Thread by @Edit_Kev, So it’s been 9 days since the #FM21Beta launched and I

So it’s been 9 days since the #FM21Beta launched and I - of course - started my first save with #NUFC. I did a HUGE thread last year & have now finished my first season. So here we go… 1/

First up, I'm going to share the tactic I used for 90% of the season, to help explain my moves in the market. It's a tweaked version of my Costanza tactic from #FM20 #FM21 Download is here

https://editfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/4231-Costanza-redux.fmf_.zip 2/

First up, I'm going to share the tactic I used for 90% of the season, to help explain my moves in the market. It's a tweaked version of my Costanza tactic from #FM20 #FM21 Download is here https://editfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/4231-Costanza-redux.fmf_.zip 2/

I'll get back into the tactic later, it's not the slamdunk in #FM21 that it was on #FM20, I'll get into that later, but I wanted to provide some context for some of the transfers I made early doors 3/

TRANSFERS OUT - Summer 20/21

The #NUFC squad is SO bloated. There are players that were just not going to be used, so out they went to the tune of £20 million. Fernandez started some dressing room shit so he had to go, Ritchie refused to leave... #FM21 4/

TRANSFERS IN - Summer 20/21

Okay, so the fun bit... here's who I added to the squad:

- Guga (RB) £9.75m
- José Juan Macías (SC) £8.5m
- Ludwig Augustinsson (DL) £4.4m
- Manuel Ugarte (DMC) £1.9 (retraining to MC)

#FM21 #NUFC

5/

TRANSFERS IN - Summer 20/21 Continued...

- Luis Abram (DC) £2.7m
- Gylfi Sigurðsson (Loan)

#FM21 #NUFC

So to explain my thinking behind these moves. Three of them are simple. #NUFC had zero quality competition at either Full Back or upfront. Guga is first-choice, Augustinsson was competition for Lewis (and a set-piece expert) while Macias covers left-wing & SC amazingly #FM21

Urgate was bought for the future while I assessed which of the Longstaffs, Hayden, Shelvey & Hendrick were worth keeping... Sigurðsson was bought in late on loan when it became apparent CM would be a tactical issue all year #NUFC #FM21

Another for the future purchase was Matías Palacios at £3.5m. He seemed to be a long term solution to my AMC, no brainer at that price #NUFC #FM21

So let's get into the results of a very slow first season from me...

RESULTS

- Finished 2nd in the Premier League
-

FA Cup Winners

- Carabao Cup QF

#NUFC #FM21

I remember to take a screenshot of the Trophy celebration for the cup win! Feast your eyes on this #NUFC #FM21 fans...

I was lucky in the final & throughout what was a very slow season. The CM diamond shape I'd relied on for game control in #FM20 didn't work the same way in #FM21. I basically had to attack at all times leaving me open to fast transitions against direct teams.

I might be able to fix it with player upgrades, but sticking mentality on attacking and leaving it doesn't really give me a lot of options as a manager.

I want to be able to close out a game. I want to be able to play defensive at times. I WANT to have some control #NUFC #FM21

So my new version of Costanza is going to be mothballed for a while, while I change shape Something with a DMC that can help control the space in front of the defence a little better. I need my diamond back... #NUFC #FM21

The upshot of all this attacking play meant that my main forward trio had an incredible season...

- Callum Wilson:

33 goals &

6 assist
- ASM:

16 goals &

2 assists
- Fraser:

9 goals &

10 assists

#NUFC #FM21

The upshot of all this attacking play meant that my main forward trio had an incredible season...- Callum Wilson: 33 goals & 6 assist- ASM: 16 goals & 2 assists- Fraser: 9 goals & 10 assists #NUFC #FM21

Before breaking his foot, José Juan Macías had a great start to his #NUFC career too... #FM21

even though I'm a bit down on defence, should add that EVERYONE in the backline had an end of season Av. rating over 7.10. They didn't play badly and 38 goals conceded is okay too, just I demand more.

