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Post by Boony on Apr 18, 2008 10:49:11 GMT
IntroductionWe all know that CM01/02 is the best version of the SpInG series (or at least we all know that I think CM01/02 is the best version of the SpInG series), with the slight reservation that it's perhaps a little too easy. So how about a bit of a challenge? Something like this has been attempted before, in one of the relay games we set up, but that didn't get far enough into the game to see how it would work out. I don't know how this will end up, but I'm looking forward to seeing how far we can get. Firstly, I shall set the scene. LeaguesI'm playing version 3.9.65, with the maximum database. I've loaded the top nine divisions in the European leagues - Italy (top level reputation 20), Spain (19), Germany (19), England (18), France (15), Greece (14), Holland (14), Turkey (14), Portugal (14). For the record, my research tells me that the next three leagues (Sweden, Scotland, Belgium) have top levels with reputation 12, the same as the second level in the top four leagues mentioned above. This league selection hopefully means that the best European clubs will at least be running in the background, should any European adventures ensue. I'll be starting in Serie C2, which has a reputation of 6. This is a similar level to the German regional division (level 3), Belgium's second division (level 2) and Norway's first division (level 2). The lowest league I've loaded is the English third division, with a reputation of 4. RulesSo what makes this challenge difficult? I shall be playing with an Italian-only squad. Any new signings must come from a scout's report, and scouts are only allowed to search for youth players. I'm also allowed to keep any academy players who get promoted to the reserve team. I'm only allowed to use "proper" football formations. These are defined, in my head at least, by a flat back four, or three centrebacks flanked by fullbacks or wingbacks. No centralised formations, no "coffee"-type formations, no FuaDtW formations. TeamSo which team will I be using for this challenge? I ran through the wonderful team guide, looking for teams expecting to have to battle for relegation, who were in the red financially, had a small stadium, and below-par facilities. I ended up looking at a team from C2A called Meda. Meda is a small town just north of Milan. They play in black and white stripes (think Juventus, Newcastle, Notts County), have a stadium with 4,000 capacity, have adequate training facilites, start off €581,250 in debt, and are expected to stay clear of relegation in the first season. There are 38 squad members when I sign up, some of whom we shall meet later in the story. They are all Italian. StaffI initially have three staff to help me out. Alfonso Conte is our coach, Davie Russo is our scout (who will be immediately sent on youth searches), and Francesco Altobelli is the physio. Offers for more staff are sent out, and before the season kicks off the following arrive: Giorgio Morini (Tactics coach) Paolo Baffoni (Shooting and Skills coach) Stefano Agresti (Goalkeeping coach) Loriano Cipriani (Fitness coach) Francesco Fraulo (Scout) Conte is asked to help Cipriani on the fitness side, while Fraulo is immediately sent on Graham Rix's favourite job. PlayersI had a run through the initial squad, and transfer listed about two thirds of them, based on laziness, lack of determination, or poor teamwork. Only players willing to give their all (or at least half their all) to the team will be involved in this game. I also wanted to try and wipe of as much of the debt as possible, as soon as possible. Therefore quite a few players left the club during the first couple of weeks, details of which are unimportant to this story. I'll let you know if and when we level the balance sheet. I shall introduce you to the lucky few who made the cut, as and when they start playing for me. New players coming in will also be highlighted, if my scouts happen find me anyone who can fit in to my strong mental player philosophy. Final ThoughtsI think that's enough of an introduction. If anyone has any questions about the challenge, or can offer up any further ideas, please let me know. Sweepstakes on how long it'll take me to get sacked, or promoted, are welcome. Wish me luck!
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Post by DC on Apr 18, 2008 11:02:07 GMT
No Russian oligarchs lurking around with 350billion to spare then?
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Post by Boony on Apr 18, 2008 11:41:42 GMT
Not that I know of. Even if there was, I wouldn't be able to do much with the money...
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Post by coffers on Apr 18, 2008 11:43:02 GMT
I'll be watching with interest. It will certainly be interesting to see if you can get any players into replace the departing horde.
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Post by Moo on Apr 18, 2008 11:59:30 GMT
Good man, Boony. I sparked up 0102 on Weds night to continue a game I started, replacing some team or other in the Conference with Ashington and a 17 yo old me as the only player. Had to recruit in the rest of the team, which was fun. Anyhoo, back to matters in hand. Looks like a good set of "guidelines" you have for your game. I'm sure by the end of the second season or the end of the third transfer window that you'll find you'll need to change one of the guidelines. KUTGW! :thumb:
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Post by coffers on Apr 18, 2008 12:01:28 GMT
Then you'll be picking Africans or Brazilians out of thin air.
