gunnerfan

I suspect it's two different things at work: the AI has made a change (not necessarily going to Very Attacking, but possibly something more subtle like a change to certain roles and duties), and the human player's failure to adjust. I agree with @Crazy_Ivanthat going very defensive on mentality is a mistake because it removes your team's ability to take advantage of whatever openings the AI's attacking gives you. I typically play a 4-1-2-3 and a possession-based game, so when I'm holding a lead, I will usually change my WBs to FB(D), my DM from a Halfback to Anchor, and my BTB Mid to BWM. I'll also increase the directness of passing a notch to give me the ability to launch some passes over the top to counter.

It doesn’t need to be posted in the Bugs Forum because it’s already known. The above posts make it clear that the developers are aware of it, but it clearly isn’t as simple to resolve as some posters here seem to think. If they can resolve it in a way that doesn’t either put the game out of reach for a large percentage of users or make the game more difficult to play, I’m sure it will be. In the meantime, there’s always the IGE.

I've been using the Tato skin since FM22. Clean, crisp, and it gives me all the information I need.

My very first management game was Ultimate Soccer Manager. Loved the cell phone option for under-the-table transactions like betting on matches (with the winnings going to your transfer budget, no less). Then I discovered CM 3, I've played most of the CM/FM games since then, including FM23.

CM4! Brings back memories!

The exception that proves the rule.

I'm always amused when someone slags any "content creator" for making money at it. Speaking as a content creator in another medium (I'm a published novelist), I can tell you that I like making money from my books, but I don't think about that when I'm writing. I'm only interested in the quality of my work. Money, like fame, is rarely attained if pursued directly. It has to come as a byproduct of some quality endeavor.

An old saying: you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar. Rashidi and Daveinced made their points calmly and with respect, thus assuring their comments will be taken seriously. When you yell at someone, either literally or in print, their first reaction is to tune you out. It's human nature.

I didn't find the apology disturbing at all. He was acknowledging what can happen on the business side when coding work is criticized and hoping his critique doesn't negative unintended consequences. I thought he was being quite decent about it.

It sounds like you're just picking different options and formations at random, which isn't the best path to take. You also say you don't have much knowledge of FM tactics. You might want to take some time to "book up" on the better tactical articles. I would especially recommend Cleon's Art of Defending and anything by Rashidi (who also posts videos on You Tube under the title of Bust the Net). You don't mention what version of FM you're playing. Based on your OP, it doesn't look like FM23. I used to despise the 4-2-3-1, too, but came to like it playing FM22 when I took over a squad that was well suited to it at Lazio. Prior to that, I usually played the 4-1-2-3 against it, and if my opponent was much better than my side, I made sure my DM was set to the Halfback role. I found that spread my backs a tad wider, cutting down on the space in which the opposing wingers had to operate. But with Lazio, I tended to play the 4-2-3-1 against all comers, including the 4-2-3-1. Playing a strong pressing game tended to keep them off-balance. But the important thing is to pay close attention to HOW teams playing the 4-2-3-1 are beating you: wing play, killer passes, crossing to a target man, long balls over the top? The answer will give you a hint as to how to defend against it.

I thought the survey was fine. Brief and yet fairly comprehensive. Certainly not "pitched in a specific direction".

Makes sense. Thanks.

Does anyone know if making a parting comment to a transferred player has any benefit? I can see it if the player is going out on loan, but I don't see the benefit on a transfer. Any comments?

Interesting discussion.

Fair enough. Thanks, Neil.

That's why I suggested a roundtable including long-term contributors on the forum. I think there would be a lot to gain from it for those of us on the forum. And hearing interactions, rather than just an SI video (you may recall the 42 minute video announcing the new features of FM23 was rather dreadful), would allow viewers to see the process. The numbers @duvelsposted should be a wakeup call for SI. And the comments in the video referenced above coincide with my impression that the negatives are stronger this year than in prior years. I think it would be a good PR move for SI. You don't have to agree.

First of all, I wasn't suggesting anything like a "public blood-letting". I mentioned Cleon and Rashidi because they are long-term commentators on the game and its inner workings. And I mentioned Neil Brock because he is on the forum and already has an idea of what irks many of the users. Furthermore, my idea was not so much for a critique of FM23, but rather a discussion of how the game can be improved going forward. I've been playing FM since CM99. I've bought new versions most years, and every year since FM17. As for communication from SI, it's one thing to not get involved in the forum, but it's quite another not to communicate at all. I understand the business goal of expanding the fan base, but I also understand it's possible for them to lose out the back door as many as they take in at the front.

Thanks, I'll check that out, but I'd like to see the folks I mentioned doing one.

I'm sure there are plenty of folks who are both better at video productions than I and in closer contact with the key people.

With all the complaints piling up in the feedback thread, it would be great to see a You Tube (or similar) video of a panel discussion including a few of the most thoughtful contributors on game play, such as Cleon and Rashidi, as well as someone from SI (perhaps Neil Brock) about where FM needs to go, and which improvements are feasible. My impression is that the complaints about FM23 are louder and more strident than in years past. It would be nice to hear from SI in a setting in which follow-up questions can be asked and answered.

Yes, that's a concern. Thanks.

I think this is a major reach. Yes, there are issues with the ME and some of the other features (e.g. player interaction), but the game is far from unplayable. I suggest checking out Cleon's update of his Art of Possession for a more positive take on FM23, including some excellent tactical suggestions and the areas in which the ME has improved.

If a player says he thinks he should be getting more of a certain type of training, I give it to him. If several players complain that the team isn't getting a certain kind of training, I schedule it. If they complain that training is too hard (or, my fave, that pre-season training started too early) they are shown the exit,

One of the criticisms I've seen leveled on this thread is the unrealistic manner in which AI-managed teams operate. I'm not taking a position in this, but I do have one piece of data to offer: in my journeyman save, I just left Santos FC to take the managing position at Celta de Vigo (a side I managed for six seasons in FM21). As soon as I got there, I did a complete review of their roster from senior squad down to U-19. I was stunned to find not a single DL in the entire organization. Not at the senior level, not with the B-team, not with the C-team, and not at U-19. Not a single DL to be found at any level with any level of ability. What professional organization allows this to happen in real life? And how does the AI allow this to happen?

As you say, it's a small sample size. I'd be interested to see what the numbers look like at the end of the season. And also what the numbers look like for other teams that play similar systems.