Jimbokav1971

Thanks. Yeah, we've done well since getting to the Premiership. We seem to have taken a little step backwards this season, but there are still plenty of games to play.

Oct 2054. Scottish Premiership. Our form is better, but we're still not firing on all cylinders. The draw with Hibs was a fair result and I would have been delighted with a draw before the game so I'm certainly not complaining, but we should have beaten Livingstone. We're up to 3rd though and are now just 5 points behind Ross County and Hibs, but Hibs have played 1 more game than Hibs. I'm not sure what has happened to Celtic and Rangers, (2nd and 3rd bottom), although they do have games in hand. UEFA Champions League. It was an even game against Porto, but they stuck the ball in the net twice. 1500 Up. Debuts. Transfers. Goal-scoring GK's. We've played 20 games this season and haven't been awarded a pen yet. (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" is 5/8 from the spot at 63%. (Is no longer at the club). (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" is 17/20 from the spot at 85%. (Is no longer at the club). (25c) Christie (F.Sport) 6'1" is 46/52 from the spot at 88%. (Is no longer at the club). (26p) Marsh (CAN)(SCO) 5'10" is 15/17 from the spot at 88%. (Is no longer at the club). (30a) Ogilvie (Fickle) 6'2" * is 47/64 from the spot at 73%. (Is no longer at the club). (31k) Lawrie (Unamb) * is 23/29 from the spot at 79%. (Is no longer at the club). (33a) Black (Fickle) 6'0" * is 2/3 from the spot at 67%. (Is no longer at the club). (37b) Niven (F.Loyal) 6'4" * is 24/41 from the spot at 59%. (Is no longer at the club). (39c) Telfer (F.Pro) 6'2" * is 29/44 from the spot at 66%.(Is no longer at the club). (40e) Qurbonov (UZB) (Res) * is 0/2 from the spot at 0%. (Is no longer at the club). (43n) Welsh (F.Pro) 6'4" * is 59/74 from the spot at 80%. (41h) Cairney (Unamb) 6'2" * is 7/12 from the spot at 58%. (Is no longer at the club). Finances.

Sep 2054. Scottish Premiership. Our form in the league has improved and we were unlucky not to get something out of the Ross County game. We're up to 5th though and have a game in hand on 2 of the teams above. We've got lots of ground to make up though. UEFA Champions League. Despite the fact that we're in 2054, we still have a ridiculously young squad. So young in fact that we were only able to register 15 players for our Champions League squad because everyone else is too young to require registration. League Cup. The group of friendlies might be coming to an end at the Semi-Final stage. Transfers. Internationals. Goal-scoring GK's. (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" is 5/8 from the spot at 63%. (Is no longer at the club). (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" is 17/20 from the spot at 85%. (Is no longer at the club). (25c) Christie (F.Sport) 6'1" is 46/52 from the spot at 88%. (Is no longer at the club). (26p) Marsh (CAN)(SCO) 5'10" is 15/17 from the spot at 88%. (Is no longer at the club). (30a) Ogilvie (Fickle) 6'2" * is 47/64 from the spot at 73%. (Is no longer at the club). (31k) Lawrie (Unamb) * is 23/29 from the spot at 79%. (Is no longer at the club). (33a) Black (Fickle) 6'0" * is 2/3 from the spot at 67%. (Is no longer at the club). (37b) Niven (F.Loyal) 6'4" * is 24/41 from the spot at 59%. (Is no longer at the club). (39c) Telfer (F.Pro) 6'2" * is 29/44 from the spot at 66%.(Is no longer at the club). (40e) Qurbonov (UZB) (Res) * is 0/2 from the spot at 0%. (Is no longer at the club). (43n) Welsh (F.Pro) 6'4" * is 59/74 from the spot at 80%. (41h) Cairney (Unamb) 6'2" * is 7/12 from the spot at 58%. (Is no longer at the club). Finances.

