Phil930

I thought this also after two weeks of early access, with 4-6 players continuously out. Then I remembered I support Chelsea and they average 7-10 players out IRL, so I'm ahead! Please don't up the injuries in game though, they are common enough to be in-game frustrating, but not over the top.

Has to be CM 01/02 for me, which came out during my first year of uni away from home, network games across the dorm were classic. The game was epic, and at a point in life where had so much free time to study, or rather, play CM! I still look back to Italia Manger 1993 which was my intro to the series. A solid 1-0-5-5 formation banged in the goals, and with a friend we could complete a season one afternoon.

My personal assistant must go to the same barber shop. I'd fire him for that haircut if I could....

Small sample, only about 7 games in. I use key highlights, and I don’t recall a keeper making a proper save for either side. It’s either a goal, missed target shot, or keeper catches a high ball from floaty header. No one on ones or on target shots saved

Taken a while to get going, but finally started advanced access with Chelsea. Squad is interesting and no surprise mirrors the real world with a real issue in striker position. I'm going to try a 4-3-3 with Lavia, Caicedo and Enzo in midfield given the options up top are not as strong. Can post more detail down the road, but to start, the annual transfer commitments and deficit are not small!! This could be a tricky one to dig out of, but will sell some players and continue the model of buying youth - they seem to do better from Brazil in FM than real life! Check out the transfer out/in commitments, excluding any other performance/game time related clauses. This is just straight annual cash payments

Basic question, but when customizing panels in screens such as Home or Player Overview, the selected panels don't seem to save (i.e., when going elsewhere, then coming back, its back to default or repeated panels such as PLANS appearing numerous times in Overview). Is there some simple was to save a panel setup that I am missing? To expand on this, different players have different panels showing. Some repeat PLANS, click on another player and they'll show FITNESS and FORM, etc.

Appreciate this will be classified as a somewhat subjective perspective, but are Arsenal a little over powered this year? Without giving away individual PAs, but they have a healthy number >179, many of which still have 10-15+ points of development available. I don't doubt they are a great side, but for a team yet to win anything this feels a little generous in many places. This is largely the same group of players that finished 8th, 5th, and then 2nd last year after a very strong first 28 games, then really dropped off. Sure they've got some stars, but just think this needs a little balancing with respect to other clubs (be it Liverpool, City, Chelsea, Newcastle or United younger players). If I was to suggest specific players for review, I'd encourage keeping an eye on Jesus, Havertz and Martinelli.

Looks great so far - nice work SI team!! The general interface is cleaner/sharper, and like others have said, the colour palette is an improvement this year! Some great new features also, particularly the intermediarys! I'm biased here, but did the Arsenal researcher drink the kool-aid a little too much? The team is yet to win, and had a great first 28 games last year and fell off a cliff. I won't give any PAs away, but they are a little generous - I mean, is Havertz really better than when he was at Chelsea with a first touch of 20? I can raise this in the data forums.

This happens every year to me, but can anyone remind me how you import an existing profile/avatar? Last few times I've just copied in my character from previous games

I’m at work today, but keep the positive vibes flowing. I’m convinced it influences the beta release, and expect it to be ready to download once home due to all of your hard work!

This is it. I spend a couple of weeks just sorting my graphics and tactics. Hell, that first pure continue won’t happen until mid Nov for me ha

Don’t be defeated - tomorrow is a new day. Rest well, for when the sun next rises , we shall double our efforts

Wait what Lando Norris is here to help us?

Yeah. To be fair I’m at 35k feet on a plane over Canada and just read thru the last 14 pages, convinced it was released given the progress. I’ll go back to my movie and snacks.

Nothing to see here….

It’s coming. In 2004 I broke a couple of toes on release day of FM, and stayed home from uni as couldn’t properly use clutch pedal. Didn’t move for days playing FM! Today I fractured the same toes. While I can’t guarantee full release, it’s a sign something is coming.

Still waiting

Waiting for that 7950X3D score to post!! Tempted to pick one up this wkd and try it out, but can't find a decent PSU to support that jump (added a 4090 recently but need a better PSU going to 7950X3D).

It's been quite a few years, but historically does the game typically receive a post Jan transfer window update?

So it turns out the research team somewhat underestimated the transfer funds available to Chelsea! I forget - does the game typically receive a post transfer window update?

