Lestri

As much as I love my Palace, that is a mighty fall from grace for Jovic! Good signs re the xG differentials, is the keeper doing his bit and staying positive on xG preventive, or just the quality of Championship strikers?

I also picked up Wheatley on a free transfer as well on my AFC Wimbledon save, was a handy squad player! Looking well placed for that 54 point minimum target!

This is pretty much my approach as well. Getting players who are essentially PL level is going to be key and making sure you have enough players that can make a difference. Loans will be crucial, especially any cheap ones. Trust the process and trust the players who you think can still deliver.

Perfection.

Great question, I can't guarantee it, but I was able to pack out the stadiums a bit more regularly with more prestigious clubs coming to Plough Lane, which brought an increased cashflow in. I recall there was some value in the TV rights, if and when you get them, but it won't be easy going, especially with higher wage demands.

I did. Unfortunately my approach was to get up to the Championship as quick as possible, which I was fortunate to do as there wasn't much of a quality change between League One and League Two. Got a Chelsea affiliate that got me some free loans, and free transfers. Predominately my approach was, if my players have a value and someone meets that, then I accept it, regardless of their importance. Was a bit painful, but the finances were so poor I had no choice.

The former Matildas (Australian women's football team) coach called them "Game Changers" for similar reasons!

That old chestnut aye. Really have to rely on back to back promotions to start getting some of that sweet Championship sugar to stop the bleeding, but gosh it's hard.

Oh how I love Bugiel, he was much fun in that big lump upfront role. Excited to see how you find League One!

As much as I don't like it, this is a good change and makes things a little more realistic. I do wish there was a better way to influence personalities more when you have the youth players, other than moving them into the senior squad or using that workaround of adding them to senior training, then Asst Manager allocating them and adjusting from there. Like outside of training you'd expect the senior pros to have some sort of relationship with them? Other than that, the little changes tactics wise has been great to see.

Hope you beat the "other team" in a way that destroys them. Great visuals on the importance of role/position partnerships. JJ could be very handy if you can hold on to him.

Just caught up to date on this as I've been bogged down with real life over the last six months or so. Great progression. What would you say is the biggest thing you've learnt as a FM player from this save?

It's always a good time trying something different. Actually ended up being my usual FIFA way of playing back in the day. Low possession, fast transition and ping it to the big blokes up front. Outscored Haaland in season one which was a nice surprise! I reckon ICT could be fun with that! Maybe try the Highland Charge as the inspiration of the tactic of fast overloading attacks.

Welcome back! I've been doing a Crystal Palace save to fill in the time with a kick it long and high to Mateta to bully the defence tactic. Been much fun! Hope ICT don't let you down!

It is fantastic to see AFC Wimbledon in great hands! Just caught up, looking very well placed. Any players that you have been underwhelmed with?

I enjoyed my brief time with AFC Wimbledon as my main save of FM24, where I blogged it just over an season's worth. You'll have fun!

Love the work mate. Look forward to what comes next!

Been playing FM for a long long time now, and you alternating the role they will be training in every month is the first time that idea has ever crossed my mind! Love learning the different ways people approach Youth Development. Both of them look very handy, will be keeping an eye on how they go at the end of the year!

In a FM world where most people like to hold back the youngens until they are 18 to give them first team minutes, it is refreshing to see the other approach of "if they are good enough, then they are good enough" for Pape Seck!

The type of player that if I was an European club I'd be thinking that release clause is an absolute bargain! What a player.

Had a longer look at them and here's my thinking on each Vrignaud - I think has the potential to play any role in the DEF/CDM positions. Any crossing in the double figures makes me excited, and his mentals and physicals are solid allround, so any CB, FB/WB and CDM role could do based on your tactics. I also thinkhe has the potential to be a handy player if you wanted to change from a traditional WB to a IWB, assuming his ball playing related attributes improve over time. Miath - I agree Mezzala is his best current role, but I agree with you that RPM should be his endgame. His determination and aggression does also wonder whether he could also be handy in the PF-S role if you wanted to be a bit leftfield, however in some playmaker role is my overall suggestion. Amara - LW/RW/ST I think is the best for him. Got some work to do to be effective, but I'd focus on those areas. Bensmann - Agree, even with his low determination and casual mentality, he does excite me. FB/WB/LM/RM and the CDM role to use that potential engine would be my thoughts on that. I did do a Vaduz save a few FMs ago so any Liechtenstein player gets a bump in my eyes! Mohammed - basically the same as Vrignaud but a little less exciting.

Favourite - Vrignaud and on a blank slate and play him in a Half Back Role - solid heading and bravery and could be handy with experience to play that role. I'd get Bensmann in a BWM role as well with some mentoring, he could be handy there.

*Chefs kiss* - love the analysis here. I must confess, the last few years I have been a stickler for doing my tactic and not tinkering based on the opposition, but this type of analysis does make me think about a different style of playing it!

Herman looks like an absolute bargain! Hope he can perform at the higher level.

Other than fatigueness re Gijon, are there any teams that take your fancy?