logykphlo

Hi,

Was wondering if someone would be kind enough to offer me a bit of advice please.

I'm currently playing my first game on FM, in charge of Newcastle and I've reached the January transfer window, due to my performance in the league so far it's looking like I'm going to lose a few players, certainly Obafemi Martins (ST), probably Michael Owen (ST) and possibly Charles N'Zogbia (AML). I'm also considering cashing in on Joey Barton (DM, AMC) as he's not been performing that well for me.

My concern is that losing 3 - 4 first team players is going to massively disrupt my team and form in the league. Realistically how many players can I replace without causing too much of a disruption? I'm thinking maybe 2 max?

Further to these probable losses, I was looking for some advice on replacements, as if I lose Oba and Owens I'll be down to Alan Smith as my only recognised striker, having already sold Viduka.

I've already agreed a contract with the following player:

Name: Guilherme
Age: 19
position: MC/AMC/ST
Club: Cruzeiro
Value: 3.6m (Paying 7m)
Work permit needed/not needed: Needed (awaiting acception)

Believe he'll be a good replacement for Oba, but now I'm looking for a quality backup to Smith and Guilherme to make an impact from the bench & cover injuries etc.

Ideally want someone who'll be instantly productive, relatively inexpensive and content to get used rotationally.

Will probably have about 10m to spend on this player but would prefer to spend as little as possible.

While I'm here I might as well ask for some opinions on some of the other players I'm currently looking at! They are:

Name: Ever Banega
Age: 19
position: DMC
Club: Boca
Value: 1.9m (Offered 3.5m)
Comments: Saw this guy was widely reccomended in hot prospects thread so lining him up as a future replacement for Nicky Butt

Name: Lorik Cana
Age: 24
position: DMC
Club: Marseille
Value: 5.25m (Paying 7.5m)
Comments: Lining this guy up as a replacement for Joey Barton

Name: Gonzalo Pineda
Age: 25
position: DL, DMC, MC
Club: Chivas
Value: 1.4m (Paying 3.3m)
Comment: Lining up as a backup to Emre (DL) and as a rotational MC

Are there better players I should be looking at in these positions or will these guys do a job for me?

Also I'm looking at:

Name: Matias Fernandez
Age: 21
position: AML, AM
Club: Villareal
Value: 6.75m

As a replacement for N'Zogbia in the AML position.

Again, is this a reasonable replacement or should I be looking at other players?

Thanks in advance for any advice offered!

Hartynips

Deffo get Banega, and if you can, Hedwiges Maduro to replace Barton. Try to keep Oba Martins he need a decent big strike partner with him, have you thought of somebody like Huntelaar?

If you have some money get in Jeremy Menez, he may just save your skin if Newcastle are playing below par. Will produce looads of assists, as will Kader Keita.

Bozza

Hmmz, this is a pretty tough situation for you mate. Losing your two key strikers is never a good situation and hard to get by. As a striker, I would recommend Kikin Fonseca (Mexico) as a striker who is really good in heading and finishing or Omar Bravo (Mexico) as a really fast striker.

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logykphlo

Thanks for the responses fellas, sorry I'm only just getting around to replying but my girlfriend kidnapped my laptop for her uni work so only just gotten back to my game!

Looked at all the players you guys recommended, Maduro in particular looked awesome, but unfortunately has no intention of joining me at present, same with Huntelaar and Menez

Would've loved to have kept Owen and Martins but unfortunately a heap of teams came in for both of them offering the min release fee value so had no choice in the matter To make matters worse, half my team are now somewhat annoyed with me for selling 2 key players

In the end I went with the following players:

Name: Guilherme
Age: 19
position: MC/AMC/ST
Club: Cruzeiro
Value: 3.6m (Paid 6.5m)
Comments: looks like he could turn out to be a top player for me in an AMC role just behind my strikers.

Name: Henok Goitom
Age: 23
position: ST
Club: Murcia
Value: can't remember (Paid 10.5m)
Comments: 4 goals in 5 games so far including a priceless last minute goal against Chelski to earn me a 1 - 1 draw.

Name: Thiago
Age: 20
position: ST
Club: Sao Paulo
Value: 4m ish (Paid 6m)

Name: Lorik Cana
Age: 24
position: DC/DMC/MC
Club: Marseille
Value: 5.25m (Paid 7m)
Comments: looking like he could be a beast playing from DMC and was the player I settled on instead of Maduro.

