skybluedave
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Posts posted by skybluedave
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Euro 2000 is peak international football for me. I was like 14 years old, bang into football and the tournament had some many good games and moments.
Bunch of all time great players and a lot were at their peak top. Proper who's who of talent at that tournament. Zidane, Figo, Totti, Beckham, Raul, Rui Costa, Schmeichel, Maldini, Hakan Sukur, Bergkamp, Shearer, Kluivert, Guardiola, Henry even had an ancient Lothar Matthaus and Gheorghe Hagi rocking up. Like every country's team at that tournament was better then their team now
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On 16/05/2024 at 23:34, Rob1981 said:
Never too early for permutations.
I've worked them out already. Spoilers:
Beat Scotland 2nd round, Italy and France in quarters and semis for REVENGE. And then Germany in their own backyard in the final because why not. Simple. Perfect.
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I've had a good season getting Zaragoza promoted using DLP(d) behind CAR & B2B
I maybe don't score a lot but defensively I was great. Would get a the odd annoying 0-0. Carrilero not a role I'd used before but on the left of midfield 3 with a WB(a) and IF(s) on the left side it kinda worked. I thought it was more a defensive role but he chipped in with plenty of goals and assists.
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Not had much time on FM this week due to Xmas run in. But ready to now.
So after finishing 4th in 1st season, I went into summer relatively happy and not a huge amount of money available I targeted 2 transfers and that was it. Gorosabel for right back and Iker Munoz from relegated Osasuna (16.5mill and 11.25mill respectively). Aimar would be nice, especially as relegated but 28mill relegation release clause is a bit too rich for me, and would rather spend the money I have on afore mentioned 2 players.
BUT then Newcastle hit Vivian's min fee release and he was off for 48mill. I then went and bought Zubeldia (transfer listed) to replace and then went big on Aimar. So going into summer thinking it would be low key, I've ended up adding 4 new key players to the side...
And this is my squad going into season. It's potentially a tad too big for my liking. I can see a few guys on the bench not getting the minutes they want but hopefully the CL games will counter that as I rotate.
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Valencia.
Have a really good group of exciting youngsters. Low expectations. No money but you can sell Jose Gaya for 40mill to Middle East and then use that to invest in squad.
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5 hours ago, skybluedave said:
So reload and finish season myself tonight now. When I holidayed my assistant managed to finish in CL places. Lets see if I can do the same...
So had 3 games to go. in 4th spot, 7 points clear of Villarreal.
I have, Atletico H, Alaves A & Barca H
Villarreal have Granada A, Cadiz H & Las Palmas A
I have tougher fixtures but only need 1 win or Villarreal to slip up once... be fine surely. I lose against Atletico and Alaves. Villarreal win their 2. I'm also deep in injury crisis. This is my squad before the Barca game, a Barca team that need to win to take title
Now for reasons I have no idea. Villarreal play their game the day before, while everyone plays same time final day. No idea why. They LOSE to Las Palmas, I then have a stressless, relaxing meaningless game against Barca, where my cobbled together injury riddled since put in a fine performance and win 2-1. Capped by Alboniga-Menor coming off bench with 7 mins to go and scoring from 20 yards in only his 2nd appearance for 1st team this season
And turns out that goal cost Barca the title 
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3 hours ago, Skora11 said:
Just get your DoF to sign the recommended youth players and then can offer them full time contracts in next season.
I think it's due to FFP but should sort itself out when new season starts.
Yeah, wait til after youth team match and then let my DOF sign them to £55pw youth contracts. I then holidayed to end of season and checked and my finances were back in black and I could offer wages again.
So reload and finish season myself tonight now. When I holidayed my assistant managed to finish in CL places. Lets see if I can do the same...
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I'm gonna have to stop this save
For some reason I can't offer anyone any wages anymore and I don't know why. Maximum I can offer youth players is 1k a week so can't get my first batch of (very good) youth candidates contract
I'm well under my wage budget by 100 odd grand. Both club one and league salary one.
I'm guessing it's coz I'm in the red for balance but that should clear once next season roles around, bit harsh that this would stop me offering even basic wages for youth guys
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Started an Athletic save. Reaching the end of Jan, in 5th (joint with 4th). Started season slowly as I flicked between formations. Started with a diamond, then tried a 433 and now settled on a 4231.
