Our top ten Football Manager games ranked

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December 8, 2023

fm24 progress never stops out 6th november

Football Manager is a game we all love, which is likely why you’re here reading this article. Many of our readers are diehard fans of the game and, like myself, will probably have played every single edition released.

Football Manager Edition	When was it released (EU)
Football Manager 2005	4^th November 2004
Football Manager 2006	21^st October 2005
Football Manager 2007	18^th October 2006
Football Manager 2008	18^th October 2007
Football Manager 2009	14^th November 2008
Football Manager 2010	30^th October 2009
Football Manager 2011	5^th November 2010
Football Manager 2012	21^st October 2011
Football Manager 2013	2^nd November 2012
Football Manager 2014	30^th October 2013
Football Manager 2015	7^th November 2014
Football Manager 2016	13^th November 2015
Football Manager 2017	4^th November 2016
Football Manager 2018	10^th November 2017
Football Manager 2019	2^nd November 2018
Football Manager 2020	18^th November 2019
Football Manager 2021	24^th November 2020
Football Manager 2022	8^th November 2021
Football Manager 2023	8^th November 2022
Football Manager 2024	6^th November 2023

Life is about opinions, and here is mine on my top ten favourite games in the FM series:

10. Football Manager 2009

The 2009 version of the game saw a new 3D match engine introduced to the series, which is something that was welcome and only enhanced the gameplay, as it made the game more visually appealing.

One feature that was maybe ahead of its time in Football Manager was the ability for your avatar to be a male or female.

This edition also saw the introduction of press conferences.

An Arsenal brand version of the game was also released.

9. Football Manager 2013

The 2013 edition saw design changes to the game, which made it run faster and obviously increased the enjoyment of playing the game.

The redesign also included a classic mode for those who wanted to play FM but didn’t have the time to play the full version with all the bells and whistles.

FM13 also saw the introduction of pre-set challenges, where you could test your managerial acumen over a short period of time, more often than not half a season.

This wasn’t a mode I particularly utilised, but it was a feature that many found entertaining and useful if they were bored of the original gameplay format.

According to the pre-release info, there were 900 new features in this version. Like myself, the gaming reviewers generally liked this version of the game. The critic from Metacritic gave the game an 86/100, which was a record for a football game at the time.

8. Football Manager 2018

While Football Manager 2018 may not have been ground-breaking, it did introduce dynamics. This feature was game-changing, as dynamics gave us players an insight into what was going on in their player’s heads.

This obviously helped us understand our teams better. The hierarchy system meant that you could see who were the most influential players within your squad.

Suddenly, you knew why players were angry with you or underperforming and which players had the power within the dressing room to help or hinder your chances of success. This has been a very useful tool for me, for sure.

7. Football Manager 2019

FM19 saw a change in the tactical system, so we got a better understanding of how our team was set up. The game introduced three phases, in possession, in transition and out of possession.

These changed the way players set up tactics, as these three phases became vital to the success or failure of your team, as they gave you greater control of your tactical set-up.

One new feature for this edition was the introduction of VAR, which, like in real life, was greeted with mixed emotions. Unfortunately, for me, far too many goals are ruled out by VAR on FM. Despite the introduction of this divisive new feature, FM19 is still among my top ten FM games.

6. Football Manager 2008

Football Manager 2008 is where SI attempted and succeeded in making the game more user-friendly, as they tweaked the UI (user interface). The changes made for a more enjoyable game all around.

This edition of the series introduced a new advisor system, which almost acted like an assistant manager, giving the player hints and tips. The game also saw a new finance system, which was more in-depth.

The game went platinum in the UK after selling over 300,000 copies. Its score on Metacritic of 86/100 was the joint-highest of any football game, a score that FM13 matched, of course.

5. Football Manager 2005

This was an iconic FM game, as it was the first that was released after the split from original publisher Eidos, therefore the first under the new name ‘Football Manager’.

The game just built on the undoubted success of the final Championship Manager and took the game a step further.

With reportedly more control for Sports Interactive, the game took a slightly different path from the Champ Man series. The game involved improved transfers, game engine and even mind games etc.

However, with the essence of the old editions still present, the game was a big hit among fans and critics.

Football Manager’s first edition was.

4. Football Manager 2010

The game saw a polish of the diamond, with tweaks in the game as a whole. The most noticeable changes were to assistant managers and the overview screen, which made the game less daunting to new or casual FM players.

Improvements were also made to the 3D animations, with adverse weather conditions becoming more apparent. One new feature that not many may have used was an improved database editor, where you could add new leagues to your game, a handy feature for some players.

The game was not revolutionary for many, but it was certainly a decent update from FM09.

3. Football Manager 2007

This edition of the series was a much fresher version of Football Manager, which was created with a new user interface. The game also raised the bar when it came to analysis and entertainment.

The analysis system gives managers far more data to judge their team and individual players. In some ways, the game was a step forward in the series.

2. Football Manager 2014

FM14 was a game-changer when it came to the tactical side of the game. It meant that it was very difficult to produce ‘Plug and Play’ tactics. You had to tweak and adapt your team to pick up results.

This proved a challenge for many players while being frustrating for some other players who were less tactically aware. This edition was regarded as more realistic.

The game also introduced a new updated transfer system, with a more realistic market akin to real life.

The interaction between you as a manager and other players, managers and the board were also improved.

It is reported that FM14 sold over one million copies, which is not unusual for FM but still illustrates the success of the game.

