Gaming Football Manager 2021 (FM21)

P-Nut

fan of well-known French footballer Fabinho
Joined
Oct 16, 2015
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Oldham, Greater Manchester
Can't quite nail a team down at United. 1st season won the PL, 2nd season finished 3rd and won the UCL. Half way through the 3rd season and I'm struggling to hold on to 3th, defence is leaking goals for fun despite me bringing in De Ligt and Theo Hernandez.

Strikers are still banging them in for fun with Martial and Greenwood both over 20 goals for the season at the halfway mark.

Considering changing formation but I've built the squad for this specific tactic and feel like it would be a bit of a nightmare to now change
 

sebsheep

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
Joined
Jun 1, 2014
Messages
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Can't quite nail a team down at United. 1st season won the PL, 2nd season finished 3rd and won the UCL. Half way through the 3rd season and I'm struggling to hold on to 3th, defence is leaking goals for fun despite me bringing in De Ligt and Theo Hernandez.

Strikers are still banging them in for fun with Martial and Greenwood both over 20 goals for the season at the halfway mark.

Considering changing formation but I've built the squad for this specific tactic and feel like it would be a bit of a nightmare to now change
It might just be a case of tinkering with little things in your tactic rather than needing to change the whole formation.
 

vangagal

Full Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2015
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Far away from home
Got bored doing usual big team save and started doing Salford save this time around.
Currently in 2nd season in League One. In 31rd January, 4 hours before transfer window closed, i got offer for my right back from RB Leipzig, i reject it but they comeback 2 hour later with much better offer, i was gonna reject it when i realised Peter Lim(owner) accepted it without my consent.
I was livid as it was very late at the last day of transfer window without proper replacement. It was very hard to find a decent RB this game for cheap and i just lost one. Feeling dejected for awhile though, after that Peter Lim announced he gonna retired at the end of the season, goodness me he totally screw me up before he gone the leecher.
 

P-Nut

fan of well-known French footballer Fabinho
Joined
Oct 16, 2015
Messages
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Location
Oldham, Greater Manchester
It might just be a case of tinkering with little things in your tactic rather than needing to change the whole formation.
Yeah I've considered that, but it's the inverted wing backs that are tough to get in and I've finally signed two 17 year old for ridiculous sums to nail down those spots in a few seasons.
 

WI_Red

Redcafes Most Rested
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May 20, 2018
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fecking hell. Got to the CL final again with Feyenoord and lost again. This time to Dortmund, who have not only kept Sancho/Reyna/Bellingham/Haaland but have added Camavinga, Richarlison, Tah, Agelino, and Kang, all for 40+ million. Haaland had 5 goals in the 5-3 final (on 5 shots).

My team was anchored by:
- Hannibal, who is on his second season on loan, who did his best Bruno impression (22G, 21A)
- Moukoko, who I got on a free as BD did not offer him a contract (36G)
- and a central partnership of Senesi (already there and a beast) and Mingueza (on a free from Barca)

On to next year. No idea how I am going to replace Hannibal in CM as I am guessing there is no way Utd are going to let him go on loan. He is a top 10 CM in the world at this point (thanks to me....).

Edit: The Dec 31st 6-month contract renewal period has been a gold mine. Besides the 2 above I have also picked up Nico Williams and Cesar Gelabert who have been absolute stars for me.
 

Lay

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
Joined
Jan 29, 2013
Messages
19,790
Location
England
Moukoko always seems to go on a free to PSG in all my saves. I don’t even bother trying to offer him a contract anymore. He will rot there too.

I find it hard finding a good defensive midfielder, third season in and they’re either way overpriced or average
 

sebsheep

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
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Yeah I've considered that, but it's the inverted wing backs that are tough to get in and I've finally signed two 17 year old for ridiculous sums to nail down those spots in a few seasons.
Unless you're constantly being caught out wide on the counter then you should be fine to keep them, I think they just position themselves normally when defending.
 

sebsheep

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
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fecking hell. Got to the CL final again with Feyenoord and lost again. This time to Dortmund, who have not only kept Sancho/Reyna/Bellingham/Haaland but have added Camavinga, Richarlison, Tah, Agelino, and Kang, all for 40+ million. Haaland had 5 goals in the 5-3 final (on 5 shots).
That's a pretty rough ride.
 

