A collection of ideas for future FM instalments

[Hazza22299]

The Future of FM

The Ideas Pot

There are four sections for improvement - Scouting, Training, Tactics and Press/Team-talk.

Scouting

The first idea is an issue many agree on. The idea was found here: http://www.supportsinteractive.com/topic/80/scouting-your-opinion-and-suggestions/

The problem: Many people believe that scouting in FM13 is not at all intuitive, quite laborious and, more importantly, scouting does not feel realistic.

The solution: To improve intuitive-ness, the suggestion is that the game provides a 2D map. On this map you have three or four views such as global, continental and regional and national. So global shows you the whole world and continents which are red have scouts assigned and areas left grey have no one assigned.

On each continent could also be a bar to show your knowledge of the area and maybe the top three countries you have the highest knowledge of in this continent. You click on a continent and it brings up a scouting screen showing which scouts are there and what they're doing and it also gives you the option to send scouts there. - Sheriff Skacel

Not interactive enough for the Sheriff.

I think when you have zoomed in on just one nation you should find all the players that have been scouted and all the players that are currently being scouted or planned on being scouted from that nation. In three separate lists. If you are not zoomed in on one nation you should see those three lists for a whole region and so on.

Players should not go automatically in to one unorganised default shortlist. You should be provided with the option to put them into one of three defaults. Youth prospect, First team, and High priority. Or something similar, with option to add custom shortlist underneath.

Scout reports could become more detailed/accurate as more time has been spent viewing the player. More detailed analysis on how the player would fit in to the squad; Basically don't just give a personality type, give a more personal opinion on the players behaviour — talk about his effort and friendliness. They currently are not interesting to read. Most people skim over them looking at key features only. An opinion from the scout on the players recent form and the abilities they've shown in matches would help this improve.

I also think that there should be more 1-to-1 communication with scouts and especially chief scouts. You can discuss which types of players you want scouted with them and they can bring their own ideas forwards; Not similar to the team meeting currently.

Training

This is an idea I saw on the 'FM Nutters' Facebook group. Jack Richards to be precise.

The problem: The problem is that general team training is lacking. Individual training works very well, but choosing a focus for the week doesn't really satisfy because I fear moving off general, tactics or defending will damage the effectiveness of some players.

Before FM13, training was even less realistic. Sliders didn't really emulate a managers job very well.

This feels a bit basic when you're telling your whole team (Inc. defenders) to focus on attacking.

The solution: This seems like something that could be implemented in a future version but probably not FM14, or even FM15.

The idea is that the manager can become more of hands on coach-style manager should he wish to. He can create his own drills and training sessions. Not just choosing from a bunch of drop down options on a strict timetable.

For example, I could create a few drills like here: http://www.supportsinteractive.com/topic/538/ajax-youth-development-when-real-life-meets-fm @Cleon81 has found out how Ajax conduct training. Managers of future instalments could learn drills like this and create them using an in game drill creator system. As detailed or more than the tactics creator. I wouldn't necessarily have to be a hands on manager and I wouldn't have to create drills for each part of the team. I could teach drills that improve fitness and I could hire technical, defending/attacking and goalkeeping coaches.

This would create more realism and more variety in management approaches to the game. People could become specialised coaches as well as managers. Chairmen would consider this a factor when choosing to hire you or not.

Training for more hands on coaches could involve letting your aerobic coach take the warm up for half an hour. Forcing unfit players to go for a full hour. Then letting players split into their respective areas. With defenders coming to you to learn from you because you've learnt your trade from someone on FM-Base or SI Games. A regrouping after two hours for strength work with your strength coach and back to you and your assistant for tight pitch nine-a-side game at the end of the day.

Tactics

This is an idea I found on a similar forum to this, here: http://www.supportsinteractive.com/topic/195/based-on-fm13-so-far-how-do-you-improve-the-game/

The problem: Some players feel that the current Tactic Creator doesn't provide as much control as real managers get. Specifically involving the players positioning/runs when on and off the ball. This has been omitted for several years.

The solution: The Tactic Creator should have a defensive phase (team/positioning/roles/runs) screen and an attack phase (team/positioning/roles/runs) screen like they have defending and attacking set piece screens. Not a great comparison since one is a necessity and the other is not, but the idea is clear. - Tactikzz @TacticNewspaper

It should be obvious that players are not always told to act out the same function in defence and attack. I've always wanted to see my Central midfielders (in a 4-1-2-1-2) play wider when defending to close down opposing wing backs and the AMC drops deep but I can't without this feature.

