Author: Chris Fuller

Review: We Are Football

Published on by Chris Fuller

And so 2021 is coming to an end. I hope you’ve enjoyed the Christmas holidays as much as possible, and that you’ve been keeping safe with your loved ones during what has been another difficult winter period.

You may’ve noticed that there hasn’t been much Football Manager content on here lately. Yes, despite my cautiously positive review of FM22 back in November, I still haven’t bought the new game yet. I’m still concerned about some significant bugs that apparently weren’t fixed in the December update, so I’ve instead been “considering my options” and looking at alternatives.

Today, I’m reviewing a game which emerged earlier this year as the latest challenger to FM’s throne – a game which is often called WAF for short. To quote Cardi B, it’s time to bring a bucket and a mop for some Wet-A** Footy!

Oh, sorry, I mean… We Are Football. Continue reading “Review: We Are Football” →

Developing your own coaches in Football Manager

Published on by Chris Fuller

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One of the most exciting aspects of any Football Manager career is when you develop young prospects to reach their full potential. Bringing through an academy wonderkid into the senior team and on the road to superstardom is one thing… but what about developing your coaches?

When starting a new save, many FMers like to overhaul their backroom staff, bringing in the very best coaches, scouts and physios they can afford. But hey, what’s the fun in that when you can reap the benefits from growing your own coaches?

In this guide, I will give you some advice to help you successfully move your veteran players from the pitch to the touchline – and even educate a new crop of managers to take football by storm. Continue reading “Developing your own coaches in Football Manager” →

The story of Football Manager’s newgen faces

Published on by Chris Fuller

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Let’s talk about newgen faces in Football Manager.

It seems like with every passing FM, there’s a fierce debate about the 3D faces that are assigned to youth intake players. Some people in the FM community hate them; others just tolerate them.

Having played this series for over 20 years, I consider myself an FM historian who loves to look back and see how the game has progressed over the years. I’ve gone through every version from Football Manager 2015 up until the newly-released Football Manager 2022, tracking the evolution of FM’s newgen faces. I’ve also provided some thoughts on how (and where) these faces could be improved for future games… Continue reading “The story of Football Manager’s newgen faces” →

My thoughts on Football Manager 2022

Published on by Chris Fuller

After a quiet few weeks, Fuller FM has returned for another season! I took some time off from blogging after finishing my journeyman series, partly to recharge my batteries, and partly because of a family crisis, but now I’m ready to get going again!

Football Manager 2022 has been officially out for just over a week now. Unlike last year, I decided to forego the beta and not pre-order the game straight away. The demo came out alongside the full game on 9 November, so I waited for that so I could try before I buy.

I’ve now spent the past week or so playing through half a season with Millwall, seeing for myself how FM22 has changed – for better or worse. These are my initial thoughts on the new game… Continue reading “My thoughts on Football Manager 2022” →

Blog Update #5

Published on by Chris Fuller2 Comments

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Ladies and gentlemen… this is blog update number 5.

Yes, it’s time for my annual post where I update you on what I’ve been up to over the past 12 months. With my long-term Football Manager 2021 save now completed, I’m ready to give my final thoughts on what has perhaps been the most divisive game in the series’ history.

And at the end of a “make or break” year for Fuller FM, I’ll also discuss my long-term plans for this blog. Have we managed to outdo José Mourinho by surviving beyond the third season? Continue reading “Blog Update #5” →

Journey of a Deadman: #46 (Basel) – Finale

Published on by Chris Fuller

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It’s May 2031, and everything has come down to these final five matches for Shama Deadman and his Basel team.

In case you missed the previous chapter, Basel are still leading the Swiss Super League as they check back-to-back titles. They have also made it through to the Swiss Cup Final.

Can Shama end his Swiss sojourn with a domestic double? And what does the long-term future hold for our journeyman coach? Let’s read on… Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #46 (Basel) – Finale” →

Journey of a Deadman: #45 (Basel) – Swiss Brutality

Published on by Chris Fuller

It’s time for another installment of my Football Manager 2021 journeyman series, as Shama Deadman’s quest for another league title with Basel continues.

In the previous chapter, Basel’s defence of their Super League crown encountered a few problems, not least when it came to scoring. But a mid-season epiphany has led Shama to a tactical revamp, which he hopes will get ‘Die Bebbi’ firing again in the new year.

And as you’re about to find out, Shama has also been fairly busy in the January transfer market. He is leaving no stone unturned as he tries to keep those pesky Young Boys away from his silverware… Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #45 (Basel) – Swiss Brutality” →

Journey of a Deadman: #44 (Basel) – Second Season Syndrome

Published on by Chris Fuller

We’re into the last full month of Football Manager 2021‘s life cycle… but my journeyman series is still going strong. For now.

Shama Deadman has already won the Swiss Super League title with Basel – and now he’s out to defend it. Today’s chapter will take us through the first half of the 2030/2031 season (you can find the season preview here if you haven’t read it yet).

But can ‘Die Bebbi’ will also have to juggle increased expectations back home with some tough battles in the Champions League. With all that in mind, Shama’s second season in Switzerland could be an even bigger challenge than his first… Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #44 (Basel) – Second Season Syndrome” →

Journey of a Deadman: #43 (Basel) – Die Besten!

Published on by Chris Fuller

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Against all the odds, Shama Deadman has completed his first decade in football management – and he’s finally added a trophy to his CV!

After taking over at Basel in the summer of 2029, Shama led ‘Die Bebbi’ to Swiss Super League glory in his first season. You can read about that first season in full by going back to Part 39, Part 40, Part 41 and Part 42.

But now it’s time to find out if Basel can do it again. Today’s post is the 2030/2031 season review, where we will see how Shama sets about taking his Swiss champions up to the next level. Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #43 (Basel) – Die Besten!” →

Journey of a Deadman: #42 (Basel) – Ten Years Later

Published on by Chris Fuller

It’s been a long time coming… but after a decade in management, in which he has managed four teams in as many countries, Shama Deadman has finally won a trophy.

If you haven’t yet read about how Basel secured the Swiss Super League title, or even if you just want to relive Shama’s crowning moment, you can find Part 41 right here.

In today’s chapter, we will quickly go through some awards and statistics from the 2029/2030 season. We’ll also see how the wider footballing world looks after the first 10 years of this save. (Spoiler alert: Not much has changed, and nobody lives underwater. Apart from Pep Guardiola, who lost his mind and retired after being sacked as Spain manager.) Continue reading “Journey of a Deadman: #42 (Basel) – Ten Years Later” →