Surviving Promotion

[hisnameisbear]

I started FM 2011 with a random club, Tours FC, and am have just been promoted into Ligue 1 (3rd in Ligue 2 2011/2012) after finishing 9th in the first season. Once again I've got basically no money for transfers (though could possibly sell some of my more expensive players to get an extra £1 mil), think the exact budget is £400k transfer/£180k wages.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had any general tips on surviving in my first season in the top division (or any small club recently promoted).

 

[thunderblood]

See if you can get some experienced free transfers on short contracts the first season or two,just to help you establish your team at that level

 

[hisnameisbear]

Did surprisingly well with free transfers, got Babel + Vanden Borre + Scezeny + Kavianpour + Sodinha + some others so relatively pleased.
Still finding it tough, about 6 games in and only managed a win or two + similar number of draws. Just about got my squad blending, now trying to shore up defensive positioning. Managed to concede 4 in 25 mins against Le Mans FC. Ouch.
Any more tips?

 

[thunderblood]

play counter attacking football can be quite effective if your team is generally weaker,so maybe that could be an option?

 

[Bodell]

Don't be so ashamed if you do go down, you'll go down with a better squad, and can rebuild again, but look for some free agents, that have been around for a while and know how to keep teams up. Try mixing a bit of youthfullness in there as well, always helps.