Hi there!
I’ve noticed a lot of people on a lot of blogs putting their faith in the readers to choose a team for them in the next FM game, and I’ve decided to do the same. Now I’m not as technically gifted as some other bloggers so this will not involve a poll, I’ll be using good old pen and paper to jot down the votes which you guys leave in comments. :)
I’ve chosen 6 teams, 3 native, and 3 foreign and I’ll go through them one at a time with a small description of why I think they would be a good idea. So without further ado…
Team 1 — Newcastle United (England)
In case you didn’t already know, I’m a Geordie and so Newcastle are hear for obvious reasons. First of all I’d like to say that the odds on me emulating Darren’s success with this great club are almost none existent and I understand if people aren’t interested in seeing another Newcastle save. Other than them being my favourite team NUFC also have firm foundations and there’s always the hope that Mike Ashley will flog us to a billionaire who would rather buy a striker than the controlling shares in a woman’s laundry firm. I’ll definitely be NUFC in the demo though, it’s easier to familiarise yourself with the game when you’re a team you know inside out.
Team 2 — Arsenal (England)
A ‘Big 4’ team but for how much longer? Man City and Spurs are barring down on Arsenal and at the moment they’re in turmoil. I can understand some people may see this as an ‘easy’ option, but believe me, it always takes a while for things to happen when I’m playing FM. I feel as though the loss of Fabregas and Nasri, as well as Clichy has severely weakened the squad, but with Walcott, Gervinho and Van Persie you have solid attacking foundations as well as the typical strength in youth with Gibbs, Ramsey, Szceszny (if that’s how you spell it?) and others coming through the ranks. I feel as though with a bit of money spent on good defenders Arsenal could be turned back into an amazing team.
Team 3 — Blackburn Rovers (England)
Proved popular when I mentioned them in my last post and to be honest, can I really do any worse than Steve Kean? I think Blackburn have a bit of cash, and a decent squad which just needs bit of European class added to it for that next step into the Europa League. The club also has controversial owners which as a Newcastle fan I know all about!
Team 4 — SSC Napoli (Italy)
Personally I love this team, amazing attacking quality but the challenge comes with keeping that quality at the club. Napoli could become amazing should the club have a good Champions League run as they could only benefit from the rise in funds and reputation. There are a lot of Napoli stories out there but I’m sure I could make mine unique in some way. Another positive is that with such attacking quality there is no chance of a boring story since I would look to outscore each opponent because when you’ve got striking talent such as Lavezzi, Cavani, and Hamsik, is there any other way to play?
Team 5 — Vfl Wolfsburg (Germany)
A team who had an amazing rise to prominence before a massive and sudden fall. Now struggling to stay in their domestic top division Wolfsburg would make the perfect project. Can’t really talk about them too much since I don’t know a great deal about them but I think they would make an interesting option.
Team 6 — AS Monaco (France)
The stereotypical fallen giant. Relegated last season and they only have themselves to blame really. Over the past few years or so Monaco became a selling club, producing great talent only to allow other teams to benefit from it. Well with me in charge that would be the first thing to stop and I would look to take full advantage of their amazing youth system. Again I don’t know a great deal about this club but I’m sure AS Monaco would be a good one to choose.
Well that’s the teams, as for the voting, I’d like people to just leave a comment with 2 teams, their favourite English choice followed by their favourite foreign choice. I’ll leave this poll open for a week so I’ll reveal the results next Sunday, or you could just tally them up yourselves I suppose, but that would kind of spoil the surprise. :)
Well that’s all for now!
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to vote!
George Dobson
25 сентября, 2011 at 21:35
Got to be Blackburn thanks Dan
Dan
25 сентября, 2011 at 21:57
Thanks for the vote George, I had already put one Blackburn vote down for you :)
George Dobson
26 сентября, 2011 at 15:48
yep was always going to be Blackburn ;D
JeanPaul Borg
25 сентября, 2011 at 21:37
Vfl Wolfsburg take my vote. Like you said, they have had an amazing down fall and I’d love to see you manage them to their real reputation. Plus I like the German league too :) Good luck!
Dan
25 сентября, 2011 at 22:00
That’s 1 for Wolfsburg, thanks Jean Paul.
billy
25 сентября, 2011 at 21:45
Monaco get my vote
Dan
25 сентября, 2011 at 22:01
Thanks for the vote Billy, 1 for Monaco.
Kevin
25 сентября, 2011 at 21:46
Hi Dan
Blackburn or Monaco for me………umm — Monaco!
Dan
25 сентября, 2011 at 22:02
Hey Kevin,
Seems you had a bit of a tough decision to make, I’m glad about that, it means I chose good teams :)
Well so far it’s Blackburn 1, Wolfsburg 1, Monaco 2…
Sears
25 сентября, 2011 at 22:01
Wolfsburg get my vote, followed by Monaco!
