I Watched You Play FM, It Was Cursed

The cool jersey website so you can get a cool jersey ► www.sangalo.co/
I have gotten stuck into Football Manager 2024 and have been loving every second of it, so I figured I would trigger myself by watching other people play FM instead. I’ll give you a hint, I tuned into someone and they weren’t even at their desk during a match, but it was actually my fault all along for not paying close enough attention.
I realize that’s not really a hint, but I saw some cool tactics and got to feel the energy of a lot of different saves. These were some fun people I recommend checking them out if you also happen to be bored one evening and want to go on an FM journey.
Much Love,
FM Senpai
🎮 Zealand Playing:
► Twitch: / zeaiand
► KZbin: / @zealandlive
🎙️ Podcasts:
► 20 Good Minutes: spoti.fi/3CYz4iY
► The Zealand Podcast: spoti.fi/3KMMnl6
► Armchair History: spoti.fi/3tJJw6O
📸 Zealand Stuff:
► FM Skin: zealand.gg/fmskin
► Instagram: / theoldzealand
► Twitter: / theoldzealand
► Discord: / discord
► Reddit: / theoldzealand
🌟 Reece (Editor) & Tomleggosaurus (Animator):
► Reece’s Twitter: / reecetheeditor
► Tom's KZbin: / @tomleggosaurus1
🙌 Thanks for watching & scrolling!
#FM24 #Gaming #Hashtags

[@NoUseForMySoul]

I'm the last guy. Thanks for the kind comments. Offering the players to others did not help as we were stuck with nine shitty poachers that nobody wanted - for a reason. We got rid of a few after staying in the league, though. This is just how the situation was once we joined the club, we did not sign these guys. At the time of writing, we are back to non contracts. Trials are a core component of what I do at smaller clubs, but Sarawak United are situated on a separate island of Malaysa. Most players simply don't want to come as it's too far to travel, about 70 are interested in a transfer right now. We know every single one of them and they are of very questionable quality. Also, no foreign players allowed in the league. This is also a random club that hired us from the street, it's just what I do in FM. Rock bottom start, always. You're welcome back anytime. ;)

[@SsorLoser]

Ahaha Chris you are famous!!! I knew you in the beginning!! 😂

[@elliotwall5664]

in other words a journeyman save the only right way to play the game lol

[@NoUseForMySoul]

@@elliotwall5664 Mostly, yes. Personally, I tend to stay with clubs if I can, though. That said, sometimes the board has a very interesting perspective on what a club can achieve.

[@joaopires1761]

Massive respect.

[@nangapruan]

I am from Sarawak! Shout out to you mate!

[@Avioto]

What I miss from this is Zealand saying stuff in their chat and the streamers slowly realizing that Zealand is watching their stream 😁

[@NoUseForMySoul]

To be fair, I noticed him being there, I just did not intend to force a conversation upon him, even though I would probably have enjoyed it. Some people like to lurk. ;)

[@DuctTapeBanditJ]

I miss him posting links to their Twitch channels. It's a fun way to find some new streams.

[@NoUseForMySoul]

@@DuctTapeBanditJ Is this where I put my shameless self-promotion for anyone willing to suffer together with us? Are you sure? Great! YT: kzbin.info Twitch: www.twitch.tv/nouseformysoul

[@SoccerScenarios]

Out of all FM psychos, I’m surprised Zealand doesn’t play his friendlies

[@antwnzrr2]

I ALWAYS like to play my friendlies. Experimenting and putting my wonderkinds in there is fun.

[@Noobie2k7]

​@@antwnzrr2 Same. Plus you get a much better feel for the games when trying new tactics. I probably analyse my friendlies more than my competitive fixtures tbh.

[@Fcappellafc]

In defence of the friendlies gang, they are good for assessing tactical and squad changes you come up with during the off season and micromanaging match sharpness before the first comp match (that can really gain an edge over the ai)

[@Hyde_Hill]

Yup I always manage them as well for those reasons. I think the group "mental if manage friendlies" don't understand that. Also your assistant, at least in previous FM's, might not run the tactic and roles the whole game you wan't them to get familiar with.

[@TheInator95]

AND my players once got really mad (one player even wanted to leave afterwards) because of a teamtalk that my assistant manager did.. I didnt manage the friendly and the players got mad at ME. So for the rest of the time at that club, I managed all the friendlies.