I forgot to grab a screener before the season rolled over, but basically, the defence was in quiet an impenetrable quad most of the season and stayed exactly the same in attacking as the screen below. #FM21 #NUFC https://twitter.com/Edit_Kev/status/1327230925403512834

https://twitter.com/Edit_Kev/status/1327230925403512834

Just for some context about the issue I spent the season trying to fix. Runners from central midfield and too much space in AMC areas. The Fulham game was basically the last straw with this #NUFC #FM21

Will post the FA Cup final video in a sec too, but forgot about the one deal I did in the January transfer window which was for Wonderkid, Emanuel Vignato who I secured for just £3.1milly #NUFC #Fm21

Here's Callum Wilson knocking in three against Liverpool in the FA Cup Final, it was quite the game. One for the ages and highlighted another issue for me... #NUFC #FM21

Which are Corners and set pieces. Again tried in vain all year to switch them on all season and it didn't happen. I think it's a personnel issue. Only Lascelles had 15 or above for Jumping Reach another thing to fix as I head into season 2. #NUFC #FM21

So, it's time to get into how Season 2 on my first #NUFC save for #FM21

went...

It was pretty memorable, especially seeing as the full game dropped mid-season.

Before we get into results, let's look at how I uplifted the squad.

TRANSFERS - Summer 21/22

With a £53m budget, I had some space to really put my stamp on the squad. I needed players off the wage bill and wanted to bring the average age down.

Priorities were depth everywhere, central & attacking midfield & central defence #NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS OUT - Summer 21/22

The clearout started early, lots of transfer and I took a hit on players values to free up wages. So early doors cut-price deals for:

Shelvey - £6m to Midtjylland
Joelinton - £5.5m to Brentford

Were agreed before the #FM21

season ended #NUFC

TRANSFERS OUT - Summer 21/22The clearout started early, lots of transfer and I took a hit on players values to free up wages. So early doors cut-price deals for:Shelvey - £6m to MidtjyllandJoelinton - £5.5m to Brentford Were agreed before the #FM21 season ended #NUFC

TRANSFERS OUT - Summer 21/22

The clearout of the current #NUFC squad & one of my own purchases gathered pace...

Almiron (AMLC) - £30m to AS Monaco
Hendrick (MC) -£5m to OGC Nice
Clark (DC) - Free to Real Salt Lake
Muto (SC) - £1.6m to Verona

Continued...

#FM21

TRANSFERS OUT - Summer 21/22 cont...

Also leaving that summer...

Lejuene (DC) - £6.5m to Bournemouth
Schar - (DC) - £5.5m to Cadiz
Darlow (GK) - £6m to Rangers
Ritchie (AML) - £475k to POAK

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS OUT - Summer 21/22

In total this added, £66m to my kitty for players that in all honesty, I hadn't used all that much or at all in my first season, I need to get the bloated squad down...

So to the fun part, incoming transfers #NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS IN - Summer 21/22

With £53m to start with & the extra money from sales, I decided to tackle problem areas one by one. First up, centre backs:

Davidson Sanchez (DC) - £17.75m
Tosin Adarabioyo (DC) - £34m
Timothy Fosu-Mensah (DC) - Free

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS IN - Summer 21/22

Then central & attacking midfield:

Nikola Moro (MC) - £11m
Lovro Majer (MC/AMC) - £7.5m
Jean Pierre (MC/AMC) - £12.5m
Danilo (MC) - Free Transfer

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS IN - Summer 21/22

And players to add more squad depth to right-back, wide & attacking positions at the club:

Breel Embolo (AMR/SC) - £6.75m
Demarai Gray (AML/R) - Free Transfer
Matius Azero (SC) - £2.4m
Matt Doherty (DR) - Loan

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS IN - Summer 21/22

I also managed to secure Omar Beyaz on a free transfer too. He looks like an outstanding prospect... #NUFC #FM21

ONES TO WATCH

After buying him, I instantly loaned Beyaz to Orlando, Matty Longstaff for half a season to Stoke and also loaned Matías Palacios back to San Lorenzo... here's how much a season of first-team football helped his development. #NUFC #FM21

Anyway, that's skipping ahead, first, here's how the first half (Aug-Dec) of the 21/22 season played out:

- Qualified from Group stages of Champions League
- Knocked out of Carabao Cup by Brighton
- Unbeaten in the League

A good start...

