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Mirror the Magic – 3 – Fabien Barthez
In this series, I highlight a much-loved and talented footballer from the past. I’ll tell you a little bit about what I think their key qualities were that made them so special. We’ll go on to look at how best to re-live that legend in Football Manager, by naming a few current players who may be able to ‘mirror the magic’ of the superstar and potentially become your new FM20 hero. Post one was Juan Román Riquelme, two was Ronald… Read More Read More
The Importance of The Technical Director
Introduction Since the dawn of Football Manager, we, the players, have focused our attention on any things. Some may have focused their attention on their youngsters, playing them week in, week out, in the hopes these wonderkids would become masters of the footballing world. Others may have focused on their teams tactics, hoping to string together a team not only able to play with each other, but that is also capable of outplaying any opposing teams simply through tactical play…. Read More Read More
Playing time and player development on FM20 – Part 2
To play or not to play, that is the question for many FM20 managers. Especially when it comes to developing young players. U18 players highly value training, while older players need playing time to keep developing. Playing time alone isn’t enough though, as a manager you need to provide your player with games at the right level. The level needs to be challenging, but not too difficult. The optimal level will vary based on age, current ability and potential ability…. Read More Read More
Managing Finances in Football Manager
Rule No.1: Never lose money. Rule No.2: Never forget rule No.1 – Warren Buffett Introduction For a casual Football Manager like myself, managing finances has never really been at the forefront of the mind. However I found myself in a tricky situation recently, that required some book balancing and financial acumen.
Aswijan Play Guide (Part 1 of 6)
There’s a new country in Europe, and it’s called Aswijan. Created by @chilled_moose, it provides 64 teams in three leagues, three cup competitions, and about 6000 created players. The teams vary widely, from fallen giants Hesef to world-class titans like Aswijan Mailkiy. This will be a guide to playing in Aswijan, in six parts. Each part will examine half of one of the three leagues, starting today with the lowest league, Liga Dukh. This league is comparable in quality to… Read More Read More
Total Football Journeyman: Total Football on a Budget
So far in my Total Football Journeyman series, I had covered some pretty great historic teams like Ajax, Barcelona, and Liverpool. But I feel that in recounting the stories of these giants, I lost track of something important. All those sides played beautiful fluid football but were already established world-class clubs. Yet the question remains, can a Total Football style be achieved by a club that is good but not world-class? And can Total Football be achieved on a budget?… Read More Read More
Making the mobile move to FMM20
I’ve recently made the move to playing FMM20. That’s not to say I’m not still loving the full PC version of FM20 but a recent change in circumstance has meant playing Football Manager on the fly. The mobile version of the game is something that I’ve tended to stay away from so using FMM20 this year has been a new experience for me, and I’m going to share how I’ve found it and whether I think it’s worth taking a… Read More Read More
Managing outside of Europe – Alternative save FM
A lot of Football Manager fans love managing in Europe and it’s hard to argue against this. However, those who do venture outside of Europe really do get some of the most interesting saves. In today’s article I want to talk about outside of Europe and show you what you’re missing out on. Whether that be league rules, incredible newgens, or just the different life style it gives. I will cover what you need to know when looking for an… Read More Read More
Setting up a save: Database and Manager Building
Every game of Football Manager begins with the same screen, the game setup. However, it’s one of the most underrated in the game. How you set up an FM save will have a major influence on how your game plays out and what types of players you’ll encounter. Let’s take a look at how I do it to ensure an immersive and fun game.
Mirror the Magic – 2 – Ronald Koeman
In this series, I highlight a much-loved and talented footballer from the past. I’ll tell you a little bit about what I think their key qualities were that made them so special. We’ll go on to look at how best to re-live that legend in Football Manager, by naming a few current players who may be able to ‘mirror the magic’ of the superstar and potentially become your new FM20 hero. Episode one focused on Juan Román Riquelme, and is… Read More Read More
Roles: Do they matter? Part 3
In the series where discuss the usefulness – or uselessness – of roles, we’ve already theorised that role suitability is just an opinion given to you by the scouts. Truly, what difference do these roles make? This is the quest we’ve set ourselves up for. Through thick and thin, rough and smooth, Leroy Sané’s insane pace and John Stones’ twisted knickers, this is: Roles, do they matter? Part 3!
