Now, this is a story all about how my
top eleven game experience got flipped-turned upside down and I'd like to take a minute just sit right there I'll tell you how I became
a better player and have more fun in the game, just by not-manipulating draws and taking on challenging opponents. (Kudos to those who see what I did here)
Also maybe want to hear your opinions on the subject, maybe you can convince me of the opposite (again).
So long story short, in facebook groups and here on forum I see so many people who seem to get their enjoyment out of this game by beating abandoned teams and getting good statistics plus filling their trophy cabinet with cups, that, if you think about don't mean that much to be honest, they just look good.
Well, for a long time I was also of the opinion that this might be cool and I even opened a second club (because my normal club already had a fairly bad statistic, because I played this game like a noob for a long time) and started to play like a "pro".
After 10 or 12 seasons or so, I almost won every trophy, some trebles, had an insane record and a player who scored almost 1000 goals by the age of 26. And I was getting bored, thinking to myself - why am I doing this and really there is nothing that special about it...
Don't get me wrong, from my time on this account, I know that it is not like really easy to win every trophy every season, you need to train and manage your ressources and you might get the odd hard opponent here and there as well, even as a manipulator. But these are mostly like the finals and if you are still the stronger team then and happen to lose one, you only feel disappointment, because you are so used to winning every game.
But what if I tell you, that you probably miss out on so much fun and so many things in this game by playing this way?
For the last 2 seasons on my main account I did take on the challenge. First season it was by accident as well, because I was testing the new youth academy and their players' quality put me in the strong league, cup and so on. But you know, I somehow enjoyed it.
There is no better feeling in this game than winning as the underdog. Not expecting much, playing against a level higher 10% better guy in cup, who is also active and watching the game and then leading 4-0 with your well trained and tactically set-up team, while he is trying to gain control with a sub and so on.
It's the stuff you miss out on when playing against bots. It really brings out a competitive aspect in the game, that is quite enjoyable I have to say. I'm at 131% now, the highest I have been in a longshot and I compete vs 140% guys (a level higher) in cup and CL.
In my league is a 143% former tanker, who did win the league last season and I had no chance. Currently I'm only one point behind him and it's a classy title race.
You just feel so much better beating the big guns compared to beating bots. And also less disappointment when you get beaten here and there by another good player. I wouldn't have thought it, I must say.
Also it really makes you see the entire game from another perspective again and it makes you a better player, being able to adapt to your opponents. Therefor you win less trophies, but who cares... The statistics on my main team are bad anyway. And always good to beat a trophy hunter in associations then, when he has to play vs a similiar quality player.
You know, I don't say all of you should do it. If you have fun playing the way you do, keep on. I found it nice for a while, I might come back to manipulating when I feel like it. But you might miss out on something, just saying...