Maluco

Last Man Standing 3 champion 2019/20
Joined
Jan 4, 2014
Messages
5,765
Yeah I've considered that, but it's the inverted wing backs that are tough to get in and I've finally signed two 17 year old for ridiculous sums to nail down those spots in a few seasons.
I got on really well in last years version with inverted FB and defensive wingers, playing a 4-1-3-2 with a CM on attack in the middle.

Lots of goals and FB seemed to do their job packing out midfield and keeping up the pressure.
 

SAFMUTD

New Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2018
Messages
11,787
Sorry I just buy it these days. You can’t go too far wrong with Fm. It’s good value for money. If you got a friends steam details you could probably play it offline like that.
Thank you man!
 

ThinkTank@Cafe

Full Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2019
Messages
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Kazakhstan
4 CLs, 5 PL titles, 2 trebles and 1 domestic double in 5 seasons. Currently sitting top of the league in January 2026 with 6 goals conceded in 21 matches. I also managed to get 190 million pounds for Camavinga - my personal record sale in FM. Perfect save.
 

JB08

Searches for nude pics of Marcos Rojo
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Messages
8,361
4 CLs, 5 PL titles, 2 trebles and 1 domestic double in 5 seasons. Currently sitting top of the league in January 2026 with 6 goals conceded in 21 matches. I also managed to get 190 million pounds for Camavinga - my personal record sale in FM. Perfect save.
How are you not bored? Whenever the game starts to get remotely easy I can’t help but start a new save.
 

Champ

Refuses to acknowledge existence of Ukraine
Joined
Jun 17, 2017
Messages
9,888
How are you not bored? Whenever the game starts to get remotely easy I can’t help but start a new save.
I am the same,

My current save has just turned into a whitewash, every game is a sure fire win and I am so bored. I have even started playing some of my youth team to try and even the games up a little!
I've said it before in this thread, but this game to me feels like the easiest version of FM ever,
 

sebsheep

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
Joined
Jun 1, 2014
Messages
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Here
It sounds like some people could do with trying to recreate the W-M formation!

You can make the game a bit harder for yourself tbf.
 

Dan_F

Full Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2012
Messages
10,317
The finances make it ridiculous. I’m in the Slovenian league and my transfer budget went from £350k in year one to £5 million in year two. And that was without qualifying for Europe in season one. There is just no possible way that the league is financed like that for the winners.

I managed to get to the Europa groups in season two and Champions League groups in season three. My budget in season four is £18 million...Maribor got in the Champions League proper a few years back and you don’t see them having £18 million transfer budgets.
 

Ludens the Red

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Jul 27, 2009
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London
I am the same,

My current save has just turned into a whitewash, every game is a sure fire win and I am so bored. I have even started playing some of my youth team to try and even the games up a little!
I've said it before in this thread, but this game to me feels like the easiest version of FM ever,
Definitely. I feel in particular it’s way too easy to play attacking football and score goals and like @Dan_F pointed out money comes too easy.

In my second season with Cardiff in the Prem I came 7th. Back in old FMs it would take at least four seasons to start making the top 7 with average championship clubs.
Beating teams like Arsenal and Chelsea 5-0 and 4-0 at home. It’s always way too easy to go on long unbeaten home runs. Ended up scoring 69 goals. By January I was bored and forced myself to conclude the season and then quit.

Wouldn’t be so bad if the game wasn’t filled with minor bugs too.
 

Champ

Refuses to acknowledge existence of Ukraine
Joined
Jun 17, 2017
Messages
9,888
Definitely. I feel in particular it’s way too easy to play attacking football and score goals and like @Dan_F pointed out money comes too easy.

