The football video games thread

[jod23]

Before this week I don't think I'd played FM since before xmas. 18 years into my save, and 2 years after joining Liverpool (so Dec 2036) I was sooooooo bored of the save. But having already gotten Bradford City to dominance I didn't really have an inclination do it again with a Vanarama North or South team; I've also tried and become pissed off with an A-League save where, stupidly, my Victory team were good enough to win the ACL and get within 1-0 of Barcelona, but would then lose a ridiculous A-League final. So I couldn't really think of a reason to turn it on, cos I couldn't figure out anything I wanted to do.

Anyway, I plugged away this week with what is now the Liverpool save. Interesting season actually. The first game I played in 6 weeks was the League Cup Final, which I lost to Arsenal. I was pretty comfortably 3-6 points ahead in the League for most of the 2nd half of the season, although it ended up closer than it should've. Arsenal were a point behind me, but they had literally 1 goal ahead of me on goal difference (the goal that cost my best ever regen the golden boot) - so if they'd drawn and I'd lost they could've won the league by a goal.

We played Arsenal again in the FA Cup, which we won on pens. We played Arsenal yet again in the Champions League which we dominated 3-0. And with that, I was ready to pack it in. Until I realised that we were only a few weeks away from the Club World Cup, which I'd won 8 years earlier with Bradford City. We made it to the final, we lost our elite striker (best ever regen) and our only decent GK (cos I'm a badass who only carries 1) in training 2 days before, and we lost the final to... guess who? Arsenal!

I'd won the Super Cup and the Community Shield, so it was almost a perfect season but for the League Cup and Club World Cup (or season + 1 week).

I was done with the save... but then I decided "hmmm... maybe here's where I use the coach profile and ability I've built to go win the A-League." So, having won everything, I engineered a resignation from Liverpool over their refusal to sign a player we didn't even need, and waited for an A-League opportunity to express interest in.

But... after 2 weeks of unemployment? Barca's manager quit to take my post at Liverpool, and they'd offered me an interview. What was I going to do? Of course you interview with Barca! I got the job... it was only then that I realised that their squad is positively ancient. It makes their current real life squad look like U23s. So, despite scouting being one of my favourite parts of the game, I've actually had a really rubbish evening trying to rapid-scout a whole new team with much, much less money than you'd expect Barca to have.

Try the Pentagon Challenge bro. A classic...

Your goal? To win the Champions League - or its equivalent - in five different continents. Sounds easy right? Not exactly.

You have to start the game unemployed with no coaching badges and no previous footballing experience. This makes the first few years of the save a real grind as you scramble desperately to get a job in the Chinese First Division.

Once you finally achieve that first continental cup win, things start clicking into a gear as you globetrot your way around some of the biggest clubs in the world. Just be prepared to sink quite a few hours - or days - into this one.

 

[darth_timon]

Been 'adventuring' with Aldershot on FM21. Never truly attempted to start a career at the lower end of the pyramid before, quite enjoying it. https://meerkatmusings.co.uk/the-football-manager-2021-story/

Sent from my ELE-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[nobbyiscool]

Guys, I need help.

As you know this is my first version of FM, and I’d run out of motivation on my first major save.

But I was able to rejuvenate my interest when my dunce brain figured out how to add new databases without spending the money on Steam for custom databases.

So, being a Tasmanian by birth, I’ve taken control of SV Tasmania Berlin in the German 5th tier.

My problem is, despite HOURS of work scouting and approaching free agents, no one will play for me. I stopped even scouting them - I started going through every German free agent, amateur and non-contract players.

I even went down a division to a regional comp based in Berlin.

But cos I can’t pay anyone more than $40 a week (other teams in the league are paying up to $480) no one will play for me.

I set up a senior affiliate in the 2nd div... but they don’t lend me any players cos they want them playing in higher divs.

I now play my first game in 2 days and I can’t field a team.