#FM21

#NUFC

Anyway, that's skipping ahead, first, here's how the first half (Aug-Dec) of the 21/22 season played out:- Qualified from Group stages of Champions League- Knocked out of Carabao Cup by Brighton- Unbeaten in the LeagueA good start... #FM21 #NUFC

TACTICS

In the first half of the season, I chopped and changed a bit with tactics, experimenting with shapes, but something kept annoying me.

The tactic I imported from #FM20 to #FM21

worked well but didn't respond to mentality tweaks properly. It was infuriating.

TACTICS

So I tried an experiment. I recreated my #FM20 tactic natively in #FM21

- keeping the minor tweaks that I'd picked up & Viola!!

Mentality tweaks started to work properly. Instead of conceding a goal moments after I switched to them, Defensive & Cautious now worked.

TACTICS

So allow me to present a new version of last year's Costanza tactic, which is a little more rigid but no less effective.

#FM21

#NUFC

TACTICS

If you fancy using it yourself, here it is. Another tactic named after a Seinfeld quote or character, this is called 'No Soup For You' #FM21

#NUFC

DOWNLOAD - https://editfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/No-Soup-for-You.fmf_.zip

TACTICS

FYI - I used 'No Soup For You' exclusively from the end of January until the end of the season, after finally losing my first league game (& my rag) with the imported tactic.

Will post the results in a few, after a VERY exciting January transfer window for #NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS OUT - Winter 21/22

After all the squad moves, two players started to see their game time get decreased and agitated for a move away from #NUFC so it was time to say goodbye to:

Isaac Hayden (MC) - £5m to Young Boys
Luis Abram (DC) - £20m to SH Shenhua

#FM21

TRANSFERS IN - Winter 21/22

With some money left over, an exciting opportunity to own one of the worlds finest young players became a reality. Also, another player arrived to help with our 'Home Grown' quota's

Jude Bellingham (MC) - £34m
Kevin Mbabu (DR) - £13.25m

#FM21

#NUFC

TRANSFERS IN - Winter 21/22With some money left over, an exciting opportunity to own one of the worlds finest young players became a reality. Also, another player arrived to help with our 'Home Grown' quota'sJude Bellingham (MC) - £34mKevin Mbabu (DR) - £13.25m #FM21 #NUFC

RESULTS - 2nd half of 21/22 season

With reinforcements in, I was ready to have a run at the title. Man Utd & Liverpool were, my main opponents and the 4-1 loss at Old Trafford hurt & forced the tactic experiment. But by the of March, it was my only loss in the league #NUFC #FM21

RESULTS - 2nd half of 21/22 season

Losing against Chelsea in the FA cup was annoying, but after not being aggressive enough at home, a packed schedule really hurt my team's performance & we deserved nothing out of the replay.

#NUFC #FM21

RESULTS - 2nd half of 21/22 season

Some other notable results. One which was very lucky (vs. Liverpool) and another where we dominated superior opposition (Man City). #NUFC #FM21

RESULTS - 2nd half of 21/22 season

So, without any more delay, here are the final two months of the season.

Dumped out of the Champions League in the QFs by PSG (Away Goals

)

BUT no other Premier League defeats...

WHICH MEANT...

#NUFC #FM21

RESULTS - 2nd half of 21/22 seasonSo, without any more delay, here are the final two months of the season.Dumped out of the Champions League in the QFs by PSG (Away Goals ) BUT no other Premier League defeats...WHICH MEANT... #NUFC #FM21

That #NUFC were crowned champions

losing just one game all season. #FM21

PLAYERS OF THE SEASON

I should really, just stop playing at the right time to add to this thread so it doesn't give away what happens next but I've been a little entranced with #FM21

But here are the lads that really won #NUFC the title...