In my second season with Cardiff in the Prem I came 7th. Back in old FMs it would take at least four seasons to start making the top 7 with average championship clubs.
Beating teams like Arsenal and Chelsea 5-0 and 4-0 at home. It’s always way too easy to go on long unbeaten home runs. Ended up scoring 69 goals. By January I was bored and forced myself to conclude the season and then quit.

Wouldn’t be so bad if the game wasn’t filled with minor bugs too.
Yeah, I massively agree,

I had a similar situation with my Bournemouth save, got them to the premiership, within three seasons had won the FA cup, Europa League and League cup, then won three premiership's on the bounce. All without spending a huge amount.

Certainly seems to be an issue with attacking tactics and I have found that Gegen press and setting your players to shoot on sight is massively effective, you may concede goals but you will most definitely score more than you concede.
 

Lay

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
Joined
Jan 29, 2013
Messages
19,790
Location
England
Think this is the only FM where I don’t change my tactics for away or difficult games. I use my own tactics so it isn’t anything OP.
 

Dan_F

Full Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2012
Messages
10,317
Think this is the only FM where I don’t change my tactics for away or difficult games. I use my own tactics so it isn’t anything OP.
Same. I beat Napoli 2-1 with a Slovenian team. Away. With my attacking, pressing tactics.
 

Solius

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Staff
Joined
Dec 31, 2007
Messages
86,294
I keep having crap players automatically added to my shortlist. Anyone know how to prevent this?

I've got it set as 'When scouting a player - Shortlist NEVER'.
 

Alex99

Rehab's Pete Doherty
Joined
May 30, 2009
Messages
15,545
I keep having crap players automatically added to my shortlist. Anyone know how to prevent this?

I've got it set as 'When scouting a player - Shortlist NEVER'.
Are you asking their agent anything?
 

Alex99

Rehab's Pete Doherty
Joined
May 30, 2009
Messages
15,545
Nope. The reports are just coming up in my feed cause the Scouts are being set by the Chief Scout.
I've found this version quite buggy so it might just be that.

On multiple occasions I've had the opportunity to deal with an opposition player asking to be subbed off because of injury. Clicked "Ignore" once to see what happened and the poor fecker played 80 minutes on one leg.
 

Ali Dia

Full Member
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May 10, 2013
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Souness's Super Sub/George Weahs Talented Cousin
Yeah, I massively agree,

I had a similar situation with my Bournemouth save, got them to the premiership, within three seasons had won the FA cup, Europa League and League cup, then won three premiership's on the bounce. All without spending a huge amount.

Certainly seems to be an issue with attacking tactics and I have found that Gegen press and setting your players to shoot on sight is massively effective, you may concede goals but you will most definitely score more than you concede.
This is it basically. Set the corners to near post and have badiashille or some other massive defender knocking them in. He hits double figures in the league every season on near post headers for me. 5-2-1-2 formation away to the big clubs and your gegenpress 4-3-3 at home and just play 4-3-3 all the time when you have top players. If you start scouting the best players from the start nearly half of them will be available on a free within a few years. Get bargain South American players and pay the bulk of the fee in instalments over the following season. It’s really really easy once you get into the PL to get European football and then you’re set. Once you win the first CL it’s over really.
 
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Lay

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
Joined
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Messages
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England
In big games do you guys play the player in form or the player who has better stats? My reserve striker took over from an injured Alcacar and did well. I’m not sure who to start against Real Madrid
 

Ali Dia

Full Member
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In big games do you guys play the player in form or the player who has better stats? My reserve striker took over from an injured Alcacar and did well. I’m not sure who to start against Real Madrid
I’d value match Fitness most of all. It they aren’t fully fit they nearly always need to come off early in the second half anyway. I’d play the match fit guy and then bring on the recovering player for the last 20 mins if needed.
 

sebsheep

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
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In big games do you guys play the player in form or the player who has better stats? My reserve striker took over from an injured Alcacar and did well. I’m not sure who to start against Real Madrid
Depends on the difference in form and quality really.
 

