Need help? Confused why your team aren't scoring? Ask if you need help...

[PhilipRhys]

I hope you can give me some help. Right now I'm managing PSV and I'm first in the eredivisie( Dutch top league) and I've created 4 different tactics that suit the team all with similar team and player instructions. So far it's worked really well because I pick one of the four tactics which would be strongest against my opponent. My questions and the points where I need some advice on is first of all: Is it good to have more than 3 tactics (since team preparation allows 3)
Secondly: how should I adapt and make the step from PSV to a team like Brighton? I just can't manage teams that aren't in the top division because of the lack of finance and i can't find the balance between attack and defense for teams like Brighton when playing against bigger teams.

Hey, if you're team are top of the league and you have 4 different tactics, then its good in my view... As long as you're winning games, there's nothing really to question, unless your team are scraping results... But yeah, 4 is fine, as long as your players are adapting to them....

Second - Clearly you can never repeat your success on another club, especially a club like Brighton... You're gunna have to take a lot of time to have a look at your players attributes to decide exactly what tactic to use... Sometimes you can use your assisstant to pick a team on a specific type of play, be it attacking, defensive, etc... When using lower league clubs, I use this as a base, I get my assisstant to pick a team best for attacking purposes, and then I put in players that I personally think should be in there....

Also go to advanced player instructions, get your players to play to their strengths... This should help too....

Get back to me if you need any more advice....

 

[srw]

Thanks for the quick reply. Im worried about conceding goals when I play with lower league teams can u give me some advice on how to set up team/ player instructions to keep tight defense? Hard tackling, zonal marking, low defensive line?

 

[PhilipRhys]

Thanks for the quick reply. Im worried about conceding goals when I play with lower league teams can u give me some advice on how to set up team/ player instructions to keep tight defense? Hard tackling, zonal marking, low defensive line?

To get to Team/Player Instructions....
Go on the tactics screen, where you view your line up and stuff, then you highlight a player, and on the right/left, a box of information will appear, showing what his position is... then you click on advanced, which will therefore show you the advanced player instructions screen....
Team Instructions - On the right, above the image of your line up, click the arrow by "Formation", and select team instructions, there is also an advanced option in there too....

For a tight defence, make sure you have your roaming set to Stick To Position.... Have your full backs close down the players in your half only (This is done in the player instructions).....
DO NOT have hard tackling, players nowadays are *******, they'll go down, the ref will give a penalty/free kick, its not a pretty sight.... Have it set to Default
Have a fairly deep defensive line, this also counters against pacey strikers and wingers... Its good to use... Have Zonal Marking set, this way the players don't get confused with who's marking who, and they know exactly where they should be positioned for everything....

Hope it helps

 

[SpiDevil]

First one, check your strikers composure, if thats below 15, then you're lucky if they finish simple chances off at all... Also if your side are playing negatively, then if a chance comes your way, its unlikely that your player would finish it as he would probably be in shock after getting into a decent position in a game where you've been out of it....

Second one, not alot you can do about that really, unless you take your players into a private chat and have them improving their shooting... If you struggle to score more than 1 goal after you've done this, make sure you tighten up your defence, a point is better than none... Then buy someone in another transfer window....

First of thanks for the answer.
I'll check their composure tonight if I'm able to.

Most of the games I dominate and have more then 16 shots so they mustn't be in shock after getting into a decent position. I invite you to see either Saviola and Cardozo. They should be more then enough to tear Portuguese League apart.

I did chats with all my forwards, but they reacted negatively to "try to lob the keeper" and positively with the "go round the keeper". Let's see if it helps.

The post above is mainly what you need to do vs better teams then yours right?
Example: Benfica vs Man Utd

 

[PhilipRhys]

First of thanks for the answer.
I'll check their composure tonight if I'm able to.

Most of the games I dominate and have more then 16 shots so they mustn't be in shock after getting into a decent position. I invite you to see either Saviola and Cardozo. They should be more then enough to tear Portuguese League apart.

I did chats with all my forwards, but they reacted negatively to "try to lob the keeper" and positively with the "go round the keeper". Let's see if it helps.

The post above is mainly what you need to do vs better teams then yours right?
Example: Benfica vs Man Utd

They should be tearing the Porttuguese League up yes... I think you may have to bring in another striker, have Cardozo and Saviola fight for their position, this sometimes makes players play better... Hence the reason that sometimes, a player that is usually a bench player will play very well if he gets the chance to start.... This works on some occassions, but I wouldn't bet my house on it...
Also check your players creative freedom, try playing them with little creative freedom, this means they won't attempt any cocky strikes on goal...

