I was going to pick Northern Ireland because it's the worst playable nation (no editing) in FM11, but all of the teams are semiprofessional. I know all about that and know to stay away from it at all costs. So instead I picked another abysmal country in Europe - Wales.
The professional team predicted to do the worst by the media is Neath FC, so that's who I will start with. I don't want to bother with a semipro team since this will only be a half-assed career any how.
At any rate, go Eagles!
Boy, oh, boy, what have I gotten myself into? Before you get carried away with some of the star ratings, please keep in mind that my assistant manager has a little more vision than a blind squirrel. His CA/PA abilities are both 5...
In all fairness, Lee Trundle is a star and he will certainly play a pivotal role in any success we have. With that said, he's slotted in my playmaker position - he's the trequart. Trundle looks like a technical savant alongside the rest of these misfits.
His strikemate, Chad Bond, is my first choice at poacher. He's got decent finishing, pace, and acceleration.
Matty Collins will play another key role at his center mid spot. I want to play him at the attacking spot, but I need his overall talents on the more defensive side of things.
Kristian O'Leary is the final 'star' in this ragtag team. He is our best defender (I know, it's sad) so he naturally will man one of the center back slots.
From first glance, I figure I can at least compete for that 5th place finish the media is predicting for me. The board wants me to at least qualify for continental competition, which looks like I need to achieve a top 4 finish. I'm assuming the top team goes to the second qualifying round of the Champions Cup, the second placed team goes to the second qualifying round of the EURO Cup, and the third and fourth placed teams go to the first qualifying round of the EURO Cup.
So to bolster my club I dumped my transfer funds into my weekly wages and have an underwhelming $1000 per week of wiggle room. I don't know what kind of bargains are on the free transfer market but we need to find some.
God. Help. Me.
First order of business? You guessed it! Lining up as many money-making friendlies as possible.
Lol, I was gonna start a game in Wales earlier today too... and with Neath! Nice choice, best stadium, training facilities (though still poor) but the most challenging of the 3 professional teams. Lee Trundle is clearly the star but his huge wages could be better spent on a bunch of squad strengthening players, shame your stuck with him for at least 6 months. I wonder how much you can raise the reputation of the Welsh league? Good luck with your story!
# Evo :
Lol, I was gonna start a game in Wales earlier today too... and with Neath! Nice choice, best stadium, training facilities (though still poor) but the most challenging of the 3 professional teams. Lee Trundle is clearly the star but his huge wages could be better spent on a bunch of squad strengthening players, shame your stuck with him for at least 6 months. I wonder how much you can raise the reputation of the Welsh league? Good luck with your story!
Great minds think alike!
I'm guessing it will take at least this opening season to start turning over the roster and getting it shaped to my liking. It also looks like we'll have to deal with the limitation of only 5 subs per game during domestic play after being so used to 7.
Ha, ha, ha! It's just a friendly but how embarrassed is Cardiff after being held scoreless at The Gnoll?
Good to see another story!!!! Cant wait to read it.
Well the preseason was bad for morale but it was certainly good for the bank account. We went 0-2-7 with a lot of heavy losses against Premier League sides. We did manage a draw in our final friendly against Newcastle, however, and we also managed a draw vs Cardiff. Beyond that I was happy to get through preseason with only one major injury (starting keeper). The draw vs Newcastle should gives me a bit of a confidence boost going into league play and I think I've begun to settle on a starting eleven.
Arg! This league has some silly rule that requires you to bring two U19 players to every league game. So that means two out of my five bench players will be kids on youth contracts that have no business being out on the pitch. Cancel this story. We're moving to Slovenia instead.
