[[FM21] Sunderland 'Til I die]

7 hours ago, Welshace said:

Would be really interested to find out who you signed first few seasons etc if you have time!

Sure!

From reading through other peoples experiences, I think I got very lucky with shifting players early on. I've noticed a lot of players from League 1 in general seem to go to MLS, which as you can see really benefitted me in the first season:

  

This is pretty typical of my first choice line up during the League One season:

 

I brought in Wing and Simpson on loan initially then signed permanently asap. Bradshaw was a good signing too, but I wasn't sure he could hack the Championship so replaced him. I also had Cummings, but he was more of the 12th man rather than a starter - I couldn't get the physicality from him I want from a lone front man.

The Championship season:

The total spend is a bit misleading as the vast majority was spent after promotion - everyone from Connolly down. 

My typical starting line up that season was:

The team really evolved in January with Bryan, Rodriguez and Kamara coming in. That's something I've done every season which I haven't really done before in FM - really use the January window to freshen up the team and add more quality. Best signing this season was Ostigard - I enquired with his agent and they quoted £2mil. Absolute bargain for a Norwegian international and dominated in the Championship.

First Premier League season:

More outs than in here - mostly shifting last season's teams. Also started bringing in a few young players for the U18. Justice Agyiri is current first choice for England U21. After a season on loan he is likely to be my number 2 for season 3 in the Prem. Typical team in my first Prem season was:

Coyle was a really solid signing. I'd say he has the quality to be a mid-table Prem right back at this point. 

Then most recent season - 23/24:

 

As of now there's five games left to play and I am clinging onto the top of the league. Out of the Champions League in the Quarter Finals and Semis of the FA Cup. To be honest, the fixtures have piled up so much I doubt we will have the steam to win the league, but should be Top 4 again. 

I'm not really sure where to go next with transfers. I'm trying to bring through an U18 winger and holding midfielder so they will get more time next season. I'll also probably look at a couple of new wingers to see if there's someone who fits the style better than what I have now. 

Oh and from day one, my assistant manager has been:

 

 

[[FM21] Sunderland 'Til I die]

Having an absolutely tremendous save with Sunderland so far this season. 

After decades of playing the game, I'd say this is one of my favourite saves ever.

Stormed through League One and The Championship, getting to a League Cup final in the second season (lost to Man Utd).

Worked through probably three teams in the four seasons - one for each league, then refining at the beginning of this season. With Brexit, I've mostly focused on British recruitment - I think there's only been a couple of signings from outside the UK. 

Aaron Connolly is counter-attacking machine. Finished top scorer in the Prem last season and is doing well this season too. Marcus Edwards on a free from Portugal has been a great signing too, completing the attack with Keane Lewis-Potter. 

The Champions League money has been a massive help too; brought in Brandon Williams for £15mil (starting England left back - no idea why Utd let him go that cheap) this Jan and then Mepham for £70mil (massive spend but he's a huge improvement on Jack Simpson) which has helped to sure up what had become a quite leaky defence (conceded 4 to Man Utd, 6 to Liverpool before Christmas).

How have people got on with George Dobson? He has been an absolute star for me throughout - captain from game one and a solid 7/10 through each season so far.

Tactically it's pretty much hard counter through the Gegenpress - fast forwards (and now Brandon Williams), hitting teams on the break. I've also got a possession based and fluid counter attack trained for situations where plan A isn't working.