How do you win games? I'm on the verge of giving up on FM altogether. SO PLEASE HELP

[Flash234]

Hello,

So I finally got my copy of the game last week. And since then I've played 3 games. Two with Liverpool & one with Newcastle. In both the games with Liverpool, I finished 8th and 6th in the first season and got sacked on both occasions at the end of the season as I failed to fulfill my expectation of qualifying for CL (add to that the early cup exits). Then I came here seeking help but found many users claiming that Newcastle was easy to manage. So I went back and started a game with Newcastle. My first season went pretty good, as I finished 3rd and won the FA Cup. In the 2nd season, I did a major squad revamp. Sold the main players (Cabaye, Santon & Ben Arfa) for about 90M combined and bought several players (around 12 of them). But from then on, my team started doing badly. I finished 5th in the 2nd season (add to that the early cup exits). In Europe, I got kicked out CL in the group stages and entered Europa League where I bowed out in the quarters. I thought that my bad performance was due to the large number of new players in the squad and hence I didn't buy or sell anyone for the 3rd season. In the third, I did even worse and languishing in 9th position in March when my board decided to put me out of my misery.

My problem is that I was losing points in all the matches against weaker teams where I was expected to win.
I know that after FM12, SI remodelled the tactics system and since then their games (FM13 & FM14) have become a lot harder to play in comparison to the older versions of the game. I understand that not all games are winnable like it was the case in FM12 or earlier. But still I don't understand why my team beats United 1-0 away in one game and then loses 2-1 to Brighton at home in the next game. The results I get are too inconsistent and too unpredictable. As a result of this my team morale is down almost all the time.

I used to download tactics from the forums here and use them, but since FM13 I've been using my own tactics, but I find it very hard to win the "winnable" games with these tactics. I don't understand what mistake I am making and whats wrong with my team. My squad always seems pretty strong, but loses out to the opponents in the field. I don't know if its the result of its low morale or if I'm such a bad tactician.

After the Newcastle game, I felt really low. I feel quitting the game altogether.

Please help me get the results like you people do. I see the people here posting in the stories section and they seem to be winning pretty easily. Why can't I do that? I was able to do that pretty well till FM12. But it just doesn't seem to be the case in FM13 or FM14.

If I can't win with Liverpool or Newcastle, then I can't even imagine playing in a lower league.

I have five questions I needs answers for.

1. How exactly do you construct a tactic based on your team? (If someone can construct a tactic for Liverpool as an example, it would be nice)
2. How to keep your team in form?
3. How to win the "winnable" games?
4. How to make your team score more and concede less?
5. How to win trophies and make your team a big-gun (one that doesn't lose games easily, like Barcelona or Real Madrid in real-life)?

Please answer these questions and help me regain my motivation to play the game.

 

[Dynamo_ZahnZee]

My first season went pretty good, as I finished 3rd and won the FA Cup. In the 2nd season, I did a major squad revamp. Sold the main players (Cabaye, Santon & Ben Arfa) for about 90M combined and bought several players (around 12 of them). But from then on, my team started doing badly. I finished 5th in the 2nd season (add to that the early cup exits).

I feel this is where things went wrong. While it's often tough to resist the urge to overhaul the team, making more than 3-4 first team signings can set you back about 3-4 years worth of progresses. It's clear that your new team couldn't adapt to your tactics and failed to deliver results on the pitch.

---

To answer your questions.
1) How exactly do you construct a tactic based on your team? (If someone can construct a tactic for Liverpool as an example, it would be nice)

You need to identify the key Players at the team. In the case of Liverpool, it'd be: Luis Suarez, Stevie Gerrard, Philip Couthinio and Daniel Agger.

P.S. I'm a Liverpool fan so I'm not talking out of my **** here

Liverpool have decent defenders (Skrtle, Agger & Sakho are all 1st team quality) but are weak out wide. Johnson and Enrique are wingers and their PPM's are suited to playing as Aggressive Wing backs. No matter how much you tell them, they will not be hanging back.

