Rakow, Rennes, Stats Based Save (Moneyball)

[cheeza]

Skin: Sas23.6

I have started unemployed & simulated forward until January 16th 2023, this way I will have 6 Months of stats to use when starting the save.
One of the teams that was available was Rakow from Poland. I will be using a stat only approach for this save.
I will be leaning heavenly on the work done by
FMStag https://fmstag.com/statistics-what-does-good-look-like-in-fm23/
A FM Old Timer https://afmoldtimer.home.blog/
The Cult Of FM https://www.youtube.com/@TheCultofFM

What is moneyball?

As a manager of Raków Częstochowa, I would like to take a moment to introduce the concept of "Moneyball" and the importance of statistics in modern football.

"Moneyball" is a term that originated in baseball, referring to a strategy of building a competitive team through data analysis and statistical modeling. This strategy has since been adapted to other sports, including football. By utilizing statistics and data analysis, teams can identify undervalued players and make informed decisions on player acquisitions, tactics, and performance evaluation.

In football, statistics can be used to evaluate a player's performance, identify strengths and weaknesses, and make predictions about future performance. They can also be used to analyze team performance and identify areas for improvement.

At Raków Częstochowa, we will be using data and statistics to make informed decisions and improve our performance on the field. This approach allows us to make the most out of our resources and build a competitive team.

Club background:

Raków Częstochowa is a professional football club based in Częstochowa, Poland. The club was founded in 1920 and has a rich history in Polish football. Raków has played in the top division of Polish football, the Ekstraklasa, several times in its history, with its most recent promotion to the league in the 2019-2020 season. The team plays its home matches at Stadion Miejski im. Ernesta Pohla. The team has a strong support base and is known for its passionate fans. The club's biggest achievements include winning the II Liga in 2019-2020 and the Polish Cup in 2021.

I have started unemployed & simulated forward until January 16th 2023

Club Objectives:

League Table (From when I joined) 11th February 2023. League prediction of 3rd.

Player stats

Backroom Staff

First Transfer was Tom Rothe from Affiliate club Borussia Dortmund. Zero wage contribution.

Starting Tactic: Might be a little too defensive currently, but let's see how it goes.

Results after 2 games: 2 Wins

 

[cheeza]

5 Games to go! Up into 3rd.

Chicken Dinner!!!

New Budgets for the coming season:

Wage budget has gone from 56,000 to 135,000

 

[cheeza]

FMStag Team analysis:

a few gaps in the team, I will be looking to recruit the below positions

LB/WB - Need cover as Rothe's loan doesn't look like being renewed.
ST - Would like a more potent striker
Wide AM - Need a few more options
GK? Team stats say we are ok here.

Data hub team analysis:

First stats only purchases:

Stjepan Loncar, D(M) better defensively than my two top midfield's.

Dominykas Barauskas D(C)
high interceptions indicates good reading of play, headers won is good, and pass completing is excellent.

 

[cheeza]

Start of season 2 update:

Amazingly we won 4 champions league qualifiers and made it to the Champions league proper! along with $12M. League results are going well and I have sign a few new players, Mostly based on scout recommendations and a few wonderkids.

Transfers: Sold the GK for 3.2M, this enable the signing of several new players.

 

[cheeza]

Mid season review:

Knocked out of the champions league.. Did get a draw to Ajax but got smashed in all the other games.

Domestic league is going very well.

Player stats.

Current Tactic:

Stats:

 

[cheeza]

End of Season 2:

Champions again! Polish FA Cup and Polish Super Cup winners!

Player stats

Transfer Focus: CB & Striker if I can find anyone interested in joining.

FM Stag Player Analysis for the season.

League Medium/High Players:
The only player to score medium was my loan player Hugo. Who I have just signed permanently for 675k

Stats Based potential Centre Back options

 

[cheeza]

Stade Rennais?

 

[cheeza]

Mid season Rennes summary:

Signed one player at the start of the year....Matheus Cunha!!! 975k. He was unhappy at the club, and its safe to say he's our best player now!

Team stats

League table:

Results:

FMstag team rating:

A few players don't even register low rating! lots of work to be done.

I would like to sign the below positions as a priority mid year / end of year
GK x2
CB x 3
WB (L/R) x2
ST x1

Mid season signings: I am finding it hard to find affordable players that meet the required stats. I might need to wait for season end when hopefully we will qualify for champions league football.

DM.... Nicolo Rovella on loan and an option to buy

Loan Only:

Actual Moneyball signing! 2.8M 19y/o excellent save ratio, goals prevented and pass raito.

Scout report signing. 1M upfront and 2.5M after 40 league goals.

Moneyball loan with option to buy: On par with existing CB's cover for the season. Not sure if I will purchase.

 

[sahajpal97]

Nice save so far.

 

[cheeza]

End of year review:

League table:

Schedule:

Team FMstag ratings:

Transfers in:

END of ContractNOT Moneyball)
Conor Gallagher:

Moneyball FB & CB:
CB - Jose Sampaio - 1.7M 20y/o
FB(R) Raoul Bellanova - 6M 25y/o
FB(L) Nicolas Fernandez Mercau - 5.25M 25 y/o
CB - Jackson Porozo 6.25M 24 y/o He ended up not agreeing to our contract..

Player stats

 

[cheeza]

Season 2 - Rennes - Mid season review

Tables -
League: doing well in the league again and
Champions league has been pretty good. Still to play Arsenal and FC Bayern

Schedule - Getting closer to PSG - Won the preseason cup on pens and drew 3:3 at home.

Player ratings

Start of year transfer summary

Doria (DC)- Stat based signing
Zirkzee - End of contract signing
Gaglardini (DM)- End of contract signing
Broja (ST) - Loan -
Sepp van den berg (DC) - Loan
Plogmann (GK)- Stat based signing
Cedric Dumas (GK)- Scout wonderkid signing

FMStag ratings

Tactic:
1. When I am the stronger team

2. Away from home against stronger opposition.

Comment on injuries: I have been getting a lot of injuries this season, so I have made a change to how I manage training. After each game I am setting the training intensity based on the physio recommendations & all others to AUTO. This looks to have helped in the short term.

Data hub:

Defence still needs to be a priority. I would like a backup FB(R) and DC(R) and maybe a number 1 GK. Yusufu & Plogmann are just not getting it done.

Mid season signings:

 

[Tuttocampista69]

Raków is actually quite far from moneyball IRL. They got bought by a very rich polish businesmann and within few years they've climbed from 3rd or 4th tier in polish football to the best team in the country. Sure they are very well organized football club but compared to the other teams in Poland they do spend a lot. Good luck with your save.