FM22

[hcstokie]

Jun 10, 2022 8:06:51 GMT mattador78 said:

Jun 10, 2022 5:56:34 GMT hcstokie said:

Just finished first season as Stoke. After going into the second leg of the play offs with a 3-1 lead I got spanked by Sheff Utd 3-0. Another season in the championship it is.

Planning a big squad makeover. Managed to pick up a couple of decent young players before the season finished and looking to get 7/8 in over the closed season.

Biggest achievement so far was getting a £250k fee for Joe Allen in January and shifting £50k a week off the wage bill.

Don’t let Souttar go I’ve just lost him as he’s Kraft at the end of his contract to join Porto on my save, 2033 and it was only the season he left where his adverage rating record was broken by a player scoring 78 goals in the season.

Yeah I imagine he could turn into a bit of a beast. I’ve got him, Bursik, Wilmot and Campbell on 4 year deals. Managed to get a couple of young lads in, only spent a couple of hundred grand so far. Focussing on young players and saving the money. Luckily the club was taken over and the ambition seems to be to get to the Prem in 4 years so have plenty of time to get promotion.

[mattador78]

Jun 10, 2022 12:14:06 GMT hcstokie said:

Jun 10, 2022 8:06:51 GMT mattador78 said:

Don’t let Souttar go I’ve just lost him as he’s Kraft at the end of his contract to join Porto on my save, 2033 and it was only the season he left where his adverage rating record was broken by a player scoring 78 goals in the season.

Yeah I imagine he could turn into a bit of a beast. I’ve got him, Bursik, Wilmot and Campbell on 4 year deals. Managed to get a couple of young lads in, only spent a couple of hundred grand so far. Focussing on young players and saving the money. Luckily the club was taken over and the ambition seems to be to get to the Prem in 4 years so have plenty of time to get promotion.

All of those have been regulars for me in the prem especially with 5 at the back. Ethan laird is a great shout for a full back and a guy called Thierry small at Everton who’s a youth player but ends up at Real Madrid and a England starter if given the go.

[hcstokie]

Jun 10, 2022 13:11:31 GMT mattador78 said:

Jun 10, 2022 12:14:06 GMT hcstokie said:

Yeah I imagine he could turn into a bit of a beast. I’ve got him, Bursik, Wilmot and Campbell on 4 year deals. Managed to get a couple of young lads in, only spent a couple of hundred grand so far. Focussing on young players and saving the money. Luckily the club was taken over and the ambition seems to be to get to the Prem in 4 years so have plenty of time to get promotion.

All of those have been regulars for me in the prem especially with 5 at the back. Ethan laird is a great shout for a full back and a guy called Thierry small at Everton who’s a youth player but ends up at Real Madrid and a England starter if given the go.

Thanks for the heads up. I picked up a bargain LWB as cover for Tymon and he’s got 17 crossing so trying figure out how to get him in the team as Tymon always seems to play well.

I got Smith on a reduced contract for another 2 years so loaned a RWB as cover. Got a very good RWB in the youth intake but he’s only 16. Is that Everton lad a right back?

[mattador78]

Jun 10, 2022 13:30:30 GMT hcstokie said:

Jun 10, 2022 13:11:31 GMT mattador78 said:

All of those have been regulars for me in the prem especially with 5 at the back. Ethan laird is a great shout for a full back and a guy called Thierry small at Everton who’s a youth player but ends up at Real Madrid and a England starter if given the go.

Thanks for the heads up. I picked up a bargain LWB as cover for Tymon and he’s got 17 crossing so trying figure out how to get him in the team as Tymon always seems to play well.

I got Smith on a reduced contract for another 2 years so loaned a RWB as cover. Got a very good RWB in the youth intake but he’s only 16. Is that Everton lad a right back?

This is the guy left back

Attachment Deleted

Right back olexander Tymchyk a ukranian was a beast for me. Philip Kohn as a goalkeeper but Baxter from Chelsea was a bigger bargain. David Ayala midfielder or patrick berg. Sekou mara as well if you can get him before the big boys

[The Drunken Communist]

Have been in a proper 3-way slug fest with Milan & Lazio all season, constant 'green W's' next to their names, then as we're approaching the end of the season this happens...



