style up front (in attack) - normally for a simple setup you'll want one 'Target Man' (tall player, strong and good in the air) and one 'Poacher' (smaller player, fast with good finishing).
(2) If your defenders aren't comfy on the ball (most English ones aren't) don't risk them as anything but limited defenders in the center.
(3) Make sure at least one midfielder is reasonably physical and decent in the air (so he can help win the ball from goal kicks).

Just thinking out loud here....

1) Baldock seems like the speedy small guy. Ibehre and Powell are both 6'2 but neither seem to be great at heading the ball, so they are probably my target men by default, but not good ones?

2) I have no idea what comfy on the ball means. Does that mean they are good dribblers? Mine are not.

3) Would I want one of central midfielders good at this? Should they be good at headers? Mine really are not.

[Big Fo]

Don't look at height, look at the jumping attribute to judge if someone is going to win a lot of aerial challenges. Strength matters too. The heading attribute is just how accurate the players' headed shots, passes, clearances, etc. are.

Since they are central defenders and you are talking about a lower level of play, basically are your players awful at passing or just below average?

Yeah, ideally one of the central midfielders would be somewhat strong, good in the air, and have decent attributes in tackling, work rate, and stamina. The wide midfielders or wingers can be weaker but you want speed, crossing, dribbling, and it helps if they are okay shooters and passers too.

[thesloppy]

What in THEE hell:



I'm sure that's going to go absolutely swimmingly.

[korme]

It is fun to be an absolute monster in the Premeire Division and a jumbled schedule due to all the cup play really challenges your team's depth.

Marmel, you could also google for some tactic help. Certainly changed the way I played/enjoyed the game.

[MizzouRah]

Does anyone play the MLS? I've really been getting into the MLS as of late.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Does anyone play the MLS? I've really been getting into the MLS as of late.

It's pretty meh... Not a big fan of the draft, really.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Grover

It's pretty meh... Not a big fan of the draft, really.

Not too good, eh?

[IlliniCub]

I really enjoy starting in the MLS and working my way out of it

[Young Drachma]

I always use some modded USA universe where there's promotion/relegation in America rather than using MLS.

[IlliniCub]

I didn't know that existed, could you tell me where I could find it

[Big Fo]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

I always use some modded USA universe where there's promotion/relegation in America rather than using MLS.

Yeah, this is what I like to do as well if I want to manage in the USA.

It took hours to get it how I wanted, I had to create a dozen or more clubs (and sometimes stadiums) to make it so most of the top 60 or so metropolitan areas were represented and to fill out the divisions. I also made a revamped CONCACAF Champions League and a UEFA Cup equivalent to go with it.

All of the clubs are edited too, giving them incomes and reputations roughly even with club teams in France, Brazil, Russia, etc.

I guess it's kind of an alternate universe where soccer is more popular in this country but still not the dominant sport. So to go with that I had to increase the nation's reputation (as that affects newgens) and give a 10% or so boost to most of the national team players and some of the younger players in the database (since if there aren't enough players in the DB who are considered good enough to play for a nation with a certain reputation, AI managers will not completely fill the national squad with actual players, at times there will be a few greyed out players even if there are thousands of players with that nationality in the DB).

It's kind of a pain in the ass doing all this but I still prefer it to using the MLS rules so it's a must if I want to manage in the USA.

[EagleFan]

If I use the editor to mod the database does it change the existing or will it create a new modded database? If it alters the current, is there a way to create a new one to use as a mod?

[bulletsponge]

Originally Posted by IlliniCub

I really enjoy starting in the MLS and working my way out of it

you dont get fired? it seems the game is codded wrong for the MLS and coaches get fired every year. and i mean every coach every year unless your the champ. the game cant tell the difference between being 2nd in your conference and being out of the playoff race. they can only tell your not in the playoffs at that moment even if your still in the regular season

[Big Fo]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

If I use the editor to mod the database does it change the existing or will it create a new modded database? If it alters the current, is there a way to create a new one to use as a mod?

You don't create a whole new database, the editor just saves the changes made to the default database to a separate file. So you will always have have the default database and when you start a new game, you can choose which edits to load or not load.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

Yeah, this is what I like to do as well if I want to manage in the USA.

It took hours to get it how I wanted, I had to create a dozen or more clubs (and sometimes stadiums) to make it so most of the top 60 or so metropolitan areas were represented and to fill out the divisions. I also made a revamped CONCACAF Champions League and a UEFA Cup equivalent to go with it.