1. Football Manager 2012

For me, FM12 was my favourite game in the series. The transfer market was improved significantly, as was the tutorial system, the team talks, various roles and other tasks that can be delegated.

The improved scouting system was one of the most significant upgrades, helping managers view potential signings and opposition teams better.

What was your favourite Football Manager game?

Top five Brazilian wonderkids in FM24

By

David Nugent

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December 1, 2023

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There are very few feelings better than nurturing a wonderkid from an inexperienced youngster to a world star when playing FM. Wonderkids can come from all corners of the globe, of course. However, certain countries are production factories of talented young players.

One of those countries is Brazil, which constantly produces talented young footballers. Here are some of our favourite Brazilian wonderkids for the latest version of FM:

Endrick (Palmeiras, will join Real Madrid in July 2024)

Many experienced FM players will know all about the forward. The 17-year-old is the worst-kept secret of football in recent years. The versatile forward has the potential to be a top, top player, and many are already raving about the youngster’s ability. He is so talented that he recently won his first Brazilian cap as a substitute in his country’s 2-1 defeat by Colombia in World Cup qualifying.

Unfortunately for FM players, he has already agreed a deal to join Spanish giants Real Madrid in July 2024. Whether that makes him easier or harder to sign is debatable, such is the power and talent available to Los Blancos.

If you can sign him, then his starting attributes are decent, and he quickly develops into a highly impressive world star.

Estevao (Palmeiras)

He is another top Palmeiras prospect who is quickly earning himself a reputation as a future star in the club’s youth ranks. At just 16, the young attacking midfielder has the nickname ‘Messinho’ because his playing style is similar to that of the great Lionel Messi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqwitDT1Q2Y

The versatile attacking midfielder/forward can play anywhere in attack and starts the game with solid attributes for a player who is at such a tender age. He has 13 finishing, flair, and passing, which is impressive for such a young player.

If you sign the youngster at the beginning of the game, he could be a bargain. However, it’s important to note that if you are playing in leagues such as England, he will not be able to join your club until 2025. If you can sign him early and loan him out, he could prove an absolute steal.

Vitor Roque (Atletico PR, joining Barcelona in the summer of 2024)

Like Endrick, Vitor Roque is a wonderkid well known to any recent players of FM. Although he starts the game at Atletico PR in his homeland, a move to Catalan giants Barcelona has already been arranged for the summer of 2024.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifx9UwIkxw0

The diminutive Roque has already made his international debut for the Selecao and is arguably slightly ahead of Endrick when it comes to development. At 18, Vitor Roque has scored a respectable 33 goals in 93 appearances for Cruzeiro and Atletico PR.

When it comes to young forwards, there are few that can match him for attributes and potential. In previous FM games, he has gone on to become a world star in most saves. Signing him may now be far more difficult and expensive now he has agreed to join Barcelona.

Savio (Girona on loan from Troyes)

The 19-year-old winger has not received the same hype as some players on our list. However, he is a player who has impressed greatly at Girona this season on loan from French outfit Troyes. He has scored four goals in 12 appearances for the Catalan club, who have been the surprise package in the Spanish top-flight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF9f9GuuPgA

Unfortunately, due to being on loan at Girona, you can’t sign Savio in the first summer. However, the versatile forward will likely be available for a reasonable fee in the summer of 2024. His starting stats are excellent and will only get better as he matures as a player.

Savio has yet to play for the full national team, unlike some of his compatriots on this list. He has played for the Selecao at youth level, and if he continues his recent form, he will soon be in the full national team set-up.

Luis Guilherme (Palmeiras)

Yes, yet another product of the Palmeiras youth system, Guilherme is another highly-rated young attacking player who looks destined to be a world star in real life and on FM. At 17, Guilherme is already in the Palmeiras first-team squad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MgXHA7OfTc

A relatively high price tag highlights Guilherme’s potential, but he can be bought for less than £15m plus future incentives at the start of the game. His stats at the beginning of the game are impressive. For the relatively modest fee, you will get a highly versatile young winger who will only grow and improve.

Who is your favourite Brazilian wonderkid on FM24? Let us know via our socials

FM24 Wonderkids: The beauty of Bardghji

By

David Nugent

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November 29, 2023

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In other works of life, obsessing about a teenager could well see you in hot water. However, in FM, there seems to be a growing love for a certain Swedish wonderkid named Roony Bardghji.

The Copenhagen youngster is a familiar name to FM players, as he has been in the game as a wonderkid for the last few editions.

At just 18 (17 at the start of the game), he is regarded by many as one of the best wonderkids of FM24. Quite frankly, his potential is through the roof on the game. However, who is Roony Bardghji?

The short story of Roony Bardghji

The winger was born in Kuwait to a Syrian family, but at the age of 12, he and his family moved to Sweden. Bardghji’s talent for the beautiful game didn’t take long to shine through, and he played youth football in his adopted homeland at Kallinge SK, Rodeby AIF and Malmo FF.

However, his big move came in 2020 when he joined Danish giants FC Copenhagen. Bardghji made history when he became Copenhagen’s youngest-ever player in a Superliga encounter with AGF at the age of 16 years and six days. It didn’t take him long to score his first goal for Copenhagen either, as seven days later, he found the net against AaB.

Bardghji’s talents were not just confined to the Danish SuperLiga, though, as in 2022, he made his Champions League debut as a substitute in a 3-0 defeat by Sevilla. Having signed a new deal with Copenhagen early in January 2023, Bardghji made his mark in European football’s elite competition when he scored the winning goal in a 4-3 Champions League win over Premier League Manchester United.

