[FM20] Allez Les Verts - The Quest to Return St. Étienne to Glory

[Juls317]

First off: I apologize if this is rough, I've never done one of these before! So it might be rough in the beginning, but I'll try to work out the kinks as best I can! That said...

Allez Les Verts!

History of the Club

 

Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire (St. Ëtienne from here on) were founded in 1919 by a group of employees from a Saint-Étienne based grocery store Groupe Casino, under the name Amicale des Employés de la Société de Magasins Casino. This grocery store is where the club ended up deriving it's green primary color from. The club dropped "Casino" and simplified its name to Amical Sporting Club due to a French Football Federation rule prohibiting trademarks in sporting club's names. In 1927, the club merged with another local club, Stade Forézien Universitaire, and again changed their name to Association sportive Stéphanoise. In 1933, the club turned professional and changed their name to the current version. They joined the league in the second division, where they remained for the next four years before being promoted to the first division for a short period preceding the outbreak of World War II. In the first season following the war, St. Étienne came runners up to Lille. In 1976, les Verts became the first French club since Reims in 1959 to make it to the final of the, then, European Cup. They faced off against Bayern Munich at Scotland's Hampen Park They were facing off against the reigning champions and a team with a firm claim to the title of best team in the world, with the squad featuring the likes of Maier, Beckenbauer, Rummenigge, Muller and Hoeness. Sainté found themselves on the losing side of the contest as Bayern won their third consecutive European Cup. Success has come and gone since then, and St. Étienne managed to finish fourth in the 2018-19 campaign, behind PSG, Lille and Lyon. This means in addition to the domestic league and cup competitions, we'll be competing in the Europa League, qualifying directly into the group stage. 

The club won their first piece of silverware in the form of the Coupe Charles Drago in 1955, and won their first domestic titles two years later. They captured their first Coupe de France in the 1961-62 season. The club would go on to win the league nine more times, a record in the French league, and the Coupe de France on an additional five occasions. 

Notable Previous Players

Most appearances: René Domingo (who, somehow, is without a Wikipedia page)

Top Scorer: Hervé Revelli (304), who also holds a claim to the player with the most Ligue 1 titles with seven, and is 3rd in all-time Ligue 1 goals

Other notables: Michel Platini, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Dimityi Payet, Blaise Matuidi, Sylvain Kastendeuch (6th in all-time Ligue 1 appearances), Patrick Battiston (7th in all-time Ligue 1 appearances) and Bernard Lacombe (2nd in all-time Ligue 1 goals)

 

The Goal

 

We are taking control of St. Étienne in their centennial season! PSG have dominated the league for too long, and we intend to launch a challenge to their stranglehold. They are even listed as a competitive rival to us. Ideally, I would like to keep them from ever holding sole-possession of the record for most Ligue 1 titles. They currently have 8. The 2019-20 season is a given for them, as is 2020-21 most likely. That will put them even with us. I'd like to be at least challenging them by 20-21. However, I've basically only ever played with United in FM as that's who I support in real life, so I may struggle. I've played one Sir Alex Challenge save though, and I will certainly be calling on my experience in that save to help me with a club that has less resources than the tip-top clubs of the world.

We hold a fierce rivalry with Lyon, as well as a historic rivalry with Marseille, the latter of whom has nine Ligue 1 trophies to their name. Our other rivals include a historic rivalry with Nantes, who have captured Ligue 1 on eight occasions. Our other rivalries are with three other local clubs who ply their trade further down the French pyramid in Granoble and Clermont (Ligue 2) and Andréziuex-Bouthéon (French National 2). Monaco have eight Ligue 1 titles as well. So, while PSG are currently the biggest challenge to our record, it only takes one strange FM season for Marseille to pull level with us. I plan to integrate young players as best I can, and emphasize our academy when possible. 

Edited November 19, 2019 by Juls317

[Juls317]

The Manger

I'm a wimp and not nearly good enough at FM to start out with no qualifications whatsoever, so I ticked the boxes for the proper qualifications for the club's level. I made sure to emphasize youth when it came to distributing my points, as you can see.

The Tactics

I've decided to go for a 4-3-3 gegenpressing tactic, though I do also have a direct counter-attack version set up as well since I doubt we will yet be able to gegenpress our way to victory at the Parc de Princes. This is similar to how I have Manchester United set up in my save with them, though the player quality is quite different and that may force a tactical change. I considered playing a 4231, but having M'Vila in his preferred position at DM seems like it may be important for out chances, and will help allow Trauco and Debuchy a bit more freedom to venture forward. I've yet to settle on what my third tactic will be for the squad, but there's still time yet.

