[FM23] The English Football League thread

[GrayMatter]

After @warlock relinquished the reins on managing this thread, I figured I'd set this up as I have become a stickler for a Shrewsbury save annually now. Mine is already underway and going quite well, currently in the Championship after a topsy turvy first season where I finished top of League 1 after chasing Plymouth all season and pipping them to the title on the last day. I plan to update this original post at a later date and update with starting transfer budgets for all football league clubs. 

[warlock]

2 hours ago, ShaunG95 said:

I figured I'd set this up

Good man 

[Parmie]

Let's get this party started.

A departure from the perennial Bradford City save, an idea occurred to me during FM22 to recreate an 80s classic. The Crazy Gang.

 

 

The Crazy Gang is a nickname coined by the English media in reference to the Wimbledon F.C. teams of the 1980s and '90s. The name, originally that of a well-known group of comedy entertainers popular in the late 1930s, became commonly associated with Wimbledon as a result of the often cheeky and boisterously macho behaviour of their players, who were in the habit of playing frequent and outrageous practical jokes on each other and on the club's managers Dave Bassett, Bobby Gould and Joe Kinnear, as well as many of their players' highly aggressive, physical style of play and reputation for a lack of discipline on the pitch.

Tactics:

It's not going to be an 80s recreation without using a traditional tactic from the era. I dubbed mine the 'Anti-Pep'.

Long ball is just too random during friendlies so I toned that down a little. Get stuck in also worries me with the modern officiating but we'll see if that can be successfully retained as high up the leagues as possible.

I've also given myself a little licence on the absolute 442 as this should have wingers on both flanks, but to fit with the match engine expectations and a slightly more up-to-date approach, I'm using an inverted winger on the left.

Team selection and transfer policy:

I've given myself a soft cap of three normal people to have in the first eleven, these will be a fairly typical modern footballer, and likely to be the two wide midfielders and the advanced forward. The remainder should be physical high aggression, high work rate players. If they have indications of a high dirtiness attribute, then ideal, if they have arguing with officials or winding-up opponents preferred moves then perfection.

With a limited scouting range, I'll have to see how well I can stick to that.

WIth the game's release in November, real life transfer business is already done, so I've always tended to keep the current squad in the first season.

Starting squad highlights:

The obvious one with a target forward tactic is Kyle Hudlin, 6'9'' on loan from Huddersfield. Ayoub Assal, who I'll use as the inverted winger, is touted as premier league potential by the coaching staff, although in previous seasons I've never seen him develop that well.

Initial board expectations:

We're targeted with a mid-table finish in the first season. There's a strange importance attached to the Papa John's and we need to reach the group stage.

Remaining vision targets are fairly standard for the English lower league, sign players based in England, 1 year contracts for over 32 year old players, use the youth academy.

I get the feeling I may get sacked, but here we go.

Edited November 19, 2022 by Parmie

[Parmie]

 Season 1: 2022/2023

 

Summer Transfer In/Out:

As on my starting post, we make no early signings, real life already having made several movements. 

2022 Results and performances:

A promising start for the 'Anti-Pep' tactic with a special mention for Harry Pell for getting sent off in our very first match against Gillingham (0-0), we go unbeaten in the first 5 games before suffering a narrow defeat to Barrow. From the 25 games played up until January, we're in the top half of the table, potentially threatening the play-offs.  With 'get stuck in' permanently on, we're picking up probably between 4-7 yellows per game.

11W, 7D, 7L.

 

It's a short Carabao Cup for us this season, we draw Coventry of the Championship and they ease past us 1-4.

 

We take revenge on Barrow winning the 1st round tie 2-0 at home. However, we draw a superior Peterborough side in the 2nd round and lose heavily 3-0 at home.

 

We're drawn in a group with Chelsea U21s, Walsall and Ipswich. Winning all 3 group games we easily secure passage to the knockout rounds where we fall at the first hurdle, receiving a 1-4 hammering at the hands of Arsenal's U21s.

 

Transfer Window:

Ayob Assal draws the attention of Watford. We initially reject a starting bid, agreeing with Ayob that if they meet our valuation of £525k he can leave. They subsequently meet that so we honour the promise and accept the sale, they offer to loan him back with no wages, so with half a million in the bank and still holding onto the player for the rest of the season, it's not even a disruption.

3rd choice keeper Will Jaaskelainen leaves on a free to HIFK. Otherwise, that's our only business.

2023 Results and Performances:

Form turns quite patchy in the 2nd half the season, there are simply a lot of games in the English lower leagues in the first half of the season, leaving many players needing rests constantly. We go unbeaten for 2-3 games to losing a couple as a cycle for the rest of the season.

Although not terrible, we're slightly under the expectations. At one point I'm called into the board room, where I point at the injuries we've had. This is accepted and we move on, my job safe but not secure for the time being.

Plans for next season:

Main man up front, Kyle Hudlin, who made it a specialism to head in far post corners, returns to his parent club. We either need to try to get him back or another target forward.