Can anyone give me advice? How do I find these players?

 

[nobbyiscool]

I've even been going through released players in Berlin today - and I still can't pay them enough to "move".

 

[Cruyff14]

Time to start a new file I think mate.

 

[nobbyiscool]

On the contrary, I think it was the challenge I was after. We’ve got some 15-16 year olds already better than our first team players, but they’re too young to play in Germany.

So I’ve just gotta survive relegation with whatever scraps of s**t I can pull together, and things will get better quickly.

A new save wouldn’t help anyway! I’ve also discovered that someone on FM Scout has created an 11-tier system for Australian football with pro/rel. I haven’t checked it out yet, but I suspect my junior club is going to about tier 10 of 11; so this is good practice for that!

 

[nobbyiscool]

God this is a bummer. I was so pumped when I figured out how to do this. But I might just have found Germany’s worst club.

I’ve ended up doing full on research of the German league structure, thinking that if I could get free transfers from lower divisions in the Berlin region I could at least get some numbers in the squad.

Nup.

Cos Tassie Berlin are newly promoted to div V, you go back to the regional div VI teams in Berlin... and they have players worth 20, 30, sometimes 60k.

Meanwhile I haven’t got a cracker to spend. Not a cent. Even if I sold a player - and I only have two with any value, one $12k the other $2k - the current amount I’m keeping is 0%.

So I’ve gone down 2 leagues... and I’m finding players telling me my team doesn’t meet their ambition. WTF? You’re pretty much playing social football in div VII!

I’ll keep it going, but I’m going to struggle to stay up, and the promotion playoff system at regional level is a bitch.

This is brutal!

 

[bok_party]

On the contrary, I think it was the challenge I was after. We’ve got some 15-16 year olds already better than our first team players, but they’re too young to play in Germany.

So I’ve just gotta survive relegation with whatever scraps of sh*t I can pull together, and things will get better quickly.

A new save wouldn’t help anyway! I’ve also discovered that someone on FM Scout has created an 11-tier system for Australian football with pro/rel. I haven’t checked it out yet, but I suspect my junior club is going to about tier 10 of 11; so this is good practice for that!

I checked it out and it’s pretty good.

Also check TNS in wales. They tend to have some decent players for cheap

 

[2006_Eagles]

The new "cinematic" camera angle in next gen FIFA is the last straw

 

[nobbyiscool]

I’m not sure I’m long for this save.

I can bare the hours spent scouting.

I can bare amateur players who live in the same city not even agreeing to see an offer.

I can bare having 2 shitty “club pros” who cost money, who I can’t get rid of, and who don’t do anything but bitch at me as club leaders.

What’s really driving me insane is opposition div V scoring ******* worldies every game. Literally every game this season has seen at least 1 scored from outside the box. I was up 3-0 at half time before they poached a goal... then scored 3 bombs to beat me.

Wtf? I know the defenders aren’t shutting guys down as quickly, I know the keepers aren’t as good. I know that div V in Germany is a long way below the 4th tier of England where I started my Bradford City save. But this is ridiculous, and I’ve never experienced it playing the game before.

The reason I think I’m not long for the save is that I’m unemployed, living on debt, and this save appears to be a laptop breaker.

 

[nobbyiscool]

Oh, this itch I have to scratch.

They were about to sack me cos we’d been 14th (out of 16) all season, which put us in the relegation zone. I think if I’d lost the next game to the 13th place side I’d have been gone. This is despite pre-season expectations that we’d finish last.

Down 3-1 at half time I threw out the tactics and, using the theory that my “club pro” - a striker - seemed quicker than most defenders, and I have another striker who is a hack, but 193cm tall, I put a target man & poacher up front and went with a 4-4-2 direct CA.

We won that game 4-3... and so began a crazy run of luck, thinking outside the box, and playing really, really hideous football Ie. “Hoof it forward to the beanpole and have the pro run off him.”

