retired_Cat1123

I intend to team up with Cleon to try to improve my status as a Manager on FM07.

Most of you who frequent these boards will know that our opinion of the game differs vastly from one another.

I have started a new game as West Ham Boss and i believe Cleon will do the same and via this thread we shall be posting our progress. I am hoping that with Cleons backing, i may be proved wrong about this game, although i must admit i am more than a little doubtful?.

If nothing else it should be seen as a collaberation of two minds who see the game from different sides of the coin, but who are willing to work together hopefully for the benefit of the boards and the game itself?.

My first job is to post screenshots of some important pre season changes, such as tactics, the squad, new purchases etc.

Here are my Coaches, complete with star ratings.

As you can see, they are all between 4 and 5 stars.

I'll continue to add to this thread as i play through my friendlies and bring in players/sell players etc.

retired_Cat1123

Our first game can be deemed a success. Home to Rangers in a friendly, we dominated the game from start to finish.

We took a 1-0 lead into the second half, for which i changed from my Home tactic to the Away, as Rangers came out immediately looking for an equaliser.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, i dropped the tempo and also switched to short passing, something that Cleon mentioned doing in another thread.

I am using training that i was able to coax out of wwfan some time ago and whilst it does'nt have a magical effect on players stats, i find that i dont see so many red arrows.

Immediately after starting this game, i went straight to the Board to ask for more transfer funds and was given an extra £10M, which gave me £25M after starting the game with £15M.

So far i have purchased Steffan Iversen(excellent TM) and Tranquil Barnetta, who can play both wings and is a player i have found to play well.

I have some more transfers on the way and players going in the other direction and will post screenies of this once they have gone through!.

retired_delpark

Perhaps Im missing something but how are your tactics?

retired_Cat1123

This is'nt really about offering up tactics to d/load, although we will be taking a closer look at them as the season progres's.

I am using a 4-4-2 with short farrows both home and away, although the away version is more narrow and not as attacking.

retired_Cat1123

I have'nt mentioned this, but for now i have instructed my Ass Man(Mervyn Day) to take charge of team talks.

This may well be something i decide to do myself, once the season proper has begun?.



This is the result from our 2nd friendly. It may well look a little fortunate?, but for one, we made clear cut chances and managed to put them away and two, its a friendly, i cannot remember a time i last won a game like this in the League?.

retired_e_fores

Good too see this Hammer. Perhaps, if Cleon has not started himself, you could play with the same save game (ie. if you could send him the save right after the game had started). Of course only do this if you have it availiable. I just think it would make comparisons better.



Already seeing a common issue in the screens that you post, a large number of shots off target, and only one goal. Maybe this could proove key in more important games?

Indeed I'm interested that you do friendlies yourself. I usually learn little from them and hence let my ass man take charge. Impatience and laziness may be a factor here though...

retired_e_fores

Posted just after you I think - the second friendly looks more promising regarding shots on target and goals.

retired_Cat1123

This was friendly number 3 and a little dissapointing to say the least.

Celtiv got it back to 1-1 with their very first effort and then got it back to 2-2 when a long kick from their keeper went straight through no fewer than 3 of my defenders, straight to their striker who tucked it away neatly.


So far i have brought in the following players...

Iversen
Barnetta
Balzaretti
Arteta
Suazo
Enyeama

and have Nigel De Jong on his way.

I have also sold the following players...

Cole
Dailly
Newton

Tried to sell others but no takers.

I have also had injuries to the following players so far...

Enyeama
Mullins
Reo Coker
Boa Morte
Iversen
Kepa
Suazo
Ashton

Although all should be available for our first Prem game, which just happens to be away to Chelski.

retired_Cat1123

This was our 4th pre season friendly and what a result!.

Lens had earlier managed to beat Man Utd in a previous friendly, but of course overall this stands for very little.

I always like to play 4 or 5 friendlies against decent clubs, its a good opportunity to get your new signings to gel before the season starts and also very important to get the squad fit.

Last friendly at home to Fiorentina to come.

retired_Cat1123

Last of the friendlies and another decent win.

Not performing quite as well at home as we are away, i may have to try the away tactic at home too?.

Chelsea next, so i'm going to leave it for now and wait for some advice.

Off to watch Manure sneak out of the relegation zone!. :eek: