FM10 Official Newcastle United Thread - Not sponsored by Mike Ashley

[John Smith]

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The Football Manager 2010 Guide to Newcastle United Football Club

Newcastle United Football Club is an English football club, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, which plays in the Football League Championship. The current caretaker-manager is Chris Hughton, who succeeded short-term boss Alan Shearer..

The club was founded in 1892 after the merger of two local clubs, Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End. Since their founding year, the club have played at their home ground of St. James' Park. They have won the First Division Championship four times and the FA Cup six times, though their last league success was in 1927. In European competition the most notable honour the club has won is the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, in 1969.

The club's traditional kit colours are black and white striped shirts, with black shorts and socks. Supporters of Newcastle United refer to themselves as the Toon Army.

Newcastle have a long-standing rivalry with neighbouring Sunderland with whom they have contested the Tyne-Wear derby since 1898.

Years of mismanagement lead to uncertainty and precarious league finishes over recent years. Confirmation of Newcastle’s relegation arrived 24th May 2009, after 16 long years in the Premiership. An exodus of players followed. Owner Mike Ashley, seeking to sell the club for over a year, has been unwilling to invest in the club since.

Club Information

Nation: England

Year Founded: 1892

Status: Professional

Reputation: National

Chairman Status: Will listen to offers

Legends: Joe Harvey, Jackie Milburn, Kevin Keegan, Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer

Icons: Peter Beardsley, Hughie Gallacher, Bobby Moncur, Steve Watson, Lee Clark, John Beresford, Paul Gascoigne, Rob Lee, Gary Speed, Les Ferdinand

Favoured personnel: Pavel Srnicek, Shay Given, Nolberto Solano, Liam O’Brien, Steven Taylor

Fierce Rivals: Sunderland

Other Rivals: Middlesbrough

Finances: Okay

Average Ticket Price: £30

Average Season Ticket Price: £570

Season Ticket Holders: 25000

Estimated Value: £43.5M (Loan Debt: £96M)

Continental competition: None

Media Prediction: 1st

Squad Personality: Ambitious

Captain: Nicky Butt

Vice-Captain: Alan Smith

For much of Newcastle United's history, their home colours have been black and white striped shirts, with black shorts and black socks, though white socks are sometimes worn under some managers who consider them "lucky". For the first two years of the club's existence United continued to wear the home kit of East End, which included red shirts, white shorts and black socks; this was changed to the more familiar black and white striped kit in 1894. The new colours were adopted because many clubs in the same division as Newcastle also wore red and frequently clashed, including Liverpool and Woolwich Arsenal.

Staff

* Thanks to ChrisNUFC for contributing to this section

Chairman: Mike Ashley

Man Dir: Derek Llambias

Manager: Chris Hughton (caretaker manager)

Asst Mgr: Colin Calderwood

Coach: Alan Thompson

Gk Coach: Paul Barron

Youth Coach: Kenny Wharton

Youth Coach: Simon Tweddle

Youth Coach: Joe Joyce

Youth Coach: Peter Beardsley

Youth Coach: Richard Money

Physio: Kevin Ball

Physio: Davie Henderson

Physio: Derek Wright

Physio: Jamie Murphy

Scout: Vic Halom

Scout: Pablo Longoria

Scout: Norman Wooster

Scout: Ola Nilsson

Scout: Jeff Vetere

Scout: Chris McMenemy

Staff Overview

Number of Staff Allowed: 11

Staff Currently at Club: 9

Free Staff Spaces: 2

Mike Ashley – Owner/Chairman

Current owner, Mike Ashley, wants out and is looking for someone to buy the club when the game starts. This usually takes several months, and sometimes (but not always) goes through in October/November, so don’t count on financial backing until at least January – and that’s only if a takeover goes through.

Tight with his money and known to interfere with transfers going over his manager’s head (Keegan v Wise). Is fiercely loyal to those who he actually likes, and equally stubborn towards those who have fallen on his wrong side.

1st Team

Chris Hughton – Caretaker Manager/1st Team Coach

Chris Hughton has been Assistant Manager to Kevin Keegan, 1st Team Coach to Joe Kinnear and Caretaker Manager several times during his short stay at Newcastle United. The former Tottenham defender and coach has a Tottenham tie with Colin Calderwood, fellow 1st team Coach, as they look after Newcastle United.

Not known for his tactical approach to the game, and often under utilizing his substitutes, Hughton is certainly a better coach, then he is manager. If he’s kept on the coaching staff you will have a decent defensive coach with a good understanding of the players around him.

Has a good backroom advice range, with almost perfect Training Advice, so it shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s also worth noting that Hughton brings a lot of scouting knowledge to the club too, with knowledge of Ireland, Holland, Northern Ireland and Argentina.

Best Star Ratings:

4 Stars: Defending

Contract Termination: £160k

Colin Calderwood – 1st Team Coach

Another defensive minded coach, with grounding in Fitness, Calderwood is on a rolling contract, so it shouldn’t cost too much to come to an agreement if you wish to terminate his contract. Covers Chris Hughton’s lack of tactical knowledge, but is hardly world class.

He will, however, offer some good backroom advice on training at the club.

Best Star Ratings:

3 ½ Stars: Strength or Aerobic or Defending

Contract Termination: £110k

Alan Thompson – Reserve Team Manager

Geordie Alan Thompson rejoined his home town team last season as a member of the Youth Coaching team. He was promoted to Reserve Team Manager in the summer, and is looking to help out as much as he can.

His backroom advice ratings aren’t up to standard to offer advice; however, he’s only just started his coaching career, and is a good candidate for improvement.

Best Star Ratings:

3 ½ Stars: Ball Control or Shooting or Set Pieces

Contract Termination: £24k

Paul Barron – Goalkeeper Coach

One of the best Goalkeeping Coaches in England though could improve on his work with young keepers.

Offers sound advice on training via Backroom Advice.

Best Star Rating:

3 ½ Stars: Goalkeeping

Contract Termination: £65k

Youth Team

Richard Money – Youth Team Director (Manager)

A great youth coach with high ratings in ‘Working with youngsters’, ‘Motivation’, ‘Judging Player Potential’ with decent ratings in ‘Man Mangement’, and ‘Discipline’. Could do with slightly improving his mental ratings to produce some top Star Ratings, as he only has above average ratings in a few fields.

His backroom advice levels are some of the best at the club, and as the Youth Team Director (Manager); his advice on Youth Training should be listened to.

Star Ratings:

3 ½ Stars: Set Pieces or Defending or Ball Control or Tactics

Contract Termination: £275k

Joe Joyce – Youth Team Manager

Newcastle United’s U18 Youth Team Manager has a good grounding in tactics and working with youngsters. However, it he does lack some of the man management skills needed to truly excel, with room to improve in his motivation, discipline and man management. Still has room to improve and could become a very good youth coach, or decent 1st team coach.

Has a good knowledge of tactics that could prove helpful in a Backroom Advice meeting, as well as decent knowledge of training and youth development.