Scouting networks in football Manager
Show of hands. Who hires scouts based on purely the judging current and potential ability attributes? Until last week, my hand would have been raised. I’m not ashamed to admit it. They are the attributes that define a scout. No one wants scouts that think a 37 year old striker with 6 finishing would be a perfect fit for your Champions League semi final squad (specific, but it happened to me). There is more to scouts and scouting networks in… Read More Read More
Competing in the Premier League with limited pace and acceleration | FM20 Experiment
How would a team with players of below-the-league average quickness perform in the Premier League? Would they cope against the likes of Adama Traore and Raheem Sterling? Or manage to penetrate through defensive monsters like Virgil van Dijk and Aymeric Laporte? In this Football Manager 2020 Experiment, let’s see if I can surpass expectations using players with limited pace and acceleration within a league known for its end-to-end action.
Total Football Journeyman: The English Way
What is the English Way? A rather wholesome moniker, suggestive of hot tea and delicious hobnobs on a chilly autumn morning. It’s also a good name to encompass the bygone football style of the time and place that was 1970s England. It is not as poetic a term as “Total Football”, mainly because some might easily confuse it with the Hoofball “anti-football” that predominated the latter period of 1980s and 90s. But to me the “English Way”, evokes the great… Read More Read More
Maximizing Your Team Talks
“Alright, lads, it’s that time. We’re up against the top team in the league. So have some fun out there, no pressure, and also, I’d like to individually say that I have faith in each of you.” Sound inspiring? It doesn’t to me. Yet that’s how many people introduce their team to a game, with the ritual of “let the Assistant Manager do it” and then the Three Invocations: Defense, I have faith; Midfield, I have faith; Attackers, I have… Read More Read More
Playing time and player development on FM20
To play or not to play, that is the question for many FM20 managers. Especially when it comes to developing young players. U18 players highly value training, while older players need playing time to keep developing. Playing time alone isn’t enough though, as a manager you need to provide your player with games at the right level. The level needs to be challenging, but not too difficult. The optimal level will vary based on age, current ability and potential ability…. Read More Read More
Unsung Heroes: Complete Wing Back FM
In this unsung heroes article, I focus on the complete wing back role in Football Manager. A role which is commonly used around football, especially in recent times. The complete wing back in FM has been influential in my side’s success, offering offensive outlets and defensive stability. I will be applying everything to my Uruguay save, which has given me a lot of success.
The Art of Defence
Offence wins matches, defence wins titles. OK, so that isnt verbatim, but we’ve all heard it. I see so many tactics that focus heavily on attack; wing backs with an attack duty, a playmaker, a mezzala on attack, inside forwards and a pressing forward. And watching those 11 dots all plough forward, hell bent on attacking, looks fantastic, doesn’t it? And if it works, great. But wouldn’t you like to understand defensive tactics and become a master in the art… Read More Read More
Mirror the Magic – 1 – Juan Román Riquelme
In this new series, I am going to highlight a much-loved and talented footballer from the past. I’ll tell you a little bit about what I think their key qualities were that made them so special. We’ll go on to look at how best to re-live that legend in Football Manager, by naming a few current players who may be able to ‘mirror the magic’ of the superstar and potentially become your new FM20 hero.
