Only got three strikers now, sent Pacheco back as I didn't think we were giving him enough football to do him justice.

Villa (who is on fire), Bojan, and young Lukaku. Might see if I can get someone in on loan but if not, then will look to the A team and u19's if we suffer a few injuries.

Anyone else got a terrible problem with fullbacks picking up bookings? Abidal and Alves are always getting booked.

Just using a 4-5-1 tactic with individual player rolls set (haven't altered defenders), with an attacking, short passing, expressive style, slow temp. Playing quite like Barca in real life. Nearly felt like clapping after some of the goals we have scored. Pedro, Messi and Villa hitting on the counter after a killer ball from Xavi or Iniesta, resulting in the opponents being carved open for a simple tap-in.

I think you can have a word with the player about their preferred moves "try not to dive into tackles" something like that. Also telling the players to stay on their feet using instructions during the game lowers the slide tackles. If the guy is persistently picking up red cards start issuing him warnings and then fine him.

I think people were saying too many injuries was another glitch with FM11. It's another thing i've not really experienced yet. 3 things that may help are good physios, medium training and not starting players below 90%. I still get injuries and sometimes it does seem like i get them all at once, but sometimes i can go months with all my players been perfect.

Only annoying problem i've come across is players making stupid wage requests. Tried to sign Scott Brown on a free transfer. He wanted 12.5k a week, so i made some budget adjustments and got my maximum to 13k. I offered his agent a good contract, which he accepted. A few days later the agent comes back to me and the contract has now been rejected. I go to put in another contract and he now wants 32k a week. I couldn't get this and wouldn't pay it anyway. 2 days later he signs for Motherwell on 2.5k a week... I checked his contract out and he hasn't even got a clause that'd boost it after a certain amount of games. I signed Michael Kightly on a free transfer instead.

Dani Alves constantly gets booked for me, tried to ask him to stay on his feet but he said he feels as though he already has enough aspects to his game.

slap him with warnings and fines for getting sent off then

Bought FM11 the other day. Decided to go as Portsmouth for the challenge. Really struggling at the moment in 20th. Been playing well recently but conceding late goals.

I did that after he got sent off two games on the trot despite plenty of warnings. Spat his dummy and demanded a transfer.

Hi there,

My brother has just handed me Football Manager 2008 and Im seriously struggling with it! Could anybody give me hints/tips on how to get on abit better lol???

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Your best bet would be to visit SI Games forum. There's plenty of good stuff on there to help out
rlClickyrl

After my old laptop broke, I've just got back to playing, and decided to start at Bristol City for a challenge really. I could do with some recommendations for defenders who are either cheap or will sign on loan please?

Managed to finish 18th comfortably avoiding the drop. Hopefully someone will buy me in the summer and give me some funds to play with.

Just completed my first season with Leeds United. I finished a very respectable 5th in the Championship and reached the quater final of the FA Cup. I recruited well though in the summer bringing in some loan singings; Daniel Pacheo from Liverpool and also a young lad from Arsenal. I also recruited Darius Vassel who was a free agent aswell as bringing in Millwall frontman; Neil Harris.

Looking to achieve promotion to the Premier League in 2012, which will be my second season, then hopefully one of the big clubs will come sniffing!

Thanks its been very helpful!!!

Got FM2011 for Christmas, so have started a game as Stranraer in Scottish Division 3.

Still getting to grips with it but pre-season has started well with a couple of wins over teams from higher leagues. Fingers crossed I can pick up one of the Old Firm as a parent club and get some decent loan players in, as I've no transfer budget and I'm already at my wage limit.

I've started a career on FM11 after getting it from Santa. I must say it runs like a dream compared to previous versions. So silky smooth and so responsive. On the same PC FM09 and FM10 chug away and have noticable delays post click, but there is none of that on this one.

Everything seems better so far. Contract negotiations are more realistic and I love the ability to chat with your players. I started off as Everton with a £2m transfer budget and about £30k in the wage budget left. After sacking a few members of backroom staff and paying fees for their replacements I thought I would only be able to dabble in the loan market. However after spotting that I needed a right winger I clicked on Landon Donavan to see if he was available for loan so I could pick him up in January like Everton did. There was a button to approach the board about signing him. Kenwright got on the task and snapped him up for me as I told him he was vital to me achieving the goals the board had set. That is a ridiculously superb addition to the game. I guess you will only be able to do this so many times but it's a fantastic and realistic (Well, apart from old Bill pulling off a deal) addition. In previous games I was always really annoyed when a fantastic player was available for a great price, but you couldn't sign him because you didn't have any funds available to spend, despite there being £30m in the bank.

Just got FM11 and noticed three familiar names in the Chesterfield U18s. One, Jordan Burrow was in my brother's year at primary school, Jack Waddle, son of Chris who goes to my old school, and another lad in his year, Sam West, who's sister is my sister's best mate.

That said, a girl who was in my year is the younger sister of Michael & Rory Boulding.