I've only just upgraded to this after getting a better computer.

Took on the Newcastle job and immediately sacked the Physio's!! Recruite two excellent replacements so I expect the injuries to be few and far between.

I've only just got through the first half of the first season so I've not tried to disrupt things too much, but I've assessed the squad and relaise that I need better players.

Anyone got any good recommendations? Lua-Lua is average but I've tried to sign him anyway!!

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Answers

Is it the latest 2000/01 version you have? If so I'm re -starting my Championship manager notice board. I've never been too good but in the latest version I won the league in my first season (and second) , now into the third and going for a third championship as well as doing well in Europe.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

No problem. I won the FA Cup in my first year and finished in a respectable 9th. Players to snap up ASAP [and mostly cheap]:

Frederic Lazzeri, Mads Jorgensen [Rik's fave], Sharbel Touma, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Zlatan Muslimovic, Kennedy Bakirchoglu [something like that] and Fatih Dincer. All young and all first teamers.

have fun

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Mads Jorgensen has just signed for the mackem filth!

Sharbel Touma has been a target of mine for the season so far!

Kennedy Bakirchoglu, I've just signed him for 1.5 million rising to 2 mill on appearances.

The version I'm playing is 99-00 not the new one. I'm about 13th in the league and out of Europe and the Worthless Cup but still in the FA. I have a few decent youngsters on the books like Hayden Mullins, Neil Clement (RB from Chelsea) and Clinton Morrison. Maric seems to play well up front alongside Shearer but as he is valued at over 9 million he may well have to be sold.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

I could never quite win the Champ in 99/00 - Scum always clinched it. Did win the FA Cup in season 1 though, and later reached the Champs League Final. I remember I had Touma, Barry Ferguson, Simon Davies, Dyer in midfield, Sigporsson, Shearer, Jeffers up front...can't remember the rest.
Anyway, in 00/01 I decided to manage England for a change. I did cheat by replaying a quarter-final against Russia, but otherwise I won the World Cup fair and square! it was a weird one, all the big teams got knocked out so I had relatively easy matches. My group consisted of England, Scotland, USA and South Korea! Beat Czech Rpub 2-0 in the final (Owen brace). They had their keeper sent off. My first choice World Cup side was: . Martyn
. Woodgate.......Southgate........Duberry
Beckham.......Ince.........Bowyer.......Eadie
. Dyer
. Phillips.......Owen

I know, I know, Eadie?! He was bloody great. Sometimes played Bridges instead of Phillips.
I think there's more of a random element in the new version, so recommending players doesn't always work. But have a look at Tonton Moukoko(sp?) - he was always a belter in prev versions, and Matthew Etherington's great down the left.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

ah Sigporsson - yeah, he's class as well. I'm still playing the 99/00 version as well cos i've got a Mac and they don't sell "soccer' games for the mac over here as far as i can tell. Might ask one of you lovely people in the UK to post the upgrade over though.....;)

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

As yr playing the old one, De B, look at Simon Davies (careful, there are two in the game) and Sigporsson (it's not a 'p', it's a Scando 'th' letter). Of course, it depends how far in you are. if it's too late Davies will cost a fortune. I agree about Maric - was forced to sell for £10m to Parma as he wanted a new challenge! I wish I could remember who else I signed...sure I had some great defenders but I haven't got a clue who now. Oh hang on, there was a young Italian LB/CB...oh pods, what was his name? I played three at the back, Pistone did pretty well, think I kept Goma...oh sod, what was that other lad's name? I kept Given and Harper, Barton went back to Wimbledon, Dabz (rubbish) and Ferguson went to Leeds and were shite, Lee went to Rushden & Diamonds for £100k! Erm...signed Etherington to back up Touma down the left..God, who did I have down the right? Not Nobby, he was pants. Oh, i signed Ljungberg but he never quite cut it. Oh hang on, I signed a keeper too - someone dead good from Div 1 who I got quite cheap cos he walked out on his club when they refused to sell...can't remember his sodding name either but run some past me and I might remember!
Sorry for the ramble - must be going senile.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Andy O Brien at Bradford? That Lazzeri's Italian as well - at Torino I think. I bought Davies [from Peterborough] but he's been causing trouble cos i fined Nobby for shirking in a couple of games and he got the huff. took a few players with him as well.

