Quickfire Questions and Answers Thread (Tactic and Training Questions Only)

[b101]

Not sure whether to report this as a bug - it's certainly beneficial for me - but I thought players had to be 23 to tutor...

[Cleon]

Is he your club captain? Captains can tutor at any age.

[Hitman]

I am using three tactics that I have imported to the game from the download centre. I'm sure I'm just being a bit thick, but I can't figure out a way to include the two I'm not using as 'alternative tactics' for players to be schooled in at the same time as my current one.

Whenever I click 'add tactic' I get the 'Create a new tactic' or 'Use existing tactic' options; however, my two additional imported tactics don't show up and I'm stuck with the standard choice of 4-33s/4-4-2s etc etc.

Can anyone advise? Many thanks.

[Cleon]

I am using three tactics that I have imported to the game from the download centre. I'm sure I'm just being a bit thick, but I can't figure out a way to include the two I'm not using as 'alternative tactics' for players to be schooled in at the same time as my current one.

Whenever I click 'add tactic' I get the 'Create a new tactic' or 'Use existing tactic' options; however, my two additional imported tactics don't show up and I'm stuck with the standard choice of 4-33s/4-4-2s etc etc.

Can anyone advise? Many thanks.

Click add tactic >> existing tactic > then click whatever formation it lists (451 normally I think)and a drop down menu appears and its archived ones you want and it should appear.

If its not listed then you don't have the tactics in the correct folder. They should be in;

C:\Users\Username\Documents\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2014\tactics

[Hitman]

Click add tactic >> existing tactic > then click whatever formation it lists (451 normally I think)and a drop down menu appears and its archived ones you want and it should appear.

If its not listed then you don't have the tactics in the correct folder. They should be in;

C:\Users\Username\Documents\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2014\tactics

Many thanks, Cleon, that latter option sorted it out.

[bruffell06]

If i'm playing a 4-3-3 with one winger (a) and one inside forward (a), which side would I play my advanced playmaker (s) and which side would I play my cm (a)?

I think I should play my CM (a) on the side of my winger as he will stretch the play and make more space for him?

[b101]

Is he your club captain? Captains can tutor at any age.

Yes he is... did not know that! Useful

[wkdsoul]

Is there a work around to have more than one player doing a role at corners? ie have more than one player lurking outside the box?

Cant work it out, guess not.. nevermind.

[JensP]

Does Fluid/Very Fluid required more intelligent players? With my lower league team I'm playing a 4-1DM-4-1 with no specialist roles and Balanced fluidity. I'm being reasonably successful with this - solid defensively and creating a decent amount of chances. According to the Twelve steps guide, I should be playing Very Fluid since I don't have any specialist roles in my team. I've added the same tactic with Very Fluid fluidity as a second tactic just to see if this would improve my game. What I've found is that, using Very Fluid, my players tend to make ridiculous decisions and just not playing as a team at all. Very Fluid means that creative freedom is increased for all players, right (I noticed after adding the second tactic and changing the fluidity that the tactic familiarity of this was very low for creative freedom while all the other areas was full (as they are on my original tacitc)?

[Dr. Hook]

Does Fluid/Very Fluid required more intelligent players? With my lower league team I'm playing a 4-1DM-4-1 with no specialist roles and Balanced fluidity. I'm being reasonably successful with this - solid defensively and creating a decent amount of chances. According to the Twelve steps guide, I should be playing Very Fluid since I don't have any specialist roles in my team. I've added the same tactic with Very Fluid fluidity as a second tactic just to see if this would improve my game. What I've found is that, using Very Fluid, my players tend to make ridiculous decisions and just not playing as a team at all. Very Fluid means that creative freedom is increased for all players, right (I noticed after adding the second tactic and changing the fluidity that the tactic familiarity of this was very low for creative freedom while all the other areas was full (as they are on my original tacitc)?

I am playing right now in the Northern Premier with a fluid setting and not noticing any problems. I've followed WWFan's basic outline of choosing fluidity based on the number of specialist roles. I don't use more than one or two in my tactic, so fluid fits that and no real silly play beyond the usual run of the mill low league stuff that you get with any team/tactic/formation down here. I did build my team around players with strong decision attribute for the level, but in my opinion fluid is just fine. In fact, my team has played better than when using rigid or balanced.

