Swans Fly High(Swansea FM Story)

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Ye, that's right a Swansea story on FM14. Why? Well since their promotion to the BPL in 2011, I've been a massive fan of their footballing philosophies, for me they play football the right way, and young kids should learn from their style. The current man in charge, Micheal Laudrup, is doing a fantastic job and the highlight of his managerial skills for me is how he continues to find excellent players for relatively small prices in today's inflated transfer market.

Enough about real life, this is a simulation game after all. The new man in charge is Henri James, My philosophies are very similar to Mr Laudrup's and should fit Swansea perfectly. I like to get the ball down on the turf and outplay the opposition, playing a high line with lots of pressing, aggression and plenty of work rate from my lads, sometimes you have to acknowledge that the other team are better than you, play defensively and try to counter when the opportunity arrives. I'm not afraid to make big changes and leave my mark on a club, I often change a lot of things at the start of a FM game, and I have a preference of signing players in their early twenties.

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At first glance there is a lot of work to be done to put Swansea on the map, making them a force in the UK and then Europe will be no easy task. Obviously participating in the Europa league will be fun and great financially but you also need a big squad, hopefully I can find quality players for cheap prices. Unfortunately the facilities at the club aren't great, 90M estimated value doesn't exactly scream out big club but hopefully we can build over these problems as the story progresses.

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Here are my expectations for the upcoming season. There's only minor changes in each so I picked the first one just to be safe. Realistically I think a top half finish is definitely achievable, but there's always that bit of unpredictability when starting with a new team in FM, and the little extra for transfers is hardly worth the risk of an early boot.

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Now to move on to my tactics, I gave a brief introduction to how I like to play the game previously, I can go into more detail if you guys want me to, but this should give you a good idea of my tactics. This first tactic is designed for them tight games that could go either way or games that you're the underdogs in, the main focus is to keep the ball, play possession, and press the other team. Although the aim of this formation is to stay responsible at the back, it's not defensive, and I do play for the win every game, when I am the underdog, I usually edit this tactic a little and play on the counter.

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This second tactic is for games that I'm favorite in and try to dominate the other team, high line, pressing, very aggressive, fluid and more creativity than the first tactic. Ultimately this tactic is designed to control the opposition without giving them a chance to counter.

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The last tactic is quite simply throwing everything you have at the opposition, we need a goal and quickly. Similar in philosophies to the second tactic, but all out attack with nothing but scoring in mind.

Lastly, the AMR/AML I use in these formations I often change depending on the players strengths. If they have good pace, agility and dribbling, I'd keep them as W(Attack), if they have better stats for technique, passing, creativity, composure and first touch I usually change their position to AP(Attack).

So there's the introduction, very excited to get things rolling in this game, this story will take awhile to get Swansea right up there flying high but it should be fun! Should have a post out later today or tomorrow with players ins and out, key players and the season preview. If you guys want me to add anything else let me know with a post.
 
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Definitely gonna follow this one. Adding that it's one of the few I've seen here with good grammar is a big plus in my books. Good luck!
 
Will be follow,being from Swansea myself. Looking forward to the next!
 
Transfers, Pre-season friendly's and Season preview.

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Now to move on to the transfers, now usually I buy and sell a lot of players at the start of a FM game but this time I was really happy with a lot of the Swansea players, the majority fit into my philosophies comfortably. Of course the standout players I brought in are N'Zonzi and Ince, I expect big things from them both.


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Some of you maybe surprised to see Swansea legend Leon Britton leave, big fan of this guy in real life and his mental stats are great but I just couldn't look past his 9 strength, I like my DM to really bully people off the ball, be a big presence, protecting my center backs.


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Pre season friendlies went very well, but of course all of them but the last one were against very small teams, FM pre season is all about fitness for me and of course high morale always helps you.


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Now onto some previews for the season ahead, I've picked out 3 players who I expect to be key for me this season. First up is Ashley Williams, very consistent stats, he's club captain and you always want a big contribution from your captain. His high natural fitness, and stamina should mean he hardly misses a game, so I expect this guy to be a rock in the heart of the defense, all season long.


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Michu, a player who is very popular in real life and last season made his breakthrough, with bags of goals. Just like in real life, his stand out stat for me is his composure on the ball and in front of goal. I'm opting to play this guy in central midfield as the AP, you probably already know why, expect big things from this lad, really hope he doesn't disappoint.