Similarly, Assal will return to Watford permanently, leaving us short in the wide positions. And of course, as a lower league club, there should be opportunities to generally improve the team as players get released, and I want to try to align the team towards the original Crazy Gang plan. Both full backs need upgrading as priorities.

[valliant68]

Hi all,

Sorry for my english writing is incorrect.

It's the first time i installed kits and logos and stadiums and a new skin, this is so much better. Faces i always had.

I'm doing a save with Plymouth Argyle and i'm enjoying it a lot, been playing this game for as long i can remember - Championship manager and before i can't remember.

My style of play is i spend many hours just to look for players that can lift my team to a better level and for good youngsters so i take my time before i buy someone.

First season got some free players - McEachran , Hulme , Tiensia , Bennetts - and sold players i didn't want  , did really well and ended second place after Ipswich and got promoted to championship.

Second year i'm halfway now, had a transferbudget of 5M, got - Teddy Sharman-Lowe 300K to be my main keeper and doing a fantastic job.

Right back, i couldn't let this pass - Timothee Pembele for 900K, plays outstanding. Left back i got a loan from Southampton - Thierry Small.

Center back new signing Hayden Muller 1M was a scouting suggestion but a really good one. Also Alex Kirk from Arsenal 200K is a great prospect.

Center midfield got the oppertunity to sign liverpool's Leighton Clarkson 600K and on loan winger Kaide Gordon.

Up front i got Iker Bravo1,5M up front and 3 year payment, 21 goals in 21 appearances, found him from the wonderkids list.

Other players i got : from spurs on a free - Lyons foster

Then i got 2 amazing youngsters who i give as much playtime that i can - Issaka and Jenkins Davies.

Didn't know what to acspect but got off to a flying start, i've been jumping around in the top 4 spots for the first 21 matches.

Don't know what to expect but i think it's better to grow a few years in the championship, but financial it could be a massive boost i think.

I don't know what you get when you promote and relegate the year after. Second half of the season will be very exiting and have already a few players on my radar for next seadson.

 

[aaaawren]

My Huddersfield Town save is going well, second place after 23 games and absolutely scammed Newcastle by making them pay 8 million for someone with more injuries then official games.

[Parmie]

 Season 2: 2023/2024

 

Summer Transfers In/Out:

We get busy starting to reshape the team and improve as planned.

Jaziah Linton is released by Spurs as is Isaac Mabaya by Liverpool, while we get Linton, Preston are more attractive to Mabaya, however they put him up for loan immediately which we take advantage of.

Unfortunately, Huddersfield are unsure about loaning us Kyle Hudlin again, League Two competitors Salford make the mistake of loaning us Marcus Dackers, a 6'7'' monster.

We also need improvement and cover in the wide midfield positions. In comes Stephen Duke-Mckenna from QPR and another loan from Stoke for Edwin Andersson.

Spoiler

(Some of the players I forgot to take screenies at the time for, so are older than when I signed them and have also moved on)

Josh Davison leaves us for Morecambe for £35.5k, Courtney Senior's contract is not renewed and Lee Brown heads to Plymouth for £18.5k. 

Overall it's a good summer window for us to add quality and bolster the squad with loans.

2023 Results and Performances:

We only lose 3 games before January, all of the losses coming before November, so we head into the new year on an 11 game unbeaten run and are sitting nicely in an automatic promotion spot. Barnsley seem to be pulling up trees this season and seem virtually untouchable at the top, so my main focus is on the results below us.

We have a respectable run in the Carabao, defeating Colchester 2-1 and Millwall 3-1 in home ties. This gives us an away trip to West Ham, which is decent for the bank balance, but we go down 3-1.

The same can't be said for the FA Cup. Falling at the first hurdle away to Swindon 0-1.

Despite at opening loss to Cheltenham in the group stage, wins against Wycombe and the Arsenal U21s see us through again to the knockout stage. We face out nemesis, MK Dons who are in League One. It's a tight 0-0 affair and they win the penalty shootout.

Transfer Window:

Other than some low potential youths being allowed to leave on frees, we keep things quiet in January.

2024 Results and Performances:

The end of year run extends all the way into February to a total of 18 games unbeaten. There's the usual FM pressure effect from April onwards leaving us with a poor run of losses as the season closes but our automatic promotion was never under realistic threat and Barnsley disappeared off into the distance above us.

Plans for Next Season:

The aim will be consolidation into League One. The team feels potentially a little short at least from a permanent signing perspective. A key position is the target forward and we've loaned that in for the last two seasons with the scouts not unearthing any suitable signings for the new level. 

We're also not far off paying off the original debt when I joined the club which is always nice, but still financially too early to think about facility improvements and anything other than frees and loans again.

Tyreece is a next season signing which I accidently included in this season, but theres a bug where I can't get rid of the screenshot from the post.

Edited November 20, 2022 by Parmie

[kopfan1977]

@Parmie

 

Target for you.. Kion Etete - Cardiff - Currently has 17 jumping reach 16 heading. But is quite a beast. Don't know how much Cardiff actually use him on your game, but if you get a chance snap him up.

Here he is for me right now. Lower prem/Top championship player. Proven to be a very good asset when chasing a game for me.

