Attention: Please take a moment to consider our terms and conditions before posting.
Football Manager 2020
Comments
-
My Grimsby save is the only one where I've got a non-gegenpressing technique to work. I've gone regular tiki-taki (which I still find quietly funny for Grimsby) where I regroup instead of counter-press and play a slow tempo 4-5-1. I don't really know what I'm doing in FM terms but just been messing with it really.alicwkd said:I would definitely recommend a heavy pressing tactic. It may just be my team or something about the players I have but I took over Plymouth and achieved back to back promotions in the first two seasons and am now 2nd in the championship with a really simple pressing tactic.
Every time I have tried any more passive style of defending or god forbid counter attacking my defence has been laughably inept. Like I say may just be a good fit but reading around a bit it does seem as though pressing/ gegenpressing are a bit of a cheat code.
I found with gegenpress I was having all the shots and possession high up the field but not creating many chances and was super-exposed to counter attacks... resulting in a lot of infuriating 70% possession, 25 shot to 4 losses and draws.
1 -
i wonder if as they factored in Brexit in the latest version if the next FM will have the coronavirus? guess they would especially if the season never finishes.0
-
To answer my own question, we beat Col U 3-2.ValleyGary said:When do we play in the FM cup thing on Twitter?1 -
btw this is my first ever manager game since LMA manager 2002thought i'll start the game unemployed and see what comes about. a little known team called Rende were desperate and chose me to steer them away from relegation in Serie C/Cafter 3 reasonably successful seasons getting into the unbelievably long arse play offs i have finally managed to get them into Serie B. Rende are a village/pub side so this season in Serie B was always going to be difficult but i have kept the team mid table and i'm 11 games in.3
-
I bought my son FM20 a couple of weeks ago and watched and helped him play. I did some web surfing on bargain free transfers before he started and he has been doing great, albeit in the first season. Plays 5-3-2. 10 games to go and 8th, two points outside the play offs. Other than having to cope with his emotional outbursts after back to back defeats, it appears a good game. The key freebies in season one were Yaya Toure (who defies real in game), Augusto Fernandez, Douglas, Alexander Milosevic, Marcus Olsson and a forward called Schahin. We ditched Matt Smith, David Davis and McGeady to save wages and sold Solly and Pearce (no room from sentiment if you want to have a go at promotion). The best signing so far though has been a loan RWB/RB called Djevan Anderson - goal and assists galore for Lyle who has reached 20 for the season.The only sh*t aspect of the game is that you have to interact with the Board you are dealt with.If you have any tip loans or free agents that you know of for season 2, please let me know?0
-
Oh_Yoni_Boy said:Booted up FM19 during quarantine, playing an online game vs a friend so there's been no possibility for save-scumming or any shady business. We've also banned downloading tactics and have a gentlemens' agreement not to Google wonderkids (not that we can afford them). Here's what's happened in our game so far...
**18/19 Season** - Took on the Grimsby job in League 2 whilst my mate took Cambridge. No money, very little wages available so basically operating off of freebie loans. Slow start but went on a 19 game unbeaten run and snuck into 2nd a few games before the end without any late drama (top 3 go up automatic) - blew the tiny budget on upgrading Wes Thomas to the transfer-listed James Collins in January who fired 8 goals in 12 games to get me over the line.
Key Signings: James Collins (Luton) - 185k in January, George Cooper (Peterborough) - loan, Nathan Holland (West Ham) - loan, Josh Simpson (Bournemouth) - loan.
League: 2nd (Cambridge 1st)
Cup: Checkatrade Final - Cambridge 2-0 Grimsby(!!!), FA Cup 4th Round (replay) - Grimsby 0 - 2 Bolton
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
**19/20 Season** - All change >20 signings in the door, all kinds of drama this season. Cambridge cruising it again up until January with Grimsby hanging onto a playoff spot before a big late run inspired by Mo Eisa coming in for the impotent James Collins and bagging a goal a game (with Shef Wed and Cambridge also both imploding). The key moment was a magical late hat-trick in the 89, 90th and 93rd mins by Rochdale away at 2nd place Barnsley for a 3-2 win in the penultimate game - allowing me to move ahead of them for the first time all season. I get thumped 3-0 away at MK Dons on the final day, Chucks Aneke the villain... but Charlton, who are down in mid-table, hold on to beat Barnsley 2-1... Grimsby are promoted! Cambridge lose 4-1 to Fleetwood in their playoff home leg and that was that.
