FM 11 - Shed Rule - The Official Dundee United thread.

Dundee United Football Club are a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Traditionally, United are nicknamed The Terrors and the supporters known as The Arabs, though the latter has been applied equally to the club in recent times by the sporting media, in favour of the former. The Tangerines is another term occasionally used to describe the club. Dundee United play there home games at Tannadice Park which holds 14,200.

United currently play in the Scottish Premier League and have been managed by Peter Houston since 2010. The late Eddie Thompson, chairman from September 2002 until his death in October 2008, was the majority shareholder of Dundee United, whilst the supporters, under the guise of ArabTRUST, own the second largest shareholding.

In European competition, United are Scotland's fourth most experienced team, having played 104 matches (six fewer than Aberdeen) over 22 seasons in Europe.

Dundee Uniteds most successful spell was during the 1980's, when they won the League Cup twice (1980, and 1981) and the league (82-83 season). In 1987 Dundee United created history in Scotland by becoming the first Scottish team to reach the final of the UEFA cup where they were beaten 2-1 on aggregrate by IFK Gothenberg. Although they lost, Dundee United's fans and team were widely praised for there conduct and behaviour, and the fans won the first FIFA fair play award. It is also worth noting that Dundee United defeated FC Barcelona home and away and remain the only team ever to do this, a feat they managed twice (1966 and 1987)

In 1994, Dundee United finally won the Scottish Cup at the 7th time of asking, defeating Rangers 1-0. United followed this up in 2010 by defeating Ross County 3-0 in the final with goals from David Goodwillie and a double from man of the match Craig Conway.

Nation : Scotland

Year founded : 1909

Status : Professional

Reputation : National

Chairman Status : Loves the club

Legends : Maurice Malpas, Paul Sturrock, Paul Hegarty, Eammon Bannon, David Narey, Dennis Gillespie, Doug Smith, Hamish McAlpine, Jim Mclean.

Icons : Kjell Olofsson, Craig Brewster, David Bowman, Finn Dossing, Erik Pedersen, Jim McInally

Favourite Personal : Craig Levein, Billy Dodds, Lee Wilkie, Grzegorz Szamotulski, Danny Swanson, Morgaro Gomis, Jason Scotland

Fierce Rival : Dundee

Other Rivals : Aberdeen, St Johnstone

Finances : Ok

Est. Value : £9m (loan debt £6m)

Media Prediction : 3rd

Captain : Jon Daly

Vice Captain : Darran Dodds

Transfer Funds - 0

Squad

1 GK Dusan Pernis

2 DF Sean Dillon

3 DF Paul Dixon

5 DF Darren Dods

6 MF Craig Conway

8 MF Scott Robertson

9 FW Jon Daly (Captain)

10 FW Danny Cadamarteri

12 MF David Robertson

13 GK Steve Banks

14 MF Danny Swanson

15 MF Prince Buaben

16 MF Morgaro Gomis

17 DF Barry Douglas

18 DF Garry Kenneth

19 DF Mihael Kovačević

20 FW Andis Shala

23 DF Keith Watson

25 FW David Goodwillie

26 MF Ryan McCord

27 FW Johnny Russell

28 GK Filip Mentel

29 MF Ross McCord

30 FW Ryan Dow

35 FW Dale Hilson

37 MF Scott Allan

50 DF Craig Hill

Squad Analysis

Goalkeeper - First choice, without question should be Slovakian international Dusan Pernis, solid and dependable, with good command of his box. Backing up Dusan Pernis is player/coach Steve Banks. He is an able back up however at 38 a replacement will soon be required. In the reserves and youth, Filip Mental stands out, with the right coaching and a suitable mentor he could be ready for the 1st team in 2-3 seasons if Pernis is moved on, get Pernis tutoring him early on, with them both being Slovakian it should make it easier. Marc McCallum in the youths is a good prospect at 17, 3 and 1/2 stars potential.

