FM10: Official AS Saint-Étienne Thread - Allez les Verts!

Honours:

French league champions (10):

1956/57, 1963/64, 1966/67, 1967/68, 1968/69, 1969/70, 1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, 1980/81

Squad analysis:

Star Player:

Blaise Matuidi

Blaise Matuidi is a french footballer born April 9th 1987 in Toulouse. He is of Angolan decent, and is known to be a fearless defensive midfielder, that often plays in a deep-lying playmaker position. Before he came to AS Saint-Étienne for £4.3 million, he played for Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne (ESTAC) in Ligue 2 where he made 67 league appearences and scored 3 goals.

He was born in Toulouse but grew up in the Parisian suburbs of Fontenay-sous-Bois, and began his football career at local club CO Vincennois before he went to the Clairefontaine academy for three years. He joined US Creteil-Lusitanos in 2002, and two years later he joined ESTAC.

He has made 62 league appearences for Saint-Étienne and scored 2 goals. He also has 21 U-21 appearences for France.

Goalkeepers:

Papa Coulibaly

Jérémie Janot

Benjamin Lardon

Vincent Planté

Vincent Planté is the best goalkeeper in the squad (3 stars ability), and should be your number one at least in the first season if you don't find anyone better and cheap. Look to replace him in the second season. Jérémie Janot is another decent goalkeeper you have, and should be your back-up keeper in the first season. He is due to retire 30.6.2011, which is at the start of the third season. He's a club icon though, so I'd keep him for tutoring.

Benjamin Lardon isn't a good goalkeeper and should either be sold or put in the reserves. Has bad potential too, according to the assistant manager. Your fourth first-team goalkeeper is Papa Coulibaly, and unlike Lardon he has some decent stats and potential, and could be back-up in the first season. Can turn into a decent goalkeeper.Jessy Moulin is on loan in the National, and has some decent stats, and could turn out to be an okay goalie. Don't need new GK during 1st season.

Youth players to watch: None

Tranfer targets: Alphonse Areola & Zacharie Boucher (Future)

Rightbacks:

Loïc Perrin

Yoann Andreu

(Helton dos Reis, Cédric Varrault, Mouhamadou Dabo)

Loïc Perrin is your best rightback, and shouldn't be sold if you don't find anyone better. He can also cover in midfield. He's 23, so can still improve.Yoann Andreu is your best young rightback, and should be kept. If you can improve his defensive stas (marking, tackling...) he can turn out good. Helton dos Reis, Cédric Varrault and Mouhamadou Dabo can cover this position in injury crysis. No need to reinforce this position now.

Youth players to watch: Guy Pellet, Loris Néry (Both are accomplished at RB)

Transfer targets: Kevin Theopile-Catherine & Sebastien Corchia (Future)

Leftbacks:

Cédric Varrault

Mouhamadou Dabo

(Yoann Andreu, Yohan Benalouane, Guirane N'Daw, Sylvain Monsoreau)

Dabo should be your first-choice here for many years, and Cédric Varrault is a good back-up. Benalouane, Andreu, N'Daw and Monsoreau can cover if you have many injuries. No need to buy a new LB.

Youth players to watch: None

Transfer targets: Timothee Kolodzieczak (Future)

Centrebacks:

Sylvain Monsoreau

Stathis Tavlaridis

Moustapha Bayal

Yohan Benalouane

Josua Guilavogui

(Amine Linganzi, Guirane N'Daw)

Bayal is your best CB, and should always be in the line-up. He has great physichal stats, and is good at heading. Should score some goals from set-pieces. Either Monsoreau or Tavlaridis could partner him in defence, but I'd recommend using Monsoreau. Tavlaridis is better defensively, but If you want a CB that can pass too, choose Monsoreau. Monsoreau is younger too. Yohan Benalouane is 22 and can become a pretty good CB, if you give him games and train him right. Should be kept. Josua Guilavogui is only 18 years old, but is already good, and has the potential to be a good CB in Ligue 1.. Definitely keep!

Linganzi and N'Daw can cover for injuries. Should probably buy a very good CB to be first-choice with Bayal. Sell either Monsoreau or Tavlaridis to give room to youngsters.

