I mean, if Zealand couldn't save it, and you don't think WorkTheSpace could do it, you really only have one option, Ben. You have to turn to the dark side: ask Lollujo.
What is amusing is that Lollujo usually has success (hence having to handicap his current saves) without paying the slightest bit of attention to attributes, stats, or personalities. If you're under 26 and you've got at least 2.5 stars current ability and 4+ stars potential, you're in. Which begs the question why does anyone else bother?
It would be so interesting if you sent the save to Zealand or any other fm youtuber and you both played through the season 10 matches at a time and comparing how youre getting on at every interval.
Fair play to you sticking with it, I gave up with the database after getting stuck in the vanerama south for 3 seasons. There are tier 10 databases out there that dont have the October season start date after the first season and it really makes a huge difference with how the game plays but the main problem is the way game handles player controlled clubs that come up from a lower league. Every club in tier 6 and above is professional, even clubs that get promoted with you from tier 7 to 6 magically are able to go professional. Yet player run clubs need a huge amount of money to do it, and even then you can have millions in the bank and the board reject it as they want to establish themselves in the division first. Without proper training players just dont have the fitness to compete at that level Reputation is also broken, you are now an established Vanarama national side, your reputation should be the same as other teams but it wont be, if you check with an editior it will be a lot lower than most of the teams the tier below. This not only makes it harder to sign players but your sponsorship income is nowhere near what it should be. Reputation just doesn’t go up as quickly as it should Then there are player signings. Something has changed in a recent patch and its annoying. I have started 4 saves in FM21 playing as Great Yarmouth a tier 10 side gave up on 3 of them due to database issues and lack of newgens but current save just hit League 2 after a lucky playoff promotion from national league. Being in the arse end of nowhere its incredibly hard to sign players as a non professional club but I could always raid the released players from Norwich, Ipswich, Luton and Peterborough and in the 3 previous saves could easily sign 5 or 6 players even at the start of the second season once they had been released. Come January transfer window majority of them left for free but it gave me a massive boost in the first half of the season. In my latest save, first season got 8 players in, then there was a patch and since then have signed about 3 players this way in a total of 5 seasons and just couldn’t get anyone to come in even on trial until I hit vanarama north. Even as a league 2 side I could get players in on trial, offer them professional contracts and then watch in horror as they signed a part time contract for a club a couple of tiers down. And then there is my main gripe with transfers. Find a player that looks reasonably good, not great but would improve the team. Nobody is interested in him, offer a good contact and then 3 days later suddenly its raining offers and he buggers off elsewhere to sit in a reserve team. I have tested this with a player that nobody wanted, tried to sign them and then 7 other clubs suddenly wanted him and he went elsewhere, so I reloaded the save to before I approached him and then went on holiday for a year. When I got back from holiday the player had retired at 22 due to no clubs signing him. The transfer window at start of season is now painful as its no longer a case of eyeing up a handful of players you basically have to try and sign everyone and hope for the best. I keep seeing people telling you where to find players, which was all well and good a few weeks ago but the state the game is in now it just doesn’t matter where you look any player you try and sign will inevitably end up somewhere else Whats happening with lower league clubs is more realistic in terms of progressing through the leagues and I am all for making it a bit more challenging rather than just storm your way to the premier league but the way the game is achieving this is to tie both hands behind your back, blindfold you then shoot you in a knee. Its funny watching lollujo have the same problems with his new USA save only its hit him much lower down the structure and he deliberately made his club have the worst reputation in the league and he is yet to realise the pain he ios going to face in a couple of years time when he hits the league with all the acadamies in it, at least you werent stupid enough to send new signings on language courses to learn cockney! I guess this is now the state of the game until FM 22 comes out. I do love this game but every transfer window recently feels like it could be my last as I feel the fun has just been removed from the game. Long rant, TLDR its not you its the game
I used a flat 4-3-3 like this in the non-leagues in FM20 with some good success, but found it didn't work anywhere near as well in FM21. My advice for this year's game is to use a flat 4-4-2 - fairly direct style, focus on physicality (particularly pace) in your forwards, get yourself some CBs with height (for set pieces) and pace (to play a high-ish line). Your CMs should be workhorses, your FBs can be quite functional players, and your wingers should be good passers above all else. Also get one or two players who are decent at set-pieces if possible (particularly corner taking), and abuse the near-post corner routines and long-throw routines. You can find the players to do this on a non-league budget. Trial as many players as you can get away with and scout the league one and two teams for loans. You should be maxing out your loan allocation. I got out of the National League with Concord Rangers at the first attempt doing these things, with my highest paid player on £500 p/w. It can be done. I didn't have a striker as good as Cabbage either (he looks fantastic for this level). Good luck.
