Hello mate, yes I started my first game with St-Etienne, also using the thinking that they were a sleeping giant. In my first season, I won the Coupe de Ligue, and just finished my second season and got Champions League qualification and won French Cup.
I totally agree about the money, it is tight. However, if you play that Payet his value rockets. My Chairman stepped in and accepted a bid of £15m from Deportivo last season and that cash has helped. Gigliotti will come good if you play him, especially in the second season.
I brought loads of young players in on the cheap from Eastern Europe (EU nationals though) and their value goes up quite a bit and they are coming on ok. I would suggest the lad who is the Russia under-21 captain (a striker called Prudhniokov or something). I also splashed 5.5. on Arshavin from Russia but he has done done what I would hope.
If you stick with the game for a couple of seasons, you can attract good players to the club and you will get the young ones cheap.
I think the hardest task is to be fulfil the board expectation of their 2 year plan. I finished third in the second year and they only just offered me a contract. I would advise if and when they offer you a contract, take it straightaway or they will not offer again and you're out of a job. I had to restart and accept.
Let me know how you go, I would be interested. I don't think they will be a hard club to bring to life - I expect to win the league within a couple of seasons and move to something a little harder. Good luck!
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.Anyway , does anyone else play this sleeping giant? Was hoping to find out some tips on new signings & formations since I'm doing ***** with them at the moment. Budget is 1.9 million pounds at start. Decent players all round but no world beaters. Payet is a tad inconsistent too.
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