My 4-1-2-1-2. It already works like the one on the left when in attack, but in defence I'd like it to transition to the one on the right for wide security. At the moment they occasionally close down the fullback but quickly retreat because I haven't (because I can't yet) instructed my CAM to drop deep and they are scared that the centre is exposed.

Also, we should have the ability to make 3 or 4 players switch positions. For example, in a 4-1-2-2-1 style, the wingers and striker all swap throughout the 90 minutes with each other — or a temporary shout to tell them when to swap.

Press/Team-talks

The problem: The press conferences and team talks are repetitive. Even the 1-to-1 talks and team meetings are boring.

The solution: Not an easy or (I imagine) cost effective solution but if SI could import AI into these areas then I think the game would improve massively. I think the journalists should be able to learn about your reactions to questions. And they should be able to ask from a database of more varied questions so that a press conference flows. With five times as many responses you can choose from. The responses shouldn't be ordered so obviously as well.

This is all pointless though if the articles published aren't worth reading. There should be more variety here most certainly. Shady journalists like The Sun should try to provoke a reaction from you to get a cheap story. Whereas respectable journalists should be writing about your recent form and asking you about your tactical manoeuvres and selection choices whilst remaining aware that big stories are often the basics - Diving crisis, Underdog stories , etc.

For team talks, the players should learn your style. For example, a player gets motivated by your confidence in the short term but in the long term, they think you take too much of the limelight in press conferences and begin to think twice about you. Whereas a player with a different personality enjoys your laid back style to team talks and he's always happy when he talks to you.

This AI stuff works better in 1-to-1 situations and team meetings. I think because in press conferences and team talks it seems like a lot of effort for a small change. This would make meetings flow and mean each one is different because it is based on what you talked about last time plus the new issue.

An improvement on this would be maybe him going and chatting with me and the scout about a guy he thought of after he left the room.

Conclusion

I think some of these ideas are difficult to implement by FM14. But I shouldn't be the one to evaluate — you should be.

I'd love to hear feedback on these ideas; Hopefully positive. I'm also keen on hearing any more ideas you have to revolutionise (...or just improve [...or just refine]) the series.

[arsenalthebest]

Very good points

With scouting they dont say how good compared to your best player the player they're scouting is/could be I.E scout a belives player b has the potential to far exceed players A's current level of ability' or scout a belives there is no to much difference between player 'a' and 'b' - dont know hy they took this out

In tactics I'd like to see the abilty to free place a player i find when i have to in cm slots they are to narrow I like them to be a bit wider, I also like formations not to 'linked' I tired of having a DC placed automatically in an lm slot and having to change if i want to use that back up tactic then change it back again if i want to revert to the old formation. I'd also like to be able to set width for player individually I may want a my aml to player as a winger but fairly narrowly

[Hazza22299]

Other commonplace suggestions I've seen:

- U18's and Reserves jobs

- The opportunity to use your wages for either qualifications in coaching or, once you retire, use the wages to buy a club and become a chairman (I am not a fan of this suggestion really)

- Interviews for a job after you apply; Boosting your chances if it goes well

- Better work permits

- Improved match engine

- Testimonial matches

- Automatically offer a contract extension to any member of your back room team is approached by another club

- A page that shows you out of all your new signings/whole squad who had the highest shirt sales that season/all time

- Put 'Offer Contract' beside each person/player that is running out of contract

I like this one:

- Shouts to individual players (especially useful when making a sub and the new player has different strengths within same role)

[arsenalthebest]

Other commonplace suggestions I've seen:

- U18's and Reserves jobs

- The opportunity to use your wages for either qualifications in coaching or, once you retire, use the wages to buy a club and become a chairman (I am not a fan of this suggestion really)

- Interviews for a job after you apply; Boosting your chances if it goes well

- Better work permits

- Improved match engine

- Testimonial matches

- Automatically offer a contract extension to any member of your back room team is approached by another club

- A page that shows you out of all your new signings/whole squad who had the highest shirt sales that season/all time

- Put 'Offer Contract' beside each person/player that is running out of contract

I like this one:

- Shouts to individual players (especially useful when making a sub and the new player has different strengths within same role)

the interview idea would be okay so long as you had the option to just 'appoint yourself' like its currently done.

