toshimitzou1

FC Jazz End of Season Review - Double Header: 2029/30 and 2030/31. Foreword: Domestic dominance has been truly established and we are now on the long grind to conquer Europe. Season 2029/30: Already lost Laaksonen for £400. Utter joke. Season 2030/31: Even though the two Elite talents could walk into my starting XI, I am leaving them in the U20's until I can tie them down to long contracts! Once bitten, twice shy. So, two domestic trebles in a row and a healthy looking trophy cabinet: And facilities coming along nicely: European Ambitions and Progress: This is where things get really interesting. I pointed out in an earlier post that our chances of qualifying for the UCL knockout stages would be boosted by our opponents having a busy early-winter schedule whilst we would be in our pre-season. Well, this has indeed been the case. Whilst we are not geeting near to the knock-outs at the moment, all our best results are coming in the December period when our opponents are swamped with domestic fixtures (first league phase fixture is Galatasary): Season 2029/30: Season 2030/31 (First league phase fixture against HNK): So, slow but steady progress being made there. The real positives lie with the U20's, whom have been using the same tactic we deploy to devastating effect: This is being achieved with an U20 squad that is vastly inferior to our rivals: This is the main tactical variant and the one which I expect ill propel us to European glory once our players improve: For this to happen we are crying out for quality and Pace at RWB. Our U20's RwB is averaging 8.25 a game whereas our fist choice is only hitting 7.28. The moment I can get or retrain and KEEP HOLD of quality in the WB positions, EUROPE will be ours!!!

Tough one to answer. I ran a self -imposed 'Golden Oldies' challenge a few years back. Take a look: Hope this helps.

Totally turned off the laptop until just now. I might follow @djsterry's advice and not even use them till they agree initial terms in future.

Fricking hate this YAC sometimes! Got a quality player in my last youth intake: In fact. he was so much better than the rest of my team I couldn't even get him to agree to an initial Full - Time contract. Of course, this it what happens next: Looks like I'm going to have to offer him around with a 50% sell on in the hope he will choose elsewhere....... Transfer Result: UTTER DISGRACE. We get £400 for a £20m player! Utter, utter balderdash.

@Padders Always enjoy your epic playthroughs. Just wondering, how do you progress the seasons so fast?

FC Jazz End of Season Review: 2028 - 2029 As I posted a mid-season review earlier, this will be brief. As specified, our early season form helped us secure the title early, which was fortunate, as were were competing in the Europa league at the business end of the season and our for inevitable suffered as a result. Title Winners: Second year in a row. Europa League: Progress and analysis. Well, I though we would get absolutely tonked playing against top opposition which, in the end, turned out to be partially true: As seen, we actually performed well against the weak teams and put in good performances against the second tier teams whilst getting battered by the elite: In all, although we did not qualify for the knock - out stages, we did not embarrass ourselves. Furthermore, I have learned the following about the new structure of European football and how it will align with my challenge in Finland: The early UCL/UL/UCL group stage fixtures will always overlap with our participation in the Finnish PL Championship Group. It is thus imperative that we are in a strong position going into these final 5 FPL fixtures to ensure we can rest our best players in order to keep them competitive in European fixtures. The later UCL/UL/UCL group stage fixtures will be a couple weeks into our pre - season. This has pro's and con's: On the one hand our players will be fresh and ready to go against opposition that, for the most part, will be playing two fixtures per week in a hectic winter schedule. PRO On the other hand, any changes to a tactical approach will have to be prepared well prior to the pre - season break, in - order to be at full tactical familiarity in time for the fixtures, CON The Finnish League Cup group stages will start at the same time as the European fixtures so a large squad will be required. CON. Summation: Excellent season where I learned a lot as a manager about what to expect for the rest of the challenge. A second successive league win was only soured by the loss of our top scorer and best player. Facilities are finally being improved and in an attacking sense, our 4222 DM AM Narrow formation is a goal-fest, sure to dominate domestically, but brutally exposed by quality opposition. In a conventional save this would not pose a problem - I would simply recruit quality players to fit the system, safe in the knowledge that in due course we could stick to our guns and eventually out-slog our 'big' European competitors. However, in the YAC, this could take an eternity and is dependent on the erratic variables we are all familiar with (quality of youth intake, suitability to system, keeping players, etc.). As such I have been studying our teams strengths, the current potential of our youth and factored in the likely deficiencies to be present as we try to progress in Europe. I have decided a change is necessary....... From 4222 DM AM Narrow to 5221 DM AM Narrow. For the challenge to be completed before I flake out, I have decided to incorporate a change of shape and roles, adding a set-up for games against big teams whilst retaining our attacking style that has produced so many goals. So, we have been using this: But I am now, from the moment we got knocked out of Europe (and a lot longer IRL), training this in two tactic slots: Observations leading change: In the YAC, possessing and retaining players with any decent Pace is difficult. This was in fact why I leant towards a box formation in the first instance, preventing a lack of PACE becoming an over-encumberment instead instilling a system the relied on passes and intelligence to create problems for the opposition. In the 4222 DM AM Narrow, the width (and thus, the ability to pull the opposition out of position) in provided almost entirely by both WB's. Now, even though my WB's are indeed my fastest players, they do not even get close to Elite levels of Pace: This, and our defensive instability, is what led to the biggest changes to our shape and roles: By changing to a 3atb (adding to the squad two new youth CB's, whom are now 17yo) we both offer more cover on the flanks with an off- centre CB ready to cover his marauding team-mate and simultaneously enhance our attacking threat from the wings. By moving the WB's farther forwards, they have less ground to cover getting forwards and 'should' make more of an impact against Pacier opposition. Replacing the DLP with a standard DM with PI Hold Position, should encourage quicker transitions against stronger opposition whom could otherwise, quite feasibly and easily, mark us out of the game. With this information in mind, I am also training a tactic in the final slot with counter attacking principles, hoping to make some in-roads against stronger opposition: Wow, I waffled on more than intended - time to play!

