Football Manager 2010 SG talk

[Ichabod]

So, i'm playing the save. We are currently at 5th place, 5 points behind the leader and 2nd place team. I had a very rough start, but things are starting to get better now. I think I'm halfway through my turnset.

Here's the game by game report. The notes were written after each game, so you may notive that I am very angry at some moments:


Vs. Leeds (home) – 5-2 (Alcock, Meier, Johannesson, Bardsen, Molina)
Way closer game than the result suggests. We got a 3-1 lead in the first half. The team got tired in the second half and they had a lot of chances, but only managed to score once. A stolen ball by Bardsen at 89 minutes decreed the victory. Molina scored in a foul at 94 too. Highlight to Jose injuring himself in the first 5 minutes of the game. So much for our star player.


Vs. Stevenage (away) – 2-2 (Greene x2) – 6-5PK – League Cup
What looked like an easy game after we gained a two goals lead in the first half turned into a struggle. We ended up winning in the penalty shootouts in the 8th penalty. O’Neill missed his penalty!


Vs. AFC Wimbledon (away) – 0-2 (Chicharito and Patterson)
Yes, I managed to lose to our previous club. Chicharito scored early in the game, so it was an uphill battle. We lost a lot of changes until Patterson made a goal in a corner and finished the game.


Vs. Wigan (home) – 1-0 (Alcock)
Though match, few opportunities, a lot of bookings. Got a lucky goal near the end of the match. Hope the confidence will start rising, because the team isn’t playing very well…


Vs. Accrington (away) – 3-0 (Stagemen, Guerrero, Molina) – League Cup
First half had some dangerous plays, but we had a very good second half and managed to proceed on the League Cup.


Vs. Middlesborough (away) – 0-1
Got dominated the whole game. The team only started playing in the last ten minutes, losing some chances.


Vs. Watford (home) – 2-1 (Jose, Alcock)
Well, if Jose is not injuring himself, he’s scoring goals – scored before the 10 minute mark. The game was going fine until Stagemen, Jose’s replacement, wanted to show that he’s worthy as the team Star: he gets an injury just after he entered the pitch (2-3 months). We played with 10 players until the end of the game, suffering one goal.


Vs. Barnsley (away) - 0-2
We really should have won the game against the team 24th position. The loss made me think about of changing the tactic from a 4-4-2 diamond to a 4-4-2 with 2 lines. Let’s see how the next games go…


Vs. Cardiff (home) – 2-1 (van der Bosh, Maier)
The first half was difficult, but we managed to score from a free kick crossing in the injury time. Second half was better, we got the two goal difference and everything was looking good. Then they made a goal and I was very scared. Luckily, the same guy who scored their goal was sent off. Quick note: Graham Angus, our Wimbledon right back player plays for Cardiff now.

Chicharito is the current scored goal leader, with 7 goals in 5 matches. He’s also the player with the best average rating.


Vs. Crystal Palace (away) – 1-1 (guerrero)
We scored early in the game and played very well. Jose missed a lot of chances in one on ones. They scored with a shoot from outside the box at 89. I was very pissed at it!


Vs. Nottm Forest (home) – 2-0 (Allen, Molina) – League Cup
Used a lot of reserve players, but we dominated the whole game. Easy win. Note: Nottm Forest is the team I support in England.


Vs. Coventry (home) – 0-1
A game that made me remember why I hate FM. We had all the possession, they had all the chances… This is just stupid…

Even though we are below the wage budget by a good margin, our team finances suck. We are losing 2M per month…


Vs. Norwich (away) – 1-2 (Bardsen)
We had a lot more chances than them, but lost to a corner goal and a long shot goal… We should have won the damn game.


Vs. Bristol City (home) – 2-1 (Frost, Barak)
They scored in the first key moment of the game after a terrible failure by our goalkeeper. We turn the result with two goals from corner kicks. We played very bad, especially because our forwards are performing really bad.

For some reason Anyanwu can’t play because he doesn’t have a work permit. Why is that? He got a WP when we signed him, so what happened?


Vs. Preston (away) – 2-2 (Alcock, Meier)
They opened a 2 goals lead and we managed to get a tie. Second goal was scored in the second half injury time. We really should have won this game, since it was against a bad team, but given the circumstances, I’m happy.