Incredibly, at the age of just 17, Bardghji has already made 57 appearances for his club team, scoring a respectable 15 goals. He has also featured for Sweden’s u-17s and U-21s, scoring two goals in seven appearances for the latter.

Why is he so popular on FM?

The youngster has already illustrated his real-life potential on the biggest club stage, which is a factor in his popularity in Football Manager. His high ceiling is the most significant factor in why so many FM players flock to sign the winger.

Bardghji can potentially become one of the best players in the game. However, unlike many young players, he can be a part of a decent-level first-team squad in the first few seasons of the game. For instance, on my personal save, I signed Bardghji in my second season as Everton’s boss after we finished second place in the table. He rejected the chance to sign in the first transfer window as he doubted the quality of our squad. How dare he question my managerial acumen!

Anyway, I signed him for £10m plus future add-ons. In truth, it was a steal, and that is another massive factor why players sign him. For his price and already impressive attributes, you cannot get more bang for your buck, as it were.

One of the best things about the winger is that his stats improve very quickly; as he plays more football, his attributes grow immensely. Before you know it, you have a four-star player on your hands. In my save, he is four-and-half stars at 19 years of age. In his first season at the club, he scored 23 goals and was simply outstanding. The next 20-odd goals and nearly the same number of assists.

Quite simply, even in a team that wasn’t world-class, he shone and outperformed many of his much older and more developed teammates, which will be of little surprise to anybody who has played FM24 or even FM23, for that matter.

Is Roony Bardghji the real deal?

roony bardghji warms up before a game for FC København — Thomas Dahlstrøm Nielsen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Throughout the years, as FM fans, we have seen so many players look like world beaters in the game, and then, in real life, they do not really fulfil their potential. We all remember the likes of Kerlon, Cherno Samba and arguably the most famous FM wonderkid, Freddy Adu, who was touted for stardom at the age of just 13.

Despite the failures, some FM wonderkids have gone on to achieve stardom in real life. All the signs from Bardghji’s short real-life career so far suggest that the youngster could well fulfil his potential and become a star at the elite level of the game.

He seems to have all the attributes to become a real star of the beautiful game. For now, though, FM players are grateful that we can still sign the young winger at a reasonable price before he earns a big move and is out of our reach forever.

Let us know your experiences of using Roony Bardghji on FM24 via our socials

Tactic testing: GYR I am Groot FM24

By

David Nugent

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November 25, 2023

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We are back with our latest tactic test, and this time, we tested out GYR- I AM GROOT FM24. GYR has produced some excellent tactics in recent years. This was another solid effort.

If anybody has read my tactic-testing articles, they will know that I tested it with Everton. I promise I will move away from the Toffees in future articles. I use Everton because I know the strengths and weaknesses of the players so that I can make my best judgement on a tactic.

How was the tactic set up?

The tactic is set up in a straightforward 4-4-2 on attacking mentality, a formation you don’t see very often in recent games, as 4-2-3-1 has become the favoured system on FM and arguably in real life.

The tactic starts with a goalkeeper on sweeper keeper with an attacking duty, which suits Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal. The defence is made up of a flat-back four, with two wing-backs on support duty, flanking ball-playing defenders on defend duty.

The midfield is made up of two wingers on attack duty, while in the centre of midfield is a central midfielder on support and a ball-winning midfielder also on support duty.

The front two are made up of an advanced forward on attack duty and a pressing forward on support.

Once again, as with every good tactic, players built up excellent relationships all over the pitch. The full-backs and wingers built a good relationship, as did the centre-backs and two forwards. The only players who have not built an understanding are the two central midfielders, but that may be because there was a rotation of four players occupying the two positions. If the players have good relationships, it can only be highly positive.

How did the tactic perform?

The team was given a predicted finish of 13^th place, which means the expectations are low with the players available. The team finished in sixth place, claiming a Europa League spot, just a point behind fifth place. However, it was 11 points adrift of the teams who claimed Champions League spots.

This tactic produced a very even result in the table, with the team scoring 79 goals and conceding 60, with a positive goal difference of 19. The team had the fourth-best attacking record while having the eighth-best defensive record in the league.

The fact that the defensive record could be better is not a significant surprise, as many tactics using two central forwards, especially with an attacking mentality, often leave the team vulnerable in defence. There weren’t really any other standout stats. It was just a steady tactic all around.

The team struggled for results in the domestic cup competitions. They exited the FA Cup in the Fourth-Round stage against West Ham while suffering a Third-Round exit in the Carabao Cup against Arsenal.

Who were the best-performing players using this tactic?

As with most tactics, some players thrive and some struggle. Here are the players who thrived using this tactic:

Highest average season rating

As is often the case for Everton, forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin produced the highest average season rating of 7.46. Winger Arnaut Danjuma came pretty close to matching DCL’s record, with an average rating of 7.35.

Beto also usually has a high average season rating, and he picked up a highly respectable 7.18 rating. Central midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure also managed a rating of 7.13.

Who were the top goalscorers?

Unsurprisingly, Dominic Calvert-Lewin finished as the team’s top goalscorer with 23 goals in 34 appearances. Calvert-Lewin’s strike partner Beto also found the net 18 times in 32 appearances.

Once again, unsurprisingly, the wingers were also relatively prolific, with Dwight McNeil and Arnaut Danjuma scoring 12 and eight goals, respectively. Central midfielders Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure also scored their fair share of goals, having found the net six and five times, respectively.

Who recorded the most assists?