Because of this, you HAVE to play a DCM to help the Center Backs cover the space. Otherwise, you'll be destroyed from 2 on ones or cross field passes.

I personally think Coutnhio needs to be played at ACM. He isn't that effective out wide (for me) but he's torn teams open as an Attacking midfielder for me.

Then I'd play Luis Suarez as a Deep Lying Forward (Support) and Daniel Sturidge as a Poacher (you want him high up the pitch so as not to let his "shoots form distance" PPM to annoy you)

View attachment 444991

GK: Minolet RWB: Johnson CB: Skrtle CB: Agger LWB: Cissokho DCM: Lucas CM: Gerrard (DLP) CM: Henderson (BBM) ACM: Coutinhio ST: D.Sturidge ST: Luis Suarez (False 9)

There are numerouse threads on here about how to design formations and choosing player roles, ect.

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2. How to keep your team in form?

Short term: Keep winning
Long term: Sign players with Determined/Professional Personalities.

Praise good performances and critisize poor performances. Talk up your sides in the press conferences and get your team talks right.

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3. How to win the "winnable" games?
There are no winnable games. Even if you're playing an injury ravaged Crystal Palace side, you MUST NOT take them lightly. Every single team int he premier league is capable of hurting you. Just because they may not be effective over 38 games, dose not mean they'll play a blinder against you. A 1/20 chance is not that high is you think about it.

Treat every opponent as a serious contender and make sure you identify their strengths, plan for things going wrong and make sure you have ideas on how to stop their attacks.

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4. How to make your team score more and concede less?

If you arent scoring, it's more than likey a supply problem. Make sure you're formation and tacticals allows for creative thinking. If the results aren't coming you have to assume it's the tactic. Its the only thing we have control over an dour only weapon to turn things around.

Conceding: Study where the goals are coming from. Out wide, maybe your FB's are too agressive going forward and leaving space behind them?
Through the middle, No DCM to cut out through balls between your CB's. ect

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5. How to win trophies and make your team a big-gun (one that doesn't lose games easily, like Barcelona or Real Madrid in real-life)?

Once you have the 4 above, you can then start to get NO.5

But this is a LONG TERM GOAL. I can't tell you how to get there, You have to build it form the ground up. Create a philosophy, sign the right players (over a long time. maybe 5 seasons) and implement a style of play that you can then tutor the youngsters to get the correct PPM to slot right in when they are ready.

 

[Alienman]

You must manage your team. Plug and play tactics don't really exist anymore if you are playing as an average team (maybe with a billion dollar PSG team you can play the same tactic every game and win).

-adjust your tactic to the match. On the road maybe you need to play counter with direct passing while at home you can try to retain possession and stretch the field by playing wider. Also make adjusts passed on the opposition. Do a lot of assists come from the wings? Than focus play down the flanks. Do they score most often through the middle? Play a DM to cover your back line.
-manage your players. Morale is important, it needs to be kept up. Praise a good performance but be careful with criticism. The hair dryer is just one tool in your tool box. If you are on a tough run of results you need to get their confidence back up by expressing your faith in the players rather than ripping them a new one for losing or piling the pressure on them to win.

 

[midhaven]

When I started out I was losing games like crazy and the board was furious. Im guessing I was about one or two losses from being sacked. Managed to turn it around and with alot of luck got to second position. On the final game of the season I snatched the top spot from Man U. They drew 1-1 against Stoke while I won 2-1 against West Ham. Was the most amazing season Ive ever played in FM and I finally learned how to play.

What I did to turn things around was to completely stop pressing continue. Scrap all my tactics and start to read guides. First you must understand what every role does and how they make the players move. Learn the mentality settings and every single instruction. This is assuming you already know what the player attributes do, otherwise learn that too. It is a lot to learn and will take hours to read up on, but once you start to grasp it you'll apritiate the learning curve.

