Home
Blog
Careers
Forums
Downloads
FM24 Real Name Fix
FM23 Real Name Fix
FM23 New Leagues
FM24 Tactics
FM24 Data Update
FM Database
FM Guides
FM Shortlists
FM24 Wonderkids
FM24 Free Players
FM24 Bargains
FM24 Players to avoid
FM24 Club Budgets
FM24 Club Facilities
Graphics
Installation Guides
Records
Prediction League
Fantasy Football
Search
#450650 (FM19) Worldwide Journeyman
TinakoFM
#450631 [FM19] Trip to: South Africa (w/ Orlando Pirates)
TinakoFM
After a friendly win over Maritzburg City, we met Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the cool Be The Coach. For those who don't know, it's an interactive competition in South African football played yearly by Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, with supporters (via a sponsor) picking the matchday squads and in-game substitutions; hence the name. In Football Manager, it's the same except for the line-up/substitutions - the fans picked my matchday squad. So fortunately I can blame the defeat to the Chiefs on them! Even in a friendly trophy, it was still disappointing to lose to our big rivals.
It didn't faze us though, as we followed it with four straights wins; firstly in a friendly with Mozambique's Ferroviário Maputo. The Top 8 Cup got underway on 15 August, it's a tournament where the top eight placed teams from the previous Premier Soccer League season take part to see who is best. We were drawn in the quarter-finals with Free State Stars, subsequently easing past them 3-0. The semi-final first leg followed days later against Maritzburg United, where we scored another three goals (having gone a goal down, though) to secure a comfortable if not tie-securing 3-1 win for the second leg. August ended with our PSL opener, we played and beat AmaZulu.
Pleasing times, but we must keep it up. So, Be the Coach, Top 8 Cup and the PSL have all begun but the Knockout Cup and FA Cup are still yet to get underway, as is our CAF Champions League campaign; which we have to wait until late 2018/early 2019 for (due to its scheduling).
As you'll see in the screenshot, the club made a load of signings but only the last two were made by me. I signed a CAM and a FW, both players I know about (not deeply, but enough) from real life: Tshegofatso Mabaso, Bloemfontein Celtic (CAM, South Africa, £60k) & Talent Chawapiwa, Baroka (FW, Zimbabwe, £32.5k). I was going to scout them first, but decided to trust my gut feeling and sign them before the scout reports arrived. So far, so good. I've been impressed with them, both have a goal to their name already.
A: Here's the board expectations:
B: Here's the supporters' chosen squad for Be The Coach:
C: Here's my manager's profile:
D: Here's my save file set-up:
#450589 FM19 - 1. FC. Köln
TinakoFM
#450486 Back to the Journey man. A Lisbon lion's tale.
TinakoFM
#450426 [FM19] Trip to: South Africa (w/ Orlando Pirates)
TinakoFM
After experiencing all of what Asia had to offer at the top level, I've decided to play in Africa with last year's Premier Soccer League second place side. They've not won the title since 2011-12, so that'll be the aim for season one. However, as I always mention, I am no god at this game whatsoever (shocking, right!), so don't expect anything major.
#450415 [FM18] The Ultimate Journeyman Challenge - Second Leg
TinakoFM
#450414 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
TinakoFM
#450354 VP's FM19 Adventure
TinakoFM
You've made your name as a wheeler and dealer then?
#450347 VP's FM19 Adventure
TinakoFM
#450345 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
TinakoFM
#450342 [FM19] Trip to: China (w/ Guangzhou Evergrande)
TinakoFM
I was shocked, I was actually pleased to get into the semi-finals *hits exit match* sacked
The only thing I was going to come first in tbf, just ask the Guangzhou supporters!
Hopefully it is! I've reported it over at the SI forums, I'll see what they say if/when they respond.
I was just as surprised myself! I knew the league form was bad but it was salvageable, esp. as we also got to the CFA Cup semi-finals and AFC CL quarters (w/ a good draw ahead).
As for the save, I was toying with the idea of continuing with this file - as I usually always would, to do as @jameo_94 says. However, this time I won't be. Only because these type of saves I want to be having fun (?) with the big clubs on FM. When the full game is released, I'll be doing a Journeyman save - so you'll be able to see me get sacked over and over in that, don't worry!
#450254 A worldwide journey
TinakoFM
#450242 [FM19] Trip to: China (w/ Guangzhou Evergrande)
TinakoFM
I've been sacked by Guangzhou Evergrande, in pretty amusing circumstances. As you can see from the previous results, form has not been the best. After the Henan Jianye and Changchun Yatai (the bottom two!) results which, admittedly, were disgraceful, the board called a meeting. However, it was only called due to the Yatai defeat. By the meeting's conclusion, they wanted a "positive result" in our following fixture - the CFA Cup quarter-final second leg against Hebei China Fortune. Days later, we faced Hebei and secured a goalless draw which sent us through on away goals after the 1-1 first leg. That, apparently, isn't a "positive result". Sacked I was.
