2nd Season Underperforming

Hi all, long time player, 1st time poster and hoping someone out there can really help me out.

I started a season as Ipswich Town (2009 version) and while enjoying second spot for most of the season found myself dropping into the Championship play-offs at 5th place [played 46, won 29, drawn 11, lost 6, pts=98]. After failing to win I was raring to go and improve in my second season in charge.

Now here's the problem! 11 games in and i've lost 5, drawn 5 and won only once. Why am I finding my second season so difficult? My players have improved, my team is stronger and I'm doing *****.

Can anybody shed any light on this?

(my lil bro had a similar problem with Valencia winning the league amd european title in his first season and finishing 14th in his second)

Thanks in advance,

K#1

Have you changed tactics or brought in a lot of players? Did you have a good pre-season?

Signings are the key I don't believe there is a 2nd season syndrome that sometimes appears in real life.

Teams are playing more defensive against you as they see you as a bigger threat because of your good previous season.

I always have a problem with my players "gelling" after singing multiple new players. It usually takes a good half season or so for my new squad to be performing at its best. Maybe give your new signings a chance to settle down.

And like Cougar said, the AI might be reacting to your own tactics. Try changing your tactics a bit and see if it helps.

Neji- No, on my previos saved game I signed better players in my second season and it disrupted my teams harmony and things went down hill for 2 ongoing seasons. Thought i'd do better sticking with my originals this time round, did change my tactics a little though. Pre-season was ok, Beat Fulham (PL) 2-0, lost to Peterbourgh (promoted from L1) 3-2

AcidBurn- As above, but have no made some bids and have to wait till January 2010 window to get them.

Cougar2010- Hmmm, in that case what should I be doing? Play defensive myself?

New playes Gelling isn't the problem as I havn't signed anyone. I think I now know the problem and will see how things go over the next few games.

Cougar2010- Hmmm, in that case what should I be doing? Play defensive myself?

The only thing you can do there is to change your tactics to exploit their weaknesses, and I would suggest tightening up at the back a bit, 5 losses after 11 games is a bit worrying, although not the end of the world at Division 1 level.

Won my following game and may now have changed things round. Thanks everybody for all your help.

If you play an attacking game in your first season then you need to play a more neutral one in your second season. Small teams will shut up shop against you. My remedy is to allow them time on the ball to make mistakes. I only try to dominate possession against big teams.

I don't believe there is a 2nd season syndrome

I'm with you.

Teams are playing more defensive against you as they see you as a bigger threat because of your good previous season.

And you. But IIRC re-ranking also happens after Christmas/new year too?

I lost one more game and was sacked oh well, time to start from scratch