I got promotion with Leeds in my first season, then straight up to the
prem the next. Some of the following helped:
Freebies:
Korsos (DC/R + DM, ie versatile)
Almeyda (DM, inconsistent but okay for free - when he's good he's brilliant, but picks up a lot of bookings)
Filter for "unnattached" and look for formerly "big" names. Sign either to end of season or on a two year only. You'll never shift a 38 year old Edgar Davids or similar and his wages will eat away at your budget.
Also, take some unknowns on loan. Found an Italian 17 year old (might be a regen) who scores for fun in the reserves and on loan in L1. Not played him as first team yet but good physical stats and 12 for dribbling and finishing, 14 for heading.
Cheap:
Marcus Hall (DL/C + LWB)
Paul Thirwell (DM)
Agree with others mentioned above, esp Dalle Valle. See if anyone has snapped up Doudin and Torje yet.
Possible Loans in:
Edgar (DC, Newcastle)
Connelly (DC, Arsenal)
Hobbs (DC, Liverpool)
Any striker from ManYoo
Tony M-something (RB from Middlesbrough - class!)
Kane (R/L full back from Blackburn)
Jaime Peters (AM R/L from Ipswich, I THINK)
Danny Haynes (ST, Ipswich)
Only
prob with loans is you can only have 5 in the match day squad. Worth trawling all the
Prem's reserves and some of the bigger Champ clubs.
Ant