*wave*
Hello folks, long time no see! I understand it’s been quite a while since I’ve posted anything, and for that I apologize. Sadly (well, not super sad), real life has been somewhat hectic, and I haven’t had as much time to play as I thought I would. Additionally, I was experiencing a smidge of burnout, coupled with a severe bout of A.D.D., preventing me from settling on a bloody story! For this, I offer my heartfelt apologies! Unfortunately, with so little time left before the release of the next Football Manager game, I won’t be continuing with any of the plethora of stories that I’ve subjected the lot of you too (thanks so much for your patience!).
Fear not (or fear a lot, depending on your point of view) however, for I shall be back in full force with Football Manager 2012 (videos and all)! My goal this time around, is definitely to stick with a single story from release day clear on through till the release of FM 2013 (or at least a good 6 or 7 months of story). I’ve been giving this a considerable amount of thought, and probably more than I should considering this is just a game. I wanted a story I was really passionate for, that I would be excited to see through to the finish, and would offer enough variety to keep my attention firmly where it belongs.
So upon which team did I decide? Well, truth be told, I haven’t. I can, however, share with you the logic behind that decision, and the criteria I’ve been using.
1) A compelling nation — Now this might make not much sense off-the-bat, but I want a nation that interests me. This ultimately ends up eliminating North and South America, Asia, and Africa. As much as love D.C. United, I have no desire to manage in the MLS, and I truly believe the heart of soccer (hey, it’s what we call it) beats in Europe. As such, it has to be a country in Europe, and it has to be one without exceedingly lame rules (sorry Belgium, that means you).
2) Room to grow — I don’t want to start at the ceiling (for example, Barcelona or Manchester United). While it can be fun to steamroll opponents, I want to do it with a squad I’ve built myself.
3) I don’t care about my club — Er…what? That’s right, I don’t care about what club I play. How does that make even the tiniest bit of sense, you ask? Well…this leads me rather melodramatically into my plans for my 2012 story!
My 2012 story will be…»Building a Nation»!
To clarify, I plan to take full advantage of the dynamic league reputations, and build a lower level nation into an international powerhouse. This will be a lengthy process, and will involve managing multiple teams within a nation’s top flight in order to build up the necessary reputation. It’s a plan that will almost certainly keep me occupied for the length of FM2012, and that’s a good thing. Obviously this goal eliminates certain major nations (the big «five» of England, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany for example), and I’ve decided that my nation’s top league must not be any better than «three» stars.
This leaves quite a few nations floating around, but I’ve managed to eliminate it down to just a handful:
(In no particular order)
1) Poland
2) Wales
3) Scotland
4) Serbia
5) Hungary
That may seem like an awfully long short list, but I assure you it’s taken me ages to get that far! Each nation is compelling for their own reasons, and all of them offer tremendous room for growth. Over the coming days I plan to narrow that list down far enough until we have an actual final nation. I’ll announce my choice in a video at some point this week, and will of course post it here when I do. In the meantime, feel free to offer any advice or input on the nation you might like to see.
Take care!
MRDNRA
2 октября, 2011 at 23:16
Out of the choices you’ve suggested, it’d be between Wales and Scotland for me. My additional suggestion would be Switzerland.
nielsneutron
3 октября, 2011 at 00:32
Since I have a plan for own story in wales I wont suggest them. Also I think that the reputation is too low. It is either Hungary or Serbia for me.
bigbaz
3 октября, 2011 at 00:33
gunna be a long game mate!! but one im sure we’d all enjoy seeing develop. i love the hungarian league, its like non-league lol so my vote wud be for that. all the best
JeanPaul Borg
3 октября, 2011 at 00:38
Would you consider giving Croatia a go? My pick would be Hungary but please think about Croatia a little ;)
Stromson
4 октября, 2011 at 14:34
I’ve added it into the «short list» :)
Calin
3 октября, 2011 at 07:10
Sounds like a great plan, Stromson! It’s going to be a long game, but I think that it will be extremely interesting to read such a story!
Johnny Karp
3 октября, 2011 at 08:50
I’d pick Wales, I always had a soft spot for them.
Darren Smith
3 октября, 2011 at 12:06
Interesting stuff mate, I personally feel like most of those nations are impossible to turn into powerhouses…yeah you may get on club up there but more than two would be near impossible I think. Anyway, my vote goes to Scotland as that’s the only country I feel the challenge is feasible with.
Stromson
4 октября, 2011 at 14:33
Bwahaha! Your doubts only fuel the fire my friend. ;-)
Darren Smith
4 октября, 2011 at 19:19
lol, thats what I like to hear mate.
Rich Wiltshire
3 октября, 2011 at 14:40
Oooh this could be very interesting.
I’d go for Scotland! It wouldn’t take too much to get Rangers and Celtic both up to Champions League contender status and then you have a fair selection of clubs with a decent fanbase (Herts, Hibs, Aberdeen, etc).
Saamm Pettitt
3 октября, 2011 at 16:23
I’d go for wales mate, mainly because my nan lives there :)
Sears
3 октября, 2011 at 17:04
Like RFC on sortitoutsi, you should pick Poland. Or any of the nations bar Wales or Scotland, they don’t sound as exhilarating as an Eastern European country … And anyways, how often have team from Eastern Europe won the Champions League?!?!
Laxeyman
3 октября, 2011 at 17:26
Looks like you’re going to have an interesting FM12 story Stromo (and good to see you back btw :) ) Out of those options I’d pick Wales, but then I’m half Welsh so I guess I’m biased ;)
Dan
3 октября, 2011 at 17:30
Serbia for me, Wales is an impossible task whereas in Serbia you could begin with Partizan to get to grips with a strange league.
Kevin
3 октября, 2011 at 18:23
Welcome back my «Southern Cousin». It’s Bonnie Scotland for me!
Erbsademon
3 октября, 2011 at 19:04
I would pick Hungary. It would be great to see a team from the Nemzeti Bajnokság in Champions League
Martin - F.M.J.S
3 октября, 2011 at 20:07
I would like say Wales but i think Scotland is more achievable. As for a suggestion, it is not what you wanted to do as it bring in England but why not be someone like Newport County or Wrexham which are welsh team but struggling in the blue square premier?
benji
3 октября, 2011 at 21:01
wales !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or scotland
Adam D
3 октября, 2011 at 22:38
Only problem with Wales is that the big teams (Like Cardiff and Swansea) are already playing in the English leagues. Dynamic league rep is one thing but I don’t think there’s dynamic clubs switching league systems.
Of the ones left my preference is a coin toss between Scotland and Poland.
Interested to know why you’re not considering Ukraine or any of the Scandanavians.
Stromson
4 октября, 2011 at 14:36
Ukraine’s league reputation is too high for what I’m going for, which eliminated them. The Scandanavians I gave some serious thought on, and Norway made my initial cut, but I ultimately opted for mainland Europe.
George Dobson
4 октября, 2011 at 16:27
Poland for me
vaibhavc
4 октября, 2011 at 17:50
Wales or Scotland, but I wouldn’t mind a story anywhere else. I can learn about the teams in other places.