FM13: St.Etienne - Allez Les Verts!

ASSE was once the top team in France and a European powerhouse during the 70's with greats such as Platini & Santini, winnng 10 ligue 1 titles. However recent years have been less than kind to Les Verts. The last Ligue trophy was lifted under Platini's guidance in 1981 and since then Etienne have been relegated a number of times, most recently in 2001 during the clubs involvement in the European passport scandal.

Stadium

Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. The stadium opened on September 13, 1931. The stadium was named after Geoffroy Guichard, founder of the Casino retail group, who purchased the site on which it was built. Nicknamed "le Chaudron" (the Cauldron), or "l'enfer vert" (the Green Hell) given during the team's heyday when it drew particularly large crowds (the record being set in 1985, with more than 47,000 spectators). More recently, its current capacity was 35,616 before the current renovations, which began in 2011 and have temporarily reduced this figure to 26,747. When the renovations are finished, the stadium will hold 40,830 seated spectators.

More recently, its current capacity was 35,616 before the current renovations, which began in 2011 and have temporarily reduced this figure to 26,747. When the renovations are finished, the stadium will hold 40,830 seated spectators.

Boardroom

Minimum expectation is that we finish top half of the league. Its certainly achievable. European competition and a title challenge are options but offer no extra reward in terms of transfer budget and wage structure. A sensible target is top half finish, a good solid first season should give you the platform to attack the second season with more of a transfer kitty and another years experience under the belt of your younger talent.

The Club

Goalkeepers

Steph Ruffier: Is your #1 and one of the top goalkeepers in the league. He will provide solid cover for you all season and many after that. The 26 year old joined from Ligue 2 side Monaco for £2.5m - This is his second season for Les Verts replacing previous No. 1 Jeremie Janot.

Moulin and Coulibaly: Are your back-ups. This is Coulibaly's 7th season and Etienne and has never been given a solid run in the first team. Moulin starts the game in the reserves and it is probably where he will stay. Will be there to provide cover if need be.

Your GK position is strong. Provided Ruffier stays fit. It should be in the back of your mind that you'll want to find someone to mould into your number one in coming seasons as neither Coulibaly or Moulin are capable enough to take the helm.

Defenders

Kurt Zouma (DC): This talented 17yr old is a product of the Etienne academy and is highly rated. Very promising young starlet that will attract alot of attention from European outfits so I recommend offering a new contract before you even take your first press conference. With 7 starts in Ligue 1 already this season, the club has alot of confidence in this young lad and so should you.

Jean-Pascal Mignot (DC): Having recently joined from relegated Auxerre, Mignot is a solid and consistent centre back. Although approaching his twilight years he has a role to play in your back 4 and is dependable when callled upon.

Faouzi Ghoulam (DL): Is your go to LB. Solid for the first season, lacks key defensive stats but has been present for Etienne in their campaign and will be an solid player for a season or two depending on his development. Product of Academy.

Loic Perrin (DRC/WBR/DM): Is St.Etienne's captain and another product of the youth system. Very versatile in his roles being able to cover DR/DC/DM/MC he is a wonderfull all round player with good stats that enable him to contribute effectively in all phases of play

Moustapha Bayal (DC/DM): This 96Kg man mountain from Senegal is a good centre back that will put pressure on Zouma and Mignot for a first team spot and may warrant it. With good physical attributes and a commanding aerial presence he will give you a selection headache when it comes to picking your two centre halfs.

François Clerc (DR): Despite a striking resemblance to Lazio front man and German international Miroslav Klose this French fly back is quite the opposite. A solid veteran of the French league winning 3 Ligue 1 titles, 2 Champions Trophies and French Cup with Lyon. Clerc will provide your young squad with that vital experience and know how. One of those players that you love to have in the dressing room.

Defensively you're strong. The back 4 will be capable of keeping clean sheets against teams in Ligue 1. You have some exciting youth in Zouma and some experience in Clerc and Mignot. In terms of progressing this position, and future RB and LB could something your scouts have there eyes open for.

