Aberdeen would be great fun, and after I've gotten to grips with FM2012 with MONEY, I'll take the Dons again as they are. Aberdeen are a decent side, the main problem is the absence of someone to make plays for Vernon or Chalali to score on. Chris Maguire was decent enough with crossing, but he's gone now. Aberdeen's main strengths lie in its youth squad- I just noticed today: I'm in my second season, won the triple last season, made the playoffs in the Champions League this season, and the youth team that i've been paying no attention to whatsoever are actually winning some international U21 competition. Fuck knows how.
My squad, however, are ENTIRELY new signings, from Celtic, Rangers, and the American and Swiss national teams (btw, I've gotten my Swiss players so much better that in game the national squad has risen up to 9th in the world rankings). Not a single one of those players is originally Aberdeen. If you take Aberdeen, you'll have the same problems the team has had IRL this season- very good defense, but we just can't score. Kari Arnason and Gavin Rae are a great midfield, and Rory McArdle and Youl Mawene make a solid defense line, but although Vernon has the ability to score, there's no one to get the ball to him. Keep an eye out on the youngsters- especially Peter Pawlett and Fraser Fyvie, they can be excellent wingers. You'll have a new Nigerian to replace Aluko, name's Danny Uchechi. We never really saw him in action IRL, but he's got good potential as an SPL attacking midfielder. Get him tutored by Russell Anderson maybe, or another senior player. Also, Ryan Jack is really not a bad player. If you can afford it, loan out Clark Robertson to an npower league or First division team and he should grow nicely. Sell Andrew Considine, he'll always be shite.
As for signings, see if Leigh Griffiths is available. Used to play for Dundee City (Scottish First Division) and was a free transfer on 2011, should now be on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, but if you can get him, he'll start knocking them in for fun. Marius Zaliukas will be hard to sign, as he's the Hearts captain, but if you can get him you've got a rock-solid defender with good motivational skills as well.
The main strength of Aberdeen, though, is the youth squad. Hire some continental scouts (I got Stephan Chapuisat, how awesome is that
) and look at Switzerland (Basel and Young Boys have some ace players) and Germany (lots of young Turks not getting enough play time there). See if you can sign Wotherspoon (I think that's his name) from Hibernian.
That's all I can think of for now. You might need to not do too well for a few seasons before it starts paying off. Also, your assistant manager will recommend the usual shitty 442. Fuck him. But let him take team talks, if you're not an experienced manager, the Aberdeen squad will remember when they had Fergie and they'll make snide comments about your shit speaking to the media.