Vs. Sheffield Utd. (home) – 2-0 (Jose x2)
Finally a good presentation by Jose. Sheff Utd is the current leader, so it was a major victory. They had some chances, but it worked well in the end.


Vs. Hull (away) – 2-0 (Ross, Frost)
First away win!!!!! Wahhh, I’m so happy! We needed this win so much! They dominated the beginning of the game, but we started being dangerous when I switched the mentality to counter. After Ross scored in a good play by Jose, we never looked like losing again! YES!!


Vs. Fulham (home) – 1-2 (Greene) – League Cup
5 CCC against their 2. We dominated the game, had a lot (and I mean A LOT) of chances and we lost. We had more chances, possession, but they had more luck. This pisses me over… Stupid game. It was a great match, though. Their goalkeeper had a 9,2 rating… Yes, a goalkeeper with 9,2… That’s how much the game likes me…


Vs. Peterborough (home) – 1-0 (Meier)
We dominated the game and could have won by a larger margin. Highlight to Johannesson using his 19 PK attribute to miss a penalty sending the ball all the way to Ireland. Yes, it was that bad. We should ask for Brian to find the ball…


I almost decided to pass the game to the next player after Bristol City opened the score against us. The team was having a hard time. Fortunately, it started to become better after that game. The Fulham loss was very unfair, though.

[Ichabod]

Vs. Swansea (away) – 0-3
Dominated the game, had way more chances, lost by 3 goals. Stupid game… ARGH!!!


Vs. Portsmouth (away) – 6-0 (Greene, Maier, Barak, Josex3)
How about that, huh? The game got scared by my previous reaction and decided to make everything go the way it should in this game. We scored fast and dominated the whole game, with a 3 goals lead at half time. Then, Jose, who always loses important opportunities, decided to beat the dead horse and scored a hat-trick.


Vs. Nottm Forest (home) – 3-2 (Guerrero, Alcock, Greene)
Oh, the bliss… What a game! First half ended 0-2. We managed to comeback! The winning goal was in the rebound of a penalty at 90+5. We really needed the win! I’m starting to like this squad. This game also had the return of Stagemen after his long injury. He entered in the second half and helped the team get back in the score.


Vs. Reading (away) – 2-2 (Jose, Alcock)
After a very bad first half, which ended 0-1, we had a very good second half, with a lot of chances. After we tied 1-1, they made a lucky goal in one of their few second half chances. Fortunately, we managed to get the tie in a penalty.


Vs. Milwall (home) – 2-0 (Kopacka x2)
We dominated the game, but it was difficult to make the goals against a very defensive opponent. Two headers from Kopacka (entered the match in the place of the injured Molina) in corners gave us the lead.


Vs. Leicester (away) – 3-1 (Guerrero x2, Greene)
Guerrero started the game wanting to show why there are several teams interested in his game. He scored two goals very quickly. They scored one goal at the second half and were closed to the tie until we scored near the end with a counter attack.


Vs. Ipswich (home) – 0-1
I don’t know… It seemed that we never entered the field… Losing an easy game at home… DAMN! Jose injured again, BTW…


Well, that ends my turnset (actually I only played 22 from the 23 games of the first half of the Championship, but I don't want to play against Leeds again).

I never managed to make the team play very well, but it got a little better in the end of the turnset. Due to our good squad and a very balanced league, we are currently at 3rd position, 4 points away from the leader. So it's possible to win the league if Dantski can fix my mistakes.

My main problem is with our attack. The defense and midfield are good, but I never found a good attack coordination. Jose is good, but me misses a lot of chances. I tried playing him with Johannesson, Allen, Bardsen, Crean, Stegeman and nothing seemed to work.

Ah, I was using a tactic made by TT that was saved in the game. I only changed the attack roles to try and fit our player better. Please, don't combine the statements of this paragraph and the last one, because I want to keep a bit of my FM pride.

P.S.: The team finances suck... We need the promotion badly... Fortunately, we can sell players like Alcock and Guerrero for a good amount.

The Save:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21249278/Success...-%20QPR.fm

[Dantski]

I take a good 20-30 mins to view all our players + tactics etc. Our team should be promoted no question if our players perform well and I don't balls it up. Sticking with 4-4-2 diamond for now.