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The reason Michu is playing in midfield? Wilfried Bony. Quite simply this guy is a beast on FM, a particular favorite of mine, not only are his stats extremely consistent, like Williams, his high stamina and natural fitness will mean he'll barely miss a game. I've talked this guy up but I promise you, he won't disappoint.


I was extremely excited and confident when starting up this save but after finding out that the highest wage I can offer a player is 30k, I think I was brought back down to earth. I'm still excited ahead of the new season, but after the transfers I made, I can safely say this will be a difficult task. It's also proving difficult to teach the team my tactics, in time for the new season, I assume this is because the club has average training facilities.


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I'll leave you with Ben Davies, another FM favorite of mine, a player I think will surprise you this season, great player with bags of potential, call him the dark horse of my team, if you like.
 
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Pre-season continues and First competitive games.

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The first game in charge for Henri James, ending in a comfortable 3-0 away win over TPS in the Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round. Good performance from the lads, and some pleasing performances particularly from Michu, with one goal and one assist. That win puts us in a commanding position for the home game.

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I went all out attack and put overload on for this one, sacrificing the defensive work rate of Canas, for another play-maker, Shelvey, who didn't disappoint in his first start of the season. Michu was again on form, but unfortunately the performance from my front three was disappointing. 40 shots to their 5 tells the story, Reveilere had a brilliant game, bombing up that right side all game and finished off another convincing 3-0 win with a 25 yard strike.

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The first league game off the season was a very tough ask against one of the title challengers, Man United, Reveilere picked up a training injury, so Rangel came in. Tactically I played on the counter this game, Bringing Canas back in for Shelvey and Dyer in for Hernandez to give the team more work rate and pace on the counter. We lost a frustrating goal early on but managed to keep fighting and stay in the game, with 15 minutes to go I made some substitutions and told the team to go for it.

Hernandez, came on and converted a great cross from Ince to make himself a hero, super sub! Vazquez could of made himself a bigger hero in the 91st minute when his header hit the post from another great cross from Ince. United rushed the counter and Davies, of all people, fouled Giggs to get sent off, Giggs narrowly missed the free kick and the game finished 1-1. Absolutely fantastic performance from my lads, to match United for 90 minutes is a brilliant achievement and to think we almost nicked it.

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One change to the side that held United to a draw, Hernandez comes in for Dyer, after his performance coming off the bench. I went back to a more controlling tactic, trying to find a commanding position for the second leg. Hernandez put in another good performance, and scored early on, Chico scored another before half time but unfortunately some naive defending saw us give away a late away goal. I would of been hoping for a 2 or 3 goal winning margin before the game, it's frustrating not to win by more when you dominated the game, 2-1 leaves this game wide open for the second leg.

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Taylor comes in for the suspended Davies, who got a one game suspension, after a fallout with me over his poor recent performances, Bony has been benched for Vazquez. He repaid that faith by scoring the only goal of the game, West Brom were incredibly unlucky striking wood a ridiculous 5 times. A very lucky win from the lads considering how many shots and chances West Brom had, still a win is a win and I'll take them however they come.

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Davies comes back in for Taylor, Reveilere is fit again after his injury and comes back in for Rangel. Despite being away, I tried to control the game, just like the first leg, I knew if I could score I would probably progress to the group stages of the competition. Unfortunately it was another game with a lack of goals, despite the result, the performance was good and we progress in the competition.

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There were a number of contenders for this months player of the month Award but I'm going for Pablo Hernandez,
I was a little worried at the start of the season, with his low work rate and strength but he's started the season very well with 2 goals and 2 assists in 6 games, 5 starts and 1 very memorial substitute appearance.

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The groups for the Europa league were drawn, and we were drawn a difficult group, but then again this is Swansea, and it's the first time they've played in Europe in a long time, any group is going to be difficult.

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A good month and start to the season for the lads, hopefully we can push on and be a bit more clinical in front of goal. Next time we find out if there's any late activity in the transfer market and see if the Swans can continue their early season success.

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think you sold Vorm a bit on the cheap side

Ye, that's a good shout. Tremmel and Vorm are quite similar in standard, at least on FM, If I'm on honest I was trying to raise some funds to add some more quality to the team, Vorm was highly valued for what he adds to the team, he was one of my highest earners and a 6ft GK doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.
 
Second Month, Can our great form continue?

