Football Manager 2008

**Craterus** · 05-25-2008, 03:33

Right, advice please.

It's May 2009 and I'm looking to pick up some players for free. Can anyone think of players who run out of contract in June 2009? I found Steven Pienaar, but I can't really meet his wage demands.

I particularly need a right-back. Went for Pascal Chimbonda (

) but he went to Villareal instead.

Anyway, thanks for any input.

**Dodge_272** · 05-25-2008, 22:03

I think Nicky Shorey's contract runs out in 2009.

Cool that there's an FM topic here, the only games I play these days are HOI2 and FM.

**edyzmedieval** · 05-26-2008, 07:24

Woah, what team are you playing if you can't afford Pienaar?

**naut** · 05-26-2008, 15:42

Few options on the cheap side, not free unfortunately, Yonni Hinestroza (Columbian) should cost around £35K, Andrea Gritti (Italian) between £5-10K or Luca Lagnese (Italian) probably £10K. Gritti and Lagnese have a decent amount of potential, 83 and 81 respectively.

**Craterus** · 05-26-2008, 18:18

I'm playing in the Bundesliga in my 3rd season as TuS Koblenz (although not for much longer as I rejected their final offer to extend the contract meaning it runs out at the end of the season - the wage was just insulting, I know my doesn't matter and doesn't change anything, but I'm getting well under half what most of the other managers in the league are being paid). Been promoted from 2.Bundesliga but still don't have much money and a tiny(!) stadium which can't be improved because the club doesn't even own it.

I've found a cheap right-back and he looks to be settling in but it's now July 2009 so I've missed my chance for pre-contracts. The real problem is a left-back. I played for a long time last night/this morning, just to be turned down by just about every left-back in the world.

There's a young Estonian guy who's agreed a contract but my assistant manager (none other than Mario Basler!) thinks he 'would not be a worthwhile signing'. I think his stats are fine for a left-back.

Anyway, if there are any other cheap and not too old left-backs, I'd like to hear them.

And, if anyone's a real expert, I wouldn't mind some advice on how many players I should have. I'm too opportunistic with signings. If there's a player going cheap, I'll buy whether I need them or not resulting in me having 7 attacking midfielders heh.

I play 4-1-2-1-2 (wide diamond) formation so yeah, number of players for each position? 3? And 4 centre backs?

EDIT: Transfer budget is €13m (using Euros for authenticity) because I'm aiming for a top-half finish and didn't do too badly last season.

EDIT2: Also, Ajax offered a contract to Pienaar so it may not have been mine wasn't good enough, they're just his favourite club. Tried to get Nakamura as well, but he signed for Fulham so had to settle for Ricardo Sousa as my new AMC but the fans don't like him. Neither does Mario. :drama:

**edyzmedieval** · 05-26-2008, 20:09

Haha. I think ill start again FM, but I want to stop and start working on myself. Love and gaming don't get together at all, and gaming will have to go.

FM is like 2 Big Macs just after you worked your ass off and finally you show that six pack.

13 million euros for a 2nd league team in Germany?!?!?!?!? What the heck is that team? Chelsea of Germany?

Left backs - Jan Vertonghen from Ajax. He's good and has potential. Young too. 21 years old. Urby Emanuelson if you have the cash.

**Craterus** · 05-26-2008, 20:24

I'm in the first league now, and I had a pretty good league position last season. Added to that is that I've only bought two players in two seasons. Anyway, €13m isn't that much.

Ajax are my parent club so I'll try get that kid on loan. Thanks.