Leeds 0-0 QPR

A poor performance and we were lucky to get away with a draw. Andresen looked very solid in goal but we struggled elsewhere. We edged possession in the game, but they had 20+ shots to our 7. Stegeman's only involvement in the game was to be hauled back in the last minute when possibly through on goal. The defender only got a yellow for it though.

QPR 5-1 Wimbledon

A one sided affair, an early OG put us ahead. Guerrero, Bardsen and Stegeman put us 4 up at half time. Alcock added a fifth before the game petered out and nothing much else happened. Brown did sneak a consolation goal for Wimbledon though, our defence wasn't to blame on this one.

Some thoughts after the match.

1. Both Guerrero and his half time replacement Den Bosch were not involved enough. Really need them to be on the ball more often.

2. Maier has a similar problem on the left wing. Maybe the on loan Greene is the better option even though he's right footed and have whoever is at left back play a very attacking role.

Anyway I'm afraid my enthusiasm isn't what it should be and I'd like to bow out of this SG. I just don't think I care to spend enough time on it at the moment and since its not a solo game thats not fair on you guys. Hopefully someone else wants in and can take my place. I'll definitely keep following the game though



http://uppit.com/j443bz7z3clv/Succession_game_-_QPR.fm



Sorry guys

[Ichabod]

No problem, Dantski. At least you managed good results before resigning :neenernee.

I'd like to keep going with the SG, but I'll need some company for this to be an SG... Brian, TT, do you want to keep on playing?

[Brian Shanahan]

Well I've no problem keeping on with the game, but I won't give any definite responses tonight (too drunk). I think though for our own sanities we'd probably be better with an extra player and tighter with the rotation times (e.g. 1 week maximum).

[Twinkletoes89]

I'm loving this game so i'm up for keeping going as soon as my laptop is fixed and the next few days are over with! I find it hard to get attached to saves so this is a keeper for me! Sorry to lose you dantski but thanks for your honesty and work to get us this far!

[Brian Shanahan]

I'm loving this game so i'm up for keeping going as soon as my laptop is fixed and the next few days are over with! I find it hard to get attached to saves so this is a keeper for me! Sorry to lose you dantski but thanks for your honesty and work to get us this far!

Well then, I think we keep the game. So as I seem to be next I'll take the save from here and work my way through to the end of the season. Promotion is the aim, which seems to be eminently achievable.

If someone wants to slot in, then shout out.

[Katon]

I'd be happy to join the rotation if you need an extra player, though I won't be able to offer much commentary for a few days (overnight trip Tuesday = no chance to look at the save til the end of the week).

[Dantski]

Oh I forgot to mention during my 10 or so days in charge, but the Man Utd job is available. Naturally being a Liverpool fan I didn't even consider applying for it, I guess TT might think otherwise though :neenernee

[Brian Shanahan]

I'd be happy to join the rotation if you need an extra player, though I won't be able to offer much commentary for a few days (overnight trip Tuesday = no chance to look at the save til the end of the week).

Well then Katon, welcome aboard.

Oh I forgot to mention during my 10 or so days in charge, but the Man Utd job is available. Naturally being a Liverpool fan I didn't even consider applying for it, I guess TT might think otherwise though :neenernee

Too late pressed continue once and the job went. Though being at a successful club may have kept your interest going in this game

Looking at the save, I think our squad is somewhat imbalanced in the middle. We really have only one natural winger, and too many central midfielders. We could do with getting in some wingers and letting go of a few of the less useful central players. Problem is most of the wingers available/realistic targets are not that great. There are some decent ones but no real "wow" buys. Our strikers are lacking in goals so I'll try to fix that around a bit.

Gurerro also is very leary of singing a new contract, he outright refused a slight raise with big bonuses, so I'll probably sell him. I'm confident of a c.£5m fee, barring a foreign club being free with the Bosman signing-on. Either way I don't think he'll be here in June.

And to cap it off, I see our wingers and Trequartista are all support. I'd prefer to pump these to attacking and also (if things go well) go with a shorter, more free and expressive game plan too. The diamond still seems the best formation, I just think we have enough in the team to be able to loosen out a bit (definitely at this level) and go for a more open style of game.