Defensive problems

[DFGD]

Hello!

As the title suggests I am having problems defensively, more precisely with winning possession in the area between my own penalty area and midfield.
My opposition makes a habit of passing around without ever being properly challenged, alternatively just skip the passing and run right through, they don't really get challenged until they hit my flat back four, but then my midfield is usually behind and outplayed.

So now on to my question, how do I get my players to chase the ball more aggresively, or at least attempt to challenge instead of idly watching the ball roll past them?

Now I know the info might be insufficient, but this is my first thread ever so tips on what else i need to inform about, or anything at all really (perhaps even the answer to my question ) I would GREATLY appreciate it!

Thanks

 

[glen.mack]

I suggest you drop a midfielder into a defensive midfielder role, give him zonal marking and change his closing down to often, but it does really depend on whether the guy has an incredibly high work rate and tackling as to whether he'd be effective.

What league/team are you in?

 

[bgsam1990]

Its due to mentality I feel. If ur defenders are too defensively minded and ctrl mids are normal or just attacking, this leads to huge space between your defence and midfield. Having a DMC is a good idea or change your mentality system. I use this mentality system:
DCs: 6-8 clicks FBs: 8-9 clicks MC(more defensive): 8-9 clicks
MC(att minded): 11-13 clicks Wings: arnd 14 clicks STs: one 14 and other 16-17
Try doing something like this instead of huge mentality variation between def, mid and att. In case u use a DMC, have his mentality one click more than DC. But it is always essential to have the right players at right positions..compare work rates, staminas, tackling, etc etc and choose the right player.

 

[DFGD]

First of all, thanks!

I am managing HamKam in the Norwegian first division, relegation candidates.

I have a strong hardworking def mid in my team, he's not good for much else though. But if sacrificing some juice in the final third helps then thats what i will do!

If i am having problems with one skilled dribbler going past everyone, would some kind of OI help? Since my team is rather slow overall they can't really handle and close down quick guys

 

[Milen1234]

I suggest you drop a midfielder into a defensive midfielder role, give him zonal marking and change his closing down to often, but it does really depend on whether the guy has an incredibly high work rate and tackling as to whether he'd be effective.

What league/team are you in?

I second this except from i strongly advice against high closing down as he'll run out of position.

Everything else seems a good way to combat the issue though

Edit -

Sorry i wouldn't move him into DM role .. keep him in CM but give him a DM mentality with fairly defensive mentality. I'd have run with the ball rarely but i'd keep forward runs on mixed.

---------- Post added at 09:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:13 AM ----------

First of all, thanks!

I am managing HamKam in the Norwegian first division, relegation candidates.

I have a strong hardworking def mid in my team, he's not good for much else though. But if sacrificing some juice in the final third helps then thats what i will do!

If i am having problems with one skilled dribbler going past everyone, would some kind of OI help? Since my team is rather slow overall they can't really handle and close down quick guys

If he's a winger i can only suggest tight marking him or moving him on to the wing (forcing him to cross rather than cut inside) with the weaker foot option.

Hard tackles will probably result in red cards and if you put closing down on high then he'll just knock it past you/dribble around u if ur player isn't good enough to handle him.

 

[Wilsonrtf]

Maybe you can put two guys to man mark him, in different strata of the field (for example, a DMC and a CB). That way, there will problably always be one guy chalenging him and another one ready to chalenge again if he gets past the first one.