I know there's a 'key attributes' section which is, in itself, handy. However, I thought it would be (dare I say it) handy if I put together a list of attributes which although aren't essential to positions, enhance a player's ability to do certain things. I'm talking about ones that aren't too obvious (of course it'll help if your striker is super-fast with ace finishing). Also might include some preferred moves which are very helpful to certain positions.
GK: Anticipation, Decisions and Positioning:
Tbh these don't need to be massively high but if your keeper has below 10 on any of these you may find yourself looking at some soft goals conceded. One keeper, Vilar I think, has incredible Keeping stats but 4 positioning and it took me half a season to realise why we were playing well but conceding shedloads of random goals.
DRL: Long Throws:
This version of the game more than any of the earlier ones allows you to use the Long Throws to your advantage, having a wide player able to take them from their own side allows the team to retain its shape, making it easier and more likely for your team to capitalise from a throw in. You can set your throws to Long on the team instructions in the tactics.
DC: Height and Pace/Acceleration:
As Arsene keeps going on about neither of his two most technically gifted DCs are much above 6 foot, so Djourou is playing instead, it does really help if you have a DC above 6'2" if you can get a fast DC and a tall DC this should -assuming essential attributes are in place- help negate the main attacking threat that most teams hold, especially if they play long or direct passing.
DM: Natural Fitness, Passing, Heading, Jumping:
Natural Fitness works well with Stamina and an average NF with a very high Stamina should leave you sorted on a match to match basis, however over the course of a season your DM's fitness will detiorate and so will his performances unless he has a high Natural Fitness OR you have a squad rotation system. This is all assuming you have your DM close down as much as the default on the position tactics. Jumping and Heading is mainly only relevant if you play with deep defenders, sometimes you'll find your DM is marking the other team's striker or the fella in the hole and is owning your DM in the air. Either find a better DM in the air or push your defenders forward to a normal role.
MRL: Long Throws:
(See DRL).
MC: 'Gets Forward Whenever Possible', 'Tries Killer Balls Often':
So many attributes make world class Centre-Mids and there are loads of different ways of using MCs so I won't even bother trying to summarise all that. However, these moves are very handy. The 1st one I sumbliminally associate with the great goalscoring Midfielders, Gerrard being a great example. Even from a deep position he seems to knock them in all the time. This move means they get into goalscoring positions, whether it be running onto a flick-on to slot home or just arriving in the box to tap in a rebound. The Killer Balls thing is good for playmakers but a player will fall flat on his **** (metaphorically) if he has poor Passing, Creativity and, to a lesser extent, Decisions. If he has high in those Attributes tho this is an ace move and ups the assist level of the player by 10 or so (depending on the quality of the team/strikers/opposition) a season.
SC: Anticipation, Likes to Break Offside Trap:
Anticipation is great for strikers like Owen or Van Nistelrooy who have the sinister knack of being on the end of every rebound any striker with this, Off the Ball and Finishing will score goals, end of. The offside trap thing is something that used to **** me off, especially in real life. I'm an Arsenal fan and the amount Adebayor gets caught offside when he could have easily stayed onside isn't even a joke. That being said, even if only one in four of his attempts to break the trap are successful then he's through one on one with the keeper pretty often. Decent Pace, Acceleration, Composure and Finishing (and patience on the manager's part cos this disallowed goals do drive you mad) are required for this to really work but I think it's one of the main reasons Adebayor almost always nets 20+ goals for Arsenal in FM 09, well worth trying to train a striker to do.
I hope some of this will help some of you, I know some people won't agree with some of what I've said, especially Spurs fans (although I think FM kind of transcends those rivalries). But yeh please post feedback and tips like this of your own and I'll stick them up top if you want.
GK: Anticipation, Decisions and Positioning:
Tbh these don't need to be massively high but if your keeper has below 10 on any of these you may find yourself looking at some soft goals conceded. One keeper, Vilar I think, has incredible Keeping stats but 4 positioning and it took me half a season to realise why we were playing well but conceding shedloads of random goals.
DRL: Long Throws:
This version of the game more than any of the earlier ones allows you to use the Long Throws to your advantage, having a wide player able to take them from their own side allows the team to retain its shape, making it easier and more likely for your team to capitalise from a throw in. You can set your throws to Long on the team instructions in the tactics.
DC: Height and Pace/Acceleration:
As Arsene keeps going on about neither of his two most technically gifted DCs are much above 6 foot, so Djourou is playing instead, it does really help if you have a DC above 6'2" if you can get a fast DC and a tall DC this should -assuming essential attributes are in place- help negate the main attacking threat that most teams hold, especially if they play long or direct passing.
DM: Natural Fitness, Passing, Heading, Jumping:
Natural Fitness works well with Stamina and an average NF with a very high Stamina should leave you sorted on a match to match basis, however over the course of a season your DM's fitness will detiorate and so will his performances unless he has a high Natural Fitness OR you have a squad rotation system. This is all assuming you have your DM close down as much as the default on the position tactics. Jumping and Heading is mainly only relevant if you play with deep defenders, sometimes you'll find your DM is marking the other team's striker or the fella in the hole and is owning your DM in the air. Either find a better DM in the air or push your defenders forward to a normal role.
MRL: Long Throws:
(See DRL).
MC: 'Gets Forward Whenever Possible', 'Tries Killer Balls Often':
So many attributes make world class Centre-Mids and there are loads of different ways of using MCs so I won't even bother trying to summarise all that. However, these moves are very handy. The 1st one I sumbliminally associate with the great goalscoring Midfielders, Gerrard being a great example. Even from a deep position he seems to knock them in all the time. This move means they get into goalscoring positions, whether it be running onto a flick-on to slot home or just arriving in the box to tap in a rebound. The Killer Balls thing is good for playmakers but a player will fall flat on his **** (metaphorically) if he has poor Passing, Creativity and, to a lesser extent, Decisions. If he has high in those Attributes tho this is an ace move and ups the assist level of the player by 10 or so (depending on the quality of the team/strikers/opposition) a season.
SC: Anticipation, Likes to Break Offside Trap:
Anticipation is great for strikers like Owen or Van Nistelrooy who have the sinister knack of being on the end of every rebound any striker with this, Off the Ball and Finishing will score goals, end of. The offside trap thing is something that used to **** me off, especially in real life. I'm an Arsenal fan and the amount Adebayor gets caught offside when he could have easily stayed onside isn't even a joke. That being said, even if only one in four of his attempts to break the trap are successful then he's through one on one with the keeper pretty often. Decent Pace, Acceleration, Composure and Finishing (and patience on the manager's part cos this disallowed goals do drive you mad) are required for this to really work but I think it's one of the main reasons Adebayor almost always nets 20+ goals for Arsenal in FM 09, well worth trying to train a striker to do.
I hope some of this will help some of you, I know some people won't agree with some of what I've said, especially Spurs fans (although I think FM kind of transcends those rivalries). But yeh please post feedback and tips like this of your own and I'll stick them up top if you want.