Midfielders

Jeremy Clement (DM/MC): This baby faced boy is a hard working defensive orientated midfielder with a good eye for a pass. He fits perfectly into the Etienne midfield with his high Work Rate and Teamwork attributes. Something you'll notice as being quite common across the squad.

Renaud Cohade (MC): Cohade is one of my favourite players in French football. Having recently signed from Ligue 1 outfit Valenciennes, he's another of your 16+ players for Team Work and Work Rate. Being utilised a hard grafter in Etienne's squad this season - he'll give you 110% on the virtual pitch as well. Will nail down that MC position all season long.

Fabien Lemoine (DM/MC): Lemoine recently joined from Rennes for a trickle over £1m. I hate to harp on but h's another 16+ on Work Rate and Teamwork and will give you hearty performances in the centre midfield or sat deeper in the 'makelele; role. Will fight for a first place but may be kept at bay by the more technically gifted midfielders.

Josuha Guilavogui (DM/MC): Academy product and only 22 years of age this young lad has a bright future at the club. Is another of your 16+ stats for (Oh you know do you?) With the right amount of playing time and training Joshua should cement a first team place for seasons to come.

Romain Hamouma (AMR): This pacey winger joined from Caen for over £3.5m and will form one third of your lightning quick trio with Gradel and Aubameyang. Not technically gifted but is capable of those magic moments that leave you speechless.

Banel Nicolita (AMR): The Romanian is a more technically gifted wide midfielder who will stake a claim throughout the season for first team football. Joining from Romanian club Steau Bucharest for under £1m he will provide cover and depth to the midfield.

Ismaël Diomande (DM): From the Ivory Coast, Diomande has made just the 1 appearance for Etienne this season and requires some development all round to become a first team player. However with a solid platform of mental and physical attributes he shows some promise but will have to develop his technical ability to stake a claim.

A very hard working core bunch of midfielders, but you will notice a lack of technical passers and creative influence. Dont try and employ the likes of Josh and Clement as attacking players or playmakers, use them for what they're good at - getting in the faces of the opposition and stopping them playing their game.

Strikers

Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang (ST): Pacey striker will be your number 1 choice. Spectacular if someone what inconsistent will face little competition from the other strikers at the club. Best employed as an Advanced forward or Poacher, you will want to get the most out of him in order to succeed in your campaign. Be aware Gabon look certain to quaify for the African Cup so be prepared to loose him for a month or so in the new year...

Max Gradel (AMRL/ST): Quick winger will cause all sorts of problems for opposition defences. Best employed out on the left as an attacking winger - Will be his job to get the ball into dangerous positions for Aubameyang. Is being paid 26K a week and is the clubs third highest earner, something to consider...

Danijel Aleksic (ST): With 1 appearance for Les Verts in 3 years, the 21 has little game time under his belt but should be there to provide cover to Aubemeyang and Brandao when needed.

Brandao (ST): The former Marseille Target man is your number 2. Great aerial threat and good physicals means he has enough about him to cope with the demands of the league and get goals. If you play with a lone striker he will be best suited as an attacking target man - or a more supportive role if played alongside Pierre.

Although Pierre is one of the better players at the club, your forward dept. is generally very weak. In the disastrous event that anything should happen to Pierre you will be hard pushed to match his goals with Brandao or Aleksic (Although I am more than happy to be proved wrong here) - This is your priority position to strengthen when/if the funds become available

Tactics

I've employed a Counter Attacking brand of football with Etienne. The pacey wingers and front man are you main outlets. Your hard working midfield trio's job is to break up the opposition play and get the ball forward as soon as possible. You'll notice I've tweaked the sliders to play slightly higher and wider.

I find that the midfield are capable of putting the shift in and chasing down higher up the pitch to win the bull back putting pressure on the oppositions defence and defensive midfielders - The more aggressive, closing down style should suit this philosophy. The squad does lack that really creative midfielder like a Pastore or Gourcuff, but it does have hard grafters that can put a shift in so make use of them. Whilst launching the counter attack deep inside your own half is spectacular, if you can win the ball back higher up the pitch and play through an attacker - you wont have to cover another 100 yards to get in front of goal.

