The Higher Tempo Press
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Morale drops at Leiria as poor run ends positive start
Just one league win in the last four has put an end to Leiria’s impressive start to the season. Following the heroic 1-0 win at European hopefuls Braga on the opening day of the season Leiria’s form turned patchy. They suffered two straight defeats to Porto and surprise package Chaves which left them in mid-table. […]
To Dare Is To Do Episode 40
FM17 Tottenham Hotspur FC To Dare Is To Do | #40 Cup Run | Let’s Play Football Manager 2017 Welcome to a Football Manager series on my channel thats right its Tottenham Hotspur. Today we have something a bit different for you as we take on Hartlepool United in the 3rd Round for the FA […]
The Land Down Under XXI
G’day, mate! We’re back at it once more! The winter vacation has come to an end, preseason has come and gone, and now it’s time to get you all up to speed and get ready for the upcoming campaign. In this update, I’m going to go over the matches of note and go over the […]
1.30 Boeren, Boeren PSV: Eredivisie Match 16 – PSV v NEC Nijmegen
Pre-Match Confidence is high after that Zwolle result and that is reflected in the PSV odds of 1/6 at home. Guardado and Lammers are still out injured but Santiago Arias also misses out through suspension because of his 10 yellow cards in 14 matches! NEC’s Lorenzo Burnet is definitely out while Maurice Multhaup is a […]
Brexit Premier League: Part 2
Beating Europe The first competitive game for the Brexit-based West Ham team was, fittingly, a Europa League clash with Serbian outfit Red Star. The first leg of the Third Qualifying Round was at home, so it was looking to be a fairly straightforward way to get used to my team and their tactics. Delightfully, I’d […]
Appointing an assistant manager: Anglo-Saxan Chronicles 52
Previously I set out my procedure for appointing an assistant manager at FC Saxan: Search for the following attributes: judging ability; tactical knowledge; man management; and working with youngsters. Check the personality. Check the overall approach to the game. Check that the determination and discipline attributes are not too bad. Check they can contribute to […]
European Gigalo Challenge Episode 8: The journey takes a new route
I don’t want to speak prematurely but I think I’ve cracked it. My Leeds side, with all our financial struggles, are flying high in the Premier League. Yes it’s only October but considering my target was to ‘fight against relegation’, and not necessarily avoid it, I’m definitely on-form. I even think I saw Massimo Cellino […]
Southampton’s Black Box: Part 8
Welcome back to ‘Southampton’s Black Box’: a story focused on the organised success of the club known for their over-achievement. As the title implies, the save will be highlighting and representing the recruitment strategy by Southampton. I will be compiling a large database of players in the game to assist me in my FM17 successes, as well as […]
The Young Lions: Player Development
The whole point of this series is to develop players, and youth development is a controversial topic in the Football Manager community. I always aim to educate people, and this blog is here to show you how I train and develop younger players. If I can convince you into my methods, then fantastic. Why Develop […]
1.29 Boeren, Boeren PSV: Eredivisie Match 15 – PEC Zwolle v PSV
Pre-Match Continuing to totally ignore recent form, the bookmakers see PSV as the favourites again with odds of 1/3 despite being away from home. PEC Zwolle will miss midfielder Stef Nijland due to a dislocated shoulder. Guardado remains out for PSV and is joined among the missing by Sam Lammers who has a twisted ankle. […]
To Dare Is To Do Episode 39
FM17 Tottenham Hotspur FC To Dare Is To Do | #39 Derby Cracker | Let’s Play Football Manager 2017 Welcome to a Football Manager series on my channel; that’s right, it’s Tottenham Hotspur. Today we take on Arsenal in the Premier League, we also take a look at the next round of the Champions League […]
Appointing a goalie coach: Anglo-Saxan Chronicle 51
Regular readers (good morning to both of you, gentlemen) will be aware of a tension between my ideal approach and the realities of managing FC Saxan. A case in the point is the business of appointing a goalkeeping coach. I was always going to appoint a specialist: there was never any question about that. I […]
