FM14: Tottenham Hotspur - No Longer A One-Man Team

[chrisbrown]

sorry to be an idiot but what is ME? match engine? yeah i will try that some games against the big teams i lose 4-0 which is shocking

[tbtower]

sorry to be an idiot but what is ME? match engine? yeah i will try that some games against the big teams i lose 4-0 which is shocking

Yeah sorry, ME is match engine. It will be fixed but for now that's your best bet!

Edit: I had my fluidity on balanced all of the first season, moving into the second season i'm experimenting with more fluid tactics and i'm on an 8 game unbeaten run.

[Blueflash]

Southampton always destroy me to, they just beat me 4-0. I can't defend against that narrow, three AMC tactic at all. And to make matters even worse I can't play with it either!

Lurking Arsenal fan here. Don't actually use Arsenal or Tottenham but the way i get past southampton with that irritating formation is to play two dm's in a 4-5-1 and push much higher up. It probably helps that my covering centre-back(Strandberg) has really good anticipation and isn't as slow as Chelsea's brave John Terry. I also play very direct against Southampton to by-pass the midfield as it's very, very hard to play through the midfield with that ridiculous formation of theirs.

Note: If they use a fast centre-forward do not do the above. You'll get skinned.

[reece1973]

Southampton want £36.5 mill for Luke Shaw hahahaha

No chance

[Purefun]

Why is this thread still "un"finisched?

[AndySummers]

Started a temporary Tottenham save, whilst the opening patch is being worked on. Odd one for an Arsenal fan, but I specifically wanted a team with a capable sweeper and Vertonghen is about the best available to view on start. Juventus were another option with Bonucci, but Spurs more of a challenge. I'm working on this away tactic (standard 442 at home):

Pre-season has opened with:

3-1 vs Red Bull Salzburg

2-2 vs Anderlecht

2-2 vs Celtic

I've used the 541 'box' in all three games so far, for familiarity. The opener seems like an attacking game, but actually the providence of the goals were an Eriksen screamer and freekick, and then a Naughton 25 yarder. Salzburg nabbed a penalty after a rash challenge from Rose. The tactic looked solid though, nullifying any opposing threat.

Anderlect was a different story. Went behind after a minute, but dominated for a 2-1 halftime lead. Switched to an attacking mentality and suddenly we couldn't get the ball off Anderlecht, Mitrovic equalising.

Celtic was the above game in reverse. Again went behind early to a Samaras volley from a cross and Celtic controlled possession for the first half. Some magic halftime words turned the game on its head; Eriksen bagged his 3rd of pre-season, before a long hoof from Lloris, a Soldado flick on, witnessed Lamela running onto it and smashing a half-volley off the post. Made several more chances afterwards, failed to convert, and Samaras bagged a last-minute equaliser with a low shot outside the box.

-----

Overall, a promising debut for the tactic. I didn't want to overload the instructions, settling on a base package of:

Standard mentality

Balanced fluidity

Play narrower

Drill Crosses

Be Disciplined

Tighter Marking

Some thoughts:

Sweeper - needs some work. I expected a movable part, a lurker behind the CBs. Actually Vertonghen pushes Dawson and Kaboul very wide, leading to a lot of 2v1's if the opposition are playing two strikers. I also expected playing narrower would reduce the space between the CBs (as well as taking advantage of the box midfield), but it hasn't happened. That is a concern, as this is an away tactic after all.

Fullbacks - solid so far, Naughton has a goal, Walker an assist. They are set to 'stay wide' to offer an override and width against the 'play narrower' general instruction.

Central Mids - Capoue (Sandro when fit) is set as a ball winner with defensive outlook, Paulinho as a supporting CM. Reasonable so far. May need rejigged depending how that 3-man backline gets on.

Attacking Mids - Lamela is a shadow striker, Eriksen an Attacking playmaker. The playking role has been the star turn; Eriksen with three goals, Dembele bagged another against Anderlecht. Threatening, creative, clinical. The shadow striker hasn't worked yet. I'm using it in combination with Soldado as a deep-lying forward, a role he is not perfected for. I may change that to a false nine, although my general preference for a lone-forward is an attacking forward. Soldado has been ok, but when Defoe was deployed he spent more time in non-threatening midfield positions. The AM's didn't have a target, thus leading to more long-range efforts. And that was with Defoe both as a DLF and AF.

