Okay, so after toying around with Vitesse and Southampton, I’m starting a game with Swansea that I’m hoping will last a while. I tend to plan and over-think things but it helps from regretting what was done at the start of a game. You get about €6m to start with if you take the second level expectations (top half), which is achievable. I like to plan things so I’m seeking some suggestions on who to bring in.
The intent is to use the CE Beautiful Play 4-3-3 tactic. I like that its relatively similar to a tactic I built for Dortmund on FM14, though it seems much more effective than what I created. It suits the club pretty well, too.
The squad is solid, without a lot of overt weaknesses to address. But it can also be significantly improved, like most mid-level clubs. There isn’t a huge amount of young potential in the squad – a few promising youth players who need significant development before they will really challenge for a spot. So adding some youth prospects is definitely something I’d like to do. There are three positions in the squad that worry me to some degree and I want to try to stretch the money as far as possible. There isn't really anyone expendable in the squad that I want to get rid of, besides the on-loan Michu who Napoli don't seem to want to buy. In a test save, there was an offer for Neil Taylor from another Prem club (I want to say Newcastle, but its often Sunderland who target him) and I got a below-market, structured offer. Attempted to negotiate to something nice and they walked away, leaving him upset. So I might have to consider selling him if I get a good offer. There is often interest in Wayne Routledge and I sold him on FM14 but I was running a narrow formation. The offers that come in aren't worth selling a useful wide player.
So the areas of concern:
DM – there are a few players who can play there – Leon Britton (starts injured), Jonjo Shelvey, KI Sung-Yeung, Tom Carroll, or even Ashley Richards. They mostly all more DLP/Regista types than midfield destroyers who can also pass, which is what I think works beautifully in the tactic.
DL & DR – the starting pair are okay in Neil Taylor and Angel Rangel. The backups are a bit iffy in Dwight Tiendalli and Jazz Richards. Both of the latter are right sided players and neither can cross, so they aren’t really ideal. And according to the coaches, neither will improve much.
Now, my ideal choices would be Lucas Romero for the DM spot, and either Pavel Kaderabek or Gino Peruzzi. Any of them should join and would be within the wage range. That would give me two starting caliber players, but the cost (€6m for Romero and €3m for either defender) would eat up most of my transfer budget on structured deals. A bit of my transfer budget will go to some younger players. The Danish trio (Souter, Ajar, & Odeggard), Savitsky, and probably Lewis Macleod. Would like to add a developmental GK – probably Sondre Rossbach – but don’t know if I should spend that.
So that’s a long winded way of saying I’m looking for other suggestions for a DM and DR and DL. For the DM, a good defensive minded player but with at least decent passing. For the fullbacks/wingbacks, all-around players who can contribute to both attack and defense. I like the thought of young British players but they tend to be very costly, so as long as a Work Permit is a possibility, I'm willing.
Been scouring player suggestions for options. Some players I have or am considering:
Ali Deli - is really appealing but he’s a more attacking MC and that’s not what I need at the start.
Jon Flanagan - a nice option but may not join and Liverpool want a lot
Josip Radosevic - more potential than ready star, and only likely to join on loan
Joshua Kimmich - potential to be a nice all-around DMC but strength, positioning and marking would need work
Ryan McLaughlin - Liverpool asked for €44m so I think that's a polite way of saying no
Sam Byram - Leeds ask for over €20m. Even if I negotiate down....
Joel Ward - quite appealing. And equally pricey
David Pavelka - looks solid, and scouts say about €3m
Anyone have other suggestions for me?
The intent is to use the CE Beautiful Play 4-3-3 tactic. I like that its relatively similar to a tactic I built for Dortmund on FM14, though it seems much more effective than what I created. It suits the club pretty well, too.
The squad is solid, without a lot of overt weaknesses to address. But it can also be significantly improved, like most mid-level clubs. There isn’t a huge amount of young potential in the squad – a few promising youth players who need significant development before they will really challenge for a spot. So adding some youth prospects is definitely something I’d like to do. There are three positions in the squad that worry me to some degree and I want to try to stretch the money as far as possible. There isn't really anyone expendable in the squad that I want to get rid of, besides the on-loan Michu who Napoli don't seem to want to buy. In a test save, there was an offer for Neil Taylor from another Prem club (I want to say Newcastle, but its often Sunderland who target him) and I got a below-market, structured offer. Attempted to negotiate to something nice and they walked away, leaving him upset. So I might have to consider selling him if I get a good offer. There is often interest in Wayne Routledge and I sold him on FM14 but I was running a narrow formation. The offers that come in aren't worth selling a useful wide player.
So the areas of concern:
DM – there are a few players who can play there – Leon Britton (starts injured), Jonjo Shelvey, KI Sung-Yeung, Tom Carroll, or even Ashley Richards. They mostly all more DLP/Regista types than midfield destroyers who can also pass, which is what I think works beautifully in the tactic.
DL & DR – the starting pair are okay in Neil Taylor and Angel Rangel. The backups are a bit iffy in Dwight Tiendalli and Jazz Richards. Both of the latter are right sided players and neither can cross, so they aren’t really ideal. And according to the coaches, neither will improve much.
Now, my ideal choices would be Lucas Romero for the DM spot, and either Pavel Kaderabek or Gino Peruzzi. Any of them should join and would be within the wage range. That would give me two starting caliber players, but the cost (€6m for Romero and €3m for either defender) would eat up most of my transfer budget on structured deals. A bit of my transfer budget will go to some younger players. The Danish trio (Souter, Ajar, & Odeggard), Savitsky, and probably Lewis Macleod. Would like to add a developmental GK – probably Sondre Rossbach – but don’t know if I should spend that.
So that’s a long winded way of saying I’m looking for other suggestions for a DM and DR and DL. For the DM, a good defensive minded player but with at least decent passing. For the fullbacks/wingbacks, all-around players who can contribute to both attack and defense. I like the thought of young British players but they tend to be very costly, so as long as a Work Permit is a possibility, I'm willing.
Been scouring player suggestions for options. Some players I have or am considering:
Ali Deli - is really appealing but he’s a more attacking MC and that’s not what I need at the start.
Jon Flanagan - a nice option but may not join and Liverpool want a lot
Josip Radosevic - more potential than ready star, and only likely to join on loan
Joshua Kimmich - potential to be a nice all-around DMC but strength, positioning and marking would need work
Ryan McLaughlin - Liverpool asked for €44m so I think that's a polite way of saying no
Sam Byram - Leeds ask for over €20m. Even if I negotiate down....
Joel Ward - quite appealing. And equally pricey
David Pavelka - looks solid, and scouts say about €3m
Anyone have other suggestions for me?