Where Eagles Dare Part 5: October ’16
It feels good to have said goodbye to the 0 points. The four points we won in the last four matches gives us a platform to build on. Hopefully, we can continue gather points during October. On paper, Willem II, Heracles Almelo, and NEC are sides we should be able to get some points against. […]
Under The Lens Part 6: The Run to the Winter Break
So we start December we have our 8th round fixture in the French Cup. However, off the back of recent form and our opponents being Valenciennes who are still running strong at the top of Ligue 2, I’m not too confident. Let’s just hope Appiah’s form from last month continues and rubs off on the […]
1.28 Boeren, Boeren PSV: Champions League Match 5 – Celtic v PSV
Pre-Match Celtic take the favourites tag today with home advantage giving them odds of 5/4. They are missing two key players with Scott Sinclair and Erik Sviatchenko sidelined through injury. PSV are without Andres Guardado who continues his recovery while Jorrit Hendrix is suspended for tonight’s tie. After drawing against Celtic in the home tie PSV […]
Appointing a fitness coach: Anglo-Saxan Chronicle 50
I’ve wedged the door of my office open, partly to get a bit of a draft going and partly to save Grace Price, my PA, from having to knock every time she brings confirmation of a backroom appointment. This time the news is of Dan Digharcava: I do not think young Dan will set the […]
Where Eagles Dare Part 4: September ’16
In order to lift morale a bit and get further used to the new system, I plan a friendly against AGOVV Apeldoorn during the international break. AGOVV is a club that has overseen the rise of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Dries Mertens and Nacer Chadli. Since then they went through bankruptcy and now find themselves on the […]
FM17 European Gigalo Challenge Episode 7: Life in the Premier League
Upon securing promotion, I immediately get down to business. My scouts are everywhere, I’ve got reports coming through my ears. I immediately sign Vinicius Junior, the one Real Madrid splashed an audacious amount on in real-life, for a minimal fee and inserted a £20m release-clause; I plan to exploit that at a later club. Luke […]
1.27 Boeren, Boeren PSV: Eredivisie Match 14 – PSV v Excelsior
Pre-Match Despite PSV’s troubles in the last game the bookies again put them as massive favourites with odds of 1/6 against 18th placed Excelsior. Andres Guardado is still undergoing rehabilitation treatment for his torn calf muscle but Jeroen Zoet is available for selection but still short of full fitness. Mike van Duinen is a definite […]
Down by the Riverside: Part 3
Welcome to the third and final part of my trip down memory lane to a time where Great Britain were serious contenders for the Eurovision song contest and David Beckham wore number 10. I’m trying to keep Middlesbrough in the Premier League in the 96/97 season, a feat Bryan Robson failed to achieve despite having […]
Appointing a factotum: Anglo-Saxan Chronicle 49
According to a memo from FC Saxan’s chairman, I can appoint four members of staff for the U19 squad – a manager and assistant manager, a coach, and a physio. Plus a Head of Youth Development. Mr Merciu, that’s very good of you – but we have no players in the U19 squad. Plus we […]
The Land Down Under XX
G’day, mate! Welcome back to the beautiful Central Coast! It’s the end of our season with the Mighty Mariners, and we’ve got some fantastic news to share! I ended the last update after the transfer window, and I meant to throw in at least one other post, but I got carried away playing the game […]
Tempo Tactics: 5-3-2 Ćiro’s Croatia Part 2 Russia 2018
Welcome back to part two of my reinvention of the golden generation of Croatia circa 1996-98. In part one, Davor Šuker took over the Croatian national team and successfully applied Ciro Blazevic’s 5-3-2 to secure qualification to World Cup 2018 in Russia as Group winners. In this part, we look at how the World Cup […]
Under The Lens Part 5: A Surprising November
We start November by welcoming 9th placed Amiens SC to the north of France. We went into the bonfire night clash as favourites and after seeing Valenciennes and Stade Brestois 29 drop points ahead of us it was a perfect opportunity to jump back to 2nd place. Unfortunately though we were without big Kermit for […]
1.26 Boeren, Boeren PSV: Eredivisie Match 13 – Heracles v PSV