The SS and DLF are going to need some thought and perhaps scrapping.

Transfers:

As it is a temp file, I haven't planned on too much activity. Plus, with so many new additions, I'm sure the squad already has a huge tax on familiarity. Adebayor has no future, but I haven't been able to attract bids. I kept Gomes and allowed Friedel to leave on a free. I'm also considering selling Aaron Lennon if I can get market value. Realistically he can only play in the home 442 and, even then, Townsend, Chadli and Dembele all offer options for the right. I prefer Townsend, and Chadli is more useful to the squad generally.

The squad needs little work; another wingback and a striker my only real targets. I've taken advantage of Honda's contract situation though, paying the £1.5m to bring him in early. The squad is overloaded with midfield talent, but he was too cheap to resist and is a contender to fill most midfield roles. I lost out on Santon - big fan of dual-sided fullbacks - to Arsenal, yet have beaten off Barcelona for the signature of Leandro Damiao. Soldado, Defoe and Damiao are quite sufficient for my needs, with Lamela an emergency option.

[andreas55]

Hey guys.

Had to start the FM14 experisence with my team Tottenham.

The first season i sold these:

- gomes 350k

- friedel 400k

- lennon 25m (saw they where intrested and then gave them and offer on 25 which they accepted:-)

Bought:

- Shaw 21m (to much i know, but i wanted to try him)

- Balanta 7.5m

- Werner 5.5m

- Damiao 3.5m (Nice price)

- Pastore 19.5m (Legend!!)

- Rodrigo Gomez 3m

- Jackson Martinez 16m

I struggeld to find a formation that worked in the begining and was in real danger of getting sacked but i found two formation that worked. a 4-2m-2w-2s and a 4-2-3-1 away. Managed to go on a winnnig streak and finished 3 in the league with one point up to 1st. Lost the last game and hence the league. Borussia dortmund beat me in the semi of the Euro and quarter in fa and league cup.

The secong season started with som good sales.

- Holtby 15m (City)

- Gylfi 17m (utd)

- BAE 2.3m

- Chadli 3.8m

- Ade 3.1m

- Vlad 8.75 m

- Falque 1.5m

SO that meant i had loads of money to go shopping:-)

- Thiago 19.5m

- Veratti 23.5m

- Barbosa 5m

- Vitinho and Brandt free

and last... i couldnt say no... had to... Suarez 22m.......!!?? Hate the guy, but perfect for my system.

Right now i am in January second season. Leading the league with 4 points, in the semi in league cup, won my cl group and 6th round fa cup. Lets win it all:-)

When it coems to staff i have sacked everyone except from Sherwood. hired coaches so all have 4.5 star traning. Put my ass manager Bernhard Peters to handle training, couldnt be arsed...

Andreas

[Bobbybarks]

First start with Spurs on FM14.

Won my first 5 friendlies quite comfortably, but then suffered a 3-2 defeat to Madrid in the final match before starting the season.

Bought

Ivanof 550k

Balanta 8m

Zivkovic 550k

Tielemans 3.1m

Praet 3.1m

Davies 10m

Sold

Townsend 8m

Obika 115k

Adebayor 1.2m

Jan

Bought Honda Free and loaned Ashley Young

Sold Gylfi 6m

Couldn't seem to raise much cash from any of my sales which was frustrating.

Season started well with a 3-0 home win over Southampton. Went on a run of winning games until a defeat at Liverpool on 22nd September.

October became a bad month for some reason. Drawing at home to Fulham before being spanked 4-1 at Stoke. Crouchy scoring all 4.....the shame....

A 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford was followed by a 2-1 home defeat to WBA in the capital cup. This was particularly upsetting as we'd beaten the Gooners in the 3rd round.

November saw a complete turn around with 4 successive wins at the Manager of the Month award. December was strong again, qualifying unbeaten from the group stages of the Europa against Molde, Dinamo and Anorthosi.

Over the Christmas period we were away to Chelsea, home to Arse and away to Man City. Tough call, but a 1-0 win at Stamford secured us with top spot for Christmas day and that Turkey tasted so much sweeter. A 1-0 win over the Gooners on Boxing Day couldn't have gone any better, but 2 days later City spoilt the part by beating me 2-1. 6 points out of those 9 was very pleasing to say the least, especially as the wins came against those two.

