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

[managerdude_66]

Thank you! That explains a lot!

So in general:

If I want to play a high tempo pressing game with my 4-2 (CM)-3-1 formation, it would be prudent to play with a defensive line, a holding midfielder and asking my attacking mids and forwards to Close Down More?

[THOG]

Thank you! That explains a lot!

So in general:

If I want to play a high tempo pressing game with my 4-2 (CM)-3-1 formation, it would be prudent to play with a defensive line, a holding midfielder and asking my attacking mids and forwards to Close Down More?

You should always have a player on a defend duty in midfield. Do you mean a DM? You don't need one to play a high tempo pressing game. "Close Down More" won't have any effect if you've already told the team to push up.

If you're going to use Hassle, a DM should help reduce instances of DCs rushing out prematurely.

[managerdude_66]

No, I do not mean a DM. I mean a CM with either CM-D duty or a DLP-D duty with the instruction Hold Position where applicable. I could pair this with a BTB-S or a CM-S/A or BWM-S duty. Am I falling under a reasonable line of thought?

[Il Capitano]

Question about training workload:

How do I adjust it? Is it by deciding the intensity level of the general training, combined with the individual focus? I notice the overall workload for my U21's is Very Heavy (while the 1st team level doesn't seem to go over Medium); is there a way to adjust this or is this the U21 manager's decision? It seems like I can't control it like I can with the first team and U18's.

Just bought the game and haven't played since FM12, so the training is very different from how I remember it.

[THOG]

No, I do not mean a DM. I mean a CM with either CM-D duty or a DLP-D duty with the instruction Hold Position where applicable. I could pair this with a BTB-S or a CM-S/A or BWM-S duty. Am I falling under a reasonable line of thought?

You should always have at least one holding midfielder at either MC or DMC in any tactic.

[THOG]

Is there anywhere to view the number of clean sheets a defender has taken part in?

As far as I can tell, clean sheets are only tracked for goalkeepers.

[THOG]

Question about training workload:

How do I adjust it? Is it by deciding the intensity level of the general training, combined with the individual focus? I notice the overall workload for my U21's is Very Heavy (while the 1st team level doesn't seem to go over Medium); is there a way to adjust this or is this the U21 manager's decision? It seems like I can't control it like I can with the first team and U18's.

Just bought the game and haven't played since FM12, so the training is very different from how I remember it.

On the U21 page, it should say "Shared Facilities" in place of where you would adjust the setting... in which case it will use the same general settings as the senior team.

[Aizo4576]

Planning to start as Arsenal on an unofficial summer update, and want to switch up between a 4231 and 442 depending on the game.

Am I right in thinking a 4231 is more effective against teams without a CDM, and 442 better against teams with? Also, any suggestions for strike partner suggestions? Will definitely have a winger at AMR

[THOG]

Am I right in thinking a 4231 is more effective against teams without a CDM, and 442 better against teams with?

It depends entirely on the roles and duties you choose. An ACM can get forward to act as a second striker while a striker can drop between the lines to play a creative role. Formation is only a positional baseline that mainly determines your defensive system. Going forward, other instructions will come into play (as well as your opponent's defensive system) that will determine the details of your attacking shape. A DM will make things more difficult for any team that relies on a creative player operating in the hole... be it an AMC, an ST who drops deep or an MC who gets forward.

Defensively, a DM will be an asset against any team that looks to attack through the middle. Against a team that is more inclined to utilize the flanks, a DM will obviously be less involved.

[Aizo4576]

It depends entirely on the roles and duties you choose. An ACM can get forward to act as a second striker while a striker can drop between the lines to play a creative role. Formation is only a positional baseline that mainly determines your defensive system. Going forward, other instructions will come into play (as well as your opponent's defensive system) that will determine the details of your attacking shape. A DM will make things more difficult for any team that relies on a creative player operating in the hole... be it an AMC, an ST who drops deep or an MC who gets forward.

Defensively, a DM will be an asset against any team that looks to attack through the middle. Against a team that is more inclined to utilize the flanks, a DM will obviously be less involved.

Thanks for the reply, I see what you mean. I am thinking in the most general terms though, a man in the hole can be made less effective by using a DM, so in such situations it would be better to use two strikers right?