After that download some proven successful tactics, dont play them. Just study them, usually the creators have a very detailed explaination how it works. Look at how they are set up, how they combine mentality settings with the instructions and why certain instructions were chosen.

After that focus on the next game only. Make a tactic for just that game. Study the scout report and use your new knowledge to counter it. Im not a big fan of this but for learning purposes save the game before. Talk to the team to get their morale back up. During team talks take notes, open up notepad and keep track of how players react to diffrent talks (calm, passionate, etc.). Keep track of which players youve issued warnings to and their weaknesses (are they wasting posession on longshots, making poor passes, failing dribble attempts) might be a ppm issue.

Play the same game over and over, try different tactical approaches, watch the entire game, learn your players and learn the game. It's fun to watch. After a few games you should have a full notebook and enough knowledge to take on a new opponent. Do the same thing again, save play, learn, reload. Once you feel you understand how things work. Stop saving, too much and youll ruin the experience.

This is how I learned. Every year I have downloaded pre-made tactics and while the game has been fun to play I've never felt like winning was thanks to something I did. So for this I thank SI, this year they force you to learn the game and while the game is bugged and frustrating it is the best one yet, for me atleast. Trust me.. put in the work, learn and enjoy the rewards.

 

[Flash234]

I agree, I require a rather theoretical/text-book approach towards the game. Thanks for all the help. I will try out the things that have been suggested here and report back on my performance. Cheers.

 

[devosjn]

Hi,

I'm playing with West Ham and Crystal Palace, so i'd like to respond to your questions based on my experience from these saves:

1. How exactly do you construct a tactic based on your team? (If someone can construct a tactic for Liverpool as an example, it would be nice)
-Look at the strengths of your team and its individuals. West Ham are best headers in the league, 2nd best jumpers and we have Andy Carroll. So already you should think floated crosses etc. Start with a basic tactic and work from there, I use a 4-4-2. If you have a weak defensive you cant play attacking footy. With these teams my 1st priority is not to concede and then nick a goal to win the game.

2. How to keep your team in form?
-Winning
-New contracts (I spread renewals throughout the season)
-Chat to players when they have concerns dont ignore them.
-First team football
-Praise them when they play well using the private chat function, when they have good form over a few games or for me when they achieve a rating above 9 in a game

3. How to win the "winnable" games?
-all games are winnable and all games are losable. Respect each encounter, set-up properly, watch the game and react when its not going your way during the game.

4. How to make your team score more and concede less?
-better strikers, happy, fit & confident strikers, the correct supply i.e. Carroll and Chamakh to the head. your should tactically outsmart the other team which should allow you to create more chances.
-better defenders, the correct philosophy, individual instructions for your GK, DC, and FB's, set up opposition instructions for every game i.e. tight marking, close down.

5. How to win trophies and make your team a big-gun (one that doesn't lose games easily, like Barcelona or Real Madrid in real-life)?
-It takes time, patience and good transfers

 

[iota4u]

4-4-2 with basic roles (CM,ST,WM,CD) etc will more likely win over using specialised roles and fancy formations.

 

[Dihenzo]

It would take way too long to answer & explain your questions. Put short when you play FM 13-14 just forget about doing your own thing, what you like or prefer. Just adapt to the demands of the match engine & you will be fine. The match engine this year is the most restrictive ever, it demands only certain type of players, tactic & formation. Once you figure that out you will win games. Despite a lot you can choose from a lot of those tactics & formations fail badly.

