Topic: Football Manager Series

[ToneLa]

Tato is quite nice. The default match UI definitely took a turn for the worse this year.

I don't mind it, though I was never married to the old timeline... did seem unrealistic

plus I put real faces in which show up on the bottom bar thing!
https://www.fmscout.com/a-fm21-better-regen-faces-fifa-edition.html

Anyway

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/J1PPJjAKCBc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/J1PPJjAKCBc</a>


NEW HAT WIDE CENTREBACKS!

[Garrus]

I'm not that fussed about the loss of timeline. There was a lot of wasted space though especially considering the widgets and panels you could add in the vanilla version of last year's game.

New CB role looks good, just hope it's not OP as some of these newer roles tend to be when introduced.

[Linudden]

Spending the weekend playing my beloved FM10 and have gone for Lazio in this career and damn this autumn is a blast! After winning the league with San Marino last month I decided to go for something easier but in a big-city environment to help foster talent. At San Marino I was forced to make France an unplayable league not to slow the computer down and I also felt a bit worn out after buying and selling 10-15 players per year for so long to make ends meet  It's not really how I like to play but it's so lucrative and the only way to play when you have a small team with a tiny stadium.

Now I've gotten Balotelli and Moussa Sissoko in which are amazing signings in the game thanks to clearing out the squad deadwood in the summer.

Jointly tied with Juve at the top of the league after beating Roma 6-1 (!) with a Balotelli hat trick and then in the last game we turned around a 3-0 deficit at a strong Udinese side to win 4-3 thanks to three late goals and two of them by Hitzlsperger, including the last from a long-range hammer drive. December is coming up now and hopefully my side can stay top over Christmas at least. If I manage to get £5 million from Bremen for Jorge Andrade I'll probably avoid having to sell Tranquillo Barnetta in January. If so, I feel that top four is a great possibility even though the squad itself is probably 7-8 somewhere.

I always enjoy playing with mid-table teams and make them better, especially when having large stadiums. Italy have shorter seasons as well due to the domestic cup being very cut down so that means it takes less time to complete a season than England and Spain so that's always a bonus. In the past year I won La Liga and the Champions League in seven seasons with Osasuna as well but I've not enough time to play as much as I want nowadays  Back during my university days I was a bit of everywhere - ranging from obviously Liverpool via Middlesbrough, Napoli, Rangers, Valencia, Celta Vigo, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Barnsley, Ipswich, Real Oviedo and Hertha Berlin to Reggina. I also had brief cameos in several other places. More recently, the early autumn of 2020, I won the Champions League with Köln (Cologne) in a two-season career where everything bounced my way in the second year and then it was too epic to be true so I left the career while on a high 

My favourite project of Cittadella in Italy back during the hot summer of 2018 sadly got ruined by the Windows 10 collapsing after I had won the Coppa Italia, made it into the Champions League for the first time and recruited Canales to pass to Sanogo which had me set to dominate the league for a decade, argh I really loved that career! I used to never had enough patience for the really low levels since I quit Wrexham after three successive promotions which is something I corrected with San Marino recently.

I just love that game so much more than the modern versions. Playing with Liverpool can be fun but haven't done so for many years, it's a bit too easy unless you play a save where you clear the debts and sell the main assets to replace them with youngsters. Except for Torres and Gerrard always going down injured that is!

When I'm done with Lazio, I think I'm heading back to the lower leagues somewhere but I'm tempted to actually try Mexico, Argentina, Turkey or Russia and see what it's like to play with hard foreign player limits in smaller leagues or maybe try and go somewhere continentally with my current or former place of residence in Sweden. One game is just too large for me to be done with it in one year.

[ToneLa]

Might manage Porto.
but not do a Jose

[ianburns252]

One thing I have often wondered is how much of a difference your "management skill points" set up makes to the game. I get that the coaching points will matter, especially if you are at a small club with fewer coaches and so you have to take part, but the mental side seems like it shouldn't matter as it should be your own inputs to the game.

Short of having found a full answer, my guess is that it will change how the players react so that if you are, say, low in motivation score then a big rousing half time speech will have a lesser impact?

[ToneLa]

One thing I have often wondered is how much of a difference your "management skill points" set up makes to the game. I get that the coaching points will matter, especially if you are at a small club with fewer coaches and so you have to take part, but the mental side seems like it shouldn't matter as it should be your own inputs to the game.