Tactics

4-3-2-1

This formation plays to all the strengths of you strongest players. Guilavogui will be suited nicely to anchor man position and with two hard working players in front of him they should be capable of winning the midfield battles and launching counter attacks through the pace of your front 3. There's little in the way of cover for your two wide men and injuries in this area could seriously dampen the strength of the formation.

4-1-4-1

This is a core defensive formation, with your wide players sat deeper your full backs will be provided with more cover. Although being more defensively tight it will hamper your attacking options leaving Aubameyang isolated upfront meaning your supply and midfield play will have to be flawless. Maybe worth training as a secondary tactic to help close out games in the final 10 minutes of games.

4-4-2

With 2 upfront men this formation is more attack orientated that the 4-1-4-1 but will suffer from a lack of flexibility and any injury to your 2 strikers will hurt this formation as the squad wont have adequate depth to cover for the loss, at least in the first season.

Potential Targets

With no transfer budget in the first season, and no manoeuvrability in the wage budget - a level of wheeling and dealing is required. Your squad is thin for numbers so there is little dead weight to offload to try and generate cash. One option, though I wouldn't recommend it is to offload Zouma as he will comfortably fetch £7-8m for the transfer kitty. The other is to cash in on some of the fringe players. Alonso for example who is sat in the reserves will generate a little income. With a number of high profile players recently leaving Etienne, holding on to your top players will be your highest priority, and relying on your academy to produce the standard of players it has done in recent years will be another factor instrumental to any success you may have.

With a minimal transfer budget - smart spending is key. I would avoid using the 4 year finance plan as much as possible and it will only serve to cripple your finance's in the future untill you get the chance to have a run at European football, if you do use it the 48 month option use it wisely and in congestion with paying a chunk of the fee upfront as well.

Also bare in mind Ligue 1 registration rules only allows for a maximum of 4 Non-EU Players. Dont get stung by this. However it does allow players from African nation to NOT count towards your limit of 4 Non-EU players.

Ligue 1 - Matches

Biggest Win: 9-1 (vs Stad Reims 25th August 1971) - Historic

Biggest Away Win: 4-1 (Vs Tolousse 19th August 2012) - RvN#17

Biggest Win in a Cup Final:

Biggest Win in Champions League:

Most Possession in a Match:

Most Shots in a Match:

Most Games Won in Row:10 Games (22nd February : 21st April 2013) - RvN#17

Most Matches Without Losing: 23 (21st December 2012 : 12th May 2013) - RvN#17

Most League Goals Scored in a Season: 78 (Season 2012/13) - RvN#17

Least League Goals Conceded in a Season: 27 (Season 2012/13) - Saint_Lane

PLAYERS - Ligue 1

Most Goals in a Match: 5 Pierre Aubameyang Vs Tours FC (2012/13)- RvN#17

Most Goals in a Season (26) Pierre Aubameyang (2012/13 Season) - RvN#17

Most League Goals in a Season: (25) Pierre Aubameyang - Season 2012/13 - Saint_Lane

Most Assists in a Match:

Most League Assists in a Season: (19) Romain Hamouma - Season 2012/13 - Saint_Lane

Youngest Player in a Match: 15 years 307 Days - Laurent Paganelli Vs PSG 1978 - Historic

Oldest Player in a Match: 33 Years 44 Days - Florent Malouda Vs Tolousse 27th July 2013 - RvN#17

Youngest Goalscorer in a Match: 16 Years 115 Days - Laurent Roussey Vs AS Monaco 1978 - Historic

Oldest Goalscorer in a Match: 32 Years 227 Days - Brandao Vs AJ Ajaccio 2013 - RvN#17

Most Passes in a Match:

Most Yellow Cards in a Season: 10 Yellows (Brandao) - RvN#17

Most Red Cards in a Season: 2 Reds (Brandao) - RvN#17

Highest Transfer Fee Received: £3.5m - Francois Clerc to Valenciennes 2013 - RvN#17

Highest Transfer Fee Spent: £10m - Javior Pastore from Paris St.Germain 2013 - RvN#17

In order to have your record here, please PM with link to screenshot and detail of what record is being set or broken. Alternatively post in the forum and share your glory with us all

Nice thread.

