glennuk

Well I thought Japan would be easier than England, but for some reason it has been just as hard I think I also picked a club in an unpopulated area of Japan, where our attendance has been amongst the lowest in the league (J2 or J1) despite doing reasonably well. After almost 20 seasons we still only sell 3000 season tickets :o Playing the long game and trying (across different versions of FM) to get a YAC win in each continent!!

Nice to see you here @SkiIIs - I remember following your save fondly, as in many ways it mirrored my FM23 Worthing save

Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 18 - Japan J1 League - End of Season Review & Youth Intake League - 20th RELEGATED!! Embarrassing!!! We had 22 points after 19 games and were looking pretty in 14th and then we just were plain BAD!!! Only picking up 11 points in our next 19 games. We just let in far too many goals! The Squad Not much to say. None of my first team had an average rating above 7.0. No one stood out as being ready for J1. Our defenders were pretty poor, as were our Goalkeepers. Good News? The one bit of good news is the extra TV money should set us up nicely for the next few years. Youth Intake We had another pretty good intake overall. With a couple of promising defenders, and two interesting looking wingers. We even have an Englishman in the intake, which is rare! Signed all tagged Top 3 - Youth Intake 18 Daisuke Kobayashi (YP18A) A left footed CB with bags of potential and a mixture of good tackling and heading is something we are crying out for. Many of our defenders have decent tackling, but can't jump (which Daisuke can't) or head the ball. Hopeful that the Balanced personality can be improved and we can see a rapid increase in his middle of the road physicals soon. Seiya Wada (YP18B) We need competition on the wings and this quick winger with decent crossing and dribbling could be just what we need. He will most likely get some games next year as a sub, as we really don't have many options on the wings. Phil Cowley (YP18C) I may be a bit biased here, I just love the fact we have someone who isn't Japanese in the squad, as I miss the more diverse intakes from my European attempts (Germany and England). His physicals are already pretty good and his Fairly Professional personality is promising. I also appreciate his ability to play in multiple positions. Hopefully that will come in handy. A BUNCH of Departures We said goodbye to our best CB ( Satoru Hashimoto (YP11D)), our 2nd best winger (who could play either side) (Takumi Yoshida (YP13F) ) and our 2nd best LB (Yositaka Ogawa (YP16C)). Mostly as they were unsettled and wanted to leave. I also know for the long term good I need to improve my facilities and this funded a 3.7million upgrade to my training facilities. Training Facilities Upgrade = Excellent Season Preview So looking ahead it seems as if the bookies think we are more likely to get relegated than go straight back up. Let's prove them wrong!!

Glad to have you on board @sinns77 - My only thought on the tactic is I am not sure who will link up with your strikers here. It seems all four of your midfielders are pretty defensive (not saying it won't work, but may be worth having at least one of the CMs or wingers more attacking to link up with the top two). Also I posted this just the other day (a long read), but this helped me a lot when looking at personalities, mentoring and what is ultimately important in developing youngsters If anyone is interested I found it here - https://fmstats.com/2022-03-14-ambition-determination-professionalism/ Interesting read and I'd assume it still applies. Here is the graph I was most interested in too

Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 18 - Japan J1 League - Mid Season Review & Youth Intake Preview League For our first year in the top league we have actually looked okay. We certainly haven't been out of our depth and sit 14th after 19 games. Our attack is the tied strongest averaging almost 2 goals a game, but our defence is the worst averaging over 2 goals a game. I am going to try to survive this year, then may need to tinker a bit more with my tactics, as this has been a common trend and at this level we need a tighter defence. Other News We almost tripled our season ticket sales. I have realized an issue with this particular save is Aomori in Japan (our Home Town) is clearly not a big Football town. When I had a brief try at Haneda before this save we were getting this many season tickets in the J3 league For those who like random statistics. Aomori = 321 people per square KM Tokyo = 6,363 people per square KM Those attendance numbers may be hard to increase! Youth Intake Preview Very happy with this! A fantastic preview. We need some midfielders as I feel it is my weakest position, so a good winger and a good defensive midfielder would be welcome and of course we could always do with another CB or two.