Paul Robinson at Watford's a good buy as well. Sebastien Frey in goal [ever let me down since the days of CM 96/97 but Harper and Given are doing well at the moment.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

It wasn't Lazzeri that I signed...though it may have been another double-'z'-er! That's going to drive me mad now. I erased the game too cos it kept crashing and I got the new one. Wish I could remember that keeper too. I know Robert Douglas used to be good. ooh, ooh, I've got one! Willie Howie - top Scottish midfielder. Give him a couple seasons mind as he's only 18 at the start, but play him in the hole and he's bloody great.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Won Both cups and finished 2nd to Liverpool in 1st season. Have bought few european players, (so havnt got contract worries) but trying to buy Titus Bramble, and he wants to come but bloomin IT wont sell.

I find a 4-1-2-1-2 formation is good at home and a 5-4-1 away .

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Kennedy Bakirchoglu is a must, also try an Incelandic Andri Sigporson (sp) who turns out to be a star. Keep Maric and play him upfront or as an AM C. Others to buy are Etherington, seth Johnston – get Wright in goal from Ipswich using the relegation release clause. I managed to get Giggs from Manure for £6m after an injury. Keep Goma & howey does well as a DMC.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Howey Maric?? .... oooops sorry im playing 00-01 version..

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

I seem to remember I released a few reserves early on - including Ameobi, who was listed as a right-back!

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Steve Caldwell was a goalkeeper and a crap one at that, his brother Gary is a left back and is also pretty poor. Ameobi is not that good and will be allowed to leave on a free, Coppinger is injury prone in a big way and will be released, McClen had an attitude problem and got fined. Does anyone else fine players? I fined Barton for turning up late for training and he has been unhappy ever since! I also fined Ferguson for poor performances!

I have sacked all the scouts and recruited a better crop with the results being immediately shown. I've also just released Steve Clarke and hired an excellent if unproven Assistant Manage from Holland who speaks English, his stats are as good as any I have seen so far.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

The 00/01 editor is quite informative when you search on players who love the Toon and hate the scum down the road. Also has Roy Keane down as someone Newcastle hate!

Had real problems with Dyer - Chelsea stuck in an £11m bid which I turned down and he just became unhappy because I wouldn't let him go (sniped at me as he left for Celtic - well no bugger in the Premiership is going to have him).

I'm playing the standard 3-5-2 Attacking movement, haven't bought anyone yet - I'm playing the Bobby Robson no cash from the board version. Beat the Mackems 4-0 (which was nice).

So who's this versions Robbie Keane then?

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Do you mean Robbie Keane is a wonder boy in the 99-00 version? I think we need a new thread to avoid this 99-00 and 00-01 confusion!

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Coppinger seemed to do ok-ish from what I could see (I kept on eye on our results while managing England!) in 00/01. Certainly in 99/00 none of the reserves really made it, except a lad called Carl Robinson who I think, unfortunately, was computer generated. One of these ones who gets promoted from the Academy about once a season. He went on to play in the CL aged 18 when a fixture screw-up meant about ten of my players were on intnl duty.
Oh, Martin Rowlands. He's another one who does well in 99/00. See, they're gradually coming back to me.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Kieron Dyer seems an excellent player in CM99-00, regularly bosses the midfield with Speed at at the moment and scores a few.

I guess I'll end up selling him for double figures (millions!) but that's the nature of the game I think. Buy cheap sell expensive and keep the board happy with decent performances. They won't increase the stadium size though!

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Robbie Keane was the dogs in CM3 I didn't get any of the new releases bar 00/01. I've been playing the original for the past 8 years too (oh the days of staying in the Four Seasons for an all week Champ Man session instead of lectures still brings a tear to my eye :-))

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Championship Manager was the main reason why our whole household got 2.2 degrees and not 2.1's!

I've only just got the 99-00, so the CM2 has been banished for the time being although it may re-appear!

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Piece of piss -------------- Started playing the latest version about a month ago now. I've only been at Cardiff. Heres the record, 3rd Div Champions; 2nd Div Champs; 1st Div Champs and League cup winners, FA Cup runner up; Currently half way through my first premiership season I'm still in all my cups and second in the table. I HAVENT CHEATED.

