[FM23-Derby County] Why manage the Rams? How are you getting on?

[Stuniverse]

Welcome, @RamEd.

That sounds like a very interesting save idea.

Good luck 🍀⚽️🐏

Let us know how you get on.

[Stuniverse]

Downgraded Academy Category Status

Is anybody else finding that the Derby County Academy gets downgraded from Category 1 to Category 2 at the end of season one (2022/23) even though you’ve made no changes to it throughout the season?

And, if you do, does anybody by any chance have a save game file from just before the Category Status is downgraded?

Many thanks.

[ntafernaberry]

Last month I finally got my copy of FM23 and started looking for a new challenge. My first attempt was Crawley Town, but I immediately gave up on that save, as I realized it would take me too much of an effort to make it to the Premier League and the Champions. 

Next attractive option was Derby, and after reading the first posts in this thread, I bought into it.  Here I am, sitting 8th in the League, after making every mistake I could have possibly made.

 

Still alive in Carabao and struggling with wages after recalling Bielik before the start of the season, following an awful advice from my staff.

Forgive my english, as I am a spanish native speaker from Uruguay.

I will try to keep updating my season as it progresses. 

Cheers!

 

 

[Stuniverse]

Thanks for the update, @ntafernaberry. 8th isn’t bad after six games. Plenty of points left to play for.

Good luck 🍀⚽️🤞

No need to apologise, your English is much better than my Spanish.

[ntafernaberry]

Thanks for your reply.

A few more games into the season, and we are sitting 6th. 

Made some tactical improvements, and learnt a lot watching the training series of videos you posted earlier on this thread. 

Forgot to mention that we signed Enock Asante on preseason and George Thomas close to deadline day. Loaned out a few young players, including Rooney. 

In january we´ll have 2 additions to the team, and will probably unload some of the older injury prone fellas. I fear Knight might also go, after securing his long term contract with a release clause. Sibley has been heavily scouted and for the right price will also hit the exit door. 

Toure arrives for the U21s. 

I guess that´s all I have to say for now. Dont want to bore with too much details. 

I must say that managing Derby has turned me into a RAM as you say over there. I have been a RED since Istanbul 2005, but now my heart is divided

Cheers from Uruguay!!

[Stuniverse]

On 06/03/2023 at 19:06, ntafernaberry said:

Thanks for your reply.

My pleasure.

On 06/03/2023 at 19:06, ntafernaberry said:

A few more games into the season, and we are sitting 6th.

Derby County are 6th in real-life with 11 games remaining. Hopefully you can kick-on from 6th and push for an automatic promotion place.

On 06/03/2023 at 19:06, ntafernaberry said:

Made some tactical improvements, and learnt a lot watching the training series of videos you posted earlier on this thread. 

Great stuff. What tactics are you going with?

On 06/03/2023 at 19:06, ntafernaberry said:

Forgot to mention that we signed Enock Asante on preseason and George Thomas close to deadline day. Loaned out a few young players, including Rooney. 

Looks like you both signed and loaned out Asante. One eye on next season? You’ve loaned out some of the better U21s, let’s hope they develop while out on loan.

On 06/03/2023 at 19:06, ntafernaberry said:

january we´ll have 2 additions to the team, and will probably unload some of the older injury prone fellas. I fear Knight might also go, after securing his long term contract with a release clause. Sibley has been heavily scouted and for the right price will also hit the exit door.

What’s Knight’s release clause amount and what would you sell Sibley for?

On 06/03/2023 at 19:06, ntafernaberry said:

I guess that´s all I have to say for now. Dont want to bore with too much details.

That’s what this thread is for and I never get bored of hearing about Derby County FM manager saves.

On 06/03/2023 at 19:06, ntafernaberry said:

I must say that managing Derby has turned me into a RAM as you say over there. I have been a RED since Istanbul 2005, but now my heart is divided

Welcome to the 🐏s family!

On 06/03/2023 at 19:06, ntafernaberry said:

Cheers from Uruguay!!

Cheers from Derbyshire!

Good luck 🍀⚽️🤞

[ntafernaberry]

I will be happy reaching the playoffs.

There will probably be a big squad change after the winter transfer period, and that will surely impact the flow of our game.

For now, we are still alive in all competitions:

Reached 4th place in the league, and getting closer to the top. 

We´ll face Rochdale on the FA CUP 2nd round.

Southampton will visit us on Pride Park for a 4th round Carabao match.

Finally, we are on the last 16th in Papa Johns Trophy; Harrogate is our rival. 

As for tactics, we are playing 4-3-3 tiquitaca and 4-2-3-1 Fluid CounterAttack 

This one is probably my favourite strategy for most of the games.

If we face a team that will park the bus, then I switch to 4-3-3 tiquitaca.

Asante is one for the future, even though seeing his progress he´ll probably never make it into the first team. The rest of loaned U21s are developing nicely, 

Darren Robinson and Cybulski "the polish tower" are the ones I particularly like. 

Knight´s release clause:

Knight will go for 17.750.000 Euros 

Sibley has been heavily scouted by Brighton. I valued him at 9M Euros, but will let him go for something close to that. 

