TEAM THREAD: Playing Stoke- A Discussion Thread

[TheBetterHalf]

TEAM THREAD: Playing Stoke- A Tactical Discussion Thread

The aim with this first team thread is basically so that users can both give and ask for for hints as how to coach Stoke and most important, their squad in 11.3. Before posting, please have a look through the thread as the question might already have been raised and the solution or at least a suggestion might lie under your very nose.

As we all know, the game is not only about tactics, setting up a strategy that suits the clubs stature and matching the players abilities, but also about man handling. If you have a question or a tip on how to handle a certain player, this is just as important. This is often a part that is forgotten

What about signings them, is this not something that we should discuss to ?. Well yes, any recommendations about players are most welcome. Perhaps the reason that user struggle with Stoke is that they lack a certain player type but in the end , this thread will still be a support thread to those playing with the 11.3 squad so hints and tips as how to play Stoke in 2013/14 after having signed 8 new players might not be of any use to anyone

To make this thread as in depth as possible, please try to follow these simple guidelines and hints

• When asking a question, the answer will only be as in depth as your question

- The more information you provide, the better the chance you will get a good answer with lots of reasoning

• When posting your strategy, please put in the effort to explain your reasoning behind it

- Why are you setting up Carew as a Defensive FC on support instead of a Target man. Why are you using Etherington as a more limited defensive winger, giving him the first notch of little in creative freedom. Why are you using a very wide but short pitch. Just stating that it seems to work for me is rarely of any use to any user

• When using Screenshots, make sure that the language is in English

- Even if you like me are from Sweden, please make sure that when uploading screenshots, the language is in English. I have seen screens using polish and Russian and I did not get any of it, ont knowing if it was a creen for the attacker or the winger


When posting your strategy, please put in the effort to explain your reasoning behind it

Let the discussion begin

Oh, and please dont forget to have a look in the stickie on how to make suggestions about threads for more teams as I will always be the one who opens them

 

[Mattyscfc]

I'm in my 4th season with Stoke and my first season tactics were something like this:

Line-up

GK: Begovic
LB: Higginbotham
CB: Huth
CB: Shawcross (my England captain since 3rd season)
RB: Wilkinson
AML: Etherington (support)
CM: Whelan (automatic)
CM: Delap/Whitehead (advanced playmaker, support)
AMR: Pennant (support) (got a record 18 assists in my first season)
ST: Jones/Carew (target man, support)
ST: Fuller/Walters (deep lying, attack. You could try them as a poacher or bring someone like Peter Utaka/Benitez in)

Tactics

Using the long throw & set-pieces: FM11 makes long throws very dangerous at times, be sure to try to utilise set-pieces to Stoke's advantage. There are plenty of really tall players; Shawcross, Huth, Carew, Jones - plenty of headed goals to be scored

Pitch dimensions & playing style: In my first season I kept the pitch at minimum dimensions as Stoke aren't the quickest team in the world, I played direct to get the ball up to the target man or wingers early since Stoke's passers aren't the best, but this could change depending on how many players you bring in.

Areas to strengthen:

Full-Backs - neither are good enough long term; Kyle Walker, Seamus Coleman, Danny Simpson etc could do a job there instead.

Centre Midfield - Stoke are crying out for someone with a bit of creativity in the middle, have a look for someone with good passing and creativity to replace delap/whitehead (perhaps in january)

Striker - It may also be worth bringing in a Striker as Fuller is aging, as is Sidibe, Carew and Gudjohnsen (I usually sell them all and buy someone decent for the cash)

Backroom Staff - Stoke's backroom staff are TERRIBLE; I always look to clear out and replace with much better available




Good luck!

 

[city4lyf]

A quick question, when playing stoke what is the best formation to play? I'm assuming to play 4-4-2 or a variation of this to utilise the target men up front but they have decent wide players so is it better to play with them or a solid bank of 4 in the middle?