[Knoc-Turnal]

Why is there 2 Blackburn threads?

[Rillo]

What tactics do you use when you play rovers?
And whats you first line up?

[MattUK]

Im a Blackburn Fan so they are always the team I play when FM08 comes out (not demo)

Season 07/08

Transfers.

Players Out:

Brett Emerton to Wigan: 1.1 m
Steven Reid to Portsmout: 3 m
Jason Roberts to Derby: 950k
Aaron Mokeana to Derby: 750k
Kizvanishvelli to Fulham: 1.1m
Various reserve players like De vita etc.

Total Income 7.5m

Players In.

Mauro Zarate from Al-Sadd: 3m
Breno from Sao Paulo: 6.5m
Pablo Piatti from Estuendientes: 700k

Total Outcome: 10.25m

I bought Zarate because I play 3 up front and need a lot of strikers. Breno was to cover for Samba and Nelson, because although he is a wonderkid only 17 at start of game.
Piatti was a cheap option to add an attacking dimension to the midfield.

Team

GK. Friedal
DL. Warnock
DR. Oojier
DC. Samba
DC. Nelson
MC. Piatti
MC. Savage
MC. Pederson
FC. Zarate
FC. Santa Cruz
FC. Mccarthey.

Subs: Breno, Bentley, Enklemen, Tugay, Rigters, Derbyshire, Henchoz and Peter.

The Season.

Euro Vase: Knocked out first game against Sloven Liberac after drawing both games 1-1 at home and 0-0 away.

League Cup: Knocked out 4th round at home to Arsenal 1-0

Fa Cup: Knocked out 4th round to Tottenham 3-2 away.

Premier League:
After a slow start and tweaking my tactics, around the Xmas period my team found form and had a 8 game winning streak. This form was to continue, with the odd patch for the remainder of the season. I was in 3rd position for the run in, with a gap between me and league leaders Utd and Arsenal, and Spurs and Man City snapping at my heels. I maintained my form to finish my first season as Manager of Blackburn as 3rd in the Premier League (also my first season in FM 08). Next Season its Europe for the lads!

Best Players

Benni Mcarthey: Finished 2nd highest goalscorer behind Rooney with 21 goals (was injured for a month).
Piatti: This wonderkid finished 2nd in the best signings of the season, A world class player for 700k.
Samba and Ryan Nelson: Great Defensive partnership
Other good players that season were. Savage, Friedal, Oojier.

Dissapointing players

Santa Cruz and Zarate didnt exactly set the league on fire. Santa Cruz only getting 9 goals in 29 appearances. (somehow i still finished the premier leagues top scoring team). David Bentley too proved innefectual, but I realise playing a 4 3 3 with 3 CMs isnt his best position, same with Gamst.
Other players of note were Derbyshire and Rigters who are both very good strikers and cover so consider keeping both.

Coaching and Staff

The whole Blackburn staff need a big overhaul. So I sacked were economical viable and replaced them with quality coaches and scouts. Mark Bowen left half way through the season to go and manage Doncaster?? so was replaced with CSKA Moscow Fitness Coach Paulo Paixeo who in my opinion is of a higher quality.

The board also accepted my requests to enhance both the youth and senior training facilities and at the end of the season agreed to expand the Stadium. Even after my 3rd position finish the board are just satisfied, praising the purchase of Piatti but not pleased with the purchase of Breno who needs to convince the fans.

[hufton]

In the midst of some injury problems I stumbled across a good front line. I don't know how many people will have tried it, but Santa Cruz and Rigters have formed an extremely effective partnership for me.

Santa Cruz 4 in 11, Rigters 7 in 11.

Not sure Rigters should be quite this good, but I'm not complaining.

[MattUK]

Yes Rigters is a quality player. I sold him beginning of 2nd season for a pretty good price tho as i needed a right back urgently.

Keep an eye on Matt Derbyshire too hufton, he scores loads and dont forget Paul Gallagher in the reserves, hes quality too.

[lil82]

derbyshire is so frustrating on my game and scored about five meaningless uefa cupgoals all season but i have faith in the boy. sold samba for nine million to juventus . I HAVE 14 MILLION TO SPEND IN MY SECOND SEASON AND NEED SOME QUALITY BRINGING IN COS MCCARTHY SINGLE HANDEDLY KEPT ME MY JOB

[curtley-jack]

Hi, what am i doing wrong? in the first season i came 3rd and got 28 million to spend (i guarenteed a european place) and now half way through the 2nd season i am in tenth?? i play the same tactics and have bought michael owen, lulinha and michael johnson. should i change tactics or what?

[moggydave]

Guess this signs the death knell of my Rovers thread.


I've only been playing the demo so far though, has Santa Cruz become a better TM post patch?