[SpartyOn]

Does Fluid/Very Fluid required more intelligent players? With my lower league team I'm playing a 4-1DM-4-1 with no specialist roles and Balanced fluidity. I'm being reasonably successful with this - solid defensively and creating a decent amount of chances. According to the Twelve steps guide, I should be playing Very Fluid since I don't have any specialist roles in my team. I've added the same tactic with Very Fluid fluidity as a second tactic just to see if this would improve my game. What I've found is that, using Very Fluid, my players tend to make ridiculous decisions and just not playing as a team at all. Very Fluid means that creative freedom is increased for all players, right (I noticed after adding the second tactic and changing the fluidity that the tactic familiarity of this was very low for creative freedom while all the other areas was full (as they are on my original tacitc)?

I don't think the specialist role thing should be a hard-and-fast rule, just a guideline. I had a successful tactic in FM13 with a rigid philosophy and only one specialist role. That said, you could try fluid or very fluid and the "more disciplined" instruction to reign in the creative freedom a little bit.

[Dr. Hook]

I don't think the specialist role thing should be a hard-and-fast rule, just a guideline. I had a successful tactic in FM13 with a rigid philosophy and only one specialist role. That said, you could try fluid or very fluid and the "more disciplined" instruction to reign in the creative freedom a little bit.

I agree, and I probably didn't need to even mention it as it wasn't completely relevant to the question. I just wanted to point out that using a fluid setting at the lower league level has not been a problem for me, even though the players are pretty much rubbish to a man. I've left the creative freedom at default, and while I do get some stupid behavior, it isn't any worse than when I had it more restricted.

[remembertofeedthecat]

I'm tinkering around with a Liverpool tactic to try and get the most out of Sturridge's and Sterling's speed.

One of the things I'm trying is pushing them way up into the corners of the pitch.

With Sterling, even though he's a natural AML and he comes up natural when I push him one strata forward, my assistant manager is telling me that I should

play him in a more familiar position. My question is, what takes precedence? Is the ME penalising me (as the AM would suggest) by playing him where I am (even though it says Natural on the tactics screen)

Cheers

[jujigatame]

In that case I think your assman is wrong and you won't get any penalty for playing an AML at STL.

[phnompenhandy]

I agree, and I probably didn't need to even mention it as it wasn't completely relevant to the question. I just wanted to point out that using a fluid setting at the lower league level has not been a problem for me, even though the players are pretty much rubbish to a man. I've left the creative freedom at default, and while I do get some stupid behavior, it isn't any worse than when I had it more restricted.

Now this is interesting. With tactical familiarity taking so long to get to fluid, I've had a rigid philosophy take my side from Skrill North to League Two. By now my young squad has developed their attributes to the point where I want to switch the philosophy to fluid. I'm in pre-season - same players, same tactics. Most of the familiarity bars drop a bit, nothing that can't recover within a fortnight of the main season. The exception is creative freedom which has dropped to near-zero. In your experience is this likely to prove fatal, or can a team dominate and win matches if all is well except CF? And if I instruct 'stick to position' and 'play more disciplined' will that help or does it undermine the whole fluid philosophy?

[elland road boo boys]

I have a really stupid question apologies in advance.

It is concerning squad rotation.

Lets say I have 2 backup strikers with one PA as 3.5 stars who is training as an Advanced Forward & the other PA as 3 stars who is training as a Complete Forward. (Both are 21 years of age)

In game do I then rotate my current strikers solely with the higher PA or the position I am training them in.

So in effect the 3 star PA will swap with my current CF & the 3.5 star PA will swap with the AF

[MeesterCat]

My first tri-yearly dumb question for 2014...

I have a couple of players who I am retraining to a new position, however they are younger players and not ready for the First Team yet. Without taking control of all U21 team games, is there a way I can 'force' the U21 Manager to play them for the U21 team in the positions I want them trained in in order to speed up the process?

[Dr. Hook]

Now this is interesting. With tactical familiarity taking so long to get to fluid, I've had a rigid philosophy take my side from Skrill North to League Two. By now my young squad has developed their attributes to the point where I want to switch the philosophy to fluid. I'm in pre-season - same players, same tactics. Most of the familiarity bars drop a bit, nothing that can't recover within a fortnight of the main season. The exception is creative freedom which has dropped to near-zero. In your experience is this likely to prove fatal, or can a team dominate and win matches if all is well except CF? And if I instruct 'stick to position' and 'play more disciplined' will that help or does it undermine the whole fluid philosophy?

