Change of Plan

Well, I have uploaded the full game from steam and have begun playing, however, I have had to make a tough decision. I realised that the game I had started on the demo has only a small database. This I have decided may limit my potential later in the game. Therefore, I have decided to begin a new game with Rotherham.

This time I have selected the large database and have the option of being able to manage a team in Spain and Italy.
So with the new season yet to begin, I am using what I have learnt and have begun player transfers.
I have begun negotiations to loan Gokhan Tore from Chelsea and Ryan Donaldson from Newcastle since these two plays did so well for me in the demo game.

I have had a transfer bid for Sam Tillen accepted and he is now mulling over the proposed contract. Joe Keenan from South Melbourne is doing the same. Cape Verdian Pele, who is out of contract is deciding on a free transfer and Rangers John Fleck has no intention of joining Rotherham on loan.

At the moment my squad looks like this

I have played my first pre season friendly, beating Rhyl 3v0. Now, back to the game.

Having now reached the end of the FM11 demo, I am now faced with digesting as much player data as I can manage. Whilst looking at the strengths of my current squad, I realised that there is one major issue to tackle once I am in possession of the full game.

During the match away to Barnet, right back Johnny Mullins suffered a broken foot after challenge from Barnet's 18 year old Charlie Stimson.

This means that Mullins is out for between 5 and 6 months whilst he recovers. In the meantime, I need someone suitable to take his place. The most obvious replacement is 25 year old Dale Tonge, who - coincidently - returned from injury in october having suffered a broken foot himself.

Although Tonge is quite similar in stats to Mullins, he is lacking in the height department.

Althogh this isn't a terrible problem for a full back, I prefer my players to be able to challenge in the air.

Tonge played very well during the 74 minutes he played against Barnet with 68% of his passes reaching a Rotherham player. However, it is clear that he should stick to short passes as few of his crosses and long passes reached a team mate.

Another possible solution is bringing in a player on a short term loan. So, whilst I can't make any further progress, the best I can do now is look at page upon page of stats and see who might be worth dragging to Rotherham for three months of yorkshire winter.

Story so far

A successful first half of the season has been achieved at the Don Valley Stadium.

The Demo of Football Manager 2011 has arrived, and over the last few days I have had a mixed start of the season as the new manager of NPower league 2 side Rotherham United.

New signings were essential to the success of the season, and I wasted no time in signing a few new players to strengthen a side already tipped to win NPower league 2.

Funds were limited, with a budget of £50,000 I had to spend carefully. Drafting in Nicky Featherstone from Hull City and Callum McNish were my first acquisitions since these were successful signings for my Bournemouth side in FM10.
Unfortunately this time however they have been a little disappointing and have been little more than backup players when better choices were unavailable.

Central defender Pele (Pedro Miguel Cardoso from the Cape Verde islands has been a great success alongside £40,000 purchase Sam Tillen strengthening the defence line.

Signing Turkish midfielder Gokhan Tore has been an inspired signing. He has proved indespensible to the side creating many chances from the left wing and scoring 5 goals so far this season. Along side him, Ghanaian Ali Fuseini has been an important and popular signing with 2 goals and 3 assists.

Newcastle's Ryan Donaldson has scored 8 goals in 7 appearances including a hat trick at home to Torquay United. Hopefully his 3 month loan spell can be extended.

Having found Rotherham's Andy Warrington to be passed his best, I signed out of contract Darryl Flahavan. So far he has done a great job at shot stopping this season.

Injuries to Ryan Donaldson forced to short term loan of Hungarian striker Andras Simon from Liverpool. A goal and three assists so far have shown that he may play an important part of Rotherham's promotion aspirations.

These players have been added to a Rotherham side with a few good players and many that are unlikely to play a large part this season. Grant Darley has already been released after a loan spell at Blue Square North side Stalybridge.

In attack, Adam Le Fondre has delivered with 15 goals so far. Midfielder Jason Taylor has proven his worth with 2 goals, despite showing a hot headed nature by being sent off twice.
Nicky Law has been indispensable on the right wing having scored 4 times, provided 13 assists and named man of the match on 4 occasions.

As of January 2nd 2011, Rotherham United top the table with a lead of 9 points over Oxford United.

Despite the league success, Rotherham's cup aspirations have been a disappointment.
Having been knocked out of the League Cup at the first hurdle by league 1 Walsall, Rotherham would then feel defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Chesterfield at home in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy North first round.
A win against Blue Square North square side Nuneaton was followed by defeat in the FA Cup 2nd round by Championship side Southampton with a 2v1 score line.

So the results/fixtures look like this...

and this...

Well that's about it for now, the demo won't let me play any further. Football Manager 2011 is released on November 4th 2010. Until then keep an eye on my Youtube account where I have been uploading some goals. http://www.youtube.com/user/Simbacrisps