Dare I Say It...Too Many Goals ?

So I had been playing on 9.0.1 mainly, choosing not to update to 9.0.2 because of the Bojan bug, and while it had its flaws, the ME was pretty good. My issues were the ratings bugs for MCa's and FC's, and also the ratio of goals scored from outside the area, compared to easier one-on-one chances, and shots from inside the box. I think these were the two main areas that obviously needing tweaking, which would have helped get the number of goals scored to a balanced, realistic amount.

Now iv updated to 9.0.3 and the goals are going in left, right and centre! I'm finding it impossible to defend with the same tactics as before, and scores of 4-2, 5-3, etc are becoming a regularity. The long range screamers are still going in with the same frequency as before, but strikers are also more prolific in the box, while defensive mistakes seem to have increased. I think the quality of football has improved on 9.0.3, and I'm glad the ratings bugs have disappeared, but now i think there are just way too many goals, its becoming like 08 again.

Anyone else feel the same ?

Overall I think the balance between long range goals, and goals from inside the box just needed adjusting, but I think SI have taken it too far. But free to say if you think I'm being too critical. Goals were hard earned on 9.0.1, even though too often my strikers would miss the well created opportunity, and we'd end up scoring from the resulting corner instead.

What was the Bojan bug?

Now iv updated to 9.0.3 and the goals are going in left, right and centre! I'm finding it impossible to defend with the same tactics as before, and scores of 4-2, 5-3, etc are becoming a regularity. The long range screamers are still going in with the same frequency as before, but strikers are also more prolific in the box, while defensive mistakes seem to have increased. I think the quality of football has improved on 9.0.3, and I'm glad the ratings bugs have disappeared, but now i think there are just way too many goals, its becoming like 08 again.

Whenever you get a new patch, it's only normal for the previous tactics to not work. The ME has changed completely. One tip would be your defensive line should be "normal". I found a lot of goals going in with a high line, but on 9.1 I found the high line was essential to a good defence. Might be different for you, but that seemed to work for me. Start with one of the pre-loaded default formations and work out from there - the 442-attack worked brilliantly for me after a couple of minor tweaks. Closing down the opposition MCs also helps reduce the number of long-range goals.

Not sure why the Bojan bug was a game-killer for so many people though. Either you exploit it or you don't - like the corner bug - it's your choice.

Anyway, more advice on tactics in the tactics forum.

What was the Bojan bug?

where incredibly talented youngsters - like Bojan - were released by their clubs at the end of the first season. Many gamers can't help signing them and it "ruined" their game. THE BUG ruined their game, not THEM exploiting the fault.

Yes I agree, I had been playing with a high line, but this thread was more about statistics than tactics. Do people think more goals are being scored overall on 9.0.3 than previous patches ? Ive not made this thread because I had been winning on 9.0.1 and have started losing on 9.0.3. I'm actually performing above expectations with Palermo and scoring plenty of goals, I just think the overall number of goals is too high at the moment.

But I agree I will have to make tactical adjustments, because I am struggling to defend well at the moment.

So far in 8 league games with Palermo I have scored 19, conceded 14, while 5 other teams have scored 15 or over! I beat Genoa 5-3 in the cup, and 5-2 in the league, beat Reggina 4-2, and lost 2-4 to Lazio.

What I want to know, is if these results and goalscoring exploits are due to my tactics being way too cavalier for 9.0.3, or if the patch has resulted in far too many goals ?

The Bojan bug was a gamebreaker, even moreso than MC's ratings bug, because it is completely unrealistic that clubs would let their top young stars leave on free transfers, and not renew their contracts, not because I 'couldn't help' signing these players.

The long-range screamers haven't been going in like before in my game. Before, if I was beating one of the big 4 (+Man City) I would inevitably lose, as soon as I failed to close down one of their long range specialists. It was especially irritating against Liverpool and Man City, who have entire midfields with long shots > 15.

Now, they still score them, but realistically - Gerrard score from a corner direct to the edge of the area, sometimes they score if my keeper's running back to his line after a corner etc.

I play with a line on full push-up, and play offside and I don't concede that many goals at all. I finished 7th in the premier league with 54 goals for, and 45 against. With highest-scoring games a 4-1 loss and a 3-1 win.

So I think your tactics are probably too cavalier.

What I would say, though, is that the most deficient part of the ME is the marking system - for instance, on tight zonal marking, both your CBs chase after anyone who breaks through the line - even if they're wide of goal , so if they cross their's a free shot for the other ST; I have to assign my FBs to specifically mark the wingers, or they drift in aimlessly to mark the CMs, or double-mark the STs, and so far post crosses always get goals. There are a lot of problems like that, that you might not spot if you only watch key highlights - could be the issue here.

Edit:

Ive just beaten Cagliari 6-0 at home, and Napoli 5-3 at home. I play an attacking style of play, but really, this much!?

Played 13 in the league, scored 33, conceded 21!

I just want to know from other people's experiences on this patch whether this is the norm, or the exception. Really struggling to keep clean sheets, and my pass completion is rarely over 70%, so maybe i havent managed to adjust my tactics to the new patch.

Anyone else concerned about too many goals ?

Actually it depends very much on your tactic wether there are "too many goals" in FM. I play with a defensive tactic and i only concede 15-20 goals a season. Many matches end up 0-0 and I have given up on my strikers. I would like to be in your place

Edit: Sry.. didn't read. I can't rate whether there are more or less goals with the latest patch since i never played FM09 without it.

where incredibly talented youngsters - like Bojan - were released by their clubs at the end of the first season. Many gamers can't help signing them and it "ruined" their game. THE BUG ruined their game, not THEM exploiting the fault.

Lack of self control means it's the games fault? Could have just pretended he had a long term injury so was released by Barca/their club.

Goal averages are lower in 9.3 than they were in 9.1 so it is undoubtedly a tactical issue.

Off topic, but the point is you shouldn't have to pretend. Also it weakens the AI, in that they can't build for the future, when all their promising youngsters are released on frees.

I'm beginning to think its my tactics, and team selection. I'm using 2 very young and experienced defenders at CB, while also playing a quite attacking system. I also have 2 hugely prolific forwards in Miccoli and Cavani, so there are a lot of factors. But I'm really struggling to keep a clean sheet, almost impossible! Keeping possesion from the back is also much harder in this patch, a lot to consider tactically. Since I tweak things every game, I'll hopefully eventually find a decent balance between attack and defence.

I wondered why Sunderland had managed to snap him up for free. I wish I had instead of paying out like £27.5 million plus clauses for him the next season.

I don't really score or concede many goals. If I win its usually by the odd goal. As for long shots one of my players scored a 50 yard own goal but apart from that haven't seen many long shot goals.