TIPS -------- 1. Dont trust your scouts recomendations, but instead check the clubs player stats of the player he has recomended, and put the best on your short list, you sometimes find gems for as low as £50000.

2. Always buy players with a high average rating ratio, Man of the match Ratio, Goals and assists ratio.

3. Try to buy all your attack minded midfield players+15, with high technique, flair, dribbling, creativity, passing and are either footed.

4. Try to buy all your strikers +15, High finishing, off the ball, Technique, Flair, either footed if possible

5. Try to buy all your Central Defenders 15+, Anticipation, decisions, MARKING, POSITIONING, JUMPING, HEADING, (MORGAN @ BARNSLEY) either footed if poss.

6. Try to buy all your fullbacks 15+, MARKING, POSITIONING, CROSSING, STAMINA, technique.

7. Never play a constant rotation, only rotate if needed, eg. a player needs a rest. Go with your winning team as much as possible.

Tactics ---------- I use the tactic 4 at the back-1anchor man -3central midfielders- 2strikers

The full back are encouraged to go forward by one line each. As are my central midfielders.

My team instructions are to play direct, and leave out pressing, offside, and just tackle normal. In the latest edition you can give your team an attacking, defensive or neutral mentality, when away I play neutral, and when at home and playing a shite team I play attack -simple.

Also dont be afraid to give individual players instructions on your tactics.

Allow all your players on the individual instructions part 'even including the Goal keeper' to play through balls and tackle hard! And if a player can pass +15 make him pass short etc.

Always check your oppositions player stats, on a mode average basis there is about 3 players worth marking, however on some games there is none.

And then bring continuous championships to your teams.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2001

Yeh very good and all well enough if you've got 00-01 edition ;-)

I was playing last night and being new to the fining players lark I got a bit carried away and fined reserve player Knight (AMC) a total of four weeks for showing a bad attitude towards training. Couple with a couple of earlier spats with the players, the Board 'had a word' with me saying I should be more lenient!

Just as well I've started making inroads into the UEFA qualifying places, which hey recognised in their confidence update, or I reckon I might have been out of the door. I'm still learning! This is one game where you can impose some sort of managerial style on the game, impressive.

They still won't increase the size of the stadium though!

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

4.11 a.m. (I know cos I made a point of looking at the clock) that Italian defenders name finally came back to me - Luca Mezzano. I think he cost me about £2.5m, v good as CB in a back three, also plays LB.
My other big signing I forgot about - Roy Makaay - £9m from Deportivo in season 1, still in the b&w five years later when the program crashed. Reliable right winger if not setting the world alight, regular in Holland squad most of the time, can also play up front.
Tactics: I always end up going back to Attacking 3-5-2. Seems best in the long run - had some disasters with 4-4-2. At home/against weak teams/all the time if yr adventurous play the 3-5-2 Att, but push the wingers up to their 4-4-2 Att positions in the final square - ie right to the byline. I played Dyer in behind and generally gave him a free role. Give two of the back three man-marking, and keep them back at set-pieces in case you get turned over in a counter-attack. everyone else except the front three on zonal marking.
Discpline: I always fined players who were sent off - otherwise what's the dismissal in prior match option for? Bobby might want to consider that at the moment. Don't fine players who are late for training or poor in training unless they reoffend, which I find they generally dont. I always fine players for a poor performance if they rate 5 or less. Only once has a player complained about this. So 'Master' - most of your valuable advice seems to boil down to 'buy players that are good'!;@)

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

NB All the above applies to Champ Man 99/00, may not be appropriate in the new one (though similar tactics have worked for me with England in 00/01).

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

Cm99-00

I spent the majority of last night recruiting a number of excellent young English players as well as Sigporsson who seems excellent after a couple of reserve games and will be in the first team before long.

Do you take control of the reserves? I find it frustrating that I buy an excellent player and the person who controls the reserves picks Garry Brady instead of him. The reserves have been thrashing other teams recently (Derby 6-2!).