2 things:

- Banel Nicolita is Romanian not Algerian

- Saliou Ciss starts the game at Tromso IL not at FC Vaslui

Nice thread.

Appreciated Thanks.

2 things:

- Banel Nicolita is Romanian not Algerian

- Saliou Ciss starts the game at Tromso IL not at FC Vaslui

Well spotted! Must of had Ghoulam in my head

Well spotted! Must of had Ghoulam in my head

no problem! nice thread btw! i used to play them a few years ago!

I have one more win but i just quit the game.

That makes it 43 points atm.

I have one more win but i just quit the game.

That makes it 43 points atm.

Congratulations RvN thats an incredible start. Hope it continues. How has the season been going for you?

It started by losing to Lille at home and I was up by 1 at halftime, then they scored 2 from corner. I then won 4 in a row and then Montpellier whoped my ass 4:2.

I lost to PSG 2:1, was 1:0 at halftime also and I've managed to beat OM and Lyon.

Money is the main issue.

I sold Nicolita to Celtic for 3.1 mil euros and bought Ademilson, Miranda and Nolito from Benfica. I had to use the 48 months for all the transfers also.

I've missed some great free signings as I was unable to offer them what they were asking for and only managed to sign Sulejmani for the next season.

I'm hoping to stay in the top 3 at least and get me some of that CL money.

I'm using 442 and Brandao + Aubemayang are killing it, both with 15+ goals so far.

I lost in the qtr finals of the Coupe de la Ligue to Toulous 2:0, and in the French Cup I'm currently at the 10th round.

Money is the main issue.

I sold Nicolita to Celtic for 3.1 mil euros and bought Ademilson, Miranda and Nolito from Benfica. I had to use the 48 months for all the transfers also.

Some nice names there. £3.1m for Nicolita is a great price. Ademilson from the sounds of it is a great prospect and the other two signings are competent players that will hopefully make an immediate impact.

Best of luck in the league, look forward to an End of Season update and hopefully see your name in the Hall of Fame setting some Etienne records!

2 games in a row this happens to me. Both times the ball ricochets around the penalty area and their players just power them in.

I got confused for a min and thought I saw Saint-Etienne 1-2 St Etienne

I just pasted 2 scores it was easier like that.

4 games left and I'm at the top with 7 points to spare.

Finished first season and won the league 6 points ahead of Toulouse (League Table ) and also won that Coupe de Ligue. Brandao and Aubameyang scored 19 & 18 goals in the league and were 1st and 2nd in that category. (Player Stats)

Since we won the league finally we got some money and I spend it very good so far.

I've brought in the following players:

Matia Destro- Free

Miralem Sulejmani - free

Javier Pastore - transfer listed by PSG, 10 milion euros

Thomas Necid - my new Target Man, 4 millions

Danny Simpsons - 6 millions

Giannis Manniatis - backup middfielder, 2.8 mills

Niklas Moisander - backup CD/LB, 1.5 mills

Ayila Yussuf - backup DC/D(MC), 2.7 mills

Vincent Enyeama - backup GK, 2.5 mills

Paul Pogba - backup MC - loan

Total spent: 29.5 millions

Outgoing transfers:

Brandao - to Bordeux, 1.5 millions

Francois Clerc - to Valenciennes, 3.5 millions

N'Daw - to Toulouse, 3.2 millions

Jean-Pascal Mignot - to OM, 2 millions (to much injuries)

Max Gradel - loaned to Stade de Reims

Moustapha Bayal, to Stade de Rennais, 1.5 millions

Renaud Cohade - to Bordeux, 3.3 millions (injuries destroyed him)

Danijel Aleksic - to Bastia , 1 million

Total recieved: 15.75 millions.