[@GhostHPM]

Yes, I do it because of this

[@chinitoyt3251]

i only manage them because i want the subs to gain their match fitness and also i like to manage the friendlies we play big teams to see where we're at

[@Lucksh007t]

Sure but your still a sicko if you do all of them. After that 5 hours of off season I do I'm always very anxious to get those first few real games.

[@Astronimal]

Really wonderful to see how passionate Caco is playing FM

[@rhodrihughes8958]

I can't seem to find his channel do you have a link

[@Astronimal]

@@rhodrihughes8958 he changed his name to TheGaffaCaco www.twitch.tv/thegaffacaco

[@Alex58399]

9:20 this guy is a legend

[@spsawyer22]

Seriously.

[@marcthomsen4452]

Caco14_ is a legend love to see ham

[@riedley1808]

The 2nd guy is me LOL I speak dutch haha first and only FM stream ive done till this date xD

[@JoaquimBlaze]

Your a god Riedley!!!! @zeeland when is te cooperation coming?

[@oliverdobson3761]

I was surprised Zealand didn’t know Steve Hood! Jack (WTS) andTomFM have both worked with him before. Makes good content too

[@michaelfinger6303]

love the storyteller guy thats how you need to play FM

[@Dench999or911]

This is the kind of reaction content that is actually good!Actual input from Zealand and shining a light on content creators. Great to see!

[@ggwp850]

I always watch the first two or three friendly matches to make changes in tactics😀

[@alecdolman598]

I manage friendlies. I want to build my players up gradually. Managing allows to swap the full first XI at HT in friendly 1, at 60 mins in friendly 2, and so on. Ensure every player in the squad goes in to the season with optimal match sharpness. Given how fastidious Zee is in some areas I’m really surprised at this reaction! Would much rather manage a friendly than do a press conference.

[@e_eyster]

Especially true to me early in saves where you are getting used to the club/have high player turnover. Just can see what players seem to not be fitting tactics better. Although late in saves where you are UCL knockout regular and bringing in only a few few first team players a season that can be just left to your assistant, especially for "get match fit" friendlies where you are just paying 10k to an semi-pro team to come get bullied by your first team for 45 minutes before the reserves come in to bully them even more.

[@zeemish]

Zealand: "He's managing friendly's!?" *Me literally managing a friendly while watching this video*

[@davidsands9904]

Brilliant video Got to say i also manage all my friendlies. Friendlies just exist to A) get player fitness (for entire squad) B) check if tactics work C) check on new signings

[@gavinty1]

I have to defend the guy managing the friendlies. I think it really important to manage match sharpness and fatigue prior to the season start (and mid season sometimes too). If you have a lot of trialists, sometimes your assistant manager plays them in your friendlies instead of your actual players. You dont need to play trialists in friendlies to scout them. Also prevents your players from becoming match sharp prior to the season. Managing friendlies should be normalized! :)

[@Hyde_Hill]

Always manage friendlies. As the AI is bad at spreading the minutes around to keep everyone match fit. Plus might do some tactical and role switches so familiarity doesn't gets maxed. Plus squad assesment.

[@cklambo]

Why not maxed?

[@Hyde_Hill]

@@cklambo Maybe things have changed as I haven't had my assistant do friendlies in a while however playing in the position, role and tactic you want to use, increases their familiarity with the tactic. Not just training. And your assistant manager might switch things up. They at least do subs still out of the position you want them in as they go by ability and not role so if your second choice inside forward is a slightly better striker then your second choice striker they might get subbed in as a striker. Meaning your second choice striker gets less match fitness and your second choice inside forward gets less role familiarity. Might even "loose" some CA by "learning" a secondary position.

[@snip3r196]

I've been loving the Dutch league save with FC Volendam. No debt and took a relegation battle team to 6th place finish and missed a euro conference place after losing to Ajax in the playoff final in the first year. Fun to play in smaller euro leagues as you can play into UEFA champions league as an end goal. Also, as an American I love to play in the MLS because the challenge of all the rules makes things interesting.

[@GrahamMilkdrop]

I used to manage friendlies for the first couple of seasons of a save (especially when it was a new version of the game) just to try out tactics, even arranging several games between youth and reserve teams! It helped a bunch with getting to know the squad too. I'd watch the full 90 minutes!