New Years Day saw me beat the Swans at home 2-0, but a trip to Wales to face Cardiff in the FA Cup 3rd round ended in a 2-0 defeat. Gutted we were now out of both domestic cups against teams we should have beaten.

The odd win and draw followed, but some highlights in Jan/Feb were beating West Ham 5-0, exacting revenge on Liverpool beating them 5-0 (they had 2 men sent off to be fair) and a 4-0 win at Fulham.

Bordeaux beat us 2-1 in the Europa League second round in France, but a 4-1 win reversal saw us go through to play Bayer Leverkusen. We beat the Germans 2-0 on their own turf before closing out a (more comfortable than it sounds) 3-2 win at home. Drawn to play Shalke in the next round meant another trip to Germany.

We were holding top spot in the league, despite losing at home to Stoke (buggers did the double over me). And Cardiff beating me again in Wales. The defeat occurred on 2nd March and this was my last one of the season. We went on a massive winning streak right through to the 26th April where we drew at home to Chelsea. Who were providing me with a guard of honour. I'd clinched the title with a 1-0 win at Goodison in the previous game. Success was following in Europe too, with a 3-0 victory over Shalke at theres, with a 1-0 at home. Swansea in the semi and a 2-0 win at home with a 1-1 draw in Wales meant we'd booked our place in Turin. All eyes were on the other semi....with the other English side claiming victory over Standard Liege. An all English final, an all London final, an all North London final. Spurs Vs Arsenal in Turin. Interestingly I was playing Arsenal on the final day of the domestic season too.

After beating them in their own back yard 2-1 to round off the domestic campaign, we shared a plane to Turin (sounds better that we did). The final didn't get off to a great start with Ozil giving them an early lead. Defoe hit one back before the break and all was level at half time. The second half couldn't have started better, Defoe on 46 mins and Lamela on 49 mins gave us a 2 goal advantage. And on 58 mins we were gifted a penalty which Defoe struck home to claim his hat trick. The game finished 4-1 and us with a double haul.

Absolutely delighted was an understatement. Lamela went onto claim the players player of the year too.

Changed formations around a bit through the season. However the 5-2-3 Dortmund formation seemed to be the most affective, particularly against the 'bigger' teams.

[Herrjensen]

How the effing hell did some of you guys manage to snap up Luke Shaw for that little?

Trying like a mad man to get him in my Arsenal save but Southampton will take nothing less than 40m for him (they started at 63m up front in my negotiations).

[Scambob]

how the f are people getting success with spurs? I consider myself quite tactically aware but I am losing game after game. Fullbacks never seem to tackle, and my attacks are blunt.

[Scambob]

Ok some help from fellow spurs fans would be appreciated.

My Squad

Lloris/Gomes

Walker/Naughton

Balanta/Rose

Vertonghen/Kaboul/Chiriches/Dawson

Paulinho/Dembele/Sandro/Capoue/Holtby

Eriksen/Siggy

Lamela/Lennon/Chadli

Soldado/Muriel/Werner

Set up as a 433, Fluid, control with only two specialists AML- (advanced playmaker) eriksen or siggy cutting in CML- BTB (dembele or paulinho)

I am getting beaten by everyone. Any tips on the team instructions etc I should be using?

[Scambob]

[tbtower]

@Scambob - You have the right formation to succeed in the first season, you just need to tweak it. I personally had (changed formations and players big time in season 2):

Set fluidity to balanced and mentality to counter

Lamela at IF A (instructions get further forward & dribble more since fullbacks don't seem to actually tackle atm)

Soldado at False 9 - He's not really built for this but he'll do the job.

Pastore at W S on the left (Use Chadli if you haven't bought a new AML) - instructions to use more direct passing.

Eriksen at MCL as advanced playmaker (A)

Dembele at MCR as DLP (S)

Sandro as Anchorman (D)

Then set both of your fullbacks to Complete Wing Backs - since they'll be terrible at defending on the current patch anyway you may as well have them contributing at the other end. With instructions to cross LESS, since you have no serious box threat due to strikers' inability to score anything at the mo.