Key Signings: Mo Eisa (Bristol City) - loan in Jan, Josh Vokins (Southampton) - loan, Ed Upson (Bristol City) - 105k, Kane Wilson (WBA) - 110k, Pleguezuelo - free, McAllister - free
League: 2nd (Cambridge 5th)
Cup: FA Cup 4th Round (replay) - Bournemouth 1-0 Grimsby
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
**20/21 Season 33 games gone** - Basically needed to somehow accumulate a new squad again for a total of 80k wages per week (but a healthy 1.5m transfer budget) and my squad are furious at me for suggesting that we should aim to avoid the drop pre-season. I seem to be the anti-Curbs as we were hanging around mid-table again but are starting to kick on and have just sneaked into 6th place. Couldn't really turn down a 4.3m deadline day bid for Kane Wilson from Shef Utd and ended up using it to panic-buy Barry Bannan on a ridiculous 11.75k a week and a substandard RB replacement.
Key Signings: Temenuzhkov (Leeds) - loan, Kasey Palmer (Chelsea) - loan, Morgan Fox (Shef Wed) - 20k, Garcia (Man City) - loan, Mowatt (Reading) - 425k... and maybe (as I've only had him 2 days)... Bannan (Watford) - 375k,
(as of 02/02/2020)
League: 6th (Cambridge sitting 3rd in L1 after a shambolic start)
Cup: FA Cup 4th Round (replay) - Man Utd ? - ? Grimsby (3-3 at Blundell Park)
**20/21 Season** Update
The season is finished and after some staggering results I find myself second, needing only a draw to seal promotion. We give Huddersfield a 1-0 beating for Norwich to win the league on GD (90pts). Bannan was a total waste of a wage as expected but after a 3rd successive 2nd place Grimsby are off to the promised land. Morgon Fox won my player of the season!
A 27m transfer budget and the construction of a new 14,000 seater stadium in Cleethorpes is my prize, along with sharing the KCOM with Hull for the next 2 seasons.7 -
I just set the team to maximum press in the tactics screen. Very rarely use oppo instructions. Occasionally use the 'show onto foot' instruction but that's it.killerandflash said:
Do you just set your players to press to the maximum, or in the opposition screen do you press each opponent?alicwkd said:I would definitely recommend a heavy pressing tactic. It may just be my team or something about the players I have but I took over Plymouth and achieved back to back promotions in the first two seasons and am now 2nd in the championship with a really simple pressing tactic.
Every time I have tried any more passive style of defending or god forbid counter attacking my defence has been laughably inept. Like I say may just be a good fit but reading around a bit it does seem as though pressing/ gegenpressing are a bit of a cheat code.0 -
March 2027. The world of football is a strange place.
How are Tottenham that high? Very odd.0 -
Charlton and Ipswich struggling hard in League 1 in season 4 of my game, Shef Wed also just come back up from League 1.DyerConsequences said:March 2027. The world of football is a strange place.
How are Tottenham that high? Very odd.
Charlton have been through so many managers and it's only 2021... they've sacked Bowyer, Powell (again), Bruce, Monk, Kirby(?) and are currently managerless in the relegation zone.1 -
Other notables: Sunderland are still in league one in mine. Although top this season. But have lost in the playoff final twice more and the check a trade final twice. Palace and Millwall both in the Championship, Rotherham are in the playoff places at the moment!
Plymouth have also made it up to the championship. Bolton have never got out of league 2 after being relegated the first season. Bradford and Southend are in the national league, as are Swindon and Cambridge who are both in the relegation zone. Notts County have never got back into the football league.1 - Sponsored links:
-
I'm not saying this game is too easy, but yeah this was nice
0 -
I'm in my 4th season managing Charlton in the Championship. Still managing with a measly budget set by Southall. Made the playoff final once. Not cheated by looking up secret players and tactics but occasionally have aborted and replayed games if my tenure was looking a bit rocky...
I've changed my tactics slightly, as relying on loan players too much meant short term success, but no chance to build, and as finances are rubbish, being able to buy young talent and sell it for a profit is something I need to do...