The Players

I would be remiss if I were to start this section with anyone other than the club captain and one club man, Loïc Perrin. He joined the club in 2001 at the age of 16 and has gone on to make 369 appearances overall. He is currently listed as favored personnel, but I would certainly love to find a way to get him bumped up to club icon. Maybe captaining a side to some silverware will do the trick?

Though he is getting older, Stéphane Ruffier will be pivotal to our side's success this year. Entering his 9th year with the club having made 293 appearances, surely he will be looking to find his way to his 350th. With excellent reflexes, communication, handling and concentration I will be looking to him to aid Perrin to keep the backline organized and squad under control during matches.

With him sitting at the base of out midfield, I will look to do what the likes of Roberto Mancini and Big Sam Allardyce couldn't; get the best out of Yann M'vila. Back in his native France after trips to Russia, Italy and the UK with the likes of Rubin Kazan, Inter and Sunderland respectively, he'll be charged with supporting the backline as Trauco supports the attack from the leftback position, and with helping to recycle the ball when we reclaim possession.

Former Tyneside playmaker Yohan Cabaye is another player returning to his native land after a journey across the channel (and then some). After leaving Lille for Newcastle United in 2011 (what days those were for Newcastle), Cabaye has spent time at PSG, Crystal Palace, and most recently Al-Nasr in the United Arab Emirates. I wonder how many frequent flyer miles he racked up in all those trips across the channel. He'll be in charge of the playmaking duties, as he still possesses very good technique and good passing, vision and positioning. At the age of 33, he certainly finds himself in a fight with father time, but he has an immense 17 for natural fitness, so he may just manage to see off the struggles with age that many players face around this time. Maybe he'll go on to be our Pirlo.

Yet another player who has spent time in England, Wahbi Khazri is a fresh signing for this season. Coming from the other side of the Tyne-and-Wear Derby, the former Black Cats attacker scored 13 goals in 32 appearances in the league for Les Verts in 2018-19, and I will be looking in his direction for creativity and goalscoring througout this season as well. He's pretty pacey, and possesses very good technique and dribbling, so I'll be hoping he can force some struggles from opposing right backs and make use of his 15 vision to make an incisive pass.

While not really a former Premier League talent like the last three players, William Saliba may just find himself out to be a future one. After agreeing to let him leave the club for 27 million GBP, St. Étienne will be retaining his services for the 2019-20 season on loan. While not quite good enough to break into the starting XI at the moment, he's not far off and will certainly see his fair share of rotation play and chances in cup games and matches with lower-table opponents.

\

Though Arnaud Nordin is only capable of playing at a Ligue 2 level at the moment according to our backroom staff, he is someone that I will be looking to to capitalize on the opportunities that he gets and make the most of his chances. With plenty of pace and good dribbling, he looks more than capable of covering for Khazri and going on to become a real threat from the left wing position.

Edited November 19, 2019 by Juls317

[Deisler26]

I just loaned Yannis Letard for a 3.Bundesliga side. He’s not done bad

[Hootieleece]

subbed. I am always interested in a ASSE save. I often take the job when it comes open in my main save every year. They are my favorite French team.

Also always interested in how other players do tactics and develop youth!

[anagain]

St Etienne are my French team, so I'll keep an eye on this one. I watch the French football on BT when I get a chance, Loic Perrin cuts a recognisable figure on the pitch with his silver barnet.

Allez Les Verts!

[Juls317]

Sorry that there hasn't been any update yet, real life is a little busy. I'm almost through preseason, so the next post will cover that, tactical developments, and transfers!

[ManUtd1]

Welcome to the madhouse, and good luck!

[Juls317]

Preseason Summary

So, while we didn't play the toughest of opposition during the preseason, we managed to make it through with seven victories, and not a single loss. We also kept a clean sheet in five of our nine total matches. And, my biggest takeaway, was we managed to draw with Villareal in our final friendly. Obviously, it was just a friendly, but to compete with a good side (albeit one that I think probably underperformed last year) I believe is a good indication of where the squad is heading into the season. There was certainly plenty of rotation and tactical tooling (including the addition of our third tactic that I was previously unsettled on).

 

The Signings

We've only made two signings thus far, and will probably not be looking to make any others given limitations to the transfer budget. We started out with about 7mil GBP to spend, but that was with nothing available in the wage budget. So with some shifting of the budget and a bit of spending, we're currently sitting with about 2.5mil in the transfer budget, with basically no room for wages. So we're probably locked into the squad we have right now. There isn't much in the squad worth selling at the moment, so we'll settle for what we have. That said, here's the signings.
 