Aug 2054. Friendlies. I don't usually show you the results of friendlies, but we had quite a few arranged in pre-season that were the result of clauses in transfers, and it meant that the standard of opposition was higher than normal and as a result we lost quite a few games before the start of the season. I think that this has led to our slow start in the league. What I should have done is spaced them out a little more so that we were more competitive. Scottish Premiership. The other big factor at play here is that of course we sold 2 of our strongest players in (41b) Gourley (NIR)(F.Sport)* and (45e) Brass6 (Fickle) MC *, and this will have weakened us a little at least. Add in the morale hit after losing the friendlies, (and getting spanked by a really good Hibs side on opening day), and that's all that's needed to turn a win into a draw and a draw into a loss. It's a bit of a shock to the system to see Ross County 11 points ahead of us after the 1st month, but I don't expect them to keep up that form so I'm not hugely concerned by them. Of more concern are Aberdeen and Hibs who are 10 points and 7 points ahead respectively. Unless we can change our form around pretty quickly then we could be in for a long old season. That being said, this is certainly a season of rebuilding after winning our 1st Premiership title last season and moving on 2 of our better players, so as long as we finish in Europe then I'm fine with that, (and that shouldn't be a problem with so many European spots available now). Champions League. The fixtures haven't been kind to us win games against Liverpool, Porto, Spurs, Barca & AC Milan, but this is the Champions League I suppose. I guess we just count the money and say "thanks very much", and then plan for next season in Europe. League Cup. Quarter Final Schmorter Schminal. They're just friendlies remember. Season Tickets. Transfers. Goal-scoring GK's. (23) Brass (Bal) 6'2" is 5/8 from the spot at 63%. (Is no longer at the club). (23) Ewing (Bal) 6'1" is 17/20 from the spot at 85%. (Is no longer at the club). (25c) Christie (F.Sport) 6'1" is 46/52 from the spot at 88%. (Is no longer at the club). (26p) Marsh (CAN)(SCO) 5'10" is 15/17 from the spot at 88%. (Is no longer at the club). (30a) Ogilvie (Fickle) 6'2" * is 47/64 from the spot at 73%. (Is no longer at the club). (31k) Lawrie (Unamb) * is 23/29 from the spot at 79%. (Is no longer at the club). (33a) Black (Fickle) 6'0" * is 2/3 from the spot at 67%. (Is no longer at the club). (37b) Niven (F.Loyal) 6'4" * is 24/41 from the spot at 59%. (Is no longer at the club). (39c) Telfer (F.Pro) 6'2" * is 29/44 from the spot at 66%.(Is no longer at the club). (40e) Qurbonov (UZB) (Res) * is 0/2 from the spot at 0%. (Is no longer at the club). (43n) Welsh (F.Pro) 6'4" * is 59/74 from the spot at 80%. (41h) Cairney (Unamb) 6'2" * is 7/12 from the spot at 58%. (Is no longer at the club). Finances. We've got £113M in the bank and are owed another £21M in guaranteed transfer income, so money is no longer a problem and shouldn't be a problem ever again in the save.

Jul 2054. Season Tickets. Transfers. Finances.