PLAYERS OF THE SEASON

Callum Wilson

As all #NUFC #FM21

players now know, Wilson is a goal machine. He scored

22 goals in the league & showed up in big games too.

But his age worried me & I wanted market value so as you can see, he has moved on. A legend IRL & virtually.

PLAYERS OF THE SEASONCallum WilsonAs all #NUFC #FM21 players now know, Wilson is a goal machine. He scored 22 goals in the league & showed up in big games too.But his age worried me & I wanted market value so as you can see, he has moved on. A legend IRL & virtually.

PLAYERS OF THE SEASON

Breel Embolo

At just under £7m, he's been amazing from the RW. Offering a massive goal threat even though he's probably more suited to playing as an SC.

20 goals in all comps is great, especially since Fraser had a bunch of injury issues.

#NUFC #FM21

PLAYERS OF THE SEASONBreel EmboloAt just under £7m, he's been amazing from the RW. Offering a massive goal threat even though he's probably more suited to playing as an SC. 20 goals in all comps is great, especially since Fraser had a bunch of injury issues. #NUFC #FM21

PLAYERS OF THE SEASON

Davidson Sanchez

I knew I was getting a bargain when I bought him for just under £18m, but Sanchez really showed up. He'll have the odd error-prone game, but with the right rotation, he's amazingly solid. #NUFC #FM21

PLAYERS OF THE SEASON

Jean Pyerre

First time I've signed him on any FM game and he's been really great. Good set-piece threat and great at through balls. Ended the season with

8 goals and

11 assists.

#FM21

#NUFC

PLAYERS OF THE SEASONJean PyerreFirst time I've signed him on any FM game and he's been really great. Good set-piece threat and great at through balls. Ended the season with 8 goals and 11 assists. #FM21 #NUFC

Before I jump into the 22/23 season, I'm gonna post a couple of videos from matches. The first is a satisfying 5-1 win vs Man City #NUFC #FM21

The second is the game that won the title for #NUFC. Callum Wilson always shows up for big games, his anticipation is so, so, so good. #FM21

TRANSFERS 21/22 Addendum

Goalkeepers - forget to say in all of the transfer moves I made, I also jettisoned Dubravka for £12m in the January window, he was getting absolutely zero game time behind...

Emil Aduero (GK)- £5m

Dub's helped pay for Bellingham & Mbabu #NUFC #FM21

BIG TRANSFER 22/23 - Summer

So, as per earlier in the thread, I wanted to get full value for Callum Wilson who had just turned 30. Soooo with Arsenal interested, I decided to get a player I've always wanted in an £8m part-exchange deal.

Welcome to #NUFC Matteo Guendouzi #FM21

BIG TRANSFER 22/23 - Summer

This move is a risk. I know it is. I'm banking on Macias & Azero to fill the void.

Macias SHOULD be able to carry the load, he's an extremely close match.

Both needed Wilson's minutes to develop to their lethal best.

https://twitter.com/Edit_Kev/status/1334143431447371776

https://twitter.com/Edit_Kev/status/1334143431447371776

TRANSFERS OUT - Summer 22/23 (So far)

Following Wilson out of #NUFC are:

Fosu-Mensah (DC) - £10.5m to Rangers
Rodrigo Vilca (AMC) - £11.5m to Boca
Nikola Moro (MC) - £15m to Bayer 04
Ludwig Augustinsson (DL) - £10.75m to LOSC

#FM21

TRANSFERS IN - Summer 22/23 (So far)

Additional first-teamers...

Zinho Vanheusden (DC) - £20.5m (Risky, no WP yet)
Pedro De La Vega (AML) - £5.5m
Rayan Aït-Nouri (DL) - £28.5m

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS IN - Summer 22/23 (So far)

Youngsters...