With Yohan Cabaye on a single year contract and at the age of 33, I took the chance to sign the man that is possibly FM20's highest profile free agent, Lucas Silva. The former Madridista has spent time in Ligue 1 before, having spent the 2015-16 season at Marseille. I expect to rotate him with Cabaye, splitting first team minutes in the playmaker role, and eventually having Silva take over while I debate whether or not I intend to renew Cabaye's contract. Worst case scenario, I can hopefully turn around and flip Silva to another club to bring in some money for the club!
 

 

This one was a bit of a punt. But, we were a bit short of options on the RW, and Gwargis was available for relatively cheap, costing a tidy 950k. He can play anywhere across the front line, and while I don't expect him to start regularly immediately, he'll be around the starting XI, with aim to get him time in cup games and with the B squad in order to help him develop.

 

 

While not actually a new signing, I figured I would throw Bajic in here anyway, as I overlooked him in my initial player breakdown. While nothing incredible at the moment, with Ruffier getting older, Stefan looks ripe to take over between the sticks. City came in with an admittedly massive bid for him that I turned down as I wanted to keep him around. He threw a fuss, but our silver-haired fox of a captain was able to talk him down. In hindsight, if City come back in for him with a bid high enough, I may move him on. My biggest issue was they offered a lot of addons for things that I didn't think would actually happen, like appearances at the club and international level, and if I'm not getting money to help the club now, and I don't think the clauses will be triggered, then it isn't worth selling in my mind.

 

The Tactics Update

 

I believe I've settled on the 4231 being our main formation moving forward, and forgoing the 433 as the main tactic. Being able to work Boudebouz into the starting XI in his natural position is a big deal, and our right and left wing players are some of the best in our squad. So Yann M'Vila has to make way. He may move into the box-to-box role in the center of midfield, or I may move the CM pairing back to DM and play him alongside Silva, I haven't settled on that yet. I've setup a 41212 as the third tactic for when our wingers need a rest as well.

 

Updates Moving Forward

 

I think I have settled on updating the thread every in-game month. I'm not entirely certain how long it will be between months, however, so I may make the time period a bit shorter to provide more consistent updates. I may also do single match updates for big matches. I'm willing to take any and all input that you as the readers have to offer on the subject, however! Like I said in my first post, I have no clue what I'm doing!

Edited November 21, 2019 by Juls317

[wynter]

11 hours ago, Juls317 said:

Sorry that there hasn't been any update yet, real life is a little busy. I'm almost through preseason, so the next post will cover that, tactical developments, and transfers!

Don't stress man, go at your own pace

 

Love the Saints and managed to go watch them when I was in Europe. Lovely stadium as well. 

[Juls317]

 

I'm not saying we're winning the league, but we did draw with PSG 1-1 in the second match of the season. So we're winning the league.

[Hootieleece]

The 4-2-3-1 Wide always makes for a competent tactic if you get the MC's roles right.

Good Luck! taking down PSG is a long term project.

[Juls317]

1 hour ago, Hootieleece said:

The 4-2-3-1 Wide always makes for a competent tactic if you get the MC's roles right.

Agreed! I think it just boils down to the fact that 4231 was such a tactical boon over the past decade so most squads are equipped to play it.

[Carambau]

Good luck against PSG! They are tough. But not THAT tough after some seasons...

 

 

...wait! They still are then..

Edited November 21, 2019 by Carambau

[Juls317]

Europa League Group Draw

 

The Europa League group drawing has been done! We'll be facing off against Porto, Red Star Belgrade and CFR Cluj! I think this gives us a good chance of advancing, with Porto being the obvious biggest threat in the group. Our first match in the competition will be Sept. 19 in Portugal.

August Review

This will be a bit short of a review since there were only three competitive matches to go over from the month of August. We opened our Ligue 1 campaign away to Nîmes, taking a 3-0 victory. Loïs Diony opened his campaign tally with a brace, while Boudebouz scored one for himself while also missing a penalty. We played our first home match at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard with the visiting Parisians. Neymar opened the scoring in the 10th minute, and I was afraid that the floodgates would open. However, we held out for a 1-1 draw with Diony scoring again. We nearly snatched a victory in the match, with a goal disallowed in the 90+1st minute for offsides. We followed that match up with a 2-0 away to Angers with Boudebouz taking a brace for himself.

So we currently sit with 7 points, two players with 3 goals each equalling the tally of a few others in the race for top scorer, and we're level for the best goal difference with PSG, with a match in hand on them. We play Amiens on Sept. 1, with a chance to pull level with PSG at the top of the table.

