SixPointer

left always lcb on cb pairings i dont need another F9 type knappen and Espositio can do the job. Im thinking a need a more physical agressives striker

2025/2026 Analysis Tactical The Salida shape, and Double Pivot shape are pencilled in for some refurbishment over the summer. Moving away from systems that I try to balance equally, I think I may return to a clear overload/underload side. Not only for attacking advantages but it also gives me the ability to defend a certain flank if required. (Axel Dongen, done this against Marvin Park) Fewer defensive actions in the final third, winning the ball at a higher rate than average and mostly in the same area. Many more passes and again in the area of turnover, average number of possession losses, with a lot fewer in our defensive third. (Think these all tie in with the overall tactical ideals) In terms of the zone maps I'm happy with our tactical performance. Loose possession appears a worry, however when compared with our lack of individual key passes i don't think it's worth blunting the attack. (second most chances created, most goals scored) Goals win games, and as attacking manager it's critical to the cause. Placed shots rank the highest which I would expect with the style of play, which of course ties in with our high proportion of through balls for those goals. Heading and crossing are virtually non existent (a mean feat in FM) which gives me great joy, as I do not desire these in the slightest. In terms of spread, the goals come mostly in the first half but it would be a big statement to say that the second half was poor. A full pre-season and hopefully a more settled team may add to that second half performance, the other thing to consider is I often take my foot off the gas if we take a comfortable leaf. The assist locations are nicely balanced, and with 18 coming from wide areas (brilliant when crossing is limited) and 16 from central attacking third i cant have any complaints about being lopsided. Goals are predominantly scored centrally and 18 from this central third man run sums up my tactical thinking perfectly. 15 from the flanks is pleasing considering they are often used as decoys to stretch play. Player Performance Luka Podlech, enjoyed a reasonable introduction to first team football. When compared to Justin Bijlow, best in the league and at feyenoord (title rivals) it's clear he is still lacking in some aspects. His poors save percentage of 69% is a worry (lowest of all top 6 keepers) but his average rating, con/90, and passing numbers are all solid enough. At 21 he is still a baby in goalkeeping terms, only Verbruggen is under the age of 27 when it comes to these comparisons. My concern is Podlech still resembles a gamble, with his mentals and physical attributes a lot weaker than his technical attributes. I'm torn between going out and getting a more established NO.1. While giving Podlech more time to be shaped into one, perhaps on loan. Goals conceded from set plays have been an issue so it may be a case of finding a keeper who can help aid this achilles heel. Something to look into over the summer and of course the right player has to be available. Podlech is good but I may need to look for class. Same issues carry on till the end of the season. A real lack of aerial presence at CB. One issue I never considered was these guys attacking set plays perhaps skewing their numbers, however it's been recognisable in particular for Garcia who is often overpowered. Natan i can accept, as with Kana due to the fact he tackles and intercepts well, Garcia and Mbete really don't do either well. If an offer came in for Garcia I would happily move him on, and Mbete won't be held onto past his loan deal. CB definitely looks to be an area to strengthen. I do have a right footed CB in Hugo Bakker who is tipped for the top. I signed him from PEC Zwolle in the summer for 750k, so if Garcia goes I have to be careful not to block his Pathway. He got some minutes at the tailend of last season and that will continue it to next season. No left footer in the youth ranks at the minute so most likely will be a purchase in that department, both at first team and youth level. Hasenhutl carried on where he left off at Sparta and is highly tipped to be awarded again. Kirtsiansen is one of the most pleasing players this season, a typical Ajax buy, he's made the step up from danish football and nailed 10 assists. Ostjic has performed when called upon and the youngster looks to have a huge future. The Collanader experiment seems to have backfired, trying to convert him from winger to wing back has given very mixed results to say the least. Three big mistakes and lack of defensive qualities may lead to a very expensive flop from Howedes. With a 15 year old RWB coming in the intake if i choose to replace Collander i do have room to do so without blocking a player maybe 2/3 years away from being ready. Much like Hasenhutl, Mijnans showed the step up in class from Sparta, by smashing 15 goals from midfield. Eriksen remains to be effective well into his 30's (maybe not at united) with 15 direct goal involvements. However, it's young Misehouy who has me most excited. I gave him his chance to step up at the start of the season and when Gravenberch left he filled the void, (The Ajax cycle). Santos looks the real deal and orth every penny and with two young guns sitting in waiting its a strong area of the team. No concerns here even if Eriksen starts to decline. I have about 3/4 players who fall into that category of just not being Ajax level but good players, i will need to access and make decisions as hoarding and loaning out is really going to end up blocking pathways, while the funds generated could be switched back into the under 18's. These sales often lead to why Ajax are leading in this department all the time, the academy churns out brilliant talent year after year but some don't make first team back are definitely at a good eredivisie level. Axel Dongen, almost became a forgotten son, which is why i have to tred carfeully abouy my disccusoon above. He knocked it out the park since being given his chance and just goes from stregeth to stregth. His directness is incrdible and his goal involments specctlar in such a short space of time, he finished the season top of teh leagues conversion rate, so this again shows that attributes arent always everything. Tsygankoc and Schjeldrup had fine first seasons at the club, but i will be expectiing more consietncet from the latter foing forward. Goals am not overllay concerend about as they have often veen used as decoys and hyrbid wide playmakers. Tadic closes his career with 15 goal invovments, the serbia can be proud of his achievemenbtrs at the club his phenomal pentaly record this season a big plus. He has already been replaced and for sometime which come the recurtiment will be revevaled. In the striker department only one man mattered, Espositio smashed home 26 goals, a complete baragian at 18 million Euros and a true Ajax type signing. A complete forward in every sense. The issue lies with the man, Tadic didn't enjoy the F9 like i thought, Suarez was finished (now under 18 coach) Barbosa never really got a chance and knapen looks like a potential star F9 but is yet to make the breakthrough. This is leading to an area of investment again this summer, I feel I need something a little different here. I think I need a powerful or target type striker or perhaps a ruthless presser. The UCL will throw up some tough away days where I may need to have something different in the squad. Potential Shortlist GK first choice RB Backup LCB Backup/Hot prospect RW Hot prospect (signed) CF back up (differnt type)

