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

[taylorsmen]

Why are there literally no downloadable tactics anymore?

There is loads in the new sub forum at the top.

[telV7]

Wondering of the validity in telling a player you are "disappointed" when the motivation widget describes them as "looking complacent"/"looking disinterested".

The reasoning being that the player will realise that this attitude is not acceptable..

[Fabio MVP]

Wondering of the validity in telling a player you are "disappointed" when the motivation widget describes them as "looking complacent"/"looking disinterested".

The reasoning being that the player will realise that this attitude is not acceptable..

I would like to think like that, but he will only think that you are telling him that cuz of his performance.

[axehan1]

Does anyone have a good 11.3 4-2-3-1 tactic I could possibly use? I created one from the default options and changed the team instructions/player instructions to what I felt my players could possibly achieve. The thing is my team have been under-performing for large periods of the season. I have played well in some games and played absolutely shocking in other games leaving me 12th with Aston Villa so I feel it's time for a change but keeping the same formation. The formation is 2 central midfielders, 2 attacking wingers, 1 attacking midfielder central and a striker so if anyone does have any tactics I could possibly use for the 11.3 patch with this formation then I would like to use it .

I have a question as well if I have a really good regen who as similar attributes to players such as Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard but he can only play in the central midfield slot and not the attacking midfield central slot how could I make him perform by scoring goals and assisting from the centre of midfield? He's been struggling to perform in my team so far, he's had pretty good ratings nevertheless but never seems to score or get vital assists.

have a read of this thread

Explanation of the Impact of Player Attributes During Match Play *Updated for FM11*

[heathxxx]

Why are there literally no downloadable tactics anymore?

We separated downloadable tactics into their own sub-forum - Tactics Sharing Centre (Upload/Download) - because overall, the tactics forum was getting too messy.

For example, you might have someone simply looking to download a couple of tactics to try, but didn't want to plough through pages of a discussion thread. Likewise, you had people who wanted to discuss particular aspects of the game, without ploughing through stacks of download threads. Splitting the tactics forum into two halves tidies things up a lot and helps people find what they want, more easily.

[SFraser]

Wondering of the validity in telling a player you are "disappointed" when the motivation widget describes them as "looking complacent"/"looking disinterested".

The reasoning being that the player will realise that this attitude is not acceptable..

That's the basis of my man management techniques. Criticise players when they are not performing to the standard I demand, praise them when they achieve it or surpass it.

I don't actually understand the logic behind other approaches. Why would you be nice to someone that doesn't look like he can be bothered?

I do understand that some personalities require a different tact and can be quite tricky to man manage, but I personally am not a "softly softly" manager.

[elland road boo boys]

Ok Time for a very stupid question.

When comparing player stats do you take them individually or overall?

Let me try & explain

AMR (Accomplished) has better overall stats than AMR (Natural) apart from balance which has a rating of 6. Now is the natuaral AMR better because of that (in other words has no lower than 11 for all stats) or the accomplished AMR who has better individual stats (no lower than 12 in most stats apart from balance)

[heathxxx]

2 questions from me:

1)how much of an impact has the "Preferred Formation" of every coach to the formation my squad plays. How better a 4-3-3 coach trains a team that uses 4-3-3 formation? and if its not the same?

2)aggression in the only visible attribute of a player that will never increase?

these two question pretty much sum what i dont know in FM after reading quality posts in the forum, so any crystal info appreciated

thanks

1) Preferred formation is something every staff person has. It's only really useful when they're actually managing a team. So for example, if you have one of your coaches managing your reserve or youth team, unless you instruct him to use the same system you use for the first team, he'll go with his "preferred formation". Insofar as any benefits or deficiencies regarding training, their preferred formation is irrelevant.

The only staff member that I take preferred formation into account, is my assistant manager. I tend to look for someone who has good man-management, tactical knowledge, motivation, JPA, but also a preferred formation and tactical preferences the same or similar to my own. This is then useful when it comes to elements of his advice before and during matches.

So far, I don't see any evidence that aggression can be increased or decreased via training.