Kaiky (DC) - £10m (no WP yet, so loaned out)
Micah Hamilton (AML) - Free
Fisnik Isaki (AMR) - Free (no WP)
Daniil Denisov (DMC) - Free (no WP)

#FM21

#NUFC

TRANSFERS IN - Summer 22/23 (So far)Youngsters...Kaiky (DC) - £10m (no WP yet, so loaned out)Micah Hamilton (AML) - FreeFisnik Isaki (AMR) - Free (no WP)Daniil Denisov (DMC) - Free (no WP) #FM21 #NUFC

TRANSFERS IN - Summer 22/23 (So far)

And finally a couple more exciting youngsters...

Sebastian Chudyba (DC) - £3.5m (no WP)
Steve Smet (SC) - £23.5m (no WP) still only 17

Happy to get Smet, he looks like he'll grow into a monster.

#FM21

#NUFC

TRANSFERS IN - Summer 22/23 (So far)And finally a couple more exciting youngsters...Sebastian Chudyba (DC) - £3.5m (no WP)Steve Smet (SC) - £23.5m (no WP) still only 17Happy to get Smet, he looks like he'll grow into a monster. #FM21 #NUFC

5 games into the new season and 5 wins. Getting miffed at conceding late on in games or to wonder strikes.

Trying to get expected goals against under 0.50 per 90.

Things are going well though #NUFC #FM21

12 games into the season and I sit top by 3 points from Liverpool who I play away at Anfield before everyone breaks for the winter World Cup.

There are some sequences on #FM21

that you know are going to matter at the end of the season #NUFC #Bellingham #Embolo

Approaching halfway through 22/23 season and my #NUFC scouting network is coming along pretty nicely... Need to get Asia covered though...

#FM21

players, how are your knowledge maps looking?

Approaching halfway through 22/23 season and my #NUFC scouting network is coming along pretty nicely... Need to get Asia covered though... #FM21 players, how are your knowledge maps looking?

I’ve just realised that I’ve not updated this thread in a couple of weeks and I’ve played quite a lot of #FM21

in that time…

With the bug fixing launch of 21.2 today just wanted to add some context that these next few updates were achieved on a previous version #NUFC

TRANSFERS OUT - WINTER 22/23

After a season spent rejecting a new contract & over the amount of playing time I was prepared to promise, I sold José Juan Macías for a deal worth up to £31.5m to Chivas.

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS IN - WINTER 22/23

I plugged the gap with a rather tasty loan move... and then used the money to keep hoovering up promising young talent...

Luka Jovic (SC) - Loan
Damian Tonks (AMR) - £11.75m
Athirson (DMC) - £11.5m

#NUFC #FM21

Also, as Brexit was becoming a massive pain in the ass due to Work Permits, I secured a link up with Paris FC to be able to loan out youngsters until they get enough games to qualify. #NUFC #FM21

RESULTS - 22/23 SEASON

EPL Champions for the second year running!!

Champions League Winners

Runners-up FA Cup final

#NUFC #FM21

Here are some lovely screengrabs of the Toon lifting the EPL and CL trophies! #NUFC #FM21

I also remembered to bank an analyst report before the season clock rolled over this time!!

The whole season I felt like I was battling all the direct passing/clearances/Keeper kicks acting like guided missiles. Felt like a Rubiks cube with no answer. #NUFC #FM21

In some games where I want to shut up shop, I've been having to use more attacking mentalities to give away fewer opportunities.

Game to game and then during the games themselves the amount of mentality tweaking I've been doing is unreal #NUFC #FM21

It was the same defensively, in pursuit of more game control and to nerf the guided-missile longballs, I've been constantly working on finding new defensive edges.

Seriously, my obsession for keeping shot counts down and clean sheets is boarding on pathological #NUFC #FM21

With the launch of the update, I'll hold off uploading the latest version of my Tactic 'No Soup for You' until I'm happy it's working as it should with the tweaked Match Engine #FM21

#NUFC

So, for posterity, here's the winning goal scored by loanee Luka Jovic (who scored twice to knock out parent club Real Madrid in the semi-final).

Worth every penny of that loan. #NUFC #FM21

PLAYER OF THE SEASON

Despite the inconsistency that comes with youth, Matías Arezo has lived up to his Football Manager fame.

