Okay, here’s my take on “brighton football manager 2024”, written from the perspective of a seasoned blogger sharing their personal experience:
Alright, so I finally caved and grabbed Football Manager 2024. Been a fan of the series forever, but this year, I decided to do something a little different. I went with Brighton.
The Start
I’d normally go for the Arsenal(COYG!),but after seeing Brighton in the Premier League and that cool playstyle that De Zerbi brought, I figured, “Why not?” Plus, I was ready for challenge. The expectations weren’t sky-high like with a top-six club, but they weren’t rock-bottom either. Just right for a solid, season-long project, I thought.
First Steps: The Squad
First thing I did was dive into the squad. Gotta see what you’re working with, right? I will say it, I already like the club, so many young talents and a good bunch of experienced players. I immediately spotted a few guys I thought could be key: Evan Ferguson, obviously, such a great player. Then you’ve got Pervis Estupiñán bombing down the left, and I figured I could get a lot out of Pascal Groß in midfield.
Tactics Time
Tactically, I wanted to stick with something that felt “Brighton.” They’re known for playing good football, keeping possession, so I went with a 4-2-3-1. Pretty standard, but I tweaked it a bit:
- High Press: I really wanted to win the ball back quickly.
- Short Passing: Keep it neat, keep it tidy. No hoofball here.
- Work Ball Into Box: I didn’t want my guys just blasting shots from miles out. Patience, build-up, then strike.
I will not lie, It took a few friendlies to get it right. There was a LOT of shouting at the screen, I admit. But eventually, we started to click.
Transfer Market Shenanigans
Now, the transfer market. That’s where the real fun (and frustration) begins. Brighton’s got a decent budget, but not a “splash the cash” kind of budget. I focused on a few key areas:
- A Backup Striker: Just in case Ferguson got injured.
- Another Winger: Because you can never have too many wingers in FM, am I right?
- Maybe a Young Center-Back: For the future.
I ended up bringing in a couple of promising youngsters and a solid, experienced striker on loan. Didn’t break the bank, but I felt like I’d strengthened the squad.
The Season Unfolds
So, the season started. And it was… a rollercoaster. Some amazing wins, some frustrating draws, and the occasional “what the heck just happened?!” defeat. Classic FM.
The first few matches were very difficult. Then I tweaked the tactics and training, and that helped alot. Ferguson was banging in goals, Estupiñán was a beast on the left, and Groß was pulling the strings in midfield. But the defense… oh, the defense. That was a constant headache. I switched between formations, tried different center-back pairings, but we always seemed to leak goals.
Mid-Season Madness
Mid-season, I hit a bit of a rough patch. Injuries piled up, a few key players lost form, and the board started getting antsy. I had to dig deep, change tactics, and even had a couple of team meetings to try and boost morale.
Luckily, I turned it around. A few tactical tweaks, a couple of lucky wins, and we were back on track.
The Final Stretch
Coming down the final stretch, it was tight. We were battling for a European spot, which was way above expectations. Every game felt like a cup final. I was sweating bullets, yelling at my players, and probably annoying my neighbors.
In the end, it all came down to the last game of the season… And guess what? I bottled it. Yep, classic me. We needed a win to secure a Europa League spot, and i drew. But I ended up securing a Conference League spot. Disappointing, but still a good season overall.
Lessons Learned
So, what did I learn from my Brighton save?
- Patience is Key: Don’t expect instant results. It takes time to build a team and implement your tactics.
- Trust the Youngsters: Brighton has some amazing young talent. Give them a chance, and they’ll surprise you.
- Defense Wins Championships: Or at least gets you into Europe. I need to figure out that defense next season.
Overall, it was a blast. Frustrating, yes, but also incredibly rewarding. Would I recommend a Brighton save? Absolutely. It’s a great challenge, and they’re a fun team to manage. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to start planning for season two…