All of the clubs are edited too, giving them incomes and reputations roughly even with club teams in France, Brazil, Russia, etc.

I guess it's kind of an alternate universe where soccer is more popular in this country but still not the dominant sport. So to go with that I had to increase the nation's reputation (as that affects newgens) and give a 10% or so boost to most of the national team players and some of the younger players in the database (since if there aren't enough players in the DB who are considered good enough to play for a nation with a certain reputation, AI managers will not completely fill the national squad with actual players, at times there will be a few greyed out players even if there are thousands of players with that nationality in the DB).

It's kind of a pain in the ass doing all this but I still prefer it to using the MLS rules so it's a must if I want to manage in the USA.

That DB sounds really cool. Are you willing to send it out?

[Big Fo]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

That DB sounds really cool. Are you willing to send it out?

Yeah, I can upload it.

FM 2012 editor files.zip

This thing isn't perfect so there are a few things you should know though:

Some of the lower division clubs (even ones I didn't create) have no players in the database. So you should make sure the "Add Key Staff" and "Add Players to Playable Teams" options are checked.

The third level is divided into three regional divisions at the start. But once teams are promoted and relegated, sometimes the teams don't go into the right region and I could never figure this out.

One thing that annoys me is that although the clubs make more money and thus have more cash in the back, most of this goes into the transfer budget. The AI clubs don't seem to know about transferring money from their transfer budget to their wage budget. So sometimes if you look in an editor or scouting program you will see the richer clubs like LA and New York might have $50m for a transfer budget, their wage budgets will be too small for them to pay players like teams of their club reputations and incomes ought to. The only way around this is to use FMRTE before each season and adjust the budgets yourself (like take $10m from the transfer budget and add $200k to the weekly wage budget, basically dividing by 50 to go from yearly to weekly and keep it simple).

[MizzouRah]

Would be cool if there was just an MLS version of the game.

[IlliniCub]

Is there a decent site to download FM mods? I'd like to play a version of MLS that's basically the same prestige as the current, only adding all US and Canadian teams (the ones we see in the US cup for instance) in the game to the league in a Promotion/Relegation format. Is this possible?

[Big Fo]

Originally Posted by IlliniCub

Is there a decent site to download FM mods? I'd like to play a version of MLS that's basically the same prestige as the current, only adding all US and Canadian teams (the ones we see in the US cup for instance) in the game to the league in a Promotion/Relegation format. Is this possible?

You could check the SI forums.

If there isn't one out there that works how you want it, you could probably make one in a few hours.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by IlliniCub

Is there a decent site to download FM mods? I'd like to play a version of MLS that's basically the same prestige as the current, only adding all US and Canadian teams (the ones we see in the US cup for instance) in the game to the league in a Promotion/Relegation format. Is this possible?

SI Forums and also sortitoutsi.net

Pretty sure a league in this format does exist.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

You don't create a whole new database, the editor just saves the changes made to the default database to a separate file. So you will always have have the default database and when you start a new game, you can choose which edits to load or not load.

Thank you. My biggest worry was that I was going to hose the DB if I made a bad change.

[Marmel]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

Don't look at height, look at the jumping attribute to judge if someone is going to win a lot of aerial challenges. Strength matters too. The heading attribute is just how accurate the players' headed shots, passes, clearances, etc. are.

Since they are central defenders and you are talking about a lower level of play, basically are your players awful at passing or just below average?

Yeah, ideally one of the central midfielders would be somewhat strong, good in the air, and have decent attributes in tackling, work rate, and stamina. The wide midfielders or wingers can be weaker but you want speed, crossing, dribbling, and it helps if they are okay shooters and passers too.

So I've actually been having fun with this game, but I know I am not nearly maximizing my chances to win. I still don't really understand what makes a player good and I barely pay attention to the 20 or so categories of talents and their corresponding 1-20 rating. It just completely overwhelms me. I just go by their star ratings for current and potential abilities. Also, I go on vacation at the team selection screen for every game, for 1 day, so I can skip having to watch these games. That is just brutal for me. I've been playing a 4-4-2 and use a little of my coaches recommendations and a little of my own ideas. I recently switched to a 4-4-1-1, but my tactics knowledge is extremely limited.