Star Ratings:

3 ½ Stars: Tactics or Ball Control

Contract Termination: £18k

Kenny Wharton – Youth Team Coach

Former Newcastle United player Kenny Wharton has been working with the Newcastle Academy for a number of years now. Works well with Peter Beardsley, and has a good eye for spotting talent, and can offer above average training in several single areas. Worth keeping around as he can develop into a very good youth coach.

It should be noted that his people skills could do with developing, as he lacks man management qualities and motivational skills, however makes up for that with a strict disciplinary code.

Offers good advice on player recruitment and youth development via Backroom Advice.

Star Ratings:

3 ½ Stars: Tactics or Ball Control or Defending or Shooting or Set Pieces

Contract Termination: £120k

Peter Beardsley – Youth Team Coach

Toon Icon Peter Beardsley starts the game on a part-time contract, so it might be worthwhile offering him a new full-time deal ASAP to get the most out of his abilities. Has a good technical side of the game, which he can bring to the youngsters in the team, though could do with improving his man management skills.

Offers a good level of Backroom Advice in regards to player recruitment and youth development.

Star Ratings:

4 Stars: Tactics or Shooting

Contract Termination: £12k

Simon Tweddle – Youth Team Coach

Young Simon Tweddle has been with the academy for a number of seasons and has a good grounding in fitness and working with youngsters. His main assist is his man management and motivational skills. While his training abilities aren’t huge at the moment, he’s a young coach and has room to develop.

Star Rating:

Contract Termination:

Coaching Verdict

You WILL have to bring some staff into the club, however with the way the finances are you’ll have to hire unemployed staff as you won’t be able to afford any compensation claims from their old clubs. Overall Newcastle have adequate staff for each field, but don’t excel in a single one. There’s 2 free space available on the coaching staff to bring in new staff, without firing any of the old staff.

You will have to hire an Assistant Manager, Chris Hughton won’t cut it if you want to progress with the best backroom advice. You could look into promoting Peter Beardsley into the role, or Richard Money, but that would leave you looking for replacements at youth level.

You will also have to hire a Fitness Coach, though Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood both have average ratings in that department if you don’t want to use one of the available coaching spaces. However, it should be noted they won’t accept a Fitness Coach role, so will only work with the 1st Team still.

You should also look to bring in another Attacking Coach or Technique Coach to ease the burden from Alan Thompson, as his coach abilities are spread thin.

Star Ratings

Using the default Newcastle United staff you should be able to get star ratings that look like this:

Senior Team

4 Stars: Defending

3 ½ Stars: Goalkeeping

2 ½ Stars: Strength, Fitness, Tactics, Ball Control, Shooting, Set Pieces

2 Stars: Attacking

Youth Team

4 Stars: Shooting

3 ½ Stars: Goalkeeping, Tactics, Ball Control, Defending

2 ½ Stars: Attacking, Set Pieces

Staff to Bring In

Best Staff Available (free)

Assistant Managers

Tommy Craig – Free

1st Team Coaches

Coaches

Fitness Coaches

GK Coaches

Youth Coaches

Physio

Scouts

Nick Theslof (American) – Free

Uwe Bein (German) – Free

Frederick Dobraje (French) – Free

Jose Manual Corral (Spanish) – Free

Barry Whitehead (English/American) - Free

Backroom Advice Suggestions

When you start the game you will be asked to attend a staff meeting, where you’ll be offered some Backroom Advice from your current staff. They will suggest new Assistant Managers/Coaches/Scouts to join the team.

They’ll usually suggest:

Mark Seagraves – Assistant Manger (Free)

Meryvn Day – Assistant Manager (Free)

Tim Flowers – Assistant Manager (Free)

Steve Gatting – Coach (Arsenal - £40k)

Tony Colbert – Coach (Arsenal - £100k)

Mervyn Day – Coach (Free)

Jack Chapmon – Scout (Free)

Charlie Woods – Scout (Free)

Andrey Zhelyazkov – Scout (Naftex - £16k)

Of those suggested all the free suggestions are worth looking at if you can’t be bothered to find your own Assistant Manager, or new coaching additions. Tim Flowers is probably the better of the three Assistant Managers, Mervyn Day would do a decent job as an overall coach, and bringing back Charlie Woods to United wouldn’t be a bad thing.

All ‘Geordie’ Approach

You could hire an all ‘Geordie’ backroom staff, and I use the term lightly, and bring in past crowd favourites/former players and actual Geordies to bring success back to Newcastle United. Which is a clever way of saying anyone with Newcastle United in their favourite Club listing, or someone who has previously played for the club.

Assistant Manager

Tommy Craig

John Carver

Kevin Dillon (Born in Sunderland!)

Tony Dunn

Scott Sellars

Coach

Rob Lee

Kevin Gallacher

Mick Gooding

Pavel Srnicek

Steve Stone

Les Ferdinand (Tottenham)

Gary Speed (Sheff United)

David Ginola

Alan Pouton

Scout

Bill Green

Ruel Fox

Physio

Paul Ferris

Support Staff

Scouts

Number of Scouts Allowed: 9

Number of Scouts at club: 5

Free Scout Spaces: 4

Jeff Vetere – Scout

Jeff Vetere is possibly the best Scout at Newcastle United at the start of the game, where he can be found scouting the U18’s league. He is considered one of the best scouts across Europe, and as such should be kept on the pay roll.

His advice on recruitment and youth should be listened to, as he has a track record of finding some of the best young players in the world for whichever team he’s scouted for. Should start the game with a good knowledge of Europe.

Contract Termination: £80k

Vic Halom – Scout

Starts the game scouting the English Reserve leagues, though is possibly the worst scout currently on Newcastle’s books. So if you were looking to replace a scout currently on the pay roll, Vic Halom would be first in line. Has standard knowledge of England and some European countries, as well as a poor range of backroom advice.

Contract Termination: £12k

Chris McMenemy – Scout

Part-Time scout Chris McMenemy starts the game scouting the Coca-Cola Championship, though in reality spends most of his time as a Football Agent. His overall ability is pretty poor, and it could be worthwhile terminating his contract if you don’t care for sentiment (he’s been with Newcastle on and off for over 10 years).

This would free up another Scouting slot for you to try to add some variation to the scouting knowledge and ability. However, it should be noted that McMenemy does have a good knowledge of the club and its players, as well as a good all round backroom ability.

Contract Termination: £18k

Pablo Longoria – Scout

The young Scout starts the game scouting Central Europe, while he has poor abilities he does have a wide knowledge from around the world. Youth is also on his side, which means he can only surely improve.

Has reasonable backroom advice in the area of recruitment too.

Contract Termination: £40k

Ola Nilsson – Scout

Starts the game scouting his native Scandinavia, which seems a sensible place for him to start, as he already has full knowledge of Sweden, with a good knowledge of England. Has already worked hard to bring Sammy Adjei and Ole Soderberg to Newcastle.

