Football Manager 2014

[Dan]

Yeah, I'm finding it tough to keep a clean sheet. Even when controlling against weaker teams I always seem to concede to their one shot or a cheap set piece.

 

Jeeze, after those missed pens you'd think it would be your day!

 

I finished 5th in the league this season but I'm about to spunk £15m over 12 months on a 17 year old right back who's already shit hot. So that's most of my transfer budget gone already. A couple of free's at CB should mean I strengthen and next year I'll add to my attack. With Knocky, Fierro, Barkley and Carrasco all doing well I should be alright for firepower.

 

I was fifth by December and absolutely laughing but we've been in freefall in 2015. At the end of the day though, I'd have took 17th at the start, and barring an absolute disaster I'll stay up despite using a 16 year old regularly. I'll reap the long-term benefits even if we have blown what was at one stage looking like a possible Europa League finish.

 

How much did you get second year? I want at LEAST £15mil.

 

Still pissed off about Knockaert. He's joined a team that are 13th in Ligue 1, what a weapon.

[Haydos]

I was fifth by December and absolutely laughing but we've been in freefall in 2015. At the end of the day though, I'd have took 17th at the start, and barring an absolute disaster I'll stay up despite using a 16 year old regularly. I'll reap the long-term benefits even if we have blown what was at one stage looking like a possible Europa League finish.

 

How much did you get second year? I want at LEAST £15mil.

 

Still pissed off about Knockaert. He's joined a team that are 13th in Ligue 1, what a weapon.

 

I got like £4m second year. The thais left though so I've got some responsible cheapskate in charge

[Dan]

I got like £4m second year. The thais left though so I've got some responsible cheapskate in charge

 

Graham Taylor here

 

I've made a lot of money though. I'll be absolutely fuming if I only get £4mil.

[Dan]

I'm sinking like the titanic here. I'm 15th with 6 games left and play host to 19th placed Burnley next, who are level on points with 18th. If I lose this I'm in serious trouble IMO, if I win then it'll take the most disgusting, absolutely foul, appalling antics from Leicester to go down.

[Beliall]

taken a few days off this, still upset about having to sell a load of players to get under my new budget, kept some good ones but cant win and am unable to bring anyone in because some of the players went on loan, bringing another face would put me over budget at the end of the season. if i can keep these guys up ill have done well, but im gone as soon as better job comes along

[cityfanlee23]

Going to start a new Leicester save now after reading all this!

 

 

Got my leicester into the premier league comfortably last time, 

 

problem is I get bored playing with the same team for a long time, I was given an impossible job last time after our sugar daddy owners the thais sold up to a cheapskate, who took money from the club and gave me FA to spend in the premier league...

 

I use a 13133 Tactic (or a 1343 if you want to put it that way)

 

 

ST         - ST       - ST

LM   CM              RM

                 CDM

CB          CB        CB

 

               GK

 

It is working wonders, 

 

Been testing it intensively, Been promoted with Cambridge, Huddersfield, swindon, Leicester, and brighton

 

And I won the league and FA cup double with west brom, Shane long is a machine in the tactic scoring 46 in 37 apps (ALL IN FIRST SEASON)

 

I did not create it so no credit to me.

 

But you do need to buy players to fit the formation or you will play terribly, Bit of a cheat, but I got bored of making tactics for certain teams, Rather use a tactic I know and buy players to fit it with the budgets available at each club!

 

Can give a link if anyone wants to try it, but note you DO need to sign players to fit the tactic or it wont work, If you do that successfully, it improves any squad.

[Dan]

Can you do a screenshot of your actual formation? Mine is pretty similar.

 

Mine is...

 

GK (D)
CD (D) - CD (D) - CD (D)

WM (S) - DLP (D) - BBM (S) - WM (S)

AP (A)

P (A) - DLF (A)

 

GK - Miguel Pinto, Matt Jones

CD - Lasse Nielsen, Wes Morgan, Marcin Wasilewski, Liam Moore, Jacob Sharman

RM - Seb Larsson, Mattia Cassani, Simon Davies, Ikechi Anya

DLP - Danny Drinkwater, Matty James

BBM - Matty James, Andy King, Marco Soares

LM - Jeff Schlupp, Reto Ziegler, Zoumana Bakyogo, Ikechi Anya

AP - Jason Holt, Stuart Armstrong

DLF - Fernando Forestieri, Javier Patino, Jeff Schlupp, Danny Hoesen

P - Chris Wood, Jeff Schlupp

 

Priority for next season is a new defender as quite frankly, the current crop are shit. Sharman will be world class, but he's only 16 and getting about 6.4. Moore and Nielsen are doing well, Morgan & Wasilewski are totally out of their depth. I may extend Pinto's deal but if I can improve I definitely will, he's nothing special in goal.