My squad still has many current players, Amos (reserve keeper), Purrington, Sarr, Lockyer, Matthews, Williams, JFC, Oztumer, Lapslie, Taylor, Bonne0 -
Just picked it back up in the last few days.
I stopped playing my save after the end of January because I had two months straight of bad results - including Fleetwood knocking me out of the cup. My database is pre-January so I still have Gallagher and I was able to loan in Connolly from Brighton to play upfront with Lyle.
Put a run of form together from February onwards to get the team into the playoffs. I’ve got to get past QPR to play against Brentford or Reading in the final.
In the two days leading up to the first leg at the Valley, Lyle gets a season ending injury and Gallagher gets an injury that takes him out of the two legs and won’t be fit for the final if he makes it.
First leg comes around. I’m 2-0 up inside 20 minutes but QPR pull one back five minutes later. Connolly scores again to make it 3-1 but they get a second on the stroke of half time.
I don’t know what Warburton said to them at half time but within 20 minutes of the restart I’m 4-3 down. Lockyer scored a late headed reply from a free kick to make sure the tie was level heading to Loftus Road.
Within 30 seconds of kick off, Eze scores and I’m expecting a drubbing from the heavy favourites. But the team digs in and Connolly scores a scrappy equaliser just before half time.
A highlight less second half follows until the 88th minute. QPR have a free kick that floats just wide. The highlight continues via Phillips goal kick and we go down the other end and win a penalty. Aneke takes it and scores! I scramble to go to my defensive tactic for the five minutes of stoppage time. QPR commit too many players forward and we hit them on the break. Connolly ends up grabbing another and we win 7-5 on aggregate.
Brentford are our opponents in the final. Gallagher is back but can only play 60 minutes. I throw him into the starting line up. The Bees dominate for most of it with 11 shots on target to my 6 but it’s 0-0 after 90 minutes and we go to extra time.
96th minute and Rico Henry rockets one into the top corner. Phillips with no chance. I thought that was it... but we win a second play-off penalty just five minutes later. Pedro Diaz (signed on a free in January, Gallagher’s sub replacement) steps up and sends Raya the wrong way. We have to go to penalties and Charlton go first.
The first six penalties are all scored. Diaz, Aneke and Purrington for me, Marcondes, Jensen, Marino for them. Cullen steps up and the seventh penalty is saved. It’s looking bleak. We need Valencia or Dalsgaard to miss and Williams to score. Valencia’s eighth penalty hits the outside of the post and goes wide! Williams scores and so does Dalsgaard. 4-4, we go to sudden death and my palms are sweaty.
Matthews steps up to take the 11th penalty and it’s tamely into the arms of Raya. Surely that’s it? We’ve had three or four close escapes already in the last three games. Norgaard steps up to win it and Phillips saves!
Now we’re getting to the real penalty novices and I’m getting worried. Lockyer is next. It’s unconvincing but he scores. Next up for Brentford is Dervisoglu. He’s a striker/winger... why is he taking their seventh penalty? His penalty taking is rubbish that’s why. Phillips saves a second penalty in a row and Charlton are promoted!
Charlton 1-1 Brentford AET (Charlton win 5-4 on penalties).8 -
I just typed all of that out on my phone.3
-
I’m still only about 15 games in and 11th playing 4-2-3-1. I had a budget of £2m but sold Forster-caskey for £600k. Even league 2 players were rejecting me and my loans are taken up with crap that I don’t want in my squad ( mcceady, Davis, Man City guy). I managed to sign Hamilton from Mansfield and another winger from Ireland, he is my star man. Aneke out for 7 months so that part is realistic. I promoted Jason euell to first team coach and replaced him in the U-23’s with teddy Sherringham. I tried offering it to bowyer but he is still bitter that I replaced him as manager.
i want some loans to be recalled so I can get full backs in on loan. Matthews, solly and purringtin aren’t very good. Page is back playing for the u-23’s. weidu and Dougherty are getting good u-23 ratings and might be used later in the season once relegation is avoided.