[Sysiphus]

Thank's for starting this thread @ShaunG95. I'm currently trying out Dundee Utd in Scotland, will see if I have time for an English side in this edition as I want to stay a bit in Scotland and maybe try Scandinavia when I get bored with that save. I'll be an avid reader of this thread though, good luck!

[Urke17]

Hi guys, hope you have great time with your saves.

My question as always is, club in League 1 or League 2, with solid youth academy, to play with homegrown players and to make some real story ? What are the best? 

Looking forward on your answers.

[Ronaldo Beckham]

1 hour ago, Urke17 said:

Hi guys, hope you have great time with your saves.

My question as always is, club in League 1 or League 2, with solid youth academy, to play with homegrown players and to make some real story ? What are the best? 

Looking forward on your answers.

Crewe, Exeter, Walsall, Derby, Portsmouth would be good choices. You also have Burton who use the English FA's facilities which are excellent so it will help you produce really good regens once you improve coaching etc.

 

[kopfan1977]

My go to choice every year is always Cardiff City. Same as usual again this year.

However, Prior to starting I cleaned out majority of the U21 and U18 squads as I tend to release them all anyway, this way saves me time and some valuable money as we are approx £65-70m in overall debt (Which seems a little high compared to previous years although it looks in the editor like one of the historical debts was restructured last year sometime)

 

Squad wise: Cardiff start with an almost whole new squad This year.

GK: Alsopp & Alnwick - 2 decent keepers for this level. But not when getting to premier league

Defenders: Simpson, Nelson, Bagan, Ng, Sang, Romeo, Daley-Campbell, Collins (long term injury) as well as loanees Kipre and Nkounkou. And Mark McGuinness out on loan.

Mid: Ralls, Wintle, Rinomhota, Sawyers, Colwill (Underrated by S.I and researchers) as well as wingers Ojo, O'dowda and Philogene Bidace on loan.

Att: Etete, Harris, Robinson and Watters

 

Decent enough depth, but short in quality overall. U21 and U18 aren't that great. Majority are League 2 or below standard. Core of the team = Alsopp, Kipre, Bagan, Ng, Ralls, Wintle, Colwill, Etete, Robinson. 

 

Transfers in: Cole Palmer on loan. Loan also agreed for Moukoko loan in January. Quite surprised he agreed to come to Championship but I won't complain

 

Tactic is a very attacking 4-2-3-1 Narrow with 3 AM supplementing the lone striker.

P7 W5 D1 L1 F28 A8 - The loss was against West Brom when down to 10 men and they scrambled a last minute winner. 1-1 draw away at Bristol City they scored via a punt over my backline whilst my defenders stood star gazing  Attacking wise we are devastating when on it. When not at the races we lack a little bit of a bite whilst also looking susceptible on the counter. Top scorer so far is Robinson who has 11 in 9 games in League and Cup. Although we probably won't make it past the next round of Carabao as we've been drawn away against Liverpool 

[Parmie]

 Season 3: 2024/2025

Summer Transfers:

Spoiler from last season's post that Tyreece John-Jules has arrived on a free transfer from Arsenal. He should be a step up in quality for the pressing forward role. 

Otherwise it's a struggle to get good enough players in, I put this down to the reputation boost from promotion lagging behind as it always does. However, Ayoub Assal didn't get any games at Watford and following his £525k purchase by them in the winter window of season one, he rejoins us at end of contract. I ask Preston to loan us Mabaya again and they agree. 

Lower league save stalwart Brendon Galloway arrives after his release from Wycombe, Mohammed Sangare, also a free, gives us some cover across midfield and full backs.

I still struggle to find target forwards, and loan in Bartosz Cybulski from Derby and Leon Chiwome from Wolves, neither good enough for League One but there seems no other options. I did take @kopfan1977up on his suggestion later in my save as at the time he made it I was already past this update.

A key signing in goal is Alexandre Letellier from PSG. I've taken to looking at who some of the big clubs releases on 1st July and offering out trials to suitable players. 

It's fairly quiet on the outbound transfers, Alex Pearce went to Derry City on a free and our only transfer revenue is from Nik Tzanev's £55k deal to Tranmere.

Sorry no screenshots of new signings as I forgot to take them at the time, and several have left and retired or I've lost knowledge of as they went back on loan.

 

2024 Results and Performances:

2 wins and a draw from the first 5 fixtures gives hope of a consolidation season but we then go on to lose the next 9 games. I bring out the morale big guns with a team meeting which results in a good November, picking up results again with only 1 loss. The better form continues into December but we lose the last 2 games before the new year. We're hovering around the relegation spots, that losing streak putting us at peril.

 

We're drawn against Coventry in the 1st round. They're the better side but we perform well to get a 2-2 draw at full time. Unfortunately, they win on penalties and we're already out.

We get through both the 1st and 2nd rounds, beating Grimsby 3-0 at home and then 1-0 at home against Stockport. This sets us up for a 3rd round tie against Leyton Orient.