Pre-Match PSV are again the overwhelming favourites with odds of 1/3 for an away victory. Heracles will be without striker Jaroslav Navratil and full back Bart Buysse is also a doubt. PSV’s Andres Guardado and Jeroen Zoet are still unable to participate because of their injuries. Heracles come to us on the back of a […]
Rivalità Tra Fratelli, Episode 19 (AC Milan Revisited)
This is the story of two brothers, a modern-day Cain versus Abel if you will, based in the northern powerhouse Italian city of Milan. If you’d like to replicate this challenge, we’re using the updated medium database with the following leagues: England (Premier League, Championship, League One & League Two), Italy (Serie A & Serie […]
Appointing scouts: Anglo-Saxan Chronicle 48
Grace Price is back in my office, this time with confirmation that Florin Marandici and Serghei Josan have signed as Chief Scout and sidekick respectively. I’m not wild about either appointment. Still, I managed to fulfil my preferred specification tolerably well. Marandici is a realistic chap, which I suppose gives him a certain hard-headed reliability: […]
Leiria kick off new season with a big win
Leiria’s return to the top division in Portugal got off to a great start as they beat top side Braga away from home. After winning last seasons second division on the final day Leiria prepared for the first game back in the top flight since 2012. Following on from a strong pre-season where they performed […]
The Legend of Roger Milla Part XXII: AFCON fun and games…
Alright folks. Swerving into unknown territory once again for you today, as I tell you all about Cameroon’s African Cup of Nations 2020 campaign. Strap yourself in as we are going to hit this in one post – from squad selection all the way through to seeing how far we go. Right then, let’s do […]
The Land Down Under XIX
G’day, mate! Glad you’re back to check up on your new favourite Australian soccer team! We’ve got some pretty major news that needs to be shared with you regarding the transfer window, but first, I want to share this… The Central Coast Mariners are now the leading producers of players currently playing with the national team. […]
The Legend of Roger Milla Part XXXI: Analysing who stays and who goes
And now for something a little bit different. Well, probably not that different actually. I thought I’d share with you the process I am going through in terms of deciding who will be released this winter and why, who I feel might get bought by a bigger club soon and potential replacements and things like […]
To Dare Is To Do: Episode 38
FM17 Tottenham Hotspur FC To Dare Is To Do | #38 Hammertime | Let’s Play Football Manager 2017 Welcome to a Football Manager series on my channel, that’s right, it’s Tottenham Hotspur. Today we take on West Ham at the London Stadium, it’s first against second, can we get the better of our local rivals and […]
1.25 Boeren, Boeren PSV: Champions League Match 4 – PSV v Leicester
Pre-Match The odds are marginally in our favour today as PSV go as 6/4 favourites. Andres Guardado and Jeroen Zoet remain the casualties for PSV today. Daniel Amartey and Leonardo Ulloa the only two unavailable for Leicester as they are not registered for European football. Vardy, Matheus Pereira and Mahrez are the obvious dangers to […]
Brexit Premier League: Part 1
Brexit We all know the story. Politics happened in 2016, and as a result everyone is banging on about Brexit. But while the country gets drawn into debate and speculation about the future of the European Union, our football world can be an escape from the hubbub, free from political influence. Except it might not […]
Appointing physios: Anglo-Saxan Chronicle 47
One thing I can’t complain about at FC Saxan is clerical efficiency. The paperwork entailed in hiring and firing seems to get done remarkably swiftly. I suppose having a businessman as Chairman helps: Eugeniu Merciu seems to have imported into the club the businesslike approach he acquired whilst building his agricultural machinery company. If you […]
FM17 European Gigalo Challenge Episode 6: Redemption, history & celebration
Taking charge of a team so late in the season doesn’t make things easy for me at all and, to be honest, I would have probably preferred it if we just had an outside chance of making the play-offs. Instead, we’re tied with Brighton for the automatic promotion spot. My side is fairly good for […]
The Legend of Roger Milla Part XXX: Have I got the Roman numerals right?