Star Man - Dusan Pernis

Youth Prospect - Filip Mentel

Defence - Unlike last seasons strength in the center of defence, this season United are without former club captain Lee Wilkie who retired due to injury, and Andy Webster who returned to Rangers after a season long loan. Scott Severin has been brought in to bolster the defence, and will slot straight into the first team, a solid replacement who is good on the ball, Darren Dods is very much your typical Scottish defender, big, ugly and with limited passing range, he is a good stopper but not cultured with the ball. Garry Kenneth is probably the player most managers will get excited about. He is only 23, tall and has good stats in the right areas, I would pair him and Scott Severin at the heart of a back four. I would recommend you try Darren Dodds tutor him, he is by far Uniteds best young defensive asset in my opinion in the game.

At fullback Paul Dixon has some serious competiton from new signing Barry Douglas at left back. Both left backs have decent defensive stats but much more impressive attacking stats, Dixon with 15 for crossing, and Douglas very much a free kick specialist. At right back, Michael Kovacevic is suitable as a defensive fullback, but looks more comfortable as a back up to centreback, he will do a job defensively but his stats for going forward are poor. He starts the game injured up to the point of his contract expiring, renewing his contract is an urgent priority, he is a good young pacy defender. Sean Dillon is a better all round rightback, and a very versitile player to have in the squad being able to slot in at left back, centre half, right back and central midfield, with a 14 for passing and tackling. Another option for first team action at right back is Keith Watson, who has the potential to be a gem. 4 star for potential with the right training he can become a future Scotland international.

At reserve and youth level, Craig Hill, aged 18 has the potential to be a first team regular for many years to come, he is definately one for the future - 4 star potential. Youth team level Ross Smith is the stand out, at 18 I would recommend sending him out on loan to a Scottish Division 3 club is possible.

Star Man - Centreback - Garry Kenneth

Star Man - Fullback - Paul Dixon

Youth Prospect - Keith Watson, Barry Douglas

Midfield Dundee United's strongest area of the squad. Three full internationalists and plenty young talent to choose from. Ghanian internationalist Prince Buaban is a real box to box midfielder, can play DM, MC and AMC, and shoots from distance. Young and gifted, contracted to 2011 i would seriously recommend trying to tie him into an extended contract. Scottish internationalist Scott Robertson is another talent in the centre of midfield, high work rate and stamina he is the perfect partner for Buaban in the centre of Uniteds midfield. Twice Capped Senegalise current international Morgaro "Jimmy" Gomis is a fans favourite. Work rate of 18, strength and stamina of 16, he can play central or on the left. David Robertson is a more attacking midfielder and a good option if you are looking for a more attacking shape. Scott Allan is a great wee prospect, maybe a season away from first team action, get him out on loan and he should come along nicely.

Ryan McCord and his brother Ross McCord are young attacking midfielders who would benefit from some loan time before pushing on to possibly compete for a starting 11 place in 2-3 years time, however I feel they may be better moved on to free up some wages.

On the wing, Danny Swanson is a skillful winger who will give SPL fullbacks a horrid time, he is young, great technique, dribbling and flair stats, and can also play in central midfield. Craig Conway, the cup final hero, is 2 footed, and can play either wing, decent stats for an SPL level winger I would recommend playing him on the left with Swanson on the right, both have the ability to take most SPL defences to the sword. Johnny Russell is a great talent to play backup to Danny and Craig this season. 20 years old, 14s and 15s in most of his important winger stats, he is young enough to continue improving.

At reserve and youth level United have two main talents to keep an eye on. Ryan Dow is a young winger who I would recommend loaning out, however Dale hilson is a player to get very excited about. 4 star potential, he starts at Forfar on loan, and looks a tremendous prospect at 17.

Star Man - Danny "he plays on the left, he plays on the right, he makes Barry Robson look *****" Swanson

Youth Prospect - Dale Hilson

Forwards Dundee United are reasonably strong in this department. Scottish U21 international and Scottish Young player of the year David Goodwillie is a great talent. High stats in finishing, heading, dribbling, determination and work rate he is ready at 20 to play for the first team, a must keep. To partner him Jon "put your hands up" Daly, another hard working striker with great stats for a target man. In the meantime Danny Cadamatari is a great replacement, pacey and direct he is a suitable cover, and more importantly can double up as a winger if Swanson and Conway are injured/out of form.