Is better suited to scouting for prospects, rather than players with a current ability. Will offer adequate backroom advice in regards to recruitment, though it’s not always accurate.

Contract Termination: £35k

Norman Wooster – Scout

FMW Verdict

It would be worthwhile expanding Newcastle’s scouting network with the 2 free spaces you have available at the start. The current crop of scouts at the club are OK, but far too similar in ability and knowledge.

At the start of the game you’ll only be able to scout within Europe, so it might be worthwhile hiring a Scout or two with knowledge outside of Europe. Though you’ll then have to deal with Work Permits and players adapting to a new country… but then that’s half the fun of management, isn’t it!

Physios

Number of Physios Allowed: 2

Number of Physios at club: 4

Free Physio Spaces: -2

Derek Wright – Head Physio

Long standing Newcastle United physio Derek Wright has been at Newcastle for over 20 years. During that time he’s made the Head Physio role his own, and his opinion is highly valued and respected. Currently a member of the England set up.

Contract Termination: £200k

Davie Henderson – Physio

Enjoyed a lot of success as part of Walter Smith’s Ranger team, working alongside his good friend Ian McGuiness, Davie Henderson came to Newcastle United as part of a new look set up in Fitness. However, his ability came under the Spotlight when Shearer arrived, with McGuiness shown the door.

Contract Termination: £130k

Jamie Murphy – Physio

Contract Termination: £16k

Kevin Bell – Youth Team Physio

Contract Termination: £45k

FMW Advice

You start the game with 2 more Physios then the board would allow/need to function. Davie Henderson and Jamie Murphy are the two ‘weakest’ physios, but are both still good by Championship/Premier League standards. Derek Wright is one of the best English Physio’s in the game, with Kevin Bell a good youth physio.

There’s no real need to get rid of the 2 extra physios that you have, so you may as well keep them, save for reducing the wage bill. If you REALLY wanted to, you might want to consider offering Jamie Murphy the Fitness Coach job, but there’s better Fitness Coaches available on free.

Finances

Transfer / Wage Budget (Expectations): £0 / £675,000 p/w (Win Championship)

% of transfer revenue made available: 75%

Current Wage Budget: £ 677,834 p/w

Sponsors: £5M per season (ends 2010); £3.75M per season (ends 2010)

Loans Outstanding: Gift Loan of £100M (£417k/per month until 26.6.2028 when in profit)

Club Balance: £14,091,994

My fears realistically came true. Mike Ashley expects promotion without handing over any transfer funds. And worst to come – your wages are over budget. It’s going to be a long season in the loan and free transfer market. Offload some high-earners in order to get some funds.

Stadium and Facilities

Name: St. James’ Park

Location: Newcastle

Capacity: 52,387 all-seater (expandable to 60,000)

Year Built: 1892

Owned by: Newcastle

Stadium Condition: Very Good

Under-soil Heating: Yes

Roof: No

Surface: Grass

Pitch Dimensions: Length: 105m, Width: 68m

Maximum Pitch Dimensions: Length: 110m, Width: 73m

Pitch Condition: Good

Corporate Facilities: Top corporate facilities

Training facilities: Top training facilities

Youth Facilities: Good youth facilities + Youth Academy

Newcastle's home stadium is St James' Park, which has been their home since the merger of East End and West End in 1891. Following Newcastle's relegation to the Championship in May 2009, St James’ Park became the largest home stadium of a club playing outside the top flight of English football. With high average gates, it will go some way in relieving expenditure.

First Team Squad & Analysis

1st team players sold or released over the past 12 months: Given, N’Zogbia, Owen, Viduka, Edgar, Cacapa, Martins, Bassong, Beye, Duff, Løvenkrands

1st team players signed over the past 12 months: Nolan, R Taylor, Simpson (loan), Løvenkrands (re-signed)

Have a better idea on the extent of assets-stripping? K, let’s move on.

Blue denotes home-grown, in view of EPL requirements for season 2010 / 11, if it gets implemented in-game and if you get Newcastle promoted.

Cyan denotes on-loan players at the club.

Goalkeepers

1. Steve Harper

26. Tim Krul

Goalkeepers / Overall: 1st choice Harper is a reliable goalkeeper at Championship level. Krul is a promising understudy so we are pretty much covered here. Emergency loans for goalkeepers may happen outside the transfer windows so there is no urgent need to bring in a third keeper.

Recommended transfers:

Young players watch: Tim Krul

Defenders

2. Fabricio Coloccini

► Best Pos:

DC

Other Pos:

DR

3. José Enrique

► Best Pos:

DL

Other Pos:

WBL

Team Role:

Wingback, Support / Attack

5. Fitz Hall * v10.3 loan addition *

►

Best Pos:

DC

Other Pos:

None

6. Mike Williamson * v10.3 addition *

►

Best Pos:

DC

Other Pos:

None

12. Danny Simpson * joined in a permanent deal in v10.3 *

►

Best Pos:

DR

Other Pos:

WBR, DL

16. Ryan Taylor

► Best Pos:

DR

Other Pos:

WBR, MR, ML, AMR

Team Role:

Wingback, Support / Attack

27. Steven Taylor

► Best Pos:

DC

Other Pos:

DR

Team Role:

Central defender

28. Tamás Kádár

► Best Pos:

DC

Other Pos:

DL

Right-back: Simpson and R Taylor are good options for this position. Simpson is on loan until end 2009. S Taylor can cover for this position once his loan finishes.

Left-back: José Enrique offers good support as an attacking left-back but there is no other recognized left-back. You should be looking to bring in another left-back, and retraining the versatile R Taylor for this position to provide cover.

Central defence: Coloccini and S Taylor are the 1st choice defensive partnership. Coloccini seems to have followed Bramble and Boumsong in the concentration curse. Again, no recognized cover here.

Overall: The first team defence looks decent but suffers from poor concentration in all areas. And you can count in one hand, the number of regulars. Try to get more defenders, particularly another left-back, and a central defender or two.

Recommended transfers: Jorge Andrade, SW/DC (Free) ● Nicolás Otamendi, DC, Vélez (~£2.9M) ● Michael Ball, D/WBL (Free)

Young players watch: Tamás Kádár

Midfielders

4. Kevin Nolan

► Best Pos:

MC

Other Pos:

AMC

Team Role:

Attacking Midfielder, Support

7. Joey Barton

► Best Pos:

MC

Other Pos:

DM, AMC

Team Role:

Box-to-Box Midfielder

8. Danny Guthrie

► Best Pos:

MC

Other Pos:

MR

10. Wayne Routledge * v10.3 addition *

►

Best Pos:

MR, AMR

Other Pos:

AML

11. Peter Løvenkrands

► Best Pos:

AML

Other Pos:

ML, ST

Team Role:

Inside Forward

17. Alan Smith

► Best Pos:

MC

Other Pos:

DM, ST

Team Role:

Ball Winning Midfielder

18. Jonás

► Best Pos:

AML

Other Pos:

MR, ML, AMR

Team Role:

Winger, Inside Forward, Roaming

21. Fabrice Pancrate * v10.2 addition *

►

Best Pos:

AMR

Other Pos:

FC

22. Nicky Butt

► Best Pos:

DM

Other Pos:

MC

Team Role:

Anchorman

25. Kazenga LuaLua

► Best Pos:

AMR

Other Pos:

MR, ML, AML

Central midfield: Probably the team’s strongest department with Nolan, Barton, Guthrie and Smith. Butt and Geremi are old, half-decent and on high-paying contracts expiring at the end of the season. Look to off-load them in order to free some big wages, using the adjusted budget to get required reinforcements in other areas.