Quote

 

Welcome to the 🐏s family!

Cheers from Derbyshire!

Good luck 🍀⚽️🤞

 

Thanks!!

 

[OJ403]

I am finally starting my annual Derby save, this time with a twist. The playing squad has been revaluated using the create a club feature to remove a large number of players, leaving a squad much closer that Liam Rosenior inherited at the start of preseason. This has left me with the following players:

Joe Wildsmith

Richard Stearman, Curtis Davies, Craig Forsyth, Eiran Cashin

Max Bird, Conor Hourihane, Jason Knight, Korey Smith, Kristian Bielik (remains on loan at Birmingham)

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Louis Sibley

David McGoldrick

We have also retained the services of all loan players at the club. These are Luke McGee; Haydon Roberts; Harvey White; Lewis Dobbin, Tony Springett. I would be willing to let go Springett if given the opportunity.

I have also agreed to mutually terminate the contracts of all of coaching team Paul Warne brought to the club with him.

Edited March 13, 2023 by OJ403

[Stuniverse]

35 minutes ago, OJ403 said:

I am finally starting my annual Derby save, this time with a twist. The playing squad has been revaluated using the create a club feature to remove a large number of players, leaving a squad much closer that Liam Rosenior inherited at the start of preseason. This has left me with the following players:

Joe Wildsmith

Richard Stearman, Curtis Davies, Craig Forsyth, Eiran Cashin

Max Bird, Conor Hourihane, Jason Knight, Korey Smith, Kristian Bielik (remains on loan at Birmingham)

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Louis Sibley

David McGoldrick

We have also retained the services of all loan players at the club. These are Luke McGee; Haydon Roberts; Harvey White; Lewis Dobbin, Tony Springett. I would be willing to let go Springett if given the opportunity.

I have also agreed to mutually terminate the contracts of all of coaching team Paul Warne brought to the club with him.

Very interesting, @OJ403. Good luck 🍀⚽️🤞

[ntafernaberry]

We are getting to the final sprint of the season. So far, so Derby. This is very close to reality I guess;  being a RAM is an emotional rollercoaster. One week you´re on top of the world, the next you feel frigging miserable. 

We went to Wembley, only to lose the Papa Johns final game vs Fleetwood (2-3)

Still fighting to make it to the playoffs, but its a close race between 3rd and 8th placed. We have an edge on goals diff, but we cant take anything for granted yet. 

 

Our best performers of the season (all comps) sorted on average rating: Osula has been a scoring machine, Dobbin a pleasant surprise contributing goals and assists from the left wing and George Thomas has proved a valuable addition.  Hourihane very reliable too, always chipping in some beatiful passes. 

 

In the winter transfer window we transferred out McGoldrick (board did not like this move), Stearman and Forsyth.

IN: Gavin Whyte from Cardiff, Josh Onomah (FREE) and Stefan Bajcetic on loan from Liverpool (red carded on the 10th minute of its debut game).  

I´ll come back with the next update once the season is over. 

Cheers every1

 

 

[Stuniverse]

3 hours ago, ntafernaberry said:

We are getting to the final sprint of the season. So far, so Derby. This is very close to reality I guess;  being a RAM is an emotional rollercoaster. One week you´re on top of the world, the next you feel frigging miserable. 

We went to Wembley, only to lose the Papa Johns final game vs Fleetwood (2-3)

Still fighting to make it to the playoffs, but its a close race between 3rd and 8th placed. We have an edge on goals diff, but we cant take anything for granted yet. 

Thanks for the update, @ntafernaberry

That does look very close to real-life with Derby currently 5th after 37 games. 

You are well-placed for Playoffs if the team can hold it's nerve. I was going to say, win your two games in hand and you'll be very nicely placed, but it looks like everybody else in the top 10 also has two games in hand on Plymouth.

3 hours ago, ntafernaberry said:

In the winter transfer window we transferred out McGoldrick (board did not like this move), Stearman and Forsyth.

IN: Gavin Whyte from Cardiff, Josh Onomah (FREE) and Stefan Bajcetic on loan from Liverpool (red carded on the 10th minute of its debut game).  

Looks like you recalled Bielik from his loan at Birmingham as well.

Out of interest, why did you offload McGoldrick?

3 hours ago, ntafernaberry said:

I´ll come back with the next update once the season is over. 

Cheers every1

Yes please.

Good luck 🍀🐏⚽️🤞

Many thanks.

Edited March 25, 2023 by Stuniverse

[ntafernaberry]

On 27/01/2023 at 13:38, Stuniverse said:

Downgraded Academy Category Status

Is anybody else finding that the Derby County Academy gets downgraded from Category 1 to Category 2 at the end of season one (2022/23) even though you’ve made no changes to it throughout the season?

And, if you do, does anybody by any chance have a save game file from just before the Category Status is downgraded?

Many thanks.

I just finished the season and that´s exactly what happened to the Academy (besides missing the playoffs getting just 2 points from the final 3 games   arghh)

I am lucky to still have the job. Will get back with a more detailed update once I get over this frustration LOL

Cheers everyone!