i Managed to get Taylor and Williams on new long term contracts but mouthall is upset that I’ve used his Range Rover fund to do so.Cullern isn’t doing that well and I’m thinking of giving field a go. Is he poor for anyone else?0 -
Whenever I’ve been Charlton, Field has always done better for me than Cullen. He’s alright, but Field seems to be more effective on the game is what I have found.Todds_right_hook said:I’m still only about 15 games in and 11th playing 4-2-3-1. I had a budget of £2m but sold Forster-caskey for £600k. Even league 2 players were rejecting me and my loans are taken up with crap that I don’t want in my squad ( mcceady, Davis, Man City guy). I managed to sign Hamilton from Mansfield and another winger from Ireland, he is my star man. Aneke out for 7 months so that part is realistic. I promoted Jason euell to first team coach and replaced him in the U-23’s with teddy Sherringham. I tried offering it to bowyer but he is still bitter that I replaced him as manager.
i want some loans to be recalled so I can get full backs in on loan. Matthews, solly and purringtin aren’t very good. Page is back playing for the u-23’s. weidu and Dougherty are getting good u-23 ratings and might be used later in the season once relegation is avoided.
i Managed to get Taylor and Williams on new long term contracts but mouthall is upset that I’ve used his Range Rover fund to do so.Cullern isn’t doing that well and I’m thinking of giving field a go. Is he poor for anyone else?0 -
Oh and my first season was brilliant!
Millwall, Wednesday, and Bristol City all got relegated. Derby and Barnsley survived on the final day and actually overtook Millwall and Wednesday. Bristol City were rock bottom and had sacked Lee Johnson way back in November, they never recovered. Charlton and Luton incredibly made the play-offs, Leeds and Fulham went up automatically.0 -
The first time I played the game Taylor was on fire and as a result refused to sign a new contract. After I got sacked and restarted (after only getting offered the Crewe job!) Taylor was far less prolific, and signed a new deal!
Near the end of my 4th season in the Championship, my concentration on bringing through cheap signings instead of concentrating on loan players is paying dividends as I'm building a decent squad of young players under contract.
And I'm still reporting to Southall
0 -
I sent McGeady back in January, his wages are massive for what he offers.Todds_right_hook said:I’m still only about 15 games in and 11th playing 4-2-3-1. I had a budget of £2m but sold Forster-caskey for £600k. Even league 2 players were rejecting me and my loans are taken up with crap that I don’t want in my squad ( mcceady, Davis, Man City guy). I managed to sign Hamilton from Mansfield and another winger from Ireland, he is my star man. Aneke out for 7 months so that part is realistic. I promoted Jason euell to first team coach and replaced him in the U-23’s with teddy Sherringham. I tried offering it to bowyer but he is still bitter that I replaced him as manager.
i want some loans to be recalled so I can get full backs in on loan. Matthews, solly and purringtin aren’t very good. Page is back playing for the u-23’s. weidu and Dougherty are getting good u-23 ratings and might be used later in the season once relegation is avoided.
i Managed to get Taylor and Williams on new long term contracts but mouthall is upset that I’ve used his Range Rover fund to do so.Cullern isn’t doing that well and I’m thinking of giving field a go. Is he poor for anyone else?0 -
What tactics do people play with charlton?I tried to play a 5-3-2 WB but Purrington is woeful. I signed Connelly from Brighton on loan and he’s good but my midfield of Cullen Williams and JFC get overrun. Blackburn beat me 3-1 with 32 shots and stoke beat me 2-0. Tried switching to a 4-2-3-1 against oxford in the cup with Green and Curtis Jones on the wing, but again got beat 2-1. Pretty much all my saves see Charlton relegated.0
- Sponsored links:
-
I vary them, 5-3-2, 5-2-3 (2 wingers and a central striker) and 4-3-3 (2 wingers and a central striker) depending on the opponentsValleyGary said:What tactics do people play with charlton?I tried to play a 5-3-2 WB but Purrington is woeful. I signed Connelly from Brighton on loan and he’s good but my midfield of Cullen Williams and JFC get overrun. Blackburn beat me 3-1 with 32 shots and stoke beat me 2-0. Tried switching to a 4-2-3-1 against oxford in the cup with Green and Curtis Jones on the wing, but again got beat 2-1. Pretty much all my saves see Charlton relegated.