sebsheep

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
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This is it basically. Set the corners to near post and have badiashille or some other massive defender knocking them in. He hits double figures in the league every season on near post headers for me. 5-2-1-2 formation away to the big clubs and your gegenpress 4-3-3 at home and just play 4-3-3 all the time when you have top players. If you start scouting the best players from the start nearly half of them will be available on a free within a few years. Get bargain South American players and pay the bulk of the fee in instalments over the following season. It’s really really easy once you get into the PL to get European football and then you’re set. Once you win the first CL it’s over really.
That's where you have to decide how you want to play the game. I don't use set piece routines that produce crazy results and rarely even have the taker on anything other that 'mixed'. I don't think I've ever even touched the in built games tactics. England has always been one of the easiest countries to squad build in as well.
 

sebsheep

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
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Here
Had a very good 2nd full season with Leon, won the opening league stage, the Mexican Champions trophy, the Campeones Cup and.... The NACL! That's 4/5 now. Left at the end of the season and had a few months waiting for jobs to come up, Napoli popped up in November, currently sitting 14th after 12 games so I applied and got the job. The squad is a bit all over the place and really lacking central midfielders. They also love a freebie, currently have 35 year olds Harry Maguire and Paulo Dybala as well as 33 year old Angel Correa and a 32 Asensio. Maguire has 7 Acceleration and 9 Pace :lol:

 

sebsheep

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
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:lol: My keeper (guy has 14 for decisions, it might actually be missing the minus sign though) sees the opposition player run into that position, he then turns and rolls the ball to him for him to just kick it into the goal. There is a joke about match fixing in Italy floating around somewhere...
 

Solius

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Dec 31, 2007
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So my created team are now in the Premier League. The board is expanding the stadium to 46k so I'm playing my home games at St. Mary's.

Only thing is Bournemouth have moved into my stadium and are playing there until the expansion is completed :lol: Could I have just not carried on playing there?
 

Ludens the Red

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Jul 27, 2009
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I keep having crap players automatically added to my shortlist. Anyone know how to prevent this?

I've got it set as 'When scouting a player - Shortlist NEVER'.
Do you import old shortlists from different saves?

because if you add regens to your shortlist save it and then in a new save import that shortlist the regens with that same personal id get added.
 

Solius

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Staff
Joined
Dec 31, 2007
Messages
86,294
Do you import old shortlists from different saves?

because if you add regens to your shortlist save it and then in a new save import that shortlist the regens with that same personal id get added.
I think I worked it out. I had it to always update reports on shortlisted players but I forgot I'd filtered by 'Only interested in transfer' so there were players on shortlist I didn't realise were on it.
 

sebsheep

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
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So my created team are now in the Premier League. The board is expanding the stadium to 46k so I'm playing my home games at St. Mary's.

Only thing is Bournemouth have moved into my stadium and are playing there until the expansion is completed :lol: Could I have just not carried on playing there?
It's football manager, if it make sense then the game won't want to do it.
 

sebsheep

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
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Napoli's finances are a complete mess. 34 million in debt, 2nd highest wage bill in the league and we have players on over a 100k a week who are below average.
In the middle of trying to shift some of the deadwood I accidentally loaned out our best back up midfielder as well. :lol:
 

WI_Red

Redcafes Most Rested
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May 20, 2018
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No longer in WI
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5 years into my save and got excited to try and manage the US in a home soil world cup. I figured that the last 5 years would have produced 1 or 2 stars to join pulisic/reyna/adama/mussah/etc. Nope. The newgen system for the US is completely broken. I took a look with Genie Scout and they top newgen, over 5 years, has a PA of 150, with the next highest at 134. Every other main team in CONCACAF has better newgens. As an experiment I used the editor and changed the newgen score for the US to 180 (for reference, Brazil is like 162). After 4 years of simming the top newgen has a PA of 147. I think the MLS newgen system is a steaming pile. Really took the fun out of this save.