 

Losing De Laet to Standard Liege (what a joke) is my main downfall. He had the highest average rating in the league at one stage. Larsson is better technically but lacks pace considering I only use one player out wide. Cassani isn't bad but doesn't offer the same set pieces. Anya is turd and leaving. Ziegler is only on loan and Schlupp/Bakayogo keep doing the business so not a load to worry about there.

 

Midfield could do with improvement. I'm convinced I've forgot someone though.

 

My attacking midfield is very decent considering they cost a combined £1mil in fees. No priority there although neither are Knockaert.

 

New forward needed as Wood is the only good one at this level.

[Haydos]

Going to start a new Leicester save now after reading all this!

 

 

Got my leicester into the premier league comfortably last time, 

 

problem is I get bored playing with the same team for a long time, I was given an impossible job last time after our sugar daddy owners the thais sold up to a cheapskate, who took money from the club and gave me FA to spend in the premier league...

 

I use a 13133 Tactic (or a 1343 if you want to put it that way)

 

 

ST         - ST       - ST

LM   CM              RM

                 CDM

CB          CB        CB

 

               GK

 

It is working wonders, 

 

Been testing it intensively, Been promoted with Cambridge, Huddersfield, swindon, Leicester, and brighton

 

And I won the league and FA cup double with west brom, Shane long is a machine in the tactic scoring 46 in 37 apps (ALL IN FIRST SEASON)

 

I did not create it so no credit to me.

 

But you do need to buy players to fit the formation or you will play terribly, Bit of a cheat, but I got bored of making tactics for certain teams, Rather use a tactic I know and buy players to fit it with the budgets available at each club!

 

Can give a link if anyone wants to try it, but note you DO need to sign players to fit the tactic or it wont work, If you do that successfully, it improves any squad.

 

I like developing a tactic myself. I don't think I'm very good at it though as I always end up playing the same passing style. Getting better at playing counter attacking but that relies on a solid defensive effort.

 

I'd like to figure out a really direct attacking one that doesn't rely on counter attacking. Would like to aim for a high number of shots + clear cut chances.

[Dan]

I want to as well. I used to master it on 11 but not so much on 13/14. Maybe a 4-2-3-1 with wing backs, wingers/inside forwards, a shadow striker and deep lying playmakers would be the answer. Seems to be the one in Germany and they play some very attacking stuff.

 

I think it's hard to be direct without counter attacking. Requires sublime midfielders.

[Beliall]

i dont know what to do!

 

 

attend the interview and take the job? or stick with jomo cosmos?  scottish prem has to be seen as a step up in my virtual career but should i do a runner from cosmos? had to save and quit to think it over

[Haydos]

I want to as well. I used to master it on 11 but not so much on 13/14. Maybe a 4-2-3-1 with wing backs, wingers/inside forwards, a shadow striker and deep lying playmakers would be the answer. Seems to be the one in Germany and they play some very attacking stuff.

 

I think it's hard to be direct without counter attacking. Requires sublime midfielders.

 

That's what I use as my standard home tactics... 4-2-3-1 with 2 CM's, AML AMC AMR. Try to play more defensive players in the centre focused on ball winning and deep lying playmaker with instructings of short passing, less dribbling etc. Idea was that they'd distribute to the AM's and the 4 'forward's would handle the attacking play.

 

Don't think it works the way I intended though as there's a lot of patience around the box. Not sure if that's entirely down to having 'work ball into box' ticked or not. A lot of my play seems to come from my wingers or through balls to them cutting in. I need to move away from 'exploit flanks' but it's so effective.

[StanSP]

i dont know what to do!

 

 

attend the interview and take the job? or stick with jomo cosmos?  scottish prem has to be seen as a step up in my virtual career but should i do a runner from cosmos? had to save and quit to think it over

 

You can attend the interview and still not take the job. Take part in the interview and see if the Well board agree with your 'visions' and 'philosophies'. If you can get enough money for wages/transfers and there's a realistic target (Europe qualification?) then there's nothing to stop you from not taking the job.

