FAMAS - or rediscovering the lurve.

Been playing since the days of CM2 and Clive Tyldesley's audio commentary ("short to the near post..."). Anyway, have always enjoyed later FM games, but always struggled to really have any success, despite reading all the TT&F and scouring the forums. I always play as Aston Villa and rarely manage to finish any higher than they do in real life (6/7/8).

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I was getting a bit peeved, thinking it's a bit too much "art imitates life" :-). So I decided to start one last game, to see if I could crack it and enjoy the game like I used to. So I decided to do one thing different; one thing that has made all the difference not just to my enjoyment, but to my results. FULL MATCH MODE!

Yes, it takes ages, but then I thought, well, Martin O'Neill can't just watch key highlights, he has to sit through hour upon hour of turgid football, trying to make changes so why should I get away with it.

It's a revelation - not only do I know understand much more about how the game works, but I find that I am taking my time with team selection and targeting opposition players BECAUSE I can't bear the thought of being 2-0 down after 10 minutes with the whole match to watch. :-)

In my first season, we finished 8th, but won the Europa league, and in my second, I am sat top after 9 games, including 3-0 wins over Man U and Chelsea. Hooray for full-match mode. Okay, so I only get to play maybe two or three games per day, and a season takes an age, but it's a great sense of being involved and you really do get to know your players and how they respond.

I hereby start the Full MAtch Appreciation Society (or FAMAS)

Might have to try this, I am in the same boat that you were when I am managing Everton.

I think it's a good idea to watch some full games, because, as you say, you learn a lot from it.

But watching every game completely is a bit much for me.

Might have to try this, I am in the same boat that you were when I am managing Everton.

Can't get a fag paper between the two really mate. It's just more fun this way :-)

Happy medium I use extended highlights but you do learn and understand your players better by watching them.

There was a guy over at FM-View who took some crap Russian second tier team to the CL final and streamed the whole match live on the web. You should definitely do this if you get to another final.

I think it's an interesting philosophical debate on the whole game/simulation thing. As an example, I also play on Flight Simulator, which gives you the option to speed up time. So I'd say, take off from Heathrow but then speed up time until 200 miles from San Francisco. I'd never dream of sitting in front of the PC watching clouds go by in real time :-o but then nothing is likely to happen (my co-pilot isn't likely to go in two-footed on an air-hostess). Maybe Flight Simulator should include a 'Jihadist is clean through on the cockpit...." option. lol

Isn't it FMAAS?

Since this is the first FM I've played since FM2007, I decided to watch a match or two on Full when I began my first season - to have a good look at the 3D ME, and tbh I have watched all my matches since then on full, excluding friendlies which I always leave to the ass man.

I have to admit it's the first time I've been able to see how my tactics take shape in the game, and also how player attributes are represented and applied in the ME. The season do pass slowly though, I'm only into November in my first save. Can't see myself going back to 2D/Highlights only, not for a while anyway.

One hundred percent true that watching matches helps in gaining understanding and getting results. I still tend to go Key-moments only, but when the pressure is on I go to extended. Also, I played since CM2 and got flabbergasted exactly like you did. I found FM way too difficult, but now I know about this it is getting easier again. (phew)

FAMAS is a gun... do that on purpose?

I just use key or extended these days because I am winning games comfortably, but when I was struggling at the start I played a few games on full match to see the big picture, it really helps. This is a good tip to newbies in their pre-season friendles, watch as much as you can which will help you see how your tactics translate to the pitch.

FAMAS is a gun... do that on purpose?

Yeah, on purpose, but then realised it doesn't work as an anagram

Yeah' date=' on purpose, but then realised it doesn't work as an anagram[/quote']

Maybe you should fill in another word between 'Full' and 'MAtch' as I like FAMAS.

just seeing famas i had to check to make sure this didn't turn into a call of duty forum while i was away

I like the idea of this, and Im going to give it a shot, to hopefully fall back in love with the game. Cheers for the idea

Reminded me of Metal Gear Solid on the PS1, actually.

Now that was a game - I remember being stumped trying to find the codec on the back of the box. Then realising it was ON THE BACK OF THE BOX. Genius.

Full Analysis of the MAtch Appreciation Society

Full Analysis of the MAtch Appreciation Society

Nice :-) Wish I'd have thought of that lol

I tend to watch crucial games on full, is much more informative!

Yeah' date=' on purpose, but then realised it doesn't work as an anagram[/quote']

Acronym An anagram is the same backwards as forwards.

Yeah, watching full highlights certainly helps you gauge better what shouts you need to use.

Acronym An anagram is the same backwards as forwards.

That's a palindrome actually, an anagram is when you can jumble the letters of a word up and make a new one.