Maximum pressing in most games, getting stuck in against soft opponents. I rotate a lot to keep the energy levels up as the Championship is such a grind.0 -
Have the bug for this game. Am now in March 2026 and am currently 5th in the Premier League two points behind Man City and Man Utd while by some miracle I am in the second leg of a Champions League Qtr final vs Arsenal 1-1 after the first leg.Got promoted via the play offs a couple of seasons ago and the club was sold to new owners who show a bit of love in each transfer window.
The keys to my success has been:
1) Doing lots of scouting on players whose contracts expire in the winter or summer windows. Do not fear signing players at 32-33 with high fitness/stamina level. Signing them for 1-2 seasons serve a purpose and you do not need to maintain loyalty when their job is done. It is a computer game, not reality...lol
2) Approach some bigger clubs for hot prospects whose contracts which expire at the end of the season with a more detailed loan bid, like whole season with an option to buy for a specified amount. As they are in their last season you can get bargains. In the Prem, I got Rodrygo from Madrid on that basis for a cut price £20m within a £40m budget. He will get up to £70m worth in due course. He is currently £30m.
3) Do not stick to one formation, this was my mistake in years one and most of the way through two. Build a squad that can play 442, 4231, 433, 532, 523, 541. Wingbacks work very well in game, particularly if you can find goal scoring ones. Schulz on left and Djavan Anderson do the trick for me on that front and add 6-8 goals between them per season. Varying between the Very Defensive to Very Attacking range in game does have some effect for me.
4) Have at least one ball winning midfielder. I got Gueye doing this for the last two seasons before retirement to effect and have developed Cullen to play this role and well. I signed him permanently after his loan and he has been the most used player I have. Only Cullen, Doughty and Phillips remain in my squad from when I started. Lyle stayed and played until he retired season before last.
Overall, good game.2 -
I managed to get promoted by flicking between a 4-3-1-2 and a 4-1-3-2 for home and away. Vertical tiki taka. In the Prem I changed to 4-2-3-1 gegenpress and finished 7th, currently in Europa League group stage. This season I am 4th and I’m in November.0
-
Who did you sign first season mate?Dizzle said:I managed to get promoted by flicking between a 4-3-1-2 and a 4-1-3-2 for home and away. Vertical tiki taka. In the Prem I changed to 4-2-3-1 gegenpress and finished 7th, currently in Europa League group stage. This season I am 4th and I’m in November.0 -
It did take me a few years to get out.ValleyGary said:
Who did you sign first season mate?Dizzle said:I managed to get promoted by flicking between a 4-3-1-2 and a 4-1-3-2 for home and away. Vertical tiki taka. In the Prem I changed to 4-2-3-1 gegenpress and finished 7th, currently in Europa League group stage. This season I am 4th and I’m in November.
season 1 19/20
in
Nicolo Armini 1.3m
Tommie Hoban (in Jan) free
out
Numerous kids loans
Naby Sarr 725k (Jan)
Hemed 625k (Jan)
season 2 (20/21)
In
Gallagher - Loan
Dirk Proper - Free
Martinelli - Loan
Kane Vincent-Young 1.1m
Ante Palaversa - LoanIvan Ilic - Loan (Jan)
Adam Idah (Loan
Out
Albie Morgan - 3.5m
Chuks Aneke - 115k
numerous kids loans
Season 3 (21/22)
In
Joseph Minala - Free
Mavididi - Free
Trevor Chalobah - Loan
Gonzalo Maroni - Loan
Grady Diangana - Loan (Jan)
Sam Surridge - Loan (Jan)
Kenneth Taylor - 2.5m (Jan)
out
Oliver Fleming - 1.6m
Nicolo Armini - 16m
numerous kids loans
season 4 (22/23)
in
Sepp van den Berg - Loan
Seamus Coleman - Free
Max Lowe - Free
Musa Barrow - 1.1m
Jacob Murphy - Free
Riccardo Schiro - Loan
Xavier Mbuyamba - 1.9m (Jan)
Sep Van Den Berg - 375k (Jan)
out
Dirk Proper - 9.25m
numerous youth loans
Season 5 (23/24)
in
Karlan Grant - 9m
Grady Diangana - 8.5m
Danny Gordon - 2.3m
Ivan Oblyakov - 600k
Hugo Lazaro - 7m
Jonathan Leko - 10m
Joe Willock - Free
Dujon Sterling - Loan
Oliver Batista Meier - Loan (Jan)
Muhammad Ercan - Loan (Jan)
Marc Tsojngui - Loan (Jan)
out
Jake Forster-Caskey - 1.4m
numerous youth loansSeason 6 (24/25)
in
Betinho - 11.75m
Ryan Sessegnon -Free
Manuel Gasparini - 5.5m
Eduardo Facundo - 850k
Josha Vagnoman - 20m
Aritz Garcia - 11m
Dani Carvajal - Loan
Fran Murillo - Free
out
Tommy Harrison - 100k
Luke Quinn - 400k
numerous youth loans
that doesn’t include some people that were released at the end of the season, just ins and outs.