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

I generally did take control of the reserves, it's useful if boring at times - I did tend to play the matches on v fast. the worst thing is if you want to use a player in the 1st team, forget to take him out of the reserve squad and he automatically plays the night b4 you big game. Grr. If you haven't looked at Simon Davies and Willie Howie yet, get stuck in. And Moukoko(sp). I never signed him but wished I had, he seems to change clubs every season as he demands a minimum fee clause, so try and avoid that if you sign him.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

Reserves: yeah, i did, but only cos i had to. You need an assistant manager who you can trust, similar ideas on tactics and formations. Set up the system you want to play, select a few reserve games and see what happens....and get rid of Brady as soon as you can!

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

No ffferrr wants him. He's been on three month loan deals and everything! I even got rid of Perez before Xmas.

Does the game decree that your assistant manager controls the reserve team? If so this new Dutch fella has all the credentials to be allowed to get on with it.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

I'm pretty sure that's what he's there for. A good indicator is if he starts telling you people are hard to motivate or such and such should be given an extended run in the first team or someone turned up late...stuff like that. If you aren't getting those and the morale of players in the reserves is low, get shot of him.....Mind you, it could be the overall backroom team not blending together well. I've always been reluctant to change it too much in the first season. Just shuffle them around [coach/scout] rather than scrap the lot cos they know the current playing staff and tactics etc

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

Too late, wholesale changes have been made. The backroom staff were, on paper, pretty useless and Clarke's stats were akin to a 3rd Div coach. This first season I am building up the squad with the depth to challenge the top teams in the next season.

Having quality staff will prove to be rewarding in the long run I reckon. I haven't been getting any messages from the Reserve Manager so I don't know who he is! I'll give it time though as the reserves have only recently included some decent youngsters.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

I binned all the coaches over a two/three year period except Alan Carver and one other (surprise surprise I can't remember who) Only kept them cos I couldn't find decent replacements. I brought in Steve Gritt (poor rep but great stats - though that is a slightly dodgy recruitment policy) Terry Burton (before anyone had heard of him) and Tommmy Svensson as assistant manager. Top appointment. I brought in another Swedish coach whose name I can't remember - Glenn something I think (Stromberg?)- which is handy with having Touma and Ljungberg and a couple of Swedish young 'uns in the resorves, including Jonas Henriksson (sp) who was a bit of a waste of cash. I think with maximum coaching appointments I gave each coach three areas of responsibility, which meant each area had at least two coaches working on it. That seemed to work v well - keep most players on General training and with good staff you'll do ok.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

Since I have appointed those new coaches and the Assistant Manager the team have started to perform much better and seem to respond to going a goal down much better.

One reason why CM3 is so much better than CM2.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2001

Anyone bought Sven Flodström, a striker in the lower leagues in Sweden? Great buy if your in charge of a small club! The lads a both footed goal machine, play him and Richard Tracey up front and your laughing. Good young Sven scored 47 goals in 55 games for me like, and I only payed £75000 for him. If I was a salesman I would boast 'only £74999.' Strangley he seems to score more if you play him on the left of your front two. He also 'significantly' had a 100% goal record at his previous club, like.

Does anyone know of any more bargain gems, for small clubs?

Do none of you not think its kind of shite starting at a big club??

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001

Unfortunetly this Thread will expire in a few days. Could some of you post some of you tips and tactics on my CM2000/1 Noteboard@ CM2000 hints directory That way they wont expire. BTW I got Robbie keane last time I played, he dosen't seem as good as he used to be. MIDWAY THROUGH THE THIRD SEASON, HAVING WON THE LEAGUE IN THE LAST TWO. Still playing to over 70,000 fans in an enlarged St James' park . I am in third place, Tonton Zola Mokuku and Simeone Inzahgi are scoring hatfulls,Mads Joergenson is a megastar and Jamie McClen, Dyer and Bassedas are a brilliant central midfield, but at the back Titus Bramble isn't doing too well, and I've had some bad luck this season. I also probably need a decent lefback. Any sugestions?

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001

Paul Robinson from Watford. brilliant

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001

Icelandic centre forward sigporsson or something. Dirt cheap and he's a goal machine. Also signed a Swedish midfielder called Par Karlosn (or something like that) and he's scored 12 goals in 15 games (attacking left midfielder) I think Bobby should have a look at this guy :)

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001

Whats happening at the gallowgate Kegsy?