Youth players to watch: Josua Guilavogui, Pierrick Cros, Loris Néry

Transfer targets: Sylvain Marchal, Loic Nestor, Paul Baysse & Mohamed Fofana

Kevin Barre & Tony Huston (Future)

Right midfielders/wingers:

Augusto Fernández

Bakary Sako

(Dimitri Payet)

Fernández is first-choice, and is only 23. Can improve further. Bakary Sako is young too, and has good potential. And with Payet able to cover, you don't need to but anyone here. Keep both.

Youth players to watch: None

Transfer targets: None

Left midfielders/wingers:

Dimitri Payet

(Bakary Sako, Mouhamadou Dabo)

Payet is young and a good player, and his strong sides are his speed, flair, dribbling and technique. Should probably buy another left winger to rotate or use as back-up to Payet. Preferably young, and with good potential.

Youth players to watch: None

Transfer targets: Richard Soumah, Sebastian Dubarbier, Ryad Boudebouz

Central/defensive midfielders:

Christophe Landrin ©

Gelson Fernandes

Blaise Matuidi

Guirane N'Daw

Amine Linganzi

Yohann Hautcoeur

Boubacar Mansaly

(Josua Guilavogui, Moustapha Bayal, Loïc Perrin)

You are covered in DM, and no new players need to be bought. Fernandes and Matuidi are the two best, while Landrin and N'Daw are not far behind. Landrin is the only one of these players to be natural at CM though, so either buy a new CM (with good playmaker attributes), or d not play with CM's. Hautcoeur and Mansaly are pretty bad, and should be sold or loaned out. Linganzi has decent potential. Matuidi has the potential to be the best player at the club, so definitely keep him!

Youth players to watch: Amine Linganzi

Transfer targets: William Vainqueur, Fabien Lemoine, Camel Meriem.

Strikers:

Gonzalo Bergessio

Kevin Mirallas

Boubacar Sanogo

Ilan

Malick Faye

Emmanuel Riviere

Helton dos Reis

Bergessio, Sanogo and Mirallas are your best strikers, and should bekept if you play with multiple strikers. Riviere has great potential and should also be kept. I'd sell Ilan (Can get £5million), Helton dos Reis and Malick Faye. Possibly Sanogo too, if you were to play with a lone striker upfront. No need to buy a new striker anytime soon, when you have Bergessio, and the potential stars in Kevin Mirallas and Emmanuel Riviere.

Youth players to watch: None

Transfer targets: None

Reserved for future patch...

Reserved for future patch, or anything else I might add later .

Nice opening so far mate,always had a thing for the green and white:D

Nice opening so far mate,always had a thing for the green and white:D

Thanks, I've always liked them as well, and have had a save with them on every FM since FM07.

Ergh. Nice OP.

Ergh. Nice OP.

Don't you like Saint-Etienne, Hopey ?

Good OP mate

Nice OP mate.

Anyway in my save (Lyon) they sold Matuidi to Barca for 13 mil euro and Payet to Real for 12 mil euro or the other way round. Still decent money.

They managed to spent 40 mil euro in the second season.

Thanks, Batty and Purefun

Nice prices for them, but I'll try to hang on to them as long as possible in my save ..

Will probably have to win some trophies fast or they'll be unsettled when the big clubs make bids..

Is it a sign that there has been a popularity shift with FM10? - these kind of threads were much more lively & better subscribed in previous years. I hope not.

Anyway, excellent OP, Its a shame the thread has kind of gone nowhere.

St Etienne, ever since the days of CM98, has been my favourite save game. This year the frustrations of the patching issues & the stubbornness of 3d not to work on my fully updated & up to spec PC has lead to me losing faith in my Leeds Utd save and despite setting up Newcastle, Man City & Bournemouth save games, various crash dumps & other issues have lead me ditching all these for one last effort on FM2010 patch 10.2- namely, Les Verts.

I only started last night so I have little to offer at this early stage except the following:

Transfer strategy:

Only sell players you really dont want - ASSE should not be a selling club

I thought ASSE were rich?, only a £2.3m transfer budget - as usual I shall be thrifty

Scout all potential players to death - only sign if all the staff think it is a good idea.

Tactics:

Experiments in FM09 lead to me formulating a new "what tactic to use" strategy. I have taken heed of the staffs suggestions however I have sorted out my top 15-20 players in current ability rating, hoping to use as many of the top end players as is practically possible. Interestingly in my top 11 players are 2 wingers (L & R), only 1 forward, 3 DMCS (!) & a selection of defenders to suit a back 4. From that I surmise a 4141 may be best with both MC's being defensive players and with the ML/R's pushing up to AML/R to give the lone SC the support required. This is as yet untested but the theory works so time will tell.