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Post by Mr Bismarck's Electric Donkey on Apr 18, 2008 12:35:06 GMT
Good luck with this monkey boy. I've really been enjoying messing with the tictacs on 08. I hope you'll give me/us some info on what you're doing there.
[obligatory comment about this version of the game being too easy]
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Post by Boony on Apr 18, 2008 12:49:12 GMT
Thanks guys. I can see that the real make-or-break decisions in this game will be tactical ones - how I can make the most of the rabble I'll have to hand. Getting youth players in will be mainly luck, depending on what the youth scouts can bring in. I have a feeling that the more you get youth players in, the better the ones that are found later on, some kind of reputation thingy at work, but I'm not sure if this is actually true or not. I guess I'll find out...
Anyway, this means I'll offer some pointers to the tactical side, as this will be one of the most interesting aspects of the game. There's no way I'll be changing the rules of the game to make it easier for me, though - I'm looking forward to the struggle in some kind of perverse masochistic way.
I've already managed to piss off one of my fullbacks - he was complaining about the training he was taking part in, so I fined him. Only after that did I realise that my training regime had him training to learn the DC position - I'd picked the wrong defensive schedule from my saved list. :thumb: Hopefully he'll come round, though, 'cos he looks like he's nailed the right back position for a while...
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Post by Boony on Apr 18, 2008 12:50:19 GMT
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Post by Boony on Apr 18, 2008 12:56:18 GMT
Good man, Boony. I sparked up 0102 on Weds night to continue a game I started, replacing some team or other in the Conference with Ashington and a 17 yo old me as the only player. Had to recruit in the rest of the team, which was fun. Oh aye, I remember that game. It was a while ago you started that, wasn't it? How did you set yourself up in the game? One of the best bits of CM0102 is how you can set up all kinds of different scenarios; like the time I set up Kempston Rovers in the conference with no players at all, but edited the town to have good reputation and potential stadium capacity of around 200,000 in the hope of setting up a dynasty. This game is still on my harddrive, I think we're now a dominant force in the premiership and have won the European Cup, but I haven't played it for a long time as it all feels a bit of a cheat - I was playing Coffee formations which I know are very strong against the AI. My only real aim for that game now is to make the stadium as big as I possibly can (it's around 40k at the moment, IIRC) and to be honest it's a bit of an unrewarding slog...
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Post by DC on Apr 18, 2008 15:11:01 GMT
Bit like the Bulancakspor game I had. After the first season at COD where I rebuilt the team, subsequent seasons were marked by a meteoric rise and subsequent boredom with a European Cup win against the odds with a team full of cast-offs.
Far more fun to play it against Un-AI.
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Post by Boony on Apr 18, 2008 15:21:43 GMT
Doing a bit more research, it turns out Meda have had some "interesting" recent history. Despite being relegated from Serie C2 in 2002 and 2003, they finished 6th in 2004 before dropping down two levels for the 2004/05 season. Bizarre...
They survived two seasons in the Eccellenza before relegation beckoned again, and this season they are in the Promozione.
Let's hope I can produce something better than this...
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Post by Boony on Apr 18, 2008 21:07:23 GMT
August 2001
August was the month of the Serie C Cup group stages. Four games, from which we emerged undefeated. Novara were held to 0-0 in the first match, in which their keeper won the Man of the Match award in one of those games. We then beat Varese 3-1 and Allesdandria 1-0, before holding Pro Patria to another 0-0.
This set of results was enough for us to win the group by four points, and progress to the next round. I was surprised by the solidity of the team, and very pleased with the month. The team played a mixture of 4-3-3, 4-4-2 and 4-5-1, soley depending on how many strikers were fit enough to play. We're a bit stifled at the moment on the tactics front, as I have no left sided midfielder worth his salt.
September 2001
We kept the 4-3-3 formation going throughout September, as the first handful of league fixtures came along. The first game was a 1-1 draw, where the Viareggio keeper won Man of the Match (do you see a pattern emerging already?), but from there we went on a four match winning streak, beating Biellesse 2-0, Alessandria 1-0, Pro Patria 2-0, and Castelnuovo 2-1. This really was an amazing run of results, considering the "talent" I had at my disposal. We finished the month on top of the league, one point ahead of Cremonese. They key to our success so far has been the defence, which is nice as I always like to build on a solid base. Unsurprisingly, I guess, our best player so far has been Goalkeeper Alessio Romellini. Let's find out more about him...