... I ain't complaining though

[hcstokie]

Jun 10, 2022 14:18:07 GMT mattador78 said:

Jun 10, 2022 13:30:30 GMT hcstokie said:

Thanks for the heads up. I picked up a bargain LWB as cover for Tymon and he’s got 17 crossing so trying figure out how to get him in the team as Tymon always seems to play well.

I got Smith on a reduced contract for another 2 years so loaned a RWB as cover. Got a very good RWB in the youth intake but he’s only 16. Is that Everton lad a right back?

This is the guy left back

View Attachment

Right back olexander Tymchyk a ukranian was a beast for me. Philip Kohn as a goalkeeper but Baxter from Chelsea was a bigger bargain. David Ayala midfielder or patrick berg. Sekou mara as well if you can get him before the big boys

I’ll take a look at some of them. After shifting all of the deadwood after the first season I’m now top of the league after 15 games. Average age of the squad is 22 and only spending £250k a week on wages when the budget is £430k.

I always end up only signing players under 21 or play ones through the youth teams.

[mattador78]

Jun 12, 2022 10:09:12 GMT hcstokie said:

Jun 10, 2022 14:18:07 GMT mattador78 said:

This is the guy left back

View Attachment

Right back olexander Tymchyk a ukranian was a beast for me. Philip Kohn as a goalkeeper but Baxter from Chelsea was a bigger bargain. David Ayala midfielder or patrick berg. Sekou mara as well if you can get him before the big boys

I’ll take a look at some of them. After shifting all of the deadwood after the first season I’m now top of the league after 15 games. Average age of the squad is 22 and only spending £250k a week on wages when the budget is £430k.

I always end up only signing players under 21 or play ones through the youth teams.

Always look for the older bargains as well. I’ve had Fekir in his retirement season bossing the prem on a low wage.

[The Drunken Communist]

Jun 12, 2022 10:09:12 GMT hcstokie said:

Average age of the squad is 22

Pfft, your squad is ancient. My first team squad has an average age of 20

(And that is only so high 'cos of my club captain left back who is 28. Only two other players in the entire squad are over 21, and they're both 23).

[hcstokie]

Jun 12, 2022 19:20:06 GMT The Drunken Communist said:

Jun 12, 2022 10:09:12 GMT hcstokie said:

Average age of the squad is 22

Pfft, your squad is ancient. My first team squad has an average age of 20

(And that is only so high 'cos of my club captain left back who is 28. Only two other players in the entire squad are over 21, and they're both 23).

Give me chance mate, only a season in 😜

[mattador78]

Jun 12, 2022 19:20:06 GMT The Drunken Communist said:

Jun 12, 2022 10:09:12 GMT hcstokie said:

Average age of the squad is 22

Pfft, your squad is ancient. My first team squad has an average age of 20

(And that is only so high 'cos of my club captain left back who is 28. Only two other players in the entire squad are over 21, and they're both 23).

I liberally sprinkle mine with experience. I went down the youngster route for years but some of the best players can still do the job and if you get them right the wages are low, ward prowse on mine is an assist machine with 20 for corners and free kicks I can’t find anyone close to the same ratings. Tzolis is another bargain if you can get him I’ve tried for ages but hertha Berlin want £200 mil for him.

[hcstokie]

Jun 12, 2022 21:23:11 GMT mattador78 said:

Jun 12, 2022 19:20:06 GMT The Drunken Communist said:

Pfft, your squad is ancient. My first team squad has an average age of 20

(And that is only so high 'cos of my club captain left back who is 28. Only two other players in the entire squad are over 21, and they're both 23).

I liberally sprinkle mine with experience. I went down the youngster route for years but some of the best players can still do the job and if you get them right the wages are low, ward prowse on mine is an assist machine with 20 for corners and free kicks I can’t find anyone close to the same ratings. Tzolis is another bargain if you can get him I’ve tried for ages but hertha Berlin want £200 mil for him.

I usually tend to go down the youngster route as I find it a bit more challenging. I like applying some of my own rules to the game to make it more interesting. I got to the prem from non-league once without spending a penny on transfers.

It’s good that they’re usually on a lot less wages too as I tend to invest in the youth and training setup than transfers.

I only tend to sign older players if I’m really struggling to fill the squad or for mentoring. I may try a save of purely over 30s next.

