Lack of Central Play

I've noticed the same issues. Yours is the best example I've seen, SI have truly taken 2 steps back with this and went back to fm20, i can't stomach another game purely comprised of a crossing highlight reel.

 

The stats in my save back this up too. Also, not only are crosses far and away the main source of assists, I now understand where the game found 8 through ball assists thanks to this post.

Let's hope they fix this until full release at least.

Edited October 25, 2021 by DB Wit

Hey guys, we're going to need PKM examples from games in particular where you feel this has happened. @DB Wit if you feel this is also happening for you, I would ask you create a separate thread so we can collect as many examples and investigate them separately. Here is a guide on how you can upload files: 

 

1 hour ago, Michael Sant said:

Hey guys, we're going to need PKM examples from games in particular where you feel this has happened. @DB Wit if you feel this is also happening for you, I would ask you create a separate thread so we can collect as many examples and investigate them separately. Here is a guide on how you can upload files: 

 

Understood, more than happy to help! What are PKMs? Are they saved matches, and if so how many would you like?
So I should create a new topic similar to this one explaining the issue and upload these PKM files in there?
Also, you probably won't know, but if you don't mind me asking, is there a chance of this being fixed by the time the game fully releases? I know ME stuff can be iffy so if it's not being worked already I doubt it'll be ready by the 9th but I'd just figure I'd ask. Thanks for your work.

Edited October 25, 2021 by DB Wit

Hey again @DB Wit the pkm's are saved matches and highlights. So yes if you create a new thread and upload any instances where you find it happening we can investigate. Multiple examples help because of all the factors involved with influencing how a team will play in a game. 

5 minutes ago, Michael Sant said:

Hey again @DB Wit the pkm's are saved matches and highlights. So yes if you create a new thread and upload any instances where you find it happening we can investigate. Multiple examples help because of all the factors involved with influencing how a team will play in a game. 

Understood, I'll get on that right away. Going back now would be hard so I'll play a few games and take the pkms. Would 3-4 be good?

That'll be helpful and give our team something to investigate. 

3 hours ago, Michael Sant said:

That'll be helpful and give our team something to investigate. 

It's done, hope it helps. Have a nice week.

I would like to provide you with pkms from 2 different savegames. In both of these games I used the same formation, just with a slightly different approach.

Juventus vs Parma:

Inter vs Cagliari:

If you need anymore pkms or want me to try something really specific, please let me know as 95% of the matches I've played are like these 2. I've had far far worse matches than these 2, I've given these as an example because they are the average of what I am seeing. From my personal analysis it seems that as soon as the ball gets to a player close to the final third, his choice of pass is "wide by dafault". He will try a through ball or a pass down the centre, but only if there isn't a viable option wide. As soon as that option presents itself in a form of a fullback, mezalla or BBM ... he will 80% of the time pass it wide. 

People are also complaining about crosses. I completly understand and agree with this as i just had a game in which 5 out of the total of 7 goals were a result of crosses - header - goal. That said, I strongly believe that the high number of crosses is a direct result of a lack of central play. I mean, what else is there ?! You either exploit the centre by trying through balls or you cross from the byline / wide.

Again, if you want me to replicate any scenarios or whatever just let me know.

Inter v Cagliari.pkm Zebre v Parma.pkm

I have no idea if this is actually an issue or not but I would just like to say that the way you've set up isn't conducive to central play at all. If you want to make space to thread through balls through the middle of the defense then you need to spread that defense out first. Where are they supposed to play the ball if all 22 players are clogging up the middle of the pitch? You should be spreading your players wide then asking them to play through the middle.

Again not sayin the issue does or doesn't exist, but you may want to try playing wider. With this tactic the only space is going to be out wide.

1 hour ago, RocheBag said:

I have no idea if this is actually an issue or not but I would just like to say that the way you've set up isn't conducive to central play at all. If you want to make space to thread through balls through the middle of the defense then you need to spread that defense out first. Where are they supposed to play the ball if all 22 players are clogging up the middle of the pitch? You should be spreading your players wide then asking them to play through the middle.

Again not sayin the issue does or doesn't exist, but you may want to try playing wider. With this tactic the only space is going to be out wide.

I played with a 4-3-3 formation emulating Total football who's entire point is, just as you've said, to stretch play, creating space inside and I found the exact same issue. The difference between fm21 and fm22 was made apparent when looked at final third entries confirming that the suspicions raised by the highlights focusing so much on crosses wasn't just a tactics thing but a ME problem. I have also tried with some other tactics following the same principles of stretching the opposition (it wouldn't be the first time a system looses effectiveness in a new iteration) to try and find central play but it all came back with the same stats, only 1(or less) in 6/7 entries came from the middle. For some reason the players almost always resort to playing a ball to the wings and the wide players (IF and AP/Treq a bit less) constantly choose to run to the corner flag.

I will agree that he should have the team width set to wide. If it hadn't happen to me, I'd also consider it being a tactics decision but that unfortunately isn't the case and SI were apparently already aware of it, let's hope it's fixed by the release date.

It's one we are aware of and we are looking into this further, thanks for flagging and providing pkms.