[FM16] From Moron to Mourinho - Help me become the best!

[Parsypuss]

Hey guys.

I've been inspired a few threads on here recently. I've just moved to Stockholm from England and have found myself with lots of free time this year to play an FM for the first time in a long time.

Basically I haven't played FM since about 2005 and I'm so excited to get into it! The only problem is I have no idea what I'm doing really so will be basing it on instinct and my love of the real life beautiful game!

I am astounded and envious of the quick success of lots of people in their promotions and league wins. Unfortunately I am not so skilled. The idea of this is that I really do suck at this game having not played it for so long, and so hopefully I can improve to become the best I can, with you guys chipping in advice if it looks like I need it ! Join my on my journey as I genuinely advance in FM ability from the training pitches in god knows where to the top of Europe. I hope I can provide you with entertainment and real signs of progression in return. Let's go!

The Manager

A 20 year old broke Englishman with no job or qualifications but a passion for football. Prepared to travel anywhere in order to achieve his footballing dreams, this young pretender is the definition of an underdog.

The beginning

The classic unemployed start with no coaching qualifications and sunday league experience. I was a solid centre back in Essex but not sure if that will give me a great kick start in my budding career! It is quite realistic as I really have no idea what I'm doing in FM nowadays so really must start from the bottom.

I will have a high number of leagues open , changing until I find a perfect mix from around the world that I will post here shortly after I get my first job. The idea is to have a realistic game world that really could take me anywhere in my rise to the top.

The Targets

Really this will be a pretty random save, letting the game take me where it wants but I have a few loose aims:

1. Win the league with Djurgårdens IF Fotboll, the local team to my new real life home
   
2. Win the world cup, preferably with England
   
3. Have success with Liverpool, my beloved team
   
4. 
   

That's pretty much it. I reserve the rights to add new goals of course. Let me know what you think. Hope it's helpful to you all too to fine tune your skills whilst revolutionising mine. Updates on my first club due soon.

[tastaiwan]

Sounds interesting! I won't be of use in the advice part, but I'm very interested. I have a bit of a fetish for journeyman saves

[Parsypuss]

Sounds interesting! I won't be of use in the advice part, but I'm very interested. I have a bit of a fetish for journeyman saves

Thanks, glad you're interested.

News filing in of of my first club soon...

[Parsypuss]

The young lad from England has found his first job...

Name: Ängelholms IF

Founded: 1976

Ground Capacity: 4,000

Highest Finish: 5th, Swedish First Division Elite

After many weeks of failed applications and trips to the job centre, I grabbed this opportunity, pointing to the fact that I am already based in Sweden and am learning the language in order to secure me the job.

Despite being tipped for mid table by the media at the start of the season, we find ourselves in big trouble with six games left.

Avoiding relegation would be a nice little start to my management career and a base to build from. The finances are pretty much screwed but my squad seems capable of it:

First up a huge trip to the one team worse than us, Mjällby AIF! A must win.

[Rikulec]

That sounds really good, I'm curious to see where this is going to take you. Good luck.

[Parsypuss]

I've managed to sort the defence out but the attack remains a real problem. Before the Ljungskile game the squad resembles more of a cage fighting gang than a football team with no less than 5 players suspended in the previous match so I was far from optimistic, but our Swedish fox in the box Andreas Karlsson stuck home an early header for his first goal of the season and a win that keeps us just about in it.

The media seem to hate me already as my players show what they call aggression, while I prefer the word 'passion'.

Next game away to GAIS is a real relegation six pointer.

[Parsypuss]

That sounds really good, I'm curious to see where this is going to take you. Good luck.

Thanks very much mate.

[Rikulec]

Interesting choice to start your career in Sweden, from my experience it can be a really tough league. And one tip for the update format, it would look better if you centered out the whole thing and not just the club's badge.

[Parsypuss]

Interesting choice to start your career in Sweden, from my experience it can be a really tough league. And one tip for the update format, it would look better if you centered out the whole thing and not just the club's badge.

I'm glad it's not just me who finds this league really tough (as you will see in the upcoming updates). Just thought it would fit in as I recently moved there in real life so nice to start locally really. Thanks will give that layout a shot - it certainly works for you.