Come January we’re in twelfth and looking ok... but still couldn’t sign anyone. I spent the entire Djokovic match last night asking every single free agent; going down a division looking for amateurs/non contract players; looking for loan deals (and getting a few clubs to agree) from clubs that I thought were a similar level - Polish 2nd div, Danish 3rd div, that kind of thing. I got an affiliate team in the 3rd div, went to loan the worst of the worst just to get numbers in the squad.

I still couldn’t sign a single guy. Every player said no. A couple (like, literally 2 or 3 players) got as far as contract negotiations... but then the clubs abject poverty screws you. And then there’s the guys who last played 6th div, haven’t had a club for 6 months, but still “don’t think my club meets his ambition.” w***ers.

It’s now March, and the good news is I’m up to 9th. Which is as good as it’ll get, cos the top 8 have kind of broken away from the bottom 8. The club pro has scored 36 goals from 26 games, including 6 goals and a perfect 10 in an 8-1 demolition of the 2nd bottom team. I’d never seen a perfect 10 player rating! (Apparently the lads took offence to going 1-0 down.)

The bad news? I can’t afford to keep the club pro next season, and he’ll leave for free. I can’t even afford to sign the best youth prospect I’ve ever seen at any of my teams.

So I guess it’s a waiting game. I can survive and wait for my juniors to mature, cos my squad of 16yos are actually better than the senior team... ultimate success is whether we can become financial enough to hold onto players long enough to monetise them.

I think we’re literally going to need to promote with a squad of 17 & 18 year olds on $25 week (against teams spending ~£5000 a week on wages) to make any of this work. And I’m not sure that can be done playing football that’s uglier than a sweaty ball bag.

 

[jd2010]

New save with Norwich. Going to try and replicate what Dean Smith is doing with Villa with a lot of English talent. Helps having Cantwell and Aarons.

Signings: Ahmedhdozic 3.7m, Leon King 500k, Max Normann Williamsen 1.5m, Luke Daley 300k, Dael Fry 10m, Ritchie-Hosler 500k, Magnus Kofod 5m, Arvin Appiah 2m, Alex Bermejo 2m, Javi Puado 6m, Fredrik Bjorkan 3.5m, Sturridge free (did his hip out for 5 monnths), Amartey and Brady on loan.

Was thinking about going a level lower and starting with Norwich's rivals Ipswich but they've got 0 funds!

 

[Cruyff14]

I am trying to buy Williamsen now. Milan want at least 60m.

 

[jd2010]

I am trying to buy Williamsen now. Milan want at least 60m.

Yeah I have bought for the future on a few of them. He is in my U23 squad for now.

Also forgot I got Klaeeson the young GK. He is my backup to Krul and has performed well in a few cup games and the league game I forgot to rotate him out for.

So it's a British-Scandinavian theme I'm going for with a couple of Spanish speakers in the mix

 

[Bradesmaen]

Gone back to my 2019 game (the last one I bought). 2nd year of Weston Super Mare and just below the promotion places in the National League. I cant believe how little I played of 2019, think I got it for cheap though before 20 came out. Hardest part is like nobbyiscool trying to get players to play for you on low wages.

 

[nobbyiscool]

Genuinely gutted...

After 3 seasons with Tasmania Berlin we promoted to the 4th division. During the off-season I got to a point where the game wouldn't save. I tried a new save, I tried saving in a new place - nothing worked. I thought "s**t, I'm going to have to go back to the last auto save".

Nope. I've spent the last hour re-starting my computer and the game, trying a couple of different versions of the save - they're all ****ed. Even the cloud back up that I made sure I did last nigh is ****ed.

I might be done with this game... I was so pleased with the progress after the really difficult start, I have almost no interest in re-starting again.

 

[jd2010]

Going to try an Ipswich Town save. Get them back into PL is my first goal. Then win a trophy and qualify for Europe and try and win them their 2nd UEFA Cup or 2nd top flight league title.