How crucial are Assistant Managers?| FM20 Experiment
Whether you want to manage your local team or childhood dream, to create the world’s most dominant club or simply test out your wildest football ideas, Football Manager offers you endless opportunities. In this FM20 Experiment, we take a look at two different Assistant Manager, one is a high quality, the other being a low quality. Having recently watched the ‘All or Nothing: Manchester City’ sports documentary, the sheer complexity around the day-to-day operations of a football club blew my… Read More Read More
Roles: Do they matter? Part 2
Introduction When we last wrote about roles, we considered that the green ratings for roles when choosing one for a player was less about his actual ability in that role and more about an opinion based on facts, attributes and form. We looked, particularly, at Gabriel Jesus‘ ability and attributes. In game, the staff recommend playing him as an Advanced Forward, based purely on his best attributes. They feel that he would then play best as an Advanced Forward. This… Read More Read More
Total Football Journeyman: Back To Where It All Started
I could have called this piece, “Total Overloads Take 3.0” before settling on a more catchy title. Some might remember my old article exploring Pep Guardiola’s tactics and overloads. It’s okay if you do not, I don’t mind. There’s been so much change in my writing and tactics since FM19 that I don’t even remember everything myself. It has been an educative journey into football history and learning the intricacies of FM games. I prefer to think of my series… Read More Read More
Always Be Upgrading
I try never to buy backups. That is, I never want to buy a lesser player than one I’ve already got, to serve as a backup. I didn’t realise until recently that this was an unusual thing. Whenever I recognise the need for a backup, I begin looking for a better player than who I already have. The idea is that the new player becomes the regular, and the current player becomes the backup. This works particularly well when… Read More Read More
New Kidd on the block
Dictate the Game’s newest writer is kicking us off with a data analysis breakdown. Since FM 17, data analysts have played an increasingly bigger role in the game. In Football Manager 20, data analysts have the power to turn draws into valuable league wins.
Custom Views in FM20: Why You Should Use Them. Part 2
Let’s talk about Custom Views. This is part two. Part one is here. Football Manager 2020 generally does a really good job of providing an interface that is easy to navigate, telling you most of what you need to know on the majority of screens. Do you ever find yourself, however, flicking from screen to screen to see all of the information you wish to review before selecting your lineup for your next match?
Taking on the World #6
Welcome back to the Football Manager 2020 story Taking on the World. This FM20 story is a classic journeyman save as we attempt to travel around the world and ticking off as many countries as we can. The aim of this FM20 story is not to stay at the same club for more than one full season. I am not allowed to accept a job offer from another club in the same country if I am already managing a club… Read More Read More
Roles: Do they matter?
Roles in Football Manager play a large part in the formation of your tactic. Whether you downloaded a tactic on a forum to use with your team, or you’ve spent hours upon hours tweaking around the game mechanics to find that all important tactic. Setting up your formation is already something that can be quite tricky. Some choose a formation based on what they like – have a clear preference. Others base their formation purely on what’s best for the… Read More Read More
Inter the Game
Gianni Rosabosa is chatting to Gianluca Vialli in the post-match interview after the loss to Roma. Vialli questions Rosabosa’s transfer dealings of the summer. “I was given they keys to many cars. I chose Ferrari’s not Fiat’s! Yet with a Ferrari you need time to learn how to get the best out of the car. You cannot just jump in, turn the key, and put your foot down. You must work out when to put your foot down and when… Read More Read More
Custom Views in FM20: Why You Should Use Them. Part 1
Let’s talk about Custom Views. Football Manager 2020 generally does a really good job of providing an interface that is easy to navigate, telling you most of what you need to know on the majority of screens. Do you ever find yourself, however, flicking from screen to screen to see all of the information you wish to review before selecting your lineup for your next match?
Total Football Journeyman: Sir Alex’s Strikerless Masterclass
In a series about Total Football, you might wonder why I am writing about Sir Ferguson’s Manchester United? While Ferguson’s Man United achieved amazing success between 2006-2009, they were not known for playing Possession-style, associated with Total Football. Or for that matter one cannot really pin point a specific style of play or formation to that legendary team. However, one constant that contributed to Ferguson’s success was his masterful management of his players. Sir Alex Ferguson was a people manager… Read More Read More
Five Ways to Improve Your Game in Football Manager
I’ve been playing this game steadily since CM 99/00 or so. In that time, I’ve accumulated a certain amount of understanding of the ways the game works, and that understanding has led to a core philosophy, as noted in my first article on this site, Players Are People Too. If you liked that, here are five ways to improve your game that I don’t see other people using very much.