----- Player Profile
Alessio Romellini, 20, GK
Romellini has been at the club since 1999, but hadn't played a first team game until this season. His strengths are his aggression, balance, jumping, pace, strength and stamina - quite a physical player... His keeping stats aren't bad, though - 9 for handling, 11 for agility and 7 for reflexes. So far this season, he's played nine games, let in three goals, kept six clean sheets, and has an average rating of 7.67 per game. -----
The team seem to be generally a little slow, and a little on the short side, at the moment. There's good strong players all over the pitch, though. There's not much skill in the squad; in fact the only person with a decent suitable skill is Vincenzo Vado, my first signing. He's currently playing at left back, and has 18 for tackling. We don't have a lot of strength up front, or in central midfield, and as I have mentioned there isn't anyone who can play wide left. However, the defensive unit is solid, and I'm slowly getting into a position where I can start to be more selective about the youth players I'm bringing in. 18 players have joined the team since I started, but only a handful of these are actually in the first choice eleven.
Financial matters have improved slightly - we're now only €137k in the red. The improvement has been mainly due to receiving €645k in transfer fees... 18 players have joined the team since I started, but only a handful of these are actually in the first choice eleven.
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Post by Boony on Apr 19, 2008 12:13:48 GMT
October 2001
If September was the month of the win, then October was the month of the draw - four of our seven games ended with the scores tied. Three of these draws came in the Serie C Cup, where 0-0 at home and 3-3 away were enough to get past Chieti on away goals. We drew Padova in the third round, and drew the away leg 1-1, skipper Giglio grabbing the vital away goal.
In amongst these cup games, we found time to thrash Montevarchi 5-2 in the first game of the month. We lost striker Riolo to injury early in the game and had to invent a 5-3-2 formation on the spot to make the most of our remaining players. It seemed to work. too! After the tactical switch, three of our defenders scored a goal... Our unbeaten record went in the next game, though, as Cremonese beat our 5-3-2 by three goals to two - the winner came in the last minute, and Romellini rated a measly 4/10 in goal. New signing Diamanti enabled us to revert to the favoured 4-3-3 as Novara came to town, and scored two on his debut as we won 3-1. The final league game of the month saw Pavia come to town, and walk away with just a point as defender Saminara equalised for us in the last minute. I was pleased by the fighting qualities of the team - we didn't seem to give up in these games.
At the end of the month, we were still top of the league, level on points with Sangiovannese, having won 6 and drawn 2 of our 9 games.
----- Player Profile
Roberto Ambrosini, 31, SC
Ambrosini is our top scorer so far this season, with six goals in 15 games, rating 7.53. He moved to Meda in 2000, and scored one in 14 last term. He doesn't possess much of a physical threat, and is only moderately pacy. However, he has good technique, and is an experienced all-round striker who currently leads our front 3. After a fantastic start to the season, he's just going through a slight slump in form with two mediocre games in a row. -----
I should also mention Carlo Nativi (25, DRL) who is our current right back and is leading the team in assists, with five. This is his first season in Meda, having joined from one of my old haunts, Teramo, just before I took over here at Meda.
We have improved the bank balance once again, owing the money-grabbers just €80k. During October, we took in more money through the gates than we spent on wages, which is a pleasing sign.
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Post by Boony on Apr 21, 2008 7:13:49 GMT
November 2001
Despite staying unbeaten throughout November, it was a somewhat wobbly month. We saved our best performances for the Serie C Cup, where we beat Padova (top of Serie C1A) 2-0 in the home leg, to draw Carrarese in the quarter finals. We'd been forced to play 5-3-2 again, as Ambrosini had been injured in the first game of the month (a comfortable 3-0 win against Rondinella), and again the 5-3-2 brought goals for defenders: Vado and Giosis in this case. We were still forced to play 5-3-2 as we visted Carrarese in the first leg. A sublime performance, winning 4-1, was underlined by goals for two more defenders: Nativi and Miglioranzi.
