Southampton - The Base For the Future?

[Massey1987]

Hello Everyone,

Long time lurker and first time poster here (H)

I've played Champ Manager/Football Manager since the days of purely commentary, prior to any of the match engine visual effects and love this game. I still remember taking Hull to the top of the Prem and beating Barca in the Champs final (all be it this was on CM 01/02) and I always have a soft spot for this game, even with all the bugs.

So, introduction done, heres the reason of my post.

I usually play with lower league teams and try and get them to the top through sweat, tears and usually alot of swearing. I thought this FM I would try something different and see what I could do with a half decent team with good prospects and I settled on The Saints. When I started the game I looked at the team and thought, perfect, no exceptional wingers (which is awesome as I can never ever get them to work) and quite a few good young players and squad depth. But ****, this team is brilliant if you look at the Midfield alone you have Cork, Ward-Prowse, Schneiderlin, Wanayama, Ramirez and Lallana, a excellent building block. Then include that you have Clyne, Chambers, Fox and Shaw for Wing Banks and you have a really solid base.

Has anyone played them and is having really good fun and doing much better than they thought? I expected to be around 12th-16th while I build my squad and get them used to playing how I play but they have been brilliant. Here are some screenshots and as you can see, Im not one for fancy tactics, just simple, robust tactics by which I can completely change how the team plays with a few shouts and role changes rather than dragging and dropping players everywhere.

I've made two signings, once strong center half and another back up midfielder.

 

[Hitman1991]

Fair play mate! Looks like your having a cracking season. So what are your tactics? Do you use a short/narrow/slow tempo, or just leave it as default and as you say adjust according to the opposition? Really keen I find out.

 

[Massey1987]

Hi Hitman,

I tend to vary my instructions based on who Im playing, for example against Chelsea I played with the counter mentality and then coupled that with stay very deep. I always tend to use work into the box otherwise Wanayama thinks he's Zidane and starts hitting them from 30 yards out. I also change my full backs between FB and CWB depending on the opposition.

Sometimes you've just got to accept the loss, Ive just lost 3-0 at home to Liverpool and I lost 3-1 to Newcastle earlier on in the season. Both games I was played off the park, well and truly! I just try to approach the game how a manager would so if Im at home against a team slightly better, same as or worse than me then I go with a attacking mentality and short passing. I've also found that by having my MC's on Support then they act more like Box to Box Mids without being caught out of position, anyone else found that? Also I've found that Cleverly is useless, just cant seem to get him playing well although I should complain for a ?4 mil sigining, Im sure I can flog him for double that next season.

 

[icetorres]

I managed to finish 3rd in the first season, i think they have one of the better squads in the premier league in this game.

 

[Hitman1991]

Hi Hitman,

I tend to vary my instructions based on who Im playing, for example against Chelsea I played with the counter mentality and then coupled that with stay very deep. I always tend to use work into the box otherwise Wanayama thinks he's Zidane and starts hitting them from 30 yards out. I also change my full backs between FB and CWB depending on the opposition.

Sometimes you've just got to accept the loss, Ive just lost 3-0 at home to Liverpool and I lost 3-1 to Newcastle earlier on in the season. Both games I was played off the park, well and truly! I just try to approach the game how a manager would so if Im at home against a team slightly better, same as or worse than me then I go with a attacking mentality and short passing. I've also found that by having my MC's on Support then they act more like Box to Box Mids without being caught out of position, anyone else found that? Also I've found that Cleverly is useless, just cant seem to get him playing well although I should complain for a ?4 mil sigining, Im sure I can flog him for double that next season.

Interesting, thanks. Yeah I've always altered my tactics depending on the opposition too, on previous FM's. Doing a save with Bournemouth and am trying to perfect my counter strategy against the bigger teams in the prem, so appreciate the tips. I'm finding that a possession based tactic is working very well, rather than using a high press/tempo direct style as I have done on previous games. End of the second season I managed to sign Umtiti on a free and Balanta for 3mill! So they've really improved things.

I'm a Saints fan myself, so am currently loving the young, exciting squad. They have such a strong midfield don't they. Best of luck mate!