[The Art of Possession Football]

Blackbag- yes, dropping mentality a bit can absolutely open up space for you. Standard would be a good spot to start, and you can adjust as you go. I have had matches where I had to go defensive to get the space I needed! Another thing that might help you with the scoring chances is to drop either the retain shout or work ball into box. Incidentally, this is likely why your FB is not crossing as much as you like as work ball instruction reduces crossing. The larger point I am making though, is that against well organized defenses, sometimes looking for the extra pass will be a pass too much. While you want to look for good opportunities, sometimes it helps to be a bit more shoot oriented. I encounter this sometimes and so need to up the tempo a bit or be more direct to penetrate the packed defenses. Nothing radical that will alter your basic style, but just a little, like dropping one of those shouts, or upping your tempo a notch, or even just your passing setting.

Thanks for your advise, now I have an idea of what to look at

[The Art of Possession Football]

We need more info, what's your current instructions, and what kind of goals were you scoring that you aren't now.

To me the likeliest explanation is the opposition rates you higher now and has started playing more defensively, therefore you probably need to draw them out more, try one or two less aggressive roles or switch someone from attack to support like I do with one of my IFs.

I have been playing

Highly structured

Control

Lower tempo - Shorter passing - retain possession - work ball in to box - close down slightly more- roam from position - play out of defence - Dribble Less- slightly higher line

GK - (D)

RB - Full back (A)

CD - (D)

CD - (D)

LB - Full back (S)

DM - (S)

RCM - Roaming Play Maker (S)

LCM - BBM (S)

RW - Advanced Play maker (S)

LW - Inside Forward (A)

F9

I like the way my team move the ball around and my RB usually has lots of space to run into however I would like him to cross the ball a bit more.

You are correct the opposition appear to be more defensive, I need assistance in the best way to draw them out, should I sit deeper? switch to standard mentality? I like my overall style of play and want to keep true to that, I just need a couple of option that I can experiment that will take me in the right direction.

thanks

[The Art of Possession Football]

I had a lot of success in my first season with Aston Villa using philosophies discussed here and making some adjustment thru the season, however in season 2 I still seeing a great deal of possession but the scoring chances are drying up / being snatched at.

Have my fellow managers experienced this if so can someone point me in the right direction, I only need a nudge

thanks