I'm struggling with Bellingham as well. Been playing him in CM in a 4-3-3 originally as a BBM, then as a CM Support, until he started complaining about not being a BWM. This is a pain as doesn't really suit what I want from him, and anything else has him full on throwing his toys. However, my pursuit of Rice is fruitless with West Ham not even listening to any offer, even £120M. Therefore, I may just cave and play Bellingham in his natural DM in my 4-3-3 as a BWM. From here, I will add a world class midfielder slightly ahead..... ....onto my next problem. I would play Mount in the no.8 role in my 4-3-3, but he is also complaining about not playing in an attacking midfield centre role (a position I don't even use in my formation). He's got so mad he wants to leave - a little ridiculous. The agreed playing time part is a little frustrating. My midfield shopping list includes Milinkovoc Savic (who I could have had for £45M in Jan but turned down as thought I had a plan), Tchouameni, Kimmich, De Jong - I don't think I'll get any of them though. Casadei is looking very promising, but would be a bit too much too soon.

Those second season transfers (in and out) are superb. In season 1, I can't get near Gvardiol for less than £100M, but perhaps he has higher PA on my game. I will flog Lukaku also and bring in a youngster. With you on Havertz. He has scored 39 in 40 appearances for me with two games to go this season. Leading the line well.

Coming down to the wire now. Reminder went out of both domestic cups in my first round. - PL - been level on points for most of second half of the season. They just don't stop winning - Haaland has 45 goals in 31 PL games, and 70 overall. However, after my opening day defeat to City, I beat them 1-0 in the league late Feb. After a great run, a disappointing 0-0 draw away to Villa and a 2-2 draw with Spurs saw me drop to 2nd. That was, until City drew a game and then just lost 5-2 to 20th place Wolves away. I find myself 5 points clear on 80 pts with 5 games to - City have a game in hand. This will be close - CL - dominated Napoli in round of 16, and drew City in quarters. I was 3-0 away after 20 mins, then for City to come all the way back, before Kovacic bent it like Beckham in the 94th min into top corner. 4-3 away, and hammered them 3-0 at the Bridge. Have Liverpool in semis This season could be one for the ages, or a tough pill to swallow. Edit - Also just received initial budgets for next season - £4.8M p/w wages (currently spending £4.5M p/w) and £81M transfer fees. With sales I can easily push transfer kitty to £125M+

Other than Neil Bath and Ben Roberts, all the below coaches are new. I added all attributes, although may be tricky to read.

Time for a mid Feb season 1 update. 2nd in PL, tied on points with City who have superior GD (and beat me in the only head to head meeting so far) Went out in the first round of both the Carabao and FA Cup! Lost at home to Brentford in Carabao (heavily rotated my team), and away to Man Utd in 3rd round right after the World Cup In final 16 of CL, and just beat Napoli in first game. Dominated the match, and confident of second leg, although likely facing PSG or Real next After a solid preseason, my first match was away to Haaland, sorry City. Honestly I didn't get a kick, losing 2-0. Was slightly concerned, but then won the next 7 in a row, and thru end of Oct won 15 of 19 games. A really strong start faded in Nov & Dec Oct as player fatigue really kicked in - during that period winning only 4 of 8, drawing 3, losing 1. After a concerning WC restart winning narrowly to West Ham and losing to Utd in the FA Cup, the team is flying again, winning 7 in a row, scoring 15, conceding 1. The players are fit again and what a difference. I've overhauled the AM and all coaches for 4.5 - 5 star training, upgraded the recruitment and medical teams. Transfer wise, spent pretty big bringing in Bellingham (£115M), Barella (£60M), Zakharyan (£13M) and Almada in Jan (£25M). To partially fund I sold Jorginho in the summer for £61M, and sadly Kante in Jan to Real for £41M (6 months left on contract, wanted a raise and isn't in my future plans). The push is on thru the end of the season now. Havertz has been great up top, scoring 23 in 26 and Sterling is really finding his groove with 11 goals to date. The summer will see me address the defence with a new CB for the long term to partner Fofana. Silva is leaving for Juventus. Side note - Chalobah is really effective. I should have also noted I am £95M in debt. End of season prize money and new season sponsor money will help here, but that is not small. Expecting significant summer player sales to address wages and raise funds from the deadwood.