I think it’s more or less Ajax until as such a time as the right club comes available. Yeah Portugal or France would be sensible moves I think. Either the big three in Portugal or Lyon and Marseille in France. Again tho I feel these are Similar in stature of Ajax. But at least it would allow me to tackle other parts of the challenge while attempting to win. UCL.

thanks my man! sorry i havent had much time to check in on your save! hopefully next week things will become a little less rushed

May 2026 Sadly the loss in Rotterdam brought to the end our incredible winning run, costing us the chance of a record points total in the league. Uforntaley set plays cost us yet again, especially poor after racing into a 1-0 lead. FC Twente also came from behind to take all three points, with the record point total up in the air. I decided that I would play whack of youngsters to enlighten them to the challenge of first team football. The final game of the season the big hitters came back in, finishing with a nice away win to round off a very successful first campaign. It was to be the final match in Willem II current stadion as they move to a new one so i wanted to leave a mark. 10 point gap to Feyenoord, Sparta kept themselves in the hunt, nice to see my work there has had a lasting effect. Utreht break into the top four, PSV has a dreadful season by their standards and will require a european playoff win to make the continental stage next season. I'll be back with a more in depth review of the team, tactics and players hopefully tomorrow.

Question. I have been playing this challenge this year. Slowly may I add. I won the Dutch cup with Sparta. Then moved to Ajax and won the league first season. Now I’m I oblige to move right away? Or can I stay to fight for the UCL as it states it can be won between stage 2-4. Is it my preference wether I go or not? There is only PSG that I could potentially get a job for stage 3. But I feel that could kill the challenge aspect. any advice greatly appreciated.