The most creative players in the team were the wingers. Arnaut Danjuma produced 15 assists. On the other side of the pitch, fellow loanee Jack Harrison created 11 goals for his teammates.

McNeil also had nine assists, with Calvert-Lewin also making a respectable eight goals. Abdoulaye Doucoure and full-back Ashley Young picked up five assists apiece.

What is my conclusion on the tactic?

For me, this is not the best tactic that GYR has ever produced, well, at least in my tactic testing. It may well be very different for other players using other teams.

My main conclusion about this tactic is that it is a good, solid set-up that would work with most teams’ mid-to-top level in the Premier League. The formation suited the limited squad depth at Everton, as it took advantage of the talented attacking players in the squad.

I may use the tactic again in the future, as I have always had a soft spot for tactics with two central strikers.

Have you used GYR I am Groot FM24? Let us know what you think about it via our socials

Why Everton could be the team to manage on FM24

By

David Nugent

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November 21, 2023

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FM24 has been officially out for a while now, and you can’t think of a team to manage that gets you excited about the latest edition of the game. Well, why not try to awaken a sleeping giant of football in Everton?

A fantastic history

Obviously, this one is close to my heart, having been a lifelong Evertonian. Unfortunately, I was born slightly too late to witness the Blues great team of the 1980s. However, the club were not just successful in the ’80s, as only Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal have won more than Everton’s nine English top-flight titles.

In all, the Toffees have claimed 24 trophies in their history, which is an impressive total for a club that hasn’t enjoyed much major success in recent years. The Toffee’s last trophy came in 1995 when they lifted the FA Cup.

In the last two seasons, Everton have gone on a worrying spiral of underperformance, fighting back-to-back relegation battles after some moderate success in the previous 30 years of numerous top-ten finishes and many times being ‘the best of the rest’ in the Premier League.

A relatively easy turnaround

In real life, head coach Sean Dyche is starting to turn things around, as at the time of writing, Everton are eight points clear of the relegation zone. There is optimism around the club, and many are looking up the table rather than over their shoulders at the bottom three.

The fact that the team is usually predicted to finish 13^th at the start of every FM game shows that, in real life, they have been underperforming. In reality, as the team has been showing in recent weeks, they are better than their recent relegation battles have shown.

In FM terms, the Everton squad is relatively strong, and it is quite easy to guide to a top-half finish in the Premier League table without being a tactical genius.

The likes of Jordan Pickford, Jarrad Branthwaite, Amadou Onana, Nathan Patterson, James Tarkowski, Dwight McNeil, Dominic Calvin-Lewin and Beto provide a good foundation of a squad you can build on.

Loan players such as Arnaut Danjuma and Jack Harrison are also very useful players. However, there is a caveat with the pair in that they tend to perform well on FM24, but it is difficult to sign them on permanent transfers, as their parent club demands hefty fees.

With no agreed price, it is hard to sign permanently. In the few personal saves on FM24, I have allowed the pair to leave and had to bring in cheaper options. More on those lately.

The squad is easily good enough to perform above the predicted 13^th place, which means you can ease your way into a long-term career without having massive expectations placed upon you in the first season.

How to improve the squad

As I mentioned, the squad has good foundations but lacks any in-depth strength, so it is vital to box clever in the transfer market in the first couple of summers. The starting budget of £24million is not the greatest in the world but can be boosted by selling the likes of Michael Keane and Andre Gomes, who never feature in my plans in FM.

There are some big positives in the Everton squad for sure. In England’s number one, Jordan Pickford, you have a consistent goalkeeper who barely ever gets injured, so you don’t have to worry about that.

In attack also, the presence of two very good strikers in Calvert-Lewin and Beto makes life easier for you. However, DCL usually refuses to sign a new contract in the first season, so in the second season, I typically sell him for big money before risking losing him on a free transfer.

Beyond those positives, the squad is low on depth in almost every position. One position I look to strengthen straight away is left-back, as the squad doesn’t have a capable left-back other than Vitaliy Mykolenko, who, to be fair, is a very reliable player.

So far, one of the best bargains in my short personal save was versatile Mexican youngster Omar Campos. I signed him in the second summer for £ 7 million from Laguna, and he has been sensational at left-back. At 22, he also has the potential to become world-class.

However, as much as I love Campos, he cannot compete with renowned FM hero and Swedish wonderkid Roony Bardghji for the bargain of the save so far. I tried to sign the youngster from Copenhagen in the first summer, but he didn’t want to join.

After the team qualified for the Champions League in the first season, the Swedish starlet joined for a fee of just £9.5m. It is fair to say he hit the ground running on the right flank, scoring six goals in his first nine league appearances.

Anybody who has played FM in recent years will know that Bardghji is one of the must-buy players in the game, so that is unlikely to be a revelation to many.

Another bargain buy in the second summer was Manchester United central midfielder Scott McTominay, who cost me just £4.6m and has been brilliant in a defensive midfield role.

My replacement for Arnaut Danjuma was Benfica winger Tiago Gouveia, who cost just £6.25m. He is 23 and can play on either flank. He has proven to be a creative force on the wing this season.

Last but least among the players I brought in is Oumar Solet, who arrived from RB Salzburg for £10m. The French centre-back is one of the players I always look to sign in FM, as he offers quality and versatility at a decent price.

There are many positives to managing Everton

Everton are something of a sleeping giant. However, there are many significant positives to managing the team from Merseyside, such as a decent squad, low expectations and the fact that the club are due to move into a state-of-the-art stadium at Bramley Moore Docks in the next year or so, which will generate greater cash

If you are looking for a light challenge in the Premier League, where you can challenge the more monied clubs, then Everton could be the team for you to manage in your next save.