[Parsypuss]

The GAIS game was absolutely incredible. We knew Assyriska had lost their game so a point would put avoiding automatic relegation in our hands on the final day. Poor defending from us allowed Luther Sing to slot home a rebound but we replied in fine fashion with Vlado Zlojutro tucking away a penalty nicely. More terrible defending gifted Singh another, and after a cross-shot from Johan Lundgren inexplicably looped over our goalkeeper, I was furious. Luckily for my team in the dressing room, Sebastian Göransson whipped in a gorgeous cross from the right wing for Fredrik Karlsson to poke home on the stroke of half time. The goal that annoyed me most was the next one. We were hammering them in the second half, but they hit us on the break from our own attacking free kick and Tesfaldet Tekie scored from close range. I had just about had enough and so turned to an attacking style and thankfully it just about paid off, F Karlsson again slotting it past the keeper, this time from a Carlsen through ball to give us home. Finally, 10 minutes later Zeyn S-Latef cracked home a superb equaliser into the bottom corner to level up the game. We had the better chances, but both teams seemed to simmer down after that and a draw was a fair result.

We got torn apart by Jönköping really. They had more possession, shots, everything, and so 0-1 to the promotion achievers wasn't the worst result in the world. But that loss meant we had to rely on Assyriska losing to scrape into the relegation playoffs...



We did it! ...on goal difference...in pretty terrible fashion..but we managed to just about avoid automatic relegation.



We had to win this really...to stay in the league and for my reputation. Even in our dire financial state, we are still the professional club in this matchup and it should be an easy win.



Pretty simple really. The super Karlsson bros (no real relation) bagged a few each and it was as straightforward as two matches get. Never in doubt.

I was delighted to avoid relegation but it felt a bit cheap against a side that lacked our resources and quality. Next season the real stuff starts..

[deltablue]

Well done for just managing to survive. Not a bad starting point.

[Parsypuss]

Well I plan on doing month by month updates but this just didn't deserve it so here's a big update on how the next season with Ängelholms FF went.

Ängelholms FF 2016 Season Review

Transfers



As I'm a bit terrible with computers, can anyone let me know how to provide player's names as links to pictures in order to detail each player's attributes? For now, this at least gives you an idea of how I tried to ship off my biggest valued and highest paid players for biggish fees in order to stabilise the finances. It kind of worked economically, but on the pitch we suffered as my transfers proved pretty ineffective. I have a lot to learn.

Swedish Cup





We got a bit of a stinker of a draw, away to two top Allsvenskan sides and a home match against a team in ours. Still would have liked to have done better, and against Göteborg we actually had 60% possession, but as I came to learn, my transfers and the attacking players already here just would not perform for me. Whether the tactics or the quality of the player were at fault, I could not work out. A disappointing group stage for us, even though I never expected to get through.

Superettan





One good win at home to Utsiktens apart, this is where it all fell apart. I'll save you the details but we couldn't score and couldn't defend. When we grabbed a rare lead, we conceded within 10 minutes, and by the time the GAIS drubbing occurred (it was a massacre), the board, supporters and I had all made our minds up that I was not right to take this club forward.



Quit before I was fired really. In hindsight my transfers and tactics were poor and it showed. I'm not going to be one to jump ship in this save but I think the damage had been done but my rubbish first transfer window. Any tips for finding good transfers under financial restraints?

The Future

Not to be downhearted, I have started the search for the (un)lucky club who gets to have me lead them into battle next. I'm going to pick this one more carefully though. Maybe starting lower down at a financially secure club is the way to go this time.

[Parsypuss]

Well done for just managing to survive. Not a bad starting point.

Thanks, shame it didn't work out. I think the job was too difficult for me to tackle as my first club in FM for god knows how long.

I have, however, found a new job that I'm quite excited about as I enjoyed reading about this country in Rikulec's current save.

[Parsypuss]

Full name: Knattspyrnufélag Vesturbæjar

Country: Iceland

Ground: KV-Park við Frostaskjól, Reykjavík

Capacity: 1,325

League: 1. Deild Karla

Media Prediction: 11th/12, 1. Deild Karla

Board Expections:

- 1. Deild Karla: Mid Table

- Bikarkeppni KSÍ: Third Round

A nice little project actually that I'm quite excited about. The squad is good and the finances stable, a perfect platform to build on.

[Rikulec]

I approve of this move.

[Parsypuss]

Knattspyrnufélag Vesturbæjar

2017 Pre-Season

Transfers



Ragnar Þor Gunnarsson

A decent striker, required as I'm playing two up front. Good poacher.

