BML

Tell me your wife doesn't use these forums without telling me your wife doesn't use these forums

Napoli love buying your players don't they. That's, what, 3 now?!

Have you compared the information on the Eligibility tab for each of the players on this table? As I think we've discussed before, there are two different types of HGC and the two highlighted guys might not have the required one.

Even after your record run in the CL, Scotland still achieved their lowest coefficient score for 5 years. Really highlights how important other clubs are for improving a nation's standing.

You have a nice big scouting budget there, I'd be using that to increase your Scouting Range from the current setting of NOTHING to anything. If you're focusing on bringing in homegrown players, then Norway will be fine, but I'd always set this to as high as possible to let you cast your net further afield.

I was going to comment on how your most recent star graduates are 5'3 and 5'4 respectively, but then remembered where you were managing and how it's probably not that much of an issue! RE: The prize money for the cup, I'm assuming the rep increased to a level that prize money was introduced. You had better start taking it more seriously!

If/when you move on from Selfridge, will you be bringing in another Big Lad to replace him? He (or a similar lump) was half the reason you thought you could save Rangers in the Tullibody thread.

Based on your description, and from my own saves on the continent, Chile > Columbia feels like too much of a sideways step for somebody with the success of Coloccini at this stage on his career. Narratively I would only expect him to move to a job in Argentina (or maybe even a cheeky appointment in Brazil if the original premise is ignored) if he is staying on the continent.

Shame to miss out on the title, despite meeting the board and fans expectations of a 'title challenge'. This season has shown your team belongs in the Champions League so hopefully the qualifiers won't be too hard for you. If you wanted to look for a silver lining, from a nation building point of view, having two teams in the CL League Phase (assuming you qualify) could do wonders for the coefficient.

Agree with the above, although as you're already outscoring every one else domestically you shouldn't go too mad. As your squad is built with your diamond in mind, utilising WB(A) on each side should bear some fruit, assuming you have the players for it, as well as moving your Mentality up a notch. Like @warlock, I've also had decent success using Balanced mentality, but with a far more aggressive formation should you want to totally shake things up.

This has confused me in the past also (and you, I seem to recall, sure you've raised this, or similar, with SI previously). The game seems to confuse itself on second and third sales of a player with % clauses.

It's strange you didn't even get an interview, I'd have assumed that with your league wins at Viking alone you must be one of the top Norwegian managers in the Hall of Fame.

Oof, that's quite a downgrade in likely attendance next year with that ground share - it's a good job you're not hurting for the money. Still no VGB cap for my favourite youth intake player, and now he's Scottish. Such a shame as I love seeing smaller nations get players come through and stick around the national team.

You definitely lasted a lot longer than I'd have thought based on your starting point and the club you chose. I wonder how this would compare to a save under the same conditions with similar 'trigger happy' boards, say at Madrid or PSG (Watford obviously aren't as big).

Nice to get the two (presumably) Pot 1 games out the way first, should allow a nice run for the rest of the games without the potential morale hit.

Surely making frivolous signings of your former players who don't really fit into your system is your prerogative when you have that much in the bank? If it helps soften the financial blow, his Worldwide rep will likely (minimally) bump up your merch and ticket sales, plus if he helps your Second XI out of the CL League Phase for his two years, his ~£40m price tag will have paid for itself. I'd have made the same decision as you have.

My initial thought was that there are two different versions of HGC (0-21 and 15-21, I think) - well at least there are Wales - and the registration page is looking for a specific one without saying so. [From memory] You can see which each player has from Overview > Information > Eligibility. I might be barking up the wrong tree but it could explain the discrepancy between the players listed.

Oof, 10 shots on target and 8 went in? A 5.6 rating for your 'keeper is generous.

Cheap and dirty it may be, but a promotion's a promotion (and an (improved) language is a language) and they all count the same.

Yeah it's as I thought, your 30 goals conceded were over 17 league games, but it's comparable to a few other teams in the league so not a massive concern (although Brann conceded 6 fewer over the same period and Molde/Valerenga conceded the same or less with 1 fewer clean sheet). Hopefully the (3?) new centre backs you've signed will help get you to Brann levels and make things a little easier in retaining your title next season.

Your statement above doesn't match the graphic, unless I've missed something somewhere. What I do find interesting, assuming I'm reading correctly, is that you conceded your 30 goals across 17 games (games played minus clean sheets). So, while this isn't huge, defence is definitely the area I'd be looking at making moves this off-season.

BVI aren't one of those teams that don't play games at youth level are they? (I'm not in-game to check right now) Could explain it. Assuming their senior team do call-ups (pretty sure they're at least in WC qualifiers and a Nations League) I'd assume he'd start getting called up once he's playing senior football - even if it does feel a bit late considering his undoubted talent compared to his compatriots.

I have been doing the same as Hootie with my second XI playing in the League Phase of Europe once qualified, as winning the league (and qualifying for Europe) was more important - I've only just made the switch to first XI in Europe as my 2nds are more than good enough for the league now. In order to keep squad players happy I'm always conscious of their agreed playing time (I've got nobody above Regular Starter right now) and tend to lean towards the 'you're more of a squad player' conversation option if they do kick off - most are happy to accept. Those that don't I'll try to play more, but make sure I don't officially promise anything as this can come back to bite you. When you consider I have a 32 game league season, European games (starting from 2nd qualifying round), an FA Cup, a League Cup AND a Scottish Challenge cup to play in, I manage to give nearly all players 15-20 starts a year across all comps, which seems to keep them all happy at 'Regular Starter' levels.

Disappointed you've not signed any Indian players yet! Although without your years of building the country up, they must all be pretty naff.

I'm disappointed that your BVI newgen isn't getting capped straight away by the national team (I think they're good enough to play friendlies, if not qualifiers). Even at 15 I'd have thought the AI would realise that with his attributes and personality he would make a huge difference to their team. Unless, of course, the kid thinks he can make it in Scotland?