In private chats, players are often stubborn, sometimes you have to lay down the law, and tell them that you're the manager...

The post above was for any game, it doesn't matter who you're up against, your players should be scoring the chances that land to them...
If none of my suggestions have worked so far... Give me your complete tactics, and I will attempt to change them for the better....

Hope it helps...

 

[raguman]

Hi there, what your doing here pal is great!

Right, my plea for help is: Im lincoln, been promoted to league 1 and i'm really struggling to cope with league 1 life. 23 games played, 10 won, 1 draw, 11 defeats. I can't find a tactic which'll stick or work.. I find myself changing all the time. Not to mentione my -9 goal difference ( This includes a horrible 5-0 defeat from Charlton.. )

If you need anymore info dude just say,

Thanks again

 

[SpiDevil]

Thanks once again for your time!

I have Lukaku, Kadlec, Jara and Nuno Gomes to "fight" with them. I'd noticed yesterday on my Tottenham save that their creative freedom is very high (Benfica save is played online with a friend of mine). Will try and reduce it and give you feedback next week.
Wingers and playmaker/AMC should have high creative freedom right?

About the defensive line you're a fan of deep defensive line. Won't this create a gap between midfielders and defenders using a 4-4-2 tact or Mike's 4-2-4 attacking one?
Do you recommend offside trap with a deep def line?

 

[PhilipRhys]

Hi there, what your doing here pal is great!

Right, my plea for help is: Im lincoln, been promoted to league 1 and i'm really struggling to cope with league 1 life. 23 games played, 10 won, 1 draw, 11 defeats. I can't find a tactic which'll stick or work.. I find myself changing all the time. Not to mentione my -9 goal difference ( This includes a horrible 5-0 defeat from Charlton.. )

If you need anymore info dude just say,

Thanks again

I'm going to need your complete tactics, without them, I have no clue what you're up to lol...

---------- Post added at 04:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:38 PM ----------

Thanks once again for your time!

I have Lukaku, Kadlec, Jara and Nuno Gomes to "fight" with them. I'd noticed yesterday on my Tottenham save that their creative freedom is very high (Benfica save is played online with a friend of mine). Will try and reduce it and give you feedback next week.
Wingers and playmaker/AMC should have high creative freedom right?

About the defensive line you're a fan of deep defensive line. Won't this create a gap between midfielders and defenders using a 4-4-2 tact or Mike's 4-2-4 attacking one?
Do you recommend offside trap with a deep def line?

A good front line you have then... Try the little creative freedom, see what happens....

As for the defensive line, it will leave a bit of a gap yes, but you're going to have to have one of your CM's that are defence minded, and on the player intructions, set their mentality to defensive, this means they will play alot deeper than the rest of your midfield.... Obviously their will be issues, like your defence being too far away from your midfield, but as long as you get the goals going forward, you should be fine....

The thing with using an offside trap with a deep defensive line is that your defenders are already deep, and if they try to catch someone offside and it doesn't work, you could be looking at conceding as your opponent won't have far to go until he reaches a shooting area....

Yeah, wingers and AM's should have a lot of creative freedom in order to create chances....

 

[Gasper]

imo, game has to many bugs, which makes game experience to unrealistic. im playing this games since 95/96 and by now i know thing or two about fm manager. it would take me to long, to explain what is wrong with a game. my only explanation is that game creators are reliesing game to soon, without proper testing. when you play with good team you cant see whats wrong, but when you choose a team from lower league, then things clear out very fast. they have made game harder, but on a very stupid level. its simply implemented that you cant perform well, no matter what players do you have. it bassicly depend on a team that you choose and not your tactics and players. GAME IS NOT REALISTIC AS IT WAS. ITS BECOMING STUPID AND WASTE OF TIME. anyone who has as much experience with a game as i do will know what im talking about.

 

[PhilipRhys]

imo, game has to many bugs, which makes game experience to unrealistic. im playing this games since 95/96 and by now i know thing or two about fm manager. it would take me to long, to explain what is wrong with a game. my only explanation is that game creators are reliesing game to soon, without proper testing. when you play with good team you cant see whats wrong, but when you choose a team from lower league, then things clear out very fast. they have made game harder, but on a very stupid level. its simply implemented that you cant perform well, no matter what players do you have. it bassicly depend on a team that you choose and not your tactics and players. GAME IS NOT REALISTIC AS IT WAS. ITS BECOMING STUPID AND WASTE OF TIME. anyone who has as much experience with a game as i do will know what im talking about.

