Match Engine realism
More possession (60%+) = a tired opposition defence, more goals/CCC created in later stages of half – think Barca, Athletic, Swansea, Tottenham etc etc.
More possession does NOT necessarily require the team to have extremely defensive pre-set mentality, slow tempo with no forward runs, resulting in your team not creating a chance all game. There needs to be a step away from the Match engine being based on the principles of the Premier League and that of a more expansive, educated system.
I appreciate that you will never recreate total-football or a style of play as fluid and expressive as Athletic or Barcelona on FM as this requires imagination and expression, something that a computer game obviously lacks. But more work needs to be done to ensure that the success of a team/formation is not purely based on having strong, fast players playing high-tempo direct football with lots of turnover of possession.
On the contrary, I am not asking every team to play the same way as Barca (different cultural approaches, management styles and player ability would mean this isn’t the case for one), simply that a team with the required approach do so can achieve success and plenty of CCCs trying their best to play like this – think of Swansea doing so well in a league like the Championship & Premier league against ‘better’ teams and ‘better’ players.
I would also like to see more Italian Clubs playing their ‘traditional’ way – based on strong defence, counter attack, same goes for Brazil and Spain etc based on possession, possession, possession.
Previously mentioned tactical options.
- The standard tactic set-up utilising player roles etc was introduced so the game is ‘easier’ to play for the masses, whether you are a footballing novice or a tactically astute student of the game you are both guided and restricted by this focus of SI on ‘ease-of-use’.
This, coupled with constraints of the match engine, has lead to the success of FM tactics being based purely on the template of high tempo, direct, attacking football – think Premier league over Italian or Spanish League – It now being the only way to consistently get positive results - however, real life is not like that.
FM should introduce 3 tactic ‘competency levels’ – Beginner, Intermediate, Expert (or, like manager experience at the start of the game, Sunday-league, Semi-Pro, Pro, International) which will dictate exactly how much control you have on tactical shape, player roles, sliders etc.
The default tactic system (player roles etc) would be classified as beginner; what is now called ‘Classic Mode’ would be Intermediate; with the ‘Expert’ mode seeing a return to the good old days of Championship Manager 3 whereby you could physically move every player to where you want them situated on the pitch, depending on which zone the ball was in and whether your team was in possession of the ball or not. It will also have more input on set pieces, marking from corners etc, as well as maintaining individual player instructions, sliders etc
Only then will you have challenge/enjoyment no matter what the skill level of the Human.
- Touchline Shouts and Team mentality (Counter, Overload, Attacking, Standard) should be available in all three ‘Modes’
- Re-introduce the 8-plain Directional ‘positioning’ arrows – think centre backs splitting, Messing dropping deep joining midfield, but still maintaining his very direct, forward runs and attacking mentality.
Alongside the above, an introduction of different attacking and defensive options for formations would see some progress to tactical management. When attacking your players line up one way, when defending the other. Eg Barcelona play a 451 defensively but, when attacking, play a 343 due to the FBs joining midfield and the CBs splitting with Busquets playing central.
Previously mentioned influence on youth academy style/national identity
Spain/La Masia for example, famed for producing a certain mould of technically gifted, imaginative footballers – England focussed on physical prowess at the expense of flair, creativity and technique.
‘Stock’ regen players should, by in large, match these stereotypes (with the exception-to-the-rule still coming through from time-to-time) unless a certain club (eg Arsenal) chooses to adopt a different methodology. You should be allowed to implement this based on Chairman/Fan preferences, budget constraints but you will require the correct facilities, scouting networks and coaches in order to implement effectively.
Job Application/Manager profile
Similar to the initial press conference (after accepting a new role), your answers/choices on preferred transfer policy, management style, tactical style etc should directly translate into your starting manager attributes & preferences.
In turn, this should correlate to the type of club/chairman that would be prepared to offer you a position.
For example, on playing style alone, would Arsenal want Tony Pullis (or other managers sharing his particular preferences of playing style) to replace Wenger, did Liverpool fans want/afford enough time for Hodgson? Would the current crop of Stoke players perform trying to emulate a version of Tiki-Taka?
Hiring against the grain should attract negative or positive fan/player reaction.
Example: look at Alex McLeish at Villa, Allardyce at West Ham and Villas Boas at Chelsea
AVB was tasked with the ‘changing of the guard’ but fell on the sword of a group of ‘senior players’ that objected to his approach to tactical policy, team selection and overall level of experience (fans & players alike were used to a more physical, deep-sitting, direct 433 style founded by Mourinho, rather than the high-pressing, more patient 4231 system he introduced).
On the reverse, a manager famed for a more sophisticated, technically focused style of play should attract optimism by supporters and players, resulting in higher initial attendances, higher morale and more players of that type being interested in joining the club – similar to the impact of Coyle on Bolton last year and Rodgers on Swansea, and Van der Vaart joining Tottenham.
Previously mentioned Setting priorities when offered or applying for a job.
Tying in seamlessly with the above, every season you should interact with the chairman about the short and long term expectations of the team in relation to success, transfer policy and tactical identity. Although I do I accept that, to a certain degree, this is in place already.
Eg Abromovic yearns for a more entertaining style of play, Champions league success AND younger players being bought and introduced to the squad – plus he will not accept inconsistent performances despite the obvious adjustment period that would come with any single one of these demands.
Also look at Moyes at Everton – initially tasked with using the resources available to him to stay in the league (first 2 seasons) then refresh the squad/gradually introduce a more attractive playing style (next 3 years), then to push for European qualification through the league.
Your Chairman (and perhaps fan base) should voice their expectations not just on competition, but what type of player they want brought to the club (free transfers vs talented youngsters vs big-name players etc) and tactical identity (want a more expressive style or think more attention needs to be paid to defence)
Cultural Differences/Restraints on management
Your duties (or lack of) should directly correlate to the country and set-up of the said club. For example, an English Club Manager is just that – they have responsibility for everything from training to youth development to scouting to finances to transfer policy.
In Spain, however, your responsibilities are traditionally that of a head coach (charged with youth development, tactics, training and picking the team), working under a management structure that includes a Director of Football (that is tasked with the ‘administrative’ side of football - finances, budgets and player transfers/contract negotiations).
Previously mentioned Dynamic PA when promotion/big moves are achieved for key performers: eg Jimmy Bullard, Leon Britton, Steve Morrison, Grant Holt and arguably Clint Dempsey
Previously mentioned input into stadium
Style/plans/capacity/pitch/running track etc etc
Previously mentioned Dynamic Rivalries