I'm a big Newcastle fan, and any time I buy a new FM game I can't help but start a game with my favourite team. This time I was especially excited to start with Newcastle, because I feel our team in real life is decent, though I would still like to make a few changes here and there!
Anyway, I will get this story underway over the next few days with regular updates. I am starting this at work so unfortunately won't be able to post any initial results as I played through pre-season at home last night. I get through FM seasons reasonably quickly, so there should be enough material to keep you amused in the next few days (I hope!)
As I look at the squad, I think there's several things that could be improved. Firstly, we are lacking any real firepower up front, only Demba Ba seems to be of any worth. I will try and sell Shola Ameobi (despite him being a local lad), Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands, as I do not rate any of them.
We also need more depth on the wings, and in defence.
Will update later with a list of players I'm looking at and the pre-season results...
Transfer targets
We only have 3 centre backs currently, club captain Fabricio Coloccini, young star Steven Taylor and "traditional" centre back (i.e. slow lumbering lad but strong and good in the air!) Mike Williamson. We need some cover, and its a good chance to groom a younger player through the cups and undoubtedly during times when there are injuries.
DC Rafael Tolói - Goiàs (Brazil)
DC Jan Vertonghen - Ajax (Holland)
DC James Tomkins - West Ham (England)
DC Siyanda Xulu - Sundowns (South Africa)
DL/R/C Mapou Yanga Mbiwa - Montpellier (France)
I'm also not 100% confident in fullback Danny Simpson, while Ryan Taylor is out injured anyway, and Davide Santon is required to play left back. In any case, with just 3 fullbacks it is probably prudent to invest in another young player to bolster our defence.
DR Šime Vrsaljko - Dinamo (Croatia)
DL Massadio Haïdara - Nancy (France)
Yanga Mbiwa could also fill in at fullback if I decide to go after him.
The midfield looks strong with Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye in the middle, backed up by Danny Guthrie and Dan Gosling, but its a bit sparse behind them. Hatem Ben Arfa is out injured and there is a lack of creativity in my opinion. I will be looking at more attacking midfielders to try and create more chances for the strikers.
DM/AMC Milan Badelj - Dinamo (Croatia)
AMC Christian Eriksen - Ajax (Holland)
MC/AMC Markus Henriksen - Rosenborg (Norway)
DMC Kara - Tromso (Norway)
DMC Gojko Kaçar - Hamburg (Germany)
I mentioned we had a lack of depth out wide. We have 3 wingers currently, Jonas Gutierrez, Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux. The latter is rather injury prone, and I can see the team really requiring depth in this position, as I'm expecting my wingers to have to work hard throughout the season.
AMR/L Xherdan Shaqiri - Basel (Switzerland)
AML/C Eyal Golasa - Maccabi Haifa (Israel)
AMRL Giannis Fetfatzidis - Olympiakos (Greece)
I'm going to need reinforcements up front if I part company with Ameobi, Best and Lovenkrands.
STC Yaya Sanogo - Auxerre (France)
STC Ahmed Khalil - Al Ahli (UAE)
STC Luuk De Jong - Twente (Holland)
STC Modibo Maïga - Sochaux (France)
Anyway, I will get this story underway over the next few days with regular updates. I am starting this at work so unfortunately won't be able to post any initial results as I played through pre-season at home last night. I get through FM seasons reasonably quickly, so there should be enough material to keep you amused in the next few days (I hope!)
http://www.mcparty.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/nufc.png
Pre-Season at Newcastle United - Season 1As I look at the squad, I think there's several things that could be improved. Firstly, we are lacking any real firepower up front, only Demba Ba seems to be of any worth. I will try and sell Shola Ameobi (despite him being a local lad), Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands, as I do not rate any of them.
We also need more depth on the wings, and in defence.
Will update later with a list of players I'm looking at and the pre-season results...
Transfer targets
We only have 3 centre backs currently, club captain Fabricio Coloccini, young star Steven Taylor and "traditional" centre back (i.e. slow lumbering lad but strong and good in the air!) Mike Williamson. We need some cover, and its a good chance to groom a younger player through the cups and undoubtedly during times when there are injuries.
DC Rafael Tolói - Goiàs (Brazil)
DC Jan Vertonghen - Ajax (Holland)
DC James Tomkins - West Ham (England)
DC Siyanda Xulu - Sundowns (South Africa)
DL/R/C Mapou Yanga Mbiwa - Montpellier (France)
I'm also not 100% confident in fullback Danny Simpson, while Ryan Taylor is out injured anyway, and Davide Santon is required to play left back. In any case, with just 3 fullbacks it is probably prudent to invest in another young player to bolster our defence.
DR Šime Vrsaljko - Dinamo (Croatia)
DL Massadio Haïdara - Nancy (France)
Yanga Mbiwa could also fill in at fullback if I decide to go after him.
The midfield looks strong with Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye in the middle, backed up by Danny Guthrie and Dan Gosling, but its a bit sparse behind them. Hatem Ben Arfa is out injured and there is a lack of creativity in my opinion. I will be looking at more attacking midfielders to try and create more chances for the strikers.
DM/AMC Milan Badelj - Dinamo (Croatia)
AMC Christian Eriksen - Ajax (Holland)
MC/AMC Markus Henriksen - Rosenborg (Norway)
DMC Kara - Tromso (Norway)
DMC Gojko Kaçar - Hamburg (Germany)
I mentioned we had a lack of depth out wide. We have 3 wingers currently, Jonas Gutierrez, Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux. The latter is rather injury prone, and I can see the team really requiring depth in this position, as I'm expecting my wingers to have to work hard throughout the season.
AMR/L Xherdan Shaqiri - Basel (Switzerland)
AML/C Eyal Golasa - Maccabi Haifa (Israel)
AMRL Giannis Fetfatzidis - Olympiakos (Greece)
I'm going to need reinforcements up front if I part company with Ameobi, Best and Lovenkrands.
STC Yaya Sanogo - Auxerre (France)
STC Ahmed Khalil - Al Ahli (UAE)
STC Luuk De Jong - Twente (Holland)
STC Modibo Maïga - Sochaux (France)