Brian

With the limited strikers at my disposable, very good! League table Results (The bad run in form was when I had to play 2 attackers, due to an injury) Tactic Main strikers (Hibbs was the one injured)

Same here. Using a 3 striker formation in the lower leagues of England (10th tier), because the defenders on that level have a very hard time dealing with 3 strikers pressing and moving.

I'm currently managing in the 10th tier of England, just like you. I don't use opposition instructions. Like you said, with the mental levels from the players at that tier, you want to give as less as instructions as possible. That's also the reason I don't use Player Instructions at this level. It's the same with team instructions, as few as possible, but still be able to play the tactic I want (Route One/counter).

That is alright, but he hasn't got any club interested in 3 months. And then the game is programmed to go ahead and let 3 other clubs put in a bid... that's kinda weird. If other clubs are interested, I completely understand what you said. So if I make a bid and then put him off my shortlist, other clubs aren't going to bid for the player?

Does anybody have the same problem? Just made an offer for a free player on my shortlist. I trialed him in August and put him on a shortlist. When I just offer him a contract in November (3 months later!), he instantly received offers from 3 other clubs. This has happened to me all the time, missing out on a lot of players. But the most frustrating thing is that they've had zero offers in 3 months and as soon as I put in an offer, other teams submit one as well. Is this a general thing or a bug?

Going Route One in the 10th tier in England. Almost bottom at the league in terms of possession, but first at goals scored and non penalty xG.

Every year I managed some big teams like Ajax, Celtic, Barça, etc.. and go for the complete total football experience. As I'm from the Netherlands and Johan Cruijff is my biggest inspiration, it's always fun recreating teams from the past that played total football. But, I never make it past season 3-5, as I get bored fairly quick due to the teams being so strong in their respective leagues. So I wanted to give myself the ultimate football manager experience and started to manage on the 10th tier in England, at Sidmouth Town A.F.C. Went there on holiday some years ago, so I thought it was fitting to managing them to the Champions League. After almost everybody rejecting my contract offers and joining other teams, I managed some players to come and play in Sidmouth. We went from expecting to finishing 15th to 3th. With only one promotion spot, it's going to be brutal.

Kilmarock is bottom at my save, although they're underperforming xG points by 14 (!). How much are you in debt? European money always helps. But I would look to make room in your wage budget and singing free players only. You should be getting in the Champions League within 2/3 seasons. And with that money, you can look for good, young players to eventually compete with Rangers and Celtic.

It's a fantastic way to develop your youngsters. The fact that they're playing in the second division of a country (number 38th in the world). This means the best talents play there when they're 17 or 18 y/o and then at 18/19 when playing time matters most their in the first team or another league to get playing time. When I'm managing Ajax, I use the following method: First year: Ajax U18 Second year: Jong Ajax (Netherlands second division) Third year: Move to the first team, loan or sell. Maybe at Volendam, you want them to play for 2 years at your Jong team for development. In real life, most Jong Ajax players play between 40-60 Jong games before making the jump to the first team.

One of the most intense finals I've ever managed on Football Manager. Managed to overcome a 3-1 trial at half-time.

I usually look at playing time. Most of the time this highlights the best players, but more importantly when playing the star/important players you don't have players complaining about player time. This really helps with your dynamics and atmosphere at the club. Also, I watch player reports and look if they are consistent performers and if they like big matches. This helps allot imo when trying to get consistent performances from players. And if you are not sure if a player is good enough, compare him with players in the same position from teams that are expected to finish above you. This will give you an indication if your player is good enough to be in the league. For lower leagues, I think in general speed, strength and teamwork are most essential. Hope this helps.

Results are really coming together. Callum McGregor in the ''Frenkie role'' at HB really impresses me.

Running the 4-2-3-1 that is inspired on Ten Hag's 4-2-3-1 at Ajax. Some roles are based on the playing player: Right wing Daizen Maeda - Winger support Liel Abada - Inside winger support Striker Kyogo Furuhashi- Advanced Forward attack Oh Hyeon-Gyu - Pressing Forward attack

Currently trying to play Ten Hag ball (Ajax 18/19) at Celtic and going really well. Yes, I know Celtic are just overpowered. c

After watching some videos late at night from the Ajax squad back in 18/19 under Ten Hag, I decided to give it a go. Still tweaking, but the first results are very good.

I somehow found a save file from 2026 in that save. (I moved on to Ajax and was in 2029). But this was the tactic I was using at Arsenal:

Does it work the same with Individual Mentality? When you change the Mentality, the individual changes too. Is that still relevant, or does it come down to player role and duty? Example: Does it effect when you up your Team Mentality to increase Individual Mentality and therefore how a player acts on the pitch in their selected role?

Before I start with a real save with Barça, I mostly speed run 5 seasons to see what is possible. I must say that Real Madrid is really strong this year. They've had back to back unbeaten seasons.. Nevertheless, the talent Barça produce this year (and already have(!)) is fun for tactical flexibility. And you get results like this fairly easy.

There is this great YouTube channel called Evidence based Football manager, which have great video's. There is one, for example, for player growth which you can watch to find out what is more important in what age.

Nothing special. On top of my head: CM: Based on player strengths Both IW: Stay Wide and Further Forward

Yes.. and let's just say Real Madrid is ridiculously good in FM this year. They have had two seasons in a row now where they went undefeated in La Liga. So no titles just yet.

Poor Levante..

I believe in a collective playing style. Big inspiration for this is the Netherlands (World cup '74 and '78. Pressing together as a whole, switching positions with each other as a unit. Defend, support or attack duty affects player mentality (defense and midfield on support as a Positive mentality, center backs and DPL Balanced and attackers Very Attacking). All units have the same mentality and as such press as one. The creative freedom that I look for in players helps them press together and making decisions on the pitch as a team, instead of relying on a few players. This reflects in the player's goal and assist contribution to the squad. Everybody gets involved. And it reflects in the Man of the Match performances. Lower tempo playing style The lower tempo is creating a possession advanced over the opponent (averaged 69% atm in a different formation with the same TI's, but playing a 3-4-3 diamond). Like Cruyff said: ''If we have the ball, they can't score'' And maybe I'm wrong in my analyses, but that's the beauty of FM. Everybody plays it their own way.

Going to make a save with Barça later this month, but I'm going to try and replicate the playing style I had with Ajax in my first season. But it probably takes a few season to get this to work at Barça Worked really well at Ajax, but moved on to a 3-4-3 diamond.

Like @Cloud9 already said above, look at their fatigue. They could have a green heart, but their fatigue is low. You can notice this easily, because your players will likely be tired around the 50-60th mark. Rotate is key, also give players rest from training to keep them fresh and sharp for the most important matches. Form (last 5 matches) Also, when you see the bad form, try to look at how players are preforming in the last 5 matches. If you see that they are over preforming their average rating, put them in the team. Morale Boost morale via training. Pick all your players that have 8+ rating in last week's training and praise them. This will boost their morale. If you have players under 6 rating, criticize them. Tactic Look at opponent's weaknesses and adapt to it. Do they have a very aggressive, attacking left back? Exploit by putting Torres on attack, so his base position is higher up the pitch. Forcing the left back to make a choice. Track your winger (pushing him back) or advancing forward, creating a lot of space for Torres to run into. Keep in mind, nobody really knows how and why you are getting a bad form when things are sky-high. But you can do your best to prevent the run to keep on going.