Defenders playing like muppets all the time

Just want to know if others are seeing the same thing as me. This is the AI and not me so I'm not complaining or moaning ok. I'm just pointing out something that I also noticed on FM10 and now on FM11, and that is defenders are not willing to go out of position or use half their brain to close down players in very dangerous positions and here is the perfect example...

Look how the defender on the right side never comes across to help out his centre back to try and stop the CF (stokes) from scoring. I also notice centre backs taking an age to get across the wing-back position to close down a winger if the full back has been skinned or is way out of position - they do cover which is good but it seems they cover a little too late and only when the winger reaches a certain point going forward.

Stokes is also a machine on my Hibs game. But so is Darryl Duffy. Who knew?

I kind of understand. Many times I am frustrated when the ball is played through and Grounds (despite Cover being on) doesn't actually cover the snail pace of Dickoh. Although I can outscore most teams and I have Smithies in net.

AI-controlled defenders being total idiots is common across all soccer games. Just wait until AI technology improves in the future.

I've seen this happening too. Also, sometimes my defenders actually "Escort" opponent striker all the way to the 6 yd. line, before lunging in to make a tackle. Most of the time they're either too late, or they concede a penalty. It's stupid really. Anyways, it's not such a huge problem, because it happens quite rarely. It's all in the tactics, and the players' mental stats.

yea, this is a problem at times even on FIFA and PES 2011. sometimes you just can't expect the game to be too realistic. we got to live with the limitations such as technology. it can only be as realistic as it can get. but never the real thing. maybe its the AI technology as athos mentioned.

maybe in the next couple of years perhaps?

Yeah this is really frustrating to watch when you defenders wont tackle a forward and just run with him and hold his had till he shoots, Ive also seen alot of times in my game that when the opposition send a through ball towards my goal my defender will run after it and then suddenly jolt like a horse and let the opposing striker get there first and have a go at goal! whats that all about my defender is 5 yards closer to the ball and then stops dead in his tracks... must be that invisible wall that he runs into but never the striker....grrrrrrr ****es me off. Anyone else seen this?

Ι can't believe the answers from the fanboys, "wait until AI technology gets better".

Dear God, are you six or something? This is not a difficult problem to fix, jesus.

It's just a bug that needs fixing. Let's hope it gets fixed.

Yeah this is really frustrating to watch when you defenders wont tackle a forward and just run with him and hold his had till he shoots, Ive also seen alot of times in my game that when the opposition send a through ball towards my goal my defender will run after it and then suddenly jolt like a horse and let the opposing striker get there first and have a go at goal! whats that all about my defender is 5 yards closer to the ball and then stops dead in his tracks... must be that invisible wall that he runs into but never the striker....grrrrrrr ****es me off. Anyone else seen this?

This was supposed to have been fixed in the patch but you're right, my defenders still stop and let attacks catch them up a lot too.

Well, once the game actually starts using AI in the way fifa games do, this might actually be possible, a glorified script system that is transcribed to 3D is never actually going to give you anything realistic or smart from players at all. Either way, remember, it happens to the AI as well as you, it's just dumb but, i don't think it's that easy to fix.

Well, once the game actually starts using AI in the way fifa games do, this might actually be possible, a glorified script system that is transcribed to 3D is never actually going to give you anything realistic or smart from players at all. Either way, remember, it happens to the AI as well as you, it's just dumb but, i don't think it's that easy to fix.

Yea I tend to think you might have a point here, ever since I can remember manager games introducing 3D matches, amongst many other flaws and bugs it does always seem to be defending side of the game that suffers most. Even back in the days of Anco's Player Manager, which was very basic when you compare it to what we have these days, it was always the defenders who appeared to be the most stupid.

Most parts of defending don't really work on FM tbh, and haven't done for a long time. Its been like it for at least the last 3 versions so you just have to get used to it.

Most parts of defending don't really work on FM tbh, and haven't done for a long time. Its been like it for at least the last 3 versions so you just have to get used to it.

You're probably right mate, I've got two of the best centre backs in my division, one has an average rating of 7.9 and the other 7.6 over 27 games.... They're both crap when you watch the match so it's god help the other teams.....lol

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Yes, that's them!

Man, I have to agree with this.

The defending in the latest patch is awful. Admittedly I play in the BSP where no superstars run around .... but still. Apparently they have no concept of what tight man marking as all about. Often the sole striker will be placed between the two defenders (both on tight man marking) and have all the time in the world to receive the ball, turn with it and then either dribble past the statues that are my defenders, shoot on goal or play a through ball to the wingers.

Don't get me wrong ... the AI defenders are just as bad as mine. I rarely moan about the engine, as the issues are usually not that bad. I can live with the frequency of long shot goals and the amount of woodwork hits there are in a game (at least one per game in general). But having seemingly NO control over the back four, who just stand around or stop running (or sometimes just runs the opposite direction) is annoying as hell.

Defending on counter attacks after an attacking corner is also woefully bad. In my last match after a corner, their lone striker (at that point they are down to 9 men because of injuries) is at the right side of the pitch. When he gets the ball, my two people on 'Back' duty are still just standing around in the center circle. once he starts moving towards my goal, the two muppets start moving to their normal position instead of closing him down. WHAT?!?! ... needless to say that he had a nice free walk towards my goal. Now this is not an FM11 issue ... this was just as bad in FM10 ... but still.