[Stuniverse]

1 hour ago, ntafernaberry said:

I just finished the season and that´s exactly what happened to the Academy (besides missing the playoffs getting just 2 points from the final 3 games   arghh)

I am lucky to still have the job.

Where did you finish in the league table, @ntafernaberry?

1 hour ago, ntafernaberry said:

Will get back with a more detailed update once I get over this frustration LOL

Cheers everyone!

Look forward to it.

[OJ403]

So then, after a failed attempt at a real world style rebuild my Hamburg save has finally grown stale after several seasons stuck as a middling Bundesliga side unable to make that step to the next level. As a big Derby fan and long term season ticket holder (plus huge Paul Warne fan), I found myself thinking up squad and tactic ideas for a Derby save. Ultimately I think my rebuild save failed as the best available players had been signed by the club already - even James Collins couldn't be improved upon!

So I've loaded up the game and had a look at the squad, although we're yet to press continue. I am going to let my real life judgements hold a fair amount of sway in the early seasons, but obviously as I get deeper into the save FM views will have to take over. Although to a degree FM views will be important in decisions.

I intend to base the first season around the young players (namely Bird, Knight, Cashin and Sibley who I feel have the quality to stay in the team deep into the Premier League) and the best "experienced" players at the club (McGoldrick and Davies). The squad is going to be based on the concept of "old heads, wise legs" (OHWL) with younger players asked to do the running in their place. This has left me with a squad depth looking like this:

The idea is to press hard in the middle of pitch, forcing turnovers and quick transitions in the wide and half spaces. The players at the back and top ends of the pitch will be excluded from the press, with only Conor Hourihane from the OHWL group asked to join in the press. I intend to play a back three/give for three main reasons:

1. Davies can't run, but is our most important leader and experienced defender. Two wider centre backs either side of him should allow him to go 1v1 with opposition strikers and cover space intelligently.

2. We have no right back. Jason Knight would be wasted here; Korey Smith just isn't a right back and given his age isn't the long term solution anyway; and the younger boys in Rooney and Oduroh just aren't ready yet. NML and Barkhuizen are relatively short term players anyway in terms of age and ability, so I don't mind using square pegs in round holes here anyway.

3. We lack quality depth in attacking areas, but have lots of quality centrally with White, Smith and Thompson all outside my initial best eleven. This system lets me get three to five of them on the pitch at all times.

I don't intend to make many transfers in the first window, or season one at all to be honest, and intend to follow the basic rules set out in Derby's real life regulations/embargo in that  we won't be paying transfer fees or making any fee paying loans. Any incomings will be wage contribution only loans or free agents on sensible wages. My major transfer targets included a right sided centre back option and cover in the attacking midfield positions. I am considering using Sibley as my left wing back (I'm not sold in Roberts in FM or real life particularly) as Warne has at times this season. I'm not convinced his physical profile suits a position other than a BBM, which we don't use and either way would be covered by Knight and White before Sibley. I've used him as a wing back in previous FMs to good success, his hard working attitude making him a really good player up and down the side as a slightly more hustling and bustling wing back than a physical athlete (think Kieran Trippier over Kyle Walker).

Hopefully I'll be able to get my teeth into the save in the coming days, with further updates to follow. The aim isn't necessarily promotion this season, as in real life, it's more about re-establishing the club on and off the pitch and building a squad to bounce to the Premier League in a few campaigns once the ball is rolling.

[Stuniverse]

Thanks for the update, @OJ403

Sorry your Hamburg save went stale but glad that now gives you the opportunity to do a Derby County save with FM23, the Winter Update version I’m assuming.

I look forward to further updates.

Good luck 🐏🍀⚽️🤞

[OJ403]

15 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

Sorry your Hamburg save went stale but glad that now gives you the opportunity to do a Derby County save with FM23, the Winter Update version I’m assuming.

These things happen with FM. It was a good save and fun squad, but long breaks in game time due to life commitments and the core of "good but less good than Bayern" teams ultimately my killed the save.

I've took over Derby with the winter update, so we have no Osula, but do have Springett, White and McGee. Whilst I think we probably ought to have replaced Osula in real life, I think between McGoldrick and Collins we will be fine for season one. Moving into season two, irrespective of which division we are in I only anticipate keeping maybe four or five players (excluding the younger players) so a large scale rebuild will be needed then when we will likely begin to mould more into a back four team as I prefer this approach. The only concern I have with this is Cashin's height and 12 jumping reach.

I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of those that have both managed Derby this year and seen much of us in reality as to the make up of the squad moving into the 2023/24 season. Who do you think we should keep and let go? What positions and player profiles ought to be priority? I already have an idea as to how I'd want us to look, but I'm curious as to what others think.

[Stuniverse]

1 hour ago, OJ403 said:

I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of those that have both managed Derby this year and seen much of us in reality as to the make up of the squad moving into the 2023/24 season. Who do you think we should keep and let go? What positions and player profiles ought to be priority? I already have an idea as to how I'd want us to look, but I'm curious as to what others think.

This is a very interesting question, @OJ403

The three main things that jump out at me are that:

1) Derby County’s squad is small, particularly in terms of genuine first team players. For example, most teams in League One can rotate four senior strikers. Derby effectively have Collins and McGoldrick, plus Dobbin (who’s better as a winger, in my opinion).

