Here we are, the FM23 Beta save and one I have really been looking forward to. This will be a short and sweet save whilst we wait for the full release of the game but one, I am sure will generate some interest and intrigue.
Let's keep this simple. Take charge of Crystal Palace and see where we can get them. Sounds easy right? well let's find out!
Hired!
You may be thinking "Why Palace?"
It's a simple reason, I think they are underrated as a club. The squad is stacked with some serious talent, both established and up and coming and are possibly seen as the unfashionable London Premier League club when comparing them to their capital rivals.
The club has some serious facilities as you can see above and was definitely clear to see when you look at some of the players they have produced over the years.
The finances are secure, but the war chest for new signings is not fantastic and will prove challenging for the first season at least.
A fair media prediction also, but I am hoping for a higher finish than 14th.
Expectations
What all Managers live and die by, the boards expectations for the season.
Nothing to grumble about there. Although I would love to push for a decent cup run.
Tactics
I've decided to have two active tactics to swap seamlessly between for different games and situations.
The first is a positive set up, utilising all off our attacking talents and really taking the game to our opponents with fluidity and the strength of our dribbling game.
The second is a lot more rigged, relying on a third battling midfielder to offer extra cover to break up attacks and launch counter attacks when the time arises.
Transfer Window
As I mentioned further up the episode, we haven't got many resources available to make any moves in the market this season. However, it was clear this would still be a huge window for us, but for a different reason.
Star man Zaha approaches us to express his desire to leave the club, either in this window or at the end of his contact at the end of the season.
As is with football some bigger clubs, like sharks could smell blood in the water, and one of the biggest around came circling....
This offer was very quickly rejected. Although we risk losing him for free at the end of the season, I feared that we would not be able to replace Zaha with the funds received and could risk our whole season.
Our only incoming player was on loan, and will offer some strength up top as well as a different option to the existing members of the squad.
Fer Nino on loan from Villareal CF, a pressing forward something we need for tactics option 2!
Pre-Season
No thrills pre-season but the fitness levels and tactic knowledge were increased and has set us up for the start of the season.
August 2022
The start of the season is upon us and is a busy one from the off with 5 games in the league. A favourable start with two newly promoted sides up first, let's hope for a fast start.
Well that wasn't what we got! Really disappointing opening month as we go winless. I can take defeats to the likes of Man Utd, Spurs and Leicester but to not take advantage of the newly promoted teams was disappointing.
September 2022
September brings around a slightly quieter month but does include a home game against bitter rivals, Brighton. We need to see an improvement.
We are up and running! A hard-fought victory against Leeds was followed by an away loss at Stamford Bridge.
Then the derby, a cagy affair which was won late in the game as an Edouard double which sent the fans home delighted with me and the players. Especially after a rock start to the season.
The draw against Southampton was frustrating but a fair result in an end to end affair.
October 2022
October is our last full month of action before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. A really, really tough run of fixtures including Newcastle, Man City and Arsenal.
Let's set ourselves up for a decent mid-season break with a good run of form.
A couple of defeats to Newcastle and Man City were followed by our best run of form to date as we string 3 wins in a row.
The most notable result of the season so far coming away at Arsenal as Edouard grabbed himself a second half brace.
The month was rounded of by easy victories against West Ham and Everton.
November 2022
Just the two games in November, a short away trip to Fulham and a home game against Villa, both winnable to continue our recent run of form.
Not bad, undefeated in 5 with 4 wins and a draw, a very nice way to reach the season break.
Half Way Table
Considering our start to the season we have done well to recover and sit comfortably in mid table. We will keep one eye on the lower European places, but that may be a season or two too soon.
A special mention has to go to Odsonne Edouard who has 10 League goals already this season, sitting in joint second. Think we can all agree Haaland has this in the bag.....
Youth Intake Preview
I know I said that this was a short and sweet save, but we may get to see some decent youth prospects come through and judging by this preview it could have some at our first attempt.
We will be back with Part 2 of our opening season soon as we look to keep improving in the league and we will cover the cup competitions also.
I can't thank you enough for stopping by and reading this episode. Really means a lot.
Cheers
Panda