@@SirHubbo92 I thought he used the same attributes that he used with the original Thames. Must be hard finding a balance between making it an impossible challenge and making it too simple or easy
I have 3 tactics always planned but 3rd is for the absolute rare occasions. One against 'teams I should be beating' and the second is ''teams that are better than me ''
Here's another rubber ring, hopefully to augment the one Z threw you. Have you tried looking at the Gibraltar national teams, especially the youth ones. I found 3 gems in there that took me to the championship in my Billericay save and the bonus is they usual dont need WP's, also try Malta. I expect you've already tried the West Indies, but just in case, I'll mention it.
Not going to lie but I spent the first 5+ mins looking at you knowing something was different but not figuring out what until you brought up you were missing your headphones 😂
Really enjoyed this video, looking forward to the next season! Also, I checked out 20 good minutes, and positively got addicted to it. Really great and enjoyable discussions on interesting topics. Great to see your genuine friendliness and respect for Z too. You're making a fine duo. Ben, out of the past few years, I feel this one is your best yet! Up the Thames!
From my experience in recent fm games high lines, high intensity pressing, attacking mentality are the only real ways to be successful. Even if it doesn’t make sense for your team it’ll still work more often than not. I reckon you’ll do bits with a more gung ho approach.
So he's essentially fixing the problems with fire. Can't score? Pour on the offense!! Good on you Ben! I'd rather go down in blaze of goals than to try and build of wall of toothpicks. Can't wait for alter on today! This is probably the most interesting save in YT. Almost better than the original Thames.
I think the systems here look too complicated for the quality of the squad , I wouldn't even try that 433 as celtic in the spl , 441 looks a little better , I'd go 442 and buy a bean pole target man to try skip build up play ,this has really intrigued me I want to take up this challenge lol good luck
when i did a save in the lower league tier 10 i played friendlies against the big teams u18s and u23s still brings in decent money. more than i would have made against a lot of first teams in the higher leagues. its worth a check just for that extra monitory boost
I mean it takes...a LONG time for the team to get used to a new tactic when the club is only semi professional. We don't know what would have happened had you actually followed Zealand's advice. His advice was mainly for long term success, not the following eight games. The changes he wanted to make were mainly those which would help you next season.
Be a good idea for a series...Each season having a different creator be your Assistant and help with everything from transfers to formations. Could be chaos but also funny!
Can't help feeling you've called NO to early. He did say Summer is when you can do more. The scout budget was his suggestion, focussing loans of youth guys and loans in general... About his only suggestion not to pan out was the defensive approach and the lanky set piece guy. If this season ends up far better I'd say he may absolutely have saved you. The finances are only fixable by promotion realistically or takeover as you say, short of a wonderkid with a huge sell on coming good.
Looking promising Ben, I cant wait to slowly but surely be less and less optimistic as the season goes on. But nevertheless we hope and it is the hope that slowly kills us.
This is a tough league to escape from. I feel that you are overdue some luck too. Realistically, this team isn’t anywhere close to winning the league. However, a somewhat decent season could see you land in the POs. Then it’s an element of luck to escape.
Idk if someone already said this, but relegation might help out because then you’ll win the lower tier and pay off some of your debt, rinse and repeat Yeah i know it’ll take so long
If it hadn't been for the season starting in October you could just play friendlies earn money and spend your way out like in every other FM just blame covid it's just an interesting challenge in finding another way of doing it
Ben - it’s time to go hard or go home. The clubs debts will not change unless as you mentioned a takeover occurs - but even so, that doesn’t mean they will necessarily eradicate the whole debt the club presently has. From a gameplay perspective, you’ve got to attack, and a 4-3-3 is the perfect option complimenting your strike force and pace. Maybe consider also switching the middle CM to a CDM and allowing the other mids to push forward. Long balls forward are the best bet, especially considering your full backs crossing and passing. Keep an eye on the loan market, to see if any are potentially cancelled or come forward in months to come. Keep the faith, we are all behind you!
