Defenders Stepping Out

[Mageling84]

Hey All

I'm new to the forums after returning to FM following a couple of years absence on the FM series. The last time I played was FM12. I hope you are all well.

I always managed lower league sides before and guided Harrogate Town (Conference North) to the Champions League in FM12. I'm hoping to do the same again this time so that's the team I have gone with in this series.

I was hoping some of you may be able to shed some light on why my CBs keep coming forward out of position, resulting in gaps which the opponent is running into.

I've tried setting my CBs' instructions to Close Down Less/Close Down Much Less and they still keep doing it. The opponent just keeps running into this space and latching on to through balls. I can see it coming from a mile away so its frustrating that I can't stop it.

(I'm having to post this in sections because I keep getting an error saying I can't post over a certain amount of URL's or any banned words?!?!)

 

[Mageling84]

Are there any ideas to stop this? Would setting one of my CBs to "Cover" instead of having both as "Defend" work?

Mentality: Structured
-Team Shape: Flexible


I've tried to go with simplicity and not over complicating things because the players at my disposal are never going to set the world on fire. It's been tough to strengthen the team as well because of how scouting seems to work now.


Just as a side note, this is after playing 5 friendlies and 1 competitive league match so far. I feel like my CBs are ignoring the instructions I give them!


It turns out I can't post any images whatsoever as a new poster (Ridiculous).

 

[wkdsoul]

do you have close down or tight marking ticked?

 

[Mageling84]

These are my team instructions.

View attachment 312008.

I had "Mark Tighter" set on individual instructions for my 2 CB's. Perhaps this is why? I have my 2 CB's set to "Close Down Less".

I did try playing on a short practice run before my official play through and my assistant always kept telling me to mark the opponent's striker tighter? It seems I keep having problems one way or another no matter what I do.

 

[Dynamo_ZahnZee]

1. Check your CB's concentration and Decisions: If they are not 10+ (for LLM) they simply don't have the attributes to do what you're asking them to.
2. Close down more and Use offside trap will cause your CBs to rush forward and try prevent he player from attacking the ball.
3. Check to see if you have "closing down" in the opposition instructions.


The issue may be in one (or all) of those 3 areas

It drives me crazy to see it myself but it's one of the most effective attacking stratagies used all over the world and is what makes 2 striker formations so effective and stood the test of time. Stopping them requires you to prevent them strikers form getting the ball so your problem is more than likely originating in midfield.

 

[Mageling84]

Concentration and Decisions are 10/11 and 11/11 for my CBs. However, the concentration and decision on my Full Backs are between 6-8. Would this possibly make use of the offside trap quite dangerous? They may not keep the line?

It's funny you mention that about them not having the attributes to do what I want them to do. That's why I've tried to keep it simple and structured. I have got "Closing down more" selected in team instructions but I've negated this for my CBs by giving them individual instructions to "Close down less".

 

[Dynamo_ZahnZee]

Chances are it may be the opposition instructions then? Dose it have "Close down" selected on the oppositions Strikers as this will negate/clash with the Player and Team instructions

 

[Mageling84]

Ahhh yes it does. I'll see how it affects things over the next few games. I was planning on creating a LLM post to summarise the first season when it comes to and end

Thank you.

 

[Dynamo_ZahnZee]

Be sure though. If you want them to Step off and everyone else to Close down, you're going to create a pocket of space just behind your midfield. Whenever I have my Back line step off, I have a holding midfielder doing the leg work to put the opponents forwards under pressure.


Good luck my friend. Defending is a ****** hard area to get perfect. Ask Brendan Rodgers and he'll agree with me

 

[Mageling84]

Haha yeah although it's getting better for them.

How you describe it almost sounds like a catch 22 situation if I don't play a holding midfielder? I'm using 4-4-2 because that's the best formation to suit the players I have. Nothing too fancy. One of my CMs is set to Defend and the other is Box to Box (my star player and its his most suited position). Hopefully that should cover it? We'll soon find out anyway.

 

[Dynamo_ZahnZee]

If you spot an opposition striker camping out between the line, Instruct your defensive minded Midfielder to Man Mark him. That way you'll get a Holding midfielder in the defensive phase and he'll revert to his Centre midfield role when you have possession.

 

[Mageling84]

I know it's only 1 game since the tweaks, but I had to post this :-D.

View attachment 311951

I removed the opposition pressing you mentioned and also moved my CM(Def) into a DM (Def). Additionally, I changed my Wingers from Support to Attack to compensate for the 1 less CM which would have created a bigger gap between my Midfield and Forwards.

 

[Mageling84]

If you spot an opposition striker camping out between the line, Instruct your defensive minded Midfielder to Man Mark him. That way you'll get a Holding midfielder in the defensive phase and he'll revert to his Centre midfield role when you have possession.

Great idea actually, thank you. I had to switch out my usual CM(Def) player for the change to a permanent DM(Def) because the latter wasn't a position he played in. I'll give the other option a try as he is a better player.

 

[dakofsta]

Try cover stopper or on the opposition instructions, set closing down to 'never'