Too Much Inconsistency

Playing in the Premier League and my team is far too inconsistent.

One game they are world beaters who spank Arsenal 4-1 the next game they forget how to play the game at all and make the most ridiculous errors. (You know those goals where the most unbelievable comedy of errors result in a goal.) They don't even belong in any pro league let alone the Premier League. They trip and stumble over the ball.

It's beyond ridiculous.

Yeh it annoys me too, having the same problem.

The thing that I hate is that whatever you change during the game, has no real effect. The game decides before the match starts who wins and by how many goals.

Its killed the game for me and have lost all interest at this point.

The game decides before the match starts who wins and by how many goals.

Its killed the game for me and have lost all interest at this point.

It is actually very, very hard to be more factually incorrect than this. Congratulations.

The outcome of the game is recalculated hundreds of times per match based on inputs to the ME.

may be over confident.. u need to calm the player down even you win in a big match according to my experience. ( not necessary correct)

I found it because when i win the league the tittle at a very early stage(before May, early to middle april, ) my player will play extremely poor in the following CL match, just similar to bryan munich this year. Their decision on passing or finishing is extremely poor which leads to lose.

but it is extremely difficult to calm the player down when you win the tittle, which force to lose.

It just seems too extreme in this version of the game. I never remember having problems like this when playing earlier versions.

My teams were much more consistent and I don't remember having to worry about them forgetting how to play football from week to week.

It just seems too extreme in this version of the game. I never remember having problems like this when playing earlier versions.

My teams were much more consistent and I don't remember having to worry about them forgetting how to play football from week to week.

Morale and over-confidence is huge in this game, you have to encourage them when they're down and let them know they can't win just by showing up when they're high.

Morale and over-confidence is huge in this game, you have to encourage them when they're down and let them know they can't win just by showing up when they're high.

I kind of feel many people really overstate the importance of morale etc. They do matter to some extent, but a little bit of overconfidence won't suddenly make a team collapse unless there are serious other problems. I simply praise my players when they've done well and citricise them when they've done badly, regardless of their morale or overconfidence and I don't see any issues.

I kind of feel many people really overstate the importance of morale etc. They do matter to some extent, but a little bit of overconfidence won't suddenly make a team collapse unless there are serious other problems. I simply praise my players when they've done well and citricise them when they've done badly, regardless of their morale or overconfidence and I don't see any issues.

Well I'm happy to be wrong about it if that proves to be the case, but it's something I always consider when I play and I don't tend to have these inconsistent periods that most player seem to suffer from.

For sure, I get the odd loss or two in a row, but a quick reminder about not being complacent seems to ground them again and get them more focused.

That said, I know my tactics aren't perfect, but I can usually tell when my players have decided they only need to show up against the team at the bottom of the league and they end up performing really badly.

I seem to hammer the big teams but for love nor money cannot beat the bottom 10 teams of the prem....too much 'assistance' offered to weaker teams on the counter and too much 'assistance' given to teams playing with 10men. Yes IRL there is the odd freak result when a bottom 10 team plays a top 4 team they are 9 times out of 10 blown out the water. The problem is I know they're going to equalize and there's naff all I can do to stop it.

Playing in the Premier League and my team is far too inconsistent.

One game they are world beaters who spank Arsenal 4-1 the next game they forget how to play the game at all and make the most ridiculous errors. (You know those goals where the most unbelievable comedy of errors result in a goal.) They don't even belong in any pro league let alone the Premier League. They trip and stumble over the ball.

It's beyond ridiculous.

I've not seen these from my team. Why not upload your save game so people can see how inconsistent your results are, along with these comedy goals?

I seem to hammer the big teams but for love nor money cannot beat the bottom 10 teams of the prem....too much 'assistance' offered to weaker teams on the counter and too much 'assistance' given to teams playing with 10men. Yes IRL there is the odd freak result when a bottom 10 team plays a top 4 team they are 9 times out of 10 blown out the water. The problem is I know they're going to equalize and there's naff all I can do to stop it.

This for me is a tactical issue and you need to change your approach for these games. There is plenty of help in the tactics forum if you ask nicely.

This for me is a tactical issue and you need to change your approach for these games. There is plenty of help in the tactics forum if you ask nicely.

Yes Kenco, I'm well aware of this...But is that compatible with a real life scenario? Do Chelsea play less dominant at the Bridge against Crystal Palace? If anything they play more attacking. Too much help is given to the weaker sides.