Finished first season and won the league 6 points ahead of Toulouse (League Table ) and also won that Coupe de Ligue. Brandao and Aubameyang scored 19 & 18 goals in the league.

Wow. Thats fantastic stuff. Les Verts first league title in over 30 years And some fantastic signings, Pastore for £10m is incredible and Destro on a free is very exciting. Your game has rocketed very quickly.

Love you to PM me some links for some of the Hall of Fame records and get your name on the wall.

Finished first season and won the league 6 points ahead of Toulouse (League Table ) and also won that Coupe de Ligue. Brandao and Aubameyang scored 19 & 18 goals in the league and were 1st and 2nd in that category. (Player Stats)

Since we won the league finally we got some money and I spend it very good so far.

I've brought in the following players:

Matia Destro- Free

Miralem Sulejmani - free

Javier Pastore - transfer listed by PSG, 10 milion euros

Thomas Necid - my new Target Man, 4 millions

Danny Simpsons - 6 millions

Giannis Manniatis - backup middfielder, 2.8 mills

Niklas Moisander - backup CD/LB, 1.5 mills

Ayila Yussuf - backup DC/D(MC), 2.7 mills

Vincent Enyeama - backup GK, 2.5 mills

Paul Pogba - backup MC - loan

Total spent: 29.5 millions

Outgoing transfers:

Brandao - to Bordeux, 1.5 millions

Francois Clerc - to Valenciennes, 3.5 millions

N'Daw - to Toulouse, 3.2 millions

Jean-Pascal Mignot - to OM, 2 millions (to much injuries)

Max Gradel - loaned to Stade de Reims

Moustapha Bayal, to Stade de Rennais, 1.5 millions

Renaud Cohade - to Bordeux, 3.3 millions (injuries destroyed him)

Danijel Aleksic - to Bastia , 1 million

Total recieved: 15.75 millions.

How are you going to play Pastore in a 442?

I was thinking of changing the formation to 4312 and then play him at AMC slot but so far he is playing as AP(s). It's not going well for him, so eventually I am going to go with 4312.

The funniest part of playing FM as St.Etienne is getting the chance to watch Max Gradel shoot. That boy cannot shoot, I mean he is horrendous. Normally I get excited on one on ones but this guy is a different level. ITs brilliant

St Etienne are my favourite french team, that kit & history. I got sacked after 1 season and a half on fm12

St Etienne are my favourite french team, that kit & history. I got sacked after 1 season and a half on fm12

I think its time you sought some vindication and proved yourself in FM13!! Come join us...

So the close of the May brings the end of a very exciting Ligue 1 season. Big spenders PSG missing out on Champions League spots, holders Montpellier held to 3rd place & French giants Lyon and Marseille left languishing in mid-table obscurity, but at least St.Etienne were crowned champions for the first time in over 30 years.

Heroes

A great season that surpassed expectations. Special mentions have to go the Kurt Zouma who was solid at the back all season earning an AVG rating of 7.46 - very impressive for an 18yr old. He helped the club go on to a 20 game unbeaten streak, 10 games in a row without conceding and proved an essential part of the toughest defence in the league, conceding the least goals.

At the other end Pierre Aubame lead the attack all season and netted 25 goals in the Ligue 1 and grabbing the top scorer award in the process. He performed supremely as a Poacher, running at defences with pace that was too much for most opposition. Despite his 2 month absence for Gabon in the African Cup he was an integral part of the team.

Summary

Little to no movement in the transfer window, i liked the squad and I am very reluctant to make marquee-merry go round transfers. I've got my eye on some African & French players and I like to keep a core of domestic home grown players in my first 11.

Transfers IN

None

Transfers Out

Mass Youth

A.Alonso - £1.2m

Next season will be even more of a test, as second season syndrome (SSS) kicks in. I hope to keep the bulk of the first team together though I have a couple of interests for a new Left Winger as a replacement for a largely disappointing Gradel and a new DC for an ageing Mignot

Allez Les Verts

Wow PSG finished 4th in your save too,coincidence ?

