Re: Football Manager 2010 : Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:03 pm  

I've not scored from one set piece in the whole of the season, anyone any advice on that?

Anyway, first season over and done. Finished 3rd and got myself back in the title race, only to blow it right at the end of the season. I was at one point about 7 points behind Liverpool and United at the top, but managed to actually climb above and go top of the league, on goal difference and same games played. With 6 games to go, all was looking good and i had a chance to win the league, but i drew away at Portsmouth and lost to Tottenham, which effectively cost me the league. I did win the league cup, and lost in the FA cup final in the season. At one point there was reports that i would be getting sacked, even though i had reached all expectations. It proved them reports were rubbish and i've just signed a new deal.

I've signed Villa and Chiellini for next season, both costing me massive money, but when you have that kind of money, then you need the best players in the world. I've already sold Johnson and Jo, and i'm looking to offload Bellamy and maybe one or two more. Also, i brought in Van Bommell and Deco, both on free transfers to add some experience to what is a fairly young squad. I do have a big squad at the minute, but i will be letting a few players go. I'm also looking to bring in Modric if i can, he had a very good season last season. My first choice was Ribery, and after agreeing a deal with Bayern, he went to Real Madrid.

After the money i've spent, i must win the league next season and probably push on towards the Champions League.

Re: Football Manager 2010 : Tue Jan 05, 2010 6:38 pm  

saint billy wrote:

I've not scored from one set piece in the whole of the season, anyone any advice on that?

Anyway, first season over and done. Finished 3rd and got myself back in the title race, only to blow it right at the end of the season. I was at one point about 7 points behind Liverpool and United at the top, but managed to actually climb above and go top of the league, on goal difference and same games played. With 6 games to go, all was looking good and i had a chance to win the league, but i drew away at Portsmouth and lost to Tottenham, which effectively cost me the league. I did win the league cup, and lost in the FA cup final in the season. At one point there was reports that i would be getting sacked, even though i had reached all expectations. It proved them reports were rubbish and i've just signed a new deal.

I've signed Villa and Chiellini for next season, both costing me massive money, but when you have that kind of money, then you need the best players in the world. I've already sold Johnson and Jo, and i'm looking to offload Bellamy and maybe one or two more. Also, i brought in Van Bommell and Deco, both on free transfers to add some experience to what is a fairly young squad. I do have a big squad at the minute, but i will be letting a few players go. I'm also looking to bring in Modric if i can, he had a very good season last season. My first choice was Ribery, and after agreeing a deal with Bayern, he went to Real Madrid.

After the money i've spent, i must win the league next season and probably push on towards the Champions League.

How much for Chiellini and Villa ?

Re: Football Manager 2010 : Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:29 pm  

Rughead wrote:

How much for Chiellini and Villa ?

About £80-90million for the pair. Although, i offered about 35-40mill upfront, and then loads of extra bits. Took ages for them accept an offer though.

Re: Football Manager 2010 : Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:07 pm  

Just began my game. Started unemployed and got offered the job from Tranmere. Played my first league game against Yeovil and won 4-3 after going 2-0 down and just beat Shrewsbury in the first round of the league cup 3-2 after going 2-0 down

Think my defence might be needing some improvement but my fans have probably never seen so many goals!

Re: Football Manager 2010 : Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:41 pm  

Renegade wrote:

Just began my game. Started unemployed and got offered the job from Tranmere. Played my first league game against Yeovil and won 4-3 after going 2-0 down and just beat Shrewsbury in the first round of the league cup 3-2 after going 2-0 down

Think my defence might be needing some improvement but my fans have probably never seen so many goals!

Know exactly what you mean!

Still in pre-season with my Fleetwood team and after a 7-0 win over Tiverton to get me started, two tough friendlies were lined up against BSP opposition.

First up was Forest Green and after concerning two goals in the first 15 minutes, things didn't look good. Slowly but surely though I pulled my way back into it and ended up with a 2-2 draw.

Next up was Luton at home and, after going 3-0 down inside 23 minutes and going in at HT 3-1 down, I somehow turned it round into a 5-3 victory.