Dan
25 сентября, 2011 at 22:04
Thanks Sears,
Seems Monaco are going to be popular, I thought they would :)
Kieran
25 сентября, 2011 at 22:26
As an Arsenal supporter, im not gonna lie, im slightly depressed with them at the moment. They get my vote, i would love to see an Arsenal story!
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:45
1 to Arsenal then :)
Chris Chaplow
25 сентября, 2011 at 22:36
Gotta be Blackburn
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:45
Thanks for the vote :)
Mrdiord
25 сентября, 2011 at 22:48
Blackburn and Monaco they are the hardest teams to manage. Arsenal is to easy and im a little tierd of newcastle.
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:47
It’s beginning to look like it may be a Blackburn Monaco final…
David Wiggins
26 сентября, 2011 at 00:02
Dammit! I was going to say that!
David Wiggins
26 сентября, 2011 at 00:04
about exposing myself on buses that is….
My vote goes to Monaco — a higher class of people to stare at my genitals
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:49
Personally I’ve never exposed myself on a bus but whatever floats your boat I suppose :D
Not sure it’s any more legal to expose yourself in public in France than it is in England though?
junior
26 сентября, 2011 at 05:18
newcaslte!
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:49
Finally! I would have been disappointed if NUFC didn’t even get 1 vote!
Johnny Karp
26 сентября, 2011 at 06:57
Arsenal.
Tiago Fred
26 сентября, 2011 at 13:03
I would say Arsenal too, to bring them back to the long-awaited title! But Mónaco would be an interesting story too, because they were relegated last season and the challenge to bring them back to the glory of the champions league final against porto. Johnny, I commented here because I have a doubt about how to order the fm2012 in amazon.co.uk. Sorry to bother you now, but could you explain me how this works and how we pay and all the procedures. I live in Portugal. I never used amazon.co.uk, it is safe to buy the game hereby. What’s the form of payment? Cheers
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:53
I’ll count this as 2 votes for Arsenal and 1 for Monaco…
As for getting in touch with Johnny about something like amazon try his email address:
johnny@footballmanagerstory.com
…he’s more likely to reply that way since he may not check this comment again, hope this helps :)
Tiago Fred
26 сентября, 2011 at 19:34
Thank you Dan :D. I will be following you story, cheers mate.
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 19:52
No probs :)
fred135
26 сентября, 2011 at 07:11
Blackburn.
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:53
Thanks for the vote Fred
Nicholas Phipps
26 сентября, 2011 at 07:25
Arsenal — looking forward to it ;)
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:54
Arsenal have suddenly gained a lot of ground! I like your confidence Nicholas but Monaco are doing pretty well :)
Calin
26 сентября, 2011 at 07:51
I am a huge Newcastle fan and it’s been the first team I have managed in Football Manager (back when it was called Championship Manager), so I will have to go for Newcastle this time.
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:55
Same here Calin, except I started playing in fm2008, I’m always NUFC on the demo.
Martin - F.M.J.S
26 сентября, 2011 at 08:32
Well Dan i am disappointed not to see Swansea Lol but i will say Arsenal for EPL and Monaco for foreign team.
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:56
Sorry to disappoint you ;) but I’m disappointed that Napoli have failed to gain a single vote so far :o
CsAtlantis
26 сентября, 2011 at 08:57
My vote is for Blackburn, because one of my favorite players Scott Dann is now there, just be prepared to do poultry ads!
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:57
I like Scott Dann too, and I guess since Halloween is 10 days after the games release I could hire a giant Venky’s chicken costume for the night :D
Lye
26 сентября, 2011 at 09:35
Arsenal, i like them and a fan of Arsene Wenger. My second choice will be Blackburn. All the best.
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:58
Hopefully I can live up to Wenger’s reputation if Arsenal win the poll. Blackburn are currently level with the gunners on votes though so it’ll be tight!
nielsneutron
26 сентября, 2011 at 10:07
Monaco I’d love to see a french team on this forum.
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:59
I figured Monaco would be different, glad you like the choice :)
Martin
26 сентября, 2011 at 11:19
Monaco for me mate :)
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:59
Thanks for the vote Martin :)
Marcko
26 сентября, 2011 at 11:55
Blackburn! take inspiration from the win at arsenal:D
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 17:01
Well Arsenal and Blackburn poll at the moment has an even more impressive score than 4-3 since at the moment the poll stands 7-6 to Blackburn.
Darren Smith
26 сентября, 2011 at 12:08
Geordie through and through so its gotta be the toon army man!!
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 17:02
I thought you’d say that Darren!