[mattador78]

Jun 13, 2022 5:37:17 GMT hcstokie said:

Jun 12, 2022 21:23:11 GMT mattador78 said:

I liberally sprinkle mine with experience. I went down the youngster route for years but some of the best players can still do the job and if you get them right the wages are low, ward prowse on mine is an assist machine with 20 for corners and free kicks I can’t find anyone close to the same ratings. Tzolis is another bargain if you can get him I’ve tried for ages but hertha Berlin want £200 mil for him.

I usually tend to go down the youngster route as I find it a bit more challenging. I like applying some of my own rules to the game to make it more interesting. I got to the prem from non-league once without spending a penny on transfers.

It’s good that they’re usually on a lot less wages too as I tend to invest in the youth and training setup than transfers.

I only tend to sign older players if I’m really struggling to fill the squad or for mentoring. I may try a save of purely over 30s next.

my biggest rule is wages once they break £150k they are being moved on and if they don’t agree to what I offer they gone. Did once leave a wonderkids negotiation to my DOF who managed to negotiate his wage as increasing from £5k to £250k 😵 they were both swiftly moved on the DOF instantly

[hcstokie]

Jun 13, 2022 5:51:53 GMT mattador78 said:

Jun 13, 2022 5:37:17 GMT hcstokie said:

I usually tend to go down the youngster route as I find it a bit more challenging. I like applying some of my own rules to the game to make it more interesting. I got to the prem from non-league once without spending a penny on transfers.

It’s good that they’re usually on a lot less wages too as I tend to invest in the youth and training setup than transfers.

I only tend to sign older players if I’m really struggling to fill the squad or for mentoring. I may try a save of purely over 30s next.

my biggest rule is wages once they break £150k they are being moved on and if they don’t agree to what I offer they gone. Did once leave a wonderkids negotiation to my DOF who managed to negotiate his wage as increasing from £5k to £250k 😵 they were both swiftly moved on the DOF instantly

Haha I don’t blame you on that one!

I always keep control of negotiations and final sign offs on transfers. I once sold a world class midfielder to Bayern for £70m after he put in a transfer request, but I had a 50% sell on clause. I bought him back 2 years later for £50m so he only cost £25m. In my experience you miss stuff like that with a DOF but like you say, the wages are the killer!

[mattador78]

Jun 13, 2022 6:00:53 GMT hcstokie said:

Jun 13, 2022 5:51:53 GMT mattador78 said:

my biggest rule is wages once they break £150k they are being moved on and if they don’t agree to what I offer they gone. Did once leave a wonderkids negotiation to my DOF who managed to negotiate his wage as increasing from £5k to £250k 😵 they were both swiftly moved on the DOF instantly

Haha I don’t blame you on that one!

I always keep control of negotiations and final sign offs on transfers. I once sold a world class midfielder to Bayern for £70m after he put in a transfer request, but I had a 50% sell on clause. I bought him back 2 years later for £50m so he only cost £25m. In my experience you miss stuff like that with a DOF but like you say, the wages are the killer!

I usually do myself but an internal contract with a player who loves me and the club I thought fuck it. Never again! The AI and transfers are a pain in the arse, I offered Juve the going rate for Jude Bellingham then they wanted £200 mil more than the £200m offered. They then offered £50m for my Brazilian midfielder who’s valued at £150m and wouldn’t even consider negotiating, he then asks why turned it down I say I want more money, he throws back I’m being ridiculous and should accept any offers around £60m 🤦‍♂️

[pieofpeter]

Trying to get into it this year and just can't.

[marylandstoke]

Jun 12, 2022 11:08:04 GMT mattador78 said:

Jun 12, 2022 10:09:12 GMT hcstokie said:

I’ll take a look at some of them. After shifting all of the deadwood after the first season I’m now top of the league after 15 games. Average age of the squad is 22 and only spending £250k a week on wages when the budget is £430k.

I always end up only signing players under 21 or play ones through the youth teams.

Always look for the older bargains as well. I’ve had Fekir in his retirement season bossing the prem on a low wage.

So, he’s a tough Fekir then Matty?

[mattador78]

I’m back on it after a break and my whole team is falling apart held together with shit and spit at this minute. So I sent my youngsters out on loan as par for course cleared the dead wood and rocked on with the season everything going to plan as normal until December and January, players started moaning about being played in the wrong position or role asked to leave so I say yes as I’ve got replacements, two players go down with major injuries and Juventus, Bayern and psg decide to unsettle half my team. I look for replacements in January nothing but stupid money available recall two loan players for the first team and one breaks his leg. I’ve basically now got 20 players for the league and champions league with five of them really weak or inexperienced with my un23s covering the gaps. Of the 20 in the squad though five are unsettled and my club captain is moaning because we are week in the DM position even though I’ve signed three od the fuckers in august 🤦‍♂️ I’ve only got DM in the bastard squad really I’ve got 6 players who can play there.