[Frank Button]

If you take a look at how offensive a role is, would this order be right:

cwb, wb, fb, limited fb?

And if yes: Would a wb(d) still be more offensive then a fb(a)?

[Il Capitano]

On the U21 page, it should say "Shared Facilities" in place of where you would adjust the setting... in which case it will use the same general settings as the senior team.

Ah, thank you.

Follow up question, if you don't mind: why is the workload then different for the 1st team and the U21's, if the training schedule is the same? Is it because the 1st team spend more time on match preparation, which lowers the overall workload?

[THOG]

Thanks for the reply, I see what you mean. I am thinking in the most general terms though, a man in the hole can be made less effective by using a DM, so in such situations it would be better to use two strikers right?

No, not necessarily; it's entirely dependent on your style of play, the players available and the style/quality of the opposition. If your opponent packs the central midfield area when defending, you'll have a harder time breaking him down if you play a passing game, especially one dependent on a trequartista or advanced playmaker. In that case, going forward, you may benefit from playing a more direct style with a 4-4-2, though having one player that much less inclined to track back and help support the defence may cost you against a team playing possession ball with a packed midfield. At the same time, if your players are poorly suited to a direct style, being outnumbered in the central midfield area going forward could see your two STs isolated.

[THOG]

If you take a look at how offensive a role is, would this order be right:

cwb, wb, fb, limited fb?

And if yes: Would a wb(d) still be more offensive then a fb(a)?

An FB(A) and FB(S) will be more aggressive than a WB(D), especially on balanced. The WB(D) role mainly exists to give you a more defensive option at the WBRL position, but in effect, it basically operates as a support duty Fullback with slightly more cautious passing instructions.

[THOG]

Ah, thank you.

Follow up question, if you don't mind: why is the workload then different for the 1st team and the U21's, if the training schedule is the same? Is it because the 1st team spend more time on match preparation, which lowers the overall workload?

I'm not sure, to be honest, but the lower proportion of match training seems like the likely explanation.

[Chris Anthemum]

Which attribute determines how quickly a player retrains to a new position?

[THOG]

Which attribute determines how quickly a player retrains to a new position?

Versatility. It's a hidden attribute.

[Bigpapa42]

I've always understood Technique as a kind of modifier on other technicall attributes. Right now, I have a CB with really nice Free Kicks (15) but lowish Technique (8). Is a free kick taker with lower Technique a bad idea? Will that reduce how effective he is at them, despite the actual skill?

[THOG]

I've always understood Technique as a kind of modifier on other technicall attributes. Right now, I have a CB with really nice Free Kicks (15) but lowish Technique (8). Is a free kick taker with lower Technique a bad idea? Will that reduce how effective he is at them, despite the actual skill?

Think of it as a modifier that's proportional to the difficulty of a specific action. So high free kicks/low technique means he can perform a simple free kick consistently well, but he'll struggle more with free kicks that demand more technical refinement (for example, getting the necessary amount of spin to get it over or around a wall). Conversely, a player with high technique and low free kicks will generally have less success at getting the power and placement of any free kick right, but he won't struggle all that much more with a free kick that requires controlling the ball in a special way. He will still be bad at free kicks, but he'll be generally bad at every kind of free kick. Whereas the first player with high free kicks/low technique will be quite good at simple free kicks and only particularly bad at more complex free kicks.

So, in the first case, think of someone like David Luiz. He can hammer a straight ball into a specific area well enough that you might want him attempting a more straight forward free kick, but if you ask him to finesse a curling ball across the six yard box from a difficult angle, he's going to struggle. Now, for the second case, think of someone like Jack Wilshere. He has terrific technique, but this mostly relates to his close control and passing. He's unlikely to be your first option to get the right mix of power and accuracy in a dead ball situation, but it's not because he couldn't, say, curl the ball right, he's just generally not that great at free kicks. With that in mind, in situations where it's purely a question of the free kick that requires doing something really tricky with the ball, it's conceivable that Wilshere could be the better option.

Now, mental attributes will also come into play. A player with good Decisions will most likely not even attempt something that he can't pull off whereas a player with poor Decisions will be more likely to attempt something beyond his ability when there was a better and much less technically demanding option.