Wingers: Jonás and Løvenkrands are the only recognized wingers here. Get them to make direct runs into the box, using pace more than their half-decent crossing. R Taylor can be used as a wide midfielder on both flanks.

Overall: A distinct shortage of creative midfielders. This should be yet another priority area for strengthening.

Recommended transfers: Per Ciljan Skjelbred, AMC, Rosenborg (~£1.5M) ● Jack Wilshere, AMRLC, Arsenal (loan)

Young players watch: Haris Vučkić

Forwards

20. Leon Best * v10.3 addition *

►

Best Pos:

ST

Other Pos:

None

23. Shola Ameobi

► Best Pos:

ST

Other Pos:

None

24. Andy Carroll

► Best Pos:

ST

Other Pos:

None

Team Role:

Target Man

30. Nile Ranger

► Best Pos:

ST

Other Pos:

None

Forwards / Overall: Who would have though Ameobi would be the main man upfront for Newcastle but he is, and a decent one at Championship level. Løvenkrands can play as a striker too. Carroll, a targetman, and Ranger are breaking into the 1st team and should be given the occasional match. I would suggest bringing in another striker.

Recommended transfers:

Young players watch: Andy Carroll, Nile Ranger, Aaron Spear

Out on Loan

19. Xisco ST (Racing de Santander)

29. Fabio Zamblera ST (A.S. Roma)

Overall squad assessment & Transfer policies:

The 1st team is strong for the Championship but it is a worryingly thin squad with little depth. With the sheer number of matches, there is an urgent need to bring in more players, especially at DL, DC, AMR, ST and a playmaker.

The many promising youngsters should be given some experience in lesser matches. For the young players, Spear and Vučkić have the highest potential, while Krul and Carroll are closest to the breakthrough for the 1st team.

The key to obtaining transfer money is to free up some high wages. I had to make some tough decisions like sending Coloccini out on loan. The loan fee and covered wages (leading to adjusted transfer budget) helped immensely. Players in this version of FM are much less likely to accept lower wages. Persist and you can still get some older players to do so. Clubs would then be more willing to bid for a player on lower wages.

And if you really can't get rid of a player, up to the point of considering mutual termination for quite a fortune, here's what you can do. Go to a bigger club club (one that your player will go to and can afford his wages), bid zero for one of the low-valued reserves player with your player in part-exchange. Your player agrees, and you are left with a cheap player with very low wages which you can release for insignificant sums. By freeing up your wages, you can adjust and get a transfer budget too.

We all know about the 'wonderful' over-48-months payments that allow us to get players on small budgets. A word of caution here. Even after sieving out some deadwood and decreasing the wage budget, I was still bleeding more than £2M per month, with more than £10M for club balances to close to nothing by December. Reasons - high wages, Mike Ashley's monthly repayments, and crucially the lack of TV revenue in the Championship. High gates and the parachute payment from Premiership relegation can only buffer so much. Any takeovers may or may not give you funds so it's a matter of luck. So think again before you say 'aye' to that big-money, delayed payment transfer - not until you clear those high-earners and are confident of getting back into the Premiership. Negotiate payments for all incoming deals over 48 installments. This helps to minimize the immediate financial impact until you get the club back into the lucrative Premiership.

If you haven't spend much, you may try asking the board for extra funds just after conclusion of season ticket sales. Depending on your luck, the board may grant you a transfer budget of £4M. Before you happily cash that cheque, read the previous paragraph again.

Also note the transfer rules for this division as loan signings might play a big part due to financial constraints. The current status stands at one long-term under-23 loan (Simpson, 6 months). Short-term loans are not included in-game. You can still get Harewood on a season's loan if you wish. Remember to select 'Can play in cup matches' for loans or you might feel short-changed for the League Cup and FA Cup.

Coca-Cola Championship Transfer Rules

Maximum of four domestic-based players over the age of 23 allowed on long-term loan in a season.

Maximum of four domestic-based players under the age of 23 allowed on long-term loan in a season.

Maximum of two domestic-based players over 23 allowed on long-term loans from a team in a season.

Domestic-based players are allowed to go on short-term loan to the same club for a maximum of 3 months during the season.

Emergency goalkeepers can be signed at any time during the season.

Long-term loans must end in a valid transfer window for players in this division.

The match squad must have no more than 5 loan players from clubs in the same nation.

The match squad must have at least 4 players trained by a club in England.

Have a read on ChrisNUFC's take on the squad too. He's the NUFC researcher for FM10 so he will know things that I don't

Squad

Goalkeepers

Number at Club: 81st Team: 2

Reserves: 3

Youth: 3

For over 10 years Newcastle United have been blessed with great Goalkeepers, previously in Club Favourite Shay Given (now at Man City), with Steve Harper taking the #1 shirt in the Summer. His understudy, Tim Krul, is a hot prospect for the future, though still needs to develop the mental side of his game as he is prone to a rush of blood to the head in his decision making.

In the reserves Newcastle United have Fraser Forster, who should be able to cover the #3 spot if any injuries or suspensions pile up on the keepers. With Ole Soderberg fighting hard to prove himself, there’s 4 goalkeepers who should be able to handle Championship Football, or at the least Cup competition against lower teams.

In the youth set up, Newcastle has several Keepers coming through the ranks, with the best of them being Jak Alnwick, brother of Ben Alnwick. Already capped at England youth level, Alnwick will be hoping to remain injury free and progress through the ranks – it’s possible he could even suppress his brother in terms of potential and ability with the right coaching and management.

Other keepers are Ben Robinson, a young lad who has worked his way through the Stockport youth system before Manchester United and Liverpool showed an interest. Scott Pocklington and Max Johnson, though over age, occasionally moonlight in the U18s as cover and share their experience with the young defenders coming through.

So the Goalkeeping situation at Newcastle will not be a major concern for any prospective manager, short term or long term, due to the cover they have now, and the developing keepers coming through. Couple that with Paul Barron, the Goalkeeper Coach, it’s a healthy situation.

1st Team

#1 Steve Harper (England) – Starting Keeper – Age: 35

Solid, if unspectacular, goalkeeper coming to the end of what should have been his peak, having played understudy to Shay Given for a decade. Will now want to prove himself as #1 Keeper, though will have to fight off competition from Tim Krul.

Not the most vocal of keepers, and as such can lose control of his penalty area on crosses, couple that with Harper’s lack of commitment on claiming crosses, Newcastle can sometimes be prone to conceding goals from corners/crosses into the area.