With a bigger squad we can use rotated first teamers with some prospects. This helps get us through the group with 2 draws (1 winning draw and 1 losing draw) against Spurs U21s and Shrewsbury, and a win against Forest Green. I still don't attach much importance to this competition, so a similarly 2nd string goes out to Cheltenham on penalties in the first knockout round.

Transfer Window:

The loanee target forwards have some sporadic good games but aren't really up to this level, so Aaron Pressley, out of contract since released by Brentford helps to improve us there, although probably not a true target forward, he should give us a bit more up front.

2025 Results and Performances:

We draw our 3rd round tie away to Leyton Orient, but overcome them in a decisive 2-0 win at home. The 4th round sees us once again travelling away to West Ham, and we go out with a brave 4-2 loss.

The 2 games lost at the end of 2024 extend into a terrible run, we only manage 2 draws in January and February, despite rallying back with 4 wins from 6 games in March, 1 win and 3 losses at the end of the season see us consigned back to League Two.

 

Plans for next season:

Neither the board nor fans seem greatly upset with me for the relegation, so job security doesn't seem an issue as long as we do well next season. I really put this down to one of the lower league management issues with FM that's been there for a while, the reputation boost from promotion is too delayed, and good enough players aren't interested even on loan. The boost subsequently arrives as part of the end of season round-up and I'm confident that despite the irony of being more attractive to players following a relegation. we should be able to bounce back again.

I'm still very much targeting released players and loans with a view to moneyballing up the leagues. With no major sales since Assal's first departure, finances aren't looking anything great but we're still secure.

[Mackem742]

Hoping to start my usual yearly save with Sunderland soon. I just havent had the chance yet. Im still playing my Ajax save that I started on the beta.

[GrayMatter]

Now in the Premier League with Shrewsbury, start of the season form led me to back-to-back promotions.

I have a really interesting, youthful squad currently:

GK: Tim Ronning, Filip Stankovic, Noah Raveyre

RB: Lander Arenal, Timothee Pembele, Adis Jasic

LB: Patryck Lanza, Amadou N'Diaye, Alonso Aceves

CB: Maro Katinic, Martin Georgiev, Marian Faryna, Ethan Ampadu, Fredrik Nissen

DM: Antonio Blanco, Dario Essugo, Wilgot Marshage

CM: Martin Baturina, Martim Neto, Rares Ilie

CAM: Faustino Anjorin (loan), Bruno Iglesias, Samed Bazdar

AML: Stipe Biuk, Nemanja Jovic, Chris Popov (loan)

AMR: Danny Palmer (first season intake model citizen), Rodrigo Ribeiro, Jardell Kanga

ST: Marko Lazetic (loan), Jovan Milosevic, Jovan Zivkovic, Endrick (loan), Muharem Huskovic

I always favour a Balkan approach with transfers, Lazetic has been on loan since League 1 and he has just gotten better and better!

[valliant68]

Plymouth 3th season.

In a thriller ending of the season i got promoted to the premiere league thanks to my star striker Iker Bravo - 36 goals.

I got 45M euro transfer budget and got rid of a few players but well under there value, it's very hard to sell players for what there worth.

For example Ennis was 15M but sold him for 5M, i had to because i got Endrick for 13,5M and have Bravo.

Bought some players from the wonderkids list- Endrick 13,5M ST- Essugo 1,2M DM - Desire Doue 5M CM - Bardghji 9M AMR - Prestianni 4,5M AML - Iker Alvarez 3M GK - Jobe Bellingham 9M CM.

One position that troubles me was LB, couldn't find anyone so i loanded Thierry Small for another season.

Hope now that my team is not to young for the premiere league, board asks me to try to not get relegated.

My oldest player is Butcher 27 years old and youngest 17 Issaka.

I'm in pre-season right now and am enjoying this save so much.

 

[Jambodinho]

Hi

I started a save with Oxford before the latest update. When the first league game came around the rules stated that I must have at least 1 player trained by the club in the match day squad. I’ve fired up the laptop for the first time since the update and now that rule has gone. Any ideas what’s happened there? Does the rule exist in real life and it’s been removed in the game by accident or was the rule included in the game on release when it wasn’t in place in real life? I’m confused. 
I was contemplating jacking the save in as I only had 1 player trained by the club which would have meant I’d have needed to leave a space on my bench if that player was injured or suspended. But now I can leave him out of the match day squad all together and select a whole squad that doesn’t included a home grown player. This makes me want to carry the save on now 😂

[warlock]

2 hours ago, Jambodinho said:

the rules stated that I must have at least 1 player trained by the club in the match day squad.

There used to be a rule for one homegrown player but I think it was dropped from FM21 or FM22. I'm sure it wasn't a rule last year. In any case, the league rules make no mention of it this year so you can play on.

[valliant68]

My Plymouth save had a good start  in the premiere league so far.

Draw at West Ham 1-1 - loss against Liverpool 0-2 - home win against Southampton 3-1 - and a thrilling win at Wolverhampton 1-2.

Last 20 minutes was under so much pressure but Sharman-Lowe kept everything out,turning into a class keeper.

My positive style of play is working out so far, my starting 11 changes because for some position i got an equal quality player and want to keep everybody happy as long as i can.

