How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

[SnapeKillsDumbledore]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

You improved a lot after that disappointing loss against Parma. Draws against Fiorentina and Milan are good results and you're just a point behind the Europa League spots. Mancosu is still very important for you and I like that you're keeping him. You also made great moves in the transfer window with the signings of Rugani and Melo. I'm enjoying this career a lot! Also, the behind the scenes post was great.

Thanks a lot. I just noticed after you pointed it out, but that was actually Palermo, not Parma! Just fixed the original post as well. Yeah, considering our situation right now it feels like I'm being too demanding, but I want to finish this season conceding no more than 37 goals, so defence is the area I want to work on first and foremost. Mancosu has been brilliant. He lost a point of aggression over the summer and I expected further drops, but he has only lost an additional point of interceptions, yet he's gained +4 in dribbling and ball control, +3 to long shots, curve and short passing, and +2 to vision and stamina. On top of this, his finishing and heading are both 80+! Hope you continue to enjoy it, I'm having so much fun.

I found the formation discussion very intriguing and I've decided to do a little write-up on the 5-3-2 (Or 3-5-2). It's quite detailed and has a lot of pictures. You guys wouldn't mind that, would you? (I'll make sure to put all pictures in spoliers to make it look a lot smaller

Looking forward to this!

[10cabee]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

I found the formation discussion very intriguing and I've decided to do a little write-up on the 5-3-2 (Or 3-5-2). It's quite detailed and has a lot of pictures. You guys wouldn't mind that, would you? (I'll make sure to put all pictures in spoliers to make it look a lot smaller!)


P.S. Thanks Simp, Champions League will definitely be a target soon, and I hope we can actually progress through the competition due to soo many good teams you come up against in it! The Oakley story was a chance to improve my news article writing and I've got a few ideas as to how I'm going to involve Oakley into updates too.

[Keano16]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

You're looking very solid in league play with lots of goals going into the net of the opponents. You're also looking good in the FA Cup. The Mellon story was very nicely done!

Thanks, our attack is really flowing well and plenty of goals are being scored which is great. The defence has been good as well. Having the combination of a good attack and defence is really helping us to dominate the league.

[Simppu12]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

I found the formation discussion very intriguing and I've decided to do a little write-up on the 5-3-2 (Or 3-5-2). It's quite detailed and has a lot of pictures. You guys wouldn't mind that, would you? (I'll make sure to put all pictures in spoliers to make it look a lot smaller!)

Go for it! I can already see a lot of discussion going on about it!

P.S. Thanks Simp, Champions League will definitely be a target soon, and I hope we can actually progress through the competition due to soo many good teams you come up against in it! The Oakley story was a chance to improve my news article writing and I've got a few ideas as to how I'm going to involve Oakley into updates too.

I would try to get the readers attached to him and then just kill him off. The manager would then start to shout at the players and he would get drunk before every game which would lead to his downfall, depression and suicide. Just kidding, I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with him.

Speaking of suicides, where is Rabbit? He put out an update once and then he disappeared again. Also, where's Indi? Everyone else seems to be here except for them two.

[Keano16]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Speaking of suicides, where is Rabbit? He put out an update once and then he disappeared again. Also, where's Indi? Everyone else seems to be here except for them two.

I was thinking the same thing. I wanna know how far Rabbit is with Dagenham and Alcorcón now and if Indi started with a new club.

[Keano16]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Mellon's Shrews: January Transfer Window 2015


Departures

Scott Vernon was one of the first to leave. The 32 year old striker suffered a broken ankle in preseason and never got going after he returned. Rotherham United took to the Championship for £170k. Two others to leave were Dominic Smith and Callum Burton. The young centre half and goalkeeper both went out on loan until the end of the season. Dundee FC and Hajer took them on board respectively. The 4th departing player was wide midfielder Andy Robinson. While the 35 year old offered experience, Mellon and his staff wanted more youth and legs down the flanks. Cardiff City took him off our hands in a swap deal and cash, which we will get to later. The biggest shock of the window was however, the sale of in form striker James Collins to Blackburn Rovers for £2.1m. Mellon and the Shrewsbury board obviously couldn't refuse an offer this big for a League Two side. That coupled with not wanting to stand in the player's way of playing in the Championship, a big step up in his career and possibly a stepping stone to greater things.