[Hazza22299]

I think, for your first point, they do have the comparison in the bottom right corner with players of the same position;

But, I agree that the new method is an example of scout reports seeming not personal enough.

The free place idea is good one. It works well in conjunction with the idea of defending and attacking phase positioning.

It is quite annoying to have to change people around each time you change tactic.

They should make it automatically move players around so the majority play in natural positions or accomplished when you change.

I agree that more instructions could be made individual as well. Individual width would work very well I think.

I saw PushThemWide (I think) mention individual tempo as well.

[Hazza22299]

the interview idea would be okay so long as you had the option to just 'appoint yourself' like its currently done.

I think this means once you're are already in a save and you are applying for a new job.

So in the beginning you can still just choose your team and it's always accepted.

[soccer.joel]

All the ideas from the original post are really good

[gmilitao]

Nice ideas!

[forameuss]

Should've probably gone in this topic - http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/306914-What-s-that-A-new-Wishlist-Thread-What-you-would-like-to-see-in-future-FM-versions.

FWIW though, I agree with most of the points. Press Conferences/Interaction is probably at the top of the list of things to change for FM14 for me. You could really create a fantastic level of immersion if you get that bit right, and I think it is one of the "easier" ones on that list. Defensive/attacking phases is a very good one, but I imagine that since it's linked in with the ME, it'll be extremely difficult to get right.

[MILAN 4ever]

something which i have been posting for years...

i think it's incredibly annoying that you can't have something to differentiate between direct and indirect free kick takers. think of all the times you were forced to have you striker (who also happens to be the best direct free kick scorer on the team) float in a cross instead of being in the box to be on the receiving end of the cross.

[Guest]

I've spent ages trying to come up with ideas to improve scouting but I keep coming up with a mental block when it comes to finding a way to balance the scouting when dealing with players who are not in an active league. I do not like the report card option & to an extent nation/region scouting as I've always felt that it gives up too much information but nerfing the accuracy of this option will only have a negative impact on scouting inactive nations.

[Hazza22299]

Should've probably gone in this topic - http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/306914-What-s-that-A-new-Wishlist-Thread-What-you-would-like-to-see-in-future-FM-versions.

FWIW though, I agree with most of the points. Press Conferences/Interaction is probably at the top of the list of things to change for FM14 for me. You could really create a fantastic level of immersion if you get that bit right, and I think it is one of the "easier" ones on that list. Defensive/attacking phases is a very good one, but I imagine that since it's linked in with the ME, it'll be extremely difficult to get right.

I haven't spoken with SI about this but I highly doubt they could sort this by the time FM14 is released but maybe as it's 'easier' they could get it done, I just don't know how their schedule works. Glad to hear you agree with most of the points, it's good to hear people are agreeing.

By the way I posted it here after reading this at the top:

Individual ideas on one subject should still be posted in the wishlist thread, however if you want to discuss your idea with others please create your own thread.

[arsenalthebest]

I think, for your first point, they do have the comparison in the bottom right corner with players of the same position;

But, I agree that the new method is an example of scout reports seeming not personal enough.

The free place idea is good one. It works well in conjunction with the idea of defending and attacking phase positioning.

It is quite annoying to have to change people around each time you change tactic.

They should make it automatically move players around so the majority play in natural positions or accomplished when you change.

I agree that more instructions could be made individual as well. Individual width would work very well I think.

I saw PushThemWide (I think) mention individual tempo as well.

I agree it should automatically put player in a natural/ accomplished when you change formation I just had a st go to dc despite the face he has 2 for tackling & marking:mad:

[Hazza22299]

something which i have been posting for years...

i think it's incredibly annoying that you can't have something to differentiate between direct and indirect free kick takers. think of all the times you were forced to have you striker (who also happens to be the best direct free kick scorer on the team) float in a cross instead of being in the box to be on the receiving end of the cross.

I think everyone finds it annoying when the guy with the best header is stepping up to put in a cross for an indirect freekick.

Small concerns like this can be discussed in the wish list thread here: http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/306914-What-s-that-A-new-Wishlist-Thread-What-you-would-like-to-see-in-future-FM-versions.

[MILAN 4ever]

if it's such a small concern then i wonder why it has never been addressed in any of the previous editions of the game..

i think it would be way too easy to implement and 100% realistic

[Hazza22299]

if it's such a small concern then i wonder why it has never been addressed in any of the previous editions of the game..

i think it would be way too easy to implement and 100% realistic

It should have been done, definitely.