Short of having found a full answer, my guess is that it will change how the players react so that if you are, say, low in motivation score then a big rousing half time speech will have a lesser impact?

Hover over each of the categories on the manager setup and it tells you the effect of each trait!

It's basically a "difficulty mode" - set your coaching badges high and lots of points for teamtalks and motivation and tactics and it will be easier to influence your players.

You've got a good idea how it works I reckon. I think they should spell out better how important it is.

[ToneLa]

Logos
https://www.tcmlogos.com/download/

[ianburns252]

Hover over each of the categories on the manager setup and it tells you the effect of each trait!

It's basically a "difficulty mode" - set your coaching badges high and lots of points for teamtalks and motivation and tactics and it will be easier to influence your players.

You've got a good idea how it works I reckon. I think they should spell out better how important it is.

I get what each of the traits does when it involves hiring staff, it just seems like player knowledge or motivation is somewhat redundant when it comes to the actual player as I might be a shite at things like getting the players hyped in a team meeting due to picking the wrong things even though on paper I should be able to get everyone riled up due to the stat.

I might have to read the manual for the first time since 2009 to try and get a better feel for these things.

[Garrus]

I get what each of the traits does when it involves hiring staff, it just seems like player knowledge or motivation is somewhat redundant when it comes to the actual player as I might be a shite at things like getting the players hyped in a team meeting due to picking the wrong things even though on paper I should be able to get everyone riled up due to the stat.

I might have to read the manual for the first time since 2009 to try and get a better feel for these things.

Player knowledge will work best if you have attribute masking turned on. You'll be able to see a lot more attributes than a manager with lower player knowledge although this can easily be negated by the use of scouts. Motivation does work that way if I understand right. You can choose a "wrong" option in the team talk and it likely won't upset your players as much if you have a high motivation attribute.

[ToneLa]

Good match engine this year.

Been buying Amine Gouri from Nice for about three versions now... he's costing like 90m in this!

I got an eye for talent. He scored a hat trick in our debut 

[Lycan]

They've got carried away and made Man Utd far too strong on this game.

[ToneLa]

All the more fun to batter them

[JerseyKloppite]

I'm not sure I'm a good (or patient) enough FM player any more. The level of depth now looks wonderfully realistic but I feel slightly frozen out as a more casual gamer.

I was going to buy FM Touch this year but they've discontinued it. Apparently the XBOX version (which is playable on PC) is similar.

[Garrus]

Can't see the Xbox and Switch editions lasting more than a couple of years. Hopefully the Touch version comes back sometime in the future because there's definitely a gap there; to cater to the players who just don't have the time and for newcomers to the series because the learning curve is pretty steep and not exactly friendly

[RJH]

I'm not sure I'm a good (or patient) enough FM player any more. The level of depth now looks wonderfully realistic but I feel slightly frozen out as a more casual gamer.

This is the problem I have.

I bought FM21 around Christmas last year, but I never really got into like in the past, and I'm yet to finish my first season.

Now I'm stuck in a bit of a vicious circle where I'm reluctant to play because of how long I have to spend reminding myself what I'm doing, but the longer I go without playing it, the more I forget.

[Garrus]

I'd say the best option is to try and delegate most of what you find tedious to your backroom staff and just focus on tactics and transfers to try and get through the game quicker.

[Lycan]

Do you think the full game will be released early(tomorrow)? It usually is.

[Lycan]

I'd say the best option is to try and delegate most of what you find tedious to your backroom staff and just focus on tactics and transfers to try and get through the game quicker.

That's what I do. Not really bothered about the really in-depth stuff.

[Garrus]

Do you think the full game will be released early(tomorrow)? It usually is.

Yeah, should be around 18:00 GMT, think that's been the case for the last couple of editions.

[ToneLa]

Do you think the full game will be released early(tomorrow)? It usually is.

Is it? I don't think so, they need to do licensing and stuff..

[stoa]

That's what I do. Not really bothered about the really in-depth stuff.