Hopefully, crash dumps & 3d failures permitting, I shall return soon with more flesh for this thread.....

Good luck tigerhgrrrrrr, you could have picked a better side perhaps.

Good luck tigerhgrrrrrr, and keep us updated .

I've started a save too, but I haven't had enough time to really proceed with it.. I might do an update either tomorrow or the day after that I hope .

Or I'll wait and start a new save on the next patch, that hopefully should be out at the start of February .

Good luck tigerhgrrrrrr, and keep us updated .

I've started a save too, but I haven't had enough time to really proceed with it.. I might do an update either tomorrow or the day after that I hope .

Or I'll wait and start a new save on the next patch, that hopefully should be out at the start of February .

Yeah, Fabregas please press on, I would be very interested in that. HoPey - shame on you!, I love Les Verts, though in the words of Morrissey "slightly less than I used to..." and that is due to the green/yellow colours, loved good old green / white or green / black. The away kit (light green & white) is a bit unwatchable on the commentary bar. Minor gripe though.

Took the Reserves to the cleaners last night - 3-1, huge domination though, and the goal I conceeded was a wonder free kick. Not sure about 4141, I read so much about 41212 narrow diamond being a semi-"super tactic" and I have had much success in FM10 on a Leeds save with my own version of that. Will press on with 4141 for now though,but when the ML/R's pushed up to AML/R respectively, not much happened to be honest!. Have always believed that winger roles are a flawed comodity in FM and this has not helped counter that view. I suspect my 4141 wil rarely if ever morph into 451 (433, call it what you will).

Really I want to play short passing free-flowing attacking football but my squad seems to tend toward direct ball battles of strength. If I can make up for flair with never-say-"die" pressing & chasing then I could still produce something very watchable - I hope. I fear counter attacking for Les Verts is a big no no (little pace & technique).

Really hope this thread gets a bit more lively now - I shall do my best to contribute to that

Have to say that St-Etienne gets bids everywhere from good/great teams for a lot of players. They still seem to perform in the league though.

tigerhgrrrrrr , I believe the 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 tactic is the best tactic to use at least in the first season.. They have som good strikers, but you can get almost £5 million for Ilan, and then you have Bergessio and Sanogo who are really good . I don't remember his name right now, but the young belgian striker has good potential too . But their strenght lies in their defensive midfielders in my opinion. They have N'Daw, Matuidi and Fernandes who are all 3 stars according to the ass. man. .

Payet and Fernandez are good too, and Bakary Sako, JOsua Guilavogui and Amine Linganzi should be kept too because they have VERY good potential..

Good luck, and I'll post an update later or tomorrow .

2nd match... Away friendly at SC Cambuur (Dutch level 2 team). Drew 1-1

The 4141 against their 442 was totally useless. Only 40% possession and one shot to every 3 of theirs, and they scored. So I pushed the MCleft up to AMCleft (this is slightly imbalanced - and I hate assymetric tactics!, but it had an effect). So trying to keep the midfielders in their favoured role I changed to 41221, which was a flat back 4, DMC MCright,MR,AMCleft AML & SC. That is hideously assymetrical but it turned all the stats in my favour. They then had a sending off and I equalised.

I suggest my switch to 41212 may be close at hand but I may persist with the 4141 and see if adaptations of it can be reliable enough.

BTW I ahve opted for "top half finish" expectation, I easily achieved that in FM09 (mainly due to Gomis and the amazing Oscar Cardozo - neither of whom will play for Les Verts in FM10 I fear), and I noticed IRL they are 4th bottom. So I hope to do well enough as I did (4th finish) in FM09.

Actually, have just been sniffing around over at FM-Britain and they have a basic guide for a simple 442 - I actually may try this now, especially as moving MCleft & MCright's up or down a strata (to AMCleft/right or DMCleft/right) in an assymetrical way does seem to work (news to me!). I wondered if 4141 was too defensive and I hate lone stiker formations. Hopefully feedback tomorrow!

I wonder if a French club becoming ECL champions would cause imbalance in L1? (not a wealthy or especially strong league) - hopefully I shall find out! :-)

Interesting, though disappointing....Match 3 (dont worry I wont do this for every game!)

Friendly, away FC Twente. A club I see as St Etiennes equal and a draw was predicted. Result: Lost 4-2.