2) On Saturday, Ipswich had 17 players in their peak years 22-28, whereas Derby had Wildsmith and Barkhuizen.

3) The last two seasons of pre-Admin and then Admin have taken their toll with a lot of our top U21 talent being sold to keep the wolf from the door. As a result, there’s nobody in the U21 squad seriously threatening to break through into the first-team any time soon, although there are some good prospects in the U18s.

Once you remove the loan players - McGee, Roberts, White, Dobbin and Springett, plus the U21 loans Taylor-Hart and Vigar, then the squad again looks threadbare. Out of contract at the end of the season are Loach, Forsyth, Davies, Chester, Stearman, Knight (although the club do have a one-year option) and McGoldrick.

Unless you get promoted, it will be difficult to bring any of the current loan players back because FM23 has a habit of parent clubs saying they want to give their player a new challenge or play at a higher level when you try to extend a loan.

You will, though, have Bielik back for the last year of his contract for the 2023/24 season (I assume you won’t be recalling Bielik in season one as Derby didn’t do that in real life).

My flippant answer is you’ll need to improve all positions with the possible exception of central midfield, where Derby have an abundance of young talent, plus highly rated U18 prospects D.Robinson, Hawkins and Fapetu.

Defence

Right-back is the obvious area of need as Derby don’t have a senior right-back. Oduroh isn’t ready and young Rooney is better at DC or DM in my opinion.

Left-back, well you probably won’t have a DL either as Roberts is on loan and Forsyth out of contract and, if you renew (I would, I like Forsyth), he’s better suited to DC now given his age.

Centre-back, you only have Cashin and Rooney under 30, plus Bielik back from loan who can play DC, but is he better utilised in midfield? Forsyth would be worth a contract extension for me, and then you have Davies, Chester and Stearman who are all out of contract and in their late 30s. Maybe keep one for experience, but you’re definitely going to need two centre-backs under 30 for me, maybe even three.

Goalkeeper, you only really have Wildsmith. U18 Evans is highly rated but I’m not sure he’ll be ready for season two. You could extend Loach’s contract but you really need a back-up who can seriously challenge Wildsmith.

Midfield

In central midfield you’ll have Hourihane and Smith, both over 30, plus the young talent Bird, Knight, Sibley and Thompson, with D.Robinson a possible breakthrough candidate. Plus you’ll have Bielik back in the summer to bolster central midfield, unless you see him more as a DC.

To a large extent, what you need to do in midfield depends on the formation / system you’re going to utilise, how many central midfielders you’ll play, and whether you have the balanced combinations you need?

Could you get better central midfielders in? Possibly. But you have higher priorities in the other positions and Bird, Knight, Sibley and Thompson should all develop well if you can give them enough playing time.

Also, if you’re going to sell to raise funds then your most saleable assets are central midfielders.

Wingers

When the loan players go back, it leaves you with Mendez-Laing and Barkhuizen, both are right-footed and better on the right-wing than the left, although Barkhuizen has mainly played left-wing this season. So you’re going to need at least two wingers, preferably left-wingers.

Taylor-Hart, a left-winger on loan with the U21s from Arsenal, has looked very impressive in Derby U21 games this season, scoring a few goals, and his current attributes in FM23 put him in the first-team squad at the start of a Winter Update save. Taylor-Hart would be worth trying to sign for season two in my opinion.

Strikers

You only have two strikers in Collins and McGoldrick, both over 30. In real-life, I think McGoldrick deserves another year but you may disagree. You are definitely going to need two strikers, more if you offload either or both of Collins and / or McGoldrick.

Academy

As mentioned earlier, the U21s are pretty depleted in terms of quality and, whilst there are some good talents in the U18s, it will take them a few seasons to develop.

In real-life, Derby County are going to need to stock-up their U21 squad unless they are going to write-off the next two or three seasons until the younger prospects develop through the Academy system.

In FM23, if you want to develop youth through the Academy, then you’ll need to stock up as well. I’d be getting my scouts to look at U21 players and I’d be using the lower league technique of inviting lots of unattached players in for trial to assess them although, with Derby County, it will be U21 players. I’d be targeting the U21players the Premier League and Championship clubs release in the summer.

Good luck 🐏🍀⚽️🤞

Edited April 3, 2023 by Stuniverse

[OJ403]

21 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

My flippant answer is you’ll need to improve all positions with the possible exception of central midfield,

Whilst perhaps the flippant answer, it's also the one I agree with. The midfielders have the capabilities to be amongst the best midfield group in League One, and the potential to be such in the Championship (key word potential there). I don't plan to replace anyone in this group until we hit the Premier League.

21 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

You will, though, have Bielik back for the last year of his contract for the 2023/24 season (I assume you won’t be recalling Bielik in season one as Derby didn’t do that in real life).

