A couple of days ago I was tempted to write in the 'Post your frustrations' topic but having battled for another season I am now able to post in the this topic.
I am pleased to say that although it took me an embarrasing 16 seasons I have finally won a trophy, after leading Sunderland to the Premier League title in 2025. I started the game around December/January time and it is the only game I have ever properly played on the FM series, being a bit of an old stick in the mud and just playing CM 01/02 most of the time.
It took me a while to sort things out and for a while I was happy to just potter about in about 8th - 10th positions making a decent profit, building up my stadium and getting my facilities in order. I had some issues with tactics, I was too negative, which also took too long to sort out. Another slight problem was finances. It wasn't that I was making too little cash, but actually too much. Even though Sunderland where not a PLC I was making large profits each year thinking that they would just go into the kitty, but no, they were being paided out in dividends. I wasn't expecting this, so realised I should start buying players with my cash.
This change of attitude occured in around the 2020 season. At this time I had brough through a world class striker, called Raul from Spain. I bought him from Real Madrid for about £4m and he is now worth over $35m. He is a legend. As he was getting older though and hadn't won anything for me at Sunderland, I was feeling bad. I thought I had to win something with him, or sell him and realise some cash and let him live up to his potential.
Luckily I was able to do this and win the Premiership in a battle against Man City. It has been truely emotional. Although leading for most of the season a draw in my penultimate game against Sheffield United meant I needed Burnley to get a result at Man City, while I had to beat QPR. I did my job and was thrilled to find that Burnley had heald the Blues to a 0-0 draw.
I only have one player who isn't a regen, or however they do it these days. He was Jonjo Shelvey, a player I had bought a t age 17 from Charlton for £1.7. He has made over 500 appreances for Sunderland playing as an attacking central midfeilder in a 4-5-1 formation.
I hope this will be some inspiration to all managers.
J