Goal sequence: 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, 4-2. Until the last goal in the last 10 mins, we were in with a shout. Used the FM-Britain inspired simple 442, tweaking as necessary. To be fair we were under pressure for the early part of the game but the opening goal when it came was yet another GK calamity - my first in this save game but far too regular a feature in FM's since 09 :-( . Their striker was on fire, got a hatrick (forget his name!). Am conceding to set pieces as well which is sad. Will have to start from scratch designing def set piece routines for this tactic (a boring part of the FM experience IMO), for now though am just trying to win games through open play advantage alone (that'll do for the friendlies at least). As I never looked like winning this, I was a little disheartened so I loaded up my prev save & as a test played the game again using my Leeds (all conquering) 41212 - and promptly lost 4-0 with hardly a shot on goal. I think this tells me that the 442 is progressing I just need to be patient.

Had an offer of £750k for Verrault - negotiated up to £1.25m - decision day looming, one of my best 2 DL's so I dont want to sell but the staff dont really rate him, and his contract is in the last year. Not sure I can find better for less that £1m though. Decisions, decisions....

Yep sell him and get Van Damme from Anderlecht, usually for about 1 mil.

Varrault is a good back-up, but he can also be replaced if you find someone good and cheap.. Jean-Alain Fanchone is a good left back . Check him out!

EDIT: Van Damme is also a good player .

Or also look at Deschacht from Anderlecht, usually goes cheaper, he isn't fast though.

Great stuff guys, thank you. Cant wait to read in detail others experiences with Les Verts...

I can't start a game with Les Verts for obvious reasons although I could just do it to annoy Hopey.

I can't start a game with Les Verts for obvious reasons although I could just do it to annoy Hopey.

????

Please tell more....

Just played next preseason friendly (No.4), away V Lokomotive Leipzig - won 3-0, total drubbing. Have 1st choice 22 all at reasonable fitness levels now (**with the exception of 2 long-term cases). The only tactical tweaks were setting up the 2 x DC's as stopper/cover (previously 2 x straight "DC"'s) and switching the SCa/SCd from Adv For/Deep For, to Poacher/Target man, respectively.

Purefun and Hopey both love Lyon, and they're Saint-Etienne's rivals .

My update will be up soon too, by the way .

EDIT: WHo have you bought, tigerhgrrrrrr ?

Start of season 2009/10

I started this save on a database with some updated transfers from the January transfer window, and these transfers include Pape Diakhate on loan at Saint-Etienne. I started it on the latest patch with these leagues loaded:

Belgium (Top division only), England (Coca-Cola League 1 and above)

France (All leagues), Germany (Top division only),

Italy (Top division only), Portugal (Top division only),

Spain (All leagues), Switzerland (Top division only).

Transfers:

I started with a clear-out of players I deemed surplus to requierments(sp.) and those I don't think is good enough.. This included Ilan, Yohann Hautcoeur, David Gigliotti and Stathis Tavlaridis. I also loaned out Boubacar Sanogo and Papa Coulibaly to Bordeaux and Standard Liege, respectively. Sanogo is good, but I didn't have room for him in my squad, and Bordeaux have a buy-out clause of £9.25 million which I really hope they will use .

David Gigliotti - Middlesbrough - £1.5 million

Stathis Tavlaridis - Palermo - £3.6 million

Ilan - Atletico Madrid - £4.7 million over 48 months

Yohann Hautcoeur - AS Nancy Lorraine - £3.1 million

Papa Coulibaly - Standard - Loan fee: £75K + agreed price: £475K

Boubacar Sanogo - Girondins de Bordeaux - Loan fee: £825K + agreed price: 9.25 million

Magaye Gueye - RC Strasbourg - £2 million + 15% sell-on - Looks like a very good prospect for the left wing/ attacking midifeld, and arrived pretty cheap.

Jérémy Hélan - Manchester City - £300K + 15% sell-on - Has good potential according to my scouts, and decent stats for a 17 year-old. Cheap too.

James Rodriguez - Banfield - £1.3 million + 20% sell-on - Hot prospect that is almost as good as Landrin already.. Can play CM and AM + left wing, and is only 17 years old.

Chukwuma Akabueze - Odd Grenland - £825K + 10% sell-on + Friendly - Has good stats, is young and cheap and can cover CM, AM, LM, AML, MR, AMR and FC.