I agree with you completely, although it's not impossible to build a strong team from a week side, it just takes a lot of time....

 

[aslaram]

Hi guys,

I'm Arsenal, 2nd season.

I play 4-4-2 Diamond midfield with my tactic done through classic as I can fine tweak if needed.

AMC set as follows (Nasri/Lucas)

Att +10, Creative Freedom +10, Passing 0 (mixed), Closing down +10, Tackling mixed, Forward runs mix, Run with ball often, Long shots rare, Through ball often, Cross rare and free role.

Strikers (RVP, Balotelli, H Suazo, Walcott)
Have got Lukau and Chamakh loaned out.

Att +10, Creative freedom +8-10, Passing -7, Closing down 1 on -10, the other +10, Tackling mixed, Forward runs often, Run with ball often, Long shots mixed, Through balls mixed and cross rare.

I'm doing o.k. but I find my players can end up going on long barren runs. Can anyone possibly help me get the best out of them?

1st season Arshavin and Nasri were scoring and assisting well as AMC, but had to sell Arshavin (whingeing) and this season the AMC ratings are no where near as good.

If you could post some screen shots of your striking set up, or use the system I have :
+ being number of clicks to the right
- being clicks to the left.

I'd like to see them work better as a unit as the rest of team shouldn't be affected by their set up. I want to see my strikers competing for golden boot in every competition.

 

[PhilipRhys]

Hi guys,

I'm Arsenal, 2nd season.

I play 4-4-2 Diamond midfield with my tactic done through classic as I can fine tweak if needed.

AMC set as follows (Nasri/Lucas)

Att +10, Creative Freedom +10, Passing 0 (mixed), Closing down +10, Tackling mixed, Forward runs mix, Run with ball often, Long shots rare, Through ball often, Cross rare and free role.

Strikers (RVP, Balotelli, H Suazo, Walcott)
Have got Lukau and Chamakh loaned out.

Att +10, Creative freedom +8-10, Passing -7, Closing down 1 on -10, the other +10, Tackling mixed, Forward runs often, Run with ball often, Long shots mixed, Through balls mixed and cross rare.

I'm doing o.k. but I find my players can end up going on long barren runs. Can anyone possibly help me get the best out of them?

1st season Arshavin and Nasri were scoring and assisting well as AMC, but had to sell Arshavin (whingeing) and this season the AMC ratings are no where near as good.

If you could post some screen shots of your striking set up, or use the system I have :
+ being number of clicks to the right
- being clicks to the left.

I'd like to see them work better as a unit as the rest of team shouldn't be affected by their set up. I want to see my strikers competing for golden boot in every competition.

Hey, I haven't got the classic setting set, so I will start up a new game, set it to classic, and I'll get some screenshots of what I'll be using...

At the moment, I can't really comment, as I'm not really a "Classic tactic user", so hopefully someone else will stroll through with some advice for you.... I will start a season with the Classic tactics later on, and I could post the screenshots later this evening? Thats all I can offer I'm afraid....

ALTHOUGH!......
Try allowing your ACM's to attempt longshots sometimes... If you've got it sent to very rare, then your players will be looking for the pass instead of a shot when they could be better placed for the shot....

Also, have your strikers run from deep, but make sure they have a good dribbling attribute.... Otherwise they'll just be running into players constantly... Then have them attempting through balls OFTEN, this will therefore open up defences when your midfielders come up to support your striker.....

I'll upload tactics later tonight.....

 

[aslaram]

imo, game has to many bugs, which makes game experience to unrealistic. im playing this games since 95/96 and by now i know thing or two about fm manager. it would take me to long, to explain what is wrong with a game. my only explanation is that game creators are reliesing game to soon, without proper testing. when you play with good team you cant see whats wrong, but when you choose a team from lower league, then things clear out very fast. they have made game harder, but on a very stupid level. its simply implemented that you cant perform well, no matter what players do you have. it bassicly depend on a team that you choose and not your tactics and players. GAME IS NOT REALISTIC AS IT WAS. ITS BECOMING STUPID AND WASTE OF TIME. anyone who has as much experience with a game as i do will know what im talking about.

Don't agree. This is the first FM where you can actually tailor the tactics to your team and not just use a wonder tactic for all! For Spurs I used 4-4-2 wingers, for Arsenal I use alot of creative freedom in a 4-4-2 diamond, completely different settings than the 4-4-2 Spurs tactic. I think the problem is that everyone tends to use wizard tactic set up instead of classic, and as such are not able to think outside of the box. Everyone wants to know what template to use for such and such. Target man, or support, anchor man or ball winning midfielder. No one thinks to look at the player and adjust accordingly. This is why people get annoyed with the game. It requires far more thought and planning.