It still takes quite some time to get through a season. I basically never do training (except for making some manual changes every blue moon) and I almost never do press conferences. I also have my assistant do all the friendlies, but it still takes quite long to get through a season. I played the mobile or touch version (don't remember which one) two years ago, when I had no PC for a while and had to use my tablet and you could get through a season in an afternoon or so. It had a much more oldschool feeling, because that's what you could do in the earlier FM versions or even back when it was CM.

But as I've said in this thread, I think they've managed to make it less of clusterfuck, because there were some versions like FM18 or 19 where playing FM really was like having a second job as a football manager and looking at every detail before every match to even have some kind of success. Loads of useful functions now where you can have one of your employees manage certain tasks like individual instructions before matches and stuff. Really looking forward to the new version and find it a bit strange, because on Gamepass it says it's out tomorrow and on Steam it says it's on the 9th...

[Lycan]

Is it? I don't think so, they need to do licensing and stuff..

They've done it for the past 3-4 years mate. Don't see why they couldn't possibly do it again.

[Lycan]

It still takes quite some time to get through a season. I basically never do training (except for making some manual changes every blue moon) and I almost never do press conferences. I also have my assistant do all the friendlies, but it still takes quite long to get through a season. I played the mobile or touch version (don't remember which one) two years ago, when I had no PC for a while and had to use my tablet and you could get through a season in an afternoon or so. It had a much more oldschool feeling, because that's what you could do in the earlier FM versions or even back when it was CM.

But as I've said in this thread, I think they've managed to make it less of clusterfuck, because there were some versions like FM18 or 19 where playing FM really was like having a second job as a football manager and looking at every detail before every match to even have some kind of success. Loads of useful functions now where you can have one of your employees manage certain tasks like individual instructions before matches and stuff. Really looking forward to the new version and find it a bit strange, because on Gamepass it says it's out tomorrow and on Steam it says it's on the 9th...

Something I always do if there is a break of more than 5 days between games, is take myself on holiday until the next fixture. That speeds the game up a little as well.

[JerseyKloppite]

Something I always do if there is a break of more than 5 days between games, is take myself on holiday until the next fixture. That speeds the game up a little as well.

I do that and then come back to find some clusterfuck when someone has come to me in those 5 days to talk about playing time, I've brushed them off by being on holiday and then the squad is in uproar

[Lycan]

I do that and then come back to find some clusterfuck when someone has come to me in those 5 days to talk about playing time, I've brushed them off by being on holiday and then the squad is in uproar

 

[Lycan]

I do feel the game needs to reign it in with players wanting a new contract only a month or two after they've signed a new one. I simply don't believe that happens in real life. Gets a bit ridiculous at times on the game.

[red_lfc_costello]

So with Touch not available on ipad etc, just the mobile version, is that any good?! Like others above, im happy to play a more streamlined version!

[stoa]

I do feel the game needs to reign it in with players wanting a new contract only a month or two after they've signed a new one. I simply don't believe that happens in real life. Gets a bit ridiculous at times on the game.

I think that part is still a bit broken. It's ridiculous how loyal some of the players are to their mates in the squad. I get that they might be up in arms, if I don't give some no mark any playing time. But I hate it when one of my star players wants to leave and half of the team is unhappy, because I'm not selling him. Also some of the answers you can give them in the meeting (or in player meetings) are a bit dodgy. Why can't I tell them "So, you guys want me to sell your mate? Well fine, but be prepared to be fighting against relegation instead of trying to win the league or get into the CL". I also think there are some issues with how the game "remembers" those discussions, because in my current FM21 save I'm in the year 2029 or something like that and have changed clubs quite a few times. And in every interview I get asked about my horrible handling of players and how I need to get my things together to have a good mood in the squad. The problem is, having a good mood and a lot of togetherness has actually been the strong part in my teams every time. Yeah, there might be some disputes or heated discussions, but wherever I was the whole mood and togetherness went up and were at the highest whenever I left. I also don't like that when you're unemployed and apply for multiple jobs, which is something you'd probably do to look at all your options, the board asks you about it in the interview. I could see it happening every once in a while, but every time? Come on... At least ask me something like "We've seen you have applied to multiple jobs. Would we be your first choice out of those teams?"

[Garrus]

Morale and player interaction are definitely wonky and OP. I understand it's an important part of the modern game but it doesn't really translate well to the PC as the logic seems off in places. Plus there's almost always a right answer in each version that is way too OP and keeps everyone satisfied irrespective of the player's personality.