[marylandstoke]

Jun 27, 2022 20:58:39 GMT mattador78 said:

I’m back on it after a break and my whole team is falling apart held together with shit and spit at this minute. So I sent my youngsters out on loan as par for course cleared the dead wood and rocked on with the season everything going to plan as normal until December and January, players started moaning about being played in the wrong position or role asked to leave so I say yes as I’ve got replacements, two players go down with major injuries and Juventus, Bayern and psg decide to unsettle half my team. I look for replacements in January nothing but stupid money available recall two loan players for the first team and one breaks his leg. I’ve basically now got 20 players for the league and champions league with five of them really weak or inexperienced with my un23s covering the gaps. Of the 20 in the squad though five are unsettled and my club captain is moaning because we are week in the DM position even though I’ve signed three od the fuckers in august 🤦‍♂️ I’ve only got DM in the bastard squad really I’ve got 6 players who can play there.

Blimey.

Was just revving up to give this a run for when the weather gets unbearable here. Having read that I’m daunted lol.

[The Drunken Communist]

I'm still plugging away at Atalanta. We've won the league for the last two years but with the move to the new stadium right on the horizon I kinda let the wage bill get a bit out of hand, glanced at it at the end of the season & we were forking out over £1.5m p/w so I had to sort that out over the summer.

It meant as a few of the 'old boys' (if they can really be called that) had to go, a 23yo central defender & 23yo attacking midfielder who'd both played big parts in recent seasons were the first to go (That saved me around £160k pw) then followed by far the oldest player in my squad as my 29yo club captain left back was sold (He was out of contract at the end of next season & there was no way I could renew it, so it was let him go for free next year or cash in & get £30m for him now). What I thought would be my final sale was my star striker, he'd had a new contract last season to put him on around £70k pw but he wanted a clause in there where if he made 5 apps for his country it'd go upto £130k, I didn't mind doing this as he'd only played a few games for me upto that point & hadn't played for his country at all. Upon getting the starting job he instantly turned into superman scoring goals for fun, finishing the season as Serie A's top scorer, smashing my club record for most goals in a season, and played in every game for his country, so when Liverpool came in offering £95m for him it was time to say goodbye.

Then just before the season started one of my star midfielders came into my office wanting a new contract, he was already on around £80k so I knew it wasn't going to be pretty but we'd moved into the new stadium by now so I was happy to have one or two players earning a bit more than I'd usually pay... He wanted £240k & wouldn't budge a penny, not a chance I was giving him that much. This all lead to huge issuses in the dressing room as other players felt I was treating him unfairly - There's no way I was giving him such a huge contract, the next highest earner in the squad was on about £70k so there's no fucking way. Still the 'issues' kept coming in the dressing room, I was having to hold multiple meetings to try & solve things. In the end I decided he just needed to be fucked off, so despite him being worth £90m & me really not wanting sell him to a rival, I ended up letting him go to Inter for £30m just to get him out of the club.

Still, all's well that ends well. It's allowed me to bring through some more of my academy players to fill the void, wage bill is back down to just over £1m pw. Only slight problem in upfront, I'd got this Mexican kid who I thought was ready to become 'the guy', his stats are brilliant for his age, he's valued at over £100m, he's still being supplied by my two amazing wingers who score goals & create assists for fun, and yet for some reason it just isn't clicking for him... Maybe I'm being harsh on him by judging him against my last ace striker who just went mental right off the bat, I mean, it's not like he's done bad, we're only about 5 or 6 games into the season & he's scored 3 goals, I just expected more given how much we create.

[mattador78]

Jun 28, 2022 12:19:33 GMT marylandstoke said:

Jun 27, 2022 20:58:39 GMT mattador78 said:

I’m back on it after a break and my whole team is falling apart held together with shit and spit at this minute. So I sent my youngsters out on loan as par for course cleared the dead wood and rocked on with the season everything going to plan as normal until December and January, players started moaning about being played in the wrong position or role asked to leave so I say yes as I’ve got replacements, two players go down with major injuries and Juventus, Bayern and psg decide to unsettle half my team. I look for replacements in January nothing but stupid money available recall two loan players for the first team and one breaks his leg. I’ve basically now got 20 players for the league and champions league with five of them really weak or inexperienced with my un23s covering the gaps. Of the 20 in the squad though five are unsettled and my club captain is moaning because we are week in the DM position even though I’ve signed three od the fuckers in august 🤦‍♂️ I’ve only got DM in the bastard squad really I’ve got 6 players who can play there.

