Id like to see something comes in where clubs can add to there club balances by being active. Maybe a standard question could be asked each week by Richard and the best reply from each division gets a small media prize of £50 or 100k.
Or even a set of standard questions that could be answered each week in the shape of a match day program, the quality could be decided by rich and the money given dependant on the quality, maybe up to £100k a week?
Biggest problem might be that some leagues have very few active managers.

I like the idea of clubs being able to spend on the youth players. Maybe the more they spend building up there youth team the quicker the youth players will improve?

The problem with the old stadium idea was that I struggled to find a system for the design your own stadium feature.

I may look at a limited version of the idea although managers wouldn't be able to shape their stadiums.

Richard.

This is not really an idea specifically for season three but one i have thought could work well for a while.

I thought it may be good to have a gossip section on the message board, speculating on potential transfers.

It would possibly have a few benefits or tweaks to make the game slightly more realistic;

- Managers could leak deals to the press to attract other bidders or boost offers already on the table.
- They could fabricate interest from other clubs to boost existing transfer bids.
- It would encourage more people to take an active role in transfers and media activity (e.g. denying speculation or feigning speculation to entice a rival to splash more cash)

It would need to be run in conjunction with the media also, and whoever runs the column could take snippets from existing media, media could be sent in too them directly, or they could simply make something up.

I would definately volunteer to run the column, which could then be modirated by Rich, either on here or as a seperate freewebs site. It could also lead to conflicting media reports which would replicate the uncertainty of modern day transfer activity.

here is an example of what i mean;

'Gudjohnsen set for Sky Blues; Coventry manager Mark Rollings has set his sights on bringing the Icelandic international to the Ricoh arena, with Kevin Kyle a make weight (The Sun).

Interest in Sidwell high; Atletico Madrid manager Chris Hanton has revealed that there are five of six clubs interested in securing the services of Central midfielder Steve Sidwell with Liverpool and Chelsea apparantly among the front runners (Various).

United want Messi; The Manchester United boss has suggested he wants to bring superstar Lionel Messi to Old Trafford and has reportedly offered 22million for the Argentinian (The Guardian).

Arsenal coy on Owen; Although admitting interest in Newcastle striker Michael Owen the Arsenal boss has suggested he will not pay over 9million for the striker (The Sun).'

Thoughts??

I dont agree at all, those prices are way too high for most clubs.

Maybe introducing a draft system for youth players where the lower clubs get first choice, (like in american sport) with each team maybe paying a fee of 10% of there cash if they choose to have a youth player.

This way the richer/better clubs will not get even better & this will also cost each team an even proportion of their money.

-- Edited by Reuben at 18:31, 2008-03-17

I dont mean to ruin the party, but I wouldn't do anything for the new season (except the idea of naming new youth players). If I wanted to play a game where all the stadiums and stuff could be customised then I would play FM! The current setup has been successful, so just keep it that way.

Simon
RV

re donations - I think its a good idea.

re Questions each week - My thinking behind this is the more managers are active the better the game and the more interest it brings. While I appreciate some managers don't have the time or don't want to use there time answering questions each week I do think the active managers should be slightly rewarded. The way I see it if you put a little more in then you should get a little more out. I think more managers would be tempted to do the questions once they see a slight reward and I think the game would receive a boost from it. The responses to each questions would im sure be used in other media. I really like the idea myself but its not everyones cup of tea.

re Managers and e-mails - it is annoying, very annoying in fact. It takes 2 seconds to answer an e-mail saying "yes" or "No". It even more annoying when I E-mail a manager asking about a player and then find he transfers a few weeks later. Ive e-mail managers asking about players yet I see the same teams players moving out on loan etc etc so clearly they are active just cant be bothered replying.

One other suggestion would be a time for results - not sure how possible this is with your schedule but would like to see a time when we can check results rather than having to go back and fore all the time. Example: Maybe move the team sheet deadline to Thursday 4pm and the say Results will be up Saturday 7pm. That gives plenty of time for you to sort everything out. Just an idea

The only change to the previous post is that the scout idea will take the shape of an updated Foreign Player Market. In that there will be a number of locations say North America, and managers can pay to have a scout in that area for 1 season. This allows them the chance to bid on players who come into that market at a set time - ie. a transfer window style period.

The cost for a scout can't be too much that lower clubs are always out priced, but maybe that top clubs can have a scout in every market while lower clubs have to pick one.

Also, tying this into the Donation idea. If a manager makes a donation at the start of a new season, then they can perhaps get one free scout as part of that package. That way it doesn't effect the clubs finances. This means active managers in say League One could donate and have a scout which maybe otherwise they couldn't afford.

Nothing is set yet, I need to try working these ideas into the existing set up, and I have Uni finals coming up so don't have unlimited time to play about.

Comments, ideas, suggestions welcome.

Richard.

When will the changes be announced?

Stu

Just reading your ideas. Rich the only problem I can see is donating to the game, getting a package as you said, but what happens if you change teams ? Do you take the package to your new team or leave it behind. The only way I thought of getting out of this is having contracts for managers. Eg season by season contracts and contracts extended if your doing well or not so well. As your not going to buy a package if your looking likely to get sacked

Sounds good mate. See you at WEMBLEY ! Not long now

In the old game in the media section there was an instant messaging chat room style thing powered by java - couldn't be used for media, but could be for banter - that way people could chat during live games and the like...