So after JUST avoiding relegation in the few games I was given at the end of last season, I got a respectable 5th placed finish for St. Pauli in the Second Division. It's a bit bittersweet though. At the start had someone said I would finish 5th I would laugh it off because we were barely able to score, let alone win. And I had a rough start, but that was probably due me buying loads of players, most on free, and after setting the Team Cohesion training on heavy, in a few weeks things settled down and we went on an unbeaten run of 10 games which catapulted us from lower half to touching distance of title win. But then a few draws towards the end of the season meant it was close but no cigar.
All in all I am delighted with the players and the way they responded. The player of the season, and who almost left the club at the end for greener pastures - Marc Rzatowski. 14 goals and 14 assists to his name, a serious match winner.
What was also interesting was that after reading so many comments on here about strong target men ruling the game, and St. Pauli already possession two very good ones, I thought it would be a comfortable job in getting the goals, but they just wouldn't score. I'm pathetic when it comes to wingplay in FM, as well and my tactics usually boil down to possession-esque approach which probably didn't suit them, but their finishing cost me a few points and almost got us relegated so there was no way I was risking another season with them.
Instead, and specially after seeing how I have 2-3 excellent inside forwards, I went ahead and bought two strikers who have the capabilities to be a false 9. The aim was mainly to take the burden of scoring off the front man and allow a system where he can bring others in when he doesn't have the option to go through with it himself and it really worked well. Most of Rzat's goals came through that approach.
I think it was a good thing in the end that we were not promoted, I guess we can do with another year in Second Division and let these youngsters get more experience before we step into the big league. As
@Varun very rightly predicted, it was really enjoyable once the team settled down and got used to the system. The talent in Germany is great and most of the goals and buildups are brilliant to watch.
