[Three suggestions plus a whole bunch of issues I have with FM (although I'm a huge fan)]

Thank you for this amazing post. I share similar sentiments. I think Football Manager can be a beautiful game but it has so many unrealistic flaws.

[Request List (from a diehard fan of Football Manager since FM 16)]

This might be long. I'd like to start by saying I've played this game for years! I love all the work the team at SI do to improve this game yearly and I know it must be so hard to amass and sort through all this data while providing a functional game. Thank you!

1. Form Impacts Player Stats.

I'll elaborate.

I had a 21 year old striker scoring 53 goals in a season with 7.83 average rating yet his finishing remained 13/20. (I had state of the art facilities, played champions League and had 4.5 star coaches minimum). If it were real life and SI did an update, the player's stats would reflect his amazing form in game with a bump in his stats.

I'd suggest form giving a temp boost in stats and if the form continues, the stat changes could be permanent.

It would help the game feel more dynamic and realistic. 

2. Training Pitch

I'm meticulous. I'd love if we could see how the players got on in training so we could make more detailed decisions about their growth. I don't mind getting updates from coaches but it would be nice to actually motivate, critique, change a player's training based on what you see.

3. Dynamic Growth/Team playstyle affects player growth

A lot of players play differently under different managers and systems. A young player from La Masia (as seen with Pedri, Fati, etc) will have amazing technical ability due to the playstyle of the team. Bayern under Flick were physically imposing with a lot of the players becoming better physically as seen with Alfonso Davies, etc. I'd play a patient possession game with training dedicated to ball control and attacking tactical for a year with players seeing little growth to their first touch, sometimes even regressing despite amazing facilities, coaches, team playing well, professional personality, etc.

4. Blank Slate Player Positions (a dream of mine)

I know the match engine works based on the roles, instructions of players in their various positions but is it truly realistic/flexible?

Often managers create all new roles to fit their teams at any given time based on what's required: See Pep Guardiola creating the False 9 with Messi.

I'd love if I could have a number 9 stay central (no move into channels like a poacher) but still have an expansive passing range (more risky passes like a DLP/Complete Forward) and doesn't hold up play (Iike a Target Man).

Let's take Central Midfielder on Support. Essentially that's a blank state player for the midfield. You're able to select the anything to fit that player into the role you require of them.

5. Analyst Importance

Football is more analytical than ever. I'd say analyst play a very important role now more than ever. I'd love if the performance and recruitment analyst gave more information and meaningful information.

Eg1. Your head performance analyst could watch the previous match and suggest training based on how a player performed. Let's say during the match a player mis-controlled a lot of passes, causing us to lose possession or waste goal scoring chances? The analyst could send a report about it suggesting adding ball control, composure, balance, technique, etc training to aid in the player's ball retention.

Eg2. Your head recruitment analyst only suggest players based on playstyle, player type of the team. Man City's analyst only recommend technical players based on the team and how they play. This is seen on their YouTube channel when they spoke about scouting. I think that's beautiful. Klopp, for example, would prefer more direct, hard working players. Though you might find an amazing player, they may just not be a fit for your style of play.

6. Analyst Hub

This ties in with #5. A dedicated hub for Analysts would be amazing.

7. Match Engine

i. Why do the players always out the ball for a corner Vs a throw in? I find it very weird, considering how OP near post headers are in the game over the last 2 years. 

ii. More final third options. I'd love if pass into space was available for the final third separately from build up play. Man City for example hold the ball until the final third where they become a lot more clinical, precise with carving open opponents. Barcelona under Pep had a similar playstyle - patient with the ball until the final third. I don't always need to work the ball in the box but the only options I to have it disregarded are hit early crosses or shoot on sight. It's very limiting.

8. Player's seeing little growth after 23-25.

This ties in with dynamic player growth/systems. Drogba is a perfect example of a player growing later in his career. I think we should be able to recreate that in football manager in a manner that doesn't break the game.

Let's say my team creates a lot but has poor finishers. I sign a striker for my team at 25/26 and he goes on to bang in 30/40+ goals in the season in all competitions, I'd assume his stats would improve. Let's take Harry Kane. In FM18/19, before stat updates, he was an okay player. He went on to do amazing things under various managers and now all of his stats reflect his ability to create, score, control a ball, etc.

9. Thank you, again! I have invested a lot of hours playing this game and I love it dearly. I don't know what my life would be without football manager.