I don't think it's fatal. When I started out last season with a new tactic and basically a brand new squad in the Southern D1 Central (using the England to tier 8 Db) all the familiarity levels were bad, but the team still played decently. I also wouldn't play fluid and restict movement or freedom, as you point out, it seems to me to be counterintuitive. I've left them at default and while most of players are cack in the big picture, they are decent for the level, especially the mentals which is what I focused on in my signings. I haven't honestly seen anything bad beyond the typical low level play. They don't roam into the wilderness and make themselves useless, and while not everything they attempt with the ball comes off, they do okay.

[jujigatame]

My first tri-yearly dumb question for 2014...

I have a couple of players who I am retraining to a new position, however they are younger players and not ready for the First Team yet. Without taking control of all U21 team games, is there a way I can 'force' the U21 Manager to play them for the U21 team in the positions I want them trained in in order to speed up the process?

Good question, I'd like to do this with Frimpong and Coquelin since I'm using a 4-2-3-1 with no DMs.

I could potentially do it by forcing my U21 team to play with first team tactics, but that isn't a general solution.

[EnzoAmata]

I can't get my midfield to play through balls! They are both set DLP and AM - support. They are forward enough to play through balls and the opposition are not pressing them giving them time to look up. I've told them in PI not to shoot from distance, yet they still shoot more often than not.

How do I fix this? I'm playing Control also.

[Steve Odom]

I can't get my midfield to play through balls! They are both set DLP and AM - support. They are forward enough to play through balls and the opposition are not pressing them giving them time to look up. I've told them in PI not to shoot from distance, yet they still shoot more often than not.

How do I fix this? I'm playing Control also.

Are there palyers free to play through balls to and is their passing range long enough to be allowed to reach those players if there are?

[EnzoAmata]

Are there palyers free to play through balls to and is their passing range long enough to be allowed to reach those players if there are?

Yea I have people who are creative and can pass. The forwards are making runs and in space between defenders, I'm confused.

[phnompenhandy]

You can give 'more direct passes' PIs to both roles

[phnompenhandy]

I don't think it's fatal. When I started out last season with a new tactic and basically a brand new squad in the Southern D1 Central (using the England to tier 8 Db) all the familiarity levels were bad, but the team still played decently. I also wouldn't play fluid and restict movement or freedom, as you point out, it seems to me to be counterintuitive. I've left them at default and while most of players are cack in the big picture, they are decent for the level, especially the mentals which is what I focused on in my signings. I haven't honestly seen anything bad beyond the typical low level play. They don't roam into the wilderness and make themselves useless, and while not everything they attempt with the ball comes off, they do okay.

Well I've played my pre-season with rigid replaced by fluid, and if I'm being honest, I can't see any difference!!

[EnzoAmata]

Well I've played my pre-season with rigid replaced by fluid, and if I'm being honest, I can't see any difference!!

I really have no idea what the differences between them are, I've read loads of things on the subject and don't know what it's doing. I've given up. I'm slowly giving up on FM14 right now, I can get a team to play fine for the first couple of months then boom my team just start playing random.

[Dr. Hook]

Well I've played my pre-season with rigid replaced by fluid, and if I'm being honest, I can't see any difference!!

It isn't drastic, really. I noticed an improvement with the off the ball movement from my team. I play a narrow formation, so movement is especially crucial in the center of the park. When I was on rigid, the players didn't really deviate from the shape much. When I went to fluid, it wasn't as though they started roaming all over, but the movement was definitely better, especially laterally where I really needed it. Or, I could just be imagining it all, feck if I know!

[USMNT10]

So I am looking for a "wildcard" tactic. Or even create a wildcard tactic. I want to start a save with the USMNT. I know that we will never match up guy for guy against the likes of Germany, Spain, Brazil, or even England. So in my head, employing a basic tactic just wouldn't cut it. When David faced Goliath, he didn't just square up with him and dual it out fist for fist. He had to do something out of the ordinary and risky. That is how I feel the only way the likes of the USMNT can win the World Cup. In terms of tactics, what do you think comprises of Wild Card tactic? Going high tempo with 3 strikers? Or a unique mix or roles that with the right group of guys who gel can implement it rather than having a Messi, Ronaldo, etc on the team to feed it to and rely on.