Kjartan Jonasson

Young, free, and really good tackling stats. He's not great all round, but he's solid enough for a backup who will only get better.

Final Squad





It's a bit unbalanced but I think it has potential to meet or exceed the board's expectations. I'm still not the best at building a balanced squad but that's what learning's about hey.

Key Player



He's quick, young and got an eye for goal. He's done pretty well in my early time here.

Friendlies



Nothing special, all managed by my capable ass man.

Final Expectations

1. deild karla: Top half at least

Icelandic Cup: Quarter finals is what I think is realistic

Deildabikar: Don't get embarrassed

[Parsypuss]

Knattspyrnufélag Vesturbæjar

2017 Deildabikar Campaign

The Icelandic League Cup was a nice way to check out how my squad squares up against similar opposition.



Well at least it showcases my improvement as I get to grips with my tactics and players.

Sander Puri won this pretty uneventful game with a rebound effort after a poor parry attempt from our keeper. We had a late shout as the ball was cleared off the line, but the referee said no goal and that was that. Víkingur Reykjavík are a Pepsi deildin team though so I wasn't too worried at this narrow loss.

Same story with Fylkir really. They dominated the stats and we never really got going.

Our first test against one of the best teams from our league, Fram, ended up with both teams cancelling each other out. It was extremely even and we more than held our own, but a third game without a goal from us got me worried.

The next game was a rollercoaster. After Anton Sandberg Magnusson put them 1-0 up just before half team, I was not feeling optmistic. But then something weird happened - we began to play good football. Then in a 5 minutes rush we got our noses ahead - Magnus Mar Einarsson and substitute Magnus Otti Benediktsson finishing off two beautiful KV moves. Unfortunately they got one back late on as our defence took a nap at a free kick, but I was pleased with the performance overall.

I was a bit dissapointed vs Afturelding. We failed the build on the momentum from our last match to grab a much needed win.

But a win is just what we got in our next match, finally! The goal was a freak goal from the left wing, but we had 60% possession and fully deserved our win.

The next match was the most pleasing performance under my reign so far. After they pulled it back to 1-1 with a rocket off the crossbar I feared we would crumble, but we just got better. Agnarsson prodded home a cross before Sverrir Garðarsson crashed home my favourite goal on this save so far. After they nearly score, the ball is cleared out to the right flank where my deep lying forward Guðmundur Sigurðsson is waiting. He collects it, then dices open the Leiknir defence with a ball of pure poetry. Then for the finish think Balotelli goal 2 vs Germany at Euro 2012, smashed into the top near corner. Beautiful, and a good win, but was our late form enough to snatch qualification to the knockout stages?



Well no, but I'm satisfied. We came top of the teams in our league, and put in a good showing in nearly ever match. Bodes well for the season ahead.

[Parsypuss]

Knattspyrnufélag Vesturbæjar

May 2017

Bikarkeppni karla



This competition was not my main priority but still disappointed.

The win against Skinandi was routine enough, although more goals would have been nice. They failed to threaten at all though so I was happy.

Shambolic vs Kria, a team way below us and one we should have crushed. Yes I rotated heavily, but they should have got the job done. Not happy.

1. deild karla



A mixed start but I'll take it.

The match against Handknattleiksfélag Kópavogs (I'll use HK from now on I think ) was beyond my expectations. We absolutely crushed them, and all three goals were outstanding. In the third minute, man of the match and of the season so far, right winger Jon Karl Ivarsson, clipped across a ball for our CENTRE BACK(!) Kjartan Jonasson to thump home a volley that van Basten would have applauded. Just a few minutes later our LEFT BACK(!) Bjarki Mar Beneditsson morphed into Paul Scholes, connecting with the ball that was headed out from a corner on the full volley, cannoning in off the crossbar. The third was a peach too, Ivarsson lazily guiding the ball into the far top corner Yaya Toure style. Wonderful game.

A bore draw against Haukar. Nothing to say except thoroughly disappointed after the magic against HK.

Then the match against KA, one of the best teams in the league, and it got me very very angry. We got off to an outrageous start, Gunnar Kristjansson and Ivarsson doing a fine job on the wings and whipping in tempting balls for Guðmundur Sigurðsson and Ragnar Þor Gunnarsson to slot in early goals. Then we fell apart. Almarr Olmarsson scored on the stroke of half time, and then 2 quick goals after the break killed us off. 3 points thrown away to a promotion favourite.