One thing that is clearly evident at this level is that pace is king and unfortunately, my two centre halves have none of it. Seriously, they make Paul Wellens look like Usain Bolt. The chairman has given me plenty of wiggle room on the wage budget though which has allowed me to bring in a few tidy looking free agents. There's a young defender available on loan from Huddersfield who should be able to handle these whipper-snapper strikers. Forget his name but I'm trying to get him on board.

Re: Football Manager 2010 : Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:37 pm  

Rughead wrote:

How much for Chiellini and Villa ?

I got Chiellini for £38m at the start of my game, the scout report said £31m but they kept negotiating to £49m until I bid £38m which was accepted. Chiellini and Fazio are absolutely unstoppable on it, if you can have quick full backs of a quick anchor man in front of them, the defence is pretty much perfect. I use Anthony Annan who easily becomes one of the best holding midfielders on it, he's like Essien only 1/10th of the price. I have de Jong as well but I prefer to use him as a ball winner, whereas Annan is better at sitting and becoming a third centre back, like.

Can get Stevan Jovetic for £13.25m on mine, think I might have to invest but I'm hoping Milan's poor season means Pato will be available.

Re: Football Manager 2010 : Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:39 pm  

Blobbynator wrote:

I've started with Liverpool as I knew they'd have feck all to spend with big expectations. I crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage and I'm 6 points behind the leaders, so I'm doing slightly better than Rafa. I did win my 3rd round FA cup tie at the Emirates though. I think I'll have to win the FA cup, go well in the Europa and take the leaders all the way to stay in a job though.

I've signed Kalou and Belleti from Chelsea on the cheap and have released the likes of Babel and Dossena to raise funds. I'm looking to add Riquelme to my squad next season on a free transfer and blow my budget on a striker. I think I'd have a fairly good squad then.

Oh and Aqualani is gash.

Managed to close the gap at the top to 2 points at the top after going on an amazing run of form around Christmas time to March. I'd love to win the league, but my last game is Man Utd away. Thankfully, Chelsea have also got them a couple of games earlier. I've also progressed into the FA Cup Semi Final (where I play Chelsea) and the Quarters of the Europa cup where I face Aston Villa.

I've signed Riquelme on a free transfer for next season and will have a look round for some other players on the cheap. Saha was available on a free from the end of January, but not sure if Everton have re-signed him up. I could do with some cover at the back really and another striker. Torres is a beast and Kalou is awesome up front with him. When I lose Torres to injury (like I did for 3 months early doors) my form dips big time. and Kalou can't seem to do it on his own unlike Torres.

Anyone know of any good, cheap buys? I've had a budget of £2m for this season and I really don't think I'll get much more next season (if I'm in the job obviously).

Re: Football Manager 2010 : Tue Jan 05, 2010 11:30 pm  

Well I'm now in charge of Norwich having resigned from Luton in season 2012-13. To use a well worn cliche, I felt I'd taken them as far as I could. I inherited a team in 10th in L1 but with a worringly skinny squad, so reinforcements were brought in. To my surprise Jermaine Beckford was unattached so he was brought straight in. A shocking run of 4 defeats in my first 4 games in charge began put doubt in my mind, but out of the blue, and with the aid of the returning Caleb Folan and a change in formation, we beat Southend 4-1, league leaders Doncaster 4-2 away and Barnsley 4-0. With the transfer window coming up I'm hoping for a big run to the end of the season.

Re: Football Manager 2010 : Wed Jan 06, 2010 1:53 am  

After reading this thread i dusted off my CM -07

Took the York City job in the Conference
1st Season Finished 18th
2nd Season Relegated
3rd Season Champions of the Conference North
4th Season finished 2nd back in the Conference and lost the Play Off final but won the FA Trophy.

Just been offered the Grimsby job who won the Conference.

Re: Football Manager 2010 : Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:19 am  

Started with Liverpool, could see a sacking coming so applied for the Leeds post and got sacked for doing that after finishing 3rd and reaching CL final. Now with Leeds, unbeaten for 8 games, steady side i took on, just struggle at times. Could push for the playoffs.