[Steve Odom]

Go as solid as possible in defence, make a total assymetrical attack, trying to overload one area of the oppositions defence would be my best bet in trying to win anything with 'minnows'.

[USMNT10]

Go as solid as possible in defence, make a total assymetrical attack, trying to overload one area of the oppositions defence would be my best bet in trying to win anything with 'minnows'.

What exactly do you mean when you say solid as possible defense? does that me a flat line of 4 defenders (LB, CD, CD, RB) who stick to their position?

Is an assymetrical and overload to one side tactic build through the formation or the the team instructions?

[Steve Odom]

You can choose between both options when designing assymetry in the team. I would use a back four and a DM in front of them. But that would just be me, there are plenty of options there.

I had some succes in my save with this setup

GK (goalkeeper, defend)

DR (full back, support)

DCR (defender, defend)

DCL (defender, defend)

DL (full back, support)

DMC (anchor man, defend)

MC (deep lying playmaker, support)

MCL (central midfielder, attack)

ML (wide midfielder, attack)

SR (inside forward attack)

SC (deep lying forward, support)

Passes chanelled through left flank, the SR was the main finisher since he didn't get marked in the final stages of the attack)

Again, this is just an example, I used it mainly because of the restraints on budget/playing staff in my LLM save.

[elland road boo boys]

I have a really stupid question apologies in advance.

It is concerning squad rotation.

Lets say I have 2 backup strikers with one PA as 3.5 stars who is training as an Advanced Forward & the other PA as 3 stars who is training as a Complete Forward. (Both are 21 years of age)

In game do I then rotate my current strikers solely with the higher PA or the position I am training them in.

So in effect the 3 star PA will swap with my current CF & the 3.5 star PA will swap with the AF

Anybody?

[Cleon]

Anybody?

Rotate with whichever you position you plan on playing them long term :confused:

[elland road boo boys]

Rotate with whichever you position you plan on playing them long term :confused:

First off Many Thanks for the reply Cleon & A Happy New Year,

Secondly, I will tell you why I was asking such a stupid question in the first place!!!

I was told quite a little while ago that when I put out my first team squad for "hard" games ie Games I was expected to lose, that I should use subs only with the highest PA rating, no matter what their position "Ingame"

So if a striker had 4 stars PA playing as an AF he would come on for the CF.

[Cleon]

First off Many Thanks for the reply Cleon & A Happy New Year,

Secondly, I will tell you why I was asking such a stupid question in the first place!!!

I was told quite a little while ago that when I put out my first team squad for "hard" games ie Games I was expected to lose, that I should use subs only with the highest PA rating, no matter what their position "Ingame"

So if a striker had 4 stars PA playing as an AF he would come on for the CF.

Stop listening to people who don't know what they are talking about is my advice what a load of......(insert word)

[elland road boo boys]

If I insert word will I get an infraction

Once again many thanks

[phnompenhandy]

It isn't drastic, really. I noticed an improvement with the off the ball movement from my team. I play a narrow formation, so movement is especially crucial in the center of the park. When I was on rigid, the players didn't really deviate from the shape much. When I went to fluid, it wasn't as though they started roaming all over, but the movement was definitely better, especially laterally where I really needed it. Or, I could just be imagining it all, feck if I know!

I should avoid falling into the same trap as posters who judge an ME update after one match! The more I use this fluid philosophy, the more lovely the play. Yes, wingers are starting to find space inside, and my striker does wander into channels unlike before. There have been a couple of bloopers at the back, but i'm sure that's less to do with the fluids and everything to do with teenage ex-non-league cloggers still lacking a bit in the mentals.

Lovely stuff!!!

[mhaffy]

In previous versions of FM you could specficy your main playmaker. In FM14 I am playing with a DLP (S) and AP (S) - is there a way of choosing which of these two should be your main playmaker?

[Cleon]

In previous versions of FM you could specficy your main playmaker. In FM14 I am playing with a DLP (S) and AP (S) - is there a way of choosing which of these two should be your main playmaker?

Already answered lots of times in this thread, one answer is even on this page. Scroll up

[JP87]

I am playing in Level 10 of the English leagues with Team Solent and therefore having to compromise in which attributes players are proficient in.