Timothee Dos Santos (REGEN) - Clermont Foot 63 - £1.4 million + 20% sell-on - Definitely worth his price even though he's only 15 years old. DLC with 17 heading, 15 marking, 15 tackling . http://i45.tinypic.com/viinao.jpg

Tactics and squad:

I decided to play a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3, if you call it that, with a DM, two CM's, AML, AMR and a lonely striker. It's counter-attacking and usually works good against good teams, than it does against bad teams. My preferred line-up is this:

GK: Vincent Planté

RB: Loic Perrin

LB: Mahamadou Dabo

CB: Moustapha Bayal

CB: Pape Diakhate / Sylvain Monsoreau

DM: Guirane N'Daw / Gelson Fernandes

MC(d): Blaise Matuidi

MC(a): Christophe Landrin / James Rodriguez

AMR: Augusto Fernandez

AML: Dimitri Payet

ST: Gonzalo Bergessio

I decided not to change any captains, because I didn't want to upset any players right now. Might change captain next season, though. I feel I have good cover for all positions, except maybe the GK spot. Plante is decent, and Janot is too but he's retiring. None of the others are good enough, and there are no youth goalies with any first-team potential. Will probably keep Plante and Janot for the first season, and the go for another goalie. I have Remy Riou from Auxerre in mind, and I hope I'll afford him.

Fixtures:

Friendlies:

Ingolstadt (A) - Won 4-2 - Landrin. Payet, Mirallas and Benalouane

Winterthur (A) - Lost 1-0

KV Kortrijk (A) - Won 4-0 - Matuidi, Bergessio (2) and Bayal

League:

OGC Nice (H) - Lost 3-0

Toulouse FC (A) - Won 2-1 - Payet and Linganzi

USBCO (H) - Won 3-2 - Mirallas, Matuidi and Payet

Grenoble Foot 38 (H) - Lost 1-0

I'm 8th in the table with 6 points after 4 league games. I'm resonably happy with the position, but I really should have beaten Grenoble. I was still experimenting with tactics when I met them, and that tactic didn't work at all. It is working better now though, and I hope I can get some wins to get going .

__________________________________________________________________________

Sorry for the long read, and I'm welcome to comments and suggestions .

Purefun and Hopey both love Lyon, and they're Saint-Etienne's rivals .

My update will be up soon too, by the way .

EDIT: WHo have you bought, tigerhgrrrrrr ?

LOL Didnt realise they loved Lyon though I do understand there is rivalry! My association to St Etienne is a romantic one dating back to the 1975 Football League stickers collection album (had a small euro section with a few random euro teams including St Etienne, thats why I also have soft spots for Magdeburg, Eintracht Frankfurt & Coleraine(!), and to a lesser degree Feyenoord), and then there are the memories of vs Liverpool at Anfield in that same era.

Will study your last Post in depth (thanks, excellent - really appreciate it) and no doubt respond.

I have signed so far:

Claudio Lopez £130K

Abdou Fofana Free

*Neither played yet. I am being a bit tight with the budget. All the DL recommendations the clubs wanted silly money so Verrault stays!

Several other "irons in the fire" too, and regarding departures, am hawking Ilan to other clubs - as he is not as good as his stats & salary (£££££ !) suggest, I fear, though he was good for me as backup in FM09. Also in FM09 Tavlaridis just constantly flattered to disappiont, so although I am giving him a chance now I expect he may go also.

I kind of hope, Fabregas, that my Posts have encouraged you in developing your OP and committing to the new save game you have detailed. I certainly am encouraged knowing ANother is doing the same and reporting back - its not just that I want to sign all your transfer suggestions ! ;-)

Start of season 2009/10

I started this save on a database with some updated transfers from the January transfer window, and these transfers include Pape Diakhate on loan at Saint-Etienne. I started it on the latest patch with these leagues loaded:

Belgium (Top division only), England (Coca-Cola League 1 and above)

France (All leagues), Germany (Top division only),

Italy (Top division only), Portugal (Top division only),

Spain (All leagues), Switzerland (Top division only).

Transfers:

I started with a clear-out of players I deemed surplus to requierments(sp.) and those I don't think is good enough.. This included Ilan, Yohann Hautcoeur, David Gigliotti and Stathis Tavlaridis. I also loaned out Boubacar Sanogo and Papa Coulibaly to Bordeaux and Standard Liege, respectively. Sanogo is good, but I didn't have room for him in my squad, and Bordeaux have a buy-out clause of £9.25 million which I really hope they will use .