#26 Tim Krul (Holland) – Back Up – Age: 21

Dutch U21 Goalkeeper, who many believe has what it takes to one day break into the Dutch 1st Team and make a name for himself. Has impressed during his loan spells in Scotland, with Falkirk, and in England with Carlisle. A great natural shot stopper, with quick reactions and agility, Tim Krul also possess a good technical grounding to his game and has been known

His youth and confidence are his undoing at the moment, with his decision making a little lack at times. As shown that he is keen to impose himself into the game, weather that’s claiming every cross into the area, or coming off his line as soon as possible, both of which can cause problems if an attacker is savvy enough.

Reserves

#34 Fraser Forster (England) Reserve #1 – Age: 21

A huge keeper, almost standing 6’6” tall, yet is surprisingly agile for such a big man. His natural height and agility make it easy for Forster to claim most balls crossed into the box, though his lack of communication with defenders can lead to confusion.

On top of that he sometimes finds it hard to hit a rich vein of form, though he’s still young and theirs plenty of time for him to mature with the right mentoring and coaching. However, at the age of 21, and being 3rd choice keeper, it could be worthwhile loaning out or selling Forster for whatever money you can get.

#33 Ole Soderberg (Sweden) Reserve #2 – Age: 19

Brought to Newcastle by Scandinavian Scout Ola Nilsson, young Soderberg is thought of highly in his native country. However, he still has a lot to learn before he’s ready for 1st Team Football (even in Cup Competitions), but does show a lot of promise.

Scott Pocklington (England) – Reserve #4/Youth – Age: 19

Signed on a free from Darlington after his contract was not renewed, Pocklington spent his summer training with Newcastle, and made several appearances for the youth team as a trialist. His goalkeeping ability is slightly questionable, however he is one of the most vocal keepers in the squad always keeping his young defenders in check and aware of what’s happening around them.

Youth

Max Johnson (England) – Reserve #3/Youth – Age: 18

Jak Alnwick (England) – Youth #1 – Age: 16

Ben Robinson (England) – Youth #2 – Age: 16

Defenders

Number at Club: 18

1st Team: 6

Reserves: 6

Youth: 6

Players who can play at:

Right Backs: 8

Left Backs: 5

Center Backs: 10

Newcastle United start the game with 18 defenders spread equally in numbers across the 1st Team, reserves and youth, with several of the reserve defenders making appearances in the youth team via the ‘3 over 18’ rule (Matthew Grieve, James Tavernier and Daniel Leadbitter).

They lack of any real depth in quality across the defence, so may end up struggling if they suffer injuries at the back, especially at full back position. Danny Simpson is on loan from Manchester United for 6 months and is the only true Right Back at 1st Team level, with Ryan Taylor as a back up. There is even less coverage at Left Back, which may cause a problem of Jose Enrique gets an injury, as Tamas Kadar lacks the overall speed to cover the position and has had very little 1st Team Football. James Taylor, Paul Dummet and Darren Lough are simply too young for 1st Team football.

Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini are the starting Center Backs, however, both are prone to mistakes and have poor decision making. Tamas Kadar and Ben Tozer stand by as cover, but, again, both are untested in 1st Team Football.

The defence has always been something of an issue for Newcastle United over the last 20 years, whether it is its lack of quality, depth or ability to defend. Looking into the future the Reserve/Youth team offers few, if any, real stars coming through.

1st Team

Right Back

#12 Danny Simpson (English) – Age: 22 (On Loan from Man U – 6 Months)

Signed on loan from Manchester United for 6 months, Danny Simpson is Newcastle United’s starting Right Back. Has great speed and overall worth ethic to get up and down the flank and can put in a tackle or two, yet will probably never develop to the high standards that Man U are looking for.

Is a bit small for a defender so will sometimes be out jumped by any tall defenders, especially with his average at best positioning, yet his pace should allow him to make up for any mistakes that aren’t too costly.

Strengths: Pace

Weakness: Aerial Ability

#16 Ryan Taylor (English) – Age: 24

The modern day utility player/jack of all trades, master of none. Has said he prefers to play at Right Back, his natural position, yet can play all over the field to some degree. With the arrival of Danny Simpson on loan from Man U, Ryan Taylor finds himself back up Right Back, but currently the 1st choice Right Midfielder.

His lack of aerial ability leaves him prone to being beaten at the back post from crosses, especially with his low anticipation and physical ratings.

Strengths: Set Pieces & Big Games

Weakness: Aerial Ability

Left Back

#3 Jose Enrique (Spanish) – Age: 23

A class above everyone else in the Championship, Jose Enrique is clearly playing above his level and you could have a fight on your hands to keep him in the first transfer window if he has a good pre-season and early start to the season. Strong and quick, Jose protects the left flank from nearly all types of wingers.

He can get forward too, however his end product isn’t always the best, and the simplest of passes can often go astray. He also has huge confident in his own ability to defend, which often sees him Sheppard the ball out, or play his way out of trouble on the edge of his own penalty area. Works well down the left flank with Jonás.

Strengths: Pace & Big Games

Weakness: ‘None’

Center Backs

#2 Fabricio Colocinni (Argentinean) – Age: 27

Signed for over £10m last season, Coloccini didn’t have the greatest of seasons and his often erratic form saw him dropped from the 1st Team. With the departure of Sebastien Bassong to Tottenham, Coloccini finds himself back in the 1st Team, alongside Steven Taylor.

You should it possible to sell Coloccini in the 1st transfer window of the game, which will ease £78k from the wage bill, and bring about £5m into the club, however it should be pointed out doing so will anger several players (namely the Spanish speaking members of the team).

His lack of intelligence on the field will often leave his team mates in trouble. Prefers to play his way out of trouble on the edge of the area rather than clear the ball, and can often be seen diving into challenges leaving the back line exposed.

However, despite all that, he is still, at the start of the game, better then the reserve Center Backs (Tozer & Kadar), and by default is a key member of the team.

Strength: Athleticism

Weakness: Intelligence

#27 Steven Taylor (English) – Age: 23

Toon Army Favourite, Steven Taylor, is a key member to the Newcastle defence. While he starts the game injured, he should make a recovery in team for Pre-Season and be fit for the start of the season.

He’s not the most technically gifted defenders, yet has ability where it matters the most – in the air and on the ground. Can put a good tackle in and will win most headers into the area, however the mental side of his game still needs to be improved. You’ll often find Steven Taylor making rash decisions or suddenly racing up field to join an attacking leaving his fellow defenders exposed.

Can also play at Right Back

Strength: Team Player & Big Matches

Weakness: ‘None’

#28 Tamas Kadar (Hungarian) – Age: 19

On the fringes of the 1st Team Kadar will often be found on the bench, still young and with plenty to learn, Kadar has promise for the future. Still has a lot of work to do on the mental side of his game, a key area for any player, especially a defender.

