Firstly, great thread! Impressive.
After years & years of buying FM on release day… I’ve only purchased FM23 today!
This is mainly down to an immersive Everton save on FM22.
So, as I stood on the terraces of the BBG when The Rams were last in tier three… and in homage to the inimitable Mr Clowes & the very entertaining Paul Warne… my first save has to be DCFC.
I always eliminate the first transfer window - I believe this adds reality/ fairness.
I will be using my Everton ‘strikerless’ tactic from FM22 (or a fairly close variant).
It was entertaining and successful.
It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out in a lower league.
In any case… CFs are expensive and always highly sought after… so it makes life a tad easier!
The tactic centres on IWBs (so Knight should be a huge bonus - who’s signed a new contract with no min release clause).
The DMC is a roaming playmaker sitting behind a CM-A & a B2B - so Hourihane will share this pivotal role with Bielik (who I’ve recalled from Birmingham).
The AMC is a SS, so Didzy had best step up to the plate!
I’ll retrain Collins as a AML (maybe a Raumdeuter?!?!) - see if he’s as good as Calvert-Lewin was for me.
Tactics = fast short passes with high pressing (ideal for the plethora of young midfielders). I’ll toggle between Bal/Pos/Att.
My key aim will be to trust in the youth system and ostensibly English talent.
I’ll convert players to fit the IWBs, RPM & SS positions. I’ll only buy young prospects that fill gaps in my squad.
I’ve maxed-out the staff and made training and team harmony a top priority.
It’s a huge risk in terms of philosophy, tactics and future planning; especially at this level.
But, it makes the challenge more unique.
It could be a very sad… or very happy New Year!!!