David Gigliotti - Middlesbrough - £1.5 million

Stathis Tavlaridis - Palermo - £3.6 million

Ilan - Atletico Madrid - £4.7 million over 48 months

Yohann Hautcoeur - AS Nancy Lorraine - £3.1 million

Papa Coulibaly - Standard - Loan fee: £75K + agreed price: £475K

Boubacar Sanogo - Girondins de Bordeaux - Loan fee: £825K + agreed price: 9.25 million

Magaye Gueye - RC Strasbourg - £2 million + 15% sell-on - Looks like a very good prospect for the left wing/ attacking midifeld, and arrived pretty cheap.

Jérémy Hélan - Manchester City - £300K + 15% sell-on - Has good potential according to my scouts, and decent stats for a 17 year-old. Cheap too.

James Rodriguez - Banfield - £1.3 million + 20% sell-on - Hot prospect that is almost as good as Landrin already.. Can play CM and AM + left wing, and is only 17 years old.

Chukwuma Akabueze - Odd Grenland - £825K + 10% sell-on + Friendly - Has good stats, is young and cheap and can cover CM, AM, LM, AML, MR, AMR and FC.

Timothee Dos Santos (REGEN) - Clermont Foot 63 - £1.4 million + 20% sell-on - Definitely worth his price even though he's only 15 years old. DLC with 17 heading, 15 marking, 15 tackling . http://i45.tinypic.com/viinao.jpg

Tactics and squad:

I decided to play a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3, if you call it that, with a DM, two CM's, AML, AMR and a lonely striker. It's counter-attacking and usually works good against good teams, than it does against bad teams. My preferred line-up is this:

GK: Vincent Planté

RB: Loic Perrin

LB: Mahamadou Dabo

CB: Moustapha Bayal

CB: Pape Diakhate / Sylvain Monsoreau

DM: Guirane N'Daw / Gelson Fernandes

MC(d): Blaise Matuidi

MC(a): Christophe Landrin / James Rodriguez

AMR: Augusto Fernandez

AML: Dimitri Payet

ST: Gonzalo Bergessio

I decided not to change any captains, because I didn't want to upset any players right now. Might change captain next season, though. I feel I have good cover for all positions, except maybe the GK spot. Plante is decent, and Janot is too but he's retiring. None of the others are good enough, and there are no youth goalies with any first-team potential. Will probably keep Plante and Janot for the first season, and the go for another goalie. I have Remy Riou from Auxerre in mind, and I hope I'll afford him.

Fixtures:

Friendlies:

Ingolstadt (A) - Won 4-2 - Landrin. Payet, Mirallas and Benalouane

Winterthur (A) - Lost 1-0

KV Kortrijk (A) - Won 4-0 - Matuidi, Bergessio (2) and Bayal

League:

OGC Nice (H) - Lost 3-0

Toulouse FC (A) - Won 2-1 - Payet and Linganzi

USBCO (H) - Won 3-2 - Mirallas, Matuidi and Payet

Grenoble Foot 38 (H) - Lost 1-0

I'm 8th in the table with 6 points after 4 league games. I'm resonably happy with the position, but I really should have beaten Grenoble. I was still experimenting with tactics when I met them, and that tactic didn't work at all. It is working better now though, and I hope I can get some wins to get going .

__________________________________________________________________________

Sorry for the long read, and I'm welcome to comments and suggestions .

Could never be "too long a read" as far as I'm concerned, Fabregas. Interesting 1st 4 proper results. On paper I would expect better but I'm not sure that is such a bad start, its a platform to build on (just a shame that Grenoble are not going to donate 6 points to your cause this season!). Great now the "real life fixtures" are constant for all players in the game (if they so choose) Gives a real "how am I doing" guide.

