retired_lisamike

I've been playing FMH, FMH 07, and now FMH 08 a lot, and whoever I manage I always seem to have a good or very good first season, and then everything collapses in the second season. The latest was with Newcastle :

First season

League 7th (intertoto qualification)
FA Cup 5th Round
League Cup Final

Second season

League 16th
FA Cup 3rd Round (so straight away)
League Cup 3rd Round (so straight away)
UEFA Cup 1st Round (so straight away)

Somehow I didn't get sacked, although I very nearly walked. I just couldn't win in the second season, and I was only occasionally scraping draws. Could one of the developers please reassure me that the game doesn't just make things harder for you in the second season just for the sake of it, cos it sure does feel like it sometimes

retired_belfanmcreole30

Second season syndrome? The AI learns how to play against you, becomes use to how you play etc. Just like in RL. For example Readin, last season they surpised many this season they stumbled a little bit due. Alot of managers always say its harder in the second season then the first if you stay up

Now I know Newcastle didn't come up, but you still get a second season syndrome in my experience. Soldier on I am sure your third season will be much better

retired_cacuna

Hi,

The game doesn't make things harder for you if you do well .. however being a manager isn't easy ..

With 'second season syndrome' its normally people bringing in new signings and unsettling the side a little, players aging and losing their edge a little or some other factor which if you think about it you'll be able to fathom.

(for myself its normally the fact that my tactics often rely on a single exceptional player in a specific position - most commonly DMC, if my first choice for that role is injured I always struggle to get consistent results ... although now and again it does happen that a kid who fills in during an injury crisis blossoms into a star which is cool )

retired_lisamike

Thanks for the replies! I couldn't work out what the problem was last season, so hopefully I will be able to in my third. I started getting desperate and probably changed my tactics too much later on as well, which probably didn't help. I must admit, if I get second season syndrome I usually either resign, get sacked or start a new game with another club. This time though I think I'll see it through to the bitter end, I'm determined to win something with Newcastle eventually!

I've seen tactics that people have posted up on the forums, and I considered trying some of them, although I'm debating with my conscience as to whether that's cheating or not. What do you guys think? Do you ever try other people's tactics?

Also, I notice that when I praise or criticize my players and it says that it's had a positive effect, usually they still don't play any better. I might go through the whole team once a month and praise or criticize any players who deserve it, but it doesn't seem to effect things too much.