This game is brilliant.
The sheer variety of play is staggering. Had four games in a row last nigh to finish off my first season campaign and the range was incredible A comfortable 1-0 win v West Brom in which they sat back. I scored quite late on but was always the better side. They then came at me last 15 minutes, but I held on. Second was the last game of the season, losing 1-0 to Fulham at Craven.
Into the new season beat the new boys 2-0, before an exhilarating game v Chelsea at the Bridge. Chelsea hit me with everything they had and at half time it was miraculously 0-0 after Chelsea had 17 shots and 12 on target to my 5 shots. Second half it was a different Mata (so to speak), I played an extra midfielder and decided to man mark Torres with him, the game flipped on its head. Although Chelsea were still dangerous I was creeping back into the game. Suarez had some space finally in the 75th minute to unleash a devastating drive, 1-0. Chelsea came back strong and Reina was out of this world, multiple saves, world class ones too. Then a free kick into the box with Adam with lofted R2, a cushioned header back away from goal for Sterling to nod with power for 2-0......the fist pumping began!
This game has definitely got 'it' this year. It was back to its sweaty palm best last night. The ricochets, the goal scrambles, the periods of midfield scrapping as teams can't retain possession, the pinball frenzied five minutes, then calm restored with both teams passing it slowly. Great stuff.
Manual passing is a dream this year. Totally and utterly a dream. It makes the game so much richer because you start cherishing each and every player ten times more in terms of what they can pull off and what they can't. Players like Shelvey for example, when I hit that 50/50 ball and it goes wayward or too hard or whatever I just smile and think 'unlucky lad' because you know it's out of his remit. I seem more in love with the players BECAUSE of their failings this year if you can understand that. It makes me want to developy players for the first time and give squad players more of a chance for the first time in ages, because I can see and feel the difference between almost every player.
Suarez, I can try anything....literally anything. His explosiveness is awesome and he is the threat each and every match in the final third. When Gerrard's playing I almost never lose. Sold Enrique (for an outrageous amount mind) and brought in this other guy and immediately you can see and feel the differences between the two. Some bad, some good. For example, the new guy is keen to overlap and get the ball in early and has an equally good left foot as Enrique had. Meanwhile I'm investing a lot of time and energy into players like Borini, Sterling, and even like Robinson. Carroll has hardly played a game, whereas last year his over-powering heading ability ensured he was first on the team sheet...even ahead of Gerrard and Suarez!
I can't say enough good things about this game. I've got two full games if anybody wants me to break them down and analyse them in terms of giving some tips and tactics in Superstar mode. I'll also put up some good goals I've scored so far in Superstar.
New season......2 from 2
Could it be my year?