Start of season 2009/10

Tactics and squad:

I decided to play a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3, if you call it that, with a DM, two CM's, AML, AMR and a lonely striker. It's counter-attacking and usually works good against good teams, than it does against bad teams. My preferred line-up is this:

GK: Vincent Planté

RB: Loic Perrin

LB: Mahamadou Dabo

CB: Moustapha Bayal

CB: Pape Diakhate / Sylvain Monsoreau

DM: Guirane N'Daw / Gelson Fernandes

MC(d): Blaise Matuidi

MC(a): Christophe Landrin / James Rodriguez

AMR: Augusto Fernandez

AML: Dimitri Payet

ST: Gonzalo Bergessio

My line up at the moment (Simple 442 created by tactic creator, FM-Britain inspired):

GK: Plante / Janot

DR:Patrick Barul (on Trial - have made a bid) / Andreu

DL: Verrault / Monsoreau

DCs: Bayal & Tavlaridis / Guilavogui & Benalouane

MR (set as winger): Fernandez / Hautcour (switched to orthadox ML rather than winger!)

ML (set as winger): Payet / Sako

MCd: Matuidi / Fernandes

MCa: Landrin / Fofana

SCd: Bergessio / Claudio Lopez

SCa: Miralas / Sanogo

Am still testing the DC & SC positions regarding pairings of Stopper & Cover, and Target Man & Poacher or Deep SC & Advanced SC.

The following are out injured so I have not assessed yet:

Perrin & Dabo.

I'd reccomend you to check out Mazz's Guide to Africa, because there are a lot of good and talented players there that he has posted:thup:.. Saint-Etienne doesn't have that much cash, so I thought it'd be a good idea to post the link here .

http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php?t=185522

PS. Is Patrick Barul better than Perrin?

I'd reccomend you to check out Mazz's Guide to Africa, because there are a lot of good and talented players there that he has posted:thup:.. Saint-Etienne doesn't have that much cash, so I thought it'd be a good idea to post the link here .

http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php?t=185522

PS. Is Patrick Barul better than Perrin?

Thanks. I loaded North Africa players for start up but the players I fancy from this thread are not in my database :-(

Nevermind.

Actually Perrin not featured yet due to injury. Barul best of those available, Im not so sure yet how he matches up, Perrin should have the edge eventually.

Just won Friendly Away at Chambery 6-0. Looking good. Up to the Highlands to play Wick next! Fernandez is skinning full backs for fun.

Transfer update:

2 more loans in:

Vadim Demidov (did a job for me in FM09)

Mahamadou Diarra (from Real) - potentially AWESOME!

And signed James Rodriguez (thanks for that tip!, Fabregas)

Nice transfers . Diarra and Demidov are good players, and Demidov is still pretty young so can improve.. I've seen him play a couple of times IRL too .

I've just got Dabo and Perrin back from injury, but they are much better than Varrault and Andreu respectibely .. Make sure to extende Fernandez's and Dabo's contracts too! They run out at the end of the first season..

EDIT: James Rodriguez plays really good when played as an advanced playmake in the CM or AM spot. I used him there when I was managing Racing, and he and Canales were great together .

EDIT 2: Forgot to mention that I have Yann Sommer from Basel arriving at the start of next season for £1.4 million..

Nice transfers . Diarra and Demidov are good players, and Demidov is still pretty young so can improve.. I've seen him play a couple of times IRL too .

I've just got Dabo and Perrin back from injury, but they are much better than Varrault and Andreu respectibely .. Make sure to extende Fernandez's and Dabo's contracts too! They run out at the end of the first season..

EDIT: James Rodriguez plays really good when played as an advanced playmake in the CM or AM spot. I used him there when I was managing Racing, and he and Canales were great together .

Interesting comments. Dabo & Fernandez's contracts already extended! Rodriguez is already being used EXACTLY as you suggested (I guess its a no brainer really though).

Friendly result: Wick 0 - St Etienne 12 !

:-)

Nicely done with the contracts, and good result too:D! How does Rodriguez play for you there? Many goals/ assists?

Nicely done with the contracts, and good result too:D! How does Rodriguez play for you there? Many goals/ assists?

Rodriguez: 2 x half games, 1 assist, no goals - avg rating 7.35. Doing OK, good back up to Landrin

Last Friendly now played, away Pointe Courte won 5-0

Time for OGC Nice now! (the expectation.....gulp!)

Got shot of Mansaly £725k

Good luck for your first league game !

I lost 3-0 so lets hope you do better .

Good luck for your first league game !

I lost 3-0 so lets hope you do better .

WOW!

ASSE 4 (Mirallas 2, Payet, Rodriguez) - Nice 0 !

Payet ran the length of the pitch to the fans to celebrate his goal even though we were at home.The first goal was a free kick cross from Rodriguez for a Mirallas header, and Rodriguez' goal was a rocket from 25 yards into an empty net, one where the keeper is out of position due to saving the first ball in.