Do you like to manage Everton on FM? If you do, let me know how your saves are going via our socials

Tactics Testing FM24: GYR-DRAX FM24

By

David Nugent

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November 19, 2023

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We are back only our second tactic testing for FM24, and like our first article, the tactic is by a prolific FM tactic creator, GYR.

The tactic we used in the test is DRAX FM24, which unsurprisingly produced excellent results, which we will go into further later in the article.

How is the tactic set up?

The tactic is set up in a 3-3-2-2 formation, or some may describe it almost like a 3-5-2, with a positive mentality. Looking at the individual player roles, the tactic is undoubtedly well-balanced between attack and defence.

The formation starts with a goalkeeper on support, with two ball-playing defenders flanking a central defender, who all have the defend mentality. Then there is a defensive midfielder on support duty, flanked by complete wing-backs, who are on attack to provide the width in the team.

In the centre of the park is a mezzala and a roaming playmaker. The team is completed by a pressing forward and an advanced forward, both on attack duty.

Looking at the tactic screen at the end of the season, many lovely green lines indicate that players have strong relationships all over the pitch. The defenders all seem to have a good understanding, while in midfield, two of the three midfielders have the same. Unsurprisingly, the forwards also have a similarly good relationship, with the formation and tactic playing a big part in the success of those understandings.

How did the tactic perform?

As with many of GYR tactics I have used, it produced excellent results. It took a team that was predicted to finish 13^th place in the table to a third-place finish and a place in the following season’s Champions League.

The team were particularly effective in attack, scoring a highly impressive 88 goals. Usually, with tactics that produce lots of goals, the defensive side of the game can suffer. However, this wasn’t the case with this tactic, as the team conceded just 41 goals, which was still the fifth-best in the league. The two combined to give the team a more than impressive 47-goal difference, a tally only bettered by the two teams in the league.

There wasn’t much else that stood out for this tactic, apart from solid stats all around. The only negative was that the team struggled for results towards the end of the season, as they won just one of their last five games of the league campaign. They also lost just once in the run, as three of the games ended in draws.

While the team thrived in the Premier League, they struggled in the cup competitions. They suffered elimination at the Fourth-Round stage by Leeds United while going out of the FA Cup at the same stage against Arsenal.

Which players performed the best in the tactic?

Many players thrived using this specific tactic, playing a big part in a successful campaign. Here are the players who produced the best performances in certain categories:

The players with the highest season average rating

Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin picked up the highest season rating, picking up an impressive rating of 7.56. DCL’s strike partner Beto was only slightly worse in the average rating, as his rating was 7.50.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford played every game in all competitions, gaining a rating of 7.19, while full-back Vitaliy Mykolenko was just behind England’s number one with a rating of 7.17. Midfielder James Garner also shone in the centre of the field, his rating of 7.10 was probably the highest rating I have seen the former Manchester United player pick up in FM23 or FM24.

Wing-back Nathan Patterson was highly effective in his role, with his season rating of 7.02 reflecting his displays out wide. Centre-back James Tarkowski also picked up a respectable 7.01.

Who were the team’s top goalscorers?

The two forwards were always going to be the main source of goals, and so it turned out. Beto was the team’s top goalscorer with 30 goals, while his strike partner Calvert-Lewin scored just one fewer goals than the Portuguese star.

The midfield also produced their fair share of goals, as James Garner scored six times, while Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight McNeil scored five goals.

Who were the players who produced the most assists?

In real life, Ukrainian international Mykolenko was been criticised during his Everton career for his attacking play (despite recently scoring against Brighton). However, he was highly effective going forward using this tactic, producing a team-high 13 assists while scoring three goals.

The forwards were prolific and creative, as Calvert-Lewin picked up 12 assists while Beto also got 11. However, James Garner was level with Calvert-Lewin for the second-most assists for the team. Right wing-back Patterson managed a respectable seven assists, while Doucoure registered six and McNeil managed five each.

A special mention should also be made for veteran Ashley Young, who scored four goals and created another four.

My conclusion on the tactic

There is very little you can criticise about a tactic that takes a team predicted to finish 13^th to third place. It produced excellent results. The system worked incredibly well, utilising two of Everton’s best players in the game, forward pair Beto and Calvert-Lewin. However, it also managed to bring the best out of the likes of Garner and Mykolenko.

The one thing that may be a negative for using this tactic is that the likes of Jack Harrison, McNeil and Arnaut Danjuma struggle to get into the team, as all three seem to thrive in wide areas in FM. Neither Harrison nor Danjuma featured at all during the campaign.

However, this is not the fault of the tactic creator, as he didn’t create the tactic for the current Everton squad. Ironically, not using the pair could well prove beneficial, as both players are on loan, and if they excel in the first season, their respective clubs usually want big fees to sign them permanently.

Would I use this tactic again?

This tactic is one of my early go-to tactics in FM24 so far. I would recommend this tactic to anybody managing any mid-level Premier League team. I haven’t tested it with teams of an inferior standard, but from what I have read from other FM players, it has produced decent results with lesser-quality teams.

Have you used GYR-DRAX FM24? If you have, let us know what you think of the tactic via our socials

Tactic testing FM24: 4231 Structura X Reloaded ll by Delicious Story

By

David Nugent

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November 14, 2023

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THTP tactics 4231 structura x reloaded ii

The early access for FM24 has now been available for a while, so I thought I would do the first tactic testing for the new edition.