EDIT: bad example Crystal Palace beat Chelsea IRL

I don't play less attacking against weaker sides - I play an attacking, high pressing, quick tempo game against everyone but ensure I have a solid base formation and tend to overpower most weak teams. When in front and they try to chase the game, I ease off and play less attacking.

Yes Kenco, I'm well aware of this...But is that compatible with a real life scenario? Do Chelsea play less dominant at the Bridge against Crystal Palace? If anything they play more attacking. Too much help is given to the weaker sides.

EDIT: bad example Crystal Palace beat Chelsea IRL

More attacking does not mean play direct football with an attacking mentality.

It doesn't happen as often IRL because managers & players to an extent know how to work the ball, drag the other team out of shape and create chances against defensive teams.

The sooner you learn how to do this in FM the sooner you'll have less of those issues.

More attacking does not mean play direct football with an attacking mentality.

It doesn't happen as often IRL because managers & players to an extent know how to work the ball, drag the other team out of shape and create chances against defensive teams.

The sooner you learn how to do this in FM the sooner you'll have less of those issues.

This. Teams lately are a lot more patient (not defensive!) with the ball if you pay attention. Even more against weaker sides.

I tend to have the odd match where everything that can go wrong goes wrong and the players don't even seem to care.

Prior to FM14 I always praised wins, regardless of how it came about and who it was against. I then just applied more pressure on the team the next match to avoid complacency and fire them up with max morale. This worked really well, but in FM14 it has not worked that well. Taking a look at the team talk feedback after one such match where I praised the win, there were actually many negative reactions that were worrisome to me (got to their heads etc).

I think I will just press continue after wins where the whole team is already on V.Good or Superb morale, to see if this removes the otherwise inexplicable out-of-the-blue p***poor performances.

This for me is a tactical issue and you need to change your approach for these games. There is plenty of help in the tactics forum if you ask nicely.

What tactical assistance would help me when:

My players wander aimlessly in nonsensical directions; my centre forward heading back into midfield as my winger prepares to put in a cross, defenders wandering away from a forward who has the ball as though he had been given a briefcase of cash by an illegal betting syndicate; my players stand still in acres of space with multiple passing options but wait for a defender to come and tackle them; goalkeepers at all levels are absolutely superhuman, unless they are running out of their goal like it was on fire to gift the opposition an open net (or walking into it while holding the ball); forwards are completely useless, constantly shooting wide from the edge of the area whatever attributes they have or instructions you give them; world class set-piece specialists send the ball drifting over the bar from well positioned free kicks every time......the list goes on.

So, does that sound more like it's a tactical issue or a piece of crap ME?

I think we all know the answer to this, only the deluded die hard fanboy's still cling to the claim 'its a tactical issue'.

So, does that sound more like it's a tactical issue or a piece of crap ME?

I think we all know the answer to this, only the deluded die hard fanboy's still cling to the claim 'its a tactical issue'.

Just because you don't understand it doesn't make it "a piece of crap" and hurling abuse at those at those that do doesn't exactly endear people to take some time out to help you.

If you want help ask nicely or continue being a dick which means you'll continue to be unhappy with the game.

My players wander aimlessly in nonsensical directions; my centre forward heading back into midfield as my winger prepares to put in a cross, defenders wandering away from a forward who has the ball as though he had been given a briefcase of cash by an illegal betting syndicate; my players stand still in acres of space with multiple passing options but wait for a defender to come and tackle them; goalkeepers at all levels are absolutely superhuman, unless they are running out of their goal like it was on fire to gift the opposition an open net (or walking into it while holding the ball); forwards are completely useless, constantly shooting wide from the edge of the area whatever attributes they have or instructions you give them; world class set-piece specialists send the ball drifting over the bar from well positioned free kicks every time......the list goes on.

and whilst some of those may be classed as bugs either graphically or simply need the ME tweaking others are related to your tactics, roles, duties, instructions, player attributes, morale etc.

If you don't understand how they affect your players on the field its no wonder you think your players are brainless.

If the time you spent whining on the forum was put into learning the game you would enjoy it far more.

If the time you spent whining on the forum was put into learning the game you would enjoy it far more.

Whining? Just because I only have 17 posts here don't make me a beginner, so don't talk to me like I know nothing.

That's the trouble with you fanboy's, you think you UNDERSTAND the game and that others don't, I have just as good an understanding as you on 'tactics, roles, duties, instructions, player attributes, morale etc' I understand totally how they affect my players but that does not explain the multitude of problems with FM14 ME, or the game as a whole...the transfer market being a prime example (not the thread for this)

If you cannot see that Football Manager 2014 was/is a massive step backwards then you should wear a badge because you are a true fanboy with 11000 posts.