Name: Andrey Arshavin
Age: 26
position: AMR/AMC/ST
Club: Zenit Peterburg
Value: can't recall (Paid 6.5m)
Comments: having a slow start but am sure he'll come good once settled.

Name: Julio Alvarez
Age: 26
position: MC/AMC/ST
Club: Numancia
Value: 2m (Paid 4m)
Comments: looks like he'll be a useful backup in all positions he can play with potential.

Also picked up Ever Banega and Gonzalo Pineda.

Hopefully these guys will do a job for me, only time will tell! But any comments on these signings are appreciated!

busheyladd

Arshavin is average on FM =[

start looking at wonderkid's maybe ?

Stancu ST
Torje ST/ RW

logykphlo

Yeah Arshavin did look distinctly average in his first season, but has put in some promising performances for me during pre season so I'm going to keep faith with him and see how things pan out. If nothing else hopefully a few good performances in the first half of the season will attract some potential suitors and I can offload him in the Jan transfer window.

Already picked up Jimmy Briand this season and looking at Vincent Kompany and Anthony Vanden Borre to strengthen my defence.

I've been keeping tabs on Torje and may pick him up for this season, not sure yet. Don't think I've come across Stancu yet so I'll check him out when I can pick up my game again! Thanks for the response

doran

rodrigo palacio was a goal machine in my 1st season along side martins.....

busheyladd

any more updates ?

decent signings defence wise.

if you need a striker

Zarate
20 years old.
scored 35 in 41 for my villa :)

logykphlo

Ack my laptop crashed and corrupted the save game on which I'd bought Briand, so had to go back to an earlier save. However this could've worked out in my favour, as I was priced out of Briand this time round by some other clubs.

Because of not getting Briand I followed your advice Bushey and looked at Stancu, didn't look all that special initially but decided to give him try. Was a little concerned at first because he didn't score at all and started to suffer a crisis of confidence, but once he broke his duck he's been nothing short of a revelation.

He's scored 21 goals in 25 games so far, including a hat trick against Man Utd in the League Cup to give me a 4 - 2 win, 2 goals in the League Cup final to give me a 2 - 1 win over Liverpool and 2 goals in the Champions League to give me a 3 - 1 win over Real Madrid. He was also instrumental in my 6 -1 thrashing of Man Utd in the league. He's become unplayable and is the first name on the team sheet! An absolute steal for 400k.

Thanks very much for the tip! The team really looks to be taking shape now, in my second season and I'm currently sat in 4th in the League after 26 games, 5 points off 1st with a game in hand.

Thanks again for all the help and advice

beatties

it might help u if u payed less for ur players if u hunt around and be patiant you will get them at good prices

beatties

also try iwanski,zarate,

Beyaz001

If he is in your youth/reserves squad, try Ryan Donaldson. I personally never gave him a try in the first team but he did wonders up front for my youth team and reserves.

Jonners71

How is Guilherme doing for you? I got him at Liverpool and he is good although have a feeling he may have reached full potential already at 24...

I also reccomend Miralem Pjanic of Metz as back up squad player...shouldn't cost too much and is excellent...looks likely to move to Lyon in real life and will cost a lot in FM09

jujitsudave

Check out: -

Jeferson farfan
Jean II Makoun

Bit pricey but worth the money

JuJitsuDave(toon)

jujitsudave

Oh, and keep andy carrol!

JuJitsuDave(toon)

Mercer

Try and sign Alex from Fenerbache. He was brilliant in my Newcastle side, playing as an AM just behind the front two. Not a bad price either. I really reccomend him.

logykphlo

Jonners, Guilherme has been awesome for me, but my NUFC game is on the 8.0.0 version. Regularly voted fans top player, I tend to mix him up between AMC and FC though.

Farfan and Makoun have already moved on to other clubs on my game.

Well into my 3rd season now and doing quite nicely, have built up a squad that is starting to gel nicely.

Thanks for everyones responses on this! Has been most appreciated.

busheyladd

any screenies of your squad then please ?

thanks

logykphlo

Sure Bushey I'll post them up when I get chance, just in the middle of setting up a network game with a mate atm so can't do it right now.

Soon as I get back to my NUFC I'll update this post with screenies =)

Edit:

Screenie as promised for Bushey!