They had a man sent off on 23 mins but it was 2-0 and we were cruising then anyway. They did give it a go in the 2nd half but within my tactics the team sat back and intercepted / blocked whenever they got in range. Probably lucky not to conceed from 2 corners but win well deserved - and we go top! (early days though)

Am quite chuffed actually!

Forgot to mention, got extra £5m for transfer kitty. Asked, and got, after last season ticket sales announcement.

Nice win, mate . Mirallas has been really good for me, although he is almost the only one. The only other player that has impressed is Payet.. I'm currently 16th in the league, and I think I'll get the sack soon. If I do, I'll start over with Saint-Etienne and convert to the classic tactic creator, because I'm having a hard time trying to make a good tactic..

Nice win, mate . Mirallas has been really good for me, although he is almost the only one. The only other player that has impressed is Payet.. I'm currently 16th in the league, and I think I'll get the sack soon. If I do, I'll start over with Saint-Etienne and convert to the classic tactic creator, because I'm having a hard time trying to make a good tactic..

My FM09 start was similar to your game. Stick with it,it could turn around - should do, sounds like you know what you are doing so.....allez!

Amazing! The luck wont hold Im sure but....

Toulouse 0 - ASSE 2, sill top of the Lge.

Had Demidov sent of in 6th min so went 441 holding out for draw even from that early. Just before half time though Payet scored direct from a corner! Never seen that in FM10 before! Then around the hour we bundled in a corner - very scruffy, very satisfying! We were slightly second best on match stats and Janot was MOM (Nice to have the "Superkeeper" playing against the AI !

ASSE 1 (Fernandez)- USBCO 0. Relatively comfortable.

This may sem like a bragging-fest but we all know that a change of form is always just around the corner.

I'm happy you're doing good . As long as you keep posting and having fun with the team, you can brag all you want .

I got sacked just into Jan.. : /

Will start again now, so I might update tomorrow or on wednesday.

EDIT: Check if Ishiaku (dont remember first name) is in your game . He might only come up because I have the big pack of African players, but he has really good potential . He's a 17/18 year old Nigerian defender.

I'm happy you're doing good . As long as you keep posting and having fun with the team, you can brag all you want .

I got sacked just into Jan.. : /

Will start again now, so I might update tomorrow or on wednesday.

EDIT: Check if Ishiaku (dont remember first name) is in your game . He might only come up because I have the big pack of African players, but he has really good potential . He's a 17/18 year old Nigerian defender.

FUN - most definitely. Not really into bragging, would be happy to finish 4th from bottom if that meets expectations of board & fans. Just seems ironic that I usually go into these club threads and am the underachiever of the bunch but doing ok this time - im not an FM natural despite over 10 years FM / SI's CM continuous service. Home circumstances mean I am lucky to play more than 1 match per day / evening but Im happy and very much enjoying it.

I uploaded France, England and all players from Nth Africa & Senegal. Its not giving all the dual national Frenchmen-Africans that I wanted but I didnt want to overload the processor though ironically have still averaged 1 crash fail every gaming session - if I didnt love this save so much I would have ditched it. And 3d doesnt work but I really am growing to love 2d classic anyway.

I would be very interested in your latest efforts, or even more detail of your ditched game. Im rubbish at posting screenies by the way, not helped that I use 3 PC's, one with FM & no internet. 2 with internet but not linked to the FM machine. I know there are other ways around this but image shack, photobucket etc do my head in. Wish I knew how people attach images to the actual Post as opposed to the link to an external source.

Sold Tavlaridis for £925K. His stats just dont excite me and he is back-up, and no more than that. Have planned our assault on Grenoble, looks simple enough on paper but with FM you never know.....

Armee verte!, Armee verte!

Hopefully fit the match in before the Utd v City dust up.

ASSE 3 - Grenoble 3.

A bit frustrating how the underdogs ALWAYS give you a hard game. An FM09 & FM10 bug I fear. Was 3-1 up too and they only levelled it on 88 mins. I look forward to playing more evenly matched teams- the game allows me to thrash them.

Anyway, unbeaten and joint top with 10 points from 4 games.

Planning the weekend but am drawn to a Tide of Iron / Memoire 44 fest, so may still only average 1 match per day. Loving the ASSE save game though.

Rennes 2 - ASSE 1.

This is more like it! Im used to a struggle! :-)