[Lycan]

I think that part is still a bit broken. It's ridiculous how loyal some of the players are to their mates in the squad. I get that they might be up in arms, if I don't give some no mark any playing time. But I hate it when one of my star players wants to leave and half of the team is unhappy, because I'm not selling him. Also some of the answers you can give them in the meeting (or in player meetings) are a bit dodgy. Why can't I tell them "So, you guys want me to sell your mate? Well fine, but be prepared to be fighting against relegation instead of trying to win the league or get into the CL". I also think there are some issues with how the game "remembers" those discussions, because in my current FM21 save I'm in the year 2029 or something like that and have changed clubs quite a few times. And in every interview I get asked about my horrible handling of players and how I need to get my things together to have a good mood in the squad. The problem is, having a good mood and a lot of togetherness has actually been the strong part in my teams every time. Yeah, there might be some disputes or heated discussions, but wherever I was the whole mood and togetherness went up and were at the highest whenever I left. I also don't like that when you're unemployed and apply for multiple jobs, which is something you'd probably do to look at all your options, the board asks you about it in the interview. I could see it happening every once in a while, but every time? Come on... At least ask me something like "We've seen you have applied to multiple jobs. Would we be your first choice out of those teams?"

It's why I have the in-game editor(I'd rather not use one, to be honest). Just sick of having a player coming to me complaining about lack of game time, giving them an explanation, them being satisfied with my answer, only for them to come back to me a few weeks later and complain about the same thing. It's like, I told you two weeks ago you'd have to settle for being a squad player and you were happy enough to accept your role in the team.

[stoa]

It's why I have the in-game editor(I'd rather not use one, to be honest). Just sick of having a player coming to me complaining about lack of game time, giving them an explanation, them being satisfied with my answer, only for them to come back to me a few weeks later and complain about the same thing. It's like, I told you two weeks ago you'd have to settle for being a squad player and you were happy enough to accept your role in the team.

It feels though, that it has gotten better in the newer versions, because you can still work with unhappy players in your squad. One thing why I stopped playing FM regularily was that there was a time, when you had one unhappy player you were basically fucked. In addition to that, after a longer period at the club it felt like your speeches before the match, during halftime and afterwards just stopped working, because people just stopped giving a fuck about what you're saying. It also felt like you had to basically just keep talking to players in one on ones to keep morale high. While that's somehow part of the whole thing, it was just tedious to keep tabs on the performances and then to arrange the one on one with the players. I like that now you automatically get an option in the news items to have a talk with a player, if they've done well in a match or in training or if they've been shite.

[ToneLa]

They've done it for the past 3-4 years mate. Don't see why they couldn't possibly do it again.

Tonight then!

[ToneLa]

Yep, got it

Gotta edit Man U down a peg...

[bailey90]

Yep, got it

Gotta edit Man U down a peg...

Or 7

[Linudden]

In the old games talking one-on-one with the players is much easier and rewarding.

My current project having put the Italian career on pause after consecutive league titles, is with my local club Nyköping to try and take them from the fourth tier (teams 61-132 in Sweden) to at the very least compete in the Champions League. Definitely a very hard challenge. So far moving up within the divisions a bit. At least they play in red 

[Lycan]

Yep, got it

Gotta edit Man U down a peg...

I'll be doing the same Tone. They're vastly over-rated on this game.

[ToneLa]

I'll be doing the same Tone. They're vastly over-rated on this game.

My yearly ritual of editing their stadium to Old ... Bog (RAWK has a filter on it haha) and moving their players to Chinese teams can begin!

Usually I have to edit the manager to be worse but Ole is bang average in it haha. Defending 5 out of 20! Reputation 2 and a half stars 

[Garrus]

Logos
https://www.tcmlogos.com/download/

There's an update to this pack. The version for FM22 is out. 

[Lycan]

My yearly ritual of editing their stadium to Old ... Bog (RAWK has a filter on it haha) and moving their players to Chinese teams can begin!

Usually I have to edit the manager to be worse but Ole is bang average in it haha. Defending 5 out of 20! Reputation 2 and a half stars 

Hahaha!!! I won't be going to those lengths

[aka_da_saus]

is the xbox game pass version for pc pretty much same as steam
version ?