Nah I agree with you. If a Lyon or Marseille were to come up I would jump at the chance. Thanks bud! yeah I totally agree. I change it league would be nice but I do have everything in place at Ajax and are still a squad in transition so it’s not as if my work is complete. I took Sparta to there realistic ceiling, I don’t feel I’ve done that with Ajax just yet. I think if the right team was there and available I would definitely move on so perhaps over the summer it may come to light.

I never checked the PSG squad to be honest. I just don’t feel they are a underdog. If I went there and won the UCL it wouldn’t be a shock. Happel went to Belgium (football has changed a lot) but it would be a step down in game. I have no objection to leaving Ajax ( a new league would be nice) the issue is a lack of a realistic enough option for now. I do however feel sort of oblige to move. I may comment on the challenge page and see what people who done or previously suggest.

The Scope Of Europe The 3.5 star leagues as follow, France, Portugal, Holland, Belgium, Turkey, Russia, Greece. Clubs considered bigger than Ajax within these leagues are Porto and PSG, while Monaco, Lillle, Nice, Marseille, Sporting CP and the other two dutch giants are considered on par. PSG is the only job that looks remotely available but i genuinely feel that would kill the save as where do you go from there, they completely out match the whole of Ligue 1 so it's about lopsided. Just a little more background on what's actually going on, just in case the feedback is for the challenge to continue i should attempt to move. I would be more inclined to go to Stade Reims but I don't feel that's a realistic move from Ajax.

April 2026 Three sensational league wins, showing our might and why we are the biggest club in holland. Tottenham brough us right back down to earth, a defensive performance in London gave us hope but they finished us in Amsterdam. Axel Dongen continues to shine with a tremendous display in Arnhem, three goals and an assist to boot. I love his movement for the second goal, quick one, two and cuts inside the full back and finishes well. He really has proved that attributes can be misleading and his off the ball has actually increased (area of concern) by two points since joining the first team. Back to the wall stuff in London, a poor goal conceded from a corner was extremely disappointing and threw a huge spanner in the works. 0-0 would have been an ideal platform for the second leg (without hindsight) PSV have endured a tough season, things continued in the same vein. Howedes' men completely played them off the park, a comprehensive 2-0 win, in which PSV failed to threaten vs Ajax free flowing football. The second goal being a fine example of this. The second leg against Spurs was a complete disaster, our clinical edge fell away and while they took theirs to another level. 2.53 XG vs 1.82, which throws up issues at both ends of the pitch, chances must be taken in these sorts of games. While questions have to be asked about young Podlech being kept as the full time number one. He has struggled with consistency but has also put in some fine displays, I suppose at 21 you have to expect this, but something that will be reviewed come the summer. Mission accomplished on the league front, with a helping hand from my former club who dispatched their city rivals to seal their fate, they also made it back to back KNVB Beker wins. The title winners celebrated in style, dismantling bottom of the league showing no mercy and they hit them for six, the star of the show being young Santos, who like Mishouey is now really coming into his own. Go Ahead are certainly no world beaters but it was a nice way to celebrate the trophy being presented in Amsterdam. Technically this opens up stage three. (Take over a club in a 3/3.5 star league and win two league titles and a domestic cup) Now I'm going to put this to you, the people. The champions league win can be done at any stage between 2-4, as you can only manage in 3.5 star league as a maximum in these stages. Now the question is this. Should i now move onto another league and chase the next stage? or should i stay put at Ajax and attempt to win the champions league. Ajax is probably one of the biggest clubs if not the biggest in the 3.5 star leagues, add to the fact they have a rich history in the tournament. Now I am not too fussed to stay here for let's say 3/4 seasons and try to win it. I am also not adverse to moving on as the next stage is open. What's the most realistic route? Is the challenge rules that I should move? I am not totally sure. I'd like some feedback here, especially before heading into the close season. Personally am happy at Ajax, the overhaul is nearly complete, the recutiemnt model is being more refined back to the Ajax we all know. But if people consider stage two now complete and its time to move on i will do so. I will link the orginal thread for people to help make an informed decison, there is time as i round up the last of this season......