Arrivals



Josh Ginnelly
LM/55 Ovr/17/England

The youngster has been recalled from his loan spell at Sandnes Ulf to provide more depth on the wings. He has grown well (+3) so Mellon believes he can have an impact back in League Two.



Kadeem Harris
LM/58 Ovr/21/England

Kadeem was the player involved in the aforementioned swap deal involving Andy Robinson + £40.000 from Cardiff City. The winger has a lot of room to develop and can push for a first team spot right away providing competition for Vincent, Caton and Clark.



Jonson Clarke-Harris
ST/61 Ovr/20/England

After both Vernon's and Collins' departures at least one striker was needed. Scouts had spotted Clarke-Harris playing for Oldham Athletic in League One and recommended him to Mellon. He swooped and spent £525.000 to secure the 20 year old's services. With time on his side, Shrews fans hope he will turn into a big player for them down the line.



Gedion Zelalem
CM/62 Ovr/18/Germany

The final immediate signing was made on deadline day to add another player to the midfield. It came in the form of German born midfielder Gedion Zelalem on loan from Arsenal. He brings creativity to the midfield and will no doubt have an impact.

Pre-contract Signings



Callum Kennedy
LB/58 Ovr/25/England

The first area that would have needed strengthening in the summer would have been left back. We decided to address it for free in this window, signing Callum Kennedy from AFC Wimbledon. The 25 year old will arrive when his contract expires and compete with Micky Demetriou for a starting position after Haynes' loan ends.



Jack Compton
LM/59 Ovr/26/England

The next Bosman deal that was agreed by Mellon was one with Hartlepool winger Jack Compton. At 26, he still has 5-6 good years left in him and can play right across midfield, which is a great asset to the team.



Christian Jolley
ST/60 Ovr/26/England

The final pre-contract signing of the window was Newport County striker Christian Jolley. He is a pacey player but still has size at 6'0". He is also versatile, being able to play at LW and RW. He will most likely be used as an impact striker or as part of a 2 man front line.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers
Mark Halstead (England)
Jayson Leutwiler (Switzerland)

Defenders
Cameron Gayle (RB, England)
Jermaine Grandison (RB, England)
Connor Goldson (CB, England)
Mark Ellis (CB, England)
Nathaniel Knight-Percival (CB, England)
Vitālijs Maksimenko (CB, Latvia)
Mickey Demetriou (LB, England)
Ryan Haynes (LB, England)

Midfielders
Jordan Clark (RM, England)
Anthony Griffith (CDM, Montserrat)
David McAllister (CDM, Ireland)
James Wesolowski (CM, Australia)
Liam Lawrence (CM, Ireland)
Gedion Zelalem (CM, Germany)
Ryan Woods (CM, England)
Ashley Vincent (LM, England)
James Caton (LM, England)
Kadeem Harris (LM, England)
Josh Ginnelly (LM, England)

Forwards
Terry Gornell (ST, England)
Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro (ST, France)
Andrew Mangan (ST, England)
Jonson Clarke-Harris (ST, England)


Thanks for Reading!

[SnapeKillsDumbledore]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Bologna in his blood

At the age of 26, Federico Casarini is far from the bubbly, baby-faced youth academy graduate who made his debut for Bologna's first team in 2008. All the innocence and arrogance of youth has given way to a more professional and cultured attitude, one which demands early nights and an athlete's diet over nightclubs and tiramisu. This week, we sat down with one of Bologna's two new vice-captains to discuss his growth and life.

You were born nearby in Carpi but joined the Bologna academy when you were young. It must have been a dream to play for the club's first team, so how did you feel when you had to leave on loan?

Those two years taught me a lot. I realized how much I love Bologna, how much I wanted to play for the club. I took it for granted before, and maybe that is why I never gave 100% attention to training and to my lifestyle. But when the club told me I had to go on loan because the coach did not want me in the team, I was hurt. It felt bad to go for one year, but when I left to Virtus I was certain I would be sold next summer. For three months I could not eat properly.

So when Severo Bombo took over in 2014, did you see it as a chance for a new first impression?