But as i go further into the season i intent to start with who preforms best.

Also i found my first gem this season at Bayern -19, Paul Scholl DC 1M and 1.5M in 3 years, just turned 18 and his attributes are amazing, physical all above 14, mental from 12 to 15, technical important 12 to 14.

These finds i always leave the players at their club until the end of the season.

Hope to find a few more but the budget is almost gone, gone try to sell 2 players who don't play much in the winter for more budget.

 

Touted as the new Jurgen Kohler and simular as De Ligt.

 

Edited December 13, 2022 by valliant68

[valliant68]

Plymouth next 3 matches were very dissapointing but normal i guess.

Lost at home from ManU 0-1, then at Leeds also 1-0 then at home from Arsenal 1-2.

This made me drop to the lower ranks but then i had a victory at Brighton 2-3.

So with 8 games under my belt we stand at the middle of the table with 10 points.

I'm pleased with that but it's to early to see if i can survive the first year in the top league.

[profii]

I started a Swindon save this year. I am currently in season 2 after winning the league.
I didn't sign anyone in season 1 initially, but after a bit of time with the squad I found Kian Williams on a free (he used to play in Iceland!) He hasnt been awe inspiring but a safe pair of hands never the less.

It's been a couple of years since I've played FM properly tbh so getting promoted and trying to gauge the level of players I needed for League 1 did not come naturally and I tried to sign anyone who looked better than I had and would actually sign from the free players list. Here is who I ended up with:

Amadou Bakayoko - Target man, I dont usually go for Target men, but the guy I had on loan season 1 was banging in the goals so I snapped this guy up and he is doing really well
Dominic Corness - centre midfielder who is average
Christian Maghoma - has settled in as 3rd choice centre back behind Swindons original pairing
Levi Laing - 4th choice centre back, will probably get replaced/upgraded when market allows
Jack Hunter - back up BWM, probably not good enough but needed extra bodies in midfield and he was all I could get (cheap wages though)
Aaron McGowan - full back that can play either side, very handy to have in the squad
Dimitar Mitov - Needed a goalie after my first season goalie returned to his parent club, took a gamble on a this guy who got relegated from L1 but he seems to be doing ok - he does get international call ups which is a bit annoying
Demeaco Duhaney - A solid RB
Kyle McAllister - relatively expensive and not that exciting but a decent enough player
Callum Jones - a really really good BWM but needs an understudy or will get tired

Then in Jan
Clarke Odour - £35k - needed an extra winger so found this guy who's contract was running out hence the price


I am sitting comfortably in the playoff spots, not sure if my signings are great, the AI is underestimating the promoted teams or if the players I did have are decent but seems to be going well.

 

Edited December 17, 2022 by profii

[valliant68]

Seems to be going well Profii

Try to find McEachran and Hulme  for midfield ,maybe they are free in your save.

I got them free for Plymouth and they are doing well even in the premier league.

Read my post in this thread ,there are some good cheap players for you if budget is low.

Edited December 17, 2022 by valliant68

[GrayMatter]

On 26/11/2022 at 17:57, ShaunG95 said:

Now in the Premier League with Shrewsbury, start of the season form led me to back-to-back promotions.

I have a really interesting, youthful squad currently:

GK: Tim Ronning, Filip Stankovic, Noah Raveyre

RB: Lander Arenal, Timothee Pembele, Adis Jasic

LB: Patryck Lanza, Amadou N'Diaye, Alonso Aceves

CB: Maro Katinic, Martin Georgiev, Marian Faryna, Ethan Ampadu, Fredrik Nissen

DM: Antonio Blanco, Dario Essugo, Wilgot Marshage

CM: Martin Baturina, Martim Neto, Rares Ilie

CAM: Faustino Anjorin (loan), Bruno Iglesias, Samed Bazdar

AML: Stipe Biuk, Nemanja Jovic, Chris Popov (loan)

AMR: Danny Palmer (first season intake model citizen), Rodrigo Ribeiro, Jardell Kanga

ST: Marko Lazetic (loan), Jovan Milosevic, Jovan Zivkovic, Endrick (loan), Muharem Huskovic

I always favour a Balkan approach with transfers, Lazetic has been on loan since League 1 and he has just gotten better and better!

 

A season on (finished 5th in my first year and snagged a UCL spot in the new format) and the squad is looking like this:

 

GK: Tim Ronning, Branislav Dukic (newgen - looks ridiculous for his age)

RB: Lander Arenal, Tino Livramento (£19m relegation release clause), Adis Jasic

LB: Rayan Ait-Nouri (£13.75m), Victor Kristiansen (£5.5m), Melvin Bard (free)

CB: Maro Katinic, Martin Georgiev, Marian Faryna, Ethan Ampadu (backup), Fredrik Nissen, Joao Fonseca (£3m), Armel Bella-Kotchap (£16m)

DM: Rafael Luis (£4.5m), Dario Essugo, Jordan Henderson (free)

CM: Martin Baturina, Martim Neto, Rares Ilie, Williot Swedberg (£11.5m)

CAM: Gabriel Vidovic (£16m), Paul Wanner (£28m), Muhammed Damar (£17m)

AML: Joao Veloso (£23m), Afonso Moreira (£1m - bought years ago), Chris Popov (loan)

AMR: Danny Palmer (first season intake model citizen), Rodrigo Ribeiro, Jardell Kanga

ST: Nelson Weiper (£18.5m), Jovan Milosevic, Jovan Zivkovic, Emre Tezgel (£17.5m), Muharem Huskovic - Armando Broja arriving for the start of the 2026/27 season for £5m up-front rising to £20m.