 

In my Leicester save, I had job interviews offered from Fulham & West Ham on the same day. Mainly accepted the interview simply because it was a new feature so I was curious .

 

Whenever I'm Leicester, I always get so attached so do my utmost never to get sacked and always, always, reject other jobs. That latter one always gets the board and fans and players happy!

[Dan]

That's what I use as my standard home tactics... 4-2-3-1 with 2 CM's, AML AMC AMR. Try to play more defensive players in the centre focused on ball winning and deep lying playmaker with instructings of short passing, less dribbling etc. Idea was that they'd distribute to the AM's and the 4 'forward's would handle the attacking play.

 

Don't think it works the way I intended though as there's a lot of patience around the box. Not sure if that's entirely down to having 'work ball into box' ticked or not. A lot of my play seems to come from my wingers or through balls to them cutting in. I need to move away from 'exploit flanks' but it's so effective.

 

I think it's probably down to something as simple as the opposition sitting back because you've got better players. You could have the worlds best player in every position and you wouldn't go ripping through every side because of their own set up.

 

I'm trying to work on a 4-2-3-1. 3-1-4-2 was appalling and didn't land me a single point, to my surprise. 3-4-1-2 works although I'm starting to question that - I'd say it's the players rather than the formation.

 

I've found the ideal RM to play my formation and I truly am sick to see he only signed for his current club in the summer for £1.5mil.

[Beliall]

i dont know what to do!

attend the interview and take the job? or stick with jomo cosmos? scottish prem has to be seen as a step up in my virtual career but should i do a runner from cosmos? had to save and quit to think it over

You can attend the interview and still not take the job. Take part in the interview and see if the Well board agree with your 'visions' and 'philosophies'. If you can get enough money for wages/transfers and there's a realistic target (Europe qualification?) then there's nothing to stop you from not taking the job.

In my Leicester save, I had job interviews offered from Fulham & West Ham on the same day. Mainly accepted the interview simply because it was a new feature so I was curious .

Whenever I'm Leicester, I always get so attached so do my utmost never to get sacked and always, always, reject other jobs. That latter one always gets the board and fans and players happy!

cheers. I chose to decline it. despite everything, jomo is MY team now. I cant walk away.

[Dan]

If you're working up with an African side then you may be onto something.

 

Think you should aim for your first 'Champions' League by about 20/21 although not really sure what sort of money you get there.

[Beliall]

I would like another job in africa, kaizer chiefs win everything every year, so I doubt their manager is going anywhere . 909k for winning the african champions league. 606k for the runner up

[LCFC FOX]

Going to start a new Leicester save now after reading all this!

I could do with a backup tactic, link?

Got my leicester into the premier league comfortably last time,

problem is I get bored playing with the same team for a long time, I was given an impossible job last time after our sugar daddy owners the thais sold up to a cheapskate, who took money from the club and gave me FA to spend in the premier league...

I use a 13133 Tactic (or a 1343 if you want to put it that way)

ST - ST - ST

LM CM RM

CDM

CB CB CB

GK

It is working wonders,

Been testing it intensively, Been promoted with Cambridge, Huddersfield, swindon, Leicester, and brighton

And I won the league and FA cup double with west brom, Shane long is a machine in the tactic scoring 46 in 37 apps (ALL IN FIRST SEASON)

I did not create it so no credit to me.

But you do need to buy players to fit the formation or you will play terribly, Bit of a cheat, but I got bored of making tactics for certain teams, Rather use a tactic I know and buy players to fit it with the budgets available at each club!

Can give a link if anyone wants to try it, but note you DO need to sign players to fit the tactic or it wont work, If you do that successfully, it improves any squad.

 

Link?

[The Horse's Mouth]

My time at Kasierslautern keeps getting better, been a superb start to the 2nd season in the First Division.

[cityfanlee23]

For anybody starting a new game, and playing championship or above, Here are 2 signings you need to pickup early!

 

was going to put this in the fm14 thread but thought more people would see here, so feel free to merge it.. However it could help alot if they are struggling.