Can you not make v good money playing big teams Reserves? My Jersey Bulls side stayed afloat from pre-season with games vs Dinamo Res, Monaco Res & Roma Res.
This is why I'm dead against doing a save where a club starts from scratch. Levels 10-5 probably a piece of piss but when you get to the final hurdle of Non League football its a nightmare. No suprise if the club is already established over decades and decades and has a fanbase, it isn't going to much of a challenge if you're half decent at the game.
Have you tried getting a senior affiliate they have helped me with getting loanees who are good it has helped me before and I would also reccomend selling all your players to get new and better ones it has helped me a lot in my saves when I am struggling pretty much what u need is a new squad and money
Every time he has it comes up that they are unable to find an affiliate. I’ve had it myself that quite often I’m unable to find a senio affiliate. I think for Benjy the main issue is the database is a wee bit broken/buggy so has made things very difficult for him
New team, low attendance at games and no pre season against the likes of Arsenal. In my fm09 save i managed to keep dorchester town afloat with just the pre season big name games.
I have not been back for a couple months and at first I thought you either had plastic surgery or been doing serious face exercises. The headphones are part of your face now
I mean, if Zealand couldn't save it, and you don't think WorkTheSpace could do it, you really only have one option, Ben. You have to turn to the dark side: ask Lollujo.
😂😂😂😂
Yup
What is amusing is that Lollujo usually has success (hence having to handicap his current saves) without paying the slightest bit of attention to attributes, stats, or personalities. If you're under 26 and you've got at least 2.5 stars current ability and 4+ stars potential, you're in. Which begs the question why does anyone else bother?
nah man, need our lord and saviour, the one and only Loki Doki.
Lollujo can't get out of the 8th tier in his American save, lol.
You should get another content creator as an assistant manager every season too make them suffer along with you.
And they have to give the in-match instructions to Ben. ''We are overrun in midfield Ben!'' they would yell.
I think you should man mark their most athletic player
It would be so interesting if you sent the save to Zealand or any other fm youtuber and you both played through the season 10 matches at a time and comparing how youre getting on at every interval.
really good idea, id like to see outcome of that
Yeah didn't he do something similar with saving Villa a few years back? That was a lot of fun.
I honestly want to see a few other streamers play this next season themselves to compare to how yours goes.
I'm sooo invested in this save its actually insane.
A FA cup run to the 3rd round proper or a takeover will feel like a huge celebration
Most realistic playthrough of Football Manager ever lol.
Try the Irish League(republic) for players, most of the clubs are not full time professional and no work permits needed with Brexit
Plus it's a summer league, so you can get freebies for January
Loving the series mate, keep it up
Jack is sitting back saying "yes Ben, it doesn't matter how bad your team is go all out attack. Just go for it mate"
Fair play to you sticking with it, I gave up with the database after getting stuck in the vanerama south for 3 seasons. There are tier 10 databases out there that dont have the October season start date after the first season and it really makes a huge difference with how the game plays but the main problem is the way game handles player controlled clubs that come up from a lower league.
Every club in tier 6 and above is professional, even clubs that get promoted with you from tier 7 to 6 magically are able to go professional. Yet player run clubs need a huge amount of money to do it, and even then you can have millions in the bank and the board reject it as they want to establish themselves in the division first. Without proper training players just dont have the fitness to compete at that level
Reputation is also broken, you are now an established Vanarama national side, your reputation should be the same as other teams but it wont be, if you check with an editior it will be a lot lower than most of the teams the tier below. This not only makes it harder to sign players but your sponsorship income is nowhere near what it should be. Reputation just doesn’t go up as quickly as it should
Then there are player signings. Something has changed in a recent patch and its annoying. I have started 4 saves in FM21 playing as Great Yarmouth a tier 10 side gave up on 3 of them due to database issues and lack of newgens but current save just hit League 2 after a lucky playoff promotion from national league. Being in the arse end of nowhere its incredibly hard to sign players as a non professional club but I could always raid the released players from Norwich, Ipswich, Luton and Peterborough and in the 3 previous saves could easily sign 5 or 6 players even at the start of the second season once they had been released. Come January transfer window majority of them left for free but it gave me a massive boost in the first half of the season. In my latest save, first season got 8 players in, then there was a patch and since then have signed about 3 players this way in a total of 5 seasons and just couldn’t get anyone to come in even on trial until I hit vanarama north. Even as a league 2 side I could get players in on trial, offer them professional contracts and then watch in horror as they signed a part time contract for a club a couple of tiers down.