This is correct - Bielik will still be at Birmingham. Once he returns for season two, whether he is sold to fund a rebuild largely depends on our system and the progress of other players. If Conor Hourihane underwhelms and we switch to a 4-3-3, Bielik could come into the base of our midfield freeing up Bird, Knight and Thompson to rotate as 8s, their best role in my opinion. If we stick with the back three, he could take Davies' place in the centre and operate in a more ball playing fashion. If we switch to some form of 4-2-3-1 he could partner Bird or Knight in the DM strata. I think his future will be dictated by the needs of the squad as a whole.

In terms of defenders I agree with all your points. Given mainly age and resultant declining technicals, I anticipate going into season two with one starting and two backup centre backs (Cashin - Forsyth, Rooney) and no out and our full back options.

22 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Davies, Chester and Stearman who are all out of contract and in their late 30s. Maybe keep one for experience

I agree it may be worth keeping one of these players, probably Davies in my opinion, but if we move to a back four I think I'll be happy without them.

In midfield, I agree again. I don't intend to touch this as mentioned. Korey Smith may leave to facilitate Liam Thompson's opportunities and development, but this is no way near set in stone.

In wide areas, it largely depends on how we intend to go tactically. Mendez-Laing and Barkhuizen are theoretically capable right wingers or wing backs. I expect one or both of these to stay according to what's on the market. Out on the left, I don't plan to renew Dobbin or Springett's loans - so either left wing back or left wing options will likely be needed.

As I have mentioned, I am unsure as to Sibley's long term position - he is likely to get minutes in this part of the pitch this season as I'm not completely convinced on his suitability to play as our goalscoring attacking midfielder (both our striking options are going to dropping deeper in season one) given his unspectacular pace or goalscoring instinct. I tend to find well round attacking players play well as wing backs so we will see here.

And finally for strikers - we will need two of these next season. I don't expect to renew either Collins or McGoldrick's contracts given their age and the type of profile of striker I tend to prefer. Typically, I like to build my team's around quick, strong strikers - neither of these two fit this profile, which means I have to ask things of other players I may not want to, see the Sibley situation. McGoldrick is perhaps more likely to be here into season two (largely based on real life performances as you suggest), however as a rotation option for our creative midfielder with Hourihane.

This is where the youth come in.

22 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

As mentioned earlier, the U21s are pretty depleted in terms of quality and, whilst there are some good talents in the U18s, it will take them a few seasons to develop.

Having surveyed the talent in more depth today, I most certainly agree. In terms of talent... there is no talent. Or at least little to no talent. I think most of the incomings in the summer of season one are going to be young players to pad out this group as the first team squad should be largely good enough to compete for the top six, despite obvious gaps in it. This means greater opportunities for Rooney and Thompson amongst others as young players who have perhaps outgrown U21 football but aren't quite ready for senior football yet - needs must!

[ntafernaberry]

On 03/04/2023 at 15:37, Stuniverse said:

Where did you finish in the league table, @ntafernaberry?

 

We finished in 7th place.  The last 3 games were really bad, and we only got 2 points out of a possible 9.  I just hope the RAMs can do much better in their final 5 games IRL. 

In the end, I think it was a good thing we missed the promotion, cause it prompted an interesting squad rebuild. 

In a really busy transfer window, Knight and Bielik were sold, providing some much needed fresh funds for our economy.  I added a lot of free agents, some young talents and a few cheap good players, ending up with what I think is a much more balanced (and not so aged) squad.  I will get back with more details about the transfer business´ made. 

Season 23/24 is underway, and we are at the top of the table with 4 wins out of 4 games. I am happy with how the team is playing but we havent faced any strong teams yet. The only negative so far has been getting kicked out of the Carabao Cup in an embarrasing home game vs Norwich. 

Some time ago you asked why I got rid of McGoldrick and I missed it; the short answer was, age, wages and injury risk. The only 30+ players remaining in the squad are Davies, Collins (loaned out), Smith, Hourihane, Mendez-Laing and Barkhuizen. 

Thats it for now. Cheers everyone! 

 

[OJ403]

So after another period of limited play time, over the last couple of days I have played through preseason.

Initially my plans were to play a back three system with a midfielder four and two number 10s supporting McGoldrick up front. Whilst normally I wouldn't advise paying much attention to preseason results, the performance in defeats to Chesterfield, Burton and Mansfield led to a change in approach. Overall our philosophy has remained the same, but the shape has changed going into the season.

On 03/04/2023 at 22:34, OJ403 said:

1. Davies can't run, but is our most important leader and experienced defender. Two wider centre backs either side of him should allow him to go 1v1 with opposition strikers and cover space intelligently.

Despite this being the case, by placing two more aggressive defenders either side of him I actually increased the spacing between him and the adjacent players. In the back four I have found us to be more compact when in possession, such that Davies is less exposed.

On 03/04/2023 at 22:34, OJ403 said:

2. We have no right back. Jason Knight would be wasted here; Korey Smith just isn't a right back and given his age isn't the long term solution anyway; and the younger boys in Rooney and Oduroh just aren't ready yet. NML and Barkhuizen are relatively short term players anyway in terms of age and ability, so I don't mind using square pegs in round holes here anyway.