Expected Assists (xA) and Received Passes in FM20
Let me introduce you to the little brother of xG, Expected Assists (xG). Whereas xG tells you the likelihood of a goal being scored from a certain position Expected Assists tells you the likelihood of a goal being scored after receiving a pass. The two go hand in hand in real world football metrics, and there’s no reason why you can’t use them in FM20. We also add another metric to look at. There’s something to be learnt about where… Read More Read More
FM20 Welcome to Aswijan – Brand New Country, Whole New Challenge
Welcome to Aswijan FM20 Welcome to Aswijan – Brand New Country, Whole New Challenge. A completely fictional Football Manager custom database that leaves little too the imagination. Without further a do, I will pass this over to Laura who will tell you everything there is to know about Aswijan. I’m Laura, AKA Chilled Moose and I’m responsible for the creation of the Aswijan (pronounced ‘azwIjan or ‘Az-wee-jan’) database. To start, here is an outline of what this project contains. This… Read More Read More
Total Football Journeyman: How To Break Stubborn Defences
I pick up where I left off last time. Searching for the central striker role to complete my 3-4-3 Diamond formation. For this I will take a step back and look at the original inspiration for Louis van Gaal’s 3-4-3 formation. That is, Johan Cruyff and the Barcelona team of late 1980s and early 1990s. Also I will take a somewhat unorthodox approach to constructing my 3-4-3 Diamond Tactic. We will deconstruct the attacking formation by looking at defensive positioning…. Read More Read More
Taking on the World #5
Welcome back to the Football Manager 2020 story Taking on the World. This FM20 story is a classic journeyman save as we attempt to travel around the world and ticking off as many countries as we can. The aim of this FM20 story is not to stay at the same club for more than one full season. I am not allowed to accept a job offer from another club in the same country if I am already managing a club… Read More Read More
Inter the Game
Welcome back. If you missed part one, please click here. If you did not, please pass go and continue. Where did we leave it last time? The last update left Inter recently beaten in the first Milan derby of the season. A match that would draw a lot of character out of manager Gianni Rosabosa and his team. Unusually little changed going into the next match. Which would be the final match of the group stages of the UEFA Champions… Read More Read More
Unsung Heroes: Raumdeuter
The Raumdeuter is perhaps one of the most peculiar roles in Football. Coined and created by Thomas Müller, we can not only consider him the first Raumdeuter, but potentially the only one. But what exactly is a Raumdeuter? Who comes close to being one? Raumdeuter: A History By the time he was 21, Thomas Müller had returned from a semi-successful World cup campaign which saw Germany take third place in 2010. He was already making headlines for his peculiar style… Read More Read More
Total Football Journeyman: Bossing the Ball like 1995 Ajax
Part 2 of Building a Total Football Club in FM20 It is not about how long you have the ball, it is what you do with it. When playing possession football, you should always have this mantra in mind. Although I am not one to obsess over getting high possession numbers. Of course it is always nice to see your team getting the higher possession %. I see it as proof that my players are imposing themselves on the opposition… Read More Read More
Dictate The Podcast – Quarantine Quiz Special
In today’s Dictate The Podcast we wanted to try something different and do a quiz. The reason behind this, many people are probably fed up with being stuck in doors, not being able to see their family and friends. We wanted to do something light hearted in an attempt to make you laugh. Putting this together was fun, but the real drive was to try and make something different from our usual style.
Getting the Best out of your Striker Player Traits
FM20 has a huge range of player traits to change, improve or occasionally disrupt your players behaviour on the pitch. In our last article we ran an experiment to see what impact ability had on certain striker traits like lobbing or rounding the keeper, and placing or powering in shots. It was a bit of a bust as we found that ability alone didn’t seem to have an effect. It was useful for partly busting myths about certain player traits… Read More Read More
Old Lady Plays Interview – The Grandma Who Creates Football Manager Content
I am sure you’ve already heard of Old Lady Plays, and if you haven’t, now is the time to hear from the 53-Year-Old Grandma. Cait has been a fan of the Football Manager series for over 20 years, making videos, live streams and writing articles along the way. After adding Old Lady Plays to our writing team, Cait has been industrious with contributions to all things Dictate the Game.
