Urgent help - the best FM players needed

[nrobinson]

Hey everyone,

Got some major problems over here, been a fan of the game since I was very young (first one I bought was in the late 90s) and I'm wondering if someone a lot better at the game can help me out so I can get back into the swing of things.

When I got the game last year, I was shocked by how much more complicated the AI had become. Even as like a top 4 side I was finishing in the bottom echelons of the table. I didn't have much time to work through it last year cos I was v. busy, so in the end I just gave up.

I've got some more free time this year, so I bought FM2014 and decided to give it another go. Once again, same problems. Working with the beta, I tried everything. I tried downloading different tactics, using different mentalities and styles, different player instructions and the like on different save games with different teams. I'm still coming up nowhere. In cup games I'm losing to teams in the leagues below like 3-0. I even tried (for my sins), cheating and getting my team to have loads of money and buying the best players available to us. Still performing below average.

I figure it must be something really simple I'm doing wrong. I know there's no one-size-fits-all solution, but I'd love to know how everyone else approaches their tactics, their players, their instructions, their transfers etc. when starting a new game so I can look about it the same way and get back into the swing of things. Thanks for any help!

 

[TheBetterHalf]

If you start out by giving us an example of a save and how you approached the man management , tactics and transfers, its easier to see where you go wrong.

 

[nrobinson]

Here's one of my more recent ones. Hoffenheim used to be my go to team to manage cos I'm familiar with the area.View attachment 461070
When it comes to transfers, I signed four players, couple for the team and couple for backups and squad depth. My second more defensive formation for playing teams that are more than capable of beating us (Dortmund, Bayer Munich etc.)
View attachment 461069
I built both around the team I had, nothing worked. Knocked out of the German cup, rooted to near bottom.


One of my more lavish saves was with Aston Villa. Basically I took a team that was doing badly, made sure we had loads of money and built the best possible team so we'd smash everyones expectations.
View attachment 461067
View attachment 461066
One of the tactics I got was downloaded from online, everyone else had amazing results with it but I'm rooted 19th so it must be something I'm doing. Transfers wise there's some of the best players money can buy there.

It must be me, surely?

 

[nrobinson]

I knew the name seemed familiar, I think I attempted to use your Gyroscope tactic on one save as well. Same story as with all my others, but other people report good things. Definitely must be something I'm doing.

 

[RiotAct]

Small advices, without really looking into your problem:

In pre-season, set up tactics at day1 & have high match practice (focusing on tactics/ or teamwork in case of many new transfers)
- this will ease the teams transition to your new implemented tactics and new players.

Sign players that fits your tactic - not the other way around.

Morale is also very important (especially getting out of a down-period) try experiencing with team-meetings!

Last advice is to watch (not in key-mode) some of your matches, and afterwards try changing some of the elements in your tactic, that doesn't seem to work.

Good luck!

 

[Hitman1991]

That 4-2-3-1 tactic you are using with Hoffenheim is too attacking. I'd alter it so that you have 2 sitting defensive midfielders, otherwise you'll be far too open. Also the other Hoff. tactic you've got there to use against the bigger teams is still too offensive IMO. You're still employing a low tempo, short passing game when a counter/direct/deep/high tempo would be more appropriate. I haven't tried using a 4231 tactic on this game, and from what I've read from other people on here, it doesn't seem to be as effective as it was on previous games. I'd use a 4-1-2-2-1, you know the common formation with wingers/inside forwards. You can still use a narrow, short passing game but make sure you have a good Defensive Midfielder and a CM who has a good work rate and can tackle. Get good defensive players, and start from there. Good luck pal.

 

[nrobinson]

Unbelievable update:

Tried the 4-1-2-2-1 style mentioned above with AS Monaco. Think how wealthy Monaco are and their standard of play. Just been sacked being at 20th place
View attachment 460911

 

[Hitman1991]

Ah mate! Sorry to hear you're still struggling. If you want any more help don't hesitate to ask. Just looking at Monaco, possible reasons why it didn't work out...

New Players - in that line up you have 9 new players, so it's gunna take time for them all to settle in and gel. Try a save with Chelsea or Man City maybe?

Tactics - you could use more shouts. I use over 10. If you try another short passing tactic, then Push Higher up, play offside, Play ball out of defence, be more expressive, get stuck in (optional).

Individual Tactics - have you been using this? The individual player tactics? Initially i didn't spot it for a while and my form definitely suffered! For the short/pressing tactic, get your CM's to pass shorter, hassle, tackle harder. Defenders to pass short, tackle harder. All players to press more (apart from the defence so they don't get dragged out of position). Full backs to stay wide to offer width. Use an Advanced Playmaker in the middle, get him to play more risky passes, roam from position.
(These individual player instructions are just what I like, I like to play a high press, aggressive, short narrow passing game. If you wanna play a different style then obviously use different instructions).

hope that helps, let us know how you get on.