These are my transfers end of Jan:
Moncayola my marquee summer signing. To sit alongside Vesga and free up Sancet. Brighton came in for Yuri and I couldn't really turn that down. Unfortunately Aihen Munoz wasn't available outside his release clause (too much) and Javi Lopez of Alaves has no interest in joining a rival. So first half of the season left back was Imanol and I tried Berenguer there as a make shift left back but that didn't really work. Come January though Aihen Munoz was available for a lot less so I pounced and that should be that position sorted.
Djalo was transfer listed at Braga and I had to pounce. I'm not a fan on Munian in the game so Djalo will get a lot of game time while Munian covers all 3 AM positions from bench. Jesus Areso I maybe over paid for but wanted to secure a right back as de Marcos is off to Middle East end of season. Big earners Ander Herrera and Raul Garcia weren't playing enough to justify wages so went in January along with Dani Garcia who too wasn't playing. Left me short in centre mid so Sangalli came in on loan as cover until Vencedor returns in summer.
Plans for summer will hopefully be quiet. Iker Munoz at Osasuna is number 1 target. Should be able to match his min fee and he can cover/rotate with Moncayola. Nico Serrano I think will join first team as he's having a strong loan in Holland. He'll probably take Dani Rodriguez spot who I will send to B team or loan out.
Dani Vivian is wanted which is annoying, I rejected a bid from Arsenal and have agreed to sell him if somebody pays £48mill. In theory I could sell and replace with Guillamon and maybe try for Aimar but Guillamon signed a new contract recently and Aimar is super expensive so probably prefer to stick with what I have
This is shape of squad/1st team:
Season going well. Famous win at Bernabeu and won the Derby away, but then also a few really poor results (home defeats to Las Palmas and Rayo). Clean sheets hard to come by too. Nico has been amazing, Inaki struggled so far. Top 6 is kinda cut off from rest of league, so hopefully be ok for Europe but CL or EL who knows
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My favourite signing so far has been Miguel Azeez from Arsenal for my Coventry side.
Signed 1st summer for £300k and heavily structured so super cheap. Creative centre mid, who I play as B2B in a 433. 1st sesson he was bench option with occasional starts but always delivered and ended up playing alot. Same situation as I'm now in 2nd season, again wasn't going to be 1st choice but is proper knocking at the door. I think 3rd season if we are still in Championship then he'll be undisputed 1st choice.
Stats are developing well, he loves a goal and worldy goal too.
Really recommend him if you a Championship club on a budget
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So this is my squad going into 2nd season with Valencia and CL football.
Only additions were the 3 highlighted players, and this will probably be my strongest side.
Feel like my scouts kinda got it wrong with Kaiky now he's in the squad. Pretty much 3/4ths of my transfer budget went on him. Hopefully he develops and comes good and I can ignore the stars! Noel Lopez on loan to cover up front from Real Madrid. I quite like him and he scored 7 goals for Madrid in 13 games so should have something about him.
This is my best youth team candidate. Not sure what to do with him. His dribbling is really annoying
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On 29/10/2023 at 09:39, skybluedave said:
Here's my squad, tactic and transfers so far
Finish 3rd 1st season. Was hoping to be given a bit of cash for 2nd season with CL qualification amd all but... nope. They topped my existing budget up to around £13mill at the end of the season but I wrongly assumed they'd top me up a bit more at start of 2nd season.
I used all my budget to pick up Almeria centre back Kaiky after they got relegated and I triggered his release clause. And to tie up contracts for key players.
I then cleared out some deadwood, mostly guys that returned from loan and managed to raise enough to pick up Fidalgo from Club America in Mexico, who seems a popular pick up this year.
And that's all my bussiness as I conclude pre season so think step up to CL football with all the extra games is gonna make this 2nd season tough
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19 minutes ago, skybluedave said:
I'm doing a Valencia game. And liking it so far. Hitting January first season and 5th.
They have a really exciting young squad, with tons of great prospects. I sold Gaya for 43mill 1st summer and used that money to bulk out the squad a bit. Low expectations too. Top half finish is all the want. I think they a side with good foundations to build on
Here's my squad, tactic and transfers so far
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I'm doing a Valencia game. And liking it so far. Hitting January first season and 5th.