2) Interesting question. It certainly does decrease, if you fine a player for poor discipline after a sending off and they agree with your fine, you'll get a response that they'll calm things down and you see as much as a point drop in aggression. As I've never let a dismissal go unpunished, with at least a warning, I've never seen aggression increase, which I would assume it might if you didn't punish a player for for a poor disciplinary record.

[heathxxx]

Ok Time for a very stupid question.

When comparing player stats do you take them individually or overall?

Let me try & explain

AMR (Accomplished) has better overall stats than AMR (Natural) apart from balance which has a rating of 6. Now is the natuaral AMR better because of that (in other words has no lower than 11 for all stats) or the accomplished AMR who has better individual stats (no lower than 12 in most stats apart from balance)

Tactically, it's often been suggested that the "natural" player is always better than the "accomplished" player. In truth, the positional rating difference is usually so negligible, the attributes will be more important.

If the "accomplished" player is used in that position, week in week out and still has some potential ability points left, then there's every chance he may eventually become "natural" anyway. Without looking at the player via an editor, it may be that for the AMR position, the "accomplished" player may have a rating of 18 or 19, whereas a rating of 20 would make him "natural". That's how slim the difference could be.

When it comes to squad selection positionally, so long as a player is "accomplished" in a position and has the attributes I'm looking for, I never worry they might not currently, or ever be "natural".

As an example, I currently have Fabián Orellana at Granada CF. He's "natural" at AML or AMR, but "accomplished" at AMC. He's actually a far better AMC than he is a wide player, because his attributes suit the Advanced Playmaker "Support" role I'm using him in, better than they would as a winger, unless I were to use him out wide in an Advanced Playmaker role too.

[Da_Funk]

If I train a player as Left Midfielder and I play it as Striker, will he improve as both?

Left Midfielder for sure, but Striker?

[jim morrow]

no, he need to play the position you train him, it's logical. Training is linked to match experience...............

[elland road boo boys]

Heathxxx I understand what you are saying, but I don't wholly agree with you. If a player is a "Natural" winger he will think like a winger not as a midfielder no matter what the stats say. The only way would be to retrain him as either DM,AM or MC

[Da_Funk]

I'm referring to Pablo Piatti to be precise, I found him AMC and AML, and Striker when I signed to a new team, I trained him as Left Midfielder and gained soon that position. I don't know if he'll lose Striker or not, and since I'm planning to use him possibly as a Striker for the next season...

[elland road boo boys]

There is also something else I have noticed.

I play a flat 442 attacking & defending formation with a ball winning midfielder (support) & an advanced playmaker (attack) in both formations.

Now I think when I played FM11 & 11.2 I was able to use a "Natural" AMC in the advanced playmaker role now it has to be an MC as I get the dreaded "red dots".

Should I just ignore this & play them as advanced playmaker?

[Gatsby]

I have a stupid question:

In previous versions of FM, FM10 specifically, if you elected to use advanced tactics options (the sliders for every aspect of the game on every player) you couldn't use the sideline instructions during the match. Has that changed? Or is it still the case? I like using the sideline instructions for tweaking during the match, but I would really like to further tailor my tactics.

[heathxxx]

Heathxxx I understand what you are saying, but I don't wholly agree with you. If a player is a "Natural" winger he will think like a winger not as a midfielder no matter what the stats say. The only way would be to retrain him as either DM,AM or MC

It doesn't necessarily work that way in FM though. For example, if a player is natural in two positions, how would he think? Which would take presidence in his mind, if both positional ratings were 20/20?

What you have to look at additionally, is the suitability of key attributes for whichever position and role you use the player, along with any preferred moves he may have.

With respect to your thoughts about how a player might "think" positionally, if for example a player was a "natural" AMC and "Accomplished" AML, but had something like "Hugs Line" or "Runs With Ball Down Left" as preferred moves, then his "thinking" would be more attuned to his "accomplished" position perhaps more than his "natural" position.

What I'm saying, is that between "natural" and "accomplished", there's very little difference when it comes to the effects on performance. This means that suitability of attributes and PPM's are more of a deciding factor.

[heathxxx]

I have a stupid question:

In previous versions of FM, FM10 specifically, if you elected to use advanced tactics options (the sliders for every aspect of the game on every player) you couldn't use the sideline instructions during the match. Has that changed? Or is it still the case? I like using the sideline instructions for tweaking during the match, but I would really like to further tailor my tactics.