At reserve and youth team level Andis Shala can also play at centre half, however he will never be good enough for any serious long term career and should be moved on. Jordan Elfverson is Dundee United's star man for the youth's. At 191cm tall at 17 years old he has the potential to develop into a top class forward.

Star Man - David Goodwillie

Youth Prospect - Johnny Russell

Team Line-up

I (injures pending) took the following line up.

GK Pernis

FBR Dillon

FBL Dixon

CB Kenneth

CB Severin

ML Conway

MR Swanson

MC Gomis

MC Buaban

FW Daly

FW Goodwillie.

In my tactic I played shorter passing. United have two great wingers in Swanson and Conway. Get the ball wide and have them get involved. Jon Daly and Goodwillie will get goals for you with the right service. Buaban and Gomis are more than capable of playing neat football in the middle of the park, and Dixon is another great option at left back for pinging dangerous balls in to the box.

Finally..........

The Dundee United thread was a joy to write, and even though last year it wasnt the most popular thread, there was still a lot of useful suggestions and people helped from it. If even only 1 player finds this thread useful then its done its job. Realistic ambition for a Dundee United manager on FM11 should be European qualification and a good cup run. The gap between the old firm and the rest of the SPL is continuing to shorten, and with a good team balance and luck with avoiding injuries United do have the players to make it uncomfortable for the Old Firm. United have a lot of talented young players to mould which may appeal to a lot of people looking to play a career, and do have European competition in this years game.

My Advice, hold onto the better players if you can, and invest in the future.............AND SHED RULE!!!!

Great OP mate. I go to University in Dundee and have mates who supprt United, along with being to a few matches at the "Eddie Thompson" end, no doubt i will be trying my luck with Dundee United once the full game is released.

Cheers Kyle, good luck and keep us posted

cheers for this.

this will definetly come in handy for retaining the scottish cup!

I hope so Robbie!

Arab through and through here - will be watching this thread to see if I can pick up a few tips for my own campaign with the Terrors.

Osool - Heres a tip, dont mess with boxer Goodwillie!

I was keen to see Barry douglas's stats and boy oh boy i think i might just pick him ahead of dixon....but then i might use him as a winger, either way what a great addition to the squad. well done on the opening post my friend.

right from the off my tip would be to sell Danny Cadamatari, i dont think he is as good as swanson on the right nor as good as goodie and daly up front but he has the highest wage at the club so im planing to offload him first no point in paying all that money to a bench warmer.

I also think keeping him around will hamper johnny russell's development and first team appearances as well

LOL - I wouldnt mess with him at all, but his is on fire in my save - scoring nearly every game so FM got that right.

Six points from the first two game, and just beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 at Tannadice, in the first round of the Euro Cup - S Robertson scoring two goals. My best start ever in FM.

Johnny - Agreed, Cads needs to be moved on pronto!

Osool - Great start, keep it up!! Get the United of the 80's back!

Just noticed a wee bug concerning Michael Kovacevic, apon recovering from his long injury i made him my first choice right back after 5 games or so he wanted to speak with me and he demanded more first team football, i thougth this was a delayed reaction to his long lay and being in the reserves for the duration of it. I agreed that i would play him in the first team as i had made him first coice right back and so he started the five or so games and all was well or so i thought.

After around five games he wished to speak to me again and demanded that i put him on the transfer list as i had not kept my promise to him even though he had started every single game since the first meeting.

Anyone else encountered this ?

Johnny - No, I haven't had this problem. Have you got him signed up on a longer contract (his contract is up in Jan 2011 at the start of the game). Try putting his squad status to "Important first team player" and see if that helps - if not, one for maybe the bugs forum.

Johnny I had the same thing with Ricky Foster at Aberdeen. Wondered what was up with him til I found out he was in my Reserve Squad. Moved him back and he's fine now.

cheers for the help guys.