What tactical assistance would help me when:

My players wander aimlessly in nonsensical directions; my centre forward heading back into midfield as my winger prepares to put in a cross, defenders wandering away from a forward who has the ball as though he had been given a briefcase of cash by an illegal betting syndicate; my players stand still in acres of space with multiple passing options but wait for a defender to come and tackle them; goalkeepers at all levels are absolutely superhuman, unless they are running out of their goal like it was on fire to gift the opposition an open net (or walking into it while holding the ball); forwards are completely useless, constantly shooting wide from the edge of the area whatever attributes they have or instructions you give them; world class set-piece specialists send the ball drifting over the bar from well positioned free kicks every time......the list goes on.

So, does that sound more like it's a tactical issue or a piece of crap ME?

I think we all know the answer to this, only the deluded die hard fanboy's still cling to the claim 'its a tactical issue'.

Well, even when my team has that off day, I don't experience what you do.

Basically, if the AI opponents you face do not suffer from the same problems, the cause is you. The thing with having an off day certainly happens to the AI as well because I regularly win 7-2, 6-0 and such, and I often tell myself that if my players did -that- I would ragequit instantly.

So, next match, ignore your own players. Watch the opponents. Do they also wait for one of your players to come tackle him? Do they also run away from the ball? Do they also shoot into the side of the net when they should have passed? I know the answer to the last question is yes, because it is a flaw in the engine. Take a closer look at the commentary when a player decides to shoot from a 10 degree angle to the goal with 3-4 teammates rushing into the box; they say it was a huge chance and a bad shot. That is of course nonsense, and it tells us that there is something wrong with on-the-ball decisions when players find themselves in the triangle between the goal post, edge of area and touchline-edge of the box. Obviously that triangle erroneously counts as within shooting range if there are no opponents between the ball carrier and the keeper... which there rarely are, of course. I am pretty sure that shots from within those two triangles count for 1/3rd of the total shot counts in the game world, if not more.

That's a bug.

It is also a bug that bad tactics lead to as much comedy as they currently do, but there are bad tactics at the centre of that.

My players wander aimlessly in nonsensical directions; my centre forward heading back into midfield as my winger prepares to put in a cross, defenders wandering away from a forward who has the ball as though he had been given a briefcase of cash by an illegal betting syndicate; my players stand still in acres of space with multiple passing options but wait for a defender to come and tackle them; goalkeepers at all levels are absolutely superhuman, unless they are running out of their goal like it was on fire to gift the opposition an open net (or walking into it while holding the ball); forwards are completely useless, constantly shooting wide from the edge of the area whatever attributes they have or instructions you give them; world class set-piece specialists send the ball drifting over the bar from well positioned free kicks every time......the list goes on.

So, does that sound more like it's a tactical issue or a piece of crap ME?

I would say it sounds more like a mixture of wild exaggeration and outright lies.

Regardless though, just put it off and play something else. It's clearly not the game for you.

I have just as good an understanding as you on 'tactics, roles, duties, instructions, player attributes, morale etc' I understand totally how they affect my players but that does not explain the multitude of problems with FM14 ME, or the game as a whole...the transfer market being a prime example (not the thread for this)

If you understood the game as much as you think you do you wouldn't be making the comments you did in post #17.

If you cannot see that Football Manager 2014 was/is a massive step backwards then you should wear a badge because you are a true fanboy with 11000 posts.

FM14 isn't a massive step backwards, its made significant steps forwards. Its not perfect, it still has bugs but then it never will be bug free.

I would say it sounds more like a mixture of wild exaggeration and outright lies.

Regardless though, just put it off and play something else. It's clearly not the game for you.

I'd say he posted a series of isolated incidents that might have happened at one point, but he's made them look as if they are constantly occurring. Well, that and the well-known wide angle shooting bug. All of the things that he listed do happen, they just shouldn't be happening very often at all unless the user is making some big mistakes.

I had a comical one myself when I was playing last night. My defense which at that point had conceded only 17 goals in the entire Premiere League season completely fell apart in a Champions League Quarterfinal match against AS Monaco. A Monaco winger was bring the ball down the flank. My defense reverted to playing like 6 year olds and everyone chased after the winger. Seven players rushed after the winger who wasn't in a dangerous position at all. I had my fullback on that side run after him. All our of my midfielders rushed to help out. And, both of my central defenders ran out there. No one stayed home to close down Monaco's striker who was meandering down the center of the field. One easy pass and the striker scored unmolested.

