The Football Manager 2008 Thread

[Tigerdrive]

Sorry if this has been asked already but I just bought the game, would you guys recommend playing it with the patch or with out? Thanks.

 

[dmc333]

It means West Ham have gone belly up and been forced into administration, resulting in an automatic points deduction. Unfortunately they look like they will still survive in the premier league in my game.

This just happened to Everton for the third time in my game (well sort of) Just after it happened my game cocked up for some reason and I had to restart without a save, had to go back 2 matches and this time around they didn't go bust maybe they got an extra 5 people through the gate in one of their matches.

Unfortunately for Sunderland they finished 3 points behind Everton, and if the 9 point deduction stayed, they wouldn't have been relegated.

 

[tobes1995]

definately with patch fixes a lot of the big issues ie. closing down fairly much and the match engine

 

[Tigerdrive]

Cool thanks

 

[crowsarethebest]

definately with patch fixes a lot of the big issues ie. closing down fairly much and the match engine

Got this game last week. After playing 06, and 07, I must say it really really ****s me when the goalies save it so much on one on ones. Sometimes I have an open goal only for the play to fluff it or the keeper makes 3 point blank saves in a row...


Playing as Everton atm. Got a few youngster but most are loned out to a feader club so I can get a Work permit. Yakubu is my star atm, leadering EPL scored with 21 goals from about 25 matches. I've brought in Breno who is a star CB, sold Yobo for 18 mil to Inter Milan (didn't want to sell him though as he was a gun). Currently with 6 games to go I'm 4th, no chance of the title but chance of getting to third. Will strengthen my squad next transfer opening... need better mids. Arteta is really struggling for me and so is Banega who I signed but is doing shite. Cahill's come good. Playing a 4-1-3-1-1, Yakubu up there by himself and Piatti(awwsome 18 year old AMC) as AMC. I've got 3 CM's, Cahill in the middle with Arteta on the left and Osman on the right, will look to get a replacement for Osman. DM I've got Jaklieka (or something like that) - he's been solid. DL- Valente/Baines rotating. CB pairing of Lescott and Breno who I mentioned earlier. Also have Evans on loan from Man U as cover at CB. Oh and have also signed Aaritalo whos a very good cheap signing but he hasn't really preformed for me since I can't really fit him into my formation, might get rid of him.

 

[jezza]

Just about to start season 2011/12 and have got Leyton Orient into the Premier League, an achievement I am quite chuffed about. Going to be a bloody hard job surviving though.

Have had the problem a few others have had, was in the playoffs and was out of contract, having taken a side in 07/08 that were widely tipped for the drop from L1 to L2, and had got them into the playoffs for a spot in the PL and the board are suddenly saying they don't think they're going to offer me a new contract. Ungrateful sods. Luckily I beat Southampton in a shootout and they then coffed up for a new contract.

 

[Tigerdrive]

Played my first match as Australia last night went down 4-2 to Argentina but we had equal shots on goal so it was a bit dissapointing. I like the changes to international management so far, the media actually report now after a friendly

 

[tobes1995]

Got this game last week. After playing 06, and 07, I must say it really really ****s me when the goalies save it so much on one on ones. Sometimes I have an open goal only for the play to fluff it or the keeper makes 3 point blank saves in a row...

Yeah the amount of shots the games producing is ridiculous which means the match engine limits the goals ratio and tries to even it out....... which doesn't really work

 

[The Hulkster]

Just starting my 8th season in charge of Northampton. Gee it is hard for us to get out of the championship, as it should be. After a blistering 3rd in our first season we have finished 10th, 9th and 8th. At least we are improving.

The hardest part about being a small club in a big league is that it is very hard to keep your best players. I have had at least 10 star players leave in the past 3 or 4 years because they want to move to bigger clubs or when you go to renew their contract they ask for more than you can pay. Harsh for me but realistic.

We have managed to get the stadium increased from 7000 at the start of the game to now nudging just under 20,000 whcih is great and the training facilities have been upgraded twice.

I think it is going to be a long process maybe 10 years before we can make the premiership. Without the stradium it is hard to make dollars and any dollars you make are spent increasing the stadium.

BUt still enjoying the game though. Funnily enough i have never been linked to any jobs despite my relative success. Especially the Aussie job which is currently vacant. I actually nearly employed Graham Arnold as Ass Man.

