| Backup To The First Team Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 145 Thanks: 39 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0 |  My Tottenham Game
I'm new to these forums – and, indeed FM in general, 08's my first – and I figured what better way to introduce myself than a 'current game' thread… I do have a habit of rambling, so this will probably be pretty in-depth, and 'wordy'. I'll try to include pics to colour it up a bit. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR I chose Tottenham as my weapon of choice, mainly because I'd never managed in England before. My previous games have been at Villarreal and F.C. Seoul. Also they seemed a decent middle-tier team: not too difficult, some decent players, but also unlikely to win the league in the first season. Personal Aim In this save I'll obviously be aiming to lead Tottenham to domestic and European trophy glory, however, I'll also be aiming to achieve a team capable of fast, flowing football. The gritty style I employed with Seoul has left me wanting a change. SEASON ONE 2007-08 Since I had little idea of Spurs' lineup I decided to take charge in march, to get a few games in before the team went on holiday. I've since discovered that by doing this I circumnavigated King and Woodgate's injuries. I guess that could be called cheating, but oh well… I'll leave out the first few games I played before the players' holiday as they were just to assess the players, and most had to be against my reserves team anyway, following a number of rejections. Season goal: European qualification through league finish. Transfer budget: £26,000,000 Team Assessment The first thing I noticed when looking at the team was a lack of a decent creative central midfielder. Jenas and Tainio wouldn't really cut it as first choice. Secondly, the full-backs were good, but could certainly be improved upon, with Bale, in particular needing some help whilst he was still developing. Finally the two attacking wingers, Malbranque and Lennon, had no real cover, and the former could perhaps do with a replacement. After this I decided to list, Gilberto, Lee Young-Pyo, Jenas, Bent and a variety of reserve players, and had a general shake up, moving players like Tainio to the reserves. Summer Transfer Window Outgoing Darren Bent to Man City for £12M There were actually a few offers for Bent after I played him in a few of the friendlies. They all started at about the £9M mark, but after I asked for £12, only Man city and Wigan remained. I'd hoped he'd head to Wigan, since I suspected to be close to Man city in the league, but he had other ideas, clearly Jermaine Jenas to Sunderland for £6.5M Nothing much to say here, I didn't think I needed him so, I let him go. A decent price too, all things considered. Aaron Lennon to Blackburn for £10M Not planned, this one, but Blackburn made the offer and after delaying for a while I decided it was probably worth it. At the time I had a few wingers lined up anyway, so it wasn't that big a deal. Some of the reserves went out on loan or to affiliates Watford, not really worth mentioning though, and Leyton Orient, another feeder, received a couple of U18's. Incoming (Total to spend: About £60,000,000 (inc. budget adjustment)) Rafael van der Vaart from HSV for £16M What better way to solve a central midfield problem? Probably my best player pre-season. Unfortunately his arrival made Boateng unhappy – too much competition, and he eventually handed in a transfer request. Not a lot I could do though to be honest, van der Vaart's presence on the field was too important to leave him out all that often. Lorik Cana from Olympique de Marseille for £5.5M I lined up this DM whilst interest in Zokora was high, nothing ever came of that, but my scouts say Cana is a better player so I decided to get him anyway. Bogdan Lobont from Dinamo Buc. for £1.2M Discovered by one of my scouts in Romania, after Cerny received an injury that would see him out for 5 months and I consequently terminated his loan. Done well enough to keep Robinson out of the team so far. Andrey Arshavin from Zenit Peterburg for £8.5M I knew I needed to get another striker into the team, and after At. Madrid's 11th hour swoop for Huntelaar, I had to go for my second choice. Took a while to get started since he arrived with a 3 week injury and received another almost straight after, but recently picked his game up. Plays mainly AMR now. Jeremy Menez from AS Monaco FC for £7.5M Bought for AML position, but can cover for van der Vaart and even play as a striker if needed. A real unsung hero for me in the early stages of the season, setting up goals left and right. How the fans could question his purchase is beyond me. Renato Augusto from Flamengo for £7.75M Yet another AML/R/C. Perhaps I can see where Boating's complaint was coming from, but he's also done pretty well since arriving. Doesn't get as many assists to be honest, but he's chipped in with a goal or two on occasion. The following players were also bought for the reserves, or U18's. Mainly as prospects for the future, but I bought Mantorras, purely because mt reserves didn't have a striker – they were all on loan. Matthieu Saunier from Girondins Bordeaux for £350K Distel Zola from AS Monaco FC for £250K Levan Kenia from Schalke for £675K Damien Le Tallec on a free transfer (plus clauses) John Fleck on free transfer (plus clauses) Mantorras from Benfica for £700K Formation and Tactics  Nothing revolutionary tactics wise. Back four with full-backs going forward to provide crosses and through balls. In the centre, van der Vaart acts as midfield playmaker with a DM alongside him. Wingers are attack minded, with forward runs and run with ball, both set to either mixed or often depending on the player. If Arshavin is playing AMR, then the arow will bend in towards the penalty area, and he'll be given a free role.
Note: Augusto was only playing in FC as he needed the play to get ready for the new season, I don't play him there usually.
Pre-Season Friendlies
1-0 Charlton 2-0 Leeds 5-1 Derby 4-2 Aston Villa 1-0 Dinamo Kiev 4-1 HSV 2-1 Watford 4-0 Preston The pre-season games had gone pretty well, 8 games, 7 wins, 1 loss. The opposition quality left something to be desired at times, but there were some good results there too. All things considered, I was confident I'd managed to assemble a decent team and come with up an effective tactic too. Either way there was no more time for friendlies, and we were thrown into our first league match against Middlesbrough. 
Last edited by RAKKA; 03-07-08 at 10:57 AM. |