Also, when you say you can't do well with small teams anymore, what do you mean? Do you mean I can't get Blackpool into top 7, or do you mean you're fighting a relegation dog fight? I think people have lost perspective. How well a team does is relevant to quality of players, not tactics alone. So, if you're managing Wolves and are annoyed after 2 season because you haven't won the league, then is that the game makers fault? Or, could it be that the tactics used is fine, but the games realistic?
By the way, I think you answered the above when you put, '

it bassicly depend on a team that you choose and not your tactics and players.'

Sorry? What is a team without players? And what tactic can you use without players? What you're saying is that if you pick Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd, you'll rape the league and anything outside that is not possible. A question - when was the last time anyone outside of Arsenal, Chelsea or United won the league? It's not difficult, it can be won with other teams, but it's not realistic to do so in the first season. And, as frustrating as it may seem, I actually prefer the challenge of it!

 

[PhilipRhys]

Don't agree. This is the first FM where you can actually tailor the tactics to your team and not just use a wonder tactic for all! For Spurs I used 4-4-2 wingers, for Arsenal I use alot of creative freedom in a 4-4-2 diamond, completely different settings than the 4-4-2 Spurs tactic. I think the problem is that everyone tends to use wizard tactic set up instead of classic, and as such are not able to think outside of the box. Everyone wants to know what template to use for such and such. Target man, or support, anchor man or ball winning midfielder. No one thinks to look at the player and adjust accordingly. This is why people get annoyed with the game. It requires far more thoguh and planning.

Also, when you say you can't do well with small teams anymore, what do you mean? Do you mean I can't get Blackpool into top 7, or do you mean your fighting a relegation dog fight? I think people have lost perspective. How well a team does is relevant to quality of players, not tactics alone. So, if you're managing Wolves and are annoyed after 2 season you haven't won the league, then is that the game makers fault? Or, could it be that the tactics used is fine, but the games realistic?
By the way, I think you answered the above when you put, 'it bassicly depend on a team that you choose and not your tactics and players.' Sorry? What is a team without players? And what tactic can you use without players? What you're saying is that if you pick Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd, you'll rape the league and anything outside that is not possible. A question - when was the last time anyone outside of Arsenal, Chelsea or United won the league? It's not difficult, it can be won with other teams, but it's not realistic to do so in first season. And, as frustrating as it may seem, I actually prefer the challenge of it!

I agree with you completely!
Lower teams can be just as good as the big teams with a bit of work, and miracles can happen... I'm currently 2nd in the Premier League with Newcastle, and we've only lost 4 overall this season, and we're at the end of January....

The success of a team is down to what manager is playing the game, and what tactics he's using, it has nothing to do with team reputation, if anything, having a low team reputation can have your team playing better than teams that are expecting to do well....

 

[aslaram]

Hey, I haven't got the classic setting set, so I will start up a new game, set it to classic, and I'll get some screenshots of what I'll be using...

Also, have your strikers run from deep, but make sure they have a good dribbling attribute.... Otherwise they'll just be running into players constantly... Then have them attempting through balls OFTEN, this will therefore open up defences when your midfielders come up to support your striker.

I have run from deep as often anyway. Also, RVP, Walcott, H Suazo and Balotelli are brilliant running with the ball. I think what I need is a better tandem setting between the AMC and 2 strikers. I'll see what you put later though.

Will this not negating them taking shots on for themselves? I'll give it a try, because I can't comment until I give it ago.

Cheers!

 

[PhilipRhys]

Hey, I haven't got the classic setting set, so I will start up a new game, set it to classic, and I'll get some screenshots of what I'll be using...

Also, have your strikers run from deep, but make sure they have a good dribbling attribute.... Otherwise they'll just be running into players constantly... Then have them attempting through balls OFTEN, this will therefore open up defences when your midfielders come up to support your striker.

I have run from deep as often anyway. Also, RVP, Walcott, H Suazo and Balotelli are brilliant running with the ball. I think what I need is a better tandem setting between the AMC and 2 strikers. I'll see what you put later though.

Will this not negating them taking shots on for themselves? I'll give it a try, because I can't comment until I give it ago.

Cheers!

If you have both, running with the ball, and often through balls set, then they should be a better team player, you just need to get the balance right with the two as you don't want your player to become greedy....

I'll upload some snaps later, hopefully that will help.