Blimey.

Was just revving up to give this a run for when the weather gets unbearable here. Having read that I’m daunted lol.

Fear not brave sir Robin! After a brief wobble, went out the league and fa cup and lost to Chelsea in the league first defeat in the league in 60 games. Well not so much a defeat more a pasting 4-1 with our goal in the last minute with the only shot on target. I have steadied the ship, the recalled loan players have filled in well from the bench and tyrese recalled to the team has been popping up with important goals. The Lucca/ward prowse combo has provided 49 goals and 20 assists so far so that continues as a staple but prowse is now 37 and not a 3 games in 7 days player anymore. My new dmS have calmed my captain and the unsettled players have resettled and withdrew their transfer requests. I have been sniffing out younger players but for some reason they have no interest in joining us 🤷‍♂️ Despite the fact I’m renowned for using young talent. I was turned down by a player from Ross county as our club is not as reputable as he would like to play for. So I checked and Stoke are now the highest ranked club in the world following back to back prem wins and back to back European cups. I’m positive it’s just glitching out a bit either that or he’s got ambitions above his station. My coaches are now the highest in the prem so the players are developing well, I’ve just brought zlatan who I had at Juve in to replace bould who was retiring, with Henry, Terry, Etherington and Whitehead it’s a bit of an eclectic bunch with two random Korean lad filling the gaps.
Any way I’m 6 points clear knocked Barcelona out on penalties and have Bayern up next in the quarter finals. The shit and spit bandage has held and away we go.

[mattador78]

Jun 28, 2022 15:23:54 GMT The Drunken Communist said:

I'm still plugging away at Atalanta. We've won the league for the last two years but with the move to the new stadium right on the horizon I kinda let the wage bill get a bit out of hand, glanced at it at the end of the season & we were forking out over £1.5m p/w so I had to sort that out over the summer.

It meant as a few of the 'old boys' (if they can really be called that) had to go, a 23yo central defender & 23yo attacking midfielder who'd both played big parts in recent seasons were the first to go (That saved me around £160k pw) then followed by far the oldest player in my squad as my 29yo club captain left back was sold (He was out of contract at the end of next season & there was no way I could renew it, so it was let him go for free next year or cash in & get £30m for him now). What I thought would be my final sale was my star striker, he'd had a new contract last season to put him on around £70k pw but he wanted a clause in there where if he made 5 apps for his country it'd go upto £130k, I didn't mind doing this as he'd only played a few games for me upto that point & hadn't played for his country at all. Upon getting the starting job he instantly turned into superman scoring goals for fun, finishing the season as Serie A's top scorer, smashing my club record for most goals in a season, and played in every game for his country, so when Liverpool came in offering £95m for him it was time to say goodbye.

Then just before the season started one of my star midfielders came into my office wanting a new contract, he was already on around £80k so I knew it wasn't going to be pretty but we'd moved into the new stadium by now so I was happy to have one or two players earning a bit more than I'd usually pay... He wanted £240k & wouldn't budge a penny, not a chance I was giving him that much. This all lead to huge issuses in the dressing room as other players felt I was treating him unfairly - There's no way I was giving him such a huge contract, the next highest earner in the squad was on about £70k so there's no fucking way. Still the 'issues' kept coming in the dressing room, I was having to hold multiple meetings to try & solve things. In the end I decided he just needed to be fucked off, so despite him being worth £90m & me really not wanting sell him to a rival, I ended up letting him go to Inter for £30m just to get him out of the club.

Still, all's well that ends well. It's allowed me to bring through some more of my academy players to fill the void, wage bill is back down to just over £1m pw. Only slight problem in upfront, I'd got this Mexican kid who I thought was ready to become 'the guy', his stats are brilliant for his age, he's valued at over £100m, he's still being supplied by my two amazing wingers who score goals & create assists for fun, and yet for some reason it just isn't clicking for him... Maybe I'm being harsh on him by judging him against my last ace striker who just went mental right off the bat, I mean, it's not like he's done bad, we're only about 5 or 6 games into the season & he's scored 3 goals, I just expected more given how much we create.