Extremely frustrating, but at least it was a fun way to go out. Bug? I'm not sure, I hope so! This brings the save and subsequent career post on here to a premature end, I'll be beginning a new 'Trip to' soon - I'm thinking South Africa, but I haven't decided just yet. Thanks for reading this career, apologies it has ended so soon. I was excited for the AFC Champions League quarter-finals but hey-ho.
A: Here's the meeting the board scheduled after the aforementioned Yatai result:
2018 | Chinese Super Cup (beat Shanghai Shenhua)
2018 | Manager of the Month (March)
#450225 [FM18] The Ultimate Journeyman Challenge - Second Leg
TinakoFM
#450080 [FM19] Trip to: China (w/ Guangzhou Evergrande)
TinakoFM
As I mentioned, off the field stuff dominated my thoughts for June. The transfer window opened, which got me excited for precisely five seconds. I had/have all my dealings done already, signing two much needed centre-backs as well as a back-up striker. However, those deals have/will be cancelled due to the league's transfer rules. It's pretty confusing, but in short: you can only sign eight over-17 players and five over-21 players per season (thirteen total). According to the game, we've already exceeded those regulations despite not signing even one player this season. I don't think it's a bug, I think the game is taking into account Guangzhou's real life signings so I guess IRL they signed the limit of players. With that said, on the over-17 rule it says: max 8 (currently 11) - which makes zero sense. Frustrating.
On a happier note, our Champions League quarter-final opponents were drawn: Melbourne Victory await! We return to Australia, having faced Brisbane Roar in the group stages. If we beat the A-League club, we'll face the winner of Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) and Persepolis (IRN). I'm not saying that's easy, but I am very pleased with that draw. We've avoided the three strong Saudi Arabian teams as well as Esteghlal of Iran. We have a full two months of CSL action until the Melbourne Victory first leg, so depending on how our domestic situation is looking I may go full out for the AFC Champions League. We'll see. I want to win, at least, the CFA Cup.
A: Here's the AFC Champions League draw in full:
B: Here's the transfer issue via a screenshot.
2018 | Chinese Super Cup (beat Shanghai Shenhua)
2018 | Manager of the Month (March)
#450004 [FM18] The Ultimate Journeyman Challenge - Second Leg
TinakoFM
#450002 [FM19] Trip to: China (w/ Guangzhou Evergrande)
TinakoFM
Here's hoping! The quadruple comment was a bit tongue-in-cheek, it's not impossible of course but I'd never expect it - especially, as you say, with the tricky competitors in the AFC CL.
#450001 Back to the Journey man. A Lisbon lion's tale.
TinakoFM
#449933 [FM19] Trip to: China (w/ Guangzhou Evergrande)
TinakoFM
After securing a knockout round place in the AFC CL, our opponents in that aforementioned round were announced - Iran's Tractor Sazi, managed by John Toshack. Before two games with them, we had three straight domestic fixtures to focus on. First up were first place chasing Shandong Luneng, who would've went top with a draw but didn't as Talisca grabbed us the points. Big win! Due to fitness issues, I was forced to play a fully rotated team vs. Tianjin Quanjian in the CFA Cup fifth round, that didn't show though as a mixture of reserves/youngsters turned up and got us in the hat for the two-legged quarter-finals. Very pleasing. After that we faced Beijing Guoan, another title chasing team, and got a credible draw.
Then came the major Champions League matches with Tractor Sazi. We aimed for a good result at home in leg one to hopefully kill the tie early, we didn't exactly do that but a 2-0 victory put us halfway through. Given that, I made a sizeable call. Play my full first-team days later in the league against Hebei China Fortune (which we drew), and give them a much needed rest in the second leg ahead of key Chinese Super League matches soon after. As you can see, it was a decision I just got away with. A thrilling 3-3 draw occurred in Tabriz, with Alan (who has been suspended in the league for a while - still until July - seemingly due to an incident in real life April - bit weird it carries over in-game) netting a hat-trick to send us through.
May ended brilliantly, with major back-to-back CSL wins over Shanghai Shenhua and city rivals Guangzhou R&F. Those help move us into the top four, we sit six points off league leaders Shanghai SIPG. Our next Champions League opponents are yet to be determined, but Hebei China Fortune await in the CFA Cup quarters. The quadruple is still on!
2018 | Chinese Super Cup (beat Shanghai Shenhua)
2018 | Manager of the Month (March)
#449925 [FM19] Trip to: China (w/ Guangzhou Evergrande)
TinakoFM
Not sure to be honest, quarter-finals as a minimal I'd say.
