retired_pooped out

Im currently plying my trade as Valencia in La Liga, am in my first season (roughly 20th January), and am coming 6th. Obviously as Valencia im expected to achieve better than 6th, ideally 2nd or 3rd.

My current team is:

GK - Ochoa
GK - Canizares *
GK -Manuel Almunia

DR - Alexis *
DRLC - Caneira
DL - Emiliano Moretti *
CB - Raul Albiol *
CB - Felipe *


AML - Marcelo (am retraining him but he's still lacking in mentality so often he is a sub or used in the cup)
DM/CM - Ever Banega
DM - Makalele *
DM - Sunny
MC - Manuel Fernandes

AMR - Joaquin *
AMRLC - Silva *
AMRL, ST - Aaritolo
AML - Vicente *

ST - Morientes *
ST - David Villa *
ST - Zigic

The players with asterixes next to them is my usual starting 11, played in a 4-4-2 diamond formation, though often i also play Villa as a lone striker and play one of Banega or Fernandes in an MC position.

I do have Miguel and am playing him at the moment, but he is leaving in July for 12 million, so im going to need a new right back in. any ideas?

My only other done transfer at the moment is lulinha is coming in in July.

Other transfers i've had accepted are Guardado (15m - and wouldn't get him till July), Van der Vaart (15m), and David Luiz (CB - 9.75m.) Im also trying to sign Riquelme for 4m, although he also would come till July.

I have 21 million in the bank to spend at the moment.

My problem this season has been conceding goals, ive conceded nearly as many as ive scored. Felipe has been injured all season and has yet to truly establish himself as my first choice centre back, so i thought David Luiz the Brazilian CB could do the job.

Long term i need a new LB to replace Moretti (though he always plays well), and obviously a new RB after selling Miguel.

Makelele was signed for 80k as a short term measure as i didnt think sunny or banega were up to the job yet, they seemed to leak too much.

The only reason ive put in a bid for Van der Vaart/Guardado/Riquelme is because im considering selling Vicente to Arsenal for 21m. This would mean moving Silva to the lfet, and playing Riquelme or VDV in the AMC role, or signing Guardado to fill Vicente's void.

Any ideas?

retired_jaclynnew1212

If you havent already signed them, then I'd say dont sign VDV. He'd be a waste since he spends most of the time in the sick room. Also, at 15M, he's not cheap. If you want a backup then just get Riquelme who's cheaper and just as good (although older).

Definitely get Guardado as he's fabulous. Better than Vicente so yeah, sell Vicente. 21M is a good amount. For DR, De Silvestri is a great future prospect. If you want someone for now, try to get Eboue off Arsenal. He should be a backup now as Sagna would probably be first choice. Else you can get Rafinha but he's not that good defensively. For DL, again to Arsenal for Traore. Great prospect for the future. Or try Guilherme or Insua. I'd say bolster your strikers as well. Villa ofcourse is brilliant. Zigic is a great TM. Morientes is getting old and he's not that great either imo. Maybe you can get another striker in? Briand, Fred, Benzema, Aguero etc etc. So many of them. My choice would be Fred. The rest looks good. Oh, and I think you should make Ochoa your No.1.

retired_pooped out

thanks alot.

Yeah I've literally only just signed Ochoa in this window but he's not been match fit so he will soon be my number 1!

Riquelme sounds good but the only snag is i can't complete his transfer until July, whereas VDV would come this month, though i guess its no big deal.

Yeah if possible i want to sell Morientes, though he does a good job as a backup and his value is only 4m or something.

Been trying to sign Menez or Benzema for a while, but Spurs pipped me to the post for Menez.

I think I will trying eboue also, cheers.

By the way if i bought guardado do you tink he would be good enough for first choice week in week out? this would be start of the second season.

retired_jelfrink

Nearing the end of my first season with Valencia and I'm fighting with Real Madrid for second as Barcelona have walked the title. I started using "the winning tactic" (it's the one with loads of replies in the tactics forum) half way through and my performances have really picked up - maybe you should check it out. This could be how you would line up.

GK- Canizares/Ochoa
DR- ?/Alexis
DL- ?/Moretti
DC- Albiol/Caniera
DC- Felipe/D.Luiz
DM- Banega/Sunny
MR- Joaquin/? (Arizmendi- fab for me)
ML- Guardado/Aaritalo (sell Vicente: I did and put Matias Fernandez there and never regretted it)
AMC- Silva/Riquelme
AMC- van der Vaart/Villa/Lulinha
FC- Zigic/Morientes

GK- Fine as Ochoa could take over when Canizares retires, perhaps a better backup (Enyeama)?

DF- Some suggestions for full backs include Rafinha, Cicinho, Cassani, Barragan and de Silvestri. Alexis is okay but not world class. Armand Troare, Pasqual, Marcell Jansen, Taiwo for DL.

MF- Banega should still be good for DM. Seriously, Arizmendi is great for MR but if you've sold him then try for Maxi Rodriguez, er... dunno about others. Try Villa at AMC and see what you think but I sold him to Inter so can't really comment.

FC- Zigic is an awesome targetman, Villa and Morientes less so, although still not bad, so your pretty well covered. If you want you could look at Amauri, Fred etc.

Good luck! :thup:

retired_pooped out

Ill try a few of those fullbacks - cheers.

IVe been playing banega as a sub for last 30 minutes of games whne makalele gets tired, and also as a starter in cup games.

ypresfr - what settings do you play for zigic, he tends to just get 6's and hardly any goals for me? ta

retired_jelfrink

I rotate Zigic and Amauri as targetmen.

Fairly attacking mentality (4 clicks from middle)
Fairly high creative freedom (3 clicks)
Direct passing style (5 clicks)
Team closing down (2 clicks to the high end)
Normal tackling
Normal forward runs
Rarely run with ball
Mixed long shots
Mixed through balls
Rarely cross ball
Have hold up ball box ticked.

Give me a shout if you don't understand. Btw Breno is an ace CB, much better that Caneira and brilliant at scoring from corners too! Just scored a hat trick of headers for me against Valladolid.