The journey continues.
We are back on the latest instalment of Football Manager, the virtual management simulation as we aim to take Argyle back up.
You can read last years playthough here.
If you read last year’s blog you would be thrilled to know I did end up getting Argyle promoted back to the Championship, thanks to a Graham Carey hat-trick in the play-offs. Carey, decided that his career had peaked and retired straight after at the age of 32. That, among other things getting in the way meant the FM19 blog ended. But I had always planned to re-visit it, and he we are…
Last year we were given a head start and were in League One, but now we have to do the whole grind out of League Two, fun.
Should probably mention that the game isn’t out for a few more days I believe, and I’m playing the early pre-release beta, so lets hope for no game breaking bugs or glitches.
I didn’t spend too much time on editing my face and outfit, but I did give myself a snazzy Argyle green jacket that will catch eyes on the touchline. We love a fashionable manager.
Sorry Ryan.
Some nice, new information graphics in this version of the game.
Transfers aren’t 100% up to date, but close enough for now.
New to this FM, objectives, targets, club philosophy and visions.
Simon wants us playing entertaining attacking football and reach the play-offs at a minimum this season.
No pressure…
A reminder of Jose Baxter’s contract situation is one of the first pieces of news I receive. Will decide closer to the date whether we keep him. I like him and he could definitely be of use to us though.
A quick overview of our best players.
Adam Randell tops the list of the most promising youth players and we will look to utilise him.
Like I said, the transfers aren’t up-to date so Billy Clarke is not an Argyle player in game. I’ve offered him a trial and will consider signing for realism. He’s certainly good enough.
It felt wrong to continue with Ryan Lowe’s right hand man Steven Schumacher so I’ve let him go to reunite where ever they end up next. I will be regularly checking on Ryan Lowe’s career. Derek isn’t at Morecambe in game, as it only just happened, so we will see where he ends up too.
Key Players
Can’t wait to see how Danny Mayor gets on.
Sarce is a very well rounded player and one of our best.
Arguably our best striker, Dom Telford will have to make sure he stays fit so he can impact in the way he can.
An absolute dynamo of a wing-back, McFadzean will get up and down the wing all day.
In other squad news, Will Aimson starts the game with a 3 month injury for some reason. Ryan Taylor is wanted by League One clubs ( sell or keep?). Byron Moore keeps getting injured and look out for the performances of Rudden, he looks promising so far.
For the beginning at least, we will stick to the Ryan Lowe way and try and get a good version of Lowe-ball in motion. If it’s not working we will dust off a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 and unleash George Cooper on the wings.
There will be more tactic updates after the first few games.
I scheduled our first pre-season game with Parkway, and just like that, the new era is off to a flying start.
And we did significantly better than the real life Argyle.
Transfers
We all know we need some new defensive options, and even in a video game I am not too confident in a Sawyer, Wootton and Canavan back line.
We need a proper ball playing centre back. With pace, intelligence and moulded in the school of tiki-taka.
And here he is.
Eric Garcia from Man City. That was easy.
He’s played in the Premier League..how have we got him?
Quality.
This familiar face is available on a free transfer so I’ve given him a trial. We do need more depth beyond Callum.
Not to overwhelm you in the first update I will leave it there for now.
Will see you at the end of pre-season.
Oh and of course I added the Bulgarian league in the game so this guy is still around…
Thanks for reading.
See you next update.