Kadar is strong in the tackle, and brave, however some might say too strong and too brave, as he’s injured himself badly twice already with strong tackles.

Can also play at Left Back

Strength: Aerial Ability

Weakness: Intelligence & Injury Prone

Reserves

Right Back

Daniel Leadbitter (English) – Age: 18

A young fullback that isn’t ready for 1st Team Football at Championship level, and will possibly not reach a level good enough to play for Newcastle United. However, he’s a determined young player, and a loyal one, and has been counted on repeatedly at youth level to perform.

Sometimes used at youth level to help get game time.

Strength: Speed

Weakness: Intelligence

James Tavernier (English) – Age: 18

Another young full back, that sadly isn’t ready for 1st team football at Championship level. Slightly more physically advanced then Daniel Leadbitter, Tavernier has an outside chance of making it at Championship level in the future with the right nurturing and coaching.

Known at youth level for his runs up and down the right flank, helping the attack, and getting crosses in, however, as with Leadbitter, still needs to work on the mental aspect of his game. Sometimes used at youth level to help with development time.

Can also play Center Back.

Strength: Speed

Weakness: Intelligence

Left Back

#45 Darren Lough (English) – Age: 19

After Tamas Kadar, Darren Lough is the only other recognised Left Back in the Senior Team. Is probably ready for 1st team football in the Championship more than Tavernier and Leadbitter are, however is still far from 1st team standard, and if called upon to play for an extended amount of time could end up out of his depth.

Strength: Pace

Weakness: Intelligence

Center Back

#35 Ben Tozer (English) – Age: 19

Could probably do a job stepping as cover in the Championship, however lacks experience and pace, so could be caught out if relied upon too much. Can put a good tackle in and is decent enough in the air to handle most Championship strikers, certainly lower league players in the cups for experience.

However inexperience will have to be taken into account, with his mental abilities not fully up to 1st team standards, which could lead to small mistakes.

Strength: Aerial Ability

Weakness: Intelligence

#37 Callum Morris (English) – Age: 19

Another physically imposing youth player to come through the Newcastle ranks, however still needs to develop the mental and technical side of his game, having relied too much on the physical side at youth level.

There’s an outside chance that Morris could make it as a squad player for Newcastle if he took his chances, yet as it stands he’s not currently up to 1st team standard.

Strength: Aerial Ability

Weakness: Intelligence

Matthew Grieve (English) – Age: 18

Physically dominated at youth level due to his size and strength, yet lacked pace. Isn’t ready for 1st team football, and could do with going out on loan to gain some experience. Has an outside chance to become a squad player if he takes his chances, though will require a lot of time and decent coaches to make it happen. Could be a future Captain for whatever club he ends up at.

Strength: Aerial Ability

Weakness: Intelligence & Big Games

Youth Team

Right Backs

Phil Airey (English) – Age: 17

Striker turned Right Back Phil Airey is a pacey young player that likes to get forward still. Due to his swap from striker to full back, Airey still needs a lot of work on the defensive side of his game.

Strength: Speed

Weakness: Marking

Conor Newton (English) – Age: 17

Tall lanky right back Conor Newton has been in and out of the youth team over the last 12 months, and doesn’t seem to have been able to find a comfortable position. Shifts between RB, CB, RM and CM, Newton may end up forgetting where he plays football.

Strong and dominating in the air, with a bit of pace.

Strengths: Speed

Weakness: Skill

Left Back

Paul Dummet (Wales) – Age: 17

Capped at Wales youth level, Paul Dummet has shown promise that he could be a decent left back in the future. Currently too young and inexperienced to survive 1st team football in the Championship, but is learning all the time.

Surprisingly tall for a Left Back, with a good Aerial prowess, it might be worthwhile thinking about training Dummet to be a Center Back if you’re not happy with the current crop. He is currently the only natural Left Back at youth level for Newcastle.

Strengths: Speed

Weakness: Intelligence

Center Backs

James Taylor (English) – Age: 17

James Taylor has a fierce competitive streak in him and only wants to win and improve himself, which can sometimes lead to a lost of temper, poor fouls and bookings. Always vocal in the back line making other people aware of where players are around them, could be a natural leader in the making.

Despite his small size is surprisingly decent in the air and will win most crosses into the box, though this remains to be seen at anything above youth level.

Can play anywhere across the back four (CB, LB or RB).

Strength: Speed

Weakness: Intelligence

Richard Archer (English) – Age: 17

A chronic back problem hampered Archer’s development at Middlesboro, before he was offered the chance to continue at Newcastle’s Youth Academy. Has played up and down the middle of the pitch at one point or another before settling at CB.

Strength: Speed

Weakness: Intelligence

Jeff Henderson (English) – Age: 17

A tall CB that is good in the air and takes a pro-active aggressive approach the game.

Strength: Aerial Ability

Weakness: Intelligence

Newcastle Youth Prospects

Here are a list of youngsters in the Academy to keep an eye on, and the level they could possible reach. These can only be reached with ideal circumstances, great coaching and development - results may vary New Game to New Game.

Premiership Quality/European Quality

Fraser Forster - GK

Jak Alwnick - GK

Tamas Kadar - CB

Haris Vuckic - AMC/FWD

Aaron Spear - ST

Andy Carroll - ST

Nile Ranger - ST

Lower Premiership/Championship Quality

Bradden Inman - CM

Kazenga LuaLua - RW

Shane Ferguson - LW

Ryan Donaldson - CM/ST

Fabio Zamblera - ST

Samual Adjei - ST

Championship Quality

Ole Soderberg - GK

Conor Newton - RB

Ben Tozer - CB

Callum Morris - CB

Wesley Ngo Baheng - ST

Frank Waife Danquah - ST

Dan Williams - ST

Word count exceeded for OP. Continued in 2nd post

[John Smith]

.

Recommended Formations*

* based on squad available from the start of the game

● 4-5-1 Counter-Attacking

Some retraining required. Nolan as deep lying playmaker or defensive midfielder. His physicial stats can't carry him much and he does not need to run much in this position. Smith's high mental and physical attributes makes him a decent ball winning midfielder. Barton is the box to box midfielder. Ameobi is the main striker, with the pacy inside forwards, Løvenkrands and Jonás cutting in from the wings. José Enrique and Ryan Taylor overlap on the wings and deliver on crosses as both Løvenkrands and Jonás can't cross well.

Subs: Krul, Kádár, Simpson, Butt, Guthrie, LuaLua, Carroll

● 4-4-2 Attacking

Carroll partners Ameobi up front. He serves as the focal point, the big physical target man to aim crosses at. The full backs hold extra responsibility in ensuring their cross reach Carroll. Løvenkrands and Jonás supply from the ground. Alternatively, take out one of the strikers and put Nolan as an attacking advanced playmaker just behind.

Subs: Krul, Kádár, Simpson, Barton, Nolan, LuaLua, Ranger

Miscellaneous - Training and Development

Let me just briefly cover on an important part of the game - training and development.