We may have no out and our right back, but it turns out we have no make shift wing back either! NML and Barkhuizen were both poor in this position through preseason, offering nothing defensively and restricted attacking output. Shifting them to operate as wingers should help this. Korey Smith will be our first choice right back, with Rooney and Chester in support. I did look at loaning someone in to play here, but found more pressing issues elsewhere.

This means we will line up predominantly in a 4-2-3-1 that could easily become a 4-3-3.

The "more pressing" area was striker. I don't rate Collins and as I mentioned before my decisions will be influenced by real life, particularly in the early stages of the save. Whilst I do rate McGoldrick, he is just too slow for my system in FM and is probably best as the number ten regardless. So from Sheffield United comes Daniel Jebbison on a season long loan (paying 70% wages). He is everything I look for in a striker - quick, tall and a good finisher. This meant I couldn't realistically bring in a right back on loan as all five match day slots are filled and with no good/affordable free agent targets we will move forward into the season as we are. By January I expect to know if we can get away with this and invest a proper player here in the summer when our embargo has been lifted. (Whilst the terms of this are T.B.C. in real life, I will lifted this and agree a "business plan" that will allow transfer fees of some form for season two).

Unfortunately this has forced Sibley out wide, but poor performances from our 10s in preseason (not Sibley as he missed all of preseason with injury) made this decision for me. Moving forward I do see Knight dropping back alongside Bird and Sibley moving inside.

Overall, I am happy with the squad and system, despite gaps at centre back and right back. Is there any way I can de-age Davies 10 years?!

[Stuniverse]

12 hours ago, OJ403 said:

Is there any way I can de-age Davies 10 years?!

Sorry, @OJ403 but NO!

Thanks for the update.

Good luck!

[OJ403]

Very very small update today...

Played the first three league games tonight, we've scored four goals in each game and only conceded one. Jebbison has 7 goals, Sibley has 5 assists and Hourihane 4. It turns out we're quite good at football matches!

We've also put five past Fleetwood in the first round of the Carabao Cup (5-3).

[Stuniverse]

1 hour ago, OJ403 said:

Very very small update today...

Played the first three league games tonight, we've scored four goals in each game and only conceded one. Jebbison has 7 goals, Sibley has 5 assists and Hourihane 4. It turns out we're quite good at football matches!

We've also put five past Fleetwood in the first round of the Carabao Cup (5-3).

That’s a great start to the season, @OJ403

[ntafernaberry]

Its great to see other RAMS managers doing well on their own seasons. 

I started my save before the winter update and finished 7th on the first season. Now I am 18 games into season 23/24, sitting on 2nd place.

Ive had the best results playing 4-3-3. I still keep Davies, but he has roughly played, mostly on PJT games. 

This is my starting eleven and their respective backup players: 

[ntafernaberry]

Little update...

Here we are, halfway through season 23/24, so far so good.

Its january 1st 2024 and we have a tough match today vs Ipswich, who are leading the league 2 points ahead of us. 

 

 

The transfer window just opened and Watford came with an offer for Max Bird. I am not ready to let him go, so tried to negotiate a very high price and Watford retreated.  Mendez Laing was sold to Forest Green and we are trying to bring some new faces to the team, mostly to improve the left winger position.  Sibley has been playing there, but I see him better suited to play in midfield. His best games actually, have been playing as an attacking midfielder.  

Lets see what lies ahead for us in the second half of the season. I think we are ready to take the next step, reach the playoffs and get promoted to the Championship. 

Cheers everyone, and good luck to the RAMS in the IRL final games of the season. Gutted I cant watch the league1 games here in my country 

 

[ntafernaberry]

Really sad that the RAMS ended exactly as my save (7th)

The good news is that season 23/24 saw us lifting the cup and getting promoted to the Championship.

I just hope the RAMS can make it IRL too. 

After a really busy transfer window, we assembled a strong squad. I am really happy with it.  Squad depth is probably a little bit on the high side, but I just wanted to have enough backup for injuries and international games. 

 

It is september 2024, we are 5 games into season 24/25 and sitting on top of the table, and really happy the way the team is playing.

 

Bird (C), Hourihane (VC) and Sibley are the team leaders. 

These are the 3 tranfer windows on my save:

5 loaned players on our current squad:

 

I am really enjoying this save.

Will get back with a midseason update.

Cheers everyone!

 

[Stuniverse]

Thanks for the update @ntafernaberry and congratulations on the promotion and cup win.

Good luck 🍀⚽️🤞 in the Championship.

[dido53]

Just started out wıth the rams today.Lack of left and rıght backs tıed me up so ı get loanes from premıer league clubs and goıng well for now.tryıng to adapt 352 and 433 for now .Hope ı get good regens so a long journey awaıts wıth enthusıasm

 

[Stuniverse]

Thanks for sharing, @dido53.

Who did you bring in on loan?

Good luck 🍀⚽️🤞

[dido53]

2 saat önce, Stuniverse said:

Thanks for sharing, @dido53.

Who did you bring in on loan?