He scored, 21

goals in all comps as he took over Callum Wilson's mantle. Worth every penny of the £2.4m I paid.

#NUFC #FM21

PLAYER OF THE SEASONDespite the inconsistency that comes with youth, Matías Arezo has lived up to his Football Manager fame.He scored, 21 goals in all comps as he took over Callum Wilson's mantle. Worth every penny of the £2.4m I paid. #NUFC #FM21

GOAL OF THE SEASON

Looking at all the goals I scored through the season & I get lots of 6-yard box finishes which is great, but not a lot of thunderbastards.

So this previously posted goal in a massive game from Jude Bellingham wins GOTS #NUFC #FM21

https://twitter.com/Edit_Kev/status/1334887787489792000

https://twitter.com/Edit_Kev/status/1334887787489792000

After winning the title for the second year running & the Champions League, I wanted to continue my journey into creating a period of sustained dominance. I need to buy and develop young players that meet required standards & the Home Grown quota's. #GrowingPains #NUFC #FM21

As part of this, I managed to get Bruno Conti during my second season after Roma let him go.

His reputation & personality make him an ideal Head of Youth Dev, however, his lack of knowledge of England is a trade-off (not sure how quickly this will fill in). #NUFC #FM21

His first crop of youngsters in 22/23 season was 'okay'. One player could make the grade.

Martin McMillan - Who looks like he could develop into a Beardsley type and will be handy, especially given his determination. #NUFC #FM21

Conti's second crop was more promising. With 5 Star prospect Josef Sabou looking like he'll develop into a top tier left-back.

While Ryan Akinola may also develop into a very handy Goalkeeper too. #NUFC #FM21

In the coming season's purchased youngsters will get the Home Grown status I'm after & the Longstaff's/Woodman's time at #NUFC will be over.

They include:

Bellingham (HG 6/24)
Tonks (HG 6/25)

But that's not enough... #NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS - SUMMER 23/24

Which is why I'll continue to be super active in the market, selling players who are reaching their peak or have proven they're not good enough to continue on with my #NUFC team #FM21

TRANSFERS OUT - SUMMER 23/24

After lifting 4 trophies, Jamal Lascelles leaves #NUFC as one of the most successful players in the club's history.

He is sold for £20m to Sporting Lisbon. Thanks for your service!

TRANSFERS OUT - SUMMER 23/24

He is joined by more high-profile departures including:

Jamal Lewis (DL) £23m to Everton
Demarai Grey (AML) £10.5m to Celtic
Ryan Fraser (AMR) £7.5m to Krasnodar
Guga (DR) £33m to Juventus

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS OUT - SUMMER 23/24

And Kevin Mbabu (DR) £35m to A. Madrid.

I also decided to sell a couple of younger players who I felt like wouldn't really make it at my #NUFC team either.

Gustavo Kawã (SC) £7.5m to Feyenoord
Emanuel Vignato (AMR) £35m to Lazio

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS IN - SUMMER 23/24

So, the fun stuff, incomings. First the BIG transfer first-team ready deals.

Dani Olmo (AMC) - £67m from RB Leipzig
Tomás Esteves (DR) - £49.5m from Porto
Diogo Dalot (DR) - Free Transfer
Matthias Noverraz (DL) - £15m from Basel

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS IN - SUMMER 23/24

And my ever more expensive collection of youngsters...

Steve Smet (SC) - £23.5m (paid in a previous window)
Dmitri Lungu (AML) - £25.5m
Pieter-Taco Nijland (AML) - £35.5m
Maximiliano Signorelli (SC) - £5.5m

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS IN - SUMMER 23/24

Also, some cheap deals and players to flip for a profit at a later date.

Abdoulaye Martial (AMC) - £2.9m
Thimothé David (MC) - Free
Roger-Hayes III (DMC) - Free

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS IN - SUMMER 23/24

Oh and another first-teamer I missed, Manuel Locatelli on a Free Transfer. The poorer manager's Sandro Tonali

I did this mainly because it was a freebie and I missed out on Declan Rice (which fucked up my Home Grown squad planning)...