My most pleasing signing was Adrian Leijer from Fulham. I had been trying to get him for about 4 years. He is a local lad from Geelong so i really wanted him and he has been great since i got him (even though he currently wants to move to a bigger club, he's going nowhere). My biggest buy was last year and it was Cameron Jerome for 2.2m. And he was worth every cent playing 50 games and scoring 30 odd goals.

This game is what FM is all about, building a club up from nothing and taking it to glory, well no glory yet but i hope it wlll come. There will be nothing more satisfying when it does.

 

[lifelike_]

^ The intelligence of defenders, particularly clearances, has been an issue ever since the 2D match engine, and it's rached a new level in 08. There's nothing more frustrating than watching an AI clear the ball 50 yards with a header to put their striker through on goal, while you consistently clear the ball four or five yards to set up their scoring opportunities.

I have a feeling it could have a knock on effect, but why can't they just make defenders better?

The amount of clear cut chances being created is huge;

If they tweaked how effective defenders were, the following would hardly ever happen.

- My wing back leaves his position and joins my two centre-backs in surrounding a player, without actually trying to tackle him, despite tackling at the back being set to hard. Said player then passes to where my wing back was which in turn results in a cross into the box.

- Centre-backs not even trying to cut off passes. Instead they're more than happy to try and outrun a striker with 17 and 18 for acceleration and pace, when their attributes wouldn't look out of place in a horror movie.

- Switching the ball across the field. Why pass to an unmarked winger when you can turn it over by trying a Beckham-esque ball across the pitch? When I say use width, I don't mean that.

- Opposition midfielder passes down the line to an AMR/L. Instead of running at the ball, my centre-back runs back into his natural and set position because he's been 'hardwired', so to speak, into doing it.

Defenders are very underrated on the game. If SI can somehow improve how good they are then clear cut chances will be few and far between.

 

[dmc333]

Anyone care to admit they've gone bankrupt while in charge?

Just figuring someone must have due to the amount of clubs that aren't in great financial positions.

Me? No, after 8 years at Forrest my financial control is on 20. I'm a bloody miser.

 

[Bradesmaen]

Decided to take this up and I've got Wycombe going forward thanks to some cunning buys started 0-0-4 now 9-4-7

 

[Thewlis Dish]

- Opposition midfielder passes down the line to an AMR/L. Instead of running at the ball, my centre-back runs back into his natural and set position because he's been 'hardwired', so to speak, into doing it.

This is exactly why lone strikers seem to be so successful on the game - if you play two central defenders, rather than one marking the striker and the other covering, both go to their set positions and the striker runs straight through the middle of them.

 

[Jolldo87]

what are some good tactics to use with bad teams? (league 2 england)

 

[lifelike_]

My York game was becoming a little boring, so I've started up a new game (this time with a club with money) as AC Milan.

Eight games in and I'm 6-1-1, second behind Inter who are 7-1-0 and seem to be unstoppable. My only loss was away to Lazio when I let in a 90th minute goal after being reduced to nine men.

Gilardino is a sook. After winning a game 2-0 I told him I was disappointed with him (his rating was six, and I always tell starting players the same thing if they end up with a six). Now he's playing the victim and is considering his options. He's out for a couple of months with broken ribs so that's not good either.

That's forced me to play Inzaghi and Ronaldo up front, because I have no other options. I'm playing a slow tempo 4-1-2-1-2 which is working well. Most goals seem to be coming from midfield. I'm still getting a hell of a lot of long shots too, even though they're set at rarely.

I've also found that Gourcuff is fantastic as a sub.

I've only made two signings, Banega for 5m and Barzagli for 12m. Banega's reports say he has the potential to be better than Pirlo, so here's hoping.

I have Robinho coming in January for 21m, so he'll slot in nicely up front with Gilardino. Ronaldo won't sign another contract so I'll probably ship him out during January as well.

In terms of the Champions League, I've drawn a group with Benfica, Marseille and Rangers. I'm 1-1-1 after three games.

Being able to adjust transfer and wage budgets is a fantastic feature. I've managed to bring 20m of wage funds into the transfer kitty, and still come in under budget.