Whatever slider instructions you use, won't be affected by any touchline shouts.

As with FM10, it's a case of using Tactics Creator settings with shouts, or using sliders and then tweaking your settings manually, as per FM09 and previous releases.

[furiousuk]

Clever use of sliders can mean that shouts can be effective e.g you could set up your slider instructions for tempo and mentality but leave width unticked then the play narrower/wider shouts would still work. Also, some shouts affect more than 1 slider so, if you're really patient and really clever, you could set up your whole system so that complex shouts such as 'work ball into box' affect only what you want them to affect

[davidbowie]

How do I stop my attacking free kick takers from making a short pass to what is usually a defensive midfielder. SHOOT THE BLOODY THING.

[Fabio MVP]

Don't set any one to 'Stand With The Taker'.

[davidbowie]

No-one is.

I've got 2 people set to Mark Keeper, 4 people set to Back, and 4 set to Forward.

[heathxxx]

What are the relevant attributes and PPM's of your free-kick takers?

Prior to 11.3 to be fair, it didn't make much difference, as I went four consecutive seasons with "ideal" DFK takers and didn't see a single goal from them. Since 11.3 though, it's much better and I'd say more statistically accurate.

[davidbowie]

What are the relevant attributes and PPM's of your free-kick takers?

Prior to 11.3 to be fair, it didn't make much difference, as I went four consecutive seasons with "ideal" DFK takers and didn't see a single goal from them. Since 11.3 though, it's much better and I'd say more statistically accurate.

The free kick taker's only PPM is Tries Killer Balls Often.

His stats are Free Kick Taking 20, Technique 20, Creativity 20, Flair 15, Finishing 14, Composure 16, Passing 20.. he's basically a world class AMC.

[heathxxx]

The free kick taker's only PPM is Tries Killer Balls Often.

His stats are Free Kick Taking 20, Technique 20, Creativity 20, Flair 15, Finishing 14, Composure 16, Passing 20.. he's basically a world class AMC.

Well, let's see if we can compare players.

At Granada CF I currently have Abel. He's a MC/AMC and below I'll compare his attributes (in red) to those you posted for your player:

Free Kick Taking 20 (17), Technique 20 (14), Creativity 20 (14), Flair 15 (15), Finishing 14 (8), Composure 16 (14), Passing 20 (14)

In addition, my player also has Long Shots 14, though you didn't mention this attribute for your player.

Like your player though, Abel also has the PPM Tries Killer Balls Often, but also has:

Shoots With Power

Tries Long Range Free Kicks

It's probably these two PPM's, along with his decent long shots attribute that have helped him score seven DFK's this season, all of them powerfully struck beauties, even though his finishing is only 8. That said, he's also whizzed plenty wide or over the bar, which will be due to less than perfect attributes. Crucially though and seemingly when compared to what you're seeing from your player, Abel will strike a shot at goal nine times out of ten.

Also, within my free-kick settings, I have someone set to "stand with taker". So unless there's something else in particular that's interfering tactically, I'd say that good though he seems, it could be down to the player not being quite the polished free kick taker you may think he is, regardless of how good he overall attributes look.

If his long shots attributes is low, then clearly that will have an impact. Foremost, it may influence his decision to pass the ball, rather than attempt a shot, especially so considering his superb passing and creativity. In addition, those two PPM's my player has, that yours doesn't, will clearly reflect his added tendency to both try long range free kicks and hit them with power.

If your man's long shots attribute is low, perhaps try doing some focused training with him on that attribute. In addition, try getting him to learn the two PPM's my player has. The only problem however, is that if his long shots attribute is pretty low, he might refuse your request to "learn" the PPM's.

There's often a pretty good explanation for why you see players behave a certain way and perhaps don't do what you'd expect them to do. But when you sit back and look at the bigger picture, there's usually always a logical reason.

[davidbowie]

I started him to learn long range kicks when I first got annoyed with this, so hopefully it shouldn't be too long before he's learnt that. I'll tell him to try power shots next time as well, but I might have asked that already and been knocked back.