And then there is my main gripe with transfers. Find a player that looks reasonably good, not great but would improve the team. Nobody is interested in him, offer a good contact and then 3 days later suddenly its raining offers and he buggers off elsewhere to sit in a reserve team. I have tested this with a player that nobody wanted, tried to sign them and then 7 other clubs suddenly wanted him and he went elsewhere, so I reloaded the save to before I approached him and then went on holiday for a year. When I got back from holiday the player had retired at 22 due to no clubs signing him. The transfer window at start of season is now painful as its no longer a case of eyeing up a handful of players you basically have to try and sign everyone and hope for the best. I keep seeing people telling you where to find players, which was all well and good a few weeks ago but the state the game is in now it just doesn’t matter where you look any player you try and sign will inevitably end up somewhere else
Whats happening with lower league clubs is more realistic in terms of progressing through the leagues and I am all for making it a bit more challenging rather than just storm your way to the premier league but the way the game is achieving this is to tie both hands behind your back, blindfold you then shoot you in a knee.
Its funny watching lollujo have the same problems with his new USA save only its hit him much lower down the structure and he deliberately made his club have the worst reputation in the league and he is yet to realise the pain he ios going to face in a couple of years time when he hits the league with all the acadamies in it, at least you werent stupid enough to send new signings on language courses to learn cockney!
I guess this is now the state of the game until FM 22 comes out. I do love this game but every transfer window recently feels like it could be my last as I feel the fun has just been removed from the game.
Long rant, TLDR its not you its the game
This should have made a Reddit classic post
For a second this video almost felt like a passionate plea to the fans to donate money to keep the club afloat!
I used a flat 4-3-3 like this in the non-leagues in FM20 with some good success, but found it didn't work anywhere near as well in FM21. My advice for this year's game is to use a flat 4-4-2 - fairly direct style, focus on physicality (particularly pace) in your forwards, get yourself some CBs with height (for set pieces) and pace (to play a high-ish line). Your CMs should be workhorses, your FBs can be quite functional players, and your wingers should be good passers above all else. Also get one or two players who are decent at set-pieces if possible (particularly corner taking), and abuse the near-post corner routines and long-throw routines. You can find the players to do this on a non-league budget. Trial as many players as you can get away with and scout the league one and two teams for loans. You should be maxing out your loan allocation.
I got out of the National League with Concord Rangers at the first attempt doing these things, with my highest paid player on £500 p/w. It can be done. I didn't have a striker as good as Cabbage either (he looks fantastic for this level). Good luck.
Very promising Ben. Hope this season works out. If you can finish top half of even in play offs that would be amazing
The save isn't broken. The starting database is broken.
Thought this as well, I’d be fully ok with Ben starting again
Why is that?
@@Jonfunsms Probably wrong attributes about the club. Low fan attendence, low importance, etc...
@@SirHubbo92 I thought he used the same attributes that he used with the original Thames. Must be hard finding a balance between making it an impossible challenge and making it too simple or easy
@@syz88 exactly. I'm not judging it. It's really difficult to balance it on the FM Editor
I have 3 tactics always planned but 3rd is for the absolute rare occasions. One against 'teams I should be beating' and the second is ''teams that are better than me ''
Just organise as many friendlies as possible 4 games a week throughout pre season could bring in a fair bit of money
Here's another rubber ring, hopefully to augment the one Z threw you. Have you tried looking at the Gibraltar national teams, especially the youth ones. I found 3 gems in there that took me to the championship in my Billericay save and the bonus is they usual dont need WP's, also try Malta. I expect you've already tried the West Indies, but just in case, I'll mention it.