@XaW - Have you completely given up on the 5 continent YAC Challenge? Also at the weekend I was just thinking, I want to do a Germany save after Japan (if I don't try to complete a third continent (I completed Europe with England, hopeful to do Asia with Japan - not doing all in the same save though) and was thinking I wanted to do Energie Cottbus. Also I realize there is a lot of thinking in that sentence, but well it is a day of heavy thinking here

Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 17 - Japan J2 League - FINALLY!!!! League - 2nd It was a long time coming and a very odd and dramatic season. After getting 37 points in the first 19 games, we only managed to get 28 in the next 19. We were helped with some good fortune, as on the last day of the season we SMASHED Okayama and Tosu got an early sending off which ruined their chance of automatic promotion. I was actually top until the 96th minute when Oita came back (also with a man down) to get a draw in their final game, The Squad We have been slowly improving as a team and I am pretty happy with most areas of the squad now. The midfield seems to be the biggest weakness and I am not too keen on Hayato Terada (YP14A) in goal. He is the best I have, but feel he may struggle with the step up. We also now have three strikers who I can start, which helps, as usually we have struggled in this department, but with Masami Asano (YP11B), Masafumi Nagata (YP13B) and Kazuya Ikeda (YP07H) all chipping in with 10+ goals I can deal with one being out of form on the odd occassion. Finances We were starting to struggle a bit with our finances, but our promotion and the nice increase to our ticket prices should help with that. Youth Intake We were hopeful for some reinforcements in midfield and the intake delivered. I am very happy with this group and all of the Elite Talents look like they could make it as important players for us. Top 3 - Youth Intake 17 Shunsuke Hayashi (YP17A) My first Model Citizen of this save and an area we have been needing to improve. Our Inverted Winger on the left has not been a stable position and Shunsuke could battle for that starting spot straight away. He has all the physical ability needed, but just need some improvement on the mentals (composure especially) and the technicals. I am VERY excited about his potential. Futoshi Sato (YP17B) I have had a glut of good CBs, so he may take a while to get into the first team. However he has some great starting attributes, but those physical attributes need some work for sure. Masahide Koike (YP17C) Another winger with some great starting physical attributes. Our right wing is less of a NEED NOW, but he could definitely be battling for the first team in a couple of years. Other News I got the J2 Manager of the Year Award!!

If anyone is interested I found it here - https://fmstats.com/2022-03-14-ambition-determination-professionalism/ Interesting read and I'd assume it still applies. Here is the graph I was most interested in too

Random question. Hoping someone can help. I used to have saved a FM personality graph screenshot, where I believe it was youth personality and how it impacted CA/PA. I believe it looked a bit like a horizontal bar graph and was recommended in one of the FM YAC threads. However now I can't find it, searched Google, fm forums etc. Does this ring a bell? I even think the graph had blue bars!?!?

I have been frustrated with not having the option to upgrade my Youth Facilities. So I randomly asked ChatGPT to write me a short poem....it did not disappoint In the realm of pixels, where dreams take flight, Managers strategize, in the dead of night. Football Manager 2024, a world so grand, Where every decision shapes the destiny of your band. Yet, amidst the glory, a challenge unseen, Youth facilities falter, a predicament keen. For in this digital sphere, where talents bloom, Upgrading youth hubs is like lifting a tomb. The promise of tomorrow, in fresh, young feet, Their potential untapped, yet incomplete. But budgets constrain, and resources wane, Frustration mounts, as dreams remain in chain. Oh, the agony of watching talents fade, As rival clubs flourish in their upgrade. Yet in the face of trials, true managers rise, Crafting triumph from unforeseen skies. For in Football Manager's intricate dance, It's not just about facilities, but about chance. With shrewd tactics and a keen eye, Victory awaits, despite facilities dry. So, embrace the challenge, let courage unfurl, In Football Manager 2024's intricate world. For though youth facilities may lag behind, Your managerial prowess will forever shine.

Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 17 - Japan J2 League - Mid Season Review League We made a storming start to the season and actually spent most of the first half of the season in the top spot. A recent mini blip (two losses in a row) has seen us fall to 2nd. However we still have a comfortable gap between us and 7th and our aim is surely at least a playoff spot at this rate. First Ever - 'Late Developer' A first for me so I thought would include. One of our players is now a 'Late Developer'. I know it is new for FM in general, but it was nice to see, even if he is on his way out of the club (and currently out on loan). Regrets We previously sold Masahiko Iwanga (YP10H) and now he has been sold on again. My scouts also rate him as a Leading Japan J1 League player The only good here is it is a nice chunk of change which should help with our finances dipping a bit further into the red each season. Youth Intake Preview A decent preview, but nothing spectacular (although as usual it states it will be a Golden Generation). More than anything we could do with midfielders, so hopefully the wingers are good, but nice to see 2 ML, 2 MC and 2 MR across the middle there.

Welcome to your new 'only way' to play FM I went from a curious observer to almost only ever playing FM this way!

Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 16 - Japan J2 League - End of Season Review League We had a poor second half of the season, and what seemed to be a season of pushing the playoffs, ended up being a season of mediocrity. Disappointing! The Squad We kept a relatively similar starting lineup to last year, with the biggest change being that our starting two strikers are new in their roles with Masami Asano (YP11B) and Masafumi Nagata (YP13B) being the new attacking threats. Both could do with scoring more goals, but they are still young. Finances We lost money this year, but part of that almost 2 million loss, was the 1.8 million we spent on upgrading the Training Ground. Nothing too concerning here, but getting a promotion sooner rather than late would be beneficial, especially as my top players keep demanding more and more in terms of wages. Facilities We have great facilities in general, but NEVER have the option of upgrading our Youth Facilities, which seriously limits our success in the challenge. Youth Intake We were promised good full backs and a striker and the intake provided one of each, as well as a few other decent looking youngsters. I signed all tagged. Top 3 - Youth Intake 16 Kunihiro Kobayashi (YP16A) A good looking prospect up top. We seem to be getting quite a lot of attacking talent recently. I do have some hopes for this one, very good finishing for his age and okay physicals. His composure is an area of concern and one I hope to address in individual training. Tatsuya Yamaguchi (YP16B) I love the personality, love the passing ability and the fact I see quite a few important attributes in the early teens. At 15 he has some work to do, but has a huge amount of promise and the personality to reach out. Could be in the midfield sooner rather than later. Takeshi Kaneda (YP16D) - somehow I forgot to take a screenshot of the C player. A quick young winger who desperately needs to improve his passing if he is going to make the first team. The physicals are promising, but this one is less likely to make the first team without significant improvement.

Congrats @komein svedu Looks like you had some cracking Academy Players come through. I have always failed in Germany even though it has been a country I have tried the challenge in. If I ever finish this Japan save I may head that way

Yes

Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 16 - Japan J2 League - Mid Season Review League We remain one of the leagues more exciting teams to watch. We score plenty and we concede plenty! We are definitely one of the better teams in the league and just need that consistency to push us in the right direction. Training Upgrade We have decided to splash the cash and go for a Training Facilities upgrade. Our finances have never been in too much (red) trouble and I know we need to think long term. It should also help with player development. Youth Intake Preview Min-Hyung Park has his first intake at the club (I know many will still be through our previous HOYD), and it is looking to be a good one. We don't really need another striker at this point, but a good full back and another goalie would be ideal.

Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 15 - Japan J2 League - End of Season Review & Youth Intake League - 5th As seen above, a last minute goal on the final day condemned us to 5th. Then those 'weird' league rules went against us in the playoffs. Our team is definitely good enough now to be challenging the top 6 each year. We were really good in the 2nd half of the season and if we could have turned some of those draws (3) into wins during the last 5 games of the season we would have come 2nd. The Squad We now have a squad that has some depth and a new goalie in Hayato Terada (YP14A). I have competition in most areas of the pitch and feel that we can be a constant threat at the top end of the table. It is certainly a feeling of when everything falls our way, rather than if it ever will. Neither of our strikers are prolific but Masami Asano (YP11B) a 194cm beast and Masafumi Nagata (YP13B) are starting to compete for those starting spots. Finances We are still losing money each year, but our sponsorship income is also slightly increasing each year and we have been having a few minor sales or sell on clauses coming in. Other News Our U18s comfortably won their league. My hope is a few of those highlighted as top performers will step up to the first team in the coming years. Youth Intake Another mid level intake. The elite talents all look good, but I can't see many of the top talents (or below) making the grade. I signed all tagged. Top 3 - Youth Intake 15 Jun Tsuruoka (YP15A) A talented young striker again. Last intake we got a good striker who was definitely more suited to the Poacher role and again we have a potential future poacher here. Very good finishing at this level, but some questionable physicals and not the best personality fill me with a bit of hesitation on his future. Naoki Tsujimoto (YP15B) Has some work to do before he gets into the first team. Our CBs at the moment are very solid and there are a few waiting to get their chance in the first team. If Naoki makes it, it will probably be in the next 3-4 years. He is just okay everywhere with no stand out attributes. Katsuhiro Onishi (YP15C) Another one who has a lot of work to do if he will make it to the first time. Similar to Naoki Tsujimoto (YP15B) in that he is just decent in most areas (7+ in all attributes that are highlighted as important for an inverted winger). NEW HOYD After what I would consider a relatively poor intake (even all 3 above look to be on the lower end of ELITE talents). I decided to go for a new HOYD to spice things up. My first 'foreign' HOYD. Welcome Min-Hyung park. I love the 20 working with youngsters and hoping to mix up my intakes with a South Korean or two.

Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 15 - Japan J2 League - End of Season Review League We had a good second half of the season and managed to get into the playoffs. A 90th minute goal from Oita would however move us from a 3rd place finish and that all important home team/higher team advantage (draws in playoffs don't go to extra time, whichever team is highest placed wins). Playoff Semi Final Our first game would be against Yamagata. We were by far the better team throughout the game and I thought we may lose on that higher placed caveat. However in the last minute of the game Naoki Kato (YP06F) hit a screamer and we got our well deserved goal to take us through to the final. Playoff Final We in this game were unfortunately second best. Another late late goal got us the draw, but it was not enough. I really don't like the higher position rule and especially don't like the fact that a 90+ minute goal from Fukuoka and a 90+ minute goal for Oita against us, were what essentially sealed our fate before the playoffs even began.

After not posting for almost a month (until yesterday) I am trying to catch up Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 15 - Mid Season Review & Youth Intake Preview League We once again find ourselves in 9th after half of the season. We are not far away from the playoff spots and have a chance to fight our way into the top 6. Youth Intake Preview Takamasa Koike has only been our HOYD for the past few years, so I am going to give him a bit more time. He has however not had any outstanding intakes so far. It is listed as a 5* intake, but looks similar to our last intake, where we have a good striker but nothing else of note. Other News We had 4 players in the U19 squad, which definitely bodes well for our future and shows that we are making some progress. Also Hironori Ono (YP11A) is currently the best performing defensive player in the league. He doesn't win many headers, but apart from that he is a solid player. He has been 3rd choice CB for much of his time at the club (4 years now), but has recently been starting due to his form. Our Highest Scoring Game - EVER! One last screenshot - At times we are OUTSTANDING. We had our highest scoring game and almost every single player performed amazingly. 7 goals from a 1.86 xG is also a crazy statistic!

Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 14 - Japan J2 League - End of Season Review It's NOT YOU....it's ME! League - 12th...again This season feels like another downer. At times we seem as if we can get beat the leagues best teams, but we just can't get it together when it matters most. I have a slump mid-season and it tanks position, confidence the whole lot. I know the usual tricks but they haven't worked. I am starting to tweak formation slightly, opposition instructions etc. So hopefully that will take things in the right direction, but sometimes I wonder......is it me??? This FM has been more difficult than past FMs in my youth challenging experience (which isn't long to be honest). The Squad We again have changes in our starting/best 11 in midfield. 3 changes again. So it would be beneficial if I could keep the midfield together for a couple of seasons. Atushi Nakano (YP13A) who just came through the intake a year ago has been a star in midfield. Our top goalscorer in his first full season from a CM role is pretty impressive indeed. Despite playing pretty well our strikers just didn't score enough, something we need to rectify soon and one reason why Masami Asano (YP11B) has forced himself in a starting position later on in the season. Youth Intake An intake with two goalies is one that is a great sight to behold! I need a new GK badly! The only bad news is 2 GKs and 2 MLs as my best players from the intake means there is not a great deal of variety in the true talents. Top 3 - Youth Intake 14 Hayato Terada (YP14A) Behold our future starting Goalie. His Aerial Reach does worry me, but at the same time he is not the shortest Goalkeeper. The Resolute personality is great and he is not far away from the level of our current starter who we got in the intake 10 years ago. 14 handling is lovely as is the 14 for reflexes. I think he will be starting within the next few years. Takahiro Maehara (YP14B) A decent poacher here. He has potential. Probably quite a few years from starting, but I have some hope for him. The mentals are relatively strong, but need to be improved in Decisions and Composure. The finishing of 14 is a high point and exactly what you need from a poacher. I am excited by this one even though he doesn't stand out! Hiroshi Matsusita (YP14C) I am planning to train and play him as an Advanced Forward. The finishing isn't great at this level even, but I don't play with an AMC and I think Advanced forward may be his best position, with decent passing. Although I am not enthralled by this one. May never make the first team. Other News Very Quickly Hayato Terada (YP14A) became our youngest ever player. This record may take some time to beat. Finances Things are looking okay overall financial. We have 0 debt and although we lose a little each season, we usually make up for it with a sale or two.

Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 14 - Japan J2 League - Mid Season Review & Youth Intake Preview League We had a bad start to the season, then went on a great run to get us into playoff contention. However the last 5 games have been pretty poor again with 5 points out of a possible 15. We need consistency and that just isn't coming. Youth Intake Preview Another preview that doesn't look the most promising. We do need some good Goalkeepers so the fact that there is two in this intake is promising. Hoping one pans out as our current goalkeeper is not great at all. We could also always do with a few wingers, as I have some that are okay for this level, but not many that look like future stars. Other News We had a board takeover. No impact on us at all, but hopefully they will finally let me improve Youth Facilities (that option never comes up for me ) I also got a new long term contract

Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 13 - Japan J2 League - End of Year Review League We were just kind of 'bleh', average, okay, safe. Nothing special. We also ended the season very badly. Since we have been able to challenge for the playoffs in previous seasons, it is kind of disappointing to just be languishing in mid table. The Squad We have had a bit of a facelift this season, especially in midfield, where 3 of the 4 starters are new to our starting 11/best 11. Masahiko Iwanga (YP10H) has been the most impressive of the lot. Unfortunately however this means J1 League and even Korean League teams want him and I have said I will let him go if a bid of 1.2million comes in. He is already the best player in my team and this is only his first full season in the first team (last season he was mostly on loan). Upgrades We did get another Youth Recruitment upgrade. Which means we now have: Exceptional Academy Coaching Exceptional Youth Recruitment Unfortunately Training upgrades & Youth Facilities upgrades (this one especially) have not appeared much. Youth Intake We have a pretty good intake this time around. The top 3 could be exciting, but the rest not so much.... except for the fact that we randomly got two English players (neither of which look special). Top 3 - Youth Intake 13 Atushi Nakano (YP13A) He could be very close to the first team already. With the CM position being an area we need to improve and the aforementioned Masahiko Iwanga (YP10H) being a star, but someone who may well be on his way out sooner rather than later. Decent passer and some good mentals in most area (composure is a worry). However the Physicals are just bad. Needs some improvement, but also I have some hope that he could be a goalscoring midfielder at this level. Masafumi Nagata (YP13B) He is exactly what we need in the Advanced Forward position. He can dribble to a decent standard for the J2 league, his finishing is okay, he is quick and can also pass (to some extent ). His path to the first team is probably a few years away, but I feel like Nagata could be in our starting eleven in his later teen years. Nico Capra (YP13C) A bit of bias here. May not be the 3rd best player in this intake, but I love to see different nationalities and as our first team is all Japanese, this is a welcome sight. The personality is good, but everything else (apart from Teamwork) is just kind of average. Okay passing, not great mentals, nothing special in physicals (apart from his fitness level). He may improve and get into the first team, but my hopes are not too high for young nico. Edit - Bye Bye Masahiko Iwanga (YP10H) The board....yet again....sold him from underneath me. At least it got me some new training facilities.

Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 13 - Japan J2 League - Mid Year Review League - 12th so far A up and down first half of the season. We definitely look like we belong in League 2, as we are too good to go down and not consistent enough to go up. Saying that we are only 7 points from the playoff spots so a late season run could see us fight for promotion. Youth Intake Preview We have a new HOYD and I know that this intake is mostly from the old HOYD as it takes time for them to make their mark. However I can't help but feel very disappointed in the preview, Worst one for a few years. A bunch of C's, D's and E's leaves me with little hope of any first teamer coming through the first intake that Takamasa Koike has been HOYD for. Other News We got another Youth Recruitment upgrade. Meaning we are now at: Exceptional Academy Coaching Excellent Youth Recruitment 50% Sell on Clause - SUCCESS Kenta Kawai (YP08B) - We loved him when he was at the club, but we love him even more now we have a 50% sell on clause payment that will add up to over 300,000 Lastly - Masahiko Iwanaga (YP10H) What happened here?!?!? This guy was not even on my radar 18 months ago and now he is at a Decent J1 League level. He has played a ton this season due to his quick and sudden growth, but of course is wanted by bigger clubs (J1 League and clubs in China). Being a H listed player means he wasn't even on my radar during the youth intake either, as my 8th best player tagged!?!?!

Rein Meer AKA ReinBerg - Season 12 - Japan J2 League - End of Season Review League - 9th After being in 11th mid-season we made a push for the playoffs in the second half of the season. In what was an incredibly tight race, we just missed out. 2 wins from my last 5 games was unfortunately just not good enough, which hurt as we had spent much of the second half of the season in and around the playoff spots. We even missed a penalty in our last game, which would have seen us win and jump up to 6th. The Squad We haven't had too much change in terms of starting eleven (the exception being the 3 players who left mid way through last year). Kazuya Ikeda (YP07H) has gone from strength to strength, with an impressive 22 goals in 39 starts. Ryu Joseph Hashimura the last legacy player on the books is finally retiring (after missing the penalty that could've got us in the playoffs). One sad bit of news is Daiki Sugai (YP04C) has has his potential plummet, so he is definitely not the long term solution, only being a decent J3 league player. Hopeful that I will get some more GKs in through the intakes and get them up to their potential. Ryu Joseph Hashimura The man, the myth, the legend. Came from non-league football into the Reinberg team before I took over. As a legacy player he was consistently amazing for many many years. One of my favourite ever legacy players! Finances Doing well on this front overall. A large part of the loss is due to the 1.8mil spent on the training ground upgrade. Youth Intake We had what looked like a decent intake, but none of the players really stood out to me as future first-teamers. Top 3 - Youth Intake 12 Daiki Kasahara (YP12A) Perhaps the one from this intake that could be a future first team player. My worry is with the emergence of the aforementioned Kasuya Ikeda (YP07H) and the fact that his passing is so bad, he can only really play as a poacher. With Ikeda scoring 22 goals and playing consistently well, it may be quite a few years before there is a first team spot opening. I do like his Finishing and the mentals are quite good in general (apart from Composure). Toshiki Abe (YP12B) We have struggled with our wingers for a few years now and while Toshiki doesn't seem like a plug and play in the first team, he does have that Professional personality, which could go a long way to him reaching his potential. Needs to work on his physicals and crossing especially, as I would prefer to have a pacy winger when possible. Satoshi Wada (YP12C) I don't play with a DM very often (apart from when closing tight games), so I am retraining him as a Deep Lying Playmaker already. He needs to work on his passing and vision, so he has individual training set. I had debated retraining him as CB, however there is not a huge need in that position right now and his heading and marking are pretty poor overall. Nothing too exciting about this intake, so I got rid of my long serving HOYD and replaced him. Goodbye Akihiro Miyauchi and hello Takamasa Koike. We lose some reputation, but gain a better personality with slightly better determination and working with youngsters.

Congrats @libbyshuss