While all was rosy in the cup, however, we managed to draw three league games in a row. The 5-3-2 seemed to work perfectly in the Serie C Cup against bigger teams, but really struggled in our own league. 0-0 against Prato, 1-1 against Pro Vercelli, and 1-1 against Valenzana saw us slip to third in the league, despite conceding the fewest goals.
The month ended with the second leg of the Carrarese cup tie - we held on 0-0 to keep up the run of draws, and progressed to meet Treviso in the semi finals. We are now the only C2 club left in the competition. More good news at the end of the month - Ambrosini came back from injury and will enable us to revert to our favoured 4-3-3 formation.
----- Player Profile
Filippo Segreto, 18, MC
Segreto joined the team in early August, but was injured for the start of the season. Since coming into the starting eleven, his passing, flair, technique, bravery and pace have all combined to produce some awesome displays. In 12 games so far he has scored three, assisted two, grabbed two Man of the Match gongs, and has rated 7.42 per game. He nearly always sees most of the ball during our games, and is frankly a fantastic player at this level. He is physically big enough, without being huge, but it is his skill that is his primary asset. -----
December 2001
We only had three games in during December, all of them in the league. The first two, against Sangionvannese and Poggibonsi, were almost identical: captain Giglio scoring in both 1-1 draws. At the moment, we seem to be struggling with conceding a goal just after we have scored. Fortunately this didn't happen in the last game of the month, as new signing Chianno banged two past the Legnano keeper in a 2-0 win.
We are now unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions, but we seem to be drawing too many of these for my liking. We've slumped to fourth in the league, three points off leaders Cremonese. Good news came right on New Year's Eve, as our board decided to inject €250k into our funds - we move to €189k in the black!
----- Player Profile
Raffaele Giglio, 28, SC
Giglio is our only ever-present, other than keeper Romellini, and is now our leading top scorer alongside Ambrosini, with six goals in 26 games. Averaging 7.08 per game, he has been consistent if not outstanding. He is experienced, and is a good captain, and thus holds onto his spot in the team over more talented strikers. I would say he's playing a very important role in this team, considering the number of under-20s kicking around. -----
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Post by coffers on Apr 21, 2008 8:43:05 GMT
That's some fine updates, Boo, even if there are too many draws. The good thing is you don't have a lot of ground to make up on the leaders. Lurking nicely as it were.
:thumb:
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Post by Boony on Apr 21, 2008 8:57:54 GMT
Aye, we're sitting very nicely at the moment. I couldn't really have asked for a better start to the season. The hardest part so far has been squad depth, as you might imagine. Lose a couple of starters, and suddenly we're half the team we should be.
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Post by Boony on Apr 21, 2008 23:31:37 GMT
January 2002
Four games in January, and a complete mixed bag of results. The first game was at home against Pro Sesto. With Ambrosini and Chianno injured, the strike-force was already somewhat makeshift, so what we didn't need was Giglio coming out of the game in the fifth minute. Strangely enough, though, our reserve strikers hit the ground running, with two goals each for Diamanti and Giannusa. Midfielder Valentini chipped in with a fifth, and we ran out 5-2 winners. The competition for places up front is very pleasing, especially after our struggles in that position earlier in the season. We moved up to second in the league, at the half-way point.
We then travelled to Viareggio - two more goals shared between Diamanti and Giannusa wasn't enough, and hitting the bar twice in the the last two minutes did nothing for my heart-rate as we lost 3-2. The defence has lost some of it's early season solidity, and Miglioranzi has played two poor games in a row. Biellese came to Meda for the next game, and took two goals and three points for their efforts. We were nowhere near in this game - I think possibly missing Giglio's experience. He came back for the final game in January, as did Ambrosini, to partner the new hot thing, Giannusa, up front. The new hot thing scored two, and Ambrosini grabbed the third in a comfortable 3-1 victory.
Despite an average month, we jump back up to second in the league, but a whole nine points behind leaders Cremonese. We're six points ahead of sixth place, in what might be a more relevant battle for the playoff places.
----- Player Profile
Vincenzo Giannusa, 20, SC
Giannusa is our man of the moment, having scored five goals in his 3(2) games so far, rating 8.00. His only real strength is his, um, strength - he has very little skill (finishing 3, off the ball 3, passing 4, heading 5, pace 8, technique 9) but can play with either foot and seems to be finding the net at the moment. He came to Meda in mid-September, but has only recently had a chance in the starting lineup due to injuries to the main dudes up front. -----
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Post by coffers on Apr 22, 2008 0:02:28 GMT
Nice work. Keep it up! :thumb:
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Post by Narcizo on Apr 22, 2008 8:13:19 GMT
"Poggibonsi"
I always thought that was one of the best names out there.