Does that make sense?

[htty777]

very short question.

AI use PI?

[RTHerringbone]

very short question.

AI use PI?

Yes, they have access to, and use, all the same parts of the tactics creator as we do.

[swansongs]

Ah, thank you.

Follow up question, if you don't mind: why is the workload then different for the 1st team and the U21's, if the training schedule is the same? Is it because the 1st team spend more time on match preparation, which lowers the overall workload?

Yes, rest days and match preparation days have an effect on the overall training workload. If your u21s don't have matches scheduled their training workload is going to be much higher than your first team.

There really should be a 'weekly rest day' button to tick like the before/after match ones.

[Bigpapa42]

Think of it as a modifier that's proportional to the difficulty of a specific action. So high free kicks/low technique means he can perform a simple free kick consistently well, but he'll struggle more with free kicks that demand more technical refinement (for example, getting the necessary amount of spin to get it over or around a wall). Conversely, a player with high technique and low free kicks will generally have less success at getting the power and placement of any free kick right, but he won't struggle all that much more with a free kick that requires controlling the ball in a special way. He will still be bad at free kicks, but he'll be generally bad at every kind of free kick. Whereas the first player with high free kicks/low technique will be quite good at simple free kicks and only particularly bad at more complex free kicks.

So, in the first case, think of someone like David Luiz. He can hammer a straight ball into a specific area well enough that you might want him attempting a more straight forward free kick, but if you ask him to finesse a curling ball across the six yard box from a difficult angle, he's going to struggle. Now, for the second case, think of someone like Jack Wilshere. He has terrific technique, but this mostly relates to his close control and passing. He's unlikely to be your first option to get the right mix of power and accuracy in a dead ball situation, but it's not because he couldn't, say, curl the ball right, he's just generally not that great at free kicks. With that in mind, in situations where it's purely a question of the free kick that requires doing something really tricky with the ball, it's conceivable that Wilshere could be the better option.

Now, mental attributes will also come into play. A player with good Decisions will most likely not even attempt something that he can't pull off whereas a player with poor Decisions will be more likely to attempt something beyond his ability when there was a better and much less technically demanding option.

Does that make sense?

Make a lot of sense. Excellent answer.

If I decdie to move forward with developing him as a free kick specialist, it will create a bit of a conundrum - the type of freekick he will excel at the most are the same kind where having him up front to possibly head the ball in would also help. Hmmm.

[Kelron]

Just a quick question for now, is there an obvious reason why this guy is struggling to get headers in the goal?

I'm seeing the same thing repeatedly from corners and free kicks - he hangs around the far post, the ball passes the keeper, he rises way above the defenders to reach it, and heads it far wide across the front of the goal. It's nearly the same every time and looks like a good scoring chance in the match, but he only gets maybe 1 in 5 on target.

[pmoli12]

Just a quick question for now, is there an obvious reason why this guy is struggling to get headers in the goal?

I'm seeing the same thing repeatedly from corners and free kicks - he hangs around the far post, the ball passes the keeper, he rises way above the defenders to reach it, and heads it far wide across the front of the goal. It's nearly the same every time and looks like a good scoring chance in the match, but he only gets maybe 1 in 5 on target.

I think scoring from the far post is harder. Also, he's a tall strong guy so your opponents must mark him very well. Just try to change setting (aim near post, change his place during corners). Try until it seems right to you and focus team training on attacking set pieces

[baboyray]

Quick question regarding mentalities and team instructions

Am I right in assuming by default the standard mentality will have a slower tempo and shorter passing than the attacking mentality.

So what I'm trying to work out is the attacking mentality already fast & direct? So by adding team instructions more direct and higher tempo I am making the tactic player even more fast and direct.

Hope that makes sense.

[RTHerringbone]

Quick question regarding mentalities and team instructions

Am I right in assuming by default the standard mentality will have a slower tempo and shorter passing than the attacking mentality.

So what I'm trying to work out is the attacking mentality already fast & direct? So by adding team instructions more direct and higher tempo I am making the tactic player even more fast and direct.

Hope that makes sense.

Standard is essentially neutral. Passing is mixed, tempo is average, line is average, width is average.