The Keflavik game was one of reaction. After the cup exit and KA collapse, the players were left in no doubt about what they needed to do. Even more so after Karlo Kesinovic was allowed to put the home side ahead. from a corner. Luckily our strikeforce combined well, Guðmundur Sigurðsson putting it on a plate for Ragnar Þor Gunnarsson, and unlikely goalscoring hero Kjartan Jonasson struck again from a corner to bring home a huge 3 points.

That leaves the table looking pretty healthy at the end of May:



The KA meltdown was doubly disappointing as they sit atop the table, but there's a long way to go and I'm feeling confident.

[Parsypuss]

I approve of this move.

I thought you would

[Parsypuss]

Knattspyrnufélag Vesturbæjar

June 2017

1. deild karla



Some form!

In the Grotta match, Guðmundur Sigurðsson laid on a goal for Ragnar Þor Gunnarsson to poke home the game's only goal. Gunnarsson really stepped up in this month to become our leading striker.

Fjarðabyggð were bottom of the league but gave us a tougher game than I expected. They scored in the 20th minute but, as I was to find out, my team don't give up easily. Einar Már Þorisson finished a swift counter with a screamer from the left, and man of the match Sigurðsson smashed a penalty into the top corner to give us all 3 points in great fashion.

A game that we had to win to stay near the top, and win we did, but it took a huge slice of luck. Jon Karl Ivarsson ran the length of the pitch along the right touchline before curving in a beauty of a cross that the unlucky Alexander Magnusson could only divert beyond his own goalkeeper to bring heartbreak to the home team and jubilation for our fans.

This game turned out to be easier than I expected. Þrottur were poor and a Gunnarsson goal in each half was easily enough for all three points and yet another win.

The only disappointment came against Fram, who jumped way ahead of us at the top of the table. They deserved it too, and the late Gunnarsson consolation made it look closer than it really was.



Still close for the second spot, with a big jump to first place to Fram.

[Rikulec]

Looking good for a promotion push, one thing though - this is the 1. Deild karla, the Pepsideildin is the Premier Division.

[Parsypuss]

Looking good for a promotion push, one thing though - this is the 1. Deild karla, the Pepsideildin is the Premier Division.

Oops I did know that, brain fart! Cheers, will change

[Parsypuss]

Knattspyrnufélag Vesturbæjar

July 2017

1. deild karla



Another strong month as we continue our surprise promotion bid. This team just never gives up in games!

Leikner R are a decent mid table side but we had to come from behind to beat them. Kjartan Jonasson proved once again why he's so feared from corners to notch us level. Ivarsson continued his great form with a goal from a tight angle before unsung hero Magnus Einarsson slid through a wonderful assist for Gunnarsson's sixth goal in eight matches.

I was disappointed to draw with Vikingur actually, an average mid-table side. Guðmundur Sigurðsson equalised after a marvellous ball from our right back Johannson but neither side created anything of not after that. 2 points dropped.

Enter Andri Mar Hermannsson. The 24 year old striker signed by me in January had seen little playing time up to this point, but our regular deep lying forward Guðmundur Sigurðsson got injured in the 11th minute, and boy did Hermannson take his chance in the first team beginning with this game. One powered header from the penalty spot from a Kristjansson cross, one crisp volley from a Þórisson cross, one new hero born. Feed him the ball and he will score.

A terrible backpass from Jonasson straight to the gleeful Attli Albertsson put us behind within 12 minutes against HK, but yet again we came from behind to snatch a late, crucial winner. Hermannsson nearly took the net off with a thunderbolt after being played through by Ivarsson, and then Tómas Tómasson won it for us at the death with a bullet header from Kristjansson's corner.

Poor game vs KA which could be costly. Almar Ormarsson scored in either half as our promotion rivals do the double over us. Not good enough.

Forgot to capture the league table after the KA game so the Keflavik game is included despite being in August. Look at that league table and you'll see what a massive win for us though. That man Hermannsson coming up big again with a brace. His first a product of the Johannsson-Hermannsson partnership once again as the right back's cross is met by the head of the striker. The second a delicate dink through from Ivarsson for the obliging Her-Man to finish simply. A HUGE 3 points.



