My answer would be... very important indeed!

I have just moved to a new club that required a complete overhaul and, despite having bought in the kind of players who should be challenging for the title, I am losing silly points here and there.

My team gelling has been 'current players are blending well' and has now moved to 'has a good understanding'. I believe I have seen some slightly better performances just recently and maybe a bit more consistency.

What are other people's views on this aspect of Football Manager?

C.

With a completely rebuilt squad I always look to next year.

Firebracelet - really? I have been hoping that my team will gell over the course of the season and maybe put in a late challenge for the top 3. At the moment I'm sitting about 7th but still in touching distance of the top sides.

With previous sides, I have changed a little at a time. My new team, however, required a complete rebuild. I was surprised at how much of an effect it has had on the consistency of performances. I'm finding my players are making more mistakes and looking less convincing.

C.

Just another thought...

What about international management? Does team gelling have an effect when managing international sides?

C.

keeping a consistant tactic and one that allows players to play to their abilities will help with consistancy.

as will playing players regularly. i find my back 4 get better when i settle on 4 players for years and years.

Where do you go to see how your team is gelling?

overhauling a squad at a new club is near impossible in your 1st season. i tried to take over man utd in a downloaded gamesave, they badly underachieved the previous season. i sold 5 wantaway players for around £50M, 3 of which were defenders. rio retired too, but they had so many good CBs i concentrated on their ronaldo-less midfield. winning away was easy, but home form was diabolical...

my philosophy on signing players has always been reliant on what the scout report says regarding his personality. if he doesn't fit in with the overall squad personality, i won't buy him. definately works when adding a few new faces, but too many, even with the same squad personality, won't gel first season.

I generally like to allow minimum six months for gelling - expecting miracles before that never seems to work. This is why I tend not to make signings in the january window.

Where can I find info on how my team are gelling?

ta.

When I joined Man Utd I saw 'our current players would be willing to die for each other' which I thought was cool.

If you wanna know how to find out it's Assistant advice > team talk feedback (I think)