Finally, and i'm not sure I can mention this as it's a little hole in the ME at the moment....set Eriksen as your corner taker, set Lamela to offer short option. Et voila, watch him bang in the goals. I chose Lamela as he's fairly competent with both feet.

Eriksen just won the golden ball on my save with Lamela coming in second.

[Scambob]

@Scambob - You have the right formation to succeed in the first season, you just need to tweak it. I personally had (changed formations and players big time in season 2):

Set fluidity to balanced and mentality to counter

Lamela at IF A (instructions get further forward & dribble more since fullbacks don't seem to actually tackle atm)

Soldado at False 9 - He's not really built for this but he'll do the job.

Pastore at W S on the left (Use Chadli if you haven't bought a new AML) - instructions to use more direct passing.

Eriksen at MCL as advanced playmaker (A)

Dembele at MCR as DLP (S)

Sandro as Anchorman (D)

Then set both of your fullbacks to Complete Wing Backs - since they'll be terrible at defending on the current patch anyway you may as well have them contributing at the other end. With instructions to cross LESS, since you have no serious box threat due to strikers' inability to score anything at the mo.

Finally, and i'm not sure I can mention this as it's a little hole in the ME at the moment....set Eriksen as your corner taker, set Lamela to offer short option. Et voila, watch him bang in the goals. I chose Lamela as he's fairly competent with both feet.

Eriksen just won the golden ball on my save with Lamela coming in second.

Thanks for the advice. Have picked up pastore for 20 million. Will let you know how I get on.

[tbtower]

Thanks for the advice. Will let you know how I get on.

No worries, also try playing at a lower tempo, shorter passing, hassle opponents, stay on feet, retain possession.

[libido_luxuria]

I'm suffering too many goals and can't win a match. One more game like this and I'll get fired. Care to give any advice?

4-2-3-1

Mentality: control

Fluidity: balanced

Team instructions: "shorter passing", "hassle opponents", "lower tempo". In the first few games I had also "push higher up".

Have no individual instructions apart from distribution of goalkeeper.

GK - (defend) - Lloris

FB - (FB-auto) - Walker

CB - (CD-defend) - Kaboul

CB - (CD-defend) - Vertonghen

FB - (FB-auto) - Alex Sandro

CM - (CM-auto) - Sandro

CM - (DLP-defend) - Dembelé

AMR - (IF-atack) - Lamela

AMC - (AM-suport) - Erikson/Sigurosson

AML - (IF-atack) - Townsend/Chadli

S - (Poacher-atack) - Soldado

[tbtower]

@libido - See post 163 above.

[treble_yell_:-)]

Season report to come but delighted to win the league on the last day by virtue of having a more 1 more goal than City all season

[knap]

This patch is crazy

Uploaded with ImageShack.com

[Bazeldon]

Jesus Knap, knew you was good at tactics but holy mother of jebus! care to share? haha

[knap]

Harry Kane on short corners and a goal a game!

[reece1973]

You just showing off Knap or do you actually have anything helpful to bring to the table?

[Bazeldon]

I would be very grateful!! Seem to bang in goals but concede as many as i score...reminds me of Martin Jol times!

[knap]

It's the under pressure tactic called Chrissy's way in tactics forum.

[DosSantosFC]

Home tactic success playin 2-3-2-1-2:

GK(sk)- Lloris

CB©- Vertonghen/Chiriches

CB(d)- Kaboul/Dawson

RWB- Walker/Naughton

DMC(anchor)- Sandro/Capoue

LWB- Rose/Shaw

CM(B2B)- Dembele/Paulinho

CM(DeepPlay)- Eriksen/Holtby/Siggy

AMC- Lamela/Eriksen/Siggy

ST(complete)- Benteke/Damiao

ST(Poacher)- Soldado/Defoe

System is a beast! Try and upload some pictures later!!!

[Panathinakos]

how good is lewis holtby? i can sign him for 5.25m is he worth it and what position does he play best as? thanks

[tbtower]

how good is lewis holtby? i can sign him for 5.25m is he worth it and what position does he play best as? thanks

Depends who you're playing as? Any what season are you in? 5.25 is a good price for him.

He plays best at AMC.

