I'm playing with Mansfield won league 2 at a canter in the first season and we've started well in league 1. I always prefer playing with lower league teams to begin. I like to build a career and move up as a manager on merit rather than starting at the top. That way even if I end up winning the Champions League with a big club at least I feel I've earnt it.
My advice at this level is:
1) Trim the wage budget and sell anyone overpaid for whatever you can get. I'm even happy to pay a contribution of the wages to the buying club if necessary. There's always a couple of 30 something players on double what they're worth who you may even get a few quid for.
2) All the loans. I have 8 loan players and even though I can only use 5 in a match their low or zero wages mean I have squad depth without the cost. 2nd choice goalkeeper as a loan player but never as a substitute means you save 800 quid a week on a good enough player and don't sacrifice one of the 5 player quota unless the 1st choice is injured/suspended.
3) Pick based on form. All your players will be a bit rubbish but sometimes they'll find a run of form. I might be reading more into this than there is but it feels like this has more of an impact at lower levels. Strikers with finishing 10 can easily go on a vital scoring run.
I really enjoy it at the lower end of the scale. It's frustrating having to compromise but makes you work harder for a solution. Can the winger also do a job at full back with a bit of training?
Glyn
My advice at this level is:
1) Trim the wage budget and sell anyone overpaid for whatever you can get. I'm even happy to pay a contribution of the wages to the buying club if necessary. There's always a couple of 30 something players on double what they're worth who you may even get a few quid for.
2) All the loans. I have 8 loan players and even though I can only use 5 in a match their low or zero wages mean I have squad depth without the cost. 2nd choice goalkeeper as a loan player but never as a substitute means you save 800 quid a week on a good enough player and don't sacrifice one of the 5 player quota unless the 1st choice is injured/suspended.
3) Pick based on form. All your players will be a bit rubbish but sometimes they'll find a run of form. I might be reading more into this than there is but it feels like this has more of an impact at lower levels. Strikers with finishing 10 can easily go on a vital scoring run.
I really enjoy it at the lower end of the scale. It's frustrating having to compromise but makes you work harder for a solution. Can the winger also do a job at full back with a bit of training?
Glyn
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