[@1992zorro]

That second guy that showed up after 20 mins is definitely Dutch ! What amazes me most is his enthusiasm commentating games as most people in that country are soulless

[@charlesfairs1427]

I scout in the same way as you Z, I hate scrolling through the player search, takes out half the fun. Good scouting network, big shortlists, constant database of fully scouted players that I know everything about and don't have to frantically delay transfers over and over while I wait to see if they hate big matches or not.

[@ldkellandshaw]

Wold love to see this become a routine feature. Really enjoyed it.

[@martijnpoppe5217]

This was really funny, laughed a lot, you made my day

[@gm2407]

@3:15 I'm convinced that a clean challenge in the box and the ref not giving a penalty that VAR would call it a penalty because the edge of a shoelace caught the attacker.

[@tabletbrothers3477]

I'm so glad you pulled up this video idea again! I loved it the first time and it's still the same.

[@mattelswood9367]

I also manage friendlies 😂 like to see the patterns of play come in and the new set piece routines

[@erwinvanoostenbrugge]

13:48 relatable, I'm currently in the first division of Latvia 😂

[@NoUseForMySoul]

We gave Ytterhogdals IK in Sweden a try in FM23. It's in the middle of nowhere, whatever assumption the player brings along is properly shattered. It was a lot of fun.

[@W417on]

I've always played friendlies, only time I don't is in a network save with 6 other people so time is precious. But didn't know it was such an issue

[@billsager5634]

Hey, I manage pre-season friendlies. Generally because if I leave it up to the assistant manager, the assistant will player the regular starters a full 90 minutes. I use the friendlies to get the backups and young players PT. My regulars won't see anymore than 45 minutes, if they play at all.

[@Bruollie]

2nd dude's Flemish, nice blend of lingo on his end 😂

[@riedley1808]

Thanks haha!

[@MravacKid]

Managing friendlies? I don't even manage regular matches. :p The moment I discovered skins with "instant result" is the happiest moment in my FM life. :)

[@northofnashira2575]

10:12 You couldn't tell he was a psycho by having his couch in frame when he's sitting at his PC?

[@gylduran9217]

I manage friendlies so I can rotate the squad adequately enough, so they are all fully match fit by the season start. Otherwise, the assistant manager fucks up the rotation and half the squad is unfit.

[@inimuftiali]

Indonesian league teams is indeed very interesting to coach. Once made Persipura who were multiple league winners came back from their regression in recent years in fm22

[@NoUseForMySoul]

We did two seasons at the end of the save in FM23. It was a lot of fun and we managed to get some great results. Also, a single target forward can devastate a defence in Indonesia so hard... it was perfect.

[@themikelawson_]

i’m high as f and the part you noticed it was the play off final has me floored!!

[@Noobie2k7]

I don't just manage my friendlies, I manage the intra squad friendly at the start of the game and I even manage both teams and arrange both squads myself.

[@wesleybrother2884]

Literary talking to your mobile fm team is every fm player 🤣

[@stevennicholas5472]

Nothing like playing FM in the Level 10 or 20 databases with LLM rules (realistic scouting, job adverts for coaches, hoping for an AssMan so you don't have to manage the Reserves and u21/U18 teams). Piling all your manager points into fitness because you know you'll never find a fitness coach who wants to join Ellesmere Port Town. Building the shirts and 3d kits that are 5 years behind because the team barely has a web presence, hunting down the obscure sponsors to put their logo on the shirts. The fun starts before you even play your first friendly.

[@daveysadler3795]

I always play friendly 😂 i even manage thr 2nd 11 and the 1st 11 against each other when i take over a team 😂 i like to make sure everyone is fit, and see who links up well. I didnt know that was weird lol

[@VillaFanDan92]

I always play friendlies because the matches are my favourite part of FM. I could take or leave most aspects, most of them I have delegated. I just want to play football.

[@greenguy1408]

Omg man make this a weekly episode please 😂

[@zapbulon]

I secretly hoped you have watched me trying to beat your BATE achievement 😂

[@MagicianCamille]

This Caco fellow looks absolutely class

[@kebabman93]

Love to see the millers finally reaching their potential 🙏🏼 UTM

[@arcticm5634]

I just realized that managing friendlies is psycho. Being doing that for years thinking it was the most normal thing ever

[@GrahamMilkdrop]

Judging by the amount of comments defending it as normal, I'd say that you are far from being alone. I always managed friendlies... at a new club especially... sometimes even reserves and youth teams.