Last time they won the UEFA Cup Robson got nicked by England, last time they won the league Ramsay got nicked by England. If I manage to hit either of the two goals I'll move on to the England job.

Going pretty well so far. Up to January in my first season and I sit top of the league.

Having Troy Parrot is a steal. Then used my prior save knowledge to sign Muenta the Thai striker, a Saffa ST, Keanu Baccus from WSW is doing well as Flynn Downes backup. Dozzell, Bishop, Harrop are all very good in midfield roles. Signed a 30 year old Turkish FA who is a dead ball specialist and has 9 assists already. At the back again prior knowledge used to get Djorde Petrovic in goal who has been immense after a very poor start, Gazzaniga jnr is his backup and does a good job. Ro-Shaun Williams and Whatmough were good gets at CB. But it is Woolfenden (spelling?) and Tanganga on loan who are my standouts.

Spurs were sitting last after 11 games with 4 points and sacked Mourinho. Got Laudrup in charge now. They are still bottom but starting to get some points and close the gap.

 

[Punt Road Feral]

Genuinely gutted...

After 3 seasons with Tasmania Berlin we promoted to the 4th division. During the off-season I got to a point where the game wouldn't save. I tried a new save, I tried saving in a new place - nothing worked. I thought "sh*t, I'm going to have to go back to the last auto save".

Nope. I've spent the last hour re-starting my computer and the game, trying a couple of different versions of the save - they're all f’ed. Even the cloud back up that I made sure I did last nigh is f’ed.

I might be done with this game... I was so pleased with the progress after the really difficult start, I have almost no interest in re-starting again.

That’s shithouse and terribly deflating.

I remember I took Coventry from L2 to Prem and CL and lost about 2 months of the season from a save error and I cracked it and did a new save so I can’t imagine how you’d feel losing your entire save and having nothing to reclaim.

 

[bok_party]

Going to try an Ipswich Town save. Get them back into PL is my first goal. Then win a trophy and qualify for Europe and try and win them their 2nd UEFA Cup or 2nd top flight league title.

Last time they won the UEFA Cup Robson got nicked by England, last time they won the league Ramsay got nicked by England. If I manage to hit either of the two goals I'll move on to the England job.

Going pretty well so far. Up to January in my first season and I sit top of the league.

Having Troy Parrot is a steal. Then used my prior save knowledge to sign Muenta the Thai striker, a Saffa ST, Keanu Baccus from WSW is doing well as Flynn Downes backup. Dozzell, Bishop, Harrop are all very good in midfield roles. Signed a 30 year old Turkish FA who is a dead ball specialist and has 9 assists already. At the back again prior knowledge used to get Djorde Petrovic in goal who has been immense after a very poor start, Gazzaniga jnr is his backup and does a good job. Ro-Shaun Williams and Whatmough were good gets at CB. But it is Woolfenden (spelling?) and Tanganga on loan who are my standouts.

Spurs were sitting last after 11 games with 4 points and sacked Mourinho. Got Laudrup in charge now. They are still bottom but starting to get some points and close the gap.

Whatmough is crazy good for someone who’s stats aren’t amazing. He came up with me from my pompey season and still gets loads of starts. Tosin adorabioyo is good tok

 

[Punt Road Feral]

So fast forward a few seasons I’ve stabilised myself as a solid contender with Forfar in the Scottish Championship.

I’ve finished a respectable 7th in my first season and backed it up with two seasons of 2nds losing the playoff final to the Premier Leagues 11th placed side over two leagues.

In all honesty I haven’t had the overall quality to win the title for direct promotion and same goes for the two league play offs against a much bigger side.


Although it might seem like I’m stagnating the club is progressing as a whole.

My highest earners were on 70k per season so I was always well under wage budget and the club has a healthy bank balance of $1m plus.

