Hi Guys
First time post for me so be patient please
To the OP, signing Adam Matthews?!?!?! Really?!?!!? He's Ex-Cardiff!! Wash your mouth out Mr!!!!
Only really started enjoying FM2013 after starting with Swansea. I think they are a great balance with a decent starting squad but low expectations, with the potential to be challenging for Europe.
I found that using Raikan's tactic made me solid but lacked goals. I changed the two CM's to play DM, with one as a DM and the other DLP and what a difference it makes!! Using Ki as the DLP works great for me and I signed McCarthy in my 3rd season who fits in great as a replacement for an ageing Britton.
I find Richards is an excellent back-up for Rangel and Bartley has been as consistent as Williams as a Centre back for me. Chico is also worth keeping as he can play DM too.
I managed to sell Dyer for £7mil and replaced him with Zaha - a great trade if you ask me
Also managed to get Defoe for £1.5Mil and he really made the difference as I struggled to get any of my strikers scoring regularly until then.
Raikan also suggests playing Michu as the CF (like irl) but he didn't play well at all for me there. In my second season I also got Affelay from Barc on loan and he played very well. I find that you can get some real quality players on loan each season without worrying about blowing a whole load on their wage (3rd season in, got Kaka on loan from Man Ciy. £0 contribution but payed them £500k up front).
I got into the Europa League at the end of the second season by finishing 6th but the lack of home-grown players is a right pain in the ****.
JACK ARMY!