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS IN - SUMMER 23/24Oh and another first-teamer I missed, Manuel Locatelli on a Free Transfer. The poorer manager's Sandro Tonali I did this mainly because it was a freebie and I missed out on Declan Rice (which fucked up my Home Grown squad planning)... #NUFC #FM21

Locatelli is also really, really happy that I gave him his preferred number! #NUFC #FM21

Okay, so after all that activity, I'm now over halfway through the 23/24 season... Things were going well before the latest update to the #FM21

match engine, post-update they seem to be better... #NUFC

Okay, so after all that activity, I'm now over halfway through the 23/24 season... Things were going well before the latest update to the #FM21 match engine, post-update they seem to be better... #NUFC

In the 7 league games I've played since ver - 21.04 rolled out, I've generated 12.11 xG (1.73xG per 90) and 3.07xGA (0.43xGA). That's a tasty gap. The bug fixes for laser-guided Keeper kicks, clearances, direct passing & crappy ariel defending mean that the game is less random.

Right, time for some more updates to my mega #NUFC save thread #FM21

fans! I hope there are lots of you who got the game for Xmas and are looking forward to starting your own journey's.

TRANSFERS - WINTER 23/24

Despite being a set-piece specialist, a £50m offer from Barcelona meant that Lovro Majer left the club in January...

FWIW - He was rated at 3 stars when I had him because of the array of talented youngsters I have coming through #NUFC

TRANSFERS - WINTER 23/24

With that money burning a hole in my pocket and a need to boost my Home Grown players, there was a Newgen with a name that I had to buy, even if the £43.5m was a bit of an overspend.

Welcome to #NUFC Steve Watson... #FM21

RESULTS - 23/24 SEASON

EPL Champions - Three seasons in row!

Champions League Winners - two seasons in a row

Euro SuperCup Winners

FA Cup Winners

#FM21

#NUFC

RESULTS - 23/24 SEASON EPL Champions - Three seasons in row! Champions League Winners - two seasons in a row Euro SuperCup Winners FA Cup Winners #FM21 #NUFC

Massive EPL Season from my young team and my first INVINCIBLE league campaign. After the latest ME update landed, my defence went from GOOD to GREAT.

Up to 70 home matches now without a defeat... #NUFC #FM21

GOAL OF THE SEASON 23/24

He may have left in January, but it wasn't before he had hit this Volley!

Take a bow, Lovro Majer #NUFC #FM21

PLAYER OF THE SEASON 23/24

This was a fairly straightforward fight between Dani Olmo & Tosin Adarabioyo.

Adarabioyo (DC) ended up with 7 goals & 7.22 av. rating.
Olmo (AMC) enable the entire attack with 19 assists, 5 goals & an av. Rating of 7.15

They share the award.

#NUFC

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON 23/24

This probably should have been won by Matías Arezo who scored 29 goals in 39 games, it was Steve Smet that really excited me, so he takes the award!

His intelligence is amazing an in time he's going to replace Olmo as my AMC. #NUFC #FM21

Here's a little example of Steve Smet's in-game intelligence, Smet will ALWAYS pass when he has a teammate better placed to score. #NUFC #FM21

During the run-in for the EPL title, I had a fairly sizable lead, so I decided to try out the forward line I expect to become starters:

Maximiliano Signorelli (SC)
Damian Tonks (AMR)
Steve Smet (AMC)
Dmitri Lungu (AML)

#NUFC #FM21

The result was FUN... I especially like Tonk's pass for Signorelli to finish at a tight angle. #FM21

#NUFC

At the end of what was an amazing season, I had some big decisions to make on some players:

- ASM had become super injury prone
- Arezo wasn't dominating & went missing in big games
- Jean Pyerre & Embolo had lost their places to youngsters
- Locatelli was meh

#FM21

#NUFC

TRANSFERS OUT 24/25 - SUMMER

Jean Pyerre (AMC) was the first to leave in a £20m move to Bournemouth, I paid £12.5m for him so a small profit, his wage demands made him difficult to sell. Great servant, talented too.