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Unfortunately deadline day was a terrible anti climax, so on to the next game. Bony is given a chance to redeem himself and comes back in for Vazquez, Dyer in for tired Hernandez. Another tough game, the fixture list for the league has been hard on us early on in the season. Similar to the United game, great performance and brilliant to stay in the game for 90 minutes, slightly disappointed to lose the possession with only 37% but Bony is back with a goal.

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No changes after the international break, as we try to counter at Stamford Bridge. Another great performance, I'm starting to run out of things to say about this team at the moment, their performances in the league have been absolutely fantastic. We probably had the better of the play and the stats show that, Dyer and Michu both had great games and got on the score sheet.

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So some serious rotation for the first time this season with 5 changes, Rangel would of come in but is injured for 4 weeks. I tried to control the game, I wanted the 3 points and I got them. Another good performance in Europe, 3 points away in Europe is a difficult job and we've got off to a good start in the group.

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We go back to the team who drew with Chelsea, as we out play Everton at home. 3-1 is a great result against Everton but they can consider themselves lucky not to be humiliated, as we hit the post an astonishing 4 times, Michu had a fantastic game, with 1 goal and 1 assist, Davies also had a very good game.

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3 changes to the side who beat Everton, I was tempted to rest more players ahead of our first game in the Capital One Cup, as defending champions but it will be very difficult to qualify for Europe by finishing in the top 5 in the league or winning the Europa League, so trying to win this competition will probably be our best chance of qualifying for Europe next season.

Anyway on to the game, we were cruising in the first half but frustratingly we let Stoke back into the game after being 2-0 up at half time, the game ended at 2-2. So into extra time we went, not a lot happened and dramatically the game went to penalties, Chico scoring the winning penalty. Disappointing to complacently give up a 2-0 lead as we just about advance to the next round, A home tie against West Ham awaits in the fourth round.

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More changes as our squad is very tired, after that long game midweek and a busy fixture list. Great performance from the lads to continue the good form, showing great determination with the tired legs in the team. Dyer on form yet again and Vazquez is surprisingly keeping Bony out of the team with some great performances.

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Dyer is my player of the month, with 6 appereances, 5 starts, 4 goals and 1 assist, Dyer has been ever present for us this season. With Hernandez performing well in August and Dyer performing better and keeping him out of the side in September, the competition for that AMR spot is very good for the team.

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Ince won the BPL Young Player of the Month Award, strange call considering he had an average rating of 7.15 in 4 games. It's been an absolutely fantastic month for the lads, I'm very proud and I can't wait to try and continue our great start to the season. Next time, we certainly have an easier run of games but we still need to keep working hard and keep our unbeaten run going.

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Third Month, Season so far and Can we continue our incredibly start to the season?

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We look to continue our good form this season, with a win at home to Bordeaux, probably the best team in the group, so I expected a tough game. A good win for the Swans in a match we dominated and possibly should of won more comfortable. Dyer's fantastic form continues scoring both goals, a sensational chip from 20 yards and the 5ft5 man incredibly scored with his head.

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No changes ahead of this one, I was hoping for a win but this proved a real tough match against The Hammers. Michu and Ince scored with no real stand out performers apart from a solid display by Michu, that game ended a 5 game win streak but our brilliant unbeaten run goes on.

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Bony and Hernandez come in for Vazquez and Dyer, Chico picked up an injury in training in midweek, so Amat also comes in. In hindsight I probably should of keep Vazquez and Dyer in as Bony and Hernadez both played poorly, N'Zonzi had a solid game, but everyone else played very poorly and statistically we were very unlucky to lose 1-0 to Hull, putting an end to our unbeaten run.

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Dyer and Taylor come in for Hernadez and Davies. A fantastic performance away from home from the lads, we absolutely dominated Genk with an incredible 74% possession and 27 shots to their 3. That win puts us in a commanding position in our European group, we're cruising through to the last 32. Michu on form again, probably our most consistent performer of the season so far, Reveillere had a good game.

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I've kept the best 11 available to me out, despite the low fitness levels of my team, I don't feel comfortable with some of my rotation players. A great 3-1 win at home to Newcastle, it was always going to be a tough game, so we did well to get a convincing score line. Amat scoring his first goal for the club, Michu and Shelvey the other scorers.

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Chico is fit again after his injury but I keep Amat in after his goal, a bit of rotation as the squad is very tired. Another Capital One Cup game that went to extra time, a fairly dull game to be honest. Michu came off the bench and scored the winner in the 110th minute, as we again just about scrap though to the next round.