Unfortunately Lazetic wouldn't sign permanently so I opted for Weiper instead who has been hit and miss! Also, keep in mind I installment to death with some of those players - I've hardly paid any money up-front whatsoever.

Can't believe this man was purchased for only £1m. He's easily one of the best budget goalkeepers on the game.

[Ronaldo Beckham]

Merry Xmas everyone. I hope you have had a nice festive period.

I thought I would bring some life back into this thread and try to recreate the fun I had with this certain team I managed many FM's a go.

The team I have always had a soft spot for and that team is ......

By the looks of it they like to play a 5-3-2 system so I will be sticking with that for now. 

Club Objectives

Pretty simple one really. Develop players from the youth team, work within the wage budget and get a top half finish. 

I think I can achieve these.

My aim is to move on older players and scout the home nations for cheap gems to sell on for profit as well as using players from the youth academy.

The Coventry youth academy has had some great players come through their system in Callum Wilson and James Maddison.  My aim is to find the next great player to come through the Coventry youth academy pipeline.

This is the main tactic I will be using. I will be refraining from using downloaded/system busting tactics and just going with what my assistant manager/players want tactic wise.

We have a few players in the youth team already that can play for the first team. 

I have called them up straight away. 

Josh Reid

Josh Reid is a highly rated 20 year old Left Back who could easily break into the first team.

Jack Burroughs

With Josh Reid on the left we have Jack Burroughs on the right which is handy.  Burroughs is very versatile and can play in a lot of positions which will come in handy.

I will update you as I go along. 

I will do another update once the transfer window is closed.

[JawZy]

I usually get into some form of english save at some point, but recently editions been struggling to get into one.

in recent years I have good saves with Peterborough and Birmingham. This time i have decided to try change the fortunes of Grimsby who have recently been promoted back into the football league and have a change of owners..

In game the board want the side to avoid heading out of the football league, and within 5 seasons to head into league 1. Money like at most clubs at this level and this size will be tight

there isnt a single player at the club who I think can stay long term, so hopefully some offers can come in, also there is a lack of youngsters with potential in the u18s. facilities wise could be improved and at some point we could do with a new modern stadia

[John Joe O'toole]

16 hours ago, Ronaldo Beckham said:

Merry Xmas everyone. I hope you have had a nice festive period.

I thought I would bring some life back into this thread and try to recreate the fun I had with this certain team I managed many FM's a go.

The team I have always had a soft spot for and that team is ......

By the looks of it they like to play a 5-3-2 system so I will be sticking with that for now. 

Club Objectives

Pretty simple one really. Develop players from the youth team, work within the wage budget and get a top half finish. 

I think I can achieve these.

My aim is to move on older players and scout the home nations for cheap gems to sell on for profit as well as using players from the youth academy.

The Coventry youth academy has had some great players come through their system in Callum Wilson and James Maddison.  My aim is to find the next great player to come through the Coventry youth academy pipeline.

This is the main tactic I will be using. I will be refraining from using downloaded/system busting tactics and just going with what my assistant manager/players want tactic wise.

We have a few players in the youth team already that can play for the first team. 

I have called them up straight away. 

Josh Reid

Josh Reid is a highly rated 20 year old Left Back who could easily break into the first team.

Jack Burroughs

With Josh Reid on the left we have Jack Burroughs on the right which is handy.  Burroughs is very versatile and can play in a lot of positions which will come in handy.

I will update you as I go along. 

I will do another update once the transfer window is closed.

 

Nice post man! Gyokeres meant to be a bit of a beast!

[Ronaldo Beckham]

5 hours ago, John Joe O'toole said:

Nice post man! Gyokeres meant to be a bit of a beast!

Yeah he has done alright for me so far with 6 goals so far.

He wants to leave for a bigger club so I have transfer listed him.

He will either go to Wolfsburg or Shamrock Rovers.

 

Edited December 27, 2022 by Ronaldo Beckham

[Ronaldo Beckham]

It looks like I am getting a few good players in my youth intake according to the preview.

[Ronaldo Beckham]

Coventry Youth Intake Golden Generation

[Ronaldo Beckham]

Coventry City FC Season 1 Review

Competitions

I thought we done well to get 16th place but it was way below the board's and fan's expectations and my job is now insecure but I am hoping for a better 2nd season in charge if given the chance.

My best player was Christopher Gartland who joined in January from Irish side Tolka Rovers for £475k and scored 6 goals in 10 games for us. 

 We did a lot of transfer business with us spending £19m and receiving £24m.