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS OUT 24/25 - SUMMER

After signing him on a FREE the season before, Manuel Locatelli leaves the club. At the time, my scouts rated him better than Guendouzi (who has also now left the club), but he was a damp squib, though it's £26.5m of profit.

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS OUT 24/25 - SUMMER

Also leaving after many years of quality service is ASM in a £45.5m deal to AS Monaco. He played 154 for the Toon and leaves a legend.

#NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS 24/25 - SUMMER

This is the controversial move of the window. Before the season ended, I sealed a £27.5m move for 98 rated, Brazilian striker Lazaro.

With Maximiliano Signorelli as back-up, I decided to accept PSG's £73m bid for Matías Arezo #FM21

#NUFC

TRANSFERS 24/25 - SUMMERThis is the controversial move of the window. Before the season ended, I sealed a £27.5m move for 98 rated, Brazilian striker Lazaro. With Maximiliano Signorelli as back-up, I decided to accept PSG's £73m bid for Matías Arezo #FM21 #NUFC

Before I move on to the next moves, wanted to give Arezo his shout out. He's not a secret in #FM21

circles, but I signed him for £2.4m and he's carried the team's goal-scoring threat in the post-Wilson era. #NUFC

So with ASM departure being covered by the talented Tonks and Steve Watson.

Locatelli's position covered by Athirson who is now ready for the 1st team after a bunch of loans.

I had a rather sizeable transfer kitty to spend... #NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS IN 24/25

So on Xmas morning before Jen woke up I decided to buy a couple of big-name players as virtual presents to myself.

First up. Welcome to #NUFC Trent Alexander-Arnold who joins for £85m

#FM21

What made the deal even sweeter, was that a few days later Liverpool asked if they could buy Diogo Dalot - who I had signed on a FREE a season before - for £45.5m

Getting Alexander-Arnold for a net £40m is a great bit of business

#NUFC #FM21

What made the deal even sweeter, was that a few days later Liverpool asked if they could buy Diogo Dalot - who I had signed on a FREE a season before - for £45.5m Getting Alexander-Arnold for a net £40m is a great bit of business #NUFC #FM21

TRANSFERS IN 24/25

However, I wasn't done. So I'm also happy to welcome Matthijs de Ligt to for £103m.

This adds some real star quality to my young team. I don't often sign prime players for big money, but it was Christmas morning, so I thought 'Fuck it'

#FM21

#NUFC

TRANSFERS IN 24/25However, I wasn't done. So I'm also happy to welcome Matthijs de Ligt to for £103m.This adds some real star quality to my young team. I don't often sign prime players for big money, but it was Christmas morning, so I thought 'Fuck it' #FM21 #NUFC

Getting the deal done with de Ligt's wages was tough and I had to wait for Breel Embolo to complete a £30m move to Burnley too, but hoooooooo boy am I excited to play the upcoming 24/25 season with this squad... #NUFC #FM21

I've still got some money leftover too and, as ever, I've been keen to add some freebies (love a bargain).

So joining NUFC is Shane Black (GK) on FREE from Real Madrid.

And Branimir Melovic (AMC) on a FREE who I'll probs end up selling for £15-30m

#FM21

I've still got some money leftover too and, as ever, I've been keen to add some freebies (love a bargain). So joining NUFC is Shane Black (GK) on FREE from Real Madrid. And Branimir Melovic (AMC) on a FREE who I'll probs end up selling for £15-30m #FM21

I've also added Víctor Araújo (DR) for £1.9m and Iury Lirio (AMR) for £19.5m with a view of making a profit on both. #Investments #FM21

#NUFC

Probably the last bit of business I do in the 24/25 Summer window will be selling prospect Ömer Beyaz. Again signed for FREE. After A bunch of loans, I'm selling him for £12.5m to Benfica & using the money to buy Davor Basic for £15.5m. He'll be a nightmarish Mezzala #NUFC #FM21