His long shots is 15.

[heathxxx]

Looks likely that it's mainly the PPM's that are making the difference then.

Looking at the attributes you've mentioned, I would imagine that his overall current ability and reputation are already high, which even if he's still young, will make it difficult to find a tutor for him. That usually speeds up the process of learning PPM's, so long as the two players get on ok.

Sadly, my player Abel wouldn't renew his contract with Granada CF, as he was asking for wages way above my salary cap, three times that of his existing deal. He then accepted an offer from Levante, who finished 12th in La Liga. Looking forward to playing them next season, since we won promotion, so hopefully one of my midfield bruisers can give him a good thumping

Means I'm on the lookout for a good free-kick specialist now, as I haven't got any other players who would come anywhere near as good in dead-ball situations.

[davidbowie]

Well, the first game after learning the PPM, he scored direct from 35 yards.

But he also did a short pass from a closer FK in the first half.

Hopefully the PPM will reduce that happening though.

Okay, he's scored 3 now, which is pretty good.

Would giving him the Power Shots PPM make him more or less likely to score?

[iolodavanki]

I have a stupid question:

Why are my coaches so adament to advice me NOT to use a young player as corner taker, freekick taker or penalty taker? If the player has the best stats, why is his age an issue?

I am not looking for a logical answer relating to real life (too much pressure etc) but more regarding the ME and the way the game is built. So a player stepping up to take a freekick usus not only his freekick attribute but also his decisions and composure, I have heard. But if my 19 yo nigerian MC with freekicks 17, Decisions 13 and Composure 16 is not good enough, I can only reason that the coaches do not like young players at set pieces.

This has happened in all my saves, so it is not just this nigerian player.

[Fieldsy]

Stupid question alert.....

What is the main differene between a deep lying forward and an advanced forward in terms of slider set up? What actually makes the DLF come deep to ge the ball as opposed to the AF? I know that the DLF has hold up ball and no free role but that in a sense would not make him come deep. Also will a DLF still be able to spearhead an attack as a lone striker? Or will he constantly come deep and then not be in attacking positions to score the goals needed?

[Fabio MVP]

Stupid question alert.....

What is the main differene between a deep lying forward and an advanced forward in terms of slider set up? What actually makes the DLF come deep to ge the ball as opposed to the AF? I know that the DLF has hold up ball and no free role but that in a sense would not make him come deep. Also will a DLF still be able to spearhead an attack as a lone striker? Or will he constantly come deep and then not be in attacking positions to score the goals needed?

DLF has lower mentality which makes him sit deeper and come deep to get the ball, he also has higher creativity freedom, so he can create something for his striker partner in terms of laying the ball off for him or sending the ball out wide to flanks and then bursting from deem in the box. Also Holds Up the Ball as you mentioned help him do that. I think he also has runs from deep set to rarely or mixed, while AD has it on often, but it all depends on tactics if those instructions aren't ticked then they will be customized by the team tactic and shouts.

DLF (Support) is the best role for lone striker if he doesn't have enough support (e.g. no AMC). that's how he wont be isolated up front on his own, as he will drop deeper the link the play, send ball out wide then run from deep in the box and try to get at the end of crosses.

[Fieldsy]

One more stupid question.....

I am playing with Inside forwards that are working relatively well. However, I am concerned that constantly cutting inside is killing off the dpace for Fabregas to run into. Therefore I am looking at the settings of 'wide play'. What does 'normal' mean? A mix of all of the others?

[mojojojo101]

One more stupid question.....

I am playing with Inside forwards that are working relatively well. However, I am concerned that constantly cutting inside is killing off the dpace for Fabregas to run into. Therefore I am looking at the settings of 'wide play'. What does 'normal' mean? A mix of all of the others?

Afaik, it means niether rather than all of the others. My experience is that with normal players either tend to stick to what thier PPMs would have them do or they just drift into space when and if it becomes available. Not sure though I may be wrong.

[heathxxx]

Would giving him the Power Shots PPM make him more or less likely to score?

