For my first foray into tactical analysis I decided to make the challenge that extra bit harder for myself by exploring the dark arts of strikerless football on FM pioneered by @GuidoMerry & @SeattleRed. What can I say I like a challenge! Whilst many call the whole concept of strikerless Read more…
It’s 106 miles to the Bernabéu, we’ve got a full tank of gas, half a dozen midfielders, it’s dark out, and we’re wearing sunglasses. Hit it.
In the past, we have mentioned the Withdrawn Targetman saga and detailed various tactics built around a deep-lying, playmaking targetman — Guido’s patented targetganche.
In their infinite wisdom, however, SI have not added any role like the targetganche to FM. So, we are still trying to think outside the box, to find ways to create fluid, incisive attacks which the opposition simply cannot stop.
In our quest to re-establish the glorious bastard that is the targetganche within the FM 20 Match Engine, we have uncovered a powerfully devastating setup, spearheaded by a new dark force; the Shadowganche!
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Nicolaj Bur wakes with a start. He was having that dream. Again…
A stranger’s barbed voice from the other side of the hotel bed, half asleep. “Bad dream, love?” A sigh, followed by a mumbled, half-hearted response. “Something like that.” A comforting pat on the arm.
What Nicolaj needs is a more sympathetic ear. Someone who understands him.
In a shock announcement to the press, Sdlonner Kram has today announced his resignation from his role as 1st team coach of Huddersfield Town FC after three highly successful seasons at the club in which he guided the club to 3 Premier League titles, 1 UEFA Champions League, 3 FA Cups, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup, 1 Carabao Cup and 2 Community Shields.
Even more surprising is that Kram has decided to undertake a new role in South Africa with Ajax Cape Town F.C.
Both in life and in Football Manager, it is prevalent that even the most carefully thought plans often go out the window when reality and particularly in FM, the simulation shows up on the stage. This was also the case with my AS Roma save that I used to present this article for Guido and Strikerless. As I originally wrote in the first part, I had very straightforward ideas for both my young players when I was loaning them out to get the much needed first team minutes. They needed those minutes to get themselves where I wanted them to be or more specifically I thought where they would be in the hierarchy of my AS Roma organisation. This time, however, I got to experience one of those lovely surprises that FM so kindly sometimes gives you to keep you going even further into the cave further away from the light some people call Real Life.
I already went over my initial plans and thoughts about loaning in the first part, so this one is all about the results and conclusions I ended up with loaning these chaps out on different teams over the course of few seasons. Both of them were loaned out as first team regulars or more to get them the most exposure a player can have as a loanee. Without any further ado, let us jump into action, shall we.
This was without a doubt my favourite save on FM14. I wouldn’t necessarily say it was my best, because I only won one trophy and the save itself only lasted one season, but it is certainly my favourite. At a lull point in FM14 midway through my Salzburg save, I Read more…
A twitter conversation a few days back re-sparked my interest in the enganche role within a strikerless formation. The actual conversation focussed on player roles we wanted in FM15. I opted for the Withdrawn Targetman, which is basically the role I want my Targetganche to fill right now. Basically, we Read more…
Those of you that follow me on Twitter (@JLAspey) will know how much I’ve banged on about the ‘Central Winger’ these past couple of months. It’s something I originally said whilst watching Angel Di Maria’s early performances in central midfield for Real Madrid, saying that he was playing almost like Read more…