 

[crowsarethebest]

Anybody know some good young goalies? Dean Bouzanis is one but he's at Liverpool and I'd have to pay them like 20 mil for him. I don't want a big name because if I don't play him he'd complain because since I'm Everton and I've got Howard and he's pretty good. Just want a young gun goalie to be back up. I finished 5th last year... should've finished 4th or even 3rd but lost some cheap games to shoddy sides at the end to fall to 5th. Sold Johsnon since I only play a lone striker (Yakubu -has been an absolute gun- 32 goals from like 40 games) and I have Anichebe and Vaughn who are both young gun strikers. Got Breno in the January window and he is a wonkerkid now with Chelski and other big clubs interested in him now. I had 55 mil to spend... absolutely awwsome. However I don't really know what I'm going to spend it all on. I brought in Luigi Bruins (gun MC/AMC) for 20 mil, Marin and 3 mil for Aaritalo (he just wasn't suite to my system), Luis Jiminez for 4.7 mil, VanDan Borre for 5, Flamini for 6.5 and Samba for 14.25 mil. Still have 17 mil to spend- I'd bidded for Traore the young left back who starts at Arsenal and that'll set me back about 15 mil so anyone know a quality young keeper for about 2 mil or less?

 

[Muji]

Some good young keepers are:

* Benoit Costil - After 2 seasons became my number one at Arsenal
* Lys Gomis - If you want a very cheap, decent keeper
* Simon Pouplin - good keeper for a decent price maybe 3-6mill (euro)
* Antonio Adan - good youngster from madrid could get him for a few mill if you can prize him away.
* Joao Carlos - Good youngster and can be cheap
* Diego - young gun for a decent price
* Cassio - very good brazilian for a few mill
* Felipe - another good brazilian not sure price

I could also mention Akinfeev,Ustari and a few others but no need as I'm pretty sure you'd be aware of them.

P.S: If you're looking for keepers goto French or Brazilian clubs.

 

[fullbull]

Anybody know some good young goalies? Dean Bouzanis is one but he's at Liverpool and I'd have to pay them like 20 mil for him. I don't want a big name because if I don't play him he'd complain because since I'm Everton and I've got Howard and he's pretty good. Just want a young gun goalie to be back up. I finished 5th last year... should've finished 4th or even 3rd but lost some cheap games to shoddy sides at the end to fall to 5th. Sold Johsnon since I only play a lone striker (Yakubu -has been an absolute gun- 32 goals from like 40 games) and I have Anichebe and Vaughn who are both young gun strikers. Got Breno in the January window and he is a wonkerkid now with Chelski and other big clubs interested in him now. I had 55 mil to spend... absolutely awwsome. However I don't really know what I'm going to spend it all on. I brought in Luigi Bruins (gun MC/AMC) for 20 mil, Marin and 3 mil for Aaritalo (he just wasn't suite to my system), Luis Jiminez for 4.7 mil, VanDan Borre for 5, Flamini for 6.5 and Samba for 14.25 mil. Still have 17 mil to spend- I'd bidded for Traore the young left back who starts at Arsenal and that'll set me back about 15 mil so anyone know a quality young keeper for about 2 mil or less?

If you can, make it in your best interests to sign Dean Bouzanis. I signed him as a backup keeper (albeit with Man Utd), gave him starts in all of my league cup games plus the occasional premier league start, kept it this way for a season and a half, then I started giving him more matches and I can tell he is going to be an absolute gun. When you consider keepers arent meant to hit their peak til late 20s, and he's only 21, I think I have an absolute pearler on my hands.

My only gripe with him, which my scouts and coaches have already pointed out to me, is he is often very hesitant to rush out to meet the ball, and this can often lead to him being caught out of position, and goals being scored against him. However, his reflexes and ball handling more than make up for it, and I'm quite happy to mould him into my starting goalkeeper.

As for his transfer price, I'm sure you should be able to get him for less than 20 million, if we're talking UK pounds. I got him for 5.5 million pounds, so I wouldn't expect you should have to pay any more than 10 million tops (depending on how far into the game you are). However, if you're talking Aussie dollars, 20 million aint that bad, that's only about 8 million pounds. I'd take it for sure

 

[Muji]

I started a new game with Barca just before holidays end to stuff around a bit and get instant success.

I bought Enyeama 2.5m as backup for Valdes start of 1st season, also Saivet a future buy 700k and Marcelo for 8m both at start of first season. I won champs league and the league.

In my second season I received a budget of 164m. I was laughing! I decided I needed a new keeper so bought Buffon for a cool 90m. Thought I needed a good young DM and got Miguel Veloso for 31m alongside of a future replacement for Thuram I bought Ezequel Garay for 29m but this transaction was completed in season 1 he came season 2.