That was my hope. One year before that I hired a chef to cook good food that would help me stay fit. I started to tell my friends to go out without me, and even to visit my parents or girlfriend I would be home in time to sleep by 10 pm. I trained very hard and the boss was extremely happy. He told me often that I was going to get a chance, but it didn't happen often enough. It was painful to see others being chosen when I knew I can give the same talent with more passion. It was one game for me here or there, or maybe I came on late to keep the ball. But I never complained because I knew the boss had to make us win.

There was a chance for you to leave in January of that season. Why did you stay?

Leaving was the easy way. And deciding to stay is why the boss finally saw my special abilities. At the end of the season, all the coaches talk to each player alone about his future. The boss asked me if I prefer to go on loan or stay and fight. I told him I will stay at the club, I gave him my reasons. He said he would love to have me in the team and promised me chances. Any other person I would have called him a liar, but the boss is someone I trust.

That your faith wasn't misplaced is evident, considering you made 34 appearances, scoring twice and assisting in four goals. Was it a good year for you?

Yes, but more important was the team's performance. We finished seventh, and the money helped the club make a profit when teams in Italy are losing money. There's a long way to go, but we are in a good place. It's important to keep the club moving forward. If I can help, I will do anything. If I get to score goals for my club to help, nothing makes me happier!

Over the summer, things changed. Marcel Büchel moved to Lazio, the club bought Felipe Melo, and Bombo began using 3-5-2. You lost your starting place to Danilo Cataldi, yet you seem genuinely content with the situation.

The boss has to pick the strongest team. If Danilo plays instead it means I have to work harder to prove to the boss that he should choose me. But if I work hard and still Danilo plays, then definitely he is the better player. If I give 100% and still I am on the bench, then I have no problem because the team will be stronger without me.

A lot of people would consider that a foolish way to look at things.

But nobody says this to Steven Gerrard or Paolo Maldini. Nobody says this to John Terry who did not play for Chelsea at all last season, but he is still there in case the team needs him. You can contribute to the team without playing also. Maybe you don't score 15 goals or pass 250 times in a game, but you can encourage the team. Even from the bench you can watch the game and find a weakness. And at halftime you can tell the boss and he will find a way to improve the performance. So it's not completely about goals and minutes.

But of course you want to play, yes?

Definitely. My favourite place is to be out with the team helping the club. I play anywhere the boss tells me, no problem. Any player who wants to sit on the bench more than playing, maybe he should just be a coach! I help the team however I can, but my preference is to play. Only that if the boss says to me I have to be on the bench, I don't get angry or complain. There is always a chance to play from the bench also.

What are your expectations of this season?

The team is very strong. Felipe Melo has so much experience with big clubs like Juventus. Daniele Rugani is one of the best young defenders in Italy. I think we have to focus on each game completely one by one, and at the end of the season maybe we have a Europa League position. But for now we concentrate on Sassuolo.

Your coach named you and Matteo Mancosu as vice-captains behind Domenico Maietta. You must be proud.

I'm very proud! I love Bologna, so to be recognized as one of the special players here is fantastic. Matteo also deserves this because he scores so many goals for us, which is very important. Last season he scored half the goals alone, so it is important to have someone like that close by. In the dressing room he is a fantastic leader, always telling us what we can do to help in the attack. He is very good at reading the game in the final third.

There is talk of unrest between Franco Zuculini and the team. How true is this?

Franco and the club had some disagreements, but you know the boss is a very professional man. If he needs to use Franco, he will do it. Franco is also a professional. He has a disagreement with the club about his contract but there is no problem with the boss or any of us. We still train together, he is not saying or doing anything he should not do. And if there is any problem he still comes to the boss or one of the captains for help, so there is nothing to worry about.

You were recently spotted with some fans outside the stadium before the Torino match. Do you usually do that?

We had a young boy named Marco whose family supports Bologna for more than 75 years. His father lost his job six months ago and they have no work, but the family has to pay for Marco to go to a special school because he has autism. The players made some contribution to help the family fight during the tough time, and we also wanted them to enjoy the game with the president in his suite. So it was nice to do this for the family.

You also speak to fans regularly on social media after every game. It's a surprise you aren't the captain!