Some people would complain about the game, call the ME seriously flawed and whatnot. But, it really just boils down to s**t happens.

What tactical assistance would help me when:

My players wander aimlessly in nonsensical directions; my centre forward heading back into midfield as my winger prepares to put in a cross, defenders wandering away from a forward who has the ball as though he had been given a briefcase of cash by an illegal betting syndicate; my players stand still in acres of space with multiple passing options but wait for a defender to come and tackle them; goalkeepers at all levels are absolutely superhuman, unless they are running out of their goal like it was on fire to gift the opposition an open net (or walking into it while holding the ball); forwards are completely useless, constantly shooting wide from the edge of the area whatever attributes they have or instructions you give them; world class set-piece specialists send the ball drifting over the bar from well positioned free kicks every time......the list goes on.

So, does that sound more like it's a tactical issue or a piece of crap ME?

I think we all know the answer to this, only the deluded die hard fanboy's still cling to the claim 'its a tactical issue'.

I agree with this. I would say in my save there are about 3 games per season in the PL where you just can't seem to win. It can't be tactics when the above happens or when you pummel a team for 90 minutes against what must be the best goalie in history. I've learnt to accept these odd few games as I still do well overall. I know after the first half if its going to be one of these games. I simply hit play for the second half and go and put the kettle on. Off course I've lost 1-0 to their 1 shot in the game when I get back.

I would say in my save there are about 3 games per season in the PL where you just can't seem to win. It can't be tactics when the above happens or when you pummel a team for 90 minutes against what must be the best goalie in history.

Why do people insist that something is either tactical or a flaw with the game? A good tactic won't guarantee a win in every game. There's going to be games where the opposition are under constant pressure but hit the other team on the break. It happens in real life in every single league in every single season.

Of course, there are things you can do to try and get round it. I'd suggest hitting play and leaving to put the kettle on might not be one of them.

Some of the big teams lost to much "weaker" teams last season IRL. In fact, the top 4 all did. It happens. Learn from your mistakes or try to spot any weaknesses and try to do better in the next game.

Why do people insist that something is either tactical or a flaw with the game? A good tactic won't guarantee a win in every game. There's going to be games where the opposition are under constant pressure but hit the other team on the break. It happens in real life in every single league in every single season.

Of course, there are things you can do to try and get round it. I'd suggest hitting play and leaving to put the kettle on might not be one of them.

Are you trying to suggest I never have tried to get around it? There is no way around it so why bother against the inevitable.

Are you trying to suggest I never have tried to get around it? There is no way around it so why bother against the inevitable.

If you upload your game when you get another game like that, someone will crack it easily.

If you upload your game when you get another game like that, someone will crack it easily.

Why the hell should I. Can you upload some of your games for the rest of us to play with.

Its the same problem with this forum. If someone makes an observation about the game or complains in any way they get shot down for it as though they're some sort of imbecile. I actually find it quite insulting. Some flaws in this game are so obvious you would have to be blind or in complete denial to not see it.

Why the hell should I. Can you upload some of your games for the rest of us to play with.

Its the same problem with this forum. If someone makes an observation about the game or complains in any way they get shot down for it as though they're some sort of imbecile. I actually find it quite insulting. Some flaws in this game are so obvious you would have to be blind or in complete denial to not see it.

Nobody said you must, but you could gain some insight into why you didn't win. It can only benefit you!

Why the hell should I. Can you upload some of your games for the rest of us to play with.

Its the same problem with this forum. If someone makes an observation about the game or complains in any way they get shot down for it as though they're some sort of imbecile. I actually find it quite insulting. Some flaws in this game are so obvious you would have to be blind or in complete denial to not see it.

No observation backed up with some form of qualitative evidence is shot down, so that's a lie. The bugs forum exists for people to post such evidence with issues in the game . Hence the frequent requests for save games and PKMs. It's bizarre that someone gets insulted when asked for something to back up their claim, when someone is actually trying to help you. You could have had someone play through and actually post why they did well.

For what it's worth, we had a save game uploaded in the Tactics forum just yesterday.

A quick poke through it revealed some fundamental tactical errors and perhaps a touch of hyperbole to the posters' summation of the state of the game.

Fresh, objective eyes can help.

To be fair no amount of poking around in a save game is going to help people who insist that every time something goes wrong it's a flaw in the game or the game is fixed.

