Think we could all do with some advice on football manager, i will give my tips then im sure others can tell me to shut up and improve the wee county fortunes!

I have found that football manager really does mirror managers minds in real life as foreign managers tend to like to slowly build up moves then hit the opposition(i.e slow tempo) so when you play in the league be sure to use quick tempo as you rush the other team given them less time on the ball which unsettles them.

When purchasing players i always make sure i have strong wingers(AMR/L) look for pace,dribbling and crossing. Then when it comes to player tactics make your wingers all out attack to join the front two at every opportunity. This can leave your defence short so make sure to have a defensive minded central midfielder then change his forward runs and running with ball to rarely

I also find it handy to scout your next opposition as if you do this you can see what formation the other team favours and is likely to use. For example if the other manager likes to play 3-5-2 then change your formation to 4-5-1 with your 2 wingers playing all out attack, maybe even as AMR/L depending on how good the other team are(playing as East Fife against Barcelona i wouldnt recommend going all out attack). However in doing this it would provide your front man with alot of opportunities, also make sure you have an attack minded midfield who you should instruct to get forward at every opportunity.

Hope this offers a different alternative to the tactics you usually employ.

I tend to just copy the tactics the Commish uses, as he is the FM guru.

In these type of challenges, I guess you need make no effort to bring on the youth players as its very short-termism. Win title - and move on. That's the plan, anyway.

A scan at the top clubs reserves often finds an experienced well known player sitting unhappy (UNH) like Samaras at Man City.
Getting them to agree a drop in wages for 1st team football is the challenge though.

I never change my formation. Always stick to one that I know works.
Hearts are right about the short termism nature of these challenges. Anybody you arent goign to play quite often get em sold!!
Always spread your payments for transfers over 24 months as it makes your budget go alot further (also very short termist i know).
Finally, use the internet if you get really stuck. Theres loads of sites out there telling you about decent players, tactics and training schedules if you need a helping hand. Or alternatively just use the collective minds of some of the best FM players the world has ever seen, right here in SESL!!!

ALO gave me this tip via PM. Seems a clever one.

Always use the installments option when buying players, even if it costs you slightly more in end. By putting the transfer over 24 months only half of the total fee be taken off your transfer budget. Leaving you more cash for other players.

Good tip that, I think.

I usually do this:

Tactics 4-4-2 with both wingers and right and left defender playing attacking.

The rest i don't change, accept off-side trap is always on.

When i start playing lower leagues, i always loan players from PL Reserves. One of them is always a good striker and one is a attacking midfielder. They are usually subbed by a youngster who uses the minutes to get better.

Because of the attacking nature of the tactics, this give me an advantage in the lower leagues. Most teams play with only one striker, or with two but that is countered by only 3 midfield players.