Squad Depth. Jul 2054. GK. It's a gamble running with just a single senior GK, but I'm going to do it anyway. Assuming all 5 of the GK's earmarked for loan go out, I will just play 1 of the kids if we get and injury, and/or recall 1 of the loans. I have a sneaking suspicion that I can actually sign a GK in an emergency if we get an injury, but I assume that's only in the window. 1st Team. (43n) Welsh (F.Pro) 6'4" * 2nd Team. Loan. (44f) Gordon (F.Pro) 6'1" * Loan. (46e) Hunter (Res) 6'0" * Loan. (45c) Paskowski(POL)(Bal)6'0 * Loan. (49h) Broughton (USA)(F.Det) * Loan. (52c) Aly (IRL) (EGY) (Spirit) U21's. (51i) Pascazio (IRL) (F.Pro) * U18's. (53l) King (F.Pro) 6'3" U18's. (54k) Weir (Unamb) 6'0" Sell/Release. (52j) Brass. (Pro) WBL. 1st Team. (46d) Bentley (AUS)(F.Pro) * 2nd Team. (51b) Kirkwood (F.Det) *** Loan. (49f) Clark (Res) * Loan. (51f) McGrandles (L.Det) Loan. (52p) Grady. (L.Det) U21's. (50f) Knudsen (FRO)(DEN) 5'5 * U18's. (53b) Cowie (Unamb) 5'3" Sell/Release. (51g) Stuart. (Temp) SELL WBR. 1st Team. (43a) Quinn (F.Pro) * 2nd Team. (47i) Anthony (Unamb) 6'0" WBR Loan. (50e) Taylor (Unamb) Loan. (52g) Duncan. (F.Pro) Loan. (52n) Reid. (SCO)(AUS) (Unamb) U21's. (51h) Smith (Sport) WBR * U21's. (51d) Montgomery(Bal)(NIR) WBR U18's. (54b) Reid (Bal) U18's. (53f) Stewart. (F.Det) WBR U18's. (53h) Tosh. (Unamb) U18's. (54p) Costello. (Bal) DC. 1st Team DLC. (44e) Henry (F.Pro) 6'0" * 1st Team DC. (53a) Brownlie (Dri) 5'11" *** 1st Team DRC. (50b) Wilson (Unamb) 6'4" * 2nd Team DLC. (46p) Weir (Driven) 6'1" * 2nd Team DC. (46a) Savoury (Real) * DC 2nd Team DRC. (44h) Lemetti (F.Pro) 6'3" * Loan. (45g) McCroary (Merc) 6'4" U21's. U21's. U21's. U18's. (52f) Dorrans (Pro) 5'11" U18's. (52e) Davidson (F.Sport) U18's. (53k) Dunne (F.Pro) 6'0" * U18's. (54a) Hopkin (Temp) 5'11" * U18's. (53o) Moffat (F.Pro) U18's. (54c) Ferguson (L.Det) 6'2" U18's. (54j) Hall. (F.Loyal) 6'0" Sell/Release. (51n) Mealor. (Bal) DC SELL Sell/Release. (51m) Paudice.(Bal) 5'10" SELL MC. 1st Team MLC. (52a) Fraher (IRL) (F.Det)*PPM 1st Team MRC. (45e) Brass6 (Fickle) MC * 2nd Team MLC. (48c) McKee (L-Heart) * 2nd Team MRC. (44b) Harvey (Spirit) * Loan. (49d) Sutherland (Merc) * Loan. (43b) Bradley (F.Det) * Loan. (50c) Sørensen (FRO) (Fickle) U21's MLC. (51a) Maley (F.Det) (IRL) ** U21's MRC. (52b) Hastings (Det) 5'9" ** U18's. (53c) Robertson (L.Heart) U18's. (53d) Romanis (F.Pro) * U18's. (54l) Morrison. (Bal) SC. 1st Team SLC. (51c) Mackie (F.Pro) (IRL) * 1st Team SC. (50a) Donald (F.Det) 6'0" * 1st Team SRC. (47b) Smith (Det) * 1st Team SLC. (48a) Edwards (F.Det) 5'5" * 1st Team SC. (47a) Currie (Bal) 6'1" * 1st Team SRC. (49b) Courts (Bal) * Loan. (46f) Weir (F.Sport) * Loan. (47d) Warnock (IRL) (Temp) * Loan. (47k) Bonar (L.Heart) * Loan. (51l) Hillcoat. (Bal) Loan. (52m) Butterworth. (Bal) U21's SLC. (53m) Koloušek (CZE) (Merc) U21's SC. (50j) McMullan (Unamb) * U21's SRC. U18's. (54d) Lochhead (Loyal) 5'8" U18's. (53i) Ślęczka (Res) 6'5" U18's. (52d) Porojan (ROU)(Spirit) ** U18's. (54e) Hilson (Bal) 5'11" U18's. (52i) Glass (F.Det) U18's. (52o) Stapley (ENG) (Resil)