Messi can make a poor decision in the World Cup final and sail a free kick over the crossbar. That's reality. If it happens in the game with a much lesser player, some people are just bound and determined to see it as poor coding on SI's behalf or evidence that the game predetermined they were going to lose.

He's complaining about something that does happen in real life. It's no mystery why it happens. The other team plays defensively. His players start pressing, taking bad shots, snatching at half chances, and it just gets worse the longer it goes on. The other team takes far fewer shots because they are playing defensively. They hit their shots because they are good shots. It's simple. It happens in real life. It happens in the game.

Why the hell should I

To cut down on your caffeine intake for one...

No observation backed up with some form of qualitative evidence is shot down, so that's a lie. The bugs forum exists for people to post such evidence with issues in the game . Hence the frequent requests for save games and PKMs. It's bizarre that someone gets insulted when asked for something to back up their claim, when someone is actually trying to help you. You could have had someone play through and actually post why they did well.

Ok lets turn it the other way for a change. Show me some evidence there is absolutely no scripting whatsoever anywhere in the game and I don't just mean the ME. I'd be interested to know how this is even possible.

To cut down on your caffeine intake for one...

You are an arrogant man Dave. I don't even drink tea or coffee. I suppose that's my fault as well.

Ok lets turn it the other way for a change. Show me some evidence there is absolutely no scripting whatsoever anywhere in the game and I don't just mean the ME. I'd be interested to know how this is even possible.

That's not how it works. You made the claim that losing these games is something inevitable. The burden of proof is on you.

Edit: Also, scripted in what way? In the ME sense, I get it, scripted that you will lose a game which isn't the case. What other areas are you referring to?

Ok lets turn it the other way for a change. Show me some evidence there is absolutely no scripting whatsoever anywhere in the game and I don't just mean the ME. I'd be interested to know how this is even possible.

The easiest way for you to see that is to try and find Paul Collyers posts from about 2009, when he talked about how the ME is coded, as it reads inputs from user and AI as the same. I'm hoping SvenC will pop up with the bookmark because its almost impossible finding anything more than a 3 months old with this software. And define anywhere, the game is massive.

How I know there is no script. I posted above about a CL quarterfinal against Monaco. I ended up losing 6-3 on aggregate. A couple of weeks later my computer froze. I had to go back to a save from before the CL. It was actually two days before the game. This time I won that first leg and ended up winning 5-1 on aggregate. Went on the win the final too. Felt a bit bad about it, but there was no scripting involved.

What I cant stand is the fact I KNOW the AI KNOWS they are going to score and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. I was 3-1 up against Everton with 15minutes to go, I KNEW Everton were going to get 2 goals back, I can;t describe how but you just know. It doesn't matter what tactics you change to you can't stop it. It is infuriating.

What I cant stand is the fact I KNOW the AI KNOWS they are going to score and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. I was 3-1 up against Everton with 15minutes to go, I KNEW Everton were going to get 2 goals back, I can;t describe how but you just know. It doesn't matter what tactics you change to you can't stop it. It is infuriating.

Yes you are correct you can feel it coming just like you can IRL. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes you hold on, sometimes the opposition come back.

Tactics do matter though, it depends on the team and players but there are options to reduce the chance of that comeback. The answer isn't black & white though sometimes keeping possession works, sometimes getting the ball up the pitch works, sometimes packing the defence works, sometimes targeting the opposition danger man works.

Really?

Some people are suggesting "It's your tactics" when you pepper a side with shots and lose by one goal on their only shot on net. You outshoot them 23 -2, with 16 -1 on target and "it's your tactics".

I suppose the correct tactic in this situation is the one the AI used. I mean the goal of a good tactic is to be outshot 10 to 1 by the opponent.

Instead of perpetuating a circular argument that goes nowhere, why not just post an image of your tactical set up?

It has been said 100 times before in this forum, and will be said 100's of times more: Lots of shots do not necessarily equate to lots of goals.

A thread in the tactics forums yesterday saw a user complain along these lines - shooting more but losing 1-0 a few times.

Why? His shots were often from range from players whose attributes were not conducive to scoring snatched half chances from 30 yards.

The AI? Fewer shots but from better positions. It is not that hard to objectively see this stuff, but as the "owner" of the save, it is hard to accept.

I simply hit play for the second half and go and put the kettle on.

You are an arrogant man Dave. I don't even drink tea or coffee. I suppose that's my fault as well.

Do you just put the kettle on for a laugh then?