[@AD4LY]

Ive ALWAYS managed friendlies! its the best way to get 2 full teams fit and ready for the season. play first half make all subs and skip the second half

[@MrNightowl2007]

I'm with you the mouse curser annoyed me! For as long as I have played this game I am kind of superstitious about where my mouse is. It depends if I'm home or away. The curser will be in the bottom left or bottom right of screen depending on the fixture.

[@Markjameslee]

you ever thought about doing a podcast or watchalong, with other fm24 youtubers/streamers? i think that could be really popular, i know id watch! :D great vid

[@nbdy420]

these guys are great, thanks for sharing lol

[@onose10000]

i managed every friendly game from fm11 to fm15, didnt even know it was an option until then,😂

[@bambi1611]

Today I learned that others don't manage friendlies. I always manage friendlies at a new club and to test out you and new signings. If I am at the same club for a long time I may start to give them to my assistant, but I will always manage them during my first season at a new club.

[@davey2487]

I manage some of my friendlies. I mainly play against amateurs with Ajax. Sometimes I just want to see how many goals we can score.

[@franzivkovic4599]

the friendly games guy with the funny tactic is probably new to the game

[@Karpify]

The individual roles in friendlies don't need to fit together very well, it's more important to be training the players in whatever role(s) they are going to be using during the season. So maybe he wasn't actually playing two playmakers right next to each other in the 4-4-2, but it was just out of necessity based on which players needed fitness and were fresh.

[@zamap4278]

I always manage friendlies, at least the first 2 so I can test new tactics, see how new players fit, see which youngsters can get called up. I don't see a reaaon not to😂

[@ProdigalKnight]

Great video!

[@SinofThrash]

Managing friendlies is psycho? WHAT? Guess I'm a psycho haha

[@user-zq8jt1wl1f]

I was playing a boavista save in fm23 and the dreaded (if you're a big club) winter world cup was going on. I look at world events all the time but I was busy attempting to arrange friendlies for match sharpness and then on my calendar I see "POLAND win the WORLD CUP" Lewandowski only scored one goal for gods sake

[@robbicassidy7888]

Erik Ten Hags tactical brilliance was personal 😂😂

[@sayhi2god322]

The Riedley guy is a god! best streamer in Belgium

[@davidmackenzie9899]

The only time I manage the friendlies is if I need to retrain a player's position.

[@TonySpike]

To be fair Caco sounds like he is from Rotherham ....bit of wish fufilment on his end 😂

[@ridsbabs2130]

Up until that guy who was managing friendlies, I didn’t realise you didn’t have to play them. I’ve started like 6-7 saves and gave up cause I got bored playing a month of friendlies.

[@Popmycherryyo]

Well HERE we are.. MORE like these videos, PLEASE!

[@terencehuang3810]

i manage friendlies too, and I thought its just as important as when the season gets underway

[@david95863]

If you knew about the Danish second league and below, you would manage friendlies too!!! :D

[@MasonMcGowan95]

I'm realllllly self conscious about myself now for managing friendlies. Had no idea that was psycho behavior; this is my red flag.

[@_girltype]

the abyss stares back also

[@Dingovff]

brilliant. more of this please.

[@KillaKingDL]

My man Hood Gaming

[@Phatboino1]

Instant result friendlies unless experimenting with tactics then its a must

[@petemcphillips5965]

12:46 Gotta love 32-year old experienced winger Choo-Choo

[@NoUseForMySoul]

His real name is Ashri bin Chuchu, not to be confused with Azman bin Chuchu, one of our attacking midfielders. Within the match, both are abbreviated to A. Chuchu. Given that we have two locomotives in the squad, we just nicknamed one "Choo-Choo" and the other one "Thomas", for obvious reasons. We can distinguish them now. It also turned into a meme.

[@mrcx6142]

10:47 Of course you manage friendlies, at least half-assed! You'll have to play them anyways, might as well make more out of it.

[@jonisilk]

Exactly. Get to know your squad and which youth prospect look like they could make the step up, bleed them in against shit opposition where you can get everyone match fit and test out different tactics. Along the way you work out your best XI ahead of your first game, and that your RB who is a fringe player should actually be your first choice RB, and the 17 yo attacking midfielder is going to save you a tonne in wages and transfer fees you aren't going to pay.

[@kieronparr3403]

I played half a match last night having a seat on the porcelain throne

[@weixianng]

12:35 He's not coaching in the Malaysian league, he's coaching in the Malaysian AMATEUR LEAGUE.

[@neilipsen1404]

Today I learned I'm a psycho as I manage every friendly

[@ameladolnz7784]

i manage all my friendlies, will play my 1st Eleven for 45 and my 2nd Eleven for 45 with matches 3 days apart. And only at the end of the pre-season will i play the 1st Eleven until about 60 or 70 mins. All about full squad conditioning

[@samnewbontemple2110]

8:22 I went to school with this guy and years ago went to the odd Rotherham match with him!

[@christianboeckh3449]

Yoooo managing friendlies is important! I use them to assess the players' calibre.

[@JJJackson777]

weston super-mare, home of the worst KFC I've ever had in my life

[@Sprite8822]

I always manage my friendlies...I haven't seen the outside world in a while 😅

[@fh3696]

Can you make more tactics videos/tutorials please?

[@thespoon91]

I manage friendlies to see if my tactics work, my 1st games with lyon i lost 5-1 and 6-2 changed my tactic and won my next 3 friendlies 5-1. Helps me know what to tweak and who to play where.

[@scdocarlos1633]

Zealand cooked ETH in that intro 😂

[@Onebadterran]

At a high level I use my scouts. At lower levels my scouts can't find their own nose so I use the other tools available in the game.

[@CapnJack1]

that forest green commentary. wow

[@murray393]

I didn’t know people DIDNT manage friendlies

[@jbo4547]

Not only do I manage friendlies, but i schedule them as well. Its football MANAGER son!

[@mattleebull473]

Today I learnt I’m a psycho for managing friendly’s😂

[@veertien1414]

I also manage friendly, I like to have my 22 players playing exactly 45 minutes each 😁

[@memphisjaxx]

I always manage every friendly. I even set a friendly cup every year named after me, which I make sure we win, so we start the season with 'silverware' 😊 this obviously comes crashing down after we lose our first 5 games of the season proper due to my over confidence in our ability after beating average sides, causing me to over spend on extra 'panic buy' players to improve the squad at the last minute. This leads to poor cohesion and unhappy players not getting the game time promised due to the over inflated squad size, leading to my eventual and inevitable demise. But damn I have a ton of friendly cups in my trophy cabinet. Just need to play the waiting game for my invitation into the hall of fame.

[@minichalvo9818]

Dam bro thats deep, you all good lol?

[@Hyde_Hill]

So basically the issue is the friendly cup addiction. Not the managing friendlies (which is the right thing to do.) Friendly cups are only ever useful if you really need money. Otherwise they just ramp up fatigue and injuries and interfere with pre season training.

[@SuperMickyChow]

I'm so glad Z hasn't watched me playing FM - he'd hate it

[@kieronparr3403]

I loved that story

[@FaraazAhmad]

I manage friendlies when I join a team so i can get a hold of the tactics

[@ImKuru]

The second guy was speaking dutch as well, that’s why you were confused hahah

[@richiy11]

For someone who manages friendlies, I feel attacked

[@MyFootballManagerSeasonsnStuff]

Can't believe you didn't review one of my 90 minute matches 😂

[@Danthedapperman]

Managing friendlies is insane? Only reason I do it is because I don’t trust the cpu to sub on the players I want to sub on to build match fitness, or to sub on young players in time to get them at least 15 minutes of playing time. I didn’t know that made me crazy 😂😭

[@Nosceteipsum166]

I play VERY fast. I basically revamp the club with top tier scouts/dof/loan manager/medical staff sell the deadwood, set my tactic and after that I hit the go on holiday button until the next match. I basically only play the games and buy/sell players when the window opens. I hate everything in between, LOL. That's how I can play a whole season in a day.

[@thief12342]

I do the same thing lmao

[@rcoughtrey]

Lol i have two AP's with a shadow, for my strikerless formation

[@Ryuzakku]

Wait Zealand doesn't manage friendlies? It's how I get my "eye test" on all my players!