🎮 4 (non-prem) English teams to consider for FM24

Less than a month left! Just 26 days until the kickoff of Football Manager 2024, and the anticipation is real. I'm genuinely pumped this time around because the new features and game enhancements are promising.

The in-play mode has undergone a major makeover, making everything feel more realistic. They've put serious effort into how the ball moves and dances around the pitch. And let's not forget the game-changer – the introduction of the "real-world" mode. Can't wait to dive in and experience the next level of football management! ⚽🎮

In this issue

• 🖊️ 4 (non-prem) teams to consider for FM24

• 🔥 MattFM Community

Just like everyone else, I'm deep in contemplation about which team will be the lucky one to kick off my FM24 journey. The options this year are seriously giving me that football buzz! Let me share the top 4 contenders on my list, and hey, you might want to consider them too ⚽

Hartlepool

Imagine the scenes, you finally win the Championship play-off final. The phone rings and it’s Jeff Stelling thanking you for the success you have brought to Hatlepool United. “You’re welcome Jeff, this was all for you.”

I won’t try and make this re-build sexy. Hartlepool is a big job and they are cash strapped. In recent years, community-driven efforts and fan initiatives played a significant role in stabilising the former Durham Community Cup Champions. l.

In the 2020-2021 season, Hartlepool United secured promotion from the National League (fifth tier) to League Two, winning the National League play-off final at Ashton Gate on penalties. This achievement marked a positive turn for the club and signaled hopes for a brighter future - spoiler alert. It wasn’t.

Relegation last year will probably come with high pressure for an instant return this season, but I think this could be a fun journey. The initial squad will be competitive in the division and Emmanuel Dieseruvwe is looking like a 20+ a year goalscorer (we will keep him).

Finally, I will be looking to build some parent arrangements with local club, as a key starting point for promotion.

Derby County

Last year, Derby finally got their takeover. This is after years of antics from previous owner Mel Morris. In September 2020, Derby County faced financial turmoil as owner Mel Morris placed the club into administration. It was revealed that Morris had neglected tax payments on behalf of the club over several years, resulting in a substantial debt of £25 million owed to HMRC.

This, believe it or not, was only one of the many financial mistakes that were made by Mel. Who will surely go down and one of the most disliked, arguably hated, football owners of all time.

Anyway, to re-build DCFC we will need to pull on our reputation and huge fan base. I suspect in game, compared to other League 1 teams, the money will grow. Derby still see 30,000 strong attending at Pride Park.

Compared to others in the league, we will have preference over a number of loan signings from Championship and Premier League clubs. Which I suspect will lead us to greater income potential over the first few years, if promotion isn’t obtained quickly.

I also get the sense that the gap between the Top 6 in League 1 and the Bottom 12 in the Championship continues to get smaller. Therefore, gaining back-to-back promotions or certainly getting into the Championship play-off places on the first time of asking, isn’t inconceivable.

Side note, I’m from the 90s, Derby should be in the Premier League and Wanchope should be up top.

Scunthorpe

The rise and fall of Scunthorpe United is one for the books. Flashback to 2010, they were battling it out in the Championship, and now? Well, they've found themselves in the National League North. Yeah, you read that right – four straight relegations. Football can be a wild ride for fans and SUFC is living proof.

If you haven’t seen the YouTube video by TomFM, where he rebuilt Scunthorpe United in FM23 I suggest you check it out now. It will certainly whet your appetite.

Finally, if you want history, Scunthorpe have won the Lincolnshire Cup 21 times, the Midlands League (which doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me). Oh, and once had Kevin Keegan in the claret and blue.

Watford

This is hugely bias, but stick with me.

Watford, my team, have lost everybody. 22 players left the club this summer. Now many of those players were dead wood, Cleverley, Cathcart, Assombalonga. However, some of them included Ismaila Sarr, Joao Pedro Christian Kabsele, Lenardo Bacuna, I could go on.

Now, here's where the FM 24 rebuild gets exciting. Empty pockets? Not at Watford. We've got some serious moolah in the bank, thanks to a transfer income that skyrocketed well beyond the £100 million mark this summer. And let's be real, FM has a soft spot for Watford, so fingers crossed for a generous transfer budget. Time to turn the tables!

My only concern is the equally liberal approach to management that Pozzo owners have. A slow start and that could be curtains on my reign.

However, as a true re-build project, Watford have what we are looking for; money, the need of a new squad & a splash of turmoil! 💛🐝 

Who are you considering this year for your FM24 journey?

Matt FM Fansletter is published 3x/ week

• 🖊️ Monday - Opinions

• 🎮Wednesday - Football Manager

• ⚽Friday - Fantasy Premier League

🔥 MattFM Community

Thank you for reading this edition of Matt FM’s fansletter. For more content, or to get involved in the community, follow on Twitter.

You support is greatly appreciated, I will be back on Friday with a few players to avoid in your FPL team, post the international break.

⚽ MattFM