The more Attacking you go, the higher the line, greater the tempo and width (vice versa if you go more defensive).

Passing structures change with Mentality. In Attacking Mentalities, Attack Duties play more direct, Defend Duties play Shorter. Vice versa for more defensive mentalities.

You are correct that adding Higher Tempo and More Direct Passes will increase those settings, irrespective of what Mentality you use.

[baboyray]

Standard is essentially neutral. Passing is mixed, tempo is average, line is average, width is average.

The more Attacking you go, the higher the line, greater the tempo and width (vice versa if you go more defensive).

Passing structures change with Mentality. In Attacking Mentalities, Attack Duties play more direct, Defend Duties play Shorter. Vice versa for more defensive mentalities.

You are correct that adding Higher Tempo and More Direct Passes will increase those settings, irrespective of what Mentality you use.

Thanks for clearing that up for me mate

[Timee]

Another question regarding passing and tempo. Does more direct passing increase both passing and tempo, or passing only? In previous versions direct passing did also influence tempo, but since FM14 gives the opportunity to alter tempo with shouts, I was wondering if the more direct passing shout does still affect tempo...

[Chris Anthemum]

When I'm watching a game how can I actually *tell* if the opposition is playing deep? I mean, what phase of play do I look at? Obviously when I attack the opposition will retreat and when they attack they will push up so what should I be looking for? (I realise this is really a stupid question :o)

[Lord Rowell]

How do I stop my GK from stupidly kicking the ball upfield, not very far, straight to an AI player?

This happens when I'm leading, and the AI changes its tactics in a more attack-minded direction, with their forwards and wide midfielders pushed right on to my defenders. Presumably, my GK isn't "seeing" anyone near him available for the ball so he hoofs it but hoofs it short, often straight to an AI player.

I already have him set to pass shorter and distribute to defenders and, most of the time, this works absolutely fine, except for the scenario explained above.

I'm finding this really frustrating, because this one simple change in behaviour by the AI is making my GK and defenders act like morons and I'm finding my team coming under pressure because of this one, single thing. This occurs across a range of tactics.

Thanks

LR

[kingjericho]

Is there a screen where I can see how many penalties my team has committed? I believe I'm the team that has most penaties against

[Suggy33]

Someone help me win away from home?

Can batter teams at home, but the same teams away just shut me out. Any simple recommendations without altering the formation?

[isignedupfornorealreason]

Standard is essentially neutral. Passing is mixed, tempo is average, line is average, width is average.

The more Attacking you go, the higher the line, greater the tempo and width (vice versa if you go more defensive).

Passing structures change with Mentality. In Attacking Mentalities, Attack Duties play more direct, Defend Duties play Shorter. Vice versa for more defensive mentalities.

You are correct that adding Higher Tempo and More Direct Passes will increase those settings, irrespective of what Mentality you use.

So Control is direct and fast tempo?

Counter would be short and slow?

[NLH]

Would using the ppm Tries killer balls often give the same results as More risky passes when playing a CM(d)?

[kingjericho]

Would using the ppm Tries killer balls often give the same results as More risky passes when playing a CM(d)?

The 'more risky passes' instruction would have more effect since PPMs apply after tactical instructions. So if you set a player to try more risky passes he will actively try that, whereas having a PPM only means he usually does that but if the tactical instructions don't favor that, then he won't do it so often.

[Cleon]

The 'more risky passes' instruction would have more effect since PPMs apply after tactical instructions. So if you set a player to try more risky passes he will actively try that, whereas having a PPM only means he usually does that but if the tactical instructions don't favor that, then he won't do it so often.

Not true at all. A PPM tells the player to try that move more often (regardless of his instructions). How frequent and successful that is then comes down to how good he is mentally and his decision making.

[RTHerringbone]

So Control is direct and fast tempo?

Counter would be short and slow?

Control is more direct for attackers than on standard, but shorter for defenders. Tempo faster than standard.

Counter is shorter passing for attackers than on standard, but more direct for defenders. Tempo slower than standard.

[ianscousemac]

Any one had any success with keeping there CB from being dragged out of position? Concede the majority of my goals and CCC against me due to through balls as one of my CB has been dragged into midfield. Any help would be appreciated.