#449826 [FM19] Trip to: China (w/ Guangzhou Evergrande)
TinakoFM
Ha, no kidding! Nothing changed with the players/tactics/board at all between March and April, yet the performances have dipped massively.
#449750 [FM19] Trip to: China (w/ Guangzhou Evergrande)
TinakoFM
In the most recent three games, we've somewhat stopped the rot - three undefeated after two draws and a win, with the latter arriving in the CFA Cup against second tier Yanbian Funde. How times change, from how great March was to this car crash of an April. The board and players, for now, are generally fully backing me, though a few murmurs have come out recently. A massive improvement is a necessity, especially in the AFC Champions League: winless Ulsan Hyundai await for us on the final matchday, it is still all in our hands as we only need to win our fixture - no need for immediate favours from elsewhere. As for the CSL, that's still salvageable but only just - 8pts off top.
A: I forgot to include the transfer window recap prior to this post, probably because it was very quiet on our part. No new signings, six players did depart but none were key players; most notable would be Kim Young-Gwon, the South Korean centre-back was unhappy and wanted to leave - K League 1 side Suwon Samsung Bluewings subsequently loaned him.
2018 | Chinese Super Cup (beat Shanghai Shenhua)
2018 | Manager of the Month (March)
#449544 [FM19] Trip to: China (w/ Guangzhou Evergrande)
TinakoFM
That one AFC Champions League encounter was big, hosting Kawasaki Frontale on the third match date. We made it three wins from three, we were much the better side but the result ended in a rather tight 2-1 victory. I'll very much take it, it leaves us (competition standings below) top of Group G, five points clear of any other team. A win next time out against Brisbane Roar will see us qualify for the knockout stages, if Kawasaki Fontale drop points vs. Ulsan Hyundai we'd be group winners with that hopeful win over the Australians.
A: Here are the board expectations. They want the CSL title as you'd expect, whilst also wanting a semi-final berth in the AFC CL and an appearance in the final of the CFA Cup. Doable, certainly.
B: Our CSL opener gave me my first experience of VAR, which has occurred regularly in the league; as it's one of the world's few that currently operate VAR. All gone in my favour so far, sure that wont last!
C: I thought I'd share the tactic I am using for those interested.* I don't usually as I normally chop n' change on a regular basis, but given our form I have had no need to. *positive, not attacking; that was just for the friendly
D: March ended with some personal glory, I won the period's Manager of the Month award. Always nice to get some recognition.
2018 | Chinese Super Cup (beat Shanghai Shenhua)
2018 | Manager of the Month (March)
#449465 PLAYING THE VILLAIN
TinakoFM
#449463 Back to the Journey man. A Lisbon lion's tale.
TinakoFM
#449356 [FM19] Trip to: China (w/ Guangzhou Evergrande)
TinakoFM
However, the most satisfying aspect of this opening month was the Chinese Super Cup. We ran out 4-1 winners, notably going 3-0 up. That's despite resting the likes of Paulinho, Talisca and Gào Lin. Fortunately, we had a fully fit Ricardo Goulart to choose as he isn't registered for the AFC CL - I had to lose a foreign player due to the rules, so Goulart was the one to drop out. Worked out, as he scored for 2-0. He wasn't our star man though, that honour fell to Yang Liyú - a 21-year old debutant who scored two goals. Brilliant moment for him.
2018 | Chinese Super Cup (beat Shanghai Shenhua)
#449280 [FM19] Trip to: China (w/ Guangzhou Evergrande)
TinakoFM
I made it in Microsoft PowerPoint, with free fonts from 1001fonts. Happy with how it turned out! Not actually thought about that with the ACL, shouldn't be too much of a problem - if I can get them that far, of course.
#449274 Back to the Journey man. A Lisbon lion's tale.
TinakoFM
#449255 [FM19] Trip to: China (w/ Guangzhou Evergrande)
TinakoFM
Before I share the results, a few things to tell.
A: I've replaced Fabio Cannavaro as manager, but his brother Paolo remains as my assistant manager - probably not the smartest move!
B: Here's the squad I have to work with, with the foreign players highlighted. On that point, the Chinese Super League only allows four foreigners (five if one is Asian).
C: Lastly, here's my manager profile.
*known as Higashiosaka Rosa in-game, due to licence issues. I didn't think it would be smart to do the name fix thing on the beta, seems an iffy thing to do to the save files; maybe not, but didn't want to risk it. I'll certainly be doing it when the full game is released, so in my Journeyman it'll be done!
#449211 Back to the Journey man. A Lisbon lion's tale.
TinakoFM
One small thing, could you make the game screenshots bigger? For the results they are OK as you can see the scoreline, but with the league table it's difficult to make it out. Best of luck!