I mean, that’s quite important. Initially I was double checking on Google but more recently I have got damn lazy with it. I think this is supposed to be episode 20. I think. Has a count. 30? Holy crap. That’s like a proper series. We’ve done alright over the last 30 pieces, and I am […]
The Young Lions: Tactical Analysis
We’ve actually had a solid defensive performance! We’ve had a few, but we’ve had one I am proud of. I’ve also pinpointed a goal which encapsulates a counter-attacking style we’ve been forced into trying. Defensive Performance Firstly, I have two images to talk through. Here is 0-0 after 41 minutes. Southampton, as expected, have been […]
1.24 Boeren, Boeren PSV: Eredivisie Match 12 – Ajax v PSV
Pre-Match The bookmakers are taking form very seriously today and PSV have been touted as favourites with odds of 6/4. Ajax are without Daley Sinkgraven and Jairo Riedewald today through injury. Jeroen Zoet and Andres Guardado continue to miss out through their own injuries today. The goalscoring ability of Kasper Dolberg cannot be ignored, he’ll […]
What about personality? Anglo-Saxan Chronicle 46
When I’m assessing a player, how much attention should I give to personality? And how should I think about it? My answer to the first question is, ‘A lot’. This view stems from my argument, given in my previous post, about attributes: that they do no more than indicate the limits of a player’s capabilities […]
To Dare Is To Do Episode 37
FM17 Tottenham Hotspur FC To Dare Is To Do | #37 Turkish Turmoil | Let’s Play Football Manager 2017 Welcome to a Football Manager series on my channel that’s right its Tottenham Hotspur. Today we take on Fenerbahce in the Champions League Group Stage after our good start to the group can we carry that […]
Under The Lens Part 4: Still a Few Creases to Iron Out
So we’re back in action in the Dominos Ligue 2 as we welcome 1st placed Havre Athletic Club to Stade Felix-Bolleart-Deleis. Going into the game Havre were understandable favourites going into the game and with them controlling the centre of the pitch in their last game I’ll be moving to a 3-4-1-2 to get more […]
1.23 Boeren, Boeren PSV: KNVB Beker Second Round – IJsselmeervogels v PSV
Pre-Match As expected PSV are the overwhelming favourites for this tie at odds of 1/20. There’s no significant team news given for the home side. PSV are without Jeroen Zoet and Andres Guardado for this one. The match plan will be to impose ourselves on this lower league side. We expect to win and win […]
What of attributes? Anglo-Saxan Chronicle 45
What, then, of attributes? How may they be used to assess a player? I think attributes can best be thought of as a record, in numerical form, of a player’s current capability. They’re particularly useful for comparative purposes. A player with a pace attribute of 10 is currently capable of running faster than one with […]
Where Eagles Dare Part 3: August ’16
Our opening fixtures are not easy. We will be facing FC Groningen, AZ, FC Utrecht, and Vitesse. These are sides who normally compete for European qualification and are much better than we are at this moment. I have little hope to get much from these matches. ADO Den Haag might give us a better chance […]
England international Tom Heaton issues advice on selecting captains
Selecting a new captain on Football Manager is perhaps one of the most daunting tasks you can face ahead of a new season, as the wrong choice can immediately shatter the squad morale and lead to some big issues. The standard practice is to normally keep the players that are already established at the club but […]
FM17 European Gigalo Challenge Episode 5: Leed-ing the way out of Schalke
Christ, this game. I thought I was gone. I could feel my P45 in my hand. I wondered where I’d go next. Then, Stambouli and Di Santo gave me a lifeline. It’s by no means over, I could be still unemployed, but I have a chance. The great escape is possible. Before a huge clash […]
1.22 Boeren, Boeren PSV: Eredivisie Match 11 – PSV v Groningen
Pre-Match In a 1st v 9th clash the bookmakers are calling PSV the overwhelming favourites. Odds are as short as 1/6 for the home side. The only casualty for PSV remains Jeroen Zoet who is expected to remain sidelined for a further 2 to 3 weeks. Meanwhile, Groningen have a full roster fit and available […]
Down by the Riverside – Part Two
Last time out I asked the question – how did this Middlesbrough side get relegated? By the time I’d reached November on CM2 (96/97) I had a pretty good idea. After 11 games, we were at least outside of the bottom three. Fast forward to Christmas and things were positively amazing – 13th, another 10 […]
Assessment of talent: Anglo-Saxan Chronicle 44
In my role as manager of FC Saxan, I’m attempting to develop a systems engineering approach to football management. One of the systems involved in managing the club, is talent acquisition (TA). There are two ways to acquire new talent: through recruitment and through developing the talents of existing players. Recruitment entails a set of […]