***The Official Football Manager Thread***

[HKPound]

Finish 6th in my first season at Granada ensuring a Europa League playoff spot. Got a hefty amount of money Bought Josh Gatt to play right wingback, Leroy Fer and James Mccarthy in the midfield. Those three have been amazing, highly recommend Josh Gatt as a wingback. Julian De Guzman has been a solid mid in the rotation, who I got on a free. I got through easily in a quailty group against the likes of AZ, Bayer Leverkuesen, and Dinamo Moscow. Ended up getting 2nd after resting my players in the final match which unfortunately drew me against Manchester United in 1st knockout round. Played them pretty tough but lost 3-1 on aggregate. Got Luiz Gustavo in the winter transfer window on the cheap who is solid but gets carded so much. First half was pretty tough as I was sitting around 8th with a lot of games to play though. Ended up going on a tear with a 10 match unbeaten streak which brought me over Real Sociedad. Now I've grabbed the Champions League playoff spot. Great progression over two seasons. Best I've done in FM really.

[gyroman]

Quote: Originally Posted by HKPound

Be prepared for a possible quick sacking the next season. Had the same type of first year with Stoke. Struggled first half of the next season, was fired before we even got to Winter Transfer Window.

Oh I am very skeptical going into the next season. Only got about 3 mill for transfers. But I have brought in Popov, Ospina, Andy Carroll(I know I know),picked up Doujrou and Darren Fletcher on loans, and sent Keiren Westwood away.

[HKPound]

Quote: Originally Posted by gyroman

Oh I am very skeptical going into the next season. Only got about 3 mill for transfers. But I have brought in Popov, Ospina, Andy Carroll(I know I know),picked up Doujrou and Darren Fletcher on loans, and sent Keiren Westwood away.

Eh Andy Carroll is a nice pick up. I played extreme long ball in a Stoke save with Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch up top. Got to a Europa League spot and than got sacked the next year.

[gyroman]

He won't be my number 1, because Fletcher had a pretty nice year last season. Just with the added matches because of Europa League, I felt I needed some depth up front.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Tried to start a LA Galaxy save, but dang, I can't stand the roster rules of MLS.

[HKPound]

Quote: Originally Posted by jasontoddwhitt

Tried to start a LA Galaxy save, but dang, I can't stand the roster rules of MLS.

Yeah it's tough man. I see great players on waivers, I get them, than I'm over the salary cap. It's frustrating.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Quote: Originally Posted by HKPound

Yeah it's tough man. I see great players on waivers, I get them, than I'm over the salary cap. It's frustrating.

Also didn't help that I had a rash of injuries to start the season and then Landon picked up a 3-match suspension after a horror tackle.

[studbucket]

I've been controlling the Sounders for 8.5 years in MLS and while it can be frustrating, I use my DP slots for key guys and replenish my good, young players the following ways:
1) After the draft, trade a bunch of draft picks, young players I don't want (2.5 star and lower) and old players who won't play much for a top 5 pick that I like.
2) Colombia and Costa Rica have been key for me in getting good, young players for cheap (transfer fee under a few hundred k)

Right now I've got a 6'9" Colombian striker and 3 other players who get regular time on their national team. I also have Costa Rica's GK and CB, and I've let their other CB and CM go. I got $13m for the CM. I signed him for $1k from Saprissa.

I also have managed to use my youth system and the draft to also have 3 out of the 4 backline players for the future USMNT and I also have the starting LM and a backup CM.

I often can't keep them all, but I just keep a spreadsheet that lets me cycle through all the players.

Making Champions league (I've won it twice) and winning the MLS Cup (won it 4 straight years) keeps the allocation money flowing in, allowing me to increase my cap. Big transfers also help get some allocation money.