[THOG]

Are you using Hassle Opponents?

[isignedupfornorealreason]

Control is more direct for attackers than on standard, but shorter for defenders. Tempo faster than standard.

Counter is shorter passing for attackers than on standard, but more direct for defenders. Tempo slower than standard.

Right, so the defenders play it fast and direct up to the attacking players who hold it up and pass it about short in counter... And the "attackers" would be defined by fluidity? So if you go rigid with defensive minded midfielders they would be more inclined to be direct? Or is that another kettle of fish altogether?

[ianscousemac]

Are you using Hassle Opponents?

Yes I am. CB don't have the option to close down less unless using a cover role. Have tried this too and still seemed to be getting dragged away.

[RTHerringbone]

Yes I am. CB don't have the option to close down less unless using a cover role. Have tried this too and still seemed to be getting dragged away.

Consider dropping the Hassle Opponents, and instead use Roles in midfield and up front that Close Down More by default, and/or those who have PIs where they can be asked to Close Down More.

Pressing is far safer if done as far from your goal as possible - it's a job for attackers and midfielders really.

[ianscousemac]

Consider dropping the Hassle Opponents, and instead use Roles in midfield and up front that Close Down More by default, and/or those who have PIs where they can be asked to Close Down More.

Pressing is far safer if done as far from your goal as possible - it's a job for attackers and midfielders really.

Thanks for the advice will give it a go and see how it goes.

[THOG]

Right, so the defenders play it fast and direct up to the attacking players who hold it up and pass it about short in counter... And the "attackers" would be defined by fluidity? So if you go rigid with defensive minded midfielders they would be more inclined to be direct? Or is that another kettle of fish altogether?

It's related kettle of fish. Attacking players in the sense RTH is talking about means players with an attack duty whereas fluidity relates to a player's position. So on counter, any player with a defend duty will have a more direct passing range while any player with an attack duty will have a short passing range. The idea is that the players staying back will try to get it forward quickly while players getting forward will try to link up and construct combination moves . You can modify this passing structure to some extent by using different roles and team instructions. Playmakers and ball-playing defenders always have a mixed range. Ball winning midfielders always have a short range. Limited defenders always have a very direct range.

Fluidity mainly relates to position as opposed to duty (with the exception being Balanced where fluidity is based around how you assign duties), so in the sense of passing range (i.e., the instructed limit on the length of passes), it doesn't have a direct effect. However, fluidity does directly affect a player's general willingness to take risks in all decisions, so a higher mentality resulting from fluidity will make a player more direct in the sense that more direct, forward passes do tend to be riskier passes and that player will now show a stronger preference for riskier passes... though a high mentality player with a shorter passing range will tend to make more short range, forward passes (though his creative freedom/expressiveness will determine how many exceptions there are to that rule).

[fenerbahce_1907]

Why i can't find a solution for this ? 37 shootes and only one goal, it is not a problem for only match, what you say about that men ?

[Cleon]

37 shots and only 17 on target, doesn't that tell you what the issue is? All you've done is see the 37 shots stat and seen the 1-0 scoreline and then think you should be scoring more. When in fact you should be looking at the 37 shots stat then looking at the analysis tab in game and see what type of shots they are, from what kind of range, which players are taking the shots and then you'll know what the issue is.

[RTHerringbone]

Why i can't find a solution for this ? 37 shootes and only one goal, it is not a problem for only match, what you say about that men ?

I echo what Cleon said.

I'll go further by suggesting that you probably play control or attacking, Fluid or Very Fluid, and a 4-2-3-1.

[NLH]

Is there any point in asking a player to learn a new preferred move if the coach says they don't see them capable of learning it? I get it every time I want a player to develop their weaker foot.

[fenerbahce_1907]

Thank you for suggestions, but i can't tell to cazorla that he must shoot less. He shots from 25 30 metres and they are so so bad shots. Sometimes they goes to the touch. Sometimes Ramsey does it. These are okey but i can't solve forwards shots. In a career, i bought Diego Costa but he had high records about "can't scoring". Some people says that "my forwards always score so much". My forwards used to score at the old games but not at FM14. What do you suggest me about that ?