Not going to lie but I spent the first 5+ mins looking at you knowing something was different but not figuring out what until you brought up you were missing your headphones 😂
And still you missed he had a haircut. 😂
Really enjoyed this video, looking forward to the next season!
Also, I checked out 20 good minutes, and positively got addicted to it. Really great and enjoyable discussions on interesting topics. Great to see your genuine friendliness and respect for Z too. You're making a fine duo.
Ben, out of the past few years, I feel this one is your best yet!
Up the Thames!
Zealand gave you advice to evolve in the long term, mainly with the youth scouting. That's something you'll only notice in a few years.
From my experience in recent fm games high lines, high intensity pressing, attacking mentality are the only real ways to be successful. Even if it doesn’t make sense for your team it’ll still work more often than not. I reckon you’ll do bits with a more gung ho approach.
So he's essentially fixing the problems with fire. Can't score? Pour on the offense!! Good on you Ben! I'd rather go down in blaze of goals than to try and build of wall of toothpicks. Can't wait for alter on today!
This is probably the most interesting save in YT. Almost better than the original Thames.
I think the systems here look too complicated for the quality of the squad , I wouldn't even try that 433 as celtic in the spl , 441 looks a little better , I'd go 442 and buy a bean pole target man to try skip build up play ,this has really intrigued me I want to take up this challenge lol good luck
when i did a save in the lower league tier 10 i played friendlies against the big teams u18s and u23s still brings in decent money. more than i would have made against a lot of first teams in the higher leagues.
its worth a check just for that extra monitory boost
I mean it takes...a LONG time for the team to get used to a new tactic when the club is only semi professional. We don't know what would have happened had you actually followed Zealand's advice. His advice was mainly for long term success, not the following eight games. The changes he wanted to make were mainly those which would help you next season.
Be a good idea for a series...Each season having a different creator be your Assistant and help with everything from transfers to formations. Could be chaos but also funny!
ben is like mourinho, was once great but hasn't moved with the times lol
Who else remembers getting a new hair cut?
Who else remembers getting promoted?
@@Nikze not Ben anyhow.
Can't help feeling you've called NO to early. He did say Summer is when you can do more. The scout budget was his suggestion, focussing loans of youth guys and loans in general... About his only suggestion not to pan out was the defensive approach and the lanky set piece guy. If this season ends up far better I'd say he may absolutely have saved you. The finances are only fixable by promotion realistically or takeover as you say, short of a wonderkid with a huge sell on coming good.
Lovely trim fella
Looking promising Ben, I cant wait to slowly but surely be less and less optimistic as the season goes on. But nevertheless we hope and it is the hope that slowly kills us.
can't remember last time I saw Ben with short hair feels weird 😂😂
In a way i'm glad you've struggled as your meltdowns are comedy gold. :-D
Ben conveniently forgetting his headphones for the majority of the video to show off his stellar new trim. Don't think we don't see you!!!
Bring on that early season optimism!!
This is a great save. I can’t wait for that game that gets us out the league. That one moment
To save Thames, you need to bankrupt Thames, it is the only way
Bankruptcy is the nature's do-over.
This is a tough league to escape from. I feel that you are overdue some luck too. Realistically, this team isn’t anywhere close to winning the league. However, a somewhat decent season could see you land in the POs. Then it’s an element of luck to escape.
You need to play the big teams Under 23's during that off season period
At this stage I would copy paste Knapp tactics.
Kind of interested in playing the save.
Looking sharp Ben
You looked real clean and thin without the headphones
1 win 2 draws is this even Thames?
Don't give up, at least until fm22 doesn't show up
Idk if someone already said this, but relegation might help out because then you’ll win the lower tier and pay off some of your debt, rinse and repeat
Yeah i know it’ll take so long
The first thing I realise is a new hair cut. Haha. The second I see is GK is changed, eager to see how good he is
Therapy with zealand seems to help
If it hadn't been for the season starting in October you could just play friendlies earn money and spend your way out like in every other FM just blame covid it's just an interesting challenge in finding another way of doing it
Ben - it’s time to go hard or go home. The clubs debts will not change unless as you mentioned a takeover occurs - but even so, that doesn’t mean they will necessarily eradicate the whole debt the club presently has. From a gameplay perspective, you’ve got to attack, and a 4-3-3 is the perfect option complimenting your strike force and pace. Maybe consider also switching the middle CM to a CDM and allowing the other mids to push forward. Long balls forward are the best bet, especially considering your full backs crossing and passing. Keep an eye on the loan market, to see if any are potentially cancelled or come forward in months to come.