Good luck 🍀⚽️🤞

ı signed jude soonsup bell,joe wormleıghton,shane flynn,ben knıght for loan and half way through season sıgned amarı bell from luton  jude ıs great to be honest ı play 352 jude as pressıng forward alongsıde mcgoldrıck as deep lyıng forward ın 433 ı use jude as ınsıde forward at left sıde he scored 28 for now

[OJ403]

I'm finally back with another update on my save. Things have slowed down since my last post - we have a lost a few games and are now only five points ahead of third and level with second in mid-December. Ultimately though, we are still playing incredibly well and have just fell victim to the end of what was a relatively soft opening run of games. This run has also been compounded by injuries to key player Jason Knight, who was the top assister and second top scorer in the league at the time, and Daniel Jebbison (top scorer in the league) leaving for the World Cup with Canada.

Unfortunately the worst part of this run involved losing Curtis Davies to an achilles injury that would ultimately see him retire from playing and join as a coach. This will be a huge loss for us as a player but also as a leader. We have agreed to take Liverpool youngster Rhys Williams on loan with a £1million optional fee in January.

[OJ403]

Season one ended in disappointed this evening. A poor middle and end to the season saw us slip out of the top two on the final day, finishing third with 97 points. Going into the final day a point would have been enough to secure automatic promotion and bettering first placed Ipswich's result would have seen us claim the title on goal difference. As it goes, we capitulated to a 3-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday and went on to lose 1-0 to Bristol Rovers at Wembley. Ultimately poor form at the end of each half of the season cost us promotion, perhaps due to our relatively small squad with weaker depth - as in reality. The title is the aim next season.

Tactically we need a rethink. None of the loans will be returning, although only Haydon Roberts and Daniel Jebbison had a particularly notable impact, the latter being the top scorer in the league. The squad has little to no depth, and many mediocre players even for League One. The 4-2-3-1 saw us lack "depth" between the lines and relatively rigid positional football. A more fluid approach, with greater control and movement will be the aim for next season. After reading an interesting thread/post on twitter, we will redefine our approach tactically.

 

- Who is going to score our goals?

The striker. We only have James Collins who isn't first team quality, so a similar upgrade is needed.

- How will we create the chances for a strong, physical striker?

Probably from crosses and balls from deep. We have a good playmaker in Conor Hourihane, if we have one player crossing on each flank we should create plenty for the striker.

- So who will be the crossers? Overlapping full backs, or orthodox wingers?

Probably a variety. A full back on one side and a winger on the other.

- So we can have the full back on one side and the orthodox wingers on the other. What about the other winger?

Well the other winger (wide forward from now on) can help with goals too, at this level we won't have a Haaland quality player to do it all!

- Ok. So how are we going to get the ball into the "creators"?

Well we can invert the full back on the wingers side, so probably by building out from the back as we'll get a numerical superiority here.

- Are our central defenders good enough on the ball to do this? Or will more help than the IWB be needed?

- Probably more help, Eiran Cashin is our only first eleven centre back under contract and he is only ok with the ball. So probably some form of deep lying playmaker (not necessarily the role) will be needed. Hourihane suits this best, but I want him to create chances higher up the pitch. We could use a DLP or HB to link the defensive and attacking units, Max Bird suits this reasonably well.

- So that's responsibility of the striker, both wingers, both full backs, two central midfielders (AM, CM and DM stratas included), minimum two centre backs sorted. That leaves one outfielder, who is your next best?

Probably Jason Knight. He's an energetic central midfielder who got goals and assists last season. He could ease the burden on our two goal scorers and and operate in the defensive and attacking units due to his energy.

- Great. So this leaves us with two possible shapes, 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. What's the plan?

- Well I want Hourihane to operate near the half spaces and wider areas to make use of his crossing and diagonal balls over the top. He's also left footed so I want him to operate mainly on that side of the pitch. So it will have to be a 4-3-3.

Whilst this doesn't include any roles (in terms of those within the FM), the basis of these can be fit around the player profiles. For example, the "overlapper" could be a FB-A, WB-S, WB-A, CWB-S or CWB-A; the "wide forward" could be a IF-A, IF-S, RMD-A, or maybe an IW; and so on. These will largely be determined according to the player in question. We need a fair few signings, so we'll fill in the blanks as we go. With regard to the players already at the club, I expect we will go like this role and duty wise:

• Hourihane - AP-A

• Knight - BBM-S or BWM-S, maybe a CM-S

• Bird - DLP-D, HB-D or DM-D

• Cashin - CD-D

Instruction wise at this early stage I anticipate that we will end up with something like this:

- Play out of defence, overlap left.

- Counter, short goal kicks

- More urgent pressing

From this, our squad plan looks like the below. We have already opened talks to sign Ruben Rodrigues on a free from Notts County, so he is included in the plan. Players not listed are intended to be sold or released. The only players of note here are Joe Wildsmith (he doesn't like big matches according to our staff, which I feel has cost us in big games. This is a huge red flag for me, so he has to go, which is a genuine shame. He also has the lowest save percentage in the league at 75%) and David McGoldrick (technically he's good, mentally he's good, but physically he just cannot play the style we want).

 

FYI, I am going to post part of this in the tactics forum in the 4-3-3 thread given that is where we have ended up. Tactically, I think this reverse engineering approach is a really interesting way of setting things up.

