FM Blog Attempt #2: Liverpool

So today I said those fateful words to HRHomer that I’ve said many, many times before: “I’m starting a new FM Game”.

However hear me out – there is solid reasoning on this one beside ADD. See I’ve been wanting to play it all week but I couldn’t bring myself to do it, even with an unbeaten season and Taffs blog posts as inspiration.

The reason I couldn’t? I hate Man Utd.

Well – not hate. Not hate in the way I hate Glasgow Celtic or Stixx posts. But I’m just not a fan of them. I came to the realization today when I was watching the Boxing Day football. There I was sitting begging Hull to score and I realized that’s why I wasn’t into the game; because I just plain don’t like them. They play lovely football and I have great memories of Cantona, Cole, Yorke etc – but yeah, not a fan.

However on the flip side; I’m a fan of both Liverpool and Everton. Thinking back the last few years my favourite Football Manager careers have involved either of the Merseyside clubs. So it’s time to start afresh – and go Liverpool. Thinking back to much of their football this season I realize that’s what I wish to emulate.

The Game:

Man Utd back in EPL, Liverpool in Championship. Jose Mourinho at Everton, with Bale, CR20 and Messi all going there on Jan 1st lol. Should be interesting. Moyes back at Man Utd, Ferguson still at Man City. I canceled all outgoing loans Liverpool had.

One thing I am going to do different this time, is match the tactic to the players. Man Utd have a lot of versatility that Liverpool don’t have, and a quick look at my team suggests that this is the best method. So let’s go through the players first focusing on the notable players.

The Players:

Goalkeepers:Reina, Mignolet, Jones.

Both Reina and Mignolet will be given the choice throughout the season to see who my #1 will be.

Full/Wing Backs: Johnson, Enrique, Cissokho, Robinson, Flanagan.

Of those, only Johnson, Enrique and Cissokho are fit to play in the EPL at the moment. A slight concern but as we’re in the Championship it’ll allow me to give the others a chance. One of the strongest positions in the team, and I’ll be playing with wing backs ideally for my main tactic.

Centre Backs: Agger, Skrtel, Sakho, Kelly, Coats.

Also a couple of youngsters plus Toure. Agger/Skrtel is a no brainer there with Sakho a tremendous 3rd choice. I’m tempted by a 3 man defense when pushing the wing backs up. Not 100% convinced, but if I go with that I have 3 top guys to use.

Defensive Midfielders: Lucas.

Clearly my weakest position with literally only one player who is set for DMC. Quite the chance from my Man Utd game where I was playing with 1-2 DMCs.

Central Midfield: Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, Allen.

Another weak position. It’s helping me build the team in my head though due to these restrictions. Lucas for sure, then Gerrard or Henderson with Allen given many games too.

Attacking Midfielders: Coutinho, Aspas, Sterling, Moses, Assaidi, Alberto, Borini, Suso.

Obviously, my strongest position. Suarez and Sturridge can play there too. Most of them are AMC with a few set up for AMRL. No out and out pure one sided wingers.

Strikers: Suarez, Sturridge, Aspas, Alberto, Borini, Ngoo.

Again, a lot of options. Suarez and Sturridge will be my 2 main players and various other options. Many of them fill in the AMC role as well.

Overall Thoughts:

Prior to laying out tactics, I’m seeing an attacking team focused on wingbacks and attacking midfielders, with the MCs being more about recycling possession. I’m undecided about 2 strikers or 1. I think we can handle both – 3 AMC/1 FC and 2 AMC/2 FC.

Also what’s interesting is this does allow me to set up something similar to the 3-6-0. With that in mind, I am going to go with 2 standard tactics then attempt a no striker tactic, to see how the FM match engine handles it.

Player roles aren’t set yet:

Tactic #1:

A 2-2-2-2-2 I guess. This one will have the two strikers used. The AM positions can alternate to wingers if need be dependent on opposition. I’m debating this being my attacking formation.

Tactic #2:

I’m debating this being my base formation. Holding the ball up in oppositions half, quick passes, lots of movement and pressure.

Tactic #3:

My “in the lead” tactic. Where we focus more on control, not AS attack focused although obviously still focused on it.

Tactic Summary:

My main goal I think with #1 and #2 is to determine what one I prefer. Then in a couple of months get rid of one, and focus on a more defensive based one which we will obviously need for going to the EPL.