Canadian Premier League: An FM20 Guide
Recently, we’ve had the Canadian Premier League introduced. A national league, coast to coast, with just seven teams. More exciting yet, this league was recently introduced as free DLC for FM 20, so you can play it yourself. Even excitinger, the World Cup is coming to Canada (and a couple of other places) in 2026! This means that 40 years on from our only other appearance in the big tournament, we’ll be back on the world stage again. It’s a… Read More Read More
How to Get a Head Start in Football Manager
In a race it is the one with the quickest reflexes, the one who gets going as soon as the race starts, that has that marginal advantage. This is why I want to get started on certain aspects of the game before I press that first continue. This article will give you an insight on how I get this head start. The examples will be from my current save with Toulouse FC in the French Ligue 1.
Taking on the World | #4 | FM20 Story
Welcome back to the Football Manager 2020 story Taking on the World. This FM20 story is a classic journeyman save as we attempt to travel around the world and ticking off as many countries as we can. The aim of this FM20 story is not to stay at the same club for more than one full season. I am not allowed to accept a job offer from another club in the same country if I am already managing a club… Read More Read More
Inter The Game
The date is 30/05/2020. Gianni Rosabosa is speaking to the media. “This has to be a foundation. A starting point we can build upon.” We will return to this point in the next post… Missed the previous post? Check it out here Preseason is for mistakes. We wind back a few months. The 17th of August 2019 to be exact. Where Gianni has just witnessed a defeat to fellow Serie A team Lazio in the final friendly of nine matches… Read More Read More
Unsung Heroes: Regista
Regista is a term often employed in Italian football, which directly translates to “director”. Firstly, role of a Regista was to direct the field of play from a deep midfield position, allowing the player playing there to defend when the opposition was attacking, but quickly pivoting and turning defence into attack. Similar to a Deep Lying Playmaker, which we covered here, a Regista needs to have the strength of a defender to recuperate lost balls and tackle their attacking counter… Read More Read More
Total Football Journeyman: Giant-Killing & Second Chances in La Liga
Part 1: Building a Total Football Club in FM20 One country has always fascinated me. España. The historian in me is attracted to its turbulent history of conquests and revolutions. And Spanish football is no less interesting. As a nation it is united by its love of the beautiful game. Nevertheless it is divided politically and geographically. Each autonomous community comes with its own distinct culture and languages. And it is this vibrant multi-cultural mosaic that also gives Spanish football… Read More Read More
Playing Athletic Club: A Guide to Hard Mode
Playing Athletic Club (sometimes wrongly called Athletic Bilbao) is like playing FM on hard mode. This comes from their history, and their long-standing policy of only fielding Basque players. But consider that Athletic Club are in La Liga alongside such giants as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, and that they’ve never been relegated, since their 1929 participation in founding the league. Athletic Club are second only to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, winning it 23 times, and fourth with… Read More Read More
Mods and Add-ons: A little extra for your FM20 experience
Add-ons and Mods can give most games a little something extra. Football Manager 2020 is no different in that regard. FM20, and the whole Football Manager series, arguably gains a lot of it’s following and devoted players because of the depth and detail that already exists in the game. The stories and narratives that we add as players really flesh the game world for us and keep many of us coming back for more. That is just the… Read More Read More
FM20 Best Free Transfers Winter Update
The Football Manager Winter Update has been out for a couple of months now, and with that comes new ideas for saves. In this article we will look at some of the free agents which can be obtained for your club. Whether that club is in the MLS, Premier League, Conference or China, we have you covered. These are the FM20 Best Free Transfers from the Winter Update, which have been condensed in a short article.