diddydaddydoddy

Notts County could be interesting. They had a massive wage bill, big debt, abysmal chairman and were relegated down to the Conference. They had a transfer ban that was only lifted a week before the season started too. Now been taken over with some last minutes signings and with a tag as being one of the bigger clubs in the division and are there for the taking - can they pull out of the decline and thrive? Could be a big test.

Liverpool of course initially. But that's more to ensure the way they play as a team and individuals is as realistic as possible. I'll tweak with the editor for the first season to get them spot on compatibility-wise with the AI and any of its anomalies. I usually like to play as IA in the Icelandic league but there were issues in FM19 with the lack of u18/reserve team - a country I know little about, a team I'd never heard of and players I can't pronounce. I also like to play as a team in the lower English divisions. In FM 19 it was Hemel Hempstead and managed to get them in to the EPL - for one season!

Its important for me to get Liverpool players playing as realistic as possible in the first instance. I've just started using Fabinho as a DLP (d), with our higher line and engagement this season he spends more time in the opposition half - happy how he's playing for me. Use Milner as a Carrillero too and again ok for me. I just can't get Hendo to press as hard as I'd like as a BBM , maybe try and use him like Milly as he does cover TAA on the right at times. Wijnaldum - I've tried him in a variety of roles without any success. Ox - more to do with AI but find him too successful particularly when shooting in any attacking/supporting midfield type role. Keita seems ok as a BBM

I've just started to use Fabinho as a DLP/d myself now with a bit more success. Wijnaldum I struggle to get to play that well - but then he does go unnoticed/quietly effective in real life. Ditto with Hendo as BBM.

I'm the Liverpool AR and this is aimed at those that play as Liverpool and prefer to replicate Klopp's tactics. Liverpool's midfield have a reputation as support players that help optimise the high press strategy and allow TAA, Robbo, and the three strikers the opportunity to impact the game with goals/assists. My question is...what roles do you play (irrespective of their suggestive roles in the game) the following in; Wijnaldum, Milner, Henderson, Fabinho, Ox and Keita to best replicate the way they play in real life?

I'm the Liverpool AR and this is aimed at those that play as Liverpool and prefer to replicate Klopp's tactics. Liverpool's midfield have a reputation as support players that help optimise the high press strategy and allow TAA, Robbo, and the three strikers the opportunity to impact the game with goals/assists. My question is...what roles do you play (irrespective of their suggestive roles in the game) the following in; Wijnaldum, Milner, Henderson, Fabinho, Ox and Keita to best replicate the way they play in real life?

Nope never seen a bicycle kick but have seen a few chips. Still don't recall seeing many 'going round the keeper' goals either to be honest

@Getzlaf If I recall correctly VVD's PPA's are Marks Tightly, Long Range Passes, Play out of Trouble plus one other (think it was Doesn't dive into tackles(?)) @Bigpole I added him when he got his international clearance with Euro 300k on 4 years. Didn't know about his father though, will add that asap. Thanks @OkMarius Matip now has Brings ball out of Defence. I have only really seen him do that consistently this year though - possibly as he's played a significant number of games on the bounce and gained more confidence and opportunities. VVD used to Bring the ball out of Defence for Celtic and a few times with Southampton, less so now for us.

@WojciechZed For what it’s worth, I understood your first post as being mostly tongue-in-cheek with a mild hint of ‘could there be any truth?’ thrown in. Personally I think it’s been blown way out of proportion.

The OP is my new hero

LIVERPOOL database - If anyone has any last minute suggestions prior to datalock, please let me know asap. Many tweaks made already but any other considerations, to ensure we get the most realistic data, will be appreciated.

@ElPayaso I agree and have tweaked Wijnaldum and Mane accordingly already for FM20. Regards TAA, I think I reduced his acceleration to 14 only. He seems fast when attacking, which he does the majority of the time, I wonder if it's possibly Positioning, Marking and/or Decisions that may reflect in your opinion to his speed when defending. To be fair there aren't too many occasions when he is in a 1v1 race. There was an instance in England's last game where Kosovo were attacking and he didn't really follow their player and cover the right-back position - but it didn't seem that pace was the factor, it was almost laziness bizarrely.

I meant in a way for the OP to not get hung-up on the ratings as they seem to be skewed

I have had the same issue with defensive midfielders/anchor men in particular and have had to realise that its how I believe they perform for the team that matters, not the rating they're given. Opposite problem with my full backs who always seem to get decent ratings. I agree with forwards who score 1 in 10 shots and suddenly are MOMs too. Look upon the ratings as having come from an outsider (fan/press) and they're there as an opinion only.

@Stefan01 Michael Owen is not universally liked by the fans,. Iirc he ran down his contract when he was at the top of his game having said he was going to stay (?) and he joined Man Utd - a cardinal sin . There was a rivalry with Fowler who was a Liverpool lad. And an underlying feeling that he favoured England Over Liverpool. With a foot in both camps it doesn't go down well with our fans when he refers to Man Utd as 'we'.