Well, Domenico is the captain. You should see how he inspires us, he's such a fantastic leader. But he has so much experience also, and maybe one day I can become the captain, but for now I do anything I can to help the fans and make them understand why certain things happen.

[texasbum06]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

The answer to this is actually quite interesting once you consider the factors surrounding them. Ikoko is a natural RB with M/M work rates, and Mbaye is a natural LM with H/H work rates. I notice that while defending, even though Mbaye has the higher work rate, Ikoko tends to be 4-5 yards deeper, usually beside the central defenders. Mbaye will take more time to get back despite the high defensive work rate and track back instruction, often leaving my left flank as the weak zone. I think this has to do with their natural positions, as I had a similar issue last season when Mbaye was positioned at left back. The centre half furthest left of whichever formation I play tends to have a poorer rating because he has to effectively be two men at once 5-6 times every game. In attack, you would then assume Mbaye gets up quickly, but no! He tends to wait until I have to circulate the ball back to the left to make his runs up. Ikoko is the one I usually find storming up the pitch to put in a cross, and he's a pretty good dribbler as well so I have no issue handing him the ball in tight situations.

Sounds like Mbaye is causing some headaches for you haha. I noticed that your center halves are a bit on the slow side, and while it's not anything that's going to absolutely kill you, perhaps getting a quicker one to play on that left side could be beneficial since Mbaye is having trouble getting back in time. If you had a guy that was a bit quicker he could cover more ground and recover better while he is forced into taking on those 2 attackers. So either a quicker CB, or even a tall LB that can play CB could be beneficial for you over there. For example, look at a Rodrigo Ely or a Vasco Regini type of player. As for the attacking end, I'm really not sure why he would be having trouble getting forward, that is really a surprise. I'll have to think on that one.

[texasbum06]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Portsmouth FC
FIFA 15 - Season 4

Pompey's March to the Top

March 2018

Reading FC 1 - 3 Portsmouth FC
REA - Norwood 10'
POR - Jamieson IV 14', 25', 27'
MOTM: Jamieson IV

Hector played the ball to Norwood inside the box and he took one touch before powering the ball into the top right corner. Telfer found Jamieson streaking down the right side of the field into the box and he used his right foot to strike the ball across his body and into the bottom left corner. Jamieson took the defense on by himself and made his way to the right side of the goal and struck it from almost the exact same spot as his last goal and directed it to the top left corner. Jamieson tracked down a loose ball off of a throw and he raced down towards the goal to slot it past the keeper into the bottom left corner to complete his hat-trick.

Portsmouth FC 0 - 0 Middlesbrough FC
MOTM: Mejias

This game went back and forth, but neither team was able to take an advantage. Portsmouth lost the possession battle, but took advantage of the time they had the ball and registered plenty of chances. In the end the keeper was too good on the day and nothing was able to get through.

F.A. Cup Quarter Final
Manchester United 2 - 1 Portsmouth FC
MUN - Hernandez 14', Blind 89'
POR - Telfer 85'
MOTM: Pack

Mata played the ball through for Hernandez running into the box and he struck it first time across the goal into the top left corner. Pack sent a corner into the box and Telfer was unmarked in the middle and got his head to it to direct it past the keeper into the left side of the goal for a late equalizer. After an extremely questionable penalty was given, Hernandez hit his penalty off of the crossbar, but Blind was the first into the box to follow up and direct it back into the net.

Charlton Athletic 0 - 1 Portsmouth FC
POR - Pack 61'
MOTM: Bannigan

Bannigan found Pack on the edge of the box and he took a touch before launching a screamer that hit off the right post and in for an absolutely stunning goal.

Portsmouth FC 0 - 0 Peterborough United
MOTM: Alnwik

Portsmouth controlled all aspects of this match, but couldn't beat Alnwick to take all three points. Both teams walk away with one each, but Portsmouth will think they deserved more.

Portsmouth FC 2 - 1 Brighton & Hove Albion
POR - Pack 81' (PEN), Russell 89'
BHA - Diallo 41'
MOTM: Pack

Diallo got the ball on the right side of the box and he wove his way around two defenders before firing the ball inside on the near post. Russell got past the defense on the right side of the box and was pulled won from behind allowing Pack to step up to the spot and convert into the top left corner. Russell got the ball going down the right side of the box again, but this time he cut the ball inside and then fired a shot into the top left corner.