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I think we all know who's player of the month this month, I checked the stats just to be sure. Michu had 3 goals over the month, starting all 6 games, definitely one of our most consistent performers not just this month but so far this season.

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Another good month with some good and mixed results throughout, the month started well with a home win in Europe against Bordeaux, then a frustrating draw at home to West Ham as we go on to lose our unbeaten streak away to Hull but we kicked on and got back on track to finish the month with wins against Genk, Newcastle and West Ham.

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They say you can judge the league table after 10 games, we've played 9 and we sit in a very tidy 7th place. As for our European group, well we're all but through just needing one point from our remaining 3 games, that will give us a good chance to give some younger players some game time, Next time we'll find out!

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So you guys probably realise I tried a different format when posting my story, giving you match overviews, match stats and my own personal match report compared to the more traditional monthly updates. I'm just looking for a bit of feedback to be honest, I really enjoyed doing it this way to start off with and I got a sense of what I did wrong or what I could of done better, while typing out a match report but now it's becoming a bit of a drag, it takes almost twice as long to get through a game and sometimes you just wanna play. If you guys like this format, I'll keep it but if you guys would prefer less detailed monthly updates with more frequent posts, I can do that.
 
mate this story is class! definitely keep it going, the layout is fine the way it is, but if you want to change it to make postings quicker feel free. Either way it's your story!
 
mate this story is class! definitely keep it going, the layout is fine the way it is, but if you want to change it to make postings quicker feel free. Either way it's your story!

Thanks man, I want to put my own style on my story but it's also about what the readers want as well. Will definitely keep the story going, thanks for the feedback!
 
Can we qualify for the last 32 in Europe or beat the big boys away?

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With some incredibly low fitness levels, it would take a miracle to get anything away to Man City. Only our second lose of the season, losing 3-0, like I said it would of took a miracle to get anything here. Bony picked up an injury and is out for 6 weeks.

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Plenty of rotation in this one, with Bony injuried and Vazquez hitting a dry goal scoring spell, Michu starts at striker, being our joint top scorer with Dyer, on 7 each, I was confident it would be a good call. It was, he scored twice as we dominate Genk with a commanding 3-0 win, that win sees us qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League.

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I wanted to win this one as Villa are in the relegation zone, and we did just that, dominating the game as we win 2-1, Shelvey and Chico the scorers, solid performance before the international break.

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Strandberg makes his debut, I'd almost forgot about him, Michu continues his brilliant form up front with 2 goals as we go down 4-2 to Arsenal, it was always going to be difficult away from home against the Gunners. I thought we showed a good display, scoring twice, obviously I'm a bit disappointed to concede 4 goals though.

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Another a convincing win in Europe, 3-0, Michu, Hernandez and Shelvey the scorers, as our european group proves to be a stroll in the park even with the rotation in the squad.

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Michu has been in fantastic form this month scoring 5 goals in 5 starts, but this months player of the month has to go to Jonjo Shelvey, not only has moving Michu up front, seen his form get better, it gave Shelvey a chance to start more games, as my play maker and he's took his chance with an incredible 2 goals and 4 assists in 4 starts.


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Despite the 2 away loses to Arsenal and Man City, which were very difficult games, it's been a good month for the team, playing 3 at home and winning all of them. Next time the fitness of my squad is really tested when we play 7 games across the month, in a busy Christmas period.


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Its looking good, i know what you mean though with it holding you back, on my first fm stories i used to type out the results and comment on all of the matches but it started to feel like homework when i got 3 or 4 months ahead in the game and then you wouldnt not feel like playing as much, I think if you do it in less detail like i do you have to be committed to the save as its more about pumping out constant updates rather than the writing style like yours, KIU
 
Its looking good, i know what you mean though with it holding you back, on my first fm stories i used to type out the results and comment on all of the matches but it started to feel like homework when i got 3 or 4 months ahead in the game and then you wouldnt not feel like playing as much, I think if you do it in less detail like i do you have to be committed to the save as its more about pumping out constant updates rather than the writing style like yours, KIU

Thanks for the feedback, I wouldn't say I felt myself getting 3 to 4 months ahead, it's just some days you really want to get in to the game and grind through 2-3 months, it does feel like homework at times. Posting the way I do definitely slows me down a bit, I've come down a little writing match reports, in my recent post, that was the most time consuming thing.
 
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