I’ve got a player like that myself everything says he should be on fire but there’s no form compared to my other strikers. I have a Brazilian who went on loan to Barnsley and smashed the championship last season he’s now Lucca’s partner taking over from the generational talent. I think he’s getting the same championship loan or if it’s not good enough he’s going to the French first division as I have a feeder club there. It’s the same with my England team the two in form league strikers couldn’t score in a brothel for England whereas I keep calling up tyrese and he’s on a goal a game 🤷‍♂️I get familiarity with the tactics and all the mental attributes, but sometimes like in real like people just don’t fit

[mattador78]

The 65000 seater Stanley matthews arena has been announced for 2035. Only drawback the £400million I had in the bank has just disappeared into the concrete 🤮. Big transfer window of my older higher wage earners coming up and one of my wonderkids will be going to psg for the £100 they have been sniffing with. After winning the league on the last day after losing the penultimate game to Man City and losing a gd advantage in the same game we hammered Southampton 3-1, and followed it up with an easy 3-0 champions league win against AC who had a dire team and don’t know how they had even got there.Campbell has asked to leave, Ward prowse has retired and laird and Godfrey are just not pulling the numbers they used to. This will be the first big revamp since I took back over so all my cheap youth sognings have big boots to fill this coming season.

[marylandstoke]

Jun 28, 2022 21:20:38 GMT mattador78 said:

Jun 28, 2022 12:19:33 GMT marylandstoke said:

Blimey.

Was just revving up to give this a run for when the weather gets unbearable here. Having read that I’m daunted lol.

Fear not brave sir Robin! After a brief wobble, went out the league and fa cup and lost to Chelsea in the league first defeat in the league in 60 games. Well not so much a defeat more a pasting 4-1 with our goal in the last minute with the only shot on target. I have steadied the ship, the recalled loan players have filled in well from the bench and tyrese recalled to the team has been popping up with important goals. The Lucca/ward prowse combo has provided 49 goals and 20 assists so far so that continues as a staple but prowse is now 37 and not a 3 games in 7 days player anymore. My new dmS have calmed my captain and the unsettled players have resettled and withdrew their transfer requests. I have been sniffing out younger players but for some reason they have no interest in joining us 🤷‍♂️ Despite the fact I’m renowned for using young talent. I was turned down by a player from Ross county as our club is not as reputable as he would like to play for. So I checked and Stoke are now the highest ranked club in the world following back to back prem wins and back to back European cups. I’m positive it’s just glitching out a bit either that or he’s got ambitions above his station. My coaches are now the highest in the prem so the players are developing well, I’ve just brought zlatan who I had at Juve in to replace bould who was retiring, with Henry, Terry, Etherington and Whitehead it’s a bit of an eclectic bunch with two random Korean lad filling the gaps.
Any way I’m 6 points clear knocked Barcelona out on penalties and have Bayern up next in the quarter finals. The shit and spit bandage has held and away we go.

So, with Matt’s brave encouragement, the stories you post (which are awesome, I laughed, I cried, I played the game again)

Rhobinso Rhobinio has rocked up (same game save which I think is a mistake) at Shrewsbury.

Board don’t seem to mind. Trying to get two or three in as better/cover. 
Am laying off contract negotiations as I’m a bumpkin.
We are defensively sound. Playing teams off the park, and three draws into the season.
As with every club in the world, and Stoke most of my life. A 12 goal a season striker would be great.15….well you get the jist.

[hcstokie]

Jul 3, 2022 23:48:47 GMT marylandstoke said:

Jun 28, 2022 21:20:38 GMT mattador78 said:

Fear not brave sir Robin! After a brief wobble, went out the league and fa cup and lost to Chelsea in the league first defeat in the league in 60 games. Well not so much a defeat more a pasting 4-1 with our goal in the last minute with the only shot on target. I have steadied the ship, the recalled loan players have filled in well from the bench and tyrese recalled to the team has been popping up with important goals. The Lucca/ward prowse combo has provided 49 goals and 20 assists so far so that continues as a staple but prowse is now 37 and not a 3 games in 7 days player anymore. My new dmS have calmed my captain and the unsettled players have resettled and withdrew their transfer requests. I have been sniffing out younger players but for some reason they have no interest in joining us 🤷‍♂️ Despite the fact I’m renowned for using young talent. I was turned down by a player from Ross county as our club is not as reputable as he would like to play for. So I checked and Stoke are now the highest ranked club in the world following back to back prem wins and back to back European cups. I’m positive it’s just glitching out a bit either that or he’s got ambitions above his station. My coaches are now the highest in the prem so the players are developing well, I’ve just brought zlatan who I had at Juve in to replace bould who was retiring, with Henry, Terry, Etherington and Whitehead it’s a bit of an eclectic bunch with two random Korean lad filling the gaps.
Any way I’m 6 points clear knocked Barcelona out on penalties and have Bayern up next in the quarter finals. The shit and spit bandage has held and away we go.

So, with Matt’s brave encouragement, the stories you post (which are awesome, I laughed, I cried, I played the game again)

Rhobinso Rhobinio has rocked up (same game save which I think is a mistake) at Shrewsbury.

Board don’t seem to mind. Trying to get two or three in as better/cover. 
Am laying off contract negotiations as I’m a bumpkin.
We are defensively sound. Playing teams off the park, and three draws into the season.
As with every club in the world, and Stoke most of my life. A 12 goal a season striker would be great.15….well you get the jist.

Good luck mate.

At some point I’d take on the contract negotiations yourself. If you don’t you’ll end up with your worst player being taking up about 60% of your entire wage budget and your best player with a minimum release clause of £5 and half a dozen oatcakes. The developers call it the Tony Scholes model.

[mattador78]

im in love. 7million quid 5 assists and both goals were outside box screamers

Attachment Deleted

[hcstokie]

Jul 4, 2022 20:54:01 GMT mattador78 said:

im in love. 7million quid 5 assists and both goals were outside box screamers

View Attachment

That’s a player!

It’s taken me an age but I’m finally coming to the end of my second season with Stoke. We were 3rd in the championship with 9 games to go, 9 behind Watford in first and 6 behind Wolves in second. After a bit of a dodgy run I changed things up a bit and started playing Connor Taylor with Souttar and Wilmot in a back 3. Absolutely flying now, sitting in second and 2 points from top with 4 games left and on 92 points. This may be the first season where I could hit 100 points and not go up!

[The Drunken Communist]

Red Star & Partizan are great for getting high quality but cheap young kids from, as are Dinamo, Split, Rijeka, Osijek & Lokomotiva over the border in Croatia. Infact that whole region is great, Bulgaria, Romania, Czech Republic etc...

[mattador78]

Jul 5, 2022 5:58:38 GMT hcstokie said:

Jul 4, 2022 20:54:01 GMT mattador78 said:

im in love. 7million quid 5 assists and both goals were outside box screamers

View Attachment

That’s a player!

It’s taken me an age but I’m finally coming to the end of my second season with Stoke. We were 3rd in the championship with 9 games to go, 9 behind Watford in first and 6 behind Wolves in second. After a bit of a dodgy run I changed things up a bit and started playing Connor Taylor with Souttar and Wilmot in a back 3. Absolutely flying now, sitting in second and 2 points from top with 4 games left and on 92 points. This may be the first season where I could hit 100 points and not go up!

I have used 3 at the back with wing backs from season one. It’s been pretty much gravy ever since Souttar did me for pretty much all my seasons at from the start.

[mattador78]

Jul 5, 2022 6:02:31 GMT The Drunken Communist said:

Red Star & Partizan are great for getting high quality but cheap young kids from, as are Dinamo, Split, Rijeka, Osijek & Lokomotiva over the border in Croatia. Infact that whole region is great, Bulgaria, Romania, Czech Republic etc...

Brazil is my go to at the minute and Greece are throwing them out but I keep getting pipped by ze Germans for them. Sold a wonderkid Brazilian to Bayern for 40mil and just got him back 12months later for £20mil luvverley jubbeley.

[The Drunken Communist]

Jul 5, 2022 9:22:55 GMT mattador78 said:

Brazil is my go to at the minute and Greece are throwing them out but I keep getting pipped by ze Germans for them. Sold a wonderkid Brazilian to Bayern for 40mil and just got him back 12months later for £20mil luvverley jubbeley.

Don't you find the Brazilian's (And Argentinian's for that matter) are a tad on the expensive side? I prefer to go hunting in Colombia, Uruguay & Chile where you can find just as good players for a fraction of the price.