 

[raguman]

Right, I've used a range of tactics as some work sometimes and others work other times. At the moment i'm using Onyx's 4-3-3 Tactic which is giving me acceptable results apart from my last loss. 4-0 to Rotherham at home. I'm 13th in the league, they're 24th! starting 11:

GK: Makabu Ma Kalambay (From Swansea) -free (Goalkeeper - Defend)
DR: Gilberto (from PGS) -free (Full Back - Defend)
DRC: Adam Watts (HG) (Central Defender - Defend)
DLC: Martin Camanao (from Silgo Rovers) -free (Central Defender - Defend)
DL: Zeki Fryers (Released from Man u) -free (Full Back Defend)
MRC: Kevin Visser (from ADO Den Haag) -free (Deep-lying playmaker - Support)
MC: Oliver Norwood (Released from Man U) -free (Ball winning midfielder - Defend)
MLC: Rodney Sneijder (from Ajax) -18k (Advanced playmaker - Support)
AM: Magnus Eikrem (Released from Man u) -free (Inside forward - Attack)
STR: Norman Sylla (from Denislizspor) -free (Advance forward - Attack)
STR: Rhys Murphy (On loan from Arsenal) (Poacher - Attack)

Philosophy: Rigid
Starting Strategy: Attack

Passing style: More Direct
Creative Freedom: Default
Closing Down: Press More
Tackling: More Cautious
Marking: Zonal Marking
Crossing: Float Crosses
Roaming: Stick to position

 

[PhilipRhys]

Right, I've used a range of tactics as some work sometimes and others work other times. At the moment i'm using Onyx's 4-3-3 Tactic which is giving me acceptable results apart from my last loss. 4-0 to Rotherham at home. I'm 13th in the league, they're 24th! starting 11:

GK: Makabu Ma Kalambay (From Swansea) -free (Goalkeeper - Defend)
DR: Gilberto (from PGS) -free (Full Back - Defend)
DRC: Adam Watts (HG) (Central Defender - Defend)
DLC: Martin Camanao (from Silgo Rovers) -free (Central Defender - Defend)
DL: Zeki Fryers (Released from Man u) -free (Full Back Defend)
MRC: Kevin Visser (from ADO Den Haag) -free (Deep-lying playmaker - Support)
MC: Oliver Norwood (Released from Man U) -free (Ball winning midfielder - Defend)
MLC: Rodney Sneijder (from Ajax) -18k (Advanced playmaker - Support)
AM: Magnus Eikrem (Released from Man u) -free (Inside forward - Attack)
STR: Norman Sylla (from Denislizspor) -free (Advance forward - Attack)
STR: Rhys Murphy (On loan from Arsenal) (Poacher - Attack)

Philosophy: Rigid
Starting Strategy: Attack

Passing style: More Direct
Creative Freedom: Default
Closing Down: Press More
Tackling: More Cautious
Marking: Zonal Marking
Crossing: Float Crosses
Roaming: Stick to position

First of all, make sure your full backs are set to Automatic....

As for Magnus Eikrem, change him to Support, although he has the attirubtes, his playing style really isn't meant for all out attacking....
Otherwise, the other player commands seem okay....

Here is what your team tactics should look like:

Philosophy - Default
Starting Strategy - Attack/Contain

Passing Style - Mixed(Otherwise you'll be too predictable; Not to mention that you need very pacey/strong strikers in order to play with this style)
Creative Freedom - Default
Closing Down - Default(With your players constantly pressing, it always leaves gaps around the pitch, making it easy for opponents to pass the ball around)
Tackling - Default(Should never set your tackling to cautious... Players mustn't be afraid to tackle the opposition)
Marking - Zonal Marking
Crossing - Mixed(Floated crosses are mainly for tall players anyway, as floated crosses usually give the defenders time to get back)
Roaming - Default(You don't want them to be scared of moving about the pitch, but you don't want them to roam too much)

 

[mike20129]

I'm curently playing Chelsea, i have 3 forwards and i want them to be able to pass the ball to each other depending who can move in a dangerous position, but my strikers tend to shoot or take the ball on their own.I have St(r) advanced forward St(c) Trequartista St(l) Pocher.Need advice ,thank you

 

[SpiDevil]

I'm doing a game on my own with Tottenham and things are getting way better in 1-on-1.
Defoe, Dzeko, Cardozo and Hulk are scoring a lot. Pavlyuchenko was scoring too, but since I caugh Dzeko I had to loan him.

Noticed that deep defence make other teams have way more long shots, but my team tend to have less ball possession in the game. Use a lot "pass to feet" shout to try to battle it.

Sweet example of the long shots thingie
View attachment 120374

Once again thanks for your excellent work here.