Are there any shortcuts here that I can follow to help me better analyse a player?

Anyhow, I started with MK Dons and were expected to finish with a top half finish in League 1. I qualified for the playoffs despite a late season slide that saw me drop from 2nd place to 6th. I lost in the first playoff round. I try to improve my team a bit and make a run in season 2, but things go horribly wrong and I hover around 15th place until mid-season when I get fired.

I catch on with Huddersfield about a week later and they are also hanging around 15th which is where I keep them till the season is over.

In season three, they expect me to keep Huddersfield in the top half of the league 1 table. I keep them there and then in the second half of the season I spend the majority of it in 1st place. Another late season choke sees me fall to 3rd, but in the playoffs.

I win the semi final and head to the playoff final (which if I remember, is also a 2 game match?). Just before the playoff finals I get a head coach offer from Everton. They just wrapped up the Champion League and will be headed to the Premier division next year. I delay talks with them for a week and give it some thought. They even have a player I have heard of before (Tim Howard). I decide that if I get promoted with Huddersfield in this playoff, I'll stick with them. If I lose, I'll jump to Everton. We lose, I jump.

Season 4, first year in the Premier, and it is brutal. I've spent most of the first half of the season in 20th place, but a change in tactics and a couple player upgrades as I hit January 1 sees me win a couple to move up to 17th. It will be a dogfight to stay in the Premier.

[MizzouRah]

Ok, so I start out unemployed and the first team to seek my services are the Portland Timbers of the MLS.

Would this be a good first start?

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Marmel

So I've actually been having fun with this game, but I know I am not nearly maximizing my chances to win. I still don't really understand what makes a player good and I barely pay attention to the 20 or so categories of talents and their corresponding 1-20 rating. It just completely overwhelms me. I just go by their star ratings for current and potential abilities. Also, I go on vacation at the team selection screen for every game, for 1 day, so I can skip having to watch these games. That is just brutal for me. I've been playing a 4-4-2 and use a little of my coaches recommendations and a little of my own ideas. I recently switched to a 4-4-1-1, but my tactics knowledge is extremely limited.

Are there any shortcuts here that I can follow to help me better analyse a player?

Anyhow, I started with MK Dons and were expected to finish with a top half finish in League 1. I qualified for the playoffs despite a late season slide that saw me drop from 2nd place to 6th. I lost in the first playoff round. I try to improve my team a bit and make a run in season 2, but things go horribly wrong and I hover around 15th place until mid-season when I get fired.

I catch on with Huddersfield about a week later and they are also hanging around 15th which is where I keep them till the season is over.

In season three, they expect me to keep Huddersfield in the top half of the league 1 table. I keep them there and then in the second half of the season I spend the majority of it in 1st place. Another late season choke sees me fall to 3rd, but in the playoffs.

I win the semi final and head to the playoff final (which if I remember, is also a 2 game match?). Just before the playoff finals I get a head coach offer from Everton. They just wrapped up the Champion League and will be headed to the Premier division next year. I delay talks with them for a week and give it some thought. They even have a player I have heard of before (Tim Howard). I decide that if I get promoted with Huddersfield in this playoff, I'll stick with them. If I lose, I'll jump to Everton. We lose, I jump.

Season 4, first year in the Premier, and it is brutal. I've spent most of the first half of the season in 20th place, but a change in tactics and a couple player upgrades as I hit January 1 sees me win a couple to move up to 17th. It will be a dogfight to stay in the Premier.

Depends on wht sort of tactic you're playing with Everton. What is the formation? What are the team instructions (if any?) If we know those things we can probably give you a general idea of "look for this type of player" or "look for a player who is strong in the following attributes."

[MizzouRah]

Well I took the job with Portland, this should be interesting. I set the over/under to 1 year.

I'm still a huge n00b to this game.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

First skin I've seen for this version that might be worth a look.

noisizm - Sortitoutsi.net - Football Manager 2011 Forums

I find this skin below absolutely beautiful.

The Silence - Sortitoutsi.net - Football Manager 2012 Forums

[IlliniCub]

Portland should be a decent challenge....Just make sure you have an understanding of the salary cap rules and player designations if you haven't managed MLS before

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by IlliniCub

Portland should be a decent challenge....Just make sure you have an understanding of the salary cap rules and player designations if you haven't managed MLS before

I've never really managed a team past a few months, so I'll probably get sacked in my first season. I'm just learning as I go.