was Promoted at end of season 4. Started this save before the Nimer Southall take over so started with Roland. Got taken over in Jan of 19/20 season, some local businessmen with zero money. Luckily got taken over again at start of season 4, not exactly minted but a bit more secure and sold Armini for a massive fee which gave me some budget to work with.Obviously now I am in the prem the finances are brilliant and I have untouchable status so whatever I ask for they give me in terms of infrastructure improvements.2 -
This is the first time I've played Football Manager (excluding mobile version) so decided to start off with Dartford before I do one with Charlton. The target was to finish in the playoffs and I'm in 9th after 15 games, 4 points outside the top 7 so not going great.
One thing that keeps happening is that we keep getting off to really slow starts. I'm sure that in the last 5 league games we've fallen behind in the first 10 minutes. We seem to get dominated first 30, then get better as the game goes on but only come back to draw or lose by a goal due to the poor start.
Becoming really frustrating so if anyone has any tips they can pass on to make sure the team play 100% from the start I'd be grateful. Cheers.0 -
I can only think it will be the familiarity with the formation and the mentality you’ve set, ie cautious/balanced/positive etc. Plus do you take your team talks?ReeCAFC15 said:This is the first time I've played Football Manager (excluding mobile version) so decided to start off with Dartford before I do one with Charlton. The target was to finish in the playoffs and I'm in 9th after 15 games, 4 points outside the top 7 so not going great.
One thing that keeps happening is that we keep getting off to really slow starts. I'm sure that in the last 5 league games we've fallen behind in the first 10 minutes. We seem to get dominated first 30, then get better as the game goes on but only come back to draw or lose by a goal due to the poor start.
Becoming really frustrating so if anyone has any tips they can pass on to make sure the team play 100% from the start I'd be grateful. Cheers.1 -
I take team talks, sometimes they encourage them and sometimes there's little/no reaction. Will bare the mentality/formation in mind and will try a few different combinations from the start (depending on who I'm playing).ValleyGary said:
I can only think it will be the familiarity with the formation and the mentality you’ve set, ie cautious/balanced/positive etc. Plus do you take your team talks?ReeCAFC15 said:This is the first time I've played Football Manager (excluding mobile version) so decided to start off with Dartford before I do one with Charlton. The target was to finish in the playoffs and I'm in 9th after 15 games, 4 points outside the top 7 so not going great.
One thing that keeps happening is that we keep getting off to really slow starts. I'm sure that in the last 5 league games we've fallen behind in the first 10 minutes. We seem to get dominated first 30, then get better as the game goes on but only come back to draw or lose by a goal due to the poor start.
Becoming really frustrating so if anyone has any tips they can pass on to make sure the team play 100% from the start I'd be grateful. Cheers.0 -
I find that with the team talks, if there is no reaction I do a separate one for defenders, midfielders and forwards, usually all with the same comment. Usually “I have faith in your ability” or something similar and it mostly helps them react positively2
-
Do you do the tactical briefing? I find it useful to judge whether the players agree with my tacticsReeCAFC15 said:This is the first time I've played Football Manager (excluding mobile version) so decided to start off with Dartford before I do one with Charlton. The target was to finish in the playoffs and I'm in 9th after 15 games, 4 points outside the top 7 so not going great.
One thing that keeps happening is that we keep getting off to really slow starts. I'm sure that in the last 5 league games we've fallen behind in the first 10 minutes. We seem to get dominated first 30, then get better as the game goes on but only come back to draw or lose by a goal due to the poor start.
Becoming really frustrating so if anyone has any tips they can pass on to make sure the team play 100% from the start I'd be grateful. Cheers.1