 

Edited June 5, 2023 by OJ403

[Stuniverse]

Thanks for the update, @OJ403 and commiserations on a heart-breaking end to the season,

Really found that reverse engineering approach to tactics very interesting.

Good luck next season.

[Stuniverse]

On 05/06/2023 at 23:06, OJ403 said:

The only players of note here are Joe Wildsmith (he doesn't like big matches according to our staff, which I feel has cost us in big games. This is a huge red flag for me, so he has to go, which is a genuine shame.

Oh, @OJ403 you were genuinely unlucky here.

I've just completed my end-of-season review of the Derby County squad and Joe Wildsmith didn't have an "Important Match" attribute so a value would have been randomly assigned at the start of your save and, sadly, Wildsmith got a bad roll of the dice. I've now given him an Important Match rating and also added an Important Match rating to some of the younger first team players who hadn't got one either, which will resolve this but not until FM24.

You can of course use the (free) pre-game editor (only affects a new save though) and / or the in-game editor (save compatible) to add your own Important Match rating for players.

[OJ403]

4 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Oh, @OJ403 you were genuinely unlucky here.

I've just completed my end-of-season review of the Derby County squad and Joe Wildsmith didn't have an "Important Match" attribute so a value would have been randomly assigned at the start of your save and, sadly, Wildsmith got a bad roll of the dice. I've now given him an Important Match rating and also added an Important Match rating to some of the younger first team players who hadn't got one either, which will resolve this but not until FM24.

You can of course use the (free) pre-game editor (only affects a new save though) and / or the in-game editor (save compatible) to add your own Important Match rating for players.

Just my luck! Unfortunately, he wasn't replaced this summer. I have played through most of preseason now and no good goalkeepers are available for a competitive wage so I am going to risk him until January at least.

I have since noticed Jason Knight and Max Bird both seem to have generated a low important match rating. So three of our most important players don't like big games!

[Stuniverse]

3 minutes ago, OJ403 said:

I have since noticed Jason Knight and Max Bird both seem to have generated a low important match rating. So three of our most important players don't like big games!

Oh no, looks like you rolled double ones, @OJ403.

Doesn’t help you on this save, but all will have Important Match values set for FM24.

[Stuniverse]

 

[JawZy]

Been struggling to get into saves of late, so decided to try Derby, seems to be sticking so far.

Transfers in

Offord is just a youngster who costs nothing while here.

Vickers - signed cause i would prefer someone i know and have signed before in other saves

Devine - can play both DR and DL - so can solve the DR issue for a season

Kirby and Asante and Velesco - frees but will loan out

Neilson - a younger dc

Mbia - short term DM backup option

Mebude - a young winger with speed

Garbutt - another option for DL

Drinkwater and Sturridge - just short term depth for squad

The outs

biggest one of note is Sibley being sold for 6m (7.5m)

out of the 3 top yooung mids - Sibley is the one i felt i could sell without it having a bad ipact on the midfield

The season started off well, with us winning 8 and drawing 1 and losing the other after 10 games, to put us joint top with Ipswich Town, i have high hopes fir automatic promotion!

[JawZy]

Jan ins

Neto in on loan was a right sweet pull for half a season

D'shon for 100k felt a steal

Osho another defender for only 82k, defo can do a squad role

Koul - older brother of the lad that signed from Newcastle - just another option upfront

 

Jan Outs

Mbia was worried about a work permit renewel so let him go and Forsyth wanted a new challenge

Season wise, we ended up crumbling in the latter part of season but qualified for playoffs, with a chance to get 2nd along with anyone in the top 6 on last day of season.

We lost 1-0 to Charlton in semis on agg. So we got another season in L1. Board only expect playoffs again - Bristol City were biggest side coming down from Championhip

[JawZy]

Cup wise - it wasnt great, but it wasnt bad either, aim was to be competitive in all cups - so no real expectation

[JawZy]

Summer Window

ins

Leaburn for 2.9m feels like a bargain for a younger striking option

Muniz in on loan provides me with another striking option

Devine is a guy we had in on loan 500k fet a bargain for him

Johnson alhough 30 years old, defiant has something to offer our midfield

Powell is a squad rotational attacking mid for us

Sessegnon is the best option in wing backs both sides now!

Baxter is number 1 keeper now

Lewis a good backup wingback that can also play AML

Poveda a good AMR loanee option

Roberts another winger option

Outs

no real major outs here this summer, with Garbutt and Wildsmith being the most high profile

Leaves my first team looking like this for the coming season

Feels like we should easily get auto playoffs this season!

[JawZy]

We dominated the entire season and we never looked in dannger of a collapse!

Cup wise we went on a nice run, reaching 4th round in both fa cp and efl cup - along wih a runners up in the papa johns trophy

generally pleased with everybody in this league one championship winning season

[Stuniverse]

On 28/07/2023 at 21:47, JawZy said:

Been struggling to get into saves of late, so decided to try Derby, seems to be sticking so far.

Thanks for the updates, @JawZy and congratulations on topping the division.

Apologies for the delay in responding, I’ve been away for a couple of weeks and have only just seen these.

What are your plans for the summer transfer window?