[FM19] Those loyalty cards are great, arent they? I got too many points on one of them, and now I'm not allowed to drive. Northernpilgrim in a one-club save (until it's not, and then I'll get the train)

[WillHoward42]

Enjoyable read this one, look forward to see how far you progress with Wigan.

[Northernpilgrim]

42 minutes ago, WillHoward42 said:

Enjoyable read this one, look forward to see how far you progress with Wigan.

Thanks @WillHoward42. I'm certainly hoping that this will be a long stay, as that is kind of the point of the thread, although the detours have been fun too. Hopefully it continues to be enjoyable for everyone as well

[Northernpilgrim]

We had a perfect start to the season in the league, winning all 5 games in August, but went out of the League Cup after a gallant defeat to League 1 Barnsley

and that sees us top of the table, three points clear of Crewe Alexandra

[Northernpilgrim]

I won Manager of the Month

[Lenzar]

Do Wigan have the resources for a charge back up the leagues?

Loving this career!

[Northernpilgrim]

7 minutes ago, Lenzar said:

Do Wigan have the resources for a charge back up the leagues?

Loving this career!

Thanks Lenzar

No, not really. Here's the current financial picture. A takeover is definitely my best hope

[Northernpilgrim]

We lost the first two games in September (one in the cup), but won the rest in a pleasing month

and that was enough to keep us top of the league

but I was beaten to the Manager of the Month award by Barnet manager Mark Robins

 

[Northernpilgrim]

It might be back on 

[Northernpilgrim]

Disappointment in the first and last games of October, but otherwise a good month

but the defeat to Wimbledon didn't cost us top spot, as we end the month 2 points clear with a game in hand

[Northernpilgrim]

And more takeover news 

[Nobby_McDonald]

Well done at Hartlepool and good start at Wigan.

[Northernpilgrim]

Just now, Nobby_McDonald said:

Well done at Hartlepool and good start at Wigan.

Thanks

[Northernpilgrim]

The saga continues

[Northernpilgrim]

Done

[Northernpilgrim]

November was horrible, as we failed to win a league game all month (it also coincided with the latest FM19 update - is this a coincidence? It happens to me every year, so I suspect not)

but even that hasn't cost us top spot

[Northernpilgrim]

The struggle continued in December

and we're down to fifth, and my job's definitely at risk as the board demand the title

[Northernpilgrim]

I won my opening game of January

climbing to 4th, out of automatic promotion on goal difference

but I was sacked after the game

[duesouth]

Ouch!  Seen a couple of career updates today where takeover = the sack.  Are there any decent jobs free to apply for?

[Northernpilgrim]

I got my first interview before the end of January

[Northernpilgrim]

2 hours ago, duesouth said:

Ouch!  Seen a couple of career updates today where takeover = the sack.  Are there any decent jobs free to apply for?

These are the jobs currently available

[Northernpilgrim]

I got an interview

[Northernpilgrim]

I didn't get the Pescara job, but in early February, another interview

[Northernpilgrim]

I wasn't favourite for it before my interview, but I am now

[Northernpilgrim]

But it was a no

[Northernpilgrim]

Another interview, another rejection

[kevhamster]

The Wigan sacking was bloody harsh, but I guess there is the danger of expectation when you're at a club playing below its perceived level. 

[Northernpilgrim]

Another interview in March

[Northernpilgrim]

And another

[Northernpilgrim]

I am back in football

[Northernpilgrim]

This is the squad I've inherited

and this is the league table on my arrival, with the board not assessing my league performance this season

[samboing]

@Northernpilgrim the sacking seems extremely harsh considering you were what 3 points off top! Good luck in Eindhoven 

[Northernpilgrim]

I was only in charge for 1 game in March

and this is how the table looks now. We are mathematically safe

[Northernpilgrim]

A slightly underwhelming finish to the season

left the final table like this

[Northernpilgrim]

Here are the club award night winners

the stats of the season

and a quick overview

[Lenzar]

That was a very harsh sacking indeed at Wigan.

Think you can get FC Eindhoven to surpass PSV?

[Northernpilgrim]

5 hours ago, Lenzar said:

That was a very harsh sacking indeed at Wigan.

Think you can get FC Eindhoven to surpass PSV?

Not a chance! I'll be happy if I get them out of the second tier this season and move on.

 

[Northernpilgrim]

Preseason went really well

[Northernpilgrim]

I've brought in five players ahead of the new season

and this is the squad for the new season

[Northernpilgrim]

A decent, but not spectacular, start to the season

and the early table looks like this

[Northernpilgrim]

In terms of points, September was absolutely woeful, but we were close to getting a result in every match

but that doesn't mean the league table looks good. It doesn't

[Deisler26]

Welcome back to the Netherlands

[Northernpilgrim]

3 hours ago, Deisler26 said:

Welcome back to the Netherlands

Thanks Deisler. Finding it really tough going, can't buy a win right now. Not sure what the last update did, but none of my tactics are working right now.

[Northernpilgrim]

October wasn't any better, despite changing tactics

and relegation is a real possibility

[kevhamster]

What sort of systems are you using?

[Northernpilgrim]

7 hours ago, kevhamster said:

What sort of systems are you using?

These are the four I've been trying this season

 

 

[kevhamster]

I'm no tactical expert, but looking at the third one out of the three, it looks to me like there's not enough support between the units with the roles and mentalities selected. 

 

I'd be inclined to change the IWBs to FBs (but keep the attack mentality).   And maybe the RPM to a BBM.

 

I'd also maybe think about a lower defensive line, unless you have really quick defenders. 

[Northernpilgrim]

6 minutes ago, kevhamster said:

I'm no tactical expert, but looking at the third one out of the three, it looks to me like there's not enough support between the units with the roles and mentalities selected. 

 

I'd be inclined to change the IWBs to FBs (but keep the attack mentality).   And maybe the RPM to a BBM.

 

I'd also maybe think about a lower defensive line, unless you have really quick defenders. 

@kevhamster

Like this?

[Northernpilgrim]

A better November, with the changes above made from the RKC game onwards. In addition, the keeper is now GK-D

and we have restored a bit of a cushion between us and the bottom. I don't think we'll go down

[kevhamster]

Good to see the results picking up. I originally had attacking WBs and a high defensive line, but found it left my defense exposed especially against teams who played more direct. 

I've found looking at the instructions of each role/mentality really useful for getting an idea of whether something is likely to work or not. I think the changes made to the tactical setup this year are fantastic, especially for people like me who've usually been mediocre at best in past versions of FM! 

[Northernpilgrim]

December was not great

but we are still clear of relegation