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Post by Sonic on Apr 22, 2008 10:05:02 GMT
That it is Narkle. Well done here Boony :thumb:
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Post by coffers on Apr 22, 2008 10:28:09 GMT
So it is Nark. :thumb:
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Post by Boony on Apr 23, 2008 7:03:26 GMT
February 2002
Another quiet month, with just three games played in February. We had a fine start, beating Pro Patria 3-0 (two for Ambrosini and one for a recalled Miglioranzi, who picked up the Man of the Match award) and then delivering a similar scoreline against Castelnuovo (Ambrosini, Valentini and Giglio scoring the goals in this 3-0 win). The month ended disappointingly, though, as Montevarchi beat us 1-0 at their place. We had something like five set pieces in the last minute, but couldn't put any of them away. We remain in second place, ten points behind Cremonese and seven above the playoff cutoff line.
----- Player Profile
Vincenzo Vado, 17, DRL
Vado was our first signing, joining the team in August, and is now our first choice left back, despite being right-footed. His strengths are his tackling, jumping, aggression, stamina and set pieces - a fine set of attributes for a fullback. He's played 32 games (missing just one, he's the second most used player in the squad behind keeper Romellini), and has scored three and provided three assists. An average rating of 6.97 per game isn't too bad for a fullback, and he notches 3.7 tackles per game. -----
March 2002
The first game in March saw us host the league leaders, Cremonese. A very close game, but we had two goals disallowed for offside and eventually lost 3-1, Ambrosini scoring our only goal. It now looks like Cremonses will get the automatic promotion spot - the bastards have beaten us twice now this season, and probably fully deserve to go up. He said grudgingly...
More injury news - Vado picks up a knock and is out for three weeks. I swear there is a curse on the featured player in our monthly player profile...
September - Romellini - picked up a 4/10 in his next game October - Ambrosini - injured in his next game November - Segreto - lucky bastard, nothing happened to him December - Giglio - injured in his next game January - Giannusa - didn't score in his next four games February - Vado - injured in his next game
Maybe I should stop jinxing my players?
We visited Navaro for our 25th game of the campaign, and came away with an uneventful 1-0 win, Giannusa scoring the goal. We then visited Pavia, and did well to hold onto a 1-1 draw (Ambrosini) as our keeper was sent off in the 32nd minute - our first red card of the season! 17th placed Rondinella came to town, and somehow walked away with a 2-0 win. A very poor result on our behalf. Another red card - right back Nativi picked up too yellows, and our reserve keeper rated just 4/10. We'd had most of the play, and dominated a goalless first half. Bah!
A change of approach for the last game in March saw regular captain Giglio dropped as we switched to a 5-3-2, bringing Miglioranzi back into the heart of a back five - his seemingly preferred spot. Ambrosini was the oldest player on the pitch by about ten years, and got the captain's armband by default. Goals for Sotgiu and Giannusa gave us a solid 2-0 win, and kept us in second spot at the end of the month. Seven points in five games is hardly championship form, but it does look like we'll make the playoffs. If (and it's a big if) we are promoted this year, I reckon next year would be a real struggle. We are desperately lacking experience in the squad at the moment - one of the many issues with the rules I'm playing with this game. It'll take a few years for this first batch of youngsters to mature.
----- Player Profile
Salvatore Sotgiu, 16, MC
Sotgiu is one of my favourite players, for no real apparent reason. You know how you just get one of those feelings about a player? He's very young, and a superb crosser. He plays on the left side of my midfield three, and is asked to get wide and cross the ball. He's not as productive as he could be, with just two assists so far. It must be said, though, that we don't really have a big man up front to take advantage of any crosses. He has, however, scored three goals and averages a rating of 7.17 in 18 games. He's quite tall, has good technique, and has a passing rating of 11. -----
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Post by coffers on Apr 23, 2008 7:56:37 GMT
Still maintaining 2nd spot, regardless of your so called dip in form. Now i the time to see if your players can cope with pressure, the final run in and then the play-offs.
KUTGW! :thumb:
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Post by Boony on Apr 23, 2008 8:20:58 GMT
Cheers coffs! It's certainly been a great season so far, no way would I have expected second spot at the start of the season.
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