retired_dfiegel

I don't think I've had a single player from my youth setup, despite having the facilities improved. I've just gradually improved the squad over the seasons, and a few of the original Durango players actually become quite good - Joshua was brilliant for me for about 5 seasons scoring over 140 goals in about 150 matches, then refused to sign a contract so I sold him to some Austrian club for £1.8m +50% of next fee. There's a DRC as well, his name begins with 'A', he was also very good and is now playing in the Primera for Mallorca. I found, as always with semi-pro teams, it's best to get everyone on f/t contracts as it improves your team no end.

It was a very slow and gradual improvement really, and I think we'll probably be relegated back down to D2B straight away.

retired_jkennett2001

Something to do with Ter's pot noodles, methinks :p

retired_acivin

I think with a few more strict rules and incentives for this thread; this could be a really good challenge, and I would have taken part in it; if only I was not trying to get my striker to score 1000 career goals!

retired_stesska

Like what exactly?

retired_stesska

What a comeback! I thought the match was over when it was 3-0.

After nearly 10 games we still haven't won, but half have them we've drawn, and have done well most games, a few have come very close.

Im playing very, very direct passing, quite attacking. The defence and midfield aren't great, the strikers are the best part of the squad, might as well use them (I've got an extra decent striker on loan). We can score a few goals so with a bit of luck we should pick up a few wins soon.

retired_stesska

Yet another draw, so unlucky. Thats 4 draws in a row now.

happywill how did you stay up? What sort of tactics did you play, and where did you finish first season?

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Palencia | | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 17 | -4 | 10 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Racing B | | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 17 | -3 | 10 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Zamora | | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 18 | -10 | 9 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Portugalete | | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 16 | -6 | 9 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Lemona | | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 20 | -9 | 7 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Cultural Durango | | 10 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 13 | 19 | -6 | 6 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

We've still got a good chance, just need to turn some of those draws into wins. Its going to be very hard as the bottom 4 go down, and 16th goes into a playoff.

retired_dfiegel

Looks promising, only losing 4 out of ten. If you give everyone F/T contracts they should improve over the season and be able to pull out of the relegation zone.

I've now been relegated back down to D2B, but with the club in a much better state than it was when I was promoted. The squad is vastly improved, there's still £6m in the bank and the facilities and stadium have been improved. Strangely I had an average attendance of under 500 in D2, when I was in D2B I was getting over 2,000! Hopefully be straight back up this season.

retired_stesska

I could put them all on f/t time contracts, but that means going over the wage bill quite a lot. Is that what you had to do?

retired_dfiegel

Yep. It was definitely worth it in the long run. You'll probably lose money at first, but after a short time it becomes so easy to make money from selling players and your gate receipts should increase too.

Unlike real life, in FM if your successful on the pitch the money will follow, whatever division you're in.

retired_stesska

Finally got our first win, in the 16th game

Im slowly getting the squad on f/t contracts, seems to help a bit.

I noticed Lemona and Barakaldo are also Basque teams, if anyone wants an easier version of the same challenge. They're in the same division but have better players, Barakaldo are 9th in my game, Lemona 18th.