[diplomatique]

Football Manager 2005 just arrived in my mailbox. I loaded the game, then downloaded the 5.0.5 patch, loaded the game, picked the country I want to play in, picked the leagues, created a manager profile and now . . . what do I do?

I've never played any sort of sport simulation game, and definitely never played a game this complicated. I'm just a wee bit overwhelmed looking at all these screens, trying to figure out where to start, just get my head around things. Is there any advice the more experienced could give me? I just would really appreciate it if someone could let me know where the best place would be to start. Do I just go straight into a match, do I set training schedules, do I . . . . what do I do?

[kcscsupporter]

did you pick your team to manage yet, or have you decided to start unemployed?

[diplomatique]

I picked a team to manage. I decided to start low and work my way up. I started with Chester, but because I didn't know ANY of the players, it just made things harder for me. So I started over and picked Sunderland. It's just as easy for me to start over though, if unemployed is better. Hell, I'm not even sure if I picked the league(s) correctly.

I guess once I loaded the game, I got kinda overwhelmed. I'm sitting there in charge of a team and I'm all like . . . do I play a game right away, do I start planning training schedules, do I send scouts out, do I spend the money the chairman gave me to buy new players . . . there's a million things to do and I'm not quite sure what to do first.

[Cannon]

Originally Posted by diplomatique

I picked a team to manage. I decided to start low and work my way up. I started with Chester, but because I didn't know ANY of the players, it just made things harder for me. So I started over and picked Sunderland. It's just as easy for me to start over though, if unemployed is better. Hell, I'm not even sure if I picked the league(s) correctly.

I guess once I loaded the game, I got kinda overwhelmed. I'm sitting there in charge of a team and I'm all like . . . do I play a game right away, do I start planning training schedules, do I send scouts out, do I spend the money the chairman gave me to buy new players . . . there's a million things to do and I'm not quite sure what to do first.

Welcome to the life-sucking hobby that is football management sims!

I advise all newbies to check out this site.

Basic stuff on FM05

The articles towards the bottom by Cleon are a good intro. Cleon is a big member of the FM community and most of what he says is useful to new players.

If you have questions (you will), ask them here or go to the FM forums at the SI site

[subbuteo]

when you first begin it's pre-season
I would set your training regimen, look over your roster and see where you might be weak or what players you have that may suit a certain tactict. And also you can check out the free agent market or send your scouts out, invite players for a trial etc.... if you feel like you need new players asap.

You also can set it so your assistant manager (if you have one) is in charge of arranging pre-season friendly matches etc... There also is an option to 'Get Team Report' where your assistant manager gives you an assessment of your team, his preferred starting XI and second XI, weak spots etc...

Basically, be sure to read the manual. I found it helpful way back when.

[diplomatique]

Thanks for the advice. I'm sure once I get the hang of things it wil be no big deal, but when I first loaded it I was like . . . you want me to do what? I just wanted to stick Sven's starting 11 on the pitch and let them figure out what to do, but suddenly I'm managing Chester, I need a striker, I don't know who anyone is, I have no idea when they should rest . . . I don't even know how to change tactics in the midst of a game. And the manual is all like, go to the actions menu of the tree menu . . . and the only thing on my mind is WTF?!

I do appreciate the help. Many thanks for that link Cannon. I figure it will take over my life and suck me in quickly, but I just need to stumble my way around a bit at first, I suppose. The manual is helpful, but the Index is uselss, so it takes me forever to locate the page I need.

The more I'm explaining my confusion, the more I'm starting to know how new managers feel. I shall now try to limit the frequency with which I curse out new managers over the television.

Cheers for the help.

[subbuteo]

good luck...I was once confused too...having switched over from EA's management game four years ago it took me forever to find the 'Continue' button. But any sense of confusion or frustration will be miniscule compared to the enjoyment you'll get once you feel your way around.

[GeordieInExile]

I wouldn't really recommend the SI Games site. You may be out of your depth over there and struggle to sift through the useful information.

I'm a Bootroom writer and my site is an official affiliate (URL in profile), so if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, and take a minute or so to peruse our forums.

Enjoy FM - tell your loved ones they'll see you on July 4th.

[HalfManHalfAmazing]

4th of July? Try never. I play FM about, oh 15 hours a day. It's the most addictive game in the entire universe. For some reason though, since the 5.05 patch I can't succeed in ANY league but the German leagues :-/ Weirdness. Coaching at Erfurt now at the Regional Division South.

[GeordieInExile]

Originally Posted by HalfManHalfAmazing

4th of July? Try never. I play FM about, oh 15 hours a day. It's the most addictive game in the entire universe. For some reason though, since the 5.05 patch I can't succeed in ANY league but the German leagues :-/ Weirdness. Coaching at Erfurt now at the Regional Division South.

There's one lower German team (Elversberg?) who import a boat load of American players over, so keep an eye on them. They have an American coach so I guess the game think's he's going to import an entire team!