The tactic that I tested and was most successful with so far has been 4231 Structura x Reloaded ll by Delicious Story/Delicious Assembler, who was one of our favourite tactic creators from FM23. As is usually the case with Delicious, the tactic didn’t disappoint.

How is the tactic set up?

This tactic is very similar to Delicious’ 4231 Extreme Volts XIX from last year’s edition, which was my go-to tactic for Plug and Play in FM23.

Although I have used this tactic for only a limited time, I would say it has the potential to be another go-to tactic this season.

As the title says, the tactic is set up in the FM favourite 4231 formation, using an attacking mentality.

The goalkeeper is set on sweeper keeper on defend duty. The back four is made up of two wing-backs on attack duty, flanking two ball-playing defenders on defend duty. In front of the backline is two segundo volantes on support duty.

In attack, out wide are two inside forwards on attack duty, with a shadow striker also on attack duty sandwiched in between the wide players. Up front is a classic advanced forward on attack duty.

Looking at the tactic screen, it shows that many players built strong partnerships. The full-backs and the wingers developed excellent relationships, as did the two volantes in the middle of the pitch. The formation and style of play suited the available players well.

How did the tactic perform?

Everton was predicted to finish in 13th place in the Premier League at the beginning of the season. However, the team finished fifth place in the table and claimed a Europa League spot.

The team finished the season with a respectable goal difference of 24, having scored 79 goals and conceded 55 goals. Neither of those stats really stands out, but they are solid numbers.

One interesting facet of the season was that the team had the third-best away record in the Premier League, with only champions Manchester United and third-place Manchester City bettering that record on their travels in the Premier League.

Another thing that stood out using this tactic was that the team finished the season in a strong manner, winning four of the last five matches in the English top-flight.

The team failed to do much in the cup competitions. They suffered a Fourth-Round defeat against Tottenham in the FA Cup while exiting the Carabao Cup at the same stage against Arsenal.

Who were the best-performing players using this tactic?

As we previously talked about, this tactic brought the best out of many of the players. Here are the top performers in various categories:

Highest average season rating

The players with the highest season average are jointly inside forward Jack Harrison and advanced forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who both picked up season average ratings of 7.05.

Surprisingly, versatile youngster Mackenzie Hunt was the only other player to break the 7.00 barrier in the squad, as he produced a 7.00 rating over nine appearances, scoring two goals.

Dele Alli and Nathan Patterson both picked up season-average ratings of 6.99, while Vitaliy Mykolenko picked up a rating of 6.98.

Who were the top goalscorers?

This tactic produced a good number of goals. The team’s highest scorer was inevitably advanced forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who plundered 28 goals in 42 appearances.

Jack Harrison was also effective in front of goal, finding the net 12 times in 36 appearances. Fellow wide man Dwight McNeil also found the net ten times over the course of the campaign.

Amadou Onana, Arnaut Danjuma and Dele Alli also contributed seven goals apiece. At the same time, Abdoulaye Doucoure also scored five times in a season where he was in and out of the team.

Who were the main creative players?

When it comes to assists, right-back Nathan Patterson topped the charts, producing an impressive 13. Arnaut Danjuma was also a creative force, helping his teammates with nine assists, while Harrison also bagged just one less assist than his teammate.

Idrissa Gueye, Vitaly Mykolenko and Dele Alli also produced six assists, while Onana and James Garner had five assists apiece.

What is my conclusion on this tactic?

I have to say it is very early when it comes to testing tactics for FM24, as the game hasn’t been officially released just yet. However, as early tactics go, this is a very solid start to FM24 for me.

I can’t say I have used many tactics on the latest edition just yet. However, over the coming months, I will no doubt use many tactics and give my thoughts on the best ones I can find.

For now, though, the 4231 Structura X reloaded ll by Delicious Story will be the one I am using in my personal game. I would highly recommend using the tactic as a Plug and Play option for now.

Have you used the 4231 Structura X Reloaded ll by Delicious Story? Let us know your thoughts on the tactic via our socials

Who are the best free transfers on FM24?

By

David Nugent

-

November 9, 2023

0

On November 5th, FM24 was officially released after a two-week early access period. The game is playing well so far. One of the challenges of the game is obviously squad building.

One of the biggest challenges may be that the team you are managing doesn’t have a big transfer budget. However, at the game’s start, bargains are to be had in the free agent market. Here are some players I would recommend you sign as free agents:

David de Gea

It is quite incredible that despite leaving Manchester United in the summer, highly-rated Spanish international De Gea has still not found himself a new club. There has been talk of De Gea returning to United after his exit, but that is just a rumour at the moment.

For now, De Gea is available as a free agent, and even at 33, he is one of the best players available without a fee at the start of the game. However, there is a slight caveat in the fact that in my early saves, the former Atletico Madrid star has chosen the big money of the Saudi Pro League rather than staying in Europe.

Jesse Lingard

Another former Manchester United player who is without a club but could prove to be a useful signing if you are a mid-to-bottom half-level Premier League club. When you look at his stats, they are not world-beating, but they are solid enough.

He still has enough quality to be a decent squad player, especially as his wages are not usually that much, as he could be signed for as little as £20,000 per week, which by Premier League standards is not massive wages. His versatility also makes him a more attractive prospect, as he can play on both wings and as a number ten. The only downside to Lingard is that he is already 30. He will still give you a few years of service, though.