Our main transfers out were Gustavo Hamer - £8.5m to Crystal Palace &  Viktor Gyokerres - £6m to Shamrock Rovers.

I think I have a editor file that has made Irish clubs have a bit of money cos they seem to buy a few of my players. 

My other best player for the season was Zian Flemming who I signed from Millwall for £2.1m.

He managed to get 6 goals for the season.

The finances are not looking good so I am hoping to turn some of these players into players I can money for the club from.

My aim is to do better in the league and try make more money for the club.

 

[JawZy]

I wasnt looking forward to this ti, but we got a goal! and we got just shy of 750K for gates for this tie

Edited December 28, 2022 by JawZy

[Ronaldo Beckham]

I got sacked twice with Coventry City and the Irish league being so overpowered put me off so I have deleted the file that was making it and I am starting my Coventry save again. 

I am going to try limit my transfers as I signed way too many players in my last save.

It will mostly be a youth only save.

 

 

 

[JawZy]

10 games to go, looking over our shoulder as we 16 pts off a playoff spot!

Not to mention our form has been horrid

 

Edited December 29, 2022 by JawZy

[JawZy]

 

glad that season is over, but we did meet the boards aim of avoiding the drop

 

 

[John Joe O'toole]

On 29/12/2022 at 19:38, JawZy said:

 

glad that season is over, but we did meet the boards aim of avoiding the drop

 

 

Great work to stay in the league 

[aaaawren]

Halfway through the second season with Huddersfield and I am somehow in the europe fight despite a GD of 0.

Edited January 2, 2023 by aaaawren

[Ronaldo Beckham]

I done a few years with Coventry and done ok but got bored of it so I am now going to do a mostly Youth only save with Burton Albion due to them using the England National Team's state of the art facilities.

My aim is to get to the Prem with mostly my current squad and the players I get from the youth academy. 

The only exception will be finding a diamond in the smaller home nations.

I want to have the best youth system in England and produce the most England national team players by the time I finish.

I am hoping to get the Youth Recruitment upgraded as quickly as possible.

I will have to sign a few players from the lower leagues to help keep the board happy with season expectations.

The fans share my club vision with wanting us to develop players from the youth system.

 

 

[JawZy]

heres hoping this projects sticks for you, oddly thpugh i feel like AI over the years and in this version, doesnt seem to have talent coming through at Burton, hopefully you can change this though

[John Joe O'toole]

I started a save with Reading with an emphasis on promoting youth.

 

First few games have gone really well despite the embargo.

 

 

 

[Ronaldo Beckham]

Burton Albion Season 1 Youth Intake

Some decent players in my first intake with Urbanski being the best one to come through.

I will do a full season review later.

 

[Ronaldo Beckham]

New Records Broke

Nice way to make his debut for Raymond

 

 

[Ronaldo Beckham]

Record Broken Again

Looks like a really good prospect.

 

[Ronaldo Beckham]

Burton Albion Season 1 Review

Competitions

A nice mid table finish of 16th which is pretty much what we were meant to do in our first season. The season review predictions had us as low as 22nd in the league so we proved them wrong

We didn't do anything in the cups with us losing to Preston in the FA Cup 3rd round and losing to Salford City in the Carabao Cup 1st round.

Players

Victor Adeboyejo

The Nigerian Nightmare Victor Adeboyejo was my main man up front with 22 goals for the season. He was top scorer and had the best average rating.

Donovan Wilson

Wilson was my signing of the season with 13 goals for the season and 5 assists. He was a bargain signing from Sutton Utd for £49.5k.

If he carries on I can see us making a bit of money on him when we sell him.

Adeboyejo, Lakin, Powell, Butcher and Taylor were our main shirt sellers.

Overall Best 11

Season Accolades

Adeboyejo was the obvious winner of Player Of The Season and Terry Taylor managed to get the Young Player Of The Season.

Taylor is very talented. I just got him tied up to a new contract but he wanted a £1.5m minimun fee release clause to clubs in higher divisions.

Hopefully nobody activates it just yet.

Supporters Profile

We lost a few social media followers but other then that the supporters groups stayed the same which I have never seen before but I like it. 

The board are disappointed I didn't play attacking football due to the 5-3-2 tactic I was using but I think my tactic was quite attacking and also was defensively solid at times.

They are reserving judgment for me when it comes to signing players under 20 for the future.

To cover this I have signed a few youngsters released by Prem teams just to keep the board happy but I will prioritize the youth academy players of Burton first.

[Ronaldo Beckham]

We have managed to upgrade our Youth Level from Category 3 to Category 2 now. 

It will cost us £853k which is a bit mistimed by our board considering we are £3m in the red.

During the season we have managed to upgrad the Junior Coaching to Average and Youth Recruitment to Fairly Basic.

The improvements wont be as often as I would have liked until the finances are better.

 

[Ronaldo Beckham]

Burton Albion Season 2 Transfer Business So Far

He wanted to go and Motherwell offered me double what his value was. He will be missed as he had a great season for us but onwards and upwards.

We also get 25% of the profit on his next transfer so hopefully he will get a decent transfer in a season or 2.

Our finances are a lot better now.

