Official Football Manager 2011 Career Thread

[tonymgc]

When i start my game i've decided to go with Litex Lovech, Former club of Radostin Kishishev.
Nice starting point to build my reputation as an internationally successful manager. Will keep you all updated when the journey begins

 

[Pat_Albion]

Still havent received mine, called zavvi this morning and they said it was sent out on thursday 1st class but its still not here

 

[sten_super]

Started a new game on Saturday with the full patched game, with BHA. Don't have it here so no full list of transfers, etc. although playing on a large database made it hideously easy to sign quality players.

In goal I have Poke (after Ankergren started the season as first choice but was crap; Poke looks better stats wise than Brez). I bought in Andy Butler (former Hudds centre back) on a free to play alongside Greer. Also bought in Shane Lowry as reserve left back.

In midfield, I play 2 DMs and 2 wingers. Bridcutt is first choice as the 'destroyer', with Giorgis Panagi, a Cypriot I signed from Omonia Nicosia, alongside him supporting the attack. Have Håvard Nordtveit (on season long loan from Arsenal) as first reserve. First choice as wide midfielders have been Bennett and Sparrow. LuaLua has been awesome when he plays, but between dodgy fitness and playing for the Congo he hasn't played more than 50% of games. Sparrow took some time getting used to the wide role but has now scored 4 in the last 6 games.

Up front has seen the biggest change. I have signed Leo Aro, a Brazilian, on a free transfer who is amazing. He plays alongside Sandaza as the first choice, although I have Leign Griffiths (signed for £250k from Dundee) on the bench, and he is also quality. Behind him are some random Slovak, and even Barnes has played a couple of games. Murray was sold to Scunthorpe for £85k.

I am 13 games into the league season, and in 1st place, 4 points clear of MK Dons in second. I have dropped 6 points (3 draws) so currently undefeated. Went out of the Johnstones Paint Trophy in the first round, after my reserves lost on penalties to Torquay. Drew Fulham at Withdean in the second round of the League Cup and somewhat miraculously played them off the park in a 2-0 win, with a certain BZ barely getting a kick. Then lucked out with Arsenal away in the third round, which I lost 2-1 after a valient effort. Was a great payday though, with almost 50k in attendance. Other recent highlight was thumping Charlton 6-0 at Withdean, in a game which had everything; 2 for LuaLua, 2 own goals, a red card and much more besides.

 

[mcshane in the 79th]

Just started a game, first thing I did was sack most of the coaches, but am now struggling to find any better replacements on wages I can afford Might start again and keep hold of the existing until I find improvements, not the other way round!

 

[sten_super]

Just started a game, first thing I did was sack most of the coaches, but am now struggling to find any better replacements on wages I can afford Might start again and keep hold of the existing until I find improvements, not the other way round!

I bought in Brian Horton as assistant (good stats and of course plenty of previous with the club) and found some decent coaches (as the current coaches stats are rubbish) just by searching for unemployed coaches with minimum 15 in the required stat; my team now includes Steve Sedgley as defence coach and Andrew Cole as attack coach. Look for those with the lowest reputations as they will have the lowest wages.

 

[mcshane in the 79th]

I bought in Brian Horton as assistant (good stats and of course plenty of previous with the club) and found some decent coaches (as the current coaches stats are rubbish) just by searching for unemployed coaches with minimum 15 in the required stat; my team now includes Steve Sedgley as defence coach and Andrew Cole as attack coach. Look for those with the lowest reputations as they will have the lowest wages.

Thanks, will look up those guys and say what contracts they ask for.

It's what I usually do and never have problems finding much better people, however I tried that with the Fitness Coach to start with, but the highest I could find was someone with 14 for Fitness Coaching and he wanted £1,200 wages, I was only allowed to pay £675 p/w. Looked for a Defensive coach but again found only people with low stats and high wages (all out of work). It also costs a fortune to get rid of a lot of the existing guys too, average of around £75k.

Maybe it was just a bug and I should start again anyway?

 

[sten_super]

Thanks, will look up those guys and say what contracts they ask for.

It's what I usually do and never have problems finding much better people, however I tried that with the Fitness Coach to start with, but the highest I could find was someone with 14 for Fitness Coaching and he wanted £1,200 wages, I was only allowed to pay £675 p/w. Looked for a Defensive coach but again found only people with low stats and high wages (all out of work). It also costs a fortune to get rid of a lot of the existing guys too, average of around £75k.