What (if any) signings have people made for United. I signed Julio Cruz before the start of the first season for free. He's played well and the fans love him, but he hasn't scored as many as Goodie! Now skint and over the wage budget. Can't even afford loans.

Narey - Love the name.

My season 1 transfers

Out

Sean Dillon - 525K

Andis Shala - 170K

David Robertson - 250K

Danny Cadamateri - 250K

In

Adam Dougan - 70K

King Gyan - Free

Devann Yao - Free

Assaslin Gai - Free

Marko Livaja - Free (conditional work permit granted, global ban until 2011, joining club in 2011)

Lee Trundle - 2K

Thanks Baz.

There are a few players in the U-19s who look like they'll be useful.

Up the Arabs!

I actually released all my youths apart from marc mccallum, john young, ross smith, dale hilson (who will be a legend on fm11!), stuart armstrong, scott allan and jordan elfverson. They are the only youths worth keeping. Filip Mental will be a good backup in a few years, but as soon as the mccord brothers loan deals are up i will be moving them on!

Assalin Gai I had to bring him in on trial and offer him a contract at the end of it, he was wanting 14,250 a week before the trial and 2k a week after it! Another guy to look at as one for the future who I tried to get but he went to Toulouse was Mahoto, young french midfielder.

ps forgot to say I also kept Ryan Dow, Craig Hil and Johnny Russell from the senior squad too

Sorry for the delay, new baby and work etc.....Finished my first full season with Dundee United. Won the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Cup, finishing joint on 84 with Celtic but winning on goal difference by 7. In addition to the transfers listed above, I picked up Tom Bender in January. Haven't started pre season in season 2 yet so when I get a chance will provide a season 2 update.

has craig hill been removed from the game with the latest update ? i stated a new game and he is not in the united squad and i could not find him doing a player search. shame as he looked a promising player.

Yes, hes left United in real life to go to uni I believe

i found a great wee player called Anicet Andrianantenaina. he plays for madagascar and AJ Auxerre and you can get him on pre contract during the january window of season 2010/11 and he only asks for £1500 p/w. hes got very good physical attributes apart from his jumping but still manages to get in the air and socre. hes already scored 5 in 8 for me.

Ill check him out

How's everybody doing?

I tried to find Timothy Van Der Meulen, United's new CB form Ajax, but he doesnt seem to be in my game - any ideas why I cant find him?

He was with the Ajaxs reserve team, hes maybe only in the U19? Try asking in the Ajax thread they might know more about him, I have to admit until he signed for United I had never heard of him!

I've had a long term Telford career on the go but have just come back to starting a new united career, working through pre season, not brought anyone in yet as I increased Gomis, Buaben, Robertson, Goodwillie and Conways contract. Will give a full preseason update tonight

Looking forward to your update Baz.

I looked in Ajax first team, reserves and U19's - I dont think he's in the game, which is a pity as I'm a bit obsessive about signing all the real United players. Probably why I never win much. :-)

Van der Meulen has been put into the game with the 11.3 update and is in the reserves when you start

Sorry for the delay in updating - busy private life right now baby and work etc!

Finished season 1 with Dundee United, no new signings, wanted to try playing a Barca style 4-3-3 with the original squad. Sold Darren Dods for 200K, Andis Shala for 170K and David Robertson for 500K. As stated previously gave Gomis, Buaban, Scott Robertson, Goodwillie and Craig Conway new contracts. Played a 4-3-3 lining up with a flat back 4, flat central middle 3, and 3 central strikers.

When fit, I lined up with :

GK Pernis

DR Watson

DC Kenneth

DC Severin

DL Douglas (edged it over Dixon, Douglas played about 75% of games)

MC Gomis

MC Buaban

MC Robertson

FC Conway

FC Goodwillie

FC Russell

Swanson and Dillon played a huge part aswell, Swanson often covering for MC or Conway up front (Had conway retraining as a striker, he played so well up front on right hand side) and Dillon filling in at DC or DR. Took my inspiration for designing my tactic from Heathxxx and the Barca tactics floating about on the tactics forum, the midfield 3 utterly dominated most games with the short passing game I played, while the 3 up front ran riot.

