Northernpilgrim Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 This is my latest, and hopefully last, attempt at building a career on FM14. I am going to start with the team I support, Plymouth Argyle, and try and take them back to the Championship, before moving on to another challenge. I am not going to set any rules at all in this save, as I just want it to be as much fun as possible, so I will stay with Argyle either until the aim of Championship football has been achieved, or until I am sacked, or I feel that I have taken them as far as I can. You get the picture, I'm not constraining myself at all. So, by way of explanation, the title comes from a Mark Knopfler (of Dire Straits) piece of music that was the theme to the film 'Local Hero'. Here it is for anyone who wants to hear it: [video=youtube_share;ow5IdjNItc0] Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 The tactics I will be using are 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 The squad I started out with doesn't look too bad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 And I've added some depth with my summer transfer dealings Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 It's been a tough few years supporting Plymouth Argyle, but hopefully I'm the man to put smiles back on the faces of the Green Army Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 Not a bad preseason by any means Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 And a decent start to the season too.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 September went rather well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 Resulting in my first award as Argyle manager Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 October results And league table Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 November was a pretty decent month too In which we consolidated our bid for automatic promotion Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 17, 2014 Author Share Posted March 17, 2014 Not a great December But we're still well ahead of the board's mid table expectations Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Looking good at halfway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 Looking good at halfway. It's looking ok, but we've had a few lucky results so far, I'll be more than happy with a playoff spot, given we were tipped to struggle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 January has been a good month for us on the pitch And has left us firmly in the promotion shake-up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 Although off the pitch, January has been a frustrating month. I tried to tie up the permanent signing of Reuben Reid, but couldn't get Yeovil to agree a deal, even though he's out of contract in the summer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 A decent February And we're starting to look like a team that wants to go up, even if we are conceding a few more goals recently. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 For the last 3 matches, as I wasn't happy with how we were playing, I decided to try something radically different, so went for a W-M formation, with basically no-one in the CM positions, and as you can see from the above results, it worked, but I'm not sure why? The only change I make is switching between Control for home games and Counter away from home. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Interesting lay-out there, wonder if you can keep those results up! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Looks promising. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 March results were decent enough Leaving us still in the promotion picture Although the zany formation has gone, as (confession time), Exeter ripped it apart, so I reloaded, and have gone to a downloaded 4-5-1 formation. At this stage of the season, I just need to get us over the line. I can't quite believe we're not even close to guaranteeing a play-off spot yet, despite having a points total that normally gets you there or thereabouts, with 6 games still to go. I know some may view that as cheating, but for me this save is about getting to grips with easily the most challenging FM yet, and if I need to replay a game because my formation didn't work, I can live with that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 And after all, it is basically illegal for Exeter City to win at Home Park Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 I know some may view that as cheating, but for me this save is about getting to grips with easily the most challenging FM yet, and if I need to replay a game because my formation didn't work, I can live with that. Well, your game, your choice but perhaps it would be a little less controversial against another side (not just as your rivals but also from a personal perspective as Exeter was my old uni) and with the promotion race not so finely balanced, even it it looks like you'd probably have deserved it anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 April's results show that the switch to 4-5-1 has had the desired effect Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 Well, your game, your choice but perhaps it would be a little less controversial against another side (not just as your rivals but also from a personal perspective as Exeter was my old uni) and with the promotion race not so finely balanced, even it it looks like you'd probably have deserved it anyway. If I'd posted the score we actually got that day, you'd understand! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 Last day disappointment as we missed out on the title Finishing third in a three way fight Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 I don't expect to do much business over the summer, but Max Blanchard has already decided to leave on a free after rejecting a new contract, and Jake Cole has requested a transfer, so they will both need replacing, and I'm hoping to secure Reuben Reid on a free transfer (I suspect this is on John Sheridan's agenda too, as his contract is up IRL and on FM14 in the summer. I only hope that the board will give me the room for manoeuvre to secure the players I need, but the finances are pretty awful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 Official recognition of our excellent season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 A reasonably busy summer transfer window, in which we recruited most of our targets And a decent enough set of preseason results too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 There'll be a switch of formation for the new season too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 A disappointing August and we're starting to look vulnerable already Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 September and October haven't exactly gone to plan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 But recent performances have improved, and I think we'll stay in touch with the rest, I don't see us getting cut adrift, unless things take a downturn again. In fact, we came very close to beating Bristol Rovers, conceding a late equaliser, which would have left our league position much healthier if we'd held out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 Well done going up Jamie. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 Well done going up Jamie. Thanks Nobby, but it looks like we'll be going back down again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 November was terrible in the League, but not so bad in the FA Cup Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 December wasn't any better Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 January isn't any better And we're staring relegation in the face Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 15 points from safety, 16 games to go. It's a matter of when, not if, we are relegated now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 It's gone big juicy pear shaped. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 I deceided to let my Ass Man handle February Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 It's gone big juicy pear shaped. There's nothing juicy about it, this pear is leaving a very sour taste Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 March wasn't a great month, but we did at least manage a win, as well as a draw against Coventry who are doing well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 Although the board are disappointed with how things have gone, and recently called me for a meeting to discuss poor performances, they have offered me a new 3 year deal, which I have accepted. I'm hoping we can bounce straight back next season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 April didn't start well, but ended better Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 It's all too clear where our deficiencies have been, we've conceded far too many goals to have been competitive this season. Even in the Peterborough game, we led 4-2, but couldn't hold out. There have been far too many occasions like that this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 A final defeat to Shrewsbury to finish the season (2-1), and it's going to be a big job to remould the squad to go again next season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 Quite a few departures from the squad over the summer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 But no shortage of eye catching arrivals either Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 Leaving my squad looking like this: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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