Barnsley FC

First of all let me say that I do not claim any fame for this as I am finding this tactic to work through other people's tactic building. I wanted to try and find a good tactic to work for my home town club Barnsley and get them back into the Premiership. I have been playing this game since the first Championship Manager version and because of work commitments and a wife who likes me to come away from the computer occasionally it may take some time to check this fully works - there is a life outside this game I hear you ask!!!

The tactics I am using are Roo tactics downloaded from FMDownload. Barnsley have brought in a load of foreign players with the potential to either be magnificent or fail miserably. I searched for coaches on the various stats and managed to get all the areas covered on 5 - 7 star ratings using Tug's 2008 training. I used the preseason to test various 442 Roo tactics and settled on the mid range 11-16 home and away as starting formations. With very little money in the transfer kitty I have managed to find a couple of potential wonderkids from Hungary and Romania to help bolster the team - I can't remember their names but will post screenies at the end of the first season if this stays promising.

The game will not allow you to play like Barca / Man Utd etc if you have not got the right players or reputation which is why I opted for the mid range. I am currently twelve games in with only two defeats - one in the league and one in the second round of the League Cup to West Ham (Dean Ashton hattrick and they are sitting at the top of the Prem in my game). The board called a family day for the Ipswich home game and I duly went three up in the first half. I leave the team talks to my Assistant Manager and Ipswich came out and pulled it back to 3-3 with Alan Lee giving me a headache. It got to the final 15 minutes and I thought go for it and stepped up one range and managed a winning goal. 4-3 fans and board happy, a cracking game for the family day match and a prefect example of what appears to be achievable with these tactics.

I have to say it is worth reading through Googen's guide as it will help immensely with understanding these tactics and their are invaluable tips on how to combat various AI tactics. The main one's I implement are dropping one tactic range as soon as your team scores - this seems to work a treat as the opposition are pushing for an equaliser and you tend to score again / keep it tight.

I have set up corner routines using near post flick on, stand on far post, attack near post, attack from deep, challenge GK and outside area with corners to near post. I haven't noticed much from this and I have only been given one penalty so far (smashed against the post and missed) with no penalties against. I am running post patch but it does appear that the game needs sorting re: penalties and corners. I have to say as well that I don't like the new skin (never thought I would complain about the game I love) and eagerly await new skins.

Well I have to go as the missus is calling me to do the household chores - that's not something every manager would admit to!!! Cleon & Rashidi I will post screenies as soon as I can after completion of first season so please bear with me. COME ON YOU REDS!!! IT'S JUST LIKE WATCHING BRAZIL!!!!