Stefano Sensi

A player who doesn’t always start as a free agent but who was released in the summer by his club Inter in my first save, the Italian midfielder was an excellent signing for my Everton team, as the Toffees squad was slightly short on quality in midfield.

He scored ten goals in his debut season, often playing as a defensive midfielder or even a central attacking midfielder. His stats are highly respectable for a central midfielder, who, at 26, is in the prime of his career.

The beauty of Sensi is that even if you don’t have the same fortune as me of Inter releasing him in the first summer, he is available for a small transfer fee of between £6-8m. He is well worth the fee if you are managing a team outside of the ones challenging for the Premier League title.

Jose Campana

The Spanish international is another midfielder well worth picking up if you manage a mid-level Premier League or the equivalent in other leagues. Like Sensi, his stats like passing, first touch, technique and composure are high.

Also, like Sensi, he can play as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder and an attacking midfielder. At 29, he is not too old to make an impact at your club, and you could even make a small fee for selling him. Signing the former Levante star as a free agent, even for a wage of between £50-60,000 per week, seems like a no-brainer.

Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez

The Argentinian attacking midfielder has lit up the European game at Sevilla, particularly at Atalanta in Serie A. Gomez is a talented and versatile player who will bring flair, creativity and excitement to most teams.

There is one slight downside to Gomez, and that’s the fact that he is 34, which has probably played a role in him still being a free agent in real life. However, the former Atalanta could be a great squad player for a season or even two at the game’s highest level.

Axel Tuanzebe

Unlike some of the other players on this list, Tuanzebe is not a flair-attacking player but instead, a centre-back who has not yet fulfilled his promise within the game. However, after various loan moves, including at Aston Villa, the 24-year-old left Manchester United as a free agent in the summer.

His stats are solid, and he could be a great signing for most teams in the Premier League. However, the only problem is that he is in high demand. His wage of around £50,000 per week is not unreasonable, so if you can snap him early in the game, he could well prove to be one of your shrewdest signings.

Who are your favourite free agents on FM24? Let us know via our socials

Best bargain wonderkids on FM24

By

David Nugent

-

November 8, 2023

0

Everybody loves a good bargain buy on Football Manager, as signing a wonderkid for a relatively small fee who becomes crucial to your team is one of the best aspects of playing the much-loved game.

Even in early access, we found some players who will be shrewd signings in FM24, here they are:

Valentin Barco (Boca Juniors)

This teen sensation is now one of the worst-kept secrets in the world game. At just 18 years of age, the versatile flame-haired Argentine who can play virtually anywhere on the left of the pitch has become one of the hottest prospects in world football.

While you may sign Barco for his vast potential, which is massive, by the way, he is still a player capable of slotting into many high-level squads, if not their starting line-ups. The youngster has all the attributes of a top player in the near future.

Signing him with a release clause of just €9.25 million seems like a no-brainer. However, you will have to be quick, as Barco is likely to be highly in-demand due to his talent and potential.

Roony Bardghji (Copenhagen)

Bardghji has been one of the brightest young stars in the last few years of the game and is an absolute favourite amongst FM players. The Swedish winger is now 17 years of age and has started making a real impact for Copenhagen in real life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHZCBbepcLE

He is undoubtedly starting to fulfil what is massive potential. Bardghji may be young, but his starting attributes are impressive for such a young player. If needed, he can be part of a smaller team’s first team or even used as an impact sub.

His transfer fee of between £7-11m could prove to make the young winger one of the bargain signings of another edition of FM.

Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP)

The young centre-back is another player who flourished in FM23, and his stats have only improved for the game’s latest edition. The two-footed Ivory Coast international has incredible stats for a centre-back of just 19 and the potential to be one of the best centre-backs in the world game within a few years.

Unlike the first two players on this list, Diomande usually demands a bigger fee of between €36-46m. However, if you are a club with a decent transfer budget, then using some of it to sign the young defender would undoubtedly be money well spent, as he is not only a player for the future but for now, too.

Antonio Nusa (Club Brugge)

The Norwegian winger has featured in past editions, but at 18, the winger who can play on either flank looks to be one of the brightest prospects in FM24. Nusa seems to have the potential to become an elite winger who is athletic, who can dribble and also finish.

If developed in the right way, the winger can go on and become an elite player. Even if you are a big club, you can sign the youngster and loan him out, as a fee of £10-13m makes him an absolute steal at the beginning of the game.

Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro (AZ Alkmaar)

When it comes to young players, goalkeepers are often in short supply. However, AZ Alkmaar Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro is undoubtedly one to watch, as the 19-year-old has already impressed in the UEFA Youth League, as his team claimed the trophy.

Despite his tender years, Owusu-Oduro has good starting stats, and he has the potential to become one of the best goalkeepers in the game. He is a dominating presence, and for a fee of £10m, he could well be a brilliant bargain buy, especially as he could be your first-choice goalkeeper for over a decade.

Lucas Gourna-Douath (Salzburg)

The young central midfielder/defensive midfielder showed his worth in last year’s edition. However, this season, Gourna-Douath is even more highly rated. The 19-year-old midfielder has the intelligence, maturity beyond his years and incredible athleticism.

His starting stats are good, and he is a player who is good enough to play in many Champions League teams. After a few years, he can become a mainstay in an elite team.

Salzburg has become a prolific producer of talent in recent years. A fee of around £15-19m should be enough to prise him away from the Austrian club. However, you have to be quick to sign the youngster, as he is in demand, so snap him up fast, as he will be worth that relatively small fee.