Still cannot access from home or work.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

Rik,

Is there some way that you can differentiate between Cm99-00 and CM00- 01 on the discussion board? There needs to be some sort of clarification because as you well know some players are not as good in different versions. Look at Neil Lennon from the first edition of CM2!

T.Smith.

Having just got the game I follow the natural instinct which tells me I should lead Newcastle to glory. Once I fail miserably and get sacked I'll normaly go straight to Northampton Town or something!

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

Kegsy - re: Sigporsson - look further up the thread. Well, all the enthusiasm on here got me playing again last night for the first time in a few weeks (still managing England). I won a friendly in Holland with my man Darren Eadie getting the winner!
Though I'm not club managing, I'm keeping eye on good players for when I start a new game with NUFC. The following might be worth looking at depending where you are in 00/01 (bear in mind I'm now at October 2002): Mark Lynch (Man U RB), Andy Walton (young Blackburn striker), Leon Britton (I kid you not - young West Ham(?) striker) and Helder Postiga (there's an accent on the 'e' so just search for Postiga), young Portuguese dynamo! Again, I think the game engine randomises a bit more in 00/01 so I don't know how valuable player tips are...

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

De Builder, I tend to think you have to earn the right to manage the mighty. So I usually take charge of the toon 3/4 seasons down my career path etc, the best comes to those who wait.

Rik, Have you tried Steve Stas, or Ulrik Laursen (Hibernians MALTA, not hibs scotland, nice and cheap with great attributes, and class stat ratios). I also think ****Chris Morgan**** plays at left back too as well as center half.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

Interesting weekend on Championship Manager.

Brady felt he was having trouble getting motivated for training, which despite having motivating coaches, I thought a bit poor from the lad and duly fined him a weeks wages. Three other players got pissed off with me for that one.

Griffin wants a new contract, is unhappy about the Brady treatment and feels that despite a budget of £39,000 a week, the club cannot meet his demands for a new contract. Cheeky get will have to sort himself out.

Sigporrson is a very good striker!

Dyer is an England regular and I have already had a couple of press reports linking him with moves to Leeds and Liverpool. Thankfully he just signed a new contract on very decent wages (about £15,000 per week) so if he has to go then I won't hold up his career but he seems happy to stay and I'm glad because he's excellent.

Gary Speed wants to move to a bigger club but no-one has bid for him yet!

Hayden Mullins has taken over from Complacent Barton at right back and Warren is no longer complacent!

I really want to sign Bassedas as his stats are excellent, very expensive though. Faber from PSV is also excellent and would be a terrific acquisition if I could persuade PSV to sell.

I finished the first season in 11th with two decent cup runs but no trophies, familiar. The Board have faith in my ability to carry out the job. I just need to be able to sign a couple of top-class players and the side is ready to mount a challenge. Interesting times.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001

00-01 game - Martin Rowlands from Brentford is a decent purchase - AM R/L/C.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001

Anyone got any tips for sorting out unhappy players who are "unhappy at treatment of teammate"? I fined Brady and another four or five players got the hump.

Griffin and Harper want new contracts and don't believe that the club can meet their demands, despite having a wage budget of £44,000 a week.

Bassedas still won't sign and I am going to have to sell Dyer before long as he is getting unhappy about my unwillingness to sell him.

Started off the new season in great form and I am looking to get a European place this year, hopefully with a couple of additions to the squad.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

I just got beaten my a team that I don't want to repeat and by a score which was exceptionally painful and I know it's only a game but bloody hell. Anyway, I fined four players two weeks wages for below average performances and then got a warning from the chairman. So in answer to your question DB no.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

Oh I've had the warning from the Chairman weeks ago. This is fresh doo-doo I'm walking in here. Brady has now been given a free transfer (Are you reading Bobby?) but the select few are still pissed off. The only measure I have is fining them but I'm not about to try that again.

The contract thing really gets me. Griffin is being a total arse about it all and I've never treated him badly by promising him anything more than he gets. Any contract I offer him is not good enough and I don't see a way round this. Quite frustrating.