Sibo373
26 сентября, 2011 at 14:00
Newcastle, bring back the mighty Milevskyi! :D
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 17:02
Who? ;) :D
George Dobson
26 сентября, 2011 at 15:54
I think thats 4 for newcastle 2 for wolfsburg 6 for Arsenal 7 for monaco 6 for Blackburn 0 for napoli
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 17:03
I’ve got 9 for Monaco and 7 for Blackburn, because some people have voted for more than 1 team, you were close though :)
George Dobson
26 сентября, 2011 at 17:20
sorry yep youre right
vaibhavc
26 сентября, 2011 at 15:59
Blackburn.
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 17:03
Blackburn 8
Laxeyman
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:06
I’m going for Blackburn Dan :)
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 17:04
Thanks Laxeyman Blackburn 9!
Sam Pettitt
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:10
I’m for blackburn mate! :)
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 17:04
Blackburn just took the lead!
Desmo Wenning
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:15
Another vote for Blackburn :)
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 17:05
Hey Desmo,
Blackburn are suddenly storming the poll!
Luke
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:16
Monaco! :)
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 17:05
Thanks for the vote Luke :)
Erbsademon
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:45
Wolfsburg!!
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 17:06
3 for the Germans :)
Albyedw
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:55
Arsenal for english team
Napoli for italian team
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 17:06
Finally Napoli get a vote!
Albyedw
26 сентября, 2011 at 16:59
Just a suggestion, if you were to do Napoli, i think it would be good to emphasize on regaining calico’s status and taking it back to one of the top European leagues. And maybe even something special with the youth team, developing youngsters, which is lacking now in Serie A.
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 17:08
I would definitely look to establish them as a Champions League team but sadly I very much doubt I’ll be choosing Napoli since so far you’re the only person who’s voted for them surprisingly! I always emphasize youth though so if I ever do take over Napoli you can expect a young squad :)
tom
26 сентября, 2011 at 18:10
wolfsburg ;D
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 18:15
4 to Wolfsburg
hils
26 сентября, 2011 at 19:01
Blackburn please!!!!!!!!!
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 19:30
Well I think it’s safe to say by now that it could be either Blackburn or Monaco I’ll be managing!
Callum
26 сентября, 2011 at 19:16
As Monaco should be a challenge :)
Dan
26 сентября, 2011 at 19:30
Monaco still in the race then :)
Birdy
26 сентября, 2011 at 21:55
Wolfsburg for me
Dan
27 сентября, 2011 at 17:32
Thanks for the vote Birdy :)
MRDNRA
26 сентября, 2011 at 22:28
Newcastle or Wolfsburg
Dan
27 сентября, 2011 at 17:33
Seems to be a flurry of interest in Wolfsburg, they’ve got some work to do to catch up though.
dylan
27 сентября, 2011 at 05:49
Monaco
Dan
27 сентября, 2011 at 17:33
Thanks dylan :)
celticman
27 сентября, 2011 at 07:01
Monaco.
Dan
27 сентября, 2011 at 17:34
Thanks for the vote celticman, that puts Monaco in the lead…for now…
paine
27 сентября, 2011 at 07:20
I’d say Blackburn, mainly for David Hoilett, a really talented forward.
Dan
27 сентября, 2011 at 17:35
Hoilett is talented and I’ll be making the most of him should Blackburn win the poll :)
Frank
27 сентября, 2011 at 16:58
English team — Blackburn, good finances but need a change in the squad
Foreign team — Napoli, good attacking team
Dan
27 сентября, 2011 at 17:36
I would say Blackburn need more of a manager change than a squad change and hopefully I’ll be the person to initiate that change (should Blackburn win the poll of course).
As for Napoli I’m so surprised at how unpopular they’ve been, 2 votes is all they have!
Frank
27 сентября, 2011 at 20:17
I agree that Blackburn need more of a manager, but they could do with more european players like you mentioned. As for Napoli it is suprissing how little votes there receiving, I guess they are the easiest of the foreign teams
picks
27 сентября, 2011 at 18:15
arsenal!!!!!! all i have to say lol
Dan
27 сентября, 2011 at 18:35
That’s all you need to say! :D
benji
28 сентября, 2011 at 16:44
id like to see napoli if u go abroad if not id like to see an arsenal save would be intresting considering there lost fabregas and nasri
Dan
28 сентября, 2011 at 18:09
1 more vote for Napoli and Arsenal
Albyedw
28 сентября, 2011 at 17:10
shame napoli is not a popular choice :(
Dan
28 сентября, 2011 at 18:10
Should I mark down a vote for Napoli from you?
FM_addict
29 сентября, 2011 at 11:16
Napoli have to worth a shout, with their attacking prowess you could be a European Super Power and also be very successful in Seria A and it would be also good to read the story as well.
Any Idea when the demo will be coming out?
Dan
29 сентября, 2011 at 12:10
1 more vote for Napoli then. The demo normally comes out around 2 weeks before the game so I would expect it to come out around October 7th.