Well we needed to get revenge for the defeat earlier in the season! the nice games were hugely entertaining, both sides had a go, both teams breaking the lines excellently. If I had more time I would have deep dived into them!

What a month! Demolishing PSV in the process for a second time is lovely. Ben this new take on tactical analysis is something else! You’ve really now got the full package going on! Updates are packed with great detail but without becoming to much jargon. Something I’ve been guilty of the past. Your new found love of detailed tactics coupled with your vast data knowledge makes you one of the most interesting writers in the career updates section! Very inspiring. KUTGW

March 2026 Another perfect month as the winning machine rolls on, 15 from 15 now! 11 point lead in the Eredivisie, and a Europa league quarter final against Tottenham to look forward to. The month starts with two 1-0 victories, with two different types of performance. Sparta saw the double pivot executed perfectly, leading to a fine defensive display. On the other hand Heerenveen saw a familiar display of dominance but with no real clinical/cutting edge, two examples of chances here, First half of clips is rated as 0.50 XG (full half chance) the second half of clip is only 0.25. Two great third man runs in behind, clean through on goal, personally i feel they should rate a lot closer to a 1.00, but i'm not sure what the game factors in. A late Mishouey strike came to the rescue and split the teams. The following four games we found the net 12 times, showing that clinical edge that I have been craving and scoring some breathtaking goals in doing so. In three of the four games a lower XG was registered than in the tight Heerenveen affair, so it really does come down to the moment rather than a flaw in the system. Pep famously said (“My job is taking you to the final 3rd and your job is to finish.”) A fine month for young Mishouey, four goals in four starts again showing that there are some shining lights in the academy. Santos also hit his first goal and both have formed a solid partnership in the middle when they are called upon when resting Eriksen and Mijnans. The backups as a whole have excelled, really providing competition within the squad, Spurs next month means more of the same. Shorter update as i need to press on with the challenge as am aware am running out of time so ill try round this season up ASAP.

Season is complete! Plan is now to do the monthly updates. A lean to the tactical side as well to try get info over. Like I said busy few weeks ahead at work so I’ll try my best.

Solid summer of business on the south coast!

Superb month!!! I love graphics for each game. Great to see how tactically involved you have become in each individual match! Tough draw in the groups but that’s what it’s all about at that level!!

Boats are due on Wednesday which means a really busy three weeks. So I think I’ll play out the season today. Then try do monthly updates while working the longer hours. don’t want to rush a tactical update or it lacks the information.

Another month complete. In two minds wether to do an update with tactical input or just cover it as standard and press on to the end of the season the cover it in detail. Thoughts? I have a day of tomorrow which will either be to finish the season or write a lengthy update.

Record signing = baller! Insane his dribbling numbers, does point out another weakness or let’s call it vagueness of FM stats. Dribbling being one the most vague of all. Could be running down a empty channel for all we know. But I’m sure he has the flair to go by people! Feyenoord is your go to academy in terms of where players start, very hard in Holland to avoid Ajax & Feyenoord academy players. Much like my save, end of the season I’ll probably be shipping 6/7 players who are just below par for Ajax, who will be great players for all levels of the league. So it very outside the big three to have lots of these types.

The next months update will be heavily based on the tactical aspect of play.

Definitely very similar aspects of playing styles even though the overall philosophy is different. Will most likely be a Sunday special for the tactical update to give me some time to build a good amount of information to share.

FM21 With ruch was short lived as I ran out of time to finish the Silesian uprising but I plan on returning one day!

How have I missed this I’ll need to catch up!

Congratulations on winning the EPL! Benjani is a god on the south coast!!! Breathtaking season and fully deserved, a great commitment to your style of play has blossomed and delivered the big domestic title!

Phenomenal stuff at Koln! And interesting club choice. I managed in Poland for a brief spell in FM21 and really enjoyed it.