Now I am no training guru. What I have learnt are through reading other posts, applying them to my game and observing the outcomes.. So I'm just going to be short and sweet here. Any further reading can be done at the links below.

You may have your promising youngsters at the club e.g. Spear, Vučkić, or may have bought in someone else e.g Areola. Yet their development exasperates you - poor attributes, not improving fast enough. Basically there are at least 3 attributes which are critical for fast development - determination, professionalism (hidden) and ambition (hidden). So having poor numbers for the 3 key attributes may mean your highly-promising kid may never reach his potential. Conversely, having good numbers in those attributes means that your player will reach his potential faster. How do you tell when 2 of the 3 attributes are hidden? You can always refer to the Lyssien guide.

Wait, you say. I've got a promising player or regen whose key attributes are poor. Time for me to sell him? Well, you can always have him tutored. Sending him under the right tutor will improve his key attributes and consequently increase his rate of development. On the contrary, having him under the wrong tutor can have adverse effects. Choose your tutor wisely. Again Lyssien guide comes into use.

Age also plays an important part in reaching a player's potential. A 28 year old player will never have the same rate of development as a 18 year old player. Generally, development is fastest all the way to age 21, continues at a reasonable rate til age 24, then stabilizes beyond that. So for two similar players, go for the younger one as there is more room for development.

Like to train new positions and new ppm's? My advice is not to do so unless you find it really useful for a player e.g. 'places shots'. Training a new position and training a new ppm adds a 10% workload each to the training schedule, meaning your player's development is stunned by 10-20% and the attribute gains are delayed. Another method to consider is to have your player tutored - it doesn't add any workload but your tutor may impart his ppm's to the 'student'.

Getting the best regens - Send your scouts to the leagues you have loaded, especially hot spots such as Brazil, Argentina, France, Italy and Spain. Ask them to search for players under 21. You will need an intensive scouting network.

I will generally make a decision as to retain a player by age 21. If he is nowhere near to achieving his potential, then it's time to move him on. And another reason for age 21 - Players over 21 years are included in the league registration quota.

Skjelbred is one good tutor I have in my squad. And he loves Newcastle to boot. I also 'hunt' for players with the right personality. It does not matter whether they are still good players or already have no role in matches. Their sole aim is to tutor my young players in their key attributes (adopt <player's> approach to the game). Then watch as their attributes development amazes you!

SFraser's Guide to Training

Lyssien's FM Personality Guide

Tug's Training 2010

Miscellaneous - Others

What is Smith's Filters?

Download Smith's Filters

.

[John Smith]

Patch 10.2 changes

Mike Ashley does not want to leave that urgently. Expect takeovers only from season 2 onwards.

Coaching Addition: Icon Paul Gascoigne as a youth coach. Who is frankly, rubbish.

Coaching Departure: Richard Money has left the building.

Player Addition : Fabrice Pancrate. Adds more pace on the right wing.

Patch 10.3 changes

Player Additions: Mike Williamson, Danny Simpson (loan deal made permanent contract), Fitz Hall (onloan), Wayne Routledge, Leon Best

From left: Williamson, Routledge, Best

Player Departure: Geremi

Paul Gascoigne is no longer in the game.

Addition of Graham Carr as chief scout. Going on to 66 years old, expect a couple more seasons from the best scout at the club atm.

Transfer funds of £1.5m

.

[Worlds Worst]

isn't marlon harewood on loan at newcastle

[John Smith]

Short-term loans are not included in the game so no Harewood or Zurab.

[arsenal_2111]

Good thread mate

[TheUsualSuspect9]

Had a nice start to the season.

Tried to get Sol in on a free as a bit of cover at DC and tried to get Wilshere to add some flair to the midfield aswell as be cover across the whole of the middle. Missed out on both Sol to West Brom, only offered him a £5k a week as backup, and missed out on Wilshere to Derby.

Having missed out on my top targets I have opted to bring in Kieran Gibbs as cover for Enrique aswell as cover for Lovenkrands in the AML role.

Solid start to the season, unbeaten in pre-season, 1-0 win away at West Brom on the opening day followed by a 1-0 win at home to Reading. Both results were both decided pretty similar, both own unlucky own goals from corners but we have dominated both games.

Looks like it should be straight back to where we belong

[sned777]

May do a save, but that is an awesome OP

[Zog on the Tyne]

Haris Vuckic finally looks like a really good prospect. Already turned down moves from Arsenal and Manchester City for him. Brilliant that they now try to sign your best youth players.

[John Smith]

How far are you into the demo? The transfer wheeling and dealing has been much of a headache for me, along with the enormous wages.

[ChrisNUFC]

EDIT: To remove staff overview which has been added to OP.

[John Smith]

Great post, Chris. Mind if I add your post to the OP to make it more complete?

Btw, Lovenkrands's WR 5?

[ChrisNUFC]

EDIT: Removed post as information was added to OP of the Team Guide.

[darrensen]

Gonna be loans signings until Jan then. So depressing!

Quick Q.... How many loan signings can you have from a premiership side?

[the--dud]

Stunned by the quality of the OP, especially the detail on the staff Good job!

[John Smith]

Gonna be loans signings until Jan then. So depressing!

Quick Q.... How many loan signings can you have from a premiership side?

No more than 2 from the same club. No more than 4 under-23 and 4 over-23 long-term deals in a season.

[John Smith]

Stunned by the quality of the OP, especially the detail on the staff Good job!

Chris' contributions. I'm impressed too.

[ChrisNUFC]

Newcastle Youth Prospects

Here are a list of youngsters in the Academy to keep an eye on, and the level they could possible reach. These can only be reached with ideal circumstances, great coaching and development - results may vary New Game to New Game.

Could be possible spoilers - read at own risk

(Highlight to see names)

Premiership Quality/European Quality

Fraser Forster - GK

Jak Alwnick - GK

Tamas Kadar - CB

Haris Vuckic - AMC/FWD

Aaron Spear - ST

Andy Carroll - ST

Nile Ranger - ST

Lower Premiership/Championship Quality

Bradden Inman - CM

Kazenga LuaLua - RW

Shane Ferguson - LW

Ryan Donaldson - CM/ST

Fabio Zamblera - ST

Samual Adjei - ST

Championship Quality

Ole Soderberg - GK

Conor Newton - RB

Ben Tozer - CB

Callum Morris - CB

Wesley Ngo Baheng - ST

Frank Waife Danquah - ST

Dan Williams - ST

[John Smith]

Darn, you should have posted earlier. I just sold Ranger to raise funds.

[ChrisNUFC]

Haha, I haven't actually started my Newcastle game yet! Usually run it and watch the AI play to make sure it 'looks' right, think I'll give it a go soon.

[John Smith]

I demand to know why Lovenkrands has a workrate of 5. Surely he isn't bad til that extent.

[col_nufc1]

Thats a superb OP.

I can't sell anyone probably due to the massive wages nearly everyone is on but I ve got some quality loans in Macheda, Wilshire, Barazite. I also signed Glauber on a free hes good cover at cb.

