It's fun to tinker with tactics and indulge in mind games. It's quite a lark to set-up nice new training regimes and issue half-time rollickings. But, for many, nothing in Football Manager beats the thrill of dealing in the transfer market...
Of course, you don't always have the funds to land big money strikers or the draw to secure the services of a truly world class player, but that doesn't take the edge off landing a bargain and cheering your fans off the pitch while boosting your chances of success on it.
Because every club, every manager and every financial circumstance is different, we've put together a checklist of tips that should act as suggestions when you come to dealing in the transfer market. Take them or leave them - you're your own boss - but we've found that these gems have helped many managers to build a reputation as shrewd customers in the Football Manager transfer market.
You'll notice that we've included tips on selling too - afterall knowing when, and how, to sell is just as important as getting the right player at the right price...
BUYING
The temptation to splash out on big names or to get caught up in the pursuit of a single player is very difficult to resist. But, resist you must. Digest these snippets - they should give you food for thought before you spend your Chairman's money...
Use Scouts wisely...
It goes without saying that you should use your scouts as much as possible when you're at a bigger club (remember: when you're at a smaller club scouting will whittle away your funds). If you've got plenty of cash, employ as many good scouts as possible and keep them working constantly at the far ends of the Earth. But, and this is the important bit, make sure you listen to what they say. If you're dazzled by a player's stats and your scout is giving you negative feedback, save your money - their advice might just ensure you avoid paying out for a donkey.
Watch the media...
It pays to investigate any names thrown up in news stories. If Villa are after some 18-year-old starlet, for instance, you should send your boys to check him over and examine his stats. By doing this you're effectively making other clubs' scouts work for you by turning up talent you can then investigate more fully. And note, it's a dog-eat-dog world - other sides will do just the same if the Press gets wind that you're closing in on a talent.
Scour the free transfers...
No matter how big or small your club is, it's always worth looking at the free transfer list. Players leave clubs on frees for all sorts of reasons, so a blank price tag doesn't necessarily mean the player is poor quality. You'll probably have to pay a premium on their wages, but once the player is on your books you can sell him on or enjoy the services of a good professional without the risk of stumping up a huge fee to land him.
Loan rangers...
Although not quite as 'fun' as capturing a player that you can sell on, loaning players is an excellent way to improve your squad without splashing out. Don't be afraid to offer to loan a player who is up for sale - their club may be happy to simply get their man off their wage bill. Negotiate too when it comes to their wage - you may not need to pay his full wages, thereby saving you money that can be invested in other players.
Be selective...
OK, so you're not going to sign pants players, but you really ought to use the Customise Filter option to look for attributes specific to your formation. Just look for obvious traits, if you like, such as shooting and heading for a striker, or pace and dribbling for a winger - you'd be amazed at how many players have low stats for attributes that are central to their position. Remember: it's often better to have a good player playing in his perfect position that a world-beater on unfamiliar territory.
Think laterally...
Look in obscure national teams for cheap players with excellent attributes, but be aware that work permits and international friendly commitments may be a problem.
Have a plan...
Have a team plan in mind that you can bring to bear when you look for players. For example, you might want to build a passing side, in which case look to sign players who can pass well, regardless of their position. If players aren't quite right, even if their other stats are good, be ruthless and pass on them.
Be brave...
While we wouldn't advocate being held to ransom over players, we'd suggest that you shouldn't be afraid to pay over the odds for a player you have every confidence is exactly the right man for the job. After all, if you've scouted him properly and believe he'll fit into your formation perfectly, his market value will only rise when he puts in top performances.
Be decisive...
Try to conclude deals as quickly as possible to avoid interest from other clubs. You should always barter, but strict deadlines on replies from the selling club will help you to whip a deal along.
Always appeal...
In Football Manager 2006 there's always a chance that an appeal against a rejected work permit bid will pay off. You should appeal as a matter of course.
Ask your assistant...
...to filter out unrealistic targets. It's not impossible to lure players with outlandish contract offers, but to save you the time, and to focus your energy away from hopeful bids for players who would never join your club, you should check this box in the Customise Filter screen. A note of caution, however: revisit your searches on a regular basis - players will often change their interest in you according to your own club's performances, your growing personal reputation and their personal circumstances.
Spread payments...
You can't go beyond your budget to land a player, but by spreading payments you'll keep some cash in the kitty for other deals and earn some vital interest - every little helps, even when you're managing a big club. Note that this tactic may back-fire if several clubs are interested in a player, and you may need to up the overall value of a transfer to tempt the selling club into accepting a 'never-never' deal.
Keep negotiating...
When you offer for a player and the club replies with a figure they are looking to achieve don't jump in and accept their demands immediately. After all, the fact that they are prepared to negotiate indicates the player is up for grabs. Even shaving £250k off a £10m deal will help you down the line, say, if you need to make an emergency signing to cover an injured player.
Buyer beware...
Always be wary of sell-on clauses in negotiated deals. It's all very well taking a risk on a player by investing funds in a transfer fee, but if you are set to lose 25% of any funds you recover from a sale you're making an even bigger gamble.
Look long-term...
Easier said than done, this one, but if you can spend some of your budget investing in younger players you will save yourself a fortune down the line. This is a common sense tip that most people still can't help but ignore. You might consider making a rule that you'll sign up one or two promising players every season, just to maintain a stream of talent at the club.
Avoid signing-on fees...
One way of saving cash and discovering how keen a player is to join you is by choosing not to pay a signing-on fee. Instead, you can bump up their wages a touch and save yourself an unnecessary outlay. Anyway, don't you pay these guys enough already?
SELLING
Start by looking at the buying tips and reversing them. If you can delay a sale to generate interest from other clubs and insist on sell-on clauses you'll be putting yourself in a stronger financial position down the line. Here are a few more tips to help you become a successful seller...
Be ruthless...
If a promising youngster hits 23 and he still isn't doing the business, sell him on as you'll receive a good price, thanks to his age. There's no sense in hanging on to a squad player when you could reinvest the money in a young prospect or pick up a more effective older pro for less money.
Don't muck about...
Get rid of players quickly to avoid their price going down due to a lack of first-team appearances. Also boot out players quickly so they don't get unhappy and cause disruption in your squad. It may pay to accept an offer below their market value rather than holding out for a full fee - the money is better off in your transfer budget than tied-up in a player you no longer want.
Review the offers...
When a bid comes in for a player don't immediately click the Accept button. A quick way of seeing the other bids on the table is by clicking on the player's name and looking in the Offers Section of his transfer page. You can then weigh-up the deals available to you and check, for instance, whether one bid tables a wedge of money up front rather than spread payments.
Kick trouble-makers...
If you can see a player is becoming agitated or appears to have a disruptive personality you should look to move him on, especially if he isn't central to your plans for the future. It may take up more of your time and prove too great a risk to your reputation to try to tame a wayward spirit who could well turn other squad members against you.
Vet the buyers...
You should always be careful who you sell to. Letting your best player go to a rival may mean they come back to haunt you in a grudge match and could do sever damage to your standing with the players and fans.
Careful who you boot... |
发表于 2006-4-14 15:58:17
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