Also got Micah Richards for a heavy price of 69m. Got the usual youngsters for the future and sold alot of players and good ones at that too. I sold Xavi to Valencia 25m. Gudjohnsen to Villareal 8.5m, Zambrotta to Madrid 16m, V.Valdes to At.Madrid 14.5m and Abidal to Inter 14.25m.

Also got rid of Sylvinho, Edmilson, Ezquerro, Jorquera all on frees.

I just played El Clasico against Madrid away from home and the result will speak for itself.


Here is a screenie of the ladder, coming 3rd with a game in hand.

 

[crowsarethebest]

If you can, make it in your best interests to sign Dean Bouzanis. I signed him as a backup keeper (albeit with Man Utd), gave him starts in all of my league cup games plus the occasional premier league start, kept it this way for a season and a half, then I started giving him more matches and I can tell he is going to be an absolute gun. When you consider keepers arent meant to hit their peak til late 20s, and he's only 21, I think I have an absolute pearler on my hands.

My only gripe with him, which my scouts and coaches have already pointed out to me, is he is often very hesitant to rush out to meet the ball, and this can often lead to him being caught out of position, and goals being scored against him. However, his reflexes and ball handling more than make up for it, and I'm quite happy to mould him into my starting goalkeeper.

As for his transfer price, I'm sure you should be able to get him for less than 20 million, if we're talking UK pounds. I got him for 5.5 million pounds, so I wouldn't expect you should have to pay any more than 10 million tops (depending on how far into the game you are). However, if you're talking Aussie dollars, 20 million aint that bad, that's only about 8 million pounds. I'd take it for sure

Liverpool won't let him go. offered 15 mil UK pounds and they declined. I think it's got to do with Everton and Liverpool being huge rivals. Bouzanis does look awwsome though. It's just his positioning is crap.

 

[crowsarethebest]

Some good young keepers are:

* Benoit Costil - After 2 seasons became my number one at Arsenal
* Lys Gomis - If you want a very cheap, decent keeper
* Simon Pouplin - good keeper for a decent price maybe 3-6mill (euro)
* Antonio Adan - good youngster from madrid could get him for a few mill if you can prize him away.
* Joao Carlos - Good youngster and can be cheap
* Diego - young gun for a decent price
* Cassio - very good brazilian for a few mill
* Felipe - another good brazilian not sure price

I could also mention Akinfeev,Ustari and a few others but no need as I'm pretty sure you'd be aware of them.

P.S: If you're looking for keepers goto French or Brazilian clubs.

Thanks for the list. I'll have a look at them.

 

[RoosterLad]

I'm getting back into this at the start of the new year after struggling to find the time and energy over Xmas/New Years.

My Lewes side has fallen to 3rd after 3 draws in a row, the recent one was a 1-1 draw away to the top side. I led 1-0 after a stunning strike, they equalise... then my gun striker in his first game back from injury slots a goal in the 89th minute and the stupid linesman puts his stupid flag up.


I also just received the news that one of my key centre backs is suffering from arthritis and will miss 2-3 weeks!

 

[fullbull]

Liverpool won't let him go. offered 15 mil UK pounds and they declined. I think it's got to do with Everton and Liverpool being huge rivals. Bouzanis does look awwsome though. It's just his positioning is crap.

Ah fair enough, I suppose that would affect how much they would want for him. Adds to the realism of the hatred between the two clubs hey...

I was lucky that Portsmouth bought him from Liverpool, so I got him from them instead, because Man Utd and Liverpool are still pretty big rivals too, and they would've probably tried to shaft me too

 

[ShearMagic9]

I'm getting back into this at the start of the new year after struggling to find the time and energy over Xmas/New Years.

My Lewes side has fallen to 3rd after 3 draws in a row, the recent one was a 1-1 draw away to the top side. I led 1-0 after a stunning strike, they equalise... then my gun striker in his first game back from injury slots a goal in the 89th minute and the stupid linesman puts his stupid flag up.


I also just received the news that one of my key centre backs is suffering from arthritis and will miss 2-3 weeks!

Haha well playing as Newcastle in a muck-around game, Faye got injured for 3-4 months, Martins for 4-5, Milner for 4-5 and Given for 6.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

Haha well playing as Newcastle in a muck-around game, Faye got injured for 3-4 months, Martins for 4-5, Milner for 4-5 and Given for 6.

Probably the only realistic part of the game then.