Anyone pay the premium fee over at sortitoutsi.net to get the mega facepack? It's about $16.50 for the year. I have many missing pics with the default game and I don't want to download 32 separate files.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

I've never really managed a team past a few months, so I'll probably get sacked in my first season. I'm just learning as I go.

Anyone pay the premium fee over at sortitoutsi.net to get the mega facepack? It's about $16.50 for the year. I have many missing pics with the default game and I don't want to download 32 separate files.

There's a torrent of the mega facepack out there man...and I think I have it on my computer too. Don't go paying for it.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

There's a torrent of the mega facepack out there man...and I think I have it on my computer too. Don't go paying for it.

Yeah, I'm a little hesitant putting torrent sw on my pc so I just figured I would skip it for now. I found a dark default photo that is very light on the skin I use.

Thank you though DT.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Yeah, I'm a little hesitant putting torrent sw on my pc so I just figured I would skip it for now. I found a dark default photo that is very light on the skin I use.

Thank you though DT.

That's cool. I have the files all saved on my computer though - I can get them over to you somehow if you like?

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

That's cool. I have the files all saved on my computer though - I can get them over to you somehow if you like?

What do I need to open torrent files?

[Poli]

Good luck, Miz. I've enjoyed playing it quite a bit lately.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

What do I need to open torrent files?

Nah - I mean I think I have them all in a zip or a rar file man. So all you'd have to do is uncompress them and copy them into the right place.

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

I've never really managed a team past a few months, so I'll probably get sacked in my first season. I'm just learning as I go.

Anyone pay the premium fee over at sortitoutsi.net to get the mega facepack? It's about $16.50 for the year. I have many missing pics with the default game and I don't want to download 32 separate files.

Yeah, if DT can get the file to you that would be the way to go. Having said that I have done the last two megapacks by torrent and while they are free that way it takes hours to get the first primary pack. The updates I get by direct d'load, not direct from them but from the free sites at a much lower speed, and they only take ~20 to 30 minutes IIRC.

After getting this years I also looked at the pay option. Didn't realize it was only ~$16 until I googled the exchange rate. I'm thinking when they go to a new version I'll probably just pony up the cash and go direct. In the end they're really not making any money, just trying to cover expense for bandwidth to distribute such a large file to so many people.

I'm no expert but I have had no issues using the torrent. Also though, the FM mega facepack is the only thing I have ever used it for.

Good luck in your game.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Poli

Good luck, Miz. I've enjoyed playing it quite a bit lately.

I'm lost, but having fun. There is so much damn information at your fingertips, it's scary. I figure worst case, I'll be playing a bunch of 21 year olds and get fired mid-season.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Nah - I mean I think I have them all in a zip or a rar file man. So all you'd have to do is uncompress them and copy them into the right place.

Oh yes.. that would be excellent! Not sure how we would do that, but heck, I could even mail you a couple of DVD's.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Sweed

Yeah, if DT can get the file to you that would be the way to go. Having said that I have done the last two megapacks by torrent and while they are free that way it takes hours to get the first primary pack. The updates I get by direct d'load, not direct from them but from the free sites at a much lower speed, and they only take ~20 to 30 minutes IIRC.

After getting this years I also looked at the pay option. Didn't realize it was only ~$16 until I googled the exchange rate. I'm thinking when they go to a new version I'll probably just pony up the cash and go direct. In the end they're really not making any money, just trying to cover expense for bandwidth to distribute such a large file to so many people.

I'm no expert but I have had no issues using the torrent. Also though, the FM mega facepack is the only thing I have ever used it for.

Good luck in your game.

In US currency, it was like $16 I thought? That's what the site said, lol.

You just have to remember to cancel the subscription right away or it auto-subscribes each year.

It really isn't that big of a deal, but there is a ton of missing pictures with the default game.

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

In US currency, it was like $16 I thought? That's what the site said, lol.

You just have to remember to cancel the subscription right away or it auto-subscribes each year.

It really isn't that big of a deal, but there is a ton of missing pictures with the default game.

Yeah, tons of missing pics I would imagine mostly due to licensing and some due to simply being lower leagues?

Anyhow this thread got me to go to the SI site and I see a 4.11 update was just released. D'loading now 178mb and taking about 8 minutes to do. The pack now contains an amazing 114,044 pictures. Wow!