They have a really exciting young squad, with tons of great prospects. I sold Gaya for 43mill 1st summer and used that money to bulk out the squad a bit. Low expectations too. Top half finish is all the want. I think they a side with good foundations to build on
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I can live with this but the worst part is when half your squad get upset you've not given X a new contract. If it's confined to just one player then I could manage but when bunch of 1st teams down tools because of it then it's annoying
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Say a 4231 or 433, would an inverted wing back work with an inside forward or inverted winger ahead of him in AML/R? Or should it ideally be a winger in front?
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Vencedor valued at around £120mill and on loan in the Segunda is pretty sad for an Athletic save
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I had fun with Udinese last year. And they have a good squad this year but those starting injuries are brutal
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1 hour ago, Dagenham_Dave said:
So, having half my squad mad at me for not giving a backup player more game time, I decided to give the player in question a few matches. Good job in the end, because he's been excellent since coming in. And he's dropped his concern. All hunky dory, right? Wrong. I now have the other half of the squad moaning at me for 'giving in' to the player.
Make it make sense, SI.
Yeah, this stuff needs to be toned down. I had 17 (SEVENTEEN) first team players come to me saying they unhappy about squad depth in attacking midfield position. I have 4 AMC's.
I do play a 5221 AMC. So I'm guessing the players have smartly worked out we only have 4 for 2 spots but still, jeez. Not the end of the world. If injuries happen I'll dip into market or promote a youngster from youth team.
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I like Torino's side this year. I wanna develop a good 3421 formation and their squad suits it well.
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Finished first season. Ended 4th. Which is a good result. But final third of the season I really dropped off form wise. Conceded a lot of goals suddenly too. Like everyone else I signed Moncayola, and also picked up Aihen Munoz for left back. Sold Dani Garcia and Balenziaga. January no major ins or outs
2nd season about to start and happy with summer, released big earners Yuri and Raul Garcia (who sadly broken his leg 3/4 into season). Vesga wanted to consider options which wasn't good as I play 2 DM's and with Ander Herrera aging I had to prioritise that position. Vesga when to Lille for 3.5mill and I bought Ander Guevara for 14mill. Along with Aimar to replace Raul Garcia and the cheap pick up of Zaldua from relegated Cadiz to replace out going De Marcos & Lekue plus the returning loan guys (Imanol & Villalibre) I was happy with my squad. But I had plenty of cash to play with after reducing wage bill a ton so ended up adding Guillamon for 26mill. Hopefully he helps sort the defence, though I kinda like him more as a midfielder
So going into 2nd season with CL football with below team/squad/formation. Full backs clearly the weakspot. Youth Intake was solid but nothing spectacular, thought did get a semi promising right back but not sure he's gonna be ready by the time Capa and Zaldua are ready to go. Odriozola went to Man City so keeping an eye on him
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3 hours ago, Rob1981 said:
FACT CHECK
This stat is not true. Repeat, not true. Such is my devotion to Gareth that I've found a site with all the historic FIFA rankings on it, and married this up against all our match dates.
Games against Top 10 (Top 10 at the time we played them) = 20
Wins = 5
Draws = 7
Losses = 8Losses include the dead rubber group game against Belgium and the third place playoff, also Nations League games when we were rotating players. Wins came against Switzerland (2018 friendly), Spain & Croatia (Nations League), Belgium (Nations League), Denmark (Euros). But excludes the wins against Croatia and Germany at Euro 2020 because they were just outside the top 10 at the time.
And want to talk about PROGRESS?
Up to and including WC 2018 our Top 10 success rate was:
P7, W0, D3, L4Post WC2018 it is:
P13, W5, D4, L4Same. Old. Southgate.
Come on. I basically said all this without any fact checking a few posts earlier. Even mentioned the Swiss. I want my England Superfan certificate
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I wonder if the Swiss were in the top 10 at one of the points we beat them. Feel they jumped quite at one point
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2 of those loses to Belgium don't count either
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And turns out that goal cost Barca the title 
Euros Memories
in Euro 2024 Forum
Posted
Yeah and Yugoslavia vs Spain too.
All 3 of France's knockout games were pretty wild