james_wilko

He's good, versatile, picks up new positions quite easily I've found. A major utility player for my title winning Newcastle team. Has played CM, RM, DM & RB for me, all to a decent standard. Only cost £5mil in the first season too.

Muto has had a few little injuries for me, but I've managed to get a run of 6 games out of him where he's scored 9 goals, including 2 v Man CIty and another v Spurs.

FM19 already better than 18, end of October in the first season and we've just been taken over by an American investor who's just invested £129mil into the club. Wants us to become one of the greatest forces in football. Also wants us to qualify for the Champions League at the end of the season. No pressure.

Lascelles and Yedlin are both good defenders when I've played as Newcastle, Yedlin especially as an attacking full back. So I wouldn't discount either of them. Had success using Mbemba as a defensive LB as well. Could save you money to sort the bigger issues.

Belotti is insane - playing a 3-5-2 with Arsenal, and he has in 98 games he has 95 goals playing as an Advanced Forward. 52 of those goals are so far this season, in 39(2) games. Cost £46mil.

I'm no expert, but looks like too many attacking roles so your build up play won't be the best. Maybe switch one of your forwards and one of the mezalla's to a supporting role, see if that helps.

restarted with Newcastle a little while ago as I got bored of my last save. You know what's a good formation? 4-4-2. First season, winners (obviously) + EFL Cup. Loads of goals, solid defence, all round great. Sold Perez in the first window, replaced with Nahki Wells of Huddersfield, Tom Ince, Craig Noone, Rani Kheidra and Charlie Taylor. Also got Emanuel Mammana from Lyon in the January window to replace Mbemba who went to Man City. Second season we added the challenge of the Europa League to our campaign, lost Mitrovic, Shelvey, Ritchie and Lazaar who were all sold for big money. Clark, Diame and Sels were also sold. In their place we signed Asensio (R Madrid), Saido Berahino (WBA), Ivan Cavaleiro (Wolves), Atsu permanently, and a few other squad players. So second season, quite a few new players and newly promoted with the challenge of surviving the Europa League. Asensio was retrained as a forward alongside Berahino and they fired us to not only the Europa League (beating Vigo in the final), but also the Premier League. Move over Leicester, there's a new underdog story to tell. So approaching season 3, we're now PL champions and in the Champions League so it's time for a statement signing or two. £63mil later and Dele Alli has signed for us, Geronimo Rulli is also signing to replace Tim Krul who, while solid, was one of the weaker links.

Flat/wide 4-3-3 with Sanchez the striker as a complete forward on support.

Alexis Sanchez has just scored 6 goals as we destroyed Real Madrid 6-1 at The Emirates, beating them 8-2 across the two legs to secure our place in the final. That's taken him to 19 goals for the Champions League campaign, 7 ahead of second place, and also to 60 goals for the season in 47(2) appearances. This also means he's overtaken Ronaldo's most goals in a campaign ( which was 17) and Messi for most goals in a match (record was 5).

Decided to give Arsenal a go after getting bored of my Newcastle save after two season. Made a few transfers early on, selling Debuchy, Giroud, Gibbs and bringing in Coutinho, Charlie Taylor, Jamaal Lascelles and Sebastian Corchia. Opted for a 4-3-3 with Sanchez up top and well... Sunderland & the first West Ham games were weakened teams V their full strength. Not entirely certain Coutinho is justifying the 45mil I paid for him just yet, but it is early days. A good start though, long may it continue.

Could be the fact the players are all so new they're struggling. May get better with time. What formation are you playing at the moment?

I had Dembele briefly in my beta save and he was great. Was outscoring Mitro and Gayle and in one game got a hat trick off the bench.

Had him on the Beta, came in January and while he wasn't first choice he was a solid performer who did a job on the left and right. Played him as a CAM a few times too. 4-4-2 experiment has failed horribly, combined with stupid numbers of injuries and whiney players I'm going to restart with the transfer window on. Get some of the deadwood (Anita, Tiote, Gouffy etc), possibly make a better start with the youth (Woodman 1st choice, see if I can bring Armstrong back) and give it another go. Still want 4-4-2 to work, will have to rethink it.

Both been crap for me, Sels falls with long range shots. Most goals we've conceeded are easy ones he shouldn't be letting in. Think I'll look to sell him & Darlow, bring back Woodman and make him first choice, sign an old keeper with high determination & a good personality and tutor him.

Not wanting anyone young, planning on Woodman being our number one in a couple of years. Looking at the 30+ GKs right now.