[Panathinakos]

im everton and january 1st season... thanks

[R1ku]

Just started my third season with Spurs, and loving it! First season was a bit of a struggle all the way, learning to know FM14 and all, as is was my first save game in this years version. I came 5th in the league, two points behind Arsenal even though managed to end the season on a seven game winning streak. So I missed out on Champions League football for season two which was a disappointement. Lost to Everton in the final of the Carling Cup, but beat Dortmund in the Europa League final, which made the first season seem a bit more succesful.

Season two was a thriller all the way. I started the season going undefeated for almost the first half of the season, but it still was a neck-and-neck battle with ManU until the end, and luckily I ended up winning the league by four points ahead of them, our defence being our best part the whole season. We only conceded 17 goals in the league. M-A ter Stegen was unbelievable in net. After season one I got a big offer for Lloris from Barcelona and at first didn't want to sell him, because he was really good the first season. But then I signed ter Stegen for under half the price (and half the wages), so decieded to let Lloris go 'cause he wanted to. Was still a little worried how ter Stegen would do, but only after a few games didn't have to worry any more. He kept 25 clean sheets in the league alone, and was impressive in other competitions as well. Our defence is what brought the success we had, as our offence was struggling the whole season. Only scored something like 55 goals, but managed to scrape about ~15 1-0 wins during the season. Got knocked out of the Europe League at the quarter-final stage by Napoli, but I was resting many of my main players 'cause I really wanted to succeed in Premier League. Won the FA Cup for a nice double for season two.

For season three, that I'm under 10 games into, I was worried about my lack of fire power up front, Soldado being really inconsistent and not scoring nearly enough. He only scored 18 league goals during the first two seasons combined. So Soldado had to go in the summer, leaving for Atletico for £17mil. Bought Giovinco from Juve for £14mil to replace him. But just a couple of weeks after signing Giovinco, Aguero became unhappy at City and just couldn't resist pulling the trigger for him for £17,75mil, which is a real bargain for him. So the lack of fire power shouldn't be an issue anymore with Giovinco, Eriksen, Lamela and Aguero being my top four. They've all started the third season really well, I'm top of the league after 8 games and won my first two CL matches as well.

My squad looks a little bit like this now, the roles differ from player to player, but my best starting eleven (first name) has these roles:

SK(s): ter Stegen/Horn

DL (WBa): Alex Sandro/Rose/Ayew

DC: Balanta/Verthongen

DC: Dede/Kaboul

DR (FBs): Walker/Matthews/Naughton

DM (DMs): Sandro/Paulinho/Romero(DLPs)

DM (BWMd): Capoue

AML (IFs): Giovinco/Ayew(DWs)/Ince(Ws)/Sigurdsson(APs)

AMC (APs): Eriksen/Aguero(T)/Giovinco(T)/Sigurdsson

AMR (IFa): Lamela/Lennon(Wa)/Ince(Wa)

SC (T): Aguero/Giovinco/Benzia(AFa)/Mitrovic(CFs)

And of course some nice newgens making the odd appearence here and there, but none of them regularly yet.

Have to continue working again, but I'll be back later..

[R1ku]

One funny thing I have to mention is Capoue being selected fans' player of the year in season two. He had no goals and one assist the whole season and over 20 yellow cards. I just love the fact fans went for him as the player of the year, 'cause he's been the heart of our defence as a DM BWM. And even with all those yellow cards (over 40 yellow cards in two season) he's NEVER been sent off. He just keeps tackling the ball away from the oppositions like taking a candy from a little kid. And breaking a few ankles along the way..

[DosSantosFC]

Good update. That was a steal for Aguero nice work! I shall be posting on here more often in the future,bit hooked on BF4 atm so FM14 has taken a back seat!

[libido_luxuria]

I'm giving up managing Spurs.

I'm a experiencied player in FM series, but these are my first steps in FM2014. The new game is harder than all others I played before. I already started many saves with Spurs and get fired due to bad results.

Spurs are my first choice because they could be underdogs challenging for title in season 1. Also because they have a nice and young team (Lamela, Erikson, ...) and have space for me to bring new blood to the team. It is time to try a team with better players (Arsenal) or a team with less expectations (Southampton, Newcastle).

