BoxToBox Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 The classic FM Challenge, San Marino Calcio in the Italian structure. Simple plan, pick up the club, improve the finances, develop the academy and hopefully some great Sammarinese players come through, probably have a crack at the national team when the time is right. Fast forwarded a year until June 29th, to reload until they were promoted to playable, but they were promoted first go. Proceeded to sign everyone and their Italian cousin, and here we are. I won't bother screencapping the transfers as there are 28 in, and far more out. Finances are already swirling down the drain, well done me, only took two months! Staff ratings, post overhaul. EDIT: Forgot to show the active leagues. Deadline Day signing Tsonev is our star player. Full squad for now. Part of the reason for such a busy transfer window is that I started it out planning on playing 4-1-4-1, and I quickly grew to despise it after a few cup games, and switched to a diamond, requiring extra strikers and attacking mids. Unparalleled technical skills here already. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedese Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 I'm loving the title Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 29, 2017 Author Share Posted July 29, 2017 1 hour ago, Jupjamie said: I'm loving the title Thought you might... *twitch* Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 29, 2017 Author Share Posted July 29, 2017 Halfway through the first season, and things are going well on pitch, but our finances are terrifying. Incredible position to be in, and there are a few more interesting things happening here, Parma, expected to win the league in 10th well off the pace, and alongside them Serie B relegated side Cesena. Cesena are also our parent club, in fact one of our key players is on loan from them! We could have been further ahead, but we're just after breaking away from some horrid form. Big risks though, I'm not sure we can afford to slip up. It's those cup games that turned me away from 4-1-4-1, but still, I feel we're doing well in spite of the diamond now, rather than because of it. Both of my AM's, despite being amongst the best at the club, have average ratings of 6.5. I'm not tied into any formation or style of play yet, so I don't mind switching again if it comes down to it. I don't know what to do, we're losing money hand over fist, and probably can't afford to not be promoted. It's all wages too, and I'm not going over budget or anything. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 29, 2017 Author Share Posted July 29, 2017 January was good to us. Outgoing transfers. Freed up some wages, also terminated some loans we were paying for. Incoming transfers. Some free loans, and a prospect. H'Maidat joins us on a free at the end of the loan, who oddly made 8 sub Serie A appearances last season for Roma. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 29, 2017 Author Share Posted July 29, 2017 Youth Intake Day!!! Well, we're here with possibly my favourite part of an FM season, and an especially vital day if we want to start developing San Marino as a nation. We currently have average Junior Coaching(after I was granted an upgrade during contract renewal negotiations), fairly basic Youth Recruitment, and a reasonably good HOYD in Massimo Taibi(with a Pro. personality and 15 Det.). No world stars in the making, but I'm happy, especially with the first two, seems The Blind Venetian may have an eye for talent! Bologna has the makings of a really handy BWM, Bollini's 14 finishing is actually higher than anyone in the senior squad.... Of course, there was an intake before I joined in the holiday season, not a full one as they were in an unplayable league, but this lad was the best newgen at the club when I joined. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 BILLY!!! BRING THE SUGAR!!! *sniffs, shuffles feet anxious* BILLY!?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 29, 2017 Author Share Posted July 29, 2017 So, a day before the game to seal the league and promotion, against parent club Cesena, our star player on loan from them picked up a minor injury that would prevent him playing that game, but no others.... Not suspicious at all... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 29, 2017 Author Share Posted July 29, 2017 One season in the bag, and we're on to Serie B. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedese Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 Incredible first season there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 29, 2017 Author Share Posted July 29, 2017 3 minutes ago, Jupjamie said: Incredible first season there Cheers! Might be a tad tricky rebuilding the squad for Serie B, with no money and a balance 1.25m in the red. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 Well done on the promotion Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 29, 2017 Author Share Posted July 29, 2017 13 minutes ago, john1 said: Well done on the promotion Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 Well, that was a brutal summer, possibly the most difficult summer window I've had at any club anywhere. On five separate occasions, I had a deal in place for a much needed rightback, only for another club to pinch them right out from under me. One keeper picked going down a division over playing for us... Wages were a constant issue. That said, we made a few deals(even had some money to spend as I stiffed the players on the squad bonus...), extended prior loans, and and after a proper mad deadline day pulled a squad together. We're still favourites to finish dead last and return to the 3rd level, but I think we can at least survive. Possibly the best move here was selling Udinese our backup goalie for 125k, then loaning another keeper off them, without paying his wages. Costa should turn out to be a ridiculous deal, he was transfer listed! We were lucky to get a player of Lagos quality, I'm hoping to make him a right back. Pacheco is a big risk for us, but I reckon he's going to be a star. Finances are still very rough! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wavelberry Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 If you never open the letters the debt isn't real. If I were you I'd stop looking at that finances screen and just do your thing... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fer Fuchs Ake Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 Some great work in the transfer market. Pêna, Pacchea and Lagos look quality. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 48 minutes ago, Wavelberry said: If you never open the letters the debt isn't real. If I were you I'd stop looking at that finances screen and just do your thing... I had a look around the league, and besides relegated sides having 25-60m in the bank, most clubs are working with much higher debt, so I think you're right. 35 minutes ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said: Some great work in the transfer market. Pêna, Pacchea and Lagos look quality. Summer was bad times, but those three on deadline day made up for it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 So they managed to convert you to the dark side of San Marino as well. They must have some pretty goddamn awesome sugar around there. Not too terrible first season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 Had a big six pointer against Bologna a few days after a cup game with Milan, so I chucked out the backups and hoped they'd keep the score down... They didn't. Milan didn't see fit to play their senior players either.... but the squad they sent out should have easily handled us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 Wow, what a result! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 Early contender for highlight of the save. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 Superb win Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 21 minutes ago, john1 said: Superb win Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 We're at the halfway point. Early on we were in fair, but mixed form, that had us bouncing around the top half of the table, threatening a playoff opportunity. After that we hit a real hot streak and well... Ridiculous! We shouldn't be anywhere near that, especially considering Bologna in 2nd have spent 16m on transfers this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 A relatively quiet January, as we rid ourselves of some chaff, pick up some pre arranged youth transfers, make a few more, and lose to Roma in the cup. Outgoing. Meh. Incoming. The last two are the big ones. Should develop into a fine AMC. This is the one I'm most excited about. Horrible anticipation, but a great personality, positioning, good in the air and quick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 31, 2017 Author Share Posted July 31, 2017 Youth Intake Day! We've got two that maybe have a chance? Taibi likes this lad, but geez, there's a lot of work on there. I think this one is much more likely to be useful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 31, 2017 Author Share Posted July 31, 2017 That's a new one for me! Atalanta instantly recalled him too, shame, I was hoping to extend his loan into next season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 Came back after one day and you are already making a run for promotion to the Serie A. That "sugar" seems to be working Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 31, 2017 Author Share Posted July 31, 2017 6 hours ago, kidthekid said: Came back after one day and you are already making a run for promotion to the Serie A. That "sugar" seems to be working Didn't think we had a squad near strong enough, but it's working out well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 Good thing you weren't playing my Milan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 31, 2017 Author Share Posted July 31, 2017 9 minutes ago, deltablue said: Good thing you weren't playing my Milan We'd have been crushed underfoot without a second thought, no doubt! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 31, 2017 Author Share Posted July 31, 2017 Second season in the bag, and it's been quite the ridiculous one. Sealed the title at Bari, but after that ran out the season with a bit of a whimper. Still, we showed up when it counted and we're off to the Serie A! I'm surprised that the board actually gave me this much! Now, I'm quite busy raiding Portugal for cheap talent... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbokav1971 Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 Sorry if I'm being a little/lot dim, but what is the link to the sugar reference? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 31, 2017 Author Share Posted July 31, 2017 18 minutes ago, Jimbokav1971 said: Sorry if I'm being a little/lot dim, but what is the link to the sugar reference? It's @Jupjamie's last San Giovanni thread, where his manager and assistant developed quite a taste for it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 31, 2017 Author Share Posted July 31, 2017 Good news! Great news! Probably a mistake to ask for that.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedese Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 Two expected relegations, two title wins? Just standard @BoxToBox things Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 31, 2017 Author Share Posted July 31, 2017 11 minutes ago, Jupjamie said: Two expected relegations, two title wins? Just standard @BoxToBox things Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 Incredibly, incredibly odd transfer situation after popping up towards the end of the transfer window. with about two weeks left I was having a poke around to see if there was anything interesting left, and there was! Looking at the scouting lists, I saw an 18 year old striker at Napoli, transfer listed, cheap! First off, the boy looks insane! Also of early note, is he isn't listed by request, isn't unhappy either. He does only have a year left on his deal, maybe he won't sign a new one? Being happy enough at one of the bigger clubs though, should be open to it. Listed as their brightest prospect. Seriously cheap, even for us! They even paid more a few seasons back. I mean, I don't understand this at all. I am over a week further ahead, so I can say we did indeed bid for him(and signed him!), but despite PSG and Lazio showing strong interest, the only other club to bid was 3rd level side Cesena. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 A very long summer again, I'm hoping to avoid any more shakeups to this severe level. We're in fair shape though, if not ideal. I'm not too happy with the centrebacks, I thought we'd find better, and the core of our midfield is (high quality)loanees which isn't something I like, but should be grateful for now. The best work was done for the u-20's which is now packed full of talent all over the pitch. These are some of the key moves. Kapino is a handy keeper for this level, very handy, and can do a job for a few years whilst Virginia develops, Reyes was a fairly expensive transfer, relatively speaking, but I like his attribute balance long as he develops well. Lucky Porto sent us Sousa for two seasons, he's brilliant. Mahmoud looks like a steal, only available at that price as his contract was expiring. Vidigal looks quite the prospect, but he's the prototypical wingback and was stupid cheap. Maupay isn't the prospect he was in past FM's, but he'll do a job for us in the second/support striker role alongside the advanced forward. Romagna isn't a great CB, but with his anticipation, tackling, positioning and pace, he's perfect to sit in front of them breaking up plays. Arango was another contract expiring steal. Sousa was a deadline day flier, as he's on cheap wages, once his knee recovers I'm hoping he'll add a little attacking drive to midfield. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 On 7/29/2017 at 19:30, BoxToBox said: No world stars in the making, but I'm happy, especially with the first two, seems The Blind Venetian may have an eye for talent! This lad, from the first intake, I was training him as a BWM, I'd surprised I didn't see it sooner, he's clearly a fullback in disguise! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 Thought it might be a good time to show the entire squad we're going to take on Serie A with. Goalkeepers. Kapino is starter for now, Virginia is a great prospect, I've seen him become a star for Arsenal in other saves, so hopefully he can be for us. Fullbacks. Pretty happy with where we're at here too, decent players, lot of potential. Centrebacks. Very much a "they'll do for now" situation, but remain hopeful that Ribic and Suleiman can develop into important players for us. Holding Mids. Central Mids. Lots of quality, and too many in numbers. Built on loans isn't good though. Attacking Mids. Pretty happy with this, though it's likely Pena's last season with us. Strikers More potential than anything, but I'm happy with them, especially the advanced forwards Ricciardi and Reyes. EDIT: I was offered a new contract, and managed to wrangle in a Recruitment upgrade. Above average now, well on the way! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted August 2, 2017 Author Share Posted August 2, 2017 Season's been odd so far, beat a Serie B side in the cup, then picked up a great win against what I believed to be a decent Atalanta side(...they weren't), only to then draw the next five games in a row. Two of which we should definitely have won. Team looks like a bunch of pub players too, no plan, no skill, constantly passing or lumping the ball to nowhere. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 16 hours ago, BoxToBox said: This lad, from the first intake, I was training him as a BWM, I'd surprised I didn't see it sooner, he's clearly a fullback in disguise! I'm not a mind reader but maybe the acceleration of 9 and pace of 11 (at intake day) put you off, but seeing that it has improved and looks to probably improve further, he'll be quick enough at least faster than Gary Neville Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted August 2, 2017 Author Share Posted August 2, 2017 49 minutes ago, kidthekid said: I'm not a mind reader but maybe the acceleration of 9 and pace of 11 (at intake day) put you off, but seeing that it has improved and looks to probably improve further, he'll be quick enough at least faster than Gary Neville That could be it! Something certainly didn't click straight away. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted August 2, 2017 Author Share Posted August 2, 2017 After the five draws we've picked up a bit and I still think we're a bit dodgy, but the results are coming, none moreso than this! I mean, I just set the squad out in 3-5-2(or 3-3-2-2 if you prefer) counter, and was hoping to keep the score down, but Juve massively fluffed their lines. Didn't have a single shot in the first half. Yet to lose a game this season, with 5 wins and 7 draws. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 We're at the half, and after that bizarre streak of 5 draws in a row, some of which we should have won, but in fairness others we were lucky not to lose, we hit some stellar form, enough that it to the second choice players in the cup with Palermo to finally lose a game, and after that Inter in the league, but still, we're sitting pretty in surprise contention for Europe. I'd happily close up the season right here! In other news, there's Daniele Ricco, a young ball winner who joined us at 16(or 17) on loan in Serie C from Pescara, and through extensions has been key from Serie C, to B, and is still first choice in Serie A for us. All the while, Pescara let his contract run down... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Ricco is a solid signing. Time for everyone to get on the Dan Marino bandwagon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 Missed opportunity to have a manager named Dan Marino. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 A winter window that dragged on a bit, we spent a bit and sold a bit, so we still have a nice chunk of our budget remaining. Mostly because I decided to move to the 3-5-2 that I've used in big games full time. Way too many mids, so some left. Defenders and prospects. Prospects and defenders, mainly, as we were short at CB. Noura was brought in as a prospect, but could get minutes soon. Vagner is being retrained as an attacking CM, he was too good not to buy even if I don't use wingers. Janio Clegane needs a lot of work, but seems to be quite a prospect, should he come good we have a 5m option to buy. Ermert is one I'm really excited about, been chasing him nearly a year now, and just nipped in ahead of Barcelona. Fornasier is CB depth, and Almeida is expected to be a backup DLF(s) for now. Backroom staff suggested Forlani, could become a good poacher, if his movement and balance develop enough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share Posted August 4, 2017 Youth Intake Day! It seems that Taibi's really got his eye in too, either that or he's been passing about rumours about that magic Dan Marino Sugar, wait until you see.... A generational talent, that's Sammarinese(and not even half Italian), and he's ranked second by PPA, to another pure Sammarinese lad. They're already the two best players for the nation. Sadly Giardi is casual, and I have no tutors, need to see what's on the free agent market. Francioni is very well rounded, going to be a monster. Giardi's personality and stamina are issues, but if we can shape him up... oh boy! Pasolini doesn't look quite as good, but also potentially 5*, looks at worst a really handy DLP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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