I was just saying that it's more likely to be seen by a moderator in that thread.

[arsenalthebest]

If you have a touchline ban your able to pass intructions to your assman via a phone from the stands with a fine and/or further ban if you get 'caught'

[Hazza22299]

If you have a touchline ban your able to pass intructions to your assman via a phone from the stands with a fine and/or further ban if you get 'caught'

Is that actually illegal?

[Guest]

It's against the rules, communication with the coaching & player staff is prohibited.

[arsenalthebest]

It's against the rules, communication with the coaching & player staff is prohibited.

I seem to remember Wenger did it once-he got caught, it would be a nice addition

[Hazza22299]

I seem to remember Wenger did it once-he got caught, it would be a nice addition

...And not too hard to implement I presume. I think the people over at SI are more likely to see this suggestion if it were on the "proper" wish list thread.

[Cougar2010]

Tactics

This is an idea I found on a similar forum to this, here: http://www.supportsinteractive.com/topic/195/based-on-fm13-so-far-how-do-you-improve-the-game/

The problem: Some players feel that the current Tactic Creator doesn't provide as much control as real managers get. Specifically involving the players positioning/runs when on and off the ball. This has been omitted for several years.

The solution: The Tactic Creator should have a defensive phase (team/positioning/roles/runs) screen and an attack phase (team/positioning/roles/runs) screen like they have defending and attacking set piece screens. Not a great comparison since one is a necessity and the other is not, but the idea is clear. - Tactikzz @TacticNewspaper

It should be obvious that players are not always told to act out the same function in defence and attack. I've always wanted to see my Central midfielders (in a 4-1-2-1-2) play wider when defending to close down opposing wing backs and the AMC drops deep but I can't without this feature.

My 4-1-2-1-2. It already works like the one on the left when in attack, but in defence I'd like it to transition to the one on the right for wide security. At the moment they occasionally close down the fullback but quickly retreat because I haven't (because I can't yet) instructed my CAM to drop deep and they are scared that the centre is exposed.

A bit late but this already exists.

The formation you set up and the relevant defensive instructions are your "defensive phase" while the offensive instructions shape your "attacking phase" its just that the general attacking shape isn't shown as a graphic.

Now we can talk about improving the instructions with regard to movement, attacking runs and its been acknowledged that we lack some control over horizontal movement.

In your example you should be setting your team up in the shape on the right and through a mixture of position, role, duties & instructions achieve the shape on the left when you attack.

[Hazza22299]

Now we can talk about improving the instructions with regard to movement, attacking runs and its been acknowledged that we lack some control over horizontal movement.

This is what I meant. As well as the graphic. I can see what you mean but it isn't as obvious as it could be.

I don't have the RM or LM's to start like the one on the right I'm afraid. And I can still only imagine it being difficult to translate it to that shape in attack.

[youngrookie]

the op points are all good and should be considered.

set pieces for me are not detailed enough. Like said above about having a difference between long free kicks and shots at goal free kicks. Also when setting up the 'attacking corners' I would like it so you

A - have more than one player in a certain position. (eg. 2 players lurking outside the box)

B - able to set the players up differently depending on what side the corner is coming in from. At the moment you can only set them up one way whether i be coming in from the left or the right.What I mean is if I have a good right footed corner taker I would use him to take left corners so he can whip the ball (in swinging) to the near post and so I would set up most of my players to attack that part of the goal. But say on the right I want to float the the ball towards the back post because I dont have anyone who has a decent left foot to put in an in swinging ball and so use a left footed player (out wards ball) and have all my players placed around there.

Hope all that made sense

[jac4121993]

I think job offers and applying for other jobs when you're already a manager of another club isn't really all that realistic. At the moment, if another club wants you, all they have to do is offer you a contract. No negotiations with your current club over compensation and, in some cases, the club might outright refuse permission for them to talk to you. Also, when you apply for another job when you're already in a job, you get the Resign or Apologise option. Again, not entirely realistic, as a manager would normally ask their current club for permission to talk to another club (but, linking into the other point, not leaving until compensation is agreed).

Of course, these things may already be in the game, I don't really pay a lot of attention to other managers and other clubs, and I've never been in a position where another club has offered me a post whilst I'm still in a job (I'm too rubbish at this game, haha).