Articles > CM 2008: Top 10 Lower League PlayersIt’s not always easy when you’ve got no money and the current squad isn’t up to much. Managing in the lower leagues is tough at the best of times; with little resources and few quality players willing to join your club. However, if you search down deep enough into the CM database you may be surprised to find that there are a few rough gems out there. Players who have some genuine quality and can make a big difference to a teams fortunes. Here you will find a list of my top 10 lower league players in Championship Manager 2008, one or two of whom may even have the ability to make it all the way to the top. 1. Alain Masudi
[screenshot] The experienced Masudi is an excellent player. Whilst he certainly possesses the quality to perform in the top leagues, he is more than willing to join a lower league team if the cash is right. The Congolese forward is a good all round player who has great pace and a keen eye for goal. It may be necessary to bid more than his valuation in order to try and prise him away from Maccabi Haifa, as he is one of their prize assets. However, he is very much worth the extra cash and will not require a work permit as he has dual, Congolese/French nationality. 2. Hugo Rodallega
[screenshot] South American, Rodallega can be picked up on a free transfer at the start of the game and he has the ability to be an instant success in the lower leagues. His lack of pace is more than made up for by his clinical finishing ability and strength in the air. Despite the fact that he is Colombian, it shouldn’t be a problem getting a work permit as he is a full international for his country. Whilst he may not be willing to play in the lowest extremities of any given national league, he can be tempted by large contract offers and is an ideal solution for teams low on transfer funds .3.
Dimitris Karamanlis
[screenshot] The versatile Karamanlis is a must buy for any lower league team. He can operate anywhere down the middle of the park and his creativity, vision and passing ability make him an excellent playmaker. The 21 year old Greek player is one of the hottest commodities on the game at the start, so it may be necessary to offer a larger than normal contract to gain his services. That being said, he is an excellent talent who has the ability to make it all the way to the top.
4. Aaron McLean
[screenshot] One of the better known stars of lower league football. Peterborough’s McLean has pace in abundance and will frighten the life out of opposition defences. He also has a great engine and his work rate is second to none. Whilst he may not be the most clinical of finishers, he can still bang in twenty goals a season at this level, which will be invaluable to teams either chasing promotion or battling against relegation. At just 24 years of age, he is a very worthwhile investment and is capable of performing well in the higher leagues. 5.
Arriaga
[screenshot] Arriaga can be plucked from the obscurity of Spanish non-league football and is willing and able to perform in most lower league teams. He is best used as a right winger but can also play ‘off’ the main strikers. Despite the fact that he carries a hefty price tag, teams that can afford him should not miss out. He has a great mix of pace, creativity, dribbling and crossing ability which will prove too hot to handle for the vast majority of full backs. He also has youth on his side, at the age of 24, he is more than capable of being successful higher up the footballing ladder. 6.
Igor Demo
[screenshot] Veteran player Demo will prove to be a strong performer in the lower leagues. At the start of the game he is aged 31, but the defensive midfielder hasn’t lost any of his pace and should be able to dominate the midfield at this level. He is a full Slovenian international and whilst he may not be a long term solution to a teams midfield problems, he can be a steadying influence, especially alongside less capable players. 7.
Arash Borhani
[screenshot] The Iranian striker is an absolute bargain, who performs excellently in the lower leagues but is not so well adept further up the footballing ladder. His movement, finishing and heading ability will prove to be a real handful for less able defenders and he will get goals for fun at this level. He is also a seasoned international so will have no problems getting a work permit. 8.
Shane Blackett
[screenshot] Blackett is arguably the best centre back in League Two at the start of the game. Despite the fact that he is more than capable of moving up a few levels, a sizable contract should convince him to move to clubs of a similar standing to Peterborough. He has good marking, tackling and heading attributes and is also a strong player with an excellent turn of pace. With the added bonus of being left footed, at 38k, he is a player not to be missed. 9.
Phil Starkey
[screenshot] The young Ebbsfleet United player is a rare breed in the lower leagues; a defender with pace. He has solid yet unspectacular defensive stats, but his speed, stamina, dribbling and passing ability will make his an extremely valuable player. He is capable of getting forward from his right back position and helping out the wingers, a kind of non league Ashley Cole. At less than 2k, he is a worthwhile investment and is highly likely to want to join most clubs. 10.
Francesco Ripa
[screenshot] Ripa is a quality young striker who will terrorise opposition defences in the lower leagues. He has a decent turn of pace, as well as being a clinical finisher and having an eye for the spectacular. Although it will take a hefty bid to prise him away from Serie C1/B club Sorrento, it should prove money well spent, as he is a talismanic figure. At 21, he also has age on his side, so whilst he may not make it to the top in football, you should be able to make a sizable profit on your investment should you decide to sell him on.
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CM FOCUS
CM 2010 section
We will soon be starting work on our new CM 2010 section, which should
be up within the next week. I hope to build up some comprehensive lists of all the best players, tactics, set pieces routines and training schedules. I am also hoping to start a new Lower League Section, with help and guides for those who chose to start their managerial careers further down the footballing ladder. If anyone is interested in helping with the Lower League section or any other area of the site, then please send me an e-mail at jonathan@champ-man.com |