Finally after two seasons in the championship my players valuations went from $30-60k to $100-350k so I’ve been able to sell off some ‘decent’ players for inflated transfer fees and replace them comfortably on the cheap.

I’ve won some silverware in the INBRU Cup which is for teams outside the top tier and I’ve constantly made the last 16 or 8 in the Scottish Cup.

In my third season I finally struck gold in the cup which is now opening up my options for my fourth season.

I got drawn Rangers in the last 8 at Ibrox and although I got smashed 4-1 I’ve netted $8.4m in shared gate receipts which is astronomical for a tinpot club like me. With a second place finish and good prize money I now have $10m in the bank!

After persistent nagging of my board they would always reject turning full professional but after getting all that money they’ve finally accepted.
I’ve immediately renegotiated all contracts especially my youngsters in the hope they improve out of sight.

With the added money they’ve also accepted my request to expand the scouting network to all of Europe so now

I’m laughing to find some cheap gems in other countries. Before this I could only scout in Scotland which really limited my options with loans and transfers.
I’ve added some cheap 4 star loans and transfers all over the park so I really need to get promoted this season or I may get the sack as the board is expecting this.

My only weakness is GK and RM who are both 3 stars and ensuring my strong depth is content with limited playing time.

 

[jd2010]

Whatmough is crazy good for someone who’s stats aren’t amazing. He came up with me from my pompey season and still gets loads of starts. Tosin adorabioyo is good tok

I really hope a few of bishop, dozzel, nydam, downes and woolfenden still are starters for me in the PL. Would be great to turn them into England internationals one day too

 

[nobbyiscool]

Following my corrupted Tasmania Berlin save, I took a week to lament, I played some other games that remind me how much I love FM... and I saddled up and started again.

Having figured out lower division recruiting, I managed to promote out of div V in the first season. (Top 2 go up, I finished 2nd.)

2nd season I battled bravely and finished 13th out of 18 (bottom 4 go down.) 3rd season actually went a little worse league-wise - I finished 14th, needing a final day win to secure safety.

BUT - I got the absolute dream run in the Berlin Regional Cup and won it. I played div 6 teams all the way through it, until I beat div V teams in the semi and the final.

Which qualified me for the German Cup. I wasn't sure if I wanted a big fish, or if I wanted something potentially winnable against another regional champ... not that it matters, you don't get to choose.

My draw? Current reigning Bundesliga champions RB Leipzig. I haven't played the game yet, so I can't tell you how bad the destruction was... but I guess it beats the hell out of being eliminated by some boring div 3 team.

3rd season in 4 and I still see myself more likely to be battling relegation than promotion, cos we're dirt ******* poor. We're playing against teams who have wage budgets 10, 20, 30 times more than ours; they might have 10 players who are individually being paid more than my whole squad. Bayern's II team just demoted into my div 4, and they obviously compete for promotion - literally infinite wages. I haven't quite figured out how to overcome this yet. We struggle to get loanees, and every off season is a battle to stay as good and not go backwards, cos we're in debt and our wage budget is shrinking.

 

[jd2010]

Gotta be the craziest final day I have seen but not been involved in.

Liverpool lead by 2 points from Arsenal going in. And 3 points on Utd with a +4 goal difference.

Where to start. Arsenal just need to beat mid table Wolves with a Liverpool defeat and it's theirs and they get spanked 6-1. United leading 3-2 need two more goals to win the title. In true United fashion two stoppage time pens and they clinch it.

 

[Cruyff14]

Gotta be the craziest final day I have seen but not been involved in.

Liverpool lead by 2 points from Arsenal going in. And 3 points on Utd with a +4 goal difference.

Where to start. Arsenal just need to beat mid table Wolves with a Liverpool defeat and it's theirs and they get spanked 6-1. United leading 3-2 need two more goals to win the title. In true United fashion two stoppage time pens and they clinch it.

View attachment 1115050

This is bloody mental!

 

[DBAH0]