RAKKA

I'm going into my second season with Tottenham, having finished 6th last year, and winning the UEFA cup. The problem is I'm not really sure who to spend my money on.

I have £32.5M to spend, and will get another £5.5M when Robinson moves to Sunderland in a week. Maybe an additional £2M from peripheral reserves and U18's moving away.

Here's my team, as it stood before going into the UEFA final:



That's probably the best team I can field, maybe Arshavin replacing Malbranque.



Basically what I'm asking for is suggestions for:

• Second keeper
• Either full back position
• Creative midfielder - backup for VDV or his replacement.
• Possibly another winger or 'target man' striker
• Any other positions you think need something extra.

Rafael van der Vaart is unsettled and practically demanding to leave, feels he has achieved everything he can at the club. Unfortunately he was hugely important last season - we didn't win a game he didn't play in! So a decent replacement is a must. He plays in a central playmaker role, setting up goals for the strikers (led the league for assists), and chipping in with a few of his own.

I tried to get Joao Moutinho but he signed with Valencia last year, and they want £30M. Even then he rejects contracts.

Can you suggest anyone else? I bought Thiago for £6M from Barca at the end of last season, but he won't be first-team ready for a while. Money's not such an issue with this, as I'll get a fair bit for selling VDV.

Oh and Menez is attracting a lot of attention too. So far I've declined two £27M offers for him, but if anyone can suggest a replacement for less I may let him go. I'm sure I can get Inter or Man Utd. to go for £35M.

liveru

I'd defo get rid of Lobont mate. I've never really liked him. Never been consistant for me.

Two keepers I'd suggest are Kasper Schmeichel from Man City and Sebastien Frey from Fiorentina.

Full backs, Fabricio Coloccini plays RB and I'd seriously look at Rangers' Steven Smith.

Steven Defour is a good player that controls the midfield for me in previous save games.

Also, Joleon Lescott would be an awesome signing at centre back. He's been consistant in every single game I have played on FM 2008.

RAKKA

Really? Lobont was good for me last season. I did conceded quite a lot, but that was more tactics I think. I was going to keep him as back up, but a few offers are coming in, so I'll think about it.

I'll have a look at all the players you suggested anyway.

liveru

Yeah mate. The few times I've signed Lobont, he's made loads of mistakes.

Probably not the best goalkeeper to have as #1.

RAKKA

Frey's at Arsenal now, and Schmeichel doesn't look too good in my game.

I have made an offer for Defour though and had i accepted. We shall see. I'll pay £10M up front and £15M over 24 months if it goes through.

Have you used Javi Martinez by the way? I was looking at buying him as well, if van der Vaart goes, then circulating the two in midfield. Or playing both if the game doesn't call for a DM. The only problem is he wants 97K a week. My highest at the moment is Berbatov @ 60K.

I can't get an offer for Coloccini accepted. Any other full back suggestions?

liveru

I've never had Javi, sorry mate.

As for another full back.

Mart Swennen from Twente would be a good look. He's only young but he can become one of the best players on the game.

jakielove

I always sign akinfeev as a keeper he s amazing and also sign sing farfan for bakup if not first team
good luk

RAKKA

CSKA want £27M for Akinfeev over two years or about £23M now. Which would be fine, but the centre mid issue is the priority. If I can sort that and maybe earn some money from VDV's departure I might give it a go.

RAKKA

Okay. I managed to sign Defour for £25M. Very pricey, but should be a good signing. Joleon Lescott cost another £11M. And I also signed Foriestri from Genoa/ Siena (Co-own). He set me back a little over £5M.

This didn't leave me enough for a keeper that was worth spending real money on, so I picked up Kuszak from Man Utd. as backup for Lobont (£770K). Hopefully he'll prove you wrong until I can bring in someone else next year, or perhaps in January.

Thanks for all your help, I'm pretty confident in my team now. Especially since VDV seems to have had a change of heart about leaving.

I do have one other thing to ask though, if anyone can help? I need a replacement for Gareth Bale who seems inclined to move to Italy. I had my heart set on Taiwo, and can afford him, but he rejects the contract every time. Same with Chiellini - he even requested to be transfer listed. Anything I can do to convince them?

Or failing that anyone know a decent leftback? Emmanuelson is also taken by the way.

liveru

£25m is cheap for Defour. Especially after the first season and Lescott at £11m is very very cheap in any season that he isn't over 30.

Nice one mate.

RAKKA

Well that makes me feel better for spending all my transfer money then. Defour does look amazing, surprised I hadn't read about him elsewhere.

Thanks for all your help mate.

Maybe I should write a story thread to let you know how they do.

liveru

No worries mate and you do that. I wanna see how you've been doing.

busheyladd

If your still looking for a CM, look to sign Balazs Dzudszak : he is a creative midfielder and on patch 8.0.0 is definatley worth buying, wonkerkid too and could replace VDV ;)

RAKKA

I'm using 8.0.2. Is he still worth it?

I'm now using a 4-5-1 alternative tactic, with Nihat as lone striker so another CM wouldn't go amiss, as currently I've got 2 CM and 2 Winger positions to be filled by 6 players. Everyone's getting a bit tired. Should be able to last 'til January though.

shadowbrewster

kuszsack is a briliant cheap keeper hes my first choice on my bayern munich game and hes keeping Hugo Lloris and Akinfeev out of GK slot as hes playing so good
his stats have increased quite nicely for me aswell so give him few tries in net and once hes got some confidence he will kick lobont out

as for another CM wot about stijn schaars is very reliable or the young super kid lucas biglia hes one of the most creative players in the game

i agree with lescott hes a brilliant CB that can even play brilliant at LB if needed

busheyladd

Not to sure if dzusudak is any good on 8.0.2 sorry, never played that patch.

liveru

He's not bad. I've seen him play for the likes of Newcastle and Aston Villa on my previous games and he's been fairly consistant. He might be worth taking a look at.

PluMie

if your still looking for a keeper, Hugo Lloris from OGC Nice, i picked him up for 11.5M and currently in the premiership after 28 appearances he has conceded 16 and has 18 clean sheets, only 21 and ricey has tipped him to become a leading premiership goalie in the future and rates him as a quality player