At least it's only a game. Bobby has these problems in big doses at the moment.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

BTW, I drew 1-1 at a certain shit ground with that certain team after going 1-0 down, so I thought that wasn't bad! They've got that Mads Jorgensen bloke who is excellent too!

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

I managed to flog Marcelino to Tenerife, despite the fact he didn't want to miss out on UEFA by putting him in the reserves and telling him he was unwanted.

you could try playing them on the bench (if they're not already) and leave it a few weeks before offering them again. Also I don't think you can fine a player for not signing a contract that might send the wrong impressions, but I suppose you could save the game and then fine them and if you get sacked you can just go back to where you were.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

I've decided to keep Marcellino for the moment, until I can secure a really top class CB to replace him. I've still got Dumas who is being selected for the French squad regularly.

I've started to play Griffin and even Des Hamilton every now and then but it is taking a while for them to see the errors of their ways. I don't think a spell back in the reserves would do them any good either, tricky one. I'll just leave it for a few weeks.

I'm trying to sign O'Brien from Bradford a CB, looks a very good player.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

By the way, whoever suggested Etherington and Davies were spot on. Thank you. I have a problem in goal and defence as well but I think I keep changing the team too much.
Goma is the consistent star in defence for me.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

If you are looking for a decent younf right back try Clement from Chelsea or you can buy Hayden Mullins from Palace who can do a job there and also in midfield.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

Kegsy,

I popped home at lunchtime saved the game fined Griffin two weeks wages, got another message (bollocking) from the board and Griffin gets more pissed off. So I turned it off.

What gets me is that he has no reason to be hacked off in the first place. He was labelled a hot prospect not a first team regualr or even first team back up, and suddenly he comes in with this lot. I have to remember to keep the game away from reality as I could learn to really hate Griffin and love Barton?

I'm going to have to sell Dyer before long now, just have to make sure I get big money for him.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

DeB,

Frey is worth a punt. Stop fining people - only when they get sent off or is they're late for training or can't get motivated and then only fine them for a week. I've just restarted as manager of Peterborough - they;ve got plenty of decent cheap players.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

I only fine them when they are late for training more than once. I don't fine them for getting sent off as I see that more of my responsibility to sub them if I think they will get sent off.

Who is Frey and what does he do. Is it Sebastian Frey?

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

The very same....know what you mean about fining but they're getting paid enough....;)) life reflects virtual reality?

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

My championship winning side is no more. I was onto the final of the Champs League in my third season, and going for a third championship on the trot. Then During an autosave the computer locked up. Now when I try to load the save game I get an error and a debug message.

Anyone know if the file cane be fixed?

I've gone back to an older saved version and Its at the end of the first season. Two of the players that I had in my later game aren't interested in coming any more. Still I can always stat again with all the tips off this thead.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

This thread seems to be diminishing in numbers?

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

Rik - I had the same thing (on 99/00) after about 3 seasons. Had to give up and uninstall.
De B or whoever was asking about fining: as min says, stop doing it! I'm not surprised you get the players and board pissed off! I fine on the following basis: 1 week's wages for a sending off (only once has a player been unhappy about this) and one week for poor performance in previous game - i.e. if a player plays at least an hour and rates 5 or less, fine them. Again, they nearly always accept it and promise to motivate themselves. The only time I wouldn't do this is if I've had to throw in a youngster against Real Madrid or something. Then you've got to give them some leeway! Late for training /poor attitude with no explanation - ignore it. If they do it again, fine them one week's wages. Thereafter, try changing the training schedule they're on or transfer list them. If players go AWOL - that would never happen in real life, ha ha - fine them every week's wages that they're missing.
Keeping players happy in general: don't give them an unrealistic squad status, and if offers come in for players you don't want to sell, don't make them public. If the player still gets pissed off at not being able to move clubs, leave it a couple of weeks to see if they calm down. If not, transfer list them but at a value well in excess of the previous offer.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

Looks like Griffin is going on an intensive goalkeeping training session then!

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001

One way that you may be able to keep players that you don't want to sell is to renew their contract with a clause that you will accept all offers over 15 million or something. I always do that with my good players and I've never had them get upset with me because I won't sell them. It may only work with me but it's worth a try.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001