And Lyon also very poor performance.

End of Season 1 Review (2012/13)

So the close of the May brings the end of a very exciting Ligue 1 season. Big spenders PSG missing out on Champions League spots, holders Montpellier held to 3rd place & French giants Lyon and Marseille left languishing in mid-table obscurity, but at least St.Etienne were crowned champions for the first time in over 30 years.

League Standing

Heroes

A great season that surpassed expectations. Special mentions have to go the Kurt Zouma who was solid at the back all season earning an AVG rating of 7.46 - very impressive for an 18yr old. He helped the club go on to a 20 game unbeaten streak, 10 games in a row without conceding and proved an essential part of the toughest defence in the league, conceding the least goals.

At the other end Pierre Aubame lead the attack all season and netted 25 goals in the Ligue 1 and grabbing the top scorer award in the process. He performed supremely as a Poacher, running at defences with pace that was too much for most opposition. Despite his 2 month absence for Gabon in the African Cup he was an integral part of the team.

Players Manager of the Season

Josh Guilavogui

Not losing 1 game this lad started all season. Josh was an absolute rock from the first game to the last, playing as an Anchor man in front of the back four he was responsible for so many hard fought midfield battles and was largely unsung all season, certainly not getting the recognition he deserved in the media! He also racked up 5 goals and 6 assists from the DMC position - enough to put greats such as Makelele and Toulalon to the sword.

Game of the Season

This was a tough one - a toss up between beating Lyon at their own gaff and the very last game of the season away to Lille in a 5 goal thriller. Well the Lille game was sensational, Lille 2 goals up deep into the second half before a fantastic come-back that opitimised the spirit of the squad throughout the season, cracking game and a fitting way to end the season!

Summary

Little to no movement in the transfer window, i liked the squad and I am very reluctant to make marquee-merry go round transfers. I've got my eye on some African & French players and I like to keep a core of domestic home grown players in my first 11.

Transfers IN

None

Transfers Out

Mass Youth

A.Alonso - £1.2m

Next season will be even more of a test, as second season syndrome (SSS) kicks in. I hope to keep the bulk of the first team together though I have a couple of interests for a new Left Winger as a replacement for a largely disappointing Gradel and a new DC for an ageing Mignot

Allez Les Verts

Well played on the title win. To get that much points without spending is amazing. Was it your tactics or a downloaded one? Btw has Zouma been called up the national squad in your save yet?

End of Season 1 Review (2012/13)

So the close of the May brings the end of a very exciting Ligue 1 season. Big spenders PSG missing out on Champions League spots, holders Montpellier held to 3rd place & French giants Lyon and Marseille left languishing in mid-table obscurity, but at least St.Etienne were crowned champions for the first time in over 30 years.

Try to have a look at the Marseille squad at the start of the game, it is pretty poor compered to what it was when the won the league (guess it reflects the 10th sport they ended in last year) and they start with many injured players in defense

Not saying that it is easy to win the league with St Etienne in the first season, but with the squad St Etienne have, it is far easier, than to win with Marseille ;-)

Good job though

Try to have a look at the Marseille squad at the start of the game, it is pretty poor compered to what it was when the won the league (guess it reflects the 10th sport they ended in last year) and they start with many injured players in defense

Not saying that it is easy to win the league with St Etienne in the first season, but with the squad St Etienne have, it is far easier, than to win with Marseille ;-)

Good job though

Marseille certainly don't have the squad they did last year i agree [i did the FM12 thread for them last season check it out ] - That being said I've had some fair success with them this year. They're still very competent in attack with Remy/Valbuena/Ayew and I managed to win the league as comfortably with them, but that's just my experience. They also have an Un-rivalled finance structure compared to Ligue 1 teams (Bar PSG) and if you manage to secure a good position on your first season you'll have a very pretty transfer kitty come season 2.

