The first and the most important thing you should do starting a game in Football Manager is in-depth squad analysis. So today I am sharing my minds about Deportivo players and ideas of future transfers.

First of all I want you to know that I decided to use 5-3-2 formation with 2 wing backs (WBL, WRL). This is the principle I like: build a star team but not a team of stars. Therefore my squad will be tuned to the formation and tactics instead reverse process.

Let's start squad analysis!

Goalkeepers

The best Deportivo goalkeeper is Daniel Aranzubia who has even 1 cap for Spain somehow:

But the main Depor problem before the start is that Aranzubia has long-termed injury:

So his place will be given to his shiftman – Manu, of course if I don't buy any new goalkeepers. He is decent guy whom I would trust a place in the first team.

Defenders

DC

Looking into and comparing attributes of Deportivo defenders I can say the most efficient one should be Diego Colotto from Argentina:

Almost all his attribute values important for central back are higher than 14. The only obvious weakness is Colotto's pace and acceleration. Though I hope this guy will lead defence. Interesting that the most expensive player – central back Ze Castro – is somewhat worse physically than Colotto. He can be a good candidate for selling and earning money.

I can single out Alberto Lopo among central defenders who resembles Diego Colotto but is not so classy and decent quite young (24 years old) Aythami with Strength=12 and Concentration=10.

There are 3 central backs in my formation. So I think I need to buy or sign for free 2 additional defenders.

WBL

Andres Guardado

Andres is the best wing back in the team wanted by many European clubs. By the way he was in my wonderkids list for  Football Manager 2008.

Experienced Claudio Morel Rodriguez could be useful as well. The only his problem is poor speed for wing back. Loaned Norwegian Rindaroy can also help at this position.

WBR

Laure

Laure is a quite good right wing back though his technical abilities are not enough for efficient support of attacks on a flank. There is experienced Manuel Pablo having slight worse attributes values. Though I decided to sell him as one of main wage budget eaters – his salary is $28.5K.

No more players for this position. It means I should by at least one good WBR who can be good in joining attacks.

Midfielders

My formation demands 3 central midfielders. One of them is a playmaker, others are common working horses.

MC (Playmaker)

Juan Carlos Valeron

Old Spanish star, legend of Deportive is still can be helpful. He would be an ideal candidate for playmaker positions if his physical attributes are at better level. Stamina is awful at all

Juan Rodriguez

Juan Rodriguez could be a decent playmaker. Though he has also some perceptible minuses like poor Teamwork. I would use this guy at other positions in the centre of midfield.

It seems like I have to buy a player who will become a real playmaker (like Marco Verratti in Leeds United in my FM 2010 story).

MC ("Working horses")

Here is a pretty wide choice of footballers:

- Juan Rodriguez

- Antonio Tomas

- Yves Desmarets

- Pablo Alvarez

- Juca

I am going to leave at least 4 of them in the team.

Forwards

Don't know why but I liked forwards of Deportivo most of all. They are not stars but very good personalities as for me.

Adrian

All 3 strikers – Lassad, Riki and Adrian – are equal by their attributes. Though Adrian seems somewhat better due to his young age and prospective. I remember him by wonderkids list in FM 2010 where he was among talented forwards as well.

Finally it's obvious that "3" is low amount of strikers which should cause problems in case of injuries or suspensions. This is the reason why I have to buy 1 or 2 new guys to make a substitution bench longer.

Starting transfers

Well I have low amount of money for transfers. Therefore I tend to:

- sign some free players

- earn money selling Deportivo "B" players + some players from the main squad who "eat" wage budget

- buy few new footballers for earned money.

This is my pretty common plan. I am sure it'll be interesting for you to read my transfers post soon!

True Football Manager