FC Jazz Mid -- Season Update: 2028-29 Quite a few major events: 1) Lost our best player and top scorer mid - season. On the plus side, he kicked off when I declined bids for 850k and yet, I still commanded a hefty fee with a good sell on. Even better, his value at Juve hasn't skyrocketed which makes me believe he may well have peaked anyway: 2) Made it to the the Champions League Play -Off with a kind run of games, culminating in a defeat which entered into the UEFA Europa League Phase! I was not aware of the forthcoming change to format and am fully expecting to get obliterated in the forthcoming league phase: 3) The rewards from a foray into Europe has FINALLY allowed me to upgrade some facilities: 4) A medium looking intake turned out rather well, although this may be due to the fact the the ability ceiling of our squad has been lowered with the exit of our best player before the intake arrived: Quite glad to get a GK as both of mine are refusing to renew contracts due to a 'perceived' lack of squad ability. Bell - ends. 5) Pretty much guaranteed to win the league for the second successive season, sticking entirely to the 4222 DM AM Narrow - only making adjustments to D - Line and Invite/Stop crosses dependent on opposition. With only five fixtures remaining, I will be able (I guess/hope) to field a fully rotated XI, keeping the First XI fresh for the Europa League fixtures: Our season usually ends in October so I am not sure how this will impact the training schedule and availability/fitness of players etc. Let's crack on. Quick Update: First Europa League fixture Ok, maybe we won't get obliterate 'every' game: Set up as normal, looked at the scout report and saw they were playing out - and - out wingers with pace. Dropped to a mid block and stop crosses, et voila: Furthermore, as anticipated, secured a second consecutive league title whilst fielding an entirely rotated XI: Let the good time roll!

FC Jazz Season Review: 2027/28 Good season, winning our first domestic title utilising three tactics through the course of the season For the regular league season we ended up using our 4222 DM AM Narrow as my plans to deploy an exciting new Winger were scuppered in pre-season when I realised he had abysmal Natural Fitness and could not be relied upon to play even half of our fixtures (Esp. since our back-up Winger is q. poor). However with the end-of-season Championship group comprising a fixture only once a week, I was able to switch to the counter-attack strategy that I had initially intended to use all season. These are the two variants that I used from the FC Haka fixture on the 13.08.2028 onwards: And the quality winger whom cannot play more than 1 game a week: Success was evident when he was fresh for the final season fixtures and was able to cause havoc domestically: Into CL qualifying due to an outright league win so good news there. Decent intake despite a rather poor prediction: But again no decent rotation options on the left wing. I may revert back to the 4222 DM AM narrow with a few tweaks as our squad now has v. decent depth in the central positions. Transfer History: Notes: Like others, I have found it almost impossible to secure facility upgrade whilst our 'project finances' are set to deteriorate. No problem with recruitment and j.coaching, but have not yet had a single facility upgrade.

FC Jazz Season Review: 2026/27 Brief Summary: Excellent season again. We were pipped to the title on the last day of the season and ended up finishing third and entering ECL qualification rounds for the second season. Tactical Change: From 4222 DM AM Narrow to 523 WB DM. Last season, with our lack of defensive stability in the 4222 DM AM Narrow, we got annihilated in the Premier League Championship Group, not winning a single game whilst getting tonked by the bigger sides: The annual youth intake and the arrival of a potential gem ( T. Jantunen) just before the PL Championship Group, encouraged me to change tact. With some true quality out on wide and enough players to cover the roles at the back, I reverted to type, abandoning the goal -scoring madness and adopting a counter - attacking 523 WB DM. With the youth intake arriving only a week before the first fixtures i did not have long to achieve tactical familiarity. Despite this, I launched the tactic into all three tactic slots and the results were clear: Two clean sheets, and no defeats! I cannot complain and this offers hope for future European campaigns where we will surely be the underdog. Transfer History: Plans for next Season: Stick with the cautious mentality and hopefully make an impact in the ECL. Got money in the bank so to get the best out of players I'm going to focus on facility upgrades.