Nonetheless, were goes some info on some high rewarding transfers I always did in the beggining:

OUT:

Lennon - 33 M euros (Real Madrid, 3M now+ 30M in 24 months)

Rose - 28 M euros (Monaco, 12 months)

[reece1973]

I'm giving up managing Spurs.

Im getting to that point too. Lost 5-0 and 3-2 to some mickey mouse team europa league qualifier and then beat top of the table Man Utd 1-0 in the league.

Just doesnt add up

[R1ku]

Main transfers so far in my two+ seasons:

Season one

In: Ince £3.2M (Blackpool), Alex Sandro £10.75M (Porto), Benzia £8M (Lyon), Horn £3.8M(Köln) and Ayew £9M (Marseille)

Out: Adebayor £7.5M (Monaco) and Gomes (free)

Season two

In: ter Stegen £7.5M (Gladbach), Hughes £6M (Derby), Dede £11.5M (Cruzeiro), Balanta £6M (River) and Romero £5.25M (Velez) (+ 8 newgens)

Out: Assou-Ekotto £1.9M (Everton), Defoe £3.5M (West Brom), Holtby £16M (Wolfsburg), Falque £1.5M (Betis), Lloris £26.5 (Barcelona), Dembele £20M (Liverpool), Smith £3M (Aston Villa) and Friedel (free)

Season three

In: Giovinco £14.5M (Juventus), Mitrovic £11M (Anderlecht), Matthews £2.5M (Celtic) amd Agüero £17.75M (Man City) (+1 newgen)

Out: Chadli £2.7M (Liverpool), Townsend £8.5M (Liverpool), Carroll £23.5M (Monaco), Soldado £17M (Atletico), Livermore £5M (Celtic) and Dawson (free)

[R1ku]

The Future

Couple of them are my own youth products, others have been bought. Sorry for a long post with this many pics.

[rune_star]

Will the squad analysis and the other parts of the opening in this thread ever be finished? Since this is the 'official' Spurs thread, shouldn't there be some sort of deadline before others get the chance to either make a new thread, or perhaps more respectful, just finish what Come_On_You_Spurs started. I'm sure there's a valid reason as to why he hasn't completed it yet ;-)

[reece1973]

Pretty embararassing that Southampton are even above us in the FM2014 posts stakes as well.

I was originally up for giving the Thread starter abit of time but its obvious now hes not up to it.

[tbtower]

If you're struggling to get going, here are the tactics I use:

For home games against strong teams (top half/in form):

For home games against weak teams (bottom half/poor form):

For ALL away games (regardless of opposition):

Using these formations I have won:

2014, 2015 Capital One Cup

2014, 2016, 2017 Premier League

2014 Euro Cup

2015, 2016, 2017 FA Cup

2016 Euro Champions Cup

2015, 2016 Community Shield

2014 Euro Super Cup

2016 Club World Championship

If you want to know all of my transfers over the past 4 seasons let me know & i'll happily post.

[Stewart91]

Im getting to that point too. Lost 5-0 and 3-2 to some mickey mouse team europa league qualifier and then beat top of the table Man Utd 1-0 in the league.

Just doesnt add up

I have had to change my approach in FM14.

I won the league first season, I am waiting for the next patch before I continue my save.

Anyway my formation is 4-2-3-1 asymmetric.

Mentality counter.

Fluidity rigid.

Retain possession, shorter passing, exploit the flanks, and work ball into box.

worked for me.

[R1ku]

October 2015

Not a good month. Defence seems way more leaky than before and towards the end of the month our offence seemed to play a lot more inconsistent, too. Mitrovic's been really good so far, espescially in the league, with 8 goals in 4(4) appearences. Still top of the league, though, with eight wins and two draws from 10 matches, three points ahead of City who are second.

3.10.2015 Premier League ●

Tottenham 3 (Agüero 5, Mitrovic 14, 79)

Sunderland 0

17.10.2015 Premier League ●

Tottenham 3 (Mitrovic 64, 72, 78)

Nottm Forest 1 (Carroll 88)

20.10.2015 Champions League Group G ●

Galatasaray 3 (Amrabat 11, Yilmaz 62, Selcuk Inan pen 68)

Tottenham 2 (Agüero 54, Mitrovic 80)

24.10.2015 Premier League ●

Blackburn 0

Tottenham 1 (Lennon 61)

28.10.2015 Capital One Cup 4th Round AET ●

Arsenal 3 (Cazorla 90, Aubameyang 104, Koscielny 105+1)

Tottenham 2 (Benzia 12, 103, Preuss s/o 76)

31.10.2015 Premier League ●

Swansea 1 (Bassong 77)

Tottenham 1 (Sandro 44)

[reece1973]

Can someone change the name of this group to Tottenham - the team that Bale kept AVB in a job for for so long

[Stewart91]

reece1973 how is the Spurs save going?