[Juls317]

Well Then

So after all that talk of me believing Ruffier to be vital to our team's success this season, this happens. I sent him to a specialist, figuring I might as well spend our transfer budget on something. But if you'll notice, the message above this in the inbox talks about a replacement for him. I've never seen this in FM before, but it basically said that, since Ruffier was our first team option and would be out for a prolonged period, they would sign off on the transfer of a replacement. I wasn't sure that I would take them up on it, but then I got my next scout report and...well...

Now, obviously the deal won't go through until January, but for 6mil, it was hard to pass up, and the board did all the work for me. This may turn into another sign-and-sell scenario given that Ruffier is still quality and I'd love to get him to his 350th appearance for the club, but it's also possible Perin comes in and wins the job for himself outright.

 

This also happened.

 

 

Luckily he was performing pretty poorly this season so hopefully this isn't too big of a blow.

[Juls317]

Well Then Pt. Deux

 

This all went quite bad rather quickly. I didn't expect the world out of our first Europa League match, but to lose 3-5 was rather disappointing. Granted, we were away from home and Porto are a very strong side, so maybe my expectations were too high. We needed a 90+3rd minute goal from Diony to salvage a draw with Dijon, a team we should have beaten. We let a 2-0 lead slip to Red Star. And the Marseille came around and just massacred us. M'Vila got himself sent off and it all went downhill very quickly.

 

 

We are currently sitting at 10th in the table with 14 points from 11 matches, truly miserable form. Somehow Diony has managed 7 goals from just 14 shots in the league however. Our defence is abysmal, and with no money to spend, I'm not certain how we will turn it around. To make matters worse, Moukoudi and Koloziejczak have both gone down with injuries that will keep them out of the team for at least two weeks, with the latter predicted to be out for as long as a month.  Which means that Saliba and Perrin are the only first team centerbacks that are currently healthy. Joy. However, there may be a solution.

 

The vultures are flying overhead, looking to spot their pray. With Perin coming in, it's possible that we should cash in on Bajic and use that to invest in another centerback. Something will have to be done to sort out the defence, as we are just too leaky, though our tough run of form does coincide with Ruffier going down with injury.

Hopefully the ship can be righted. The board are still giving me a C+ grade, so my job doesn't seem insecure just yet, but my time may be limited.

[Hootieleece]

How fast are your CB's and defense in General?  I tend to only sign the players with a min. pace of 12....

Speed makes up for a variety of issues in the defensive line.

Often my teams aren't the best in league at Positioning or tackling....but some how end up leading the league in goals against!

This while playing a 4-2-3-1 Wide.

I usually use the LCB on Defend and the RCB on Cover (to act as a quasi sweeper)

[anagain]

Sorry to see things take a turn for the worse. That is seriously bad luck to lose two players to longer term injuries like that, even if Khazri wasn't performing, and then further injuries to your defence.

Good luck in turning things around.

[Juls317]

November

 

 

I have no idea how I'm still employed. We're 15th in the league on 15 points. I can't buy a win, the players are starting to turn. This is getting rough.

[Juls317]

Well, the board has called me in for a meeting. I need 9 points in the next five matches to save my job. Those fixtures are Brest (H), Lyon (A), Nantes (H), PSG (A) and Angers (H). Those clubs are currently 12th, 5th, 9th, 1st and 7th.

So I'll be looking forward to my next save with Valencia!

Edited November 24, 2019 by Juls317

[Juls317]

Brest

 

 

Well, there's three points, and our first win since we beat Strausbourg 3-1 on 28 Sept. Diony also scored his first goal after over 11 hours of drought. Now we just need 6 points from the next 4 matches. It will be tense.

[Juls317]

The Sack Looms

 

 

Well, we were going to secure the three points against Nantes until they managed to score with 10 seconds left in added time. Truly crushing. This all but confirms that I will be sacked, as I can not fathom that we will be able to beat PSG, especially at the Parc de Princes. Here's to hoping.

[Juls317]

Sacked in the Morning

 

PSG beat us 4-0. So that was nice.

To those of you that kept up with this (short) journey, thank you! I'll be firing up a new save with Valencia tonight and may open up a thread for that as well. I feel like that's a less interesting challenge given that they don't hold any particular record like ASSÉ does, but we'll see how I feel. I've never been sacked in FM in my 7 years of playing, so I'm a bit sour to the idea of sharing another save journey. Maybe I'm worse at FM than I thought haha.

[Deisler26]

OOF. Unlucky dude.