Carroll and Macheda are banging them in.

[ChrisNUFC]

I demand to know why Lovenkrands has a workrate of 5. Surely he isn't bad til that extent.

Perhaps that's a bit too low to be honest, I'll bookmark it down for a change in a patch. Probably to around 8-10, but his work rate isn't really his thing!

[John Smith]

I'm on the verge of clearing some deadwood and bringing some reinforcements. Managed to bring down wages to 562k so far.

How's Wilshere and Glauber doing for you?

[Zog on the Tyne]

Managed to get in Campbell, Jorge Andrade and some Polish striker from Bolton. All on frees so not too bad

[col_nufc1]

I'm on the verge of clearing some deadwood and bringing some reinforcements. Managed to bring down wages to 562k so far.

How's Wilshere and Glauber doing for you?

Wilshere has 3 goals and 5 assists in 9 games with avr 7.65 and Glauber has 1 goal in 5 games (all as sub) avr 7.10

[col_nufc1]

I'm on the verge of clearing some deadwood and bringing some reinforcements. Managed to bring down wages to 562k so far.

How's Wilshere and Glauber doing for you?

Who have you sold ? and how all I am getting is loan offers

[John Smith]

Coloccinin out on loan. Not that I wanted but he's on massive wages. You can tell something is wrong when a 34 year old midfielder earns 50k/w. It was a good deal though, freeing up the wages and the loan fee helps in getting players in. Got Andrade in as replacement.

Besides Coloccini, also sold Ranger to Sunderland (fans weren't happy but it's not as if I have a choice), Geremi (Yes!). Now trying to see if I can get rid of Butt.

Signed on Andrade, Wilshere on loan, Skjelbred, Skacl on free, and just concluded a deal for Amr Zaki. A couple more coming up.

Worse pre-season I've ever experienced. No good when I'm looking into the bargains and freebies threads instead of promising youngsters...

[Zog on the Tyne]

Coloccinin out on loan. Not that I wanted but he's on massive wages. You can tell something is wrong when a 34 year old midfielder earns 50k/w. It was a good deal though, freeing up the wages and the loan fee helps in getting players in. Got Andrade in as replacement.

Besides Coloccini, also sold Ranger to Sunderland (fans weren't happy but it's not as if I have a choice), Geremi (Yes!). Now trying to see if I can get rid of Butt.

Signed on Andrade, Wilshere on loan, Skjelbred, Skacl on free, and just concluded a deal for Amr Zaki. A couple more coming up.

Worse pre-season I've ever experienced. No good when I'm looking into the bargains and freebies threads instead of promising youngsters...

Collocini is 27 and is a defender

[weebob88]

Nice op!

Just got the demo today and first team to try out is Newcastle!! Have only brought in one player so far in Nacer Barazite on loan, been great in friendlies so far!! Struggeling to sell anyone, no one wants my players! People have some good signings, going to keep trying to sell though!

[John Smith]

Collocini is 27 and is a defender

'34 year old midfielder' = Butt. Just using him as an example of the crazy state of finances.

[John Smith]

Nice op!

Just got the demo today and first team to try out is Newcastle!! Have only brought in one player so far in Nacer Barazite on loan, been great in friendlies so far!! Struggeling to sell anyone, no one wants my players! People have some good signings, going to keep trying to sell though!

1st thing you have to do is to reduce the wages. Without that, you can only limit yourself to a few free signings.

Try Wilshere from Arsenal too.

[Zog on the Tyne]

'34 year old midfielder' = Butt. Just using him as an example of the crazy state of finances.

I thought you were on about Butt but you used it in the same sentence as Collocini so thought you had your players muddled

[col_nufc1]

'34 year old midfielder' = Butt. Just using him as an example of the crazy state of finances.

Its impossible to get rid of Butt, Geremi, Smith, Nolan, I can't even get rid of Jonas and Coloccini on loans it madness

[Zog on the Tyne]

Oh btw, Vukcic is actually a first teamer for me. Playing just behind Ameobi who I promoted to the number 9. He's brilliant aswell, picked up a hell of assists and has a couple of goals in the first 6 games

[John Smith]

Its impossible to get rid of Butt, Geremi, Smith, Nolan, I can't even get rid of Jonas and Coloccini on loans it madness

Just sold Geremi. Immense sastifaction. Butt won't last long if I have my way.

Oh btw, Vukcic is actually a first teamer for me. Playing just behind Ameobi who I promoted to the number 9. He's brilliant aswell, picked up a hell of assists and has a couple of goals in the first 6 games

:thup:Don't ever sell him and Spear.

[weebob88]

Its impossible to get rid of Butt, Geremi, Smith, Nolan, I can't even get rid of Jonas and Coloccini on loans it madness

Nolan is a new signing so give up trying with him! Im struggeling to sell as well, gonna be a hard season!

[col_nufc1]

Just sold Geremi. Immense sastifaction. Butt won't last long if I have my way.

How the hell did you manage that ?

[John Smith]

The one player that I really wanted to sell because of his wages and personaility is Barton (75000k/w!). No success so far.

Harper (30000k/w!) refused a move to Juventus, stating wages offered were too low. Am I not surprised...

[ChrisNUFC]

Some of the transfers might be a bit 'off' if you're only running quickstart games like in the demo - such as Juvi coming for Harper.

[Zog on the Tyne]

Barton is fantastic for me. Struck a hat trick and two braces. Expensive though

[John Smith]

Yup, saw the various threads on GKs. Would have been a good deal, bringing in a loan GK for the season and letting Krul develop.

Has anyone managed to sign on a good asst manager? Not many decent ones around?

[weebob88]

Barton is fantastic for me. Struck a hat trick and two braces. Expensive though

He can be a good player, he is on high wages and doesnt have a good attitude so thats why i want him out

[John Smith]

Barton is fantastic for me. Struck a hat trick and two braces. Expensive though

Yes, very expensive even for Premiership level. What position do you play him in?

Now debating on whether to conclude a season-long loan deal for Harewood. Already have Zaki, Ameobi, and Carroll. Hmm...

[Zog on the Tyne]

Yes, very expensive even for Premiership level. What position do you play him in?

Now debating on whether to conclude a season-long loan deal for Harewood. Already have Zaki, Ameobi, and Carroll. Hmm...

Box to box midfielder with Smith as ball winning midfielder

[col_nufc1]

I don't believe this the demo has crashed for the second time I'll have to start my 3 rd new game

[SWalton]

will harewood and that defender be included in the final version of the game or just not at all?

[ChrisNUFC]

will harewood and that defender be included in the final version of the game or just not at all?

Not at all as they are only emergency 3 months loans.

[weebob88]

Just signed two players, one young for future and one for now and they had to be unveiled to the press! I think this is a great new addition!! Still cant sell anyone though!

[Zog on the Tyne]

This isn't going to keep me satisfied for 15 days And I saved my Newcastle game as autosave and I tried out another side and it's now saved over....