Jun 2054. TV Rights. Transfers. (41b) Gourley (NIR)(F.Sport)* had 2 years left on his contract, but with so many strikers of a decent level, it made sense to sell him even though he was technically 1st choice SC. Apart from 3 seasons where he scored 23, 23 and then 30 goals, he hasn't actually been as prolific as I hoped he might have been. Don't get me wrong he's been great, but I just expected him to be better based on how he looks. I'm afraid this is a "problem" for our SC AF(a), who gets squeezed by the 2 wide strikers, (both PF(a)'s), and this causes the AF(a) to drop deeper than I would have expected and become more of a link player than a finisher. I would love the AF(a) to eventually become a TM type player, (without the direct play). Reputation. Before the new season ticks over. After the new season ticks over. European nation coefficients. As of NEXT SEASON, the Scottish Premiership will be given a 7th European spot. We've had 6 spots for the past 3 seasons so even Rangers who finished bottom of the top half of of the split will get European football. In future, the side who finishes top of the bottom half of the split will also get European football. European Club rankings. European Competition rankings. (Rep). Internationals. Finances.

I've had a decent TM come through the intake, (I think). I don't think he was big, (I seem to remember him being 5'11" or so), but I don't know was it this season or last season or the season before. We certainly haven't seen anyone come through like the Rangers bloke Selfridges or whatever his name was. Let me have a look now and see what we've got in terms of "big" forwards. (50a) Donald (F.Det) 6'0" * is 6'1, but he's not suitable as a TM at all. (51c) Mackie (F.Pro) (IRL) *** is 6'0", but he's not suitable as a TM at all. (47a) Currie (Bal) 6'1" * is 6'2" and he could do a job as a TM, but he's not a cheat level of TM like we have seen elsewhere and not really worth experimenting with. (46f) Weir (F.Sport) * is 6'1", but he's not suitable as a TM at all. (53i) Ślęczka (Res) 6'5" is the player I was thinking of. He came through the intake not last season but the year before, but he hasn't really kicked on and his PA has dropped. Not sure he is going to be good enough though.

Yeah (53a) Brownlie (Dri) 5'11" * is good and I've got him signed to a 2+3 deal that I will look to try and extend if possible. We have a few nice 5.0 PA players now and importantly in different positions. For a long time we've been quite heavily reliant on striker depth. In this group we don't have a GK, but we have 3x DC's, 1x WB, 3x MC's and 1x SC. That's pretty nicely balanced. We have 3x 4.5 PA players and they're all strikers.

Yeah we progressed pretty well and while 10 seasons is pretty decent, we probably should have won the league the previous season but we fell apart at the end.

I'm actually tempted to have a delve into set-pieces and I absolutely will if I get a big TM through an intake. The current UI is just so frustrating and seems completely at odds with how SI say they want to develop the game.

Nah, I'm just persistent.

I really must look at set-pieces. I'm probably going to leave it until FM25 and then look at it seriously then. Maybe if I get a little bored later in this save I will have a little peek. It should be an area that is completely customizable. And you are spot on about pens not being included. Thank God for that.

I haven't had my GK's on free-kicks at all in FM24 quite simply because SI have changed the way that you populate the set-piece takers list. In order to do that I would need to take control of all of set-pieces, (attacking and defending), and I just don't want to do that. I might change my mind in the future, (I've been close a few times), but for the moment I'm ok sticking with pens only. What I really want is to be able to allocate set-piece takers, but not control any other aspect of set-pieces, (attacking or defending). You would think that with SI''s focus on making thnings easier for the user this would have been part of their strategy, but no. For me to do what I have done for years, I now have to do much much much more clicking and work and I can't take control and then delegate once I'm in there. It's all or nothing and I suppose I should just be happy that pens aren't included in that.

I completely agree about the goals being shared. This is partly because I have 2 completely different teams for weekend/midweek games, (because I think it gives me an advantage where fitness is concerned), and also in light of the type of save this is it both allows me to run with a bigger squad, (keeping fringe players around who might not be 1st choice now but who will be needed soon), and also because it allows me to blood and develop young players who aren't quite up to the required standard now. I don;t really mind not having a 30+ goal a season striker, and when you consider that my GK scored 10 goals, (and missed another 3 spot kicks), then we could have quite conceivably had a 30+ goal a season striker anyway had the GK not been on pens. I'm sure we will score more next season anyway.