This is the St.Etienne thread so lets get back to business. This little jewel popped into the youth academy in the tail end of last season and looks like he was made to be a Kurt Zouma's partner for years to come. Very pleased and high hopes for this young lad! 6ft 2" at the age of 15 is borderline freaky.

Well played on the title win. To get that much points without spending is amazing. Was it your tactics or a downloaded one? Btw has Zouma been called up the national squad in your save yet?

Check the tactics section of the starter thread, that is what I'm running with - The Deep 4-3-2-1 - Counter attacking style. Aggressive and in the face of the opposition trying to stop them playing. Players with high work rate/stamina and determination are what your after in this style of play. As i write that i note the Stamina/Work Rate and Determination of that New-Gen

Deschamps gave Zouma his first cap for France early June 2013. Very excited to see Zouma reach his full potential.

Marseille certainly don't have the squad they did last year i agree [i did the FM12 thread for them last season check it out ] - That being said I've had some fair success with them this year. They're still very competent in attack with Remy/Valbuena/Ayew and I managed to win the league as comfortably with them, but that's just my experience. They also have an Un-rivalled finance structure compared to Ligue 1 teams (Bar PSG) and if you manage to secure a good position on your first season you'll have a very pretty transfer kitty come season 2.

At the start of the 3rd season with Marseille (won the league, the league cup, and the Euro League in the 2nd season) debt haven't been cleared and I was given a whopping £575k transfer budget - so they are not with crazy money

Wajdi looks pretty promising - good luck with him

Saint_Lane I have tried to use your deep 4-3-2-1 without much luck my defense is leaking goals and my cm are very prone to get sent off. I know you did not concede that much, but did you have a problem with your ball winners picking up alot of bookings.

Think I'm going to start a game with these in the hope of bringing European Glory back to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard stadium.

Think I'm going to start a game with these in the hope of bringing European Glory back to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard stadium.

Thats what we like to hear! Be sure to keep us posted

Saint_Lane I have tried to use your deep 4-3-2-1 without much luck my defense is leaking goals and my cm are very prone to get sent off. I know you did not concede that much, but did you have a problem with your ball winners picking up alot of bookings.

Hmm thats shame. I was fortunate with bookings, just the one red all season. Are you clamping down on it when someone does get sent off? I guess that's an inherent risk of players in playing in that capacity.

Yes, I normally give them a warning if they get booked twice and fine them a weeks wage if it is a direct red card. I might start over again, have had some problem scoring too. It might be because of low morale.

Yes, I normally give them a warning if they get booked twice and fine them a weeks wage if it is a direct red card. I might start over again, have had some problem scoring too. It might be because of low morale.

Yeah give it another go for sure! May have just not got the rub of the green on a couple things, and then with low morale it can all snowball pretty quickly...

Keep us posted

Here's how the league table stands in my Saint-Étienne game towards the end of my first season.

Quite pleased with how I'm doing considering I know nothing of their squad or much about Ligue 1 anymore. I have the third best home record in the league, yet I've only won four away from home, so I am making different tweaks to my 4-2-3-1 in the hope that I can rectify this in the future.

Obviously the league is out of reach and was never a realistic target for me anyway, yet you can see how tight competition is to gain a European place. Hopefully I can pick up the team's away form and make that final push.

I will post up a more in-depth season review once I've finished this one.

Was going to do a Toulouse save for my French one, but think this may have changed my mind.

I need 1 point in my last game (away to second place Lille) to guarantee a Champions League spot.

Woop woop, did a demo run of St.Ettienne last night, like the squad alot so am going to start a full game today! Aubemeyang is quality though he misses alot of chances

This is a brilliant thread, might have persuaded me to try my hand in French football once I'm done with my current save

Just started up a save. My philosophy will be to sign young French and African footballers.

Right guys after dossing about trying to find a worthy save you guys have sold me on the idea of St Ettiene. Shall start it now

Holding off on any saves for the time being with the transfer window still being open. Want to start a St. Ettiene game from afresh too.

Seems easy to make Saint-Étienne win the Ligue 1 at first season. This is my campaign:

This is my second season transfers:

Tabanou and Corchia 48x months proposal.