Finished the season Champions with Goodwillie notching up 37 goals, and won the Scottish cup. Now I have won the League before in previous saves but not in playing so much great football. 4-3-3 is a first for me - I usually stick to 4-4-2, but the 4-3-3 seems to suit united on FM11 as you can get all 3 MC playing together, rather than picking 2 in a 4-4-2.

Season 2 - Russell, Pernis and Kenneth all with 12 months left on contracts. Pernis and Kenneth signed up on approx 3K a week, Russell wanted 5.5K minimum! Was swiftly told to **** off, signed up Leigh Griffiths from the wee team who is replacing Russell who will drop to bench until he backs down his demands (to be fair, Griffiths is prob a better player). Signed a few up and coming newgens I scouted.

Champ league qualifiers - Beat BATE 4-1 on agg (3-1 at Tannadice, 1-0 away)

Beat Anderlecht on away goals 3-3 (1-0 at Tannadice, 2-3 away)

Have drawn Benfica, Man Utd and Juventus.

Stay tuned for screenshots coming soon!

Baz.

Van der Meulen has been put into the game with the 11.3 update and is in the reserves when you start

Good stuff, im not to sure what to make of him just yet IRL, he seems to be more a ball playing centre half, is fairly poor in the air.

Just started a game with Dundee Utd. Being a Raith fan, i've watched the development of both Russell and Goodwillie with us so decided i'd go there and try and build a team around them.

Only brought in 1 player so far this season in Fabien Brandy as I thought we could do with some pace up front to come on late in games and make a difference, and he was free.....

Planning on using a 4-3-1-2 formation with the following line up

GK - Pernis

DR - Watson

DC - Kenneth

DC - Dods

DL - Dixon/Douglas

MCL - Bauben (CM Attack)

MC - D. Robertson (DLP)

MCR - Severin/Gomis (BW Mid)

AMC - Russell/Swanson/Conway

SCL - Daly (DL Forward)

SCR - Goodwillie (Adv Forward)

Hi guys,

Just started my first united game for 2011 and finished 1st season in 3rd (behind Celtic on goal difference). At this stage looking for quality young players and a star AMC for the 2nd season have about a $500k to spend. Does anyone have ideas?

Good luck with your save Raith, team looks good - but if it were me I would have D.Rob removed from that team, dont think he is quite good enough for the deep lying playmaker role, Scott Robertson or Danny Swanson would be a better option.

Ian - Conor Ramsey from St Mirren is a good bet for the future, as is Adam Dougan from QOTS. As for a AMC - Do you still have Danny Swanson? Gary Harkins may be worth a shout (I know, he is from the wee team but IIRC he has good stats)

Hi Baz,

Thanks for the tips! still have swanson playing him amr and conway aml just need a really creative amc to push on!

Ian

How about playing Russell at AML and Swanson at AMC?

Hey Baz,

Got rid of russell I often play Barry Douglas up there as well and signed a young english lad on a free who has similar stats to Conway! Had a terrible start to the season coming 2nd last after 11 games, half way through now and back up to 6th! Hope to claw my way back up to top 4 and try again next season.

How have you got on in your game, have had a couple of 10 season games in previous versions,managing to win the title but never making much of a splash in Europe, you had any luck?

My new save, just started a couple of days ago, Im still in 1st season, I have won the league cup (1-0 vs Rangers, Danny "Plays on the left, plays on the right, makes Barry Robson look ***** scored the winner), and am top by 4 points over Celtic with 4 games to go (played them in 1st game of split drew 1-1 at Celtic Park), and due to play Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup semi final in my next game. This season in Europe I qualified for the Europa League group stages but finished last in my group - Won 2, lost 4. My 2 wins were at home were my style of play was suited to going at teams, but I'll maybe have to try something a little different next year if i make champions league in my away games as my team is very open - not a problem in the SPL but difficult in European games.