Really?

Some people are suggesting "It's your tactics" when you pepper a side with shots and lose by one goal on their only shot on net. You outshoot them 23 -2, with 16 -1 on target and "it's your tactics".

I suppose the correct tactic in this situation is the one the AI used. I mean the goal of a good tactic is to be outshot 10 to 1 by the opponent.

When people say tactics they mostly mean every input that goes into the ME including roles, duties, instructions, OIs, team talks, media comments, players and everything associated with an individual player.

That said as a manager you can only set your team up to give them the best chance of winning. You can do everything right and give your team a high chance of winning but even then you will lose somewhere between 20% and 33% of matches.

I would say it sounds more like a mixture of wild exaggeration and outright lies.

Regardless though, just put it off and play something else. It's clearly not the game for you.

Excuse me? who are you to tell me it's not the game for me? played since FM2005

And why would i post lies? What I posted has happened, not just to me but also AI teams ergo crap ME

I watch football every week and NEVER do I see there what I see here.

Keeper's walking in to their own goal??? a simple throw in to a player 5 yards away goes to their player 5 yards to the left of him (that's almost 25 degrees the wrong way)

Oh come on!! you can have a badge too fanboy.

If you understood the game as much as you think you do you wouldn't be making the comments you did in post #17.

Just how does not understanding the game have anything to do with what I said in post #17

Am I to expect players to just stop? stop in acres of space and do nothing, is that representative of football?

Example: Winger gets ball on the wing with 30 yards of space he walks 2-3 yards then does nothing, 20 yards of space, does nothing, 15 yards of space, does nothing, 10 yards of space, does nothing, 5 yards of space, does nothing, no yards gets tacked AND DOES NOTHING. It's a full 4-5 seconds before he moves again to track back.

^^ this though is something I NEVER see the AI team do

FM14 isn't a massive step backwards, its made significant steps forwards. Its not perfect, it still has bugs but then it never will be bug free.

Your opinion and your entitled to it, it simple isn't mine.

I'd say he posted a series of isolated incidents that might have happened at one point, but he's made them look as if they are constantly occurring. Well, that and the well-known wide angle shooting bug.

I did not mean to imply that these incidents happen all the time and I also did not mean that they only happen to me and not the AI.

I am all to well aware of how this game works, I too have crushed the top 4 English Premier sides and lost to teams who are perceived as weaker, and I know why too.

I'm not bothered by losing, my current save I lost 9 games on the trot with West Brom and still finished 7th and gained a European play-off spot.

But as the OP pointed out "One game they are world beaters who spank Arsenal 4-1 the next game they forget how to play the game" and for once I was agreeing with him.

In my original post #17 I was responding to KENKO's higher than thou response that it is a tactical issue, it's clearly not.

It is my firm belief that there is a fundamental problem with the game/code/ME.

It is my firm belief that there is a fundamental problem with the game/code/ME.

There's a fly in that particular ointment though. Surely if there was a 'fundamental problem with the game/code/ME', it would be happening to every single user. Wouldn't you agree?

Just how does not understanding the game have anything to do with what I said in post #17

If you understood the game you wouldn't be making the tactical errors that produce that behaviour.

You would also recognise that several of your examples are tactical errors and not bugs which means you wouldn't have made post #17.

Am I to expect players to just stop? stop in acres of space and do nothing, is that representative of football?

Example: Winger gets ball on the wing with 30 yards of space he walks 2-3 yards then does nothing, 20 yards of space, does nothing, 15 yards of space, does nothing, 10 yards of space, does nothing, 5 yards of space, does nothing, no yards gets tacked AND DOES NOTHING. It's a full 4-5 seconds before he moves again to track back.

^^ this though is something I NEVER see the AI team do.

We haven't seen the pattern of play but from what you describe its an example of a player trying to follow your instructions but not being able to to for whatever reason. One possible reason is he can't find a pass within the risk level & range that you've set.

The key here is what you've said "this though is something I NEVER see the AI team do". Therefore its fair to assume its something that you are doing as the user that is causing that behaviour.

At what point do inconsistent good results become consistent less good results?

So, does that sound more like it's a tactical issue or a piece of crap ME?

I think we all know the answer to this, only the deluded die hard fanboys still cling to the claim 'its a tactical issue'.

The problem with these kind of statements is the user is asking us to accept his perspective over the combined knowledge of the forum which has, time after time, proven that user error is the cause of terrible performance and/or random results. All we can do is give advice and ask you to listen.