Perhaps not more likely to score, but in tandem with that other PPM, maybe more likely to shoot instead of pass. I've since signed another good dead-ball specialist for my Granada team, to replace Abel who left on a free. So far in pre-season, every time we've had a free kick within striking range, he's taken a pop at goal and only passed to the man next to him once. He's scored two in those friendlies, whilst that one occasion he laid the ball off to the man with him, the other bloke scored a scorcher!

[lewis999]

I have a stupid question:

Why are my coaches so adament to advice me NOT to use a young player as corner taker, freekick taker or penalty taker? If the player has the best stats, why is his age an issue?

I am not looking for a logical answer relating to real life (too much pressure etc) but more regarding the ME and the way the game is built. So a player stepping up to take a freekick usus not only his freekick attribute but also his decisions and composure, I have heard. But if my 19 yo nigerian MC with freekicks 17, Decisions 13 and Composure 16 is not good enough, I can only reason that the coaches do not like young players at set pieces.

This has happened in all my saves, so it is not just this nigerian player.

Do they have a high judging player ability stat, remember it's your coaches judging these things, not your scouts.

Also they may have a low adaptability rating, meaning if they are new to the club, they aren't familiar with how good your players are yet at certain things, or they haven't seen them enough etc.

There the only reasons I can think of, although I do think long shots, finishing and technique also have something to do with free kicks, although i'm sure your player has a high rating in these also, as he seems very good.

[lewis999]

One more stupid question.....

I am playing with Inside forwards that are working relatively well. However, I am concerned that constantly cutting inside is killing off the dpace for Fabregas to run into. Therefore I am looking at the settings of 'wide play'. What does 'normal' mean? A mix of all of the others?

As an Arsenal fan (Don't worry i'm not bragging ) I had a save with Arsenal and I had trouble getting Fabregas to get high ratings and he would always come deep behind the 2 MC's I had behind him as inside forwards and on-rushing CM's of Wilshere and Song would crowd out his space.

I changed my settings to making Nasri and Walcott 'wingers' so they had 'hugs touchline' on their wide play and because Nasri has 'cuts inside' as a PPM he runs inside with the ball when he has it anyway but this way he starts off wider so Cesc has more space to play, I also changed Wilshere to a deep lying playmaker and dropped Song further back to DMRC if that makes sense so Cesc had even more space.

Having said all this, both tactics had me playing very well, going unbeaten the first season, except champions league, it was just a thing of mine to make Cesc play well as it was a bit unrealistic I was winning games comfortably but he wasn't performing. Second season he would the Ballon D'or for me so I guess it worked.

[davidbowie]

He won't learn blast ball anyway so lol

[TehUnseen]

Slowly getting back to this game, but there's a few aspects I need to learn more about tho.

What I would like to know is if there's any filters out there to help me getting the best backroomstaff possible.

Cheers for any feedback!

[davidbowie]

Slowly getting back to this game, but there's a few aspects I need to learn more about tho.

What I would like to know is if there's any filters out there to help me getting the best backroomstaff possible.

Cheers for any feedback!

http://www.thedugout.tv/community/showthread.php?t=61551

Because of the way it works, filters aren't really that useful.

Start by looking for the specific area (attack, defence, technical, keeping etc) being good, then use the program in that thread to check out what their star rating is.

[Ville Valo]

This will have been asked loads, but is there any way to improve a player's week foot? (I'm on FM10)

My scots came across a monsterous 16 year old regen striker, who I was all exited about until I noticed he has a weak left foot.

Here's the fella in question:

http://img844.imageshack.us/i/erlantzlarrea.png

[Fabio MVP]

This will have been asked loads, but is there any way to improve a player's week foot? (I'm on FM10)

My scots came across a monsterous 16 year old regen striker, who I was all exited about until I noticed he has a weak left foot.

Here's the fella in question:

http://img844.imageshack.us/i/erlantzlarrea.png

It's very hard. Almost impossible. The only method I know is to play him on the opposite side of his stronger foot.

[taylorsmen]

Somethings been niggling me for a bit now, here's a quick example, it's PPM related.

Lets say i'm using wingers with 'hug touchline' but in the players PPM he has 'Cuts inside', will the player cut inside on occasions regardless of him been told to hug the line ?

Cheers in advance.

[Fabio MVP]

Somethings been niggling me for a bit now, here's a quick example, it's PPM related.