With 7 games to go it's looking good, but I'm disturbed by the amount of times we have to come from behind or score late winners. Could go either way still but I'm optimistic.

[Parsypuss]

Knattspyrnufélag Vesturbæjar

August & Sepmteber 2017

1. deild karla



A mixed end of the season - was 1 win in our last 4 games enough as we search for unlikely promotion?

Fjarðabyggð at home looked like an easy win, and it was. Andri Mar Hermannsson continued his great form, finishing off Jon Karl Ivarsson's early cross, and Gabriel Ingi Agnarsson added a late penalty to make the scoreline more reflect the game.

The next match against Afturelding was equally as comfortable. Einar Már Þorisson's cross was beautifully controlled on the chest by Hermannsson, and the in form striker thumped home a shot that the keeper barely even saw. Þorisson himself got in amongst the goals as their goalkeeper spilled a cross right into his path. Ivarsson crossed for Ragnar Þor Gunnarsson to make it game over, even though our keeper Magnus Þor Gunnarsson made things a little more interesting by letting a tame shot past him soon after.

The match against Grótta, a poor team all season, was far from easy. They scored right after the break, and I really feared for the worst then. Luckily we have Andri Mar Hermannsson. The Icelandic striker picked up a ball from Einarsson on the edge of the box and absolutely rocketed the ball into the top corner with a goal of the season candidate. He then turned provider, slipping through strike partner Gunnarsson who finished perfectly to keep us on track for the Pepsideildin.

I will view the Þrotur match as 1 point gained rather than 2 lost. Gabriel Ingi Agnarsson scored a soft penalty in the last minute after alleged pushing in the box to give us a crucial away point after, in truth, they dominated most of the stats.

A fairly even game. The teams were only separated by my weapon that most teams have failed to stop. Ivarsson cross, Hermannsson finish. My thoughts had turned ahead to the big top of the table Fram clash but not before this appeared in my inbox..



Promoted with two games to spare - brilliant news for our club, pre-season relegation favourites. But first place was still at stake...

The old cliche about players already mentally being on holiday? Mine had already been on a 2 week holiday, come back and having a nice quiet week with their wives in their heads. Terrible and costly loss to the best team in the league.

A drab way to end a brilliant season. At least Hermansson finished on a high, a wonderful volley ending his brilliant campaign (once i realised how good he was!) They unfortunately struck back to snatch a point.



Sad we lost 1st place at the end but all in all a great season and a promotion that I really didn't expect.



And neither did the board Really happy with our progress and the season as a whole.

[Rikulec]

Well done getting promoted.

[Parsypuss]

Knattspyrnufélag Vesturbæjar

2017 Season Review

Deildabikar

First steps with my new squad. Wasn't too fussed about this cup this year and used it as a method of gauging my squad and starting XI. Mixed bag.

My Grade: D

Bikarkeppni KSÍ

Poor exit to a lower league team. Again, not my priority, but I was hoping for a longer run than this, especially as our league form was so good. Shambles.

My Grade: F

1. deild karla

Exceeded my expectations. I was thinking a top half finish but my squad really performed for me. The amount of points we gained from losing positions late on was fantastic, showing a real spirited dressing room. Impressive.

My Grade: A

Transfers

Most of them did very well. The most impressive were:

Andri Mar Hermannsson - 10 in 11 games once he got his chance, to virtually secure us promotion all by himself.

Ragnar Þor Gunnarsson - Tailed off as Hermannsson rose but his early scoring form was good.

Kjartan Jonasson - First choice centre back and an average rating of around 7. Young and room to improve too.

My Grade: B

Finances

Not too great but next season should bring more prize money.



This also won't help.

Player of the Season

Andri Mar Hermannsson - Came up with big goals to bring home the promotion bid for us.

Flop of the Season

Gabriel Ingi Agnarsson - I thought his mental and physical stats would do him well at this level but he did nothing except score a couple of penalties.

Overall Season Grade: B

Good season overall but we bottled the championship and the cups were poor. The real work starts now as we bid to establish ourself amongst the Icelandic elite.

[Parsypuss]

Well done getting promoted.

Thanks mate, I really enjoy the Icelandic league system actually.

[Parsypuss]

Anyone fancy a little mini betting league on where I'll end up in the league each season and/or how I fare in the cups? Let me know and I'll start a table with all the players - might add a little excitement