 

 

Richairo Zivkovic - "Approach to sign" He will cost you 500k compensation, he is 16 years old and an absolute MONSTER of a goalscorer, in the old leicester save I had (Before it got corrupted) he scored 18 in his first season as a 16/17 year old, within 3 seasons was worth 19m and had bids from barcelona of 26m

 

approach him on your first day, and offer him 10k PW, Reason being he will sign within 2 days because the offer is so big.. (panic signing)

 

 

He will accept 4k per week, BUT! DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK he "waits to make his decision" 

 

Then you get the message that the word has got out that you want to sign him, and then barcelona, man utd, liverpoo, chelsea. the lot. all try to sign him and you lose him..

 

 

Offer 10k and he accepts in 2 days, and he will pay that off after about 10 games! 

 

 

 

 

 

More quality prospects on free transfers are:

 

Alberto cerri Striker from Parma (750k compensation If I remember rightly) 

 

Mario Pugliese (Atalanta.. about 650k compensation) These 2 players are not as good even though they cost more, they take 2/4 seasons to be anywhere near first team status so only buy them if you have spare money..

 

 

Out of the 3 choose zivkovic everytime, turns out to be a superstar for 500k.

 

 

Franco zuculini is a quality free transfer, however he will cost you minimum of 20k per week to land as the big boys come in... He will sign for them for 8k but you need to offer 20k to get him, Worth it though...

 

 

Lassad - Tunisian striker, Worth every penny of his wages - Free transfer, 

 

 

After about a week, Man city will put boyata on the transfer window, You can pick him up for 400k, and they will also accept 200k upfront 200k over 48 months to lower initial fee... He has the potential to be a quality premiership CB, will play for 9k a week.

 

Finally Rob hulse is very effective at league 1 and championship, scored 12 assisted 7 in 18 for me at leicester.

 

My advice that has worked wonders for me on all of my saves in league 1/championship (I've been testing a tactic so played quite a few different saves)

 

Zivkovic - Best signing you'll make,

Boyata - Get him 2nd, 400k

Rob hulse - Overpowered, Free transfer

Lassad - Overpowered, Free transfer

Keith fahey - Free

Zivkovic - If you have the money to spare, 

 

All together you will spend (On those advised in the list above) 900k (More if you offer agent fees etc)

 

And will need around 40-60k free wages, I sold nugent, konchesky, st ledger and danns to make this handsomly, 

 

I then sent out drinkwater and james on loan (Fits my tactic)

 

So made this money easily after adjusting budgets accordingly.

 

 

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

 

Good luck all.

[Dan]

I'll look at Zivkovic.

 

Lassad was extremely average. Patino bagged a few in the Championship on a free. Simon Davies did well for me too.

 

Not really found any wizards but I think the goal machine of FM14 is going to be Timo Werner. Not cheap though.

[cityfanlee23]

I'll look at Zivkovic.

 

Lassad was extremely average. Patino bagged a few in the Championship on a free. Simon Davies did well for me too.

 

Not really found any wizards but I think the goal machine of FM14 is going to be Timo Werner. Not cheap though.

 

 

Alberto cerri scores alot given time as he turns into a quality player, But he take 2/3 seasons to get motoring so you cant rely on him to score you up the table!

 

Zivkovich will probably be a decent club if you are halfway through a season already?

 

If its a new save i would reccomend buying him seriously, 

 

Just started a new save, will post my results up later, going to skip a season to show you, then ill play properly

 

 

Just signed ivan klasnic on a free, only wants 5k Pw

[Dan]

I'm 6 games from finishing my first year up in the PL with Leicester. I was 5th in January but have been in freefall in 2015, and now sit 15th with relegation a genuine possibility should this utter crap continue. I won't take a point from my last 3 games either.

 

If I stay up I'll look to start making serious progress. It's become an 'if' though considering I've taken 7 points in my last 15 games I think. Total capitulation.

[Dan]

I would like another job in africa, kaizer chiefs win everything every year, so I doubt their manager is going anywhere . 909k for winning the african champions league. 606k for the runner up

 

About as much as you get for winning one group game in Europe

 

If you get the chance at Kaizer Chiefs then jump. Bag your first one and move onto Europe.

[Beliall]

yep. just have to win a game. its mid December I have 9 points and one win.

was thinking of doing south korea next, but going by the amount of league one clubs offering interviews, if leicester ask me ill do it for free and try and win it with them.

[LCFC FOX]

Now do one for lower leagues