Keep the faith, we are all behind you!
Loving the hair Ben
Would be able to get a copy of this save and see if we can save it or see how far we can go??
You should upload the save file so we can try playing it ourselves
wonder how west brom are doing
Did Leddie get some goals from corners?
OH YES THE 4-3-3 NARROW YAEH THE BOYS
When we get promoted this season Zealand will get his own stand named after him! Maybe even a bollard post!
Up The Thames!!!!!!
We could make a bronze statue in his likeness...
You should send your save to everyone else and see who does the best in a one off season!
What would Daljit of Bustthenet do with your save?
Can you not make v good money playing big teams Reserves? My Jersey Bulls side stayed afloat from pre-season with games vs Dinamo Res, Monaco Res & Roma Res.
Did Pompey cancel the friendly? 🤦🏻♀️
Is this save somehow downloadable? would love to take this save to the prem to prove its possible
What would you change?
@@timeandmoney84
Removing Ben would be the first step 😜😂
Looks promising, now stick with this tactics and formation only small tinkering.
Please do a weekly update since some of us can't join on twitch
The Question for the Ages
can we get a link to a save?
Nice haircut ben 👌🏻
This is why I'm dead against doing a save where a club starts from scratch. Levels 10-5 probably a piece of piss but when you get to the final hurdle of Non League football its a nightmare. No suprise if the club is already established over decades and decades and has a fanbase, it isn't going to much of a challenge if you're half decent at the game.
The important question is whose hand is it in the thumbnail? It doesn't look like Ben's or Z's, is it Editor Ben's?
Send it to BustTheNet for a GameChanger
Sending thoughts and prayers Ben. Keep the faith and hopefully we'll see some Saudi Prince come swooping in.
As it always been afc Thames? Just noticed the afc lol
When in doubt, play the "ever feared" Controlled 5-3-2. Thank me later ;D
Taming Thames!
I'd assume you saved it if it's on your account
Did anyone else not know Ben had ears?
Loving the fresh trim here Ben
that haircut will save thames
Okay I'll subscribe
Do all league's start in Oct each year? Tbh sounds like shit dB.
Is the save available on steam? Wouldn't mind having ago myself tbh
Also, big up tag. If you know 😏😂
Would love to see another youtube glory hunters save!
The question is can Lollujo save Thames?
Nice haircut Ben
Have you tried getting a senior affiliate they have helped me with getting loanees who are good it has helped me before and I would also reccomend selling all your players to get new and better ones it has helped me a lot in my saves when I am struggling pretty much what u need is a new squad and money
he’s tried that numerous times, and the board always agrees to try and find an affiliate and then come back and say they couldn’t find one
Every time he has it comes up that they are unable to find an affiliate. I’ve had it myself that quite often I’m unable to find a senio affiliate. I think for Benjy the main issue is the database is a wee bit broken/buggy so has made things very difficult for him
"Youth Marketplace"
Dr B. You cannot polish a turd 😂
Have you got a affiliate club?
Does the haircut mean no more headband?
You can't be listened to LOL. I love you, though. Respect to one of the FM kings.
How did u manage to get into that much financial debt in the first place
New team, low attendance at games and no pre season against the likes of Arsenal. In my fm09 save i managed to keep dorchester town afloat with just the pre season big name games.
It's been 1 season how could he fix it 😂😂😂😂
Have you missed the entire point of our conversation about it? I'm lost
Well... Zealand kind of saved Thames - Whithout him Thames would have been relegated and Ben would have been fired
I think maybe I could save thames
I have not been back for a couple months and at first I thought you either had plastic surgery or been doing serious face exercises. The headphones are part of your face now
Collaboration for the rest of the series?
Incoming loss to Worthing
Man. Its weird when you don't wear headphones. I don't like it 🤣
Edit: that's better
Kev is the non league expert 😉
change BWM to CM(D)