Maybe it was just a bug and I should start again anyway?

I didn't hire a specialist fitness coach, just a coach with high fitness training (but even then it was only about 15). I had similar wage constraints and managed to find a few; if you haven't already, make sure you tick the box which says 'get assistant to filter out uninterested' (or similar) as that will give you a much shorter list to work through. Also, all staff (and players) will take substantially less than they first ask for, although they will only move their demands once; I tend to offer around half of what they ask for, and then agree to whatever their next demand is. If you use the 'non-negotiable offer' you can generally get them to accept one notch below this, but it's a risky tactic.

It does cost a lot to get rid of the existing staff; I think this is because IRL they are all on long-term contracts. However, having to pay the likes of Warren Aspinall c£50k to cancel his contract as a scout seemed a bit much!

 

[mcshane in the 79th]

I didn't hire a specialist fitness coach, just a coach with high fitness training (but even then it was only about 15). I had similar wage constraints and managed to find a few; if you haven't already, make sure you tick the box which says 'get assistant to filter out uninterested' (or similar) as that will give you a much shorter list to work through. Also, all staff (and players) will take substantially less than they first ask for, although they will only move their demands once; I tend to offer around half of what they ask for, and then agree to whatever their next demand is. If you use the 'non-negotiable offer' you can generally get them to accept one notch below this, but it's a risky tactic.

It does cost a lot to get rid of the existing staff; I think this is because IRL they are all on long-term contracts. However, having to pay the likes of Warren Aspinall c£50k to cancel his contract as a scout seemed a bit much!

Haha I remember choking on my tea when Aspinall's cancellation fee came up!

 

[Brian Fantana]

Injuries are RIDICULOUS...1/2 'knocks' per game minimum, six on long term injured.. Very frustrating. The demo quickstarts were perfect - some injuries but not constant and unrealistic. The full game? Too many penalties and too many injuries!!

Have made one amazing signing since last update:

JC, how do you get the old school arrows on the tactics?

 

[porkypie]

Im trying to download this demo, but every time i try to open it i cant, Any suggestion on how i can open it please, when i try to open it, it just sends me on line to find a program to open the file with!

 

[sam86]

Im trying to download this demo, but every time i try to open it i cant, Any suggestion on how i can open it please, when i try to open it, it just sends me on line to find a program to open the file with!

Yeah, download the program it's telling you too

The file extension is in a format you haven't got a program that can open. Therefore it's telling you to download one.

 

[Turkey]

FM 11 number game in the all formats chart!

 

[fruitnveg]

Re: coaches - I'm not at home at the minute, so can't be 100% but a few guys i found were Hughie McAuley (appointed Assistant), Tosh (great name) Farnell, and some scottish guy (!) - He was unemplyed with fitness training at 20, much better than the start coach.

Will post transfers (including coaches!) when i get home.

 

[jcdenton08]

JC, how do you get the old school arrows on the tactics?

On the tactics screen, on the drop down menu in the top right choose 'convert to classic'

 

[porkypie]

Yeah, download the program it's telling you too

The file extension is in a format you haven't got a program that can open. Therefore it's telling you to download one.

Still dont work!:US:

 

[HalfTimeOrange]

Just started my Brighton career. England (Blue Sq N/S), Spain (Liga adalente) and Brazil (Second Division) leagues selected. Hoping to keep it as realistic as possible, but might make a few signings to strengthen in some areas. Will post some updates later

 

[fruitnveg]

Staff and Players In-Out.

Playing England League 2 and above, Serie A & B, Scotland Prem and Liga BBVA

Automatic Rep. Player masking on. I have allowed transfer budgets in the first window, but i haven't used any, as you can see. Here's hoping it goes well!

Edit: Ergh, I'm not very good at this uploading lark!

 

[sten_super]

Staff and Players In-Out.

Playing England League 2 and above, Serie A & B, Scotland Prem and Liga BBVA

Automatic Rep. Player masking on. I have allowed transfer budgets in the first window, but i haven't used any, as you can see. Here's hoping it goes well!

More digestible, but also both of the players, not staff!

 

[fruitnveg]

More digestible, but also both of the players, not staff!

Damn, i was hoping to have that fixed before anyone noticed!

 

[sten_super]

Right finally got some screenshots sorted. Signed a hell of a lot of players but most are for the U18s/reserves.