It could be a flawed match engine yet again or SI not giving each tactic & formation the same success rates depending on the players you have & opposition your facing. If im forced to use a specific tactic or formation just to keep winning games then i will get bored quick. SI have to sort this out soon. Its always nice to change tactics & formations every few seasons & that keeps me playing long

 

[miguelalves]

Hello,

So I finally got my copy of the game last week. And since then I've played 3 games. Two with Liverpool & one with Newcastle. In both the games with Liverpool, I finished 8th and 6th in the first season and got sacked on both occasions at the end of the season as I failed to fulfill my expectation of qualifying for CL (add to that the early cup exits). Then I came here seeking help but found many users claiming that Newcastle was easy to manage. So I went back and started a game with Newcastle. My first season went pretty good, as I finished 3rd and won the FA Cup. In the 2nd season, I did a major squad revamp. Sold the main players (Cabaye, Santon & Ben Arfa) for about 90M combined and bought several players (around 12 of them). But from then on, my team started doing badly. I finished 5th in the 2nd season (add to that the early cup exits). In Europe, I got kicked out CL in the group stages and entered Europa League where I bowed out in the quarters. I thought that my bad performance was due to the large number of new players in the squad and hence I didn't buy or sell anyone for the 3rd season. In the third, I did even worse and languishing in 9th position in March when my board decided to put me out of my misery.

My problem is that I was losing points in all the matches against weaker teams where I was expected to win.
I know that after FM12, SI remodelled the tactics system and since then their games (FM13 & FM14) have become a lot harder to play in comparison to the older versions of the game. I understand that not all games are winnable like it was the case in FM12 or earlier. But still I don't understand why my team beats United 1-0 away in one game and then loses 2-1 to Brighton at home in the next game. The results I get are too inconsistent and too unpredictable. As a result of this my team morale is down almost all the time.

I used to download tactics from the forums here and use them, but since FM13 I've been using my own tactics, but I find it very hard to win the "winnable" games with these tactics. I don't understand what mistake I am making and whats wrong with my team. My squad always seems pretty strong, but loses out to the opponents in the field. I don't know if its the result of its low morale or if I'm such a bad tactician.

After the Newcastle game, I felt really low. I feel quitting the game altogether.

Please help me get the results like you people do. I see the people here posting in the stories section and they seem to be winning pretty easily. Why can't I do that? I was able to do that pretty well till FM12. But it just doesn't seem to be the case in FM13 or FM14.

If I can't win with Liverpool or Newcastle, then I can't even imagine playing in a lower league.

I have five questions I needs answers for.

1. How exactly do you construct a tactic based on your team? (If someone can construct a tactic for Liverpool as an example, it would be nice)
2. How to keep your team in form?
3. How to win the "winnable" games?
4. How to make your team score more and concede less?
5. How to win trophies and make your team a big-gun (one that doesn't lose games easily, like Barcelona or Real Madrid in real-life)?

Please answer these questions and help me regain my motivation to play the game.

1. Like building a house, you start with the foundations. In terms of FM, the foundation corresponds to you defining your style of play, what kind a manager you are. Are you a possession based manager ? Are you an attacking with fast transitions manager ? Did you ever asked yourself these questions ? After knowing these answers you start picking a philosophy and a strategy, these are the base of any tactic: what do you want from your team and players ? Do you want them to stick to their roles ? Do you see your team as one ? Then you are ready to pick players roles and duties.

2. You keep your team in form in coherent instructions, players roles and duties. Then there are a few aspects very important: a) training: start your pre-season asp, schedule 10 to 12 friendly matches and easy ones because in the pre-season you want two things: to get your familiarity bars full and to have your players with great moral. To do this, set your match preparation training at 50%, choose the tactics option and only this option no matter your staff tells you

3, 4 and 5 Understand that there no magic formulas, no magic tactics. Once you understand this and as fast you understand it the sooner your team will win. Watch the matches in complete mode, observe and understand what your players might be doing wrong and understand that you are always going to loose and draw some matches. Don't forget ppm's training, it is a vital part of your players performance.

 

[El Presidente II]

Unless you are going to sit down and study the game to death with a big pad and pen whilst reading thousands of posts on experts "OPINION" of the game you aren't.

The game let's down the casual player and newbie player badly.