St Helens FC

I have lost count the amount of times I have restarted this game, but I thought that I would start one more St Helens FC game before I lock the 09 disk in the draw of forgotten games, then I most probably will start it all over again for FM2010. I do enjoy starting with a blank canvas seeing if I can compete with the power houses of the Premier League on a modest budget, demanding Russian chairman and a non-existent Premiership reputation. Building a squad that then you feel is yours and a relationship builds between your virtual team.

St Helens is back and at FM-View, for the next two months at least. Hopefully now with a little more experience of 09 I will be able to put that to good use in order to pick out the best players in the game and a chance to win a cup or two, but I won’t be holding my breath as this game does take time before success comes about and I have had limited amount of time this year to get to grips with this great game.

So setting up the game it is basically down to have some realistic aims for this game, the first being avoiding the drop, my first attempt at the game the bugs in the database and the FM game meant that it can be hard to set up finances within the game that actually with translate when playing, it is simply not a case of sticking in millions and millions into the balance. Instead a fine balance needs to be found which I haven’t found just yet in setting the balance and the transfer budget within the editor. These bugs put the club in a financial spiral and administration giving me docked points and sending me down before  an investor saved the day to help us compete in the Championship.

I am looking for big names that can fit into the Premiership straight away to keep up a float, as obviously there is no time for players to sit around developing, they will be thrown into the deep of a relegation battle, meaning gelling quickly is a must. Mixture of old and young will be needed to give balance to the squad and a little depth to cope with injuries, not an easy challenge with only weeks before the first game against my supported team Liverpool FC, an easy game to introduce ourselves to the Premiership. So the first major move will obviously be for a scout that will help me make any important decisions.

At the start of the game I have a players in mind the first one being my biggest target.

David Beckham

We all know that Becks has still got what it takes to play at the highest levels in the European game, he might not have pace he might not be getting any younger. But has he ever been any of these two things? with amazing technical skills, able to take free kicks and cross the ball to within a blade of grass he will be an ideal starting point for this ambitious project. if I am manage to persuade such a big player to the club it will make a moment of intent and bring a very good captain into the club early to drive the team on.

Davide Santon

There hasn’t been a game that I haven’t bought him, even when I started at AC Milan he was one of the first players I ever bought, making the unpopular move from Inter. Even at 17 he is still a good starter for any lower Premier League side giving much in terms attacking spirit when playing as a forward as well as a defending the same position when as upon with his pace, skill and ability to cross a ball.

Vincent Enyeama

It is so important to get someone between the sticks that will give the defense confidence, a good keeper can save 12 valuable points a season, the difference between going up and down. The Nigerian is still a youngster so he will be a good place to start with trying to build a defense.

Other targets include Palacios, Riquelme and Buonanotte.

So with the team ready and setup a player yet to sign, it will be a exciting two game months.