Lets say i'm using wingers with 'hug touchline' but in the players PPM he has 'Cuts inside', will the player cut inside on occasions regardless of him been told to hug the line ?

Cheers in advance.

PPM = How player plays

PI = How do you want player to play

Depends on how much creativity freedom he has allowed. e.g. I use nani as a Winger (Attack), no tweaked settings, he has 'cuts inside' ppm and he indeed tends to cut inside, but most of the times he hugs the line as per his PI.

[taylorsmen]

PPM = How player plays

PI = How do you want player to play

Depends on how much creativity freedom he has allowed. e.g. I use nani as a Winger (Attack), no tweaked settings, he has 'cuts inside' ppm and he indeed tends to cut inside, but most of the times he hugs the line as per his PI.

That's what i kinda thought but wasn't 100%, cheers Fabio.

[lucatonix]

Say I buy a youngster aged 17. So by the time he is 20 he will be homegrown, since it takes three years. If I loan the player out say when he is 18 will he still be homegrown at my club by 20, or just homegrown in country by 20 (if loaned to a team in same country).

Also what about sending them to the B squad (managing in Spain).

I ask this because soon it will be time for some youngsters at my Barca team to be promoted. I am wondering whether to add them to my first team squad and sell the few fringe players; send them on loan or send them to B squad if they get promoted.

[Fabio MVP]

Quick stupid one: If a player retrains some position to be his natural and if I remove that position from training in his training tab will it drop to accomplished with time or will it stay natural? Note: I won't be playing him in position where he become natural.

[heathxxx]

Say I buy a youngster aged 17. So by the time he is 20 he will be homegrown, since it takes three years. If I loan the player out say when he is 18 will he still be homegrown at my club by 20, or just homegrown in country by 20 (if loaned to a team in same country).

Also what about sending them to the B squad (managing in Spain).

I ask this because soon it will be time for some youngsters at my Barca team to be promoted. I am wondering whether to add them to my first team squad and sell the few fringe players; send them on loan or send them to B squad if they get promoted.

Good question

For the first part of your question, I would suspect that you've already found your answer. If you loan a player out, even to another Spanish club, I would suspect that they're no longer "developing" at your club, whilst on loan with another.

The second part of your question regarding a B side is an interesting one to ponder over, given it's perhaps been difficult to effectively emulate the relationships within a club of the main team, B team and C or youth teams with Spanish clubs, in FM.

In an attempt to get some more definitive clarification though, I've asked Neil Brock to see if he can find out from the guys at SI.

[Scorcho]

Stupid Question Time

How do I keep up my first team player's fitness? We're three games into the season and only two of them are actually match fit. I put them through a pretty vigorous pre-season training schedule physically, and all of their schedules have strength and aerobic training at least at medium. Should I be resting them more? Training them harder?

[cragswfc]

gice them about 5 games in a row for about 60 miins a time

[heathxxx]

Stupid Question Time

How do I keep up my first team player's fitness? We're three games into the season and only two of them are actually match fit. I put them through a pretty vigorous pre-season training schedule physically, and all of their schedules have strength and aerobic training at least at medium. Should I be resting them more? Training them harder?

Training schedules can help, but a good selection of friendly matches helps a lot more.

If able to, I try to get in a good seven or eight pre-season friendlies in, before the season kicks off. I'll rotate the squad so that everyone gets plenty of time on the pitch and all are ready for the first match of the season.

[lucatonix]

Good question

For the first part of your question, I would suspect that you've already found your answer. If you loan a player out, even to another Spanish club, I would suspect that they're no longer "developing" at your club, whilst on loan with another.

The second part of your question regarding a B side is an interesting one to ponder over, given it's perhaps been difficult to effectively emulate the relationships within a club of the main team, B team and C or youth teams with Spanish clubs, in FM.

In an attempt to get some more definitive clarification though, I've asked Neil Brock to see if he can find out from the guys at SI.

Thanks. Well I'm atleast half a season away, but I'm not overly bothered about them. It's the ones that will be promoted at the end if next season that are the real prospects.

I would love to get some clarification on this too, so now just waiting for his answer before I start to plan transfers and the like.