skybluedave

I've had a good season getting Zaragoza promoted using DLP(d) behind CAR & B2B I maybe don't score a lot but defensively I was great. Would get a the odd annoying 0-0. Carrilero not a role I'd used before but on the left of midfield 3 with a WB(a) and IF(s) on the left side it kinda worked. I thought it was more a defensive role but he chipped in with plenty of goals and assists.

Not had much time on FM this week due to Xmas run in. But ready to now. So after finishing 4th in 1st season, I went into summer relatively happy and not a huge amount of money available I targeted 2 transfers and that was it. Gorosabel for right back and Iker Munoz from relegated Osasuna (16.5mill and 11.25mill respectively). Aimar would be nice, especially as relegated but 28mill relegation release clause is a bit too rich for me, and would rather spend the money I have on afore mentioned 2 players. BUT then Newcastle hit Vivian's min fee release and he was off for 48mill. I then went and bought Zubeldia (transfer listed) to replace and then went big on Aimar. So going into summer thinking it would be low key, I've ended up adding 4 new key players to the side... And this is my squad going into season. It's potentially a tad too big for my liking. I can see a few guys on the bench not getting the minutes they want but hopefully the CL games will counter that as I rotate.

Valencia. Have a really good group of exciting youngsters. Low expectations. No money but you can sell Jose Gaya for 40mill to Middle East and then use that to invest in squad.

So had 3 games to go. in 4th spot, 7 points clear of Villarreal. I have, Atletico H, Alaves A & Barca H Villarreal have Granada A, Cadiz H & Las Palmas A I have tougher fixtures but only need 1 win or Villarreal to slip up once... be fine surely. I lose against Atletico and Alaves. Villarreal win their 2. I'm also deep in injury crisis. This is my squad before the Barca game, a Barca team that need to win to take title Now for reasons I have no idea. Villarreal play their game the day before, while everyone plays same time final day. No idea why. They LOSE to Las Palmas, I then have a stressless, relaxing meaningless game against Barca, where my cobbled together injury riddled since put in a fine performance and win 2-1. Capped by Alboniga-Menor coming off bench with 7 mins to go and scoring from 20 yards in only his 2nd appearance for 1st team this season And turns out that goal cost Barca the title

Yeah, wait til after youth team match and then let my DOF sign them to £55pw youth contracts. I then holidayed to end of season and checked and my finances were back in black and I could offer wages again. So reload and finish season myself tonight now. When I holidayed my assistant managed to finish in CL places. Lets see if I can do the same...

I'm gonna have to stop this save For some reason I can't offer anyone any wages anymore and I don't know why. Maximum I can offer youth players is 1k a week so can't get my first batch of (very good) youth candidates contract I'm well under my wage budget by 100 odd grand. Both club one and league salary one. I'm guessing it's coz I'm in the red for balance but that should clear once next season roles around, bit harsh that this would stop me offering even basic wages for youth guys

Started an Athletic save. Reaching the end of Jan, in 5th (joint with 4th). Started season slowly as I flicked between formations. Started with a diamond, then tried a 433 and now settled on a 4231. These are my transfers end of Jan: Moncayola my marquee summer signing. To sit alongside Vesga and free up Sancet. Brighton came in for Yuri and I couldn't really turn that down. Unfortunately Aihen Munoz wasn't available outside his release clause (too much) and Javi Lopez of Alaves has no interest in joining a rival. So first half of the season left back was Imanol and I tried Berenguer there as a make shift left back but that didn't really work. Come January though Aihen Munoz was available for a lot less so I pounced and that should be that position sorted. Djalo was transfer listed at Braga and I had to pounce. I'm not a fan on Munian in the game so Djalo will get a lot of game time while Munian covers all 3 AM positions from bench. Jesus Areso I maybe over paid for but wanted to secure a right back as de Marcos is off to Middle East end of season. Big earners Ander Herrera and Raul Garcia weren't playing enough to justify wages so went in January along with Dani Garcia who too wasn't playing. Left me short in centre mid so Sangalli came in on loan as cover until Vencedor returns in summer. Plans for summer will hopefully be quiet. Iker Munoz at Osasuna is number 1 target. Should be able to match his min fee and he can cover/rotate with Moncayola. Nico Serrano I think will join first team as he's having a strong loan in Holland. He'll probably take Dani Rodriguez spot who I will send to B team or loan out. Dani Vivian is wanted which is annoying, I rejected a bid from Arsenal and have agreed to sell him if somebody pays £48mill. In theory I could sell and replace with Guillamon and maybe try for Aimar but Guillamon signed a new contract recently and Aimar is super expensive so probably prefer to stick with what I have This is shape of squad/1st team: Season going well. Famous win at Bernabeu and won the Derby away, but then also a few really poor results (home defeats to Las Palmas and Rayo). Clean sheets hard to come by too. Nico has been amazing, Inaki struggled so far. Top 6 is kinda cut off from rest of league, so hopefully be ok for Europe but CL or EL who knows

My favourite signing so far has been Miguel Azeez from Arsenal for my Coventry side. Signed 1st summer for £300k and heavily structured so super cheap. Creative centre mid, who I play as B2B in a 433. 1st sesson he was bench option with occasional starts but always delivered and ended up playing alot. Same situation as I'm now in 2nd season, again wasn't going to be 1st choice but is proper knocking at the door. I think 3rd season if we are still in Championship then he'll be undisputed 1st choice. Stats are developing well, he loves a goal and worldy goal too. Really recommend him if you a Championship club on a budget

So this is my squad going into 2nd season with Valencia and CL football. Only additions were the 3 highlighted players, and this will probably be my strongest side. Feel like my scouts kinda got it wrong with Kaiky now he's in the squad. Pretty much 3/4ths of my transfer budget went on him. Hopefully he develops and comes good and I can ignore the stars! Noel Lopez on loan to cover up front from Real Madrid. I quite like him and he scored 7 goals for Madrid in 13 games so should have something about him. This is my best youth team candidate. Not sure what to do with him. His dribbling is really annoying

Finish 3rd 1st season. Was hoping to be given a bit of cash for 2nd season with CL qualification amd all but... nope. They topped my existing budget up to around £13mill at the end of the season but I wrongly assumed they'd top me up a bit more at start of 2nd season. I used all my budget to pick up Almeria centre back Kaiky after they got relegated and I triggered his release clause. And to tie up contracts for key players. I then cleared out some deadwood, mostly guys that returned from loan and managed to raise enough to pick up Fidalgo from Club America in Mexico, who seems a popular pick up this year. And that's all my bussiness as I conclude pre season so think step up to CL football with all the extra games is gonna make this 2nd season tough

Here's my squad, tactic and transfers so far

I'm doing a Valencia game. And liking it so far. Hitting January first season and 5th. They have a really exciting young squad, with tons of great prospects. I sold Gaya for 43mill 1st summer and used that money to bulk out the squad a bit. Low expectations too. Top half finish is all the want. I think they a side with good foundations to build on

I can live with this but the worst part is when half your squad get upset you've not given X a new contract. If it's confined to just one player then I could manage but when bunch of 1st teams down tools because of it then it's annoying

Say a 4231 or 433, would an inverted wing back work with an inside forward or inverted winger ahead of him in AML/R? Or should it ideally be a winger in front?

Vencedor valued at around £120mill and on loan in the Segunda is pretty sad for an Athletic save