Who are your favourite bargain wonderkids, let us know via our socials

Can you challenge La Liga’s big two in FM24?

By

David Nugent

-

October 29, 2023

0

The beta version, or early access of FM24 as SI chief Miles Jacobson wants it called, is now available after its release on Thursday 19th October.

One challenge I am looking forward to in FM24 is battling with Barcelona and Real Madrid for supremacy in La Liga. Between them, the pair has won eight of the last ten Spanish titles. Here are some teams to manage in FM24 in order to challenge the pair:

Atletico Madrid

Los Colchoneros have been the only team to even challenge the big two in recent years, as Diego Simeone’s team has claimed the Spanish title twice in the last decade, arguably punching well above their weight in La Liga. They are the most likely team to manage in Spain if you want to be successful in this challenge.

Atletico’s squad contains some major talent, including Jan Oblak, Jose Gimenez, Marcos Llorente, Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata. They have a good foundation in which to build a title-winning team. With a few additions, a clever manager could turn Atletico into a force at home and in Europe, similar to what Simeone has done in real life, but to an even larger extent.

Real Sociedad

The side from San Sebastian has established themselves as one of the best teams to watch in the Spanish top flight under head coach Imanol Alguacil. La Real is likely to be a strong top-four challenger this season.

Sociedad has built a strong squad of late, with quality players of the likes of highly-rated young Japanese attacking midfielder Takefusa Kubo, Brais Mendez, Mikel Oyarzabal and Ander Barrenetxea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz_tviU5QzE

Like Atletico, Sociedad has the foundations of a stellar squad, and a few smart signings could turn La Real into real title challengers. There are obviously caveats to potential success with Sociedad.

One factor is that you are vulnerable to losing your players to teams with more money or a higher profile. The other is that you won’t get the same sort of transfer budget as you would with Atletico or Spain’s big two.

Villarreal

The Yellow Submarine have in the past been amongst La Liga’s top-four. Currently, they are experiencing a difficult campaign in La Liga after the summer exit of key players such as Pau Torres, Samuel Chukwueze and Nicolas Jackson.

However, they did manage to bring in Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth youngster Ilias Akhomach from Barcelona, with Chile international Ben Brereton Diaz arriving on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers. The players Villarreal signed in the summer joined a squad with the likes of Yeremy Pino, Alex Buena, Juan Forth and Gerard Moreno.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo3dyQ-Zox8

It would undoubtedly be more challenging to achieve success in La Liga in FM24 than it has been in previous editions simply because of the loss of the quality players in the summer.

What you do with talented youngster Pino may well be the key to success at the Estadio de la Ceramica. If you manage to keep hold of him, he can be a vital asset, as he has quality, potential and versatility. However, you could take the other route and sell him in order to bring in much-needed money to strengthen the squad.

Athletic Club

The Basques are one of the most historic clubs in Spain, as they are the only Spanish club other than Barcelona and Real Madrid never to suffer relegation from the top flight. They have also won eight Spanish titles, a tally bettered only by the big two and Atletico.

Your chances of success are helped by the presence of the Williams brothers, Inaki and Niko, who are extremely talented forwards. The latter is a winger who is a must-sign, if you have funds, of course, as he becomes a truly elite player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPCrolKIEII

You have a very capable goalkeeper in Unai Simon, while Oihan Sancet is a promising young midfielder.

Now, the big challenge in turning Athletic into the dominant force in Spanish football is the player restrictions. Athletic is a club that prides itself on tradition, and as part of that tradition, you will only be able to sign Basque players or players of Basque heritage. This transfer policy makes player recruitment extremely challenging. However, it’s good for those managers who like a challenge.

Which team would you pick to manage in FM24 to overthrow Barcelona and Barcelona at the top of La Liga?

10. Football Manager 2009

9. Football Manager 2013

8. Football Manager 2018

7. Football Manager 2019

6. Football Manager 2008

5. Football Manager 2005

4. Football Manager 2010

3. Football Manager 2007

2. Football Manager 2014

1. Football Manager 2012

Endrick (Palmeiras, will join Real Madrid in July 2024)

Estevao (Palmeiras)

Vitor Roque (Atletico PR, joining Barcelona in the summer of 2024)

Savio (Girona on loan from Troyes)

Luis Guilherme (Palmeiras)

The short story of Roony Bardghji

Why is he so popular on FM?

Is Roony Bardghji the real deal?

How was the tactic set up?

How did the tactic perform?

Who were the best-performing players using this tactic?

Highest average season rating

Who were the top goalscorers?

Who recorded the most assists?

What is my conclusion on the tactic?

A fantastic history

A relatively easy turnaround

How to improve the squad

There are many positives to managing Everton

How is the tactic set up?

How did the tactic perform?

Which players performed the best in the tactic?

The players with the highest season average rating

Who were the team’s top goalscorers?

Who were the players who produced the most assists?

My conclusion on the tactic

Would I use this tactic again?

How is the tactic set up?

How did the tactic perform?

Who were the best-performing players using this tactic?

Highest average season rating

Who were the top goalscorers?

Who were the main creative players?

What is my conclusion on this tactic?

David de Gea

Jesse Lingard

Stefano Sensi

Jose Campana

Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez

Axel Tuanzebe

Valentin Barco (Boca Juniors)

Roony Bardghji (Copenhagen)

Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP)

Antonio Nusa (Club Brugge)

Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro (AZ Alkmaar)

Lucas Gourna-Douath (Salzburg)

Atletico Madrid

Real Sociedad

Villarreal

Athletic Club

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