When it comes to incoming transfers other then signing quite a few players getting released from the Prem teams I am quite excited about Kyle Hudlin who I signed on a free transfer from Huddersfield.

If he does as well as I think he will then I think he will end up a superstar and go onto to bigger things giving us a good profit on him when we finally sell him.

 

[Ronaldo Beckham]

Burton Albion Season 2 Review

Competitions

A nice 11th position finish for Burton which is an improvement on last season. We started well and was 2nd for a while but our form plummetted and we lost quite a few games but picked it back up near the end.

I want us in the Play Offs next season.

We were knocked out of the cups very quickly with us losing to Birmingham in the 1st round of the FA Cup and losing to QPR in the 2nd round of the Carabao Cup.

Best Players

Victor Adeboyejo

The Nigerian Nightmare Adeboyejo had another great season with 22 goals from 38 games played and an average rating of 7.21.

Amadou Bakayoko

Bakayoko was our signing of the season with 14 goals, 7 assists and an average rating of 7.19. I managed to sign him on a free transfer and the 6 ft 4 giant of a man was a problem for League One defenses.

Honourable mention to Jack Diamond who came in on loan in January and scored 7 goals in 14 games and was amazing. His contract is up in the summer so I am hoping to sign him.

Best Overall 11

Player Accolades

Adeboyejo got player of the season and Terry Taylor got the young player of the season.

Supporters Profile

Nothing changed other then we lost a few social media followers.

We have managed to upgrade our Youth Level to Level 1.

We also now upgraded the Junior Coaching to Good academy coaching and and now have Average Youth Recruitment.

We also managed to get a Golden Generation come through the youth ranks this season so hopefully in a year or two they will become first team regulars.

 

 

[JawZy]

 

happy we got playoffs after being in automatic spots early on. we beat northampton on pens in playoffs

 

Edit: came to an end when after 10 games into new season we lost to Lincoln and were struggling down in 23rd!

Edited January 16, 2023 by JawZy

[JawZy]

WeAreBromley

Season 1 Overview

League

The board wanted a mid table finish and the fans wanted a playoff finish, we started off with good form and having a bit of a wobble towards the middle and very end of season. We ended up finishing in the playoffs of the national league - 6th to be precise, Bromleys highest ever league finish on record

Playoffs

FA Cup

Board wanted us to reach the first round. In the qualifying round we played Hemel Hempsted away and won 6-1. in the next roud we had a great away tie against Sheff Wed but we lost 4-0

FA Trophy

Board wanted us to get to the quarter finals, but we lost 4-0 in the third round to Maidenhead Utd.

Squad

I am very happy with the squad this season, to the point I dont really see much change to the first team this summer, we will look to bring in future prospects though

Finances/Transfers

We ended the season with 300k in the balance, and the board are allowing us to spend just over 100k if needed

We made a profit of 200k and 5k came in through two player sales - but our biggest income came via a loan out - 60k by Mantova, who loaned in a player I signed who couldnt be granted a work permit, Also we had one of our youngsters head to Portugal on a loan that cost 23k

 

[JawZy]

WAreBromley

 

Season 2 Overview

League

To go into last day if season with a chance of the title and winning it was simply fantastic as newly promoted from non league last season

Cups

Carabao Cup

We lost to Cheltenham in the very first round which was disapointing

Papa Johns

We lost in semi finals to eventual winners Oxford United

FA Cup

We got to the 5th round where we lost 2-0 to Man City , who heavily rotated, but were still to good for us. On the way to this stage of the cup we saw off Solihull Moors, Southend, Swindon and Mansfield

Squad

The team performed well above my expectations - the additions of some very old players plesently suprised me when they started performing for us, Roque Santa Cruz especially with the 9 goals while aged 42! Also Overton is a youngster from Peerboro initially signed in to be a rotational, but started bagging goals alot

Finances/Transfers

Financially at end of season 2 we sit at 2.7m in the balance, this is mainly due to the FA Cup run and a loan out with a feee of 1.2m on a gk who couldnt get a work permit

 

[kopfan1977]

4 hours ago, JawZy said:

WAreBromley

 

Season 2 Overview

League

To go into last day if season with a chance of the title and winning it was simply fantastic as newly promoted from non league last season

Cups

Carabao Cup

We lost to Cheltenham in the very first round which was disapointing

Papa Johns

We lost in semi finals to eventual winners Oxford United

FA Cup

We got to the 5th round where we lost 2-0 to Man City , who heavily rotated, but were still to good for us. On the way to this stage of the cup we saw off Solihull Moors, Southend, Swindon and Mansfield

Squad

The team performed well above my expectations - the additions of some very old players plesently suprised me when they started performing for us, Roque Santa Cruz especially with the 9 goals while aged 42! Also Overton is a youngster from Peerboro initially signed in to be a rotational, but started bagging goals alot

Finances/Transfers

Financially at end of season 2 we sit at 2.7m in the balance, this is mainly due to the FA Cup run and a loan out with a feee of 1.2m on a gk who couldnt get a work permit

 

 

Big Mac still going strong.. 6.92 rating as well is decent.