My initial tactical thoughts are to keep it as simple as possible so limited fbs, limited cd, wide midfielder, cm - def, cm att etc. This means no "specialist roles" as I don't have players with the ability to pull those off. Therefore, this set up leans itself to a very fluid philosophy. However fluid means greater individual creative freedom and a global mentality.

With the players having poor decisions and creativity (6 to 8 on average) will this work? Or am I better using balanced / rigid (players focus on duties) and adding a few specialists?

[jujigatame]

Personally I would not use fluid or very fluid with a poor quality squad. If you give players with poor creativity/decisions high creative freedom they play like lunatics. I'd only play fluid if you have well rounded strikers and defenders (who can contribute on both sides of the ball) and even then I'd temper it with the "be more disciplined" shout.

[Steve Odom]

This isn't true imo. My decisions 6 forward didn't play as a lunatic in My fluid setup 8 years (in game) ago, now we have risen a few leagues his lack of decision making is fatal to his play with my balanced tactic right now. This implies all atributes are relative to the strengrhs of the opposition. So not using certain philosophies or restricting creative play is pointless to me.

[EnzoAmata]

I'm manager of Swansea and expected to finish mid table. Swansea seem to play their style no matter the opposition in real life which Michael Laudrup gets praise and criticism for, I'm wondering if that works within FM14. I've tried it for half a season and I only seem to convincingly win euro draws! I'm in relegation but finished top of my group in euro with ease.

I did offer the team top bonuses for euro and normal for league is that the only factor that's effecting their Premier play?

I know the tactic doesn't work within the Premier League but does anyone play this way where all you change is shouts, no matter which opposition your playing?

[Dr. Hook]

This isn't true imo. My decisions 6 forward didn't play as a lunatic i. My fluid setup 8 years (in game) ago, now we have risen a few leagues his lack of decision making is fatal to his play. This implies all atributes are relative to the strengrhs of the opposition. So not using certain philosophies or restricting creative play is pointless to me.

I concur- I've been using a fluid philosophy for two seasons in English tier 7 and 8 and don't have lunatic behavior.

[Svenc]

What were the reasons to get rid of the following instructions in FM 2014? Anyone?

- pass to feet (opposite instruction to pass into space)

- play through defense (opposite instruction to run at defense)

Both were perfectly legit and had their use, in my opinion.

[RTHerringbone]

What were the reasons to get rid of the following instructions in FM 2014? Anyone?

- pass to feet (opposite instruction to pass into space)

- play through defense (opposite instruction to run at defense)

Both were perfectly legit and had their use, in my opinion.

Pass height is driven by Passing. If your team (or Player) is Instructed to Pass Shorter, he will more typically look to pass to feet.

Conversely, a longer passing length will more typically play an aerial ball.

Play Through Defence was effectively much the same as far as I can remember - didn't it just instruct passes along the ground effectively?

[Svenc]

Pass height is driven by Passing. If your team (or Player) is Instructed to Pass Shorter, he will more typically look to pass to feet.

Conversely, a longer passing length will more typically play an aerial ball.

Play Through Defence was effectively much the same as far as I can remember - didn't it just instruct passes along the ground effectively?

Pass to feet/into space was a through ball modifier.

Play through defense/run at defense was a team "run with ball" modifier for encouraging/discouraging dribblings/runs with ball.

What I don't understand is that "pass into space" (more through balls) and "run at defense" ("more runs with the ball") are still in the game, but not their counterparts!?

http://www.footballmanager.com/manual/?id=532

[Firdhauz]

Ok this might be the most stupidest question ever asked on this thread but here goes nothing....

When you set "exploit left flank" TI, does it mean we exploit the opposition's left flank by getting our right sided players to be more attacking, or does it mean I set my team to attack more from my own left flank?

[Steve Odom]

Own left flank, doesn'tt qualify for most stupid question though.

[Firdhauz]

Own left flank, doesn'tt qualify for most stupid question though.

Damn. Thought I was up for the prize for sure there. Thanks for the answer, btw.

[zZzZzZzZzZzZzZz]

So which attributes go into determining the rate of attribute decline of old players?

I've always thought that natural fitness and professionalism (and indirectly, injury proneness) are the big ones, but surely there has to be more to it than that?

Would it also be safe to assume that much like with player development, playing time has a big role in it? Do attributes decline faster if the player isn't playing very much?