Leeds United 1 - 2 Portsmouth FC
LEE - Bianchi 63'
POR - Çiftçi 76', Morrell 84'
MOTM: Bianchi

Taylor turned around his defender on the left wing and sent a cross into the middle of the box finding Bianchi for a well placed header into the top right corner of the goal. Çiftçi cut inside from the left wing and worked his way towards the middle of the box to fire a shot under the defender's leg and into the bottom right corner. Adams played the ball in from the left wing straight to Morrell standing on the edge of the box and he turned towards goal and fired a rocket into the top right corner for the winner.

League Table



Youth Academy

Gary Roberts - 18 yrs old, England, GK, 57-61 OVR, 71-77 Potential, Goalkeeper
Paddy O'Neill - 16 yrs old, Ireland, RM, 47-49 OVR, 76-82 Potential, Playmaker

Monthly Highlights

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w0fZJLrEZ6I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Manager Comments

League Champions! - With 8 matches still left on the schedule, we have officially secured our spot at the top of the league. We will be moving on to the Premier League next season! We came so close last season before falling in the playoff final, and this year we left no doubt and controlled the table from start to finish. No playoff this time, just a trophy ceremony as we get ready for the biggest challenge yet.

F.A. Cup - Unbelievable. We had them set to come play a replay at Fratton Park, and then the referee altered the outcome with an absurd call. I firmly believe that a penalty should not have been given, and even though Hernandez hit the crossbar, their winning goal came off of the rebound on a play that should never have happened. The big clubs always get the help of the officials, even though they shouldn't need it. We are very upset with this result and feel that we were robbed of our chance at the semi-finals.

Final Stretch - With the league title already secured, you can expect this final stretch of the season to feature a large number of the players on our roster. The usual starters will still be playing, but some of the substitutes and reserves will see their time greatly increased as we begin to evaluate our roster to prepare ourselves for the Premier League. We may have some players that just aren't up to the quality of the top division, and there may be some that we weren't sure about but can really put in some good performances. This month will go a long way in determining that.

[10cabee]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

I tried to post my analysis but only half the pictures actually work (for some reason!) and OS adds loads of unnecessary spoliers!

[texasbum06]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

I tried to post my analysis but only half the pictures actually work (for some reason!) and OS adds loads of unnecessary spoliers!

Do you use IE or another browser like Chrome/Mozilla?


I use Chrome at home and IE at work and I tend to have more issues with my posts doing weird things at work while using IE.

[Keano16]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

I tried to post my analysis but only half the pictures actually work (for some reason!) and OS adds loads of unnecessary spoliers!

I managed to read the analysis, it was very detailed and thought out! Shame about the pictures, maybe do it on a Word document or save it on Google Drive and give us the link to view it?

[10cabee]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Do you use IE or another browser like Chrome/Mozilla?


I use Chrome at home and IE at work and I tend to have more issues with my posts doing weird things at work while using IE.

I usually use Mozilla and I've never used any other browser to be honest! Is there a browser that is actually recommended for OS??

I managed to read the analysis, it was very detailed and thought out! Shame about the pictures, maybe do it on a Word document or save it on Google Drive and give us the link to view it?

Hmmm... What would be the easiest way to view it?? I got it all on a Word Document but I'm not sure how to share it :P

[Keano16]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

I usually use Mozilla and I've never used any other browser to be honest! Is there a browser that is actually recommended for OS??



Hmmm... What would be the easiest way to view it?? I got it all on a Word Document but I'm not sure how to share it [emoji14]

If you go onto Google drive you can upload the word document to there and then get the link to share with us.

[TerpHamm]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

West Ham United - Episode #114: A LEGEND RETURNS

We see 3 80+ rated players change hands in the final hours of transfer deadline day as we make some massive moves to try and strengthen the squad late doors. Who will be the striker to come in and replace the injured Sturridge? Tune in to find out!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVS9H8I3nMg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

You had an insane transfer window! Congrats on bringing in such high quality -- needless to say it's Champion's League title or bust.

Also kudos on the Tevez intro to that video, really good stuff.