Tabanou

just started with les verts will update at jan window

just started with les verts will update at jan window

Good to hear! Keep us posted =D

Tactics

I've employed a Counter Attacking brand of football with Etienne. The pacey wingers and front man are you main outlets. Your hard working midfield trio's job is to break up the opposition play and get the ball forward as soon as possible. You'll notice I've tweaked the sliders to play slightly higher and wider.

I find that the midfield are capable of putting the shift in and chasing down higher up the pitch to win the bull back putting pressure on the oppositions defence and defensive midfielders - The more aggressive, closing down style should suit this philosophy. The squad does lack that really creative midfielder like a Pastore or Gourcuff, but it does have hard grafters that can put a shift in so make use of them. Whilst launching the counter attack deep inside your own half is spectacular, if you can win the ball back higher up the pitch and play through an attacker - you wont have to cover another 100 yards to get in front of goal.

Tactics

4-3-2-1

This formation plays to all the strengths of you strongest players. Guilavogui will be suited nicely to anchor man position and with two hard working players in front of him they should be capable of winning the midfield battles and launching counter attacks through the pace of your front 3. There's little in the way of cover for your two wide men and injuries in this area could seriously dampen the strength of the formation.

4-1-4-1

This is a core defensive formation, with your wide players sat deeper your full backs will be provided with more cover. Although being more defensively tight it will hamper your attacking options leaving Aubameyang isolated upfront meaning your supply and midfield play will have to be flawless. Maybe worth training as a secondary tactic to help close out games in the final 10 minutes of games.

4-4-2

With 2 upfront men this formation is more attack orientated that the 4-1-4-1 but will suffer from a lack of flexibility and any injury to your 2 strikers will hurt this formation as the squad wont have adequate depth to cover for the loss, at least in the first season.

Potential Targets

With no transfer budget in the first season, and no manoeuvrability in the wage budget - a level of wheeling and dealing is required. Your squad is thin for numbers so there is little dead weight to offload to try and generate cash. One option, though I wouldn't recommend it is to offload Zouma as he will comfortably fetch £7-8m for the transfer kitty. The other is to cash in on some of the fringe players. Alonso for example who is sat in the reserves will generate a little income. With a number of high profile players recently leaving Etienne, holding on to your top players will be your highest priority, and relying on your academy to produce the standard of players it has done in recent years will be another factor instrumental to any success you may have.

With a minimal transfer budget - smart spending is key. I would avoid using the 4 year finance plan as much as possible and it will only serve to cripple your finance's in the future untill you get the chance to have a run at European football, if you do use it the 48 month option use it wisely and in congestion with paying a chunk of the fee upfront as well.

Also bare in mind Ligue 1 registration rules only allows for a maximum of 4 Non-EU Players. Dont get stung by this. However it does allow players from African nation to NOT count towards your limit of 4 Non-EU players.

Curious to see how your 4-4-2 and 4-1-4-1 fared and how often you used them? What sort of team instructions and shouts did you use?

Started a game with them with the new patch/update.

Looking at the players available, it would be a travesty not to use 3 central midfielders so I went with a 4-1-2-2-1 with counter/balance. I started with no budgets in the first window so I had to keep the same players both in and out of the squad. Season started well and I was top for a while however the goals dried up towards November/December.

Aubameyang has played as a Trequartista or AF in the striker role for me. Mollo is the Inside Forward on support on left side. On the right I've faced huge problems in getting the right shape having tried winger, inside forward, etc but they dont produce as much.

As goals dried up, I've moved to 4-2-3-1 on counter/balance. The 2 central midfielders are both DLP (D). The AMC is on (AM-A).

Had a lot more substantive stuff to say but I'm gonna have to add them a bit later.

Great thread. Seriously tempted to try a St-Etienne save.

Funny how you describe that the attacking section is weak, when the Verts are rocking Ligue 1 at the moment in terms of offensive quality. Has the recent update changed anything in terms of attributes or potential?