How does the new tactical system works?

[jukilo]

So, I'm in a save with Dortmund trying to play a "micro-tactic" concept. I've defined a group of instructions (shouts?) and trying to use in the better situations.

So my thoughts and questions are:
1. Does this new system works like the older one? I mean if I put the mentality in control, to play an high press game, do I have to select "push higher up" too? Currently my main tactic is set for attack mentality in order to regain the ball high up the pitch. But this doesn't happen. The players simple doesn't press even with "press more" instruction. I know it can be due to a high amount of factors but they simple don't press and let the opposition came into our half.
2. Does the instructions affect each other like in the previous editions? For example, if I select to play a deep counter and select "hassle opponents" does this have an opposite effect? This is just an example.
3. If I select in my team instructions certain things, I have to do the same in players screen? For example, if I select "push higher up" and "hassle opponents", do I have to select press more in player screen?

I really like the new game and the new options. But for me, without a visual information (like a screen with the effects of each instruction), it's a bit confusing. I've tried several things and it becomes even more confusing. Can someone, please, bring some light to these questions?

 

[Claud]

1. The new system works like the older one, with difference that you can't tweak sliders for each player as you did in FM 2013. I play always with attacking mentality and with instruction "hassle opponents" my team make pressing on the whole pitch. The formation is important, if you play 5-3-2, actually you have only two players (strikers) to press and close 4 defenders. Do you think it will be an effective pressing?
If you select "Push higher up" the whole team will stay higher on the field and in some way, yes, they will be closer by the opponents and their pressing will be more effective. But not directly, it is an indirect effect. There is no such instruction "press more". If players doesn't have enough stamina they can't sustain pressing for long time. If they familiarity with this tactic isn't too high they will not be effective in pressing.
2. When you'll give contradictory instructions, simple the system will not let you, will grey out or different coloring the conflicting ones.
3. If you selected the a team instruction that means that all players will apply that instruction. You can choose for a specific player to play different by selecting a player instruction. For example you select "hassle opponents" for your team. But you want your poacher to not pressing so much and you chose for him "close down less" and you want your target man to press more, to be more uncomfortable for the opposition then you can choose for him "mark tighter".

I agree it is confusing. Practically we have less option in FM 2014 than in FM 2013

 

[jukilo]

Cheers Claude!! Your answers really helped me.

 

[Igneos79]

I agree it's confusing. I think the close down more in player instructions is the only thing you can actually do. In real life and in fm. Players either go to press or don't. And strategy determines how high up the pitch will the players position themselves. So you should think where you want to win the ball. If it's opponents half you want to win it in, then choose more aggressive strategy with of course more players that can close down in opponents half, meaning chose a formation with more players in final third.