Quick mid-season update: Financial troubles over for now!: Time to request some facility upgrades! Not great atm: Whilst the next youth intake preview is poor, it does potentially contain a decent CB which we are desperately in need of. And we are heading to the wire in the title race in our second full season in the top division: Youth Intake update: Got the CB I needed and wtf! Has anyone had a prospect come through like this winger at such an early stage? Retrain as CAM in current system, deploy as ST in current system or change my whole tactic? Might be the latter- imagine this guy coming in from the wing with that excellent trait, the height and the workrate. Cannot imagine i'll be able to keep him that long.

FC Jazz Season Review 2025/26 In a chaotic season where I was struggling with the logistical nuances of the Finnish league, we had a blinding end to the season that saw us secure 6th place, qualifying for the European play - off places which we eventually secured - earning a spot in Conference League qualifying! I stuck with the 4222 DM AM Narrow that offered great attacking threat but almost no defensive resolve and it played out as anticipated - getting blown away by the top sides but, more than holding our own against the rest of the division. I can't say I have ever had such a successful season whilst offering up the worst defence in the division: Second top scorers though, and a real upturn in form for my AML - Attack as the player developed and the season turned tough: Of course, he now wants to leave: I've got decent depth in the CAM spots now but we could really use some CB's in an intake. We are still using the original CB's from the start of the challenge. So, dis our Youth Intake answer my call? Doh. Not a chance: Good to get a striker through giving me three viable options, but both of those LB's are shorter than a single vodka and would seriously struggle if retrained at CB. Fingers crossed for next intake. Food for thought: Whilst being a great season on the pitch, behind the scenes, with me pulling the strings, it was a shambles. With no youth league available (or so I thought) I accepted the offer for a B team in order to get my youngsters some game time. What I did not realise was that the start-up cost of the B - team would financially cripple us for the remainder of the season (bloody board built a new stadium for them!). Furthermore, it turns out there is a Finnish youth league which I have now been invited to play in, making the creation of the B- team a now redundant, financial waste of time!!! Plans: Definitely sticking with the 4222 AM DM narrow. I lam really enjoying the crazy score lines and genuinely believe that the defensive issues can be redressed if our youth intakes produce some quality in the back 5. I mean, what supporter wouldn't want to see games like this:

Cheers.

It's OK. They're all non-contract so there will be no financial hit. Have released them all: No financial hit an youth only players remaining. All ok I hope?

@darren1983 Stupid game. B team have been promoted to a playable league and the game has fully populated the squad: What's the process here? Should I just release the entire squad?

FC Jazz Season Review: 2024/25 Absolutely sensational second season for my Finnish part-timers: Massive boon for our existing youth to get full time training: We had a really strong finish to the season - moving from third place at the end-of-season to promotion league winners! Another excellent intake: Transfer History: Tactical Revolution I played through the first season with a 343 DM Narrow which, whilst defensively solid, relied heavily on counter attacks, often from opposition set-pieces, to create chances. Our form tapered off towards the end of the first season so I was already thinking ahead to what our plan would be. With two quality CAMs coming through the first intake I went down a path of no return. abandoning defensive resolve and choosing a Box 4222 DM AM. This is what secured us promotion and the divisional cup: Against weaker opposition we tend to absolutely dominate possession and create a lot of good chances: And against better opposition we hold our own: The problems are going to start next season where we play superior opposition whom are strong on the flanks. This is what happened when we me a stronger team in the cup: Literally every time they won the ball they were creating good chances. What does this mean for the rest of the save? I'm usually fairly conservative in my tactical approach, with my two YAC successes ( FC Aigaelo and Haukur) being based on dogmatic counter-attacking football. With a complete lack of quality in defence, consisting a back four and midfielders lacing any mental fortitude, my arm had been turned towards an attacking approach. Having seen the output this season, with players still be retrained into accomplished, I am going to stick with the box. With every intake I am now retraining wide players either to CAM and DM roles, with an eye out for wingers who can play in defence. Here is an example of a winger I am training to play RWB - Attack: And a winger whom may make a decent AM - Support: A great season and we are now professional so our youth has an immediate chance to shine!!! Best start getting some staff in.