[enders357]

Just signed Lamela in my third season on a Southampton save, ideally to play as AP behind two strikers in a 3-4-1-2. How are you guys finding him? Will he work centrally?

[Scream27]

So finally finished a season, and I haven't done too bad

I have been using the pressure tactic, with some slight modifications. Using both wide players as wingers after October.

Each player only played one game per week. Rotating each player as follows

I've used Lamela & Eriksen as false #9's and Soldado & Defoe as poachers.

Lennon & Townsend as one set of wingers, then Siggy and Chadli as the other.

Sandro due to injury never played in the uefa cup games, and I like others have used Coupet as a right back in games where I needed Naughton to play LB.

I brought Otavio to turn in the new Roberto Carlos, with his great crossing and attacking stats.

I tried to bring thru the other youth players via sub appearances or games in the cups.

I did a complete overhaul of the staff, as you can see below.

Here is the league table, and then all results and stats from the league, FA & UEFA cup.

Overall the first team players stats from the whole season.

My results for the whole season.

Here are the transfers for the season, no one would take Ade on a freebie, so Monaco loaned him for the 100% wages for the season.

Here is the progress of my young prospects, shame that it seems that you cant tutor in 2014 as much as in previous versions.

Doria

Otavio

Youri

Here is some little happenings during the season.

[reece1973]

reece1973 how is the Spurs save going?

slowly, very slowly. just cannot get into the game to be honest

[enders357]

I really don't want to be a d*ck about this, but are the OPs ever going to be completed? It's that stuff that draws people in to playing as a club and keeps the thread busy and posters active - which, selfishly I suppose, is what I want! It's more fun playing as a club when lots of people are posting in their thread, swapping stories and advice. When you look at threads like Southampton's - who I've been hving my non-Spurs save with - it's easy to see why people are drawn to play as them.

[enders357]

And away from bitching and griping (sorry, sorry, sorry), how is everyone finding Paulinho? It breaks my heart how underrated he seems in FM14. IRL he seems like he could boss that midfield for years, but in game he's not up to it at all.

[enders357]

If you're struggling to get going, here are the tactics I use:

For home games against strong teams (top half/in form):

For home games against weak teams (bottom half/poor form):

For ALL away games (regardless of opposition):

Using these formations I have won:

2014, 2015 Capital One Cup

2014, 2016, 2017 Premier League

2014 Euro Cup

2015, 2016, 2017 FA Cup

2016 Euro Champions Cup

2015, 2016 Community Shield

2014 Euro Super Cup

2016 Club World Championship

If you want to know all of my transfers over the past 4 seasons let me know & i'll happily post.

Wow, sounds like you're doing really well. Who's in your team? What key signings have you made?

[enders357]

Pretty embararassing that Southampton are even above us in the FM2014 posts stakes as well.

I was originally up for giving the Thread starter a bit of time but its obvious now hes not up to it.

Just seen these posts after making my own rant. Do you think we can petition a moderater to let someone else take over the thread and amend the OPs? I notice the guy that started this thread has said on 3 or 4 occasions he'll be updating "by the weekend" or "next week" and never done it. I make it 17 days since his last post.

Would love to see the sort of quality as the Southampton and Juventus threads have.

Moderators?

[R1ku]

And away from bitching and griping (sorry, sorry, sorry), how is everyone finding Paulinho? It breaks my heart how underrated he seems in FM14. IRL he seems like he could boss that midfield for years, but in game he's not up to it at all.

About a quarter into the third season and Paulinho's only been a rotation player for my team. Finding it hard to find him more playing time with Sandro and Capoue bossing my more defensive midfield places and Romero developing more and more all the time. I'm playing mostly two DMC's, and I think Paulinho's a little bit more offensive, but does okay as a Regista or a DMs from the DMC position.