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

[petergoddard]

Basically that's what this thread is for. No-one has the time to sit and write about every aspect of the game, especially as we do it for free and in our own time

Ok :-) still, thanks for clarified my questions

[remembertofeedthecat]

Two weeks (gametime) into my Arsenal save and I just signed a young keeper from Celta Vigo called Ruben Blanco.

Looks a very decent prospect but his aerial ability stands out as his main weakness.

Aerial ability can't be specifically trained (AFAIK) but would training Jumping Reach have a knock-on effect?

Cheers

[Cleon]

Two weeks (gametime) into my Arsenal save and I just signed a young keeper from Celta Vigo called Ruben Blanco.

Looks a very decent prospect but his aerial ability stands out as his main weakness.

Aerial ability can't be specifically trained (AFAIK) but would training Jumping Reach have a knock-on effect?

Cheers

No it wouldn't, the attributes train exactly what they say apart from quickness which does pace and acceleration but is the only one that does 2 attributes. Both the keeper schedules train aerial ability though.

[remembertofeedthecat]

OK Cheers Cleon!!

[elland road boo boys]

I wonder if I could have some help regarding my 442 please.

This is how I am set up at the moment

GK (d)

FB (d)

CD (d)

MR/L (a)

AP (s)

BWM (d)

AF (a)

CF (s)

My team instructions are - Retain Possession, Work Ball Into Box, Hit Early Crosses, Push Higher Up & Play Offside Trap.

My playing style is Fluid. Balanced against Similar Opposition, Attack against Weaker Teams & Counter against Harder Opposition.

What I have noticed is that I get a lot of balls pumped over my defence which inevitably leads to goal.

Firstly is my team set up right as reading Llamas pairs & combinations it seems I shouldn't have a BWM & an AP playing together.

Secondly is there anyway of countering the pump ball over defence the Opposition uses?

[Cleon]

I wonder if I could have some help regarding my 442 please.

This is how I am set up at the moment

GK (d)

FB (d)

CD (d)

MR/L (a)

BWM (d)

AP (s)

AF (a)

CF (s)

My team instructions are - Retain Possession, Work Ball Into Box, Hit Early Crosses, Push Higher Up & Play Offside Trap.

My playing style is Fluid. Balanced against Similar Opposition, Attack against Weaker Teams & Counter against Harder Opposition.

What I have noticed is that I get a lot of balls pumped over my defence which inevitably leads to goal.

Firstly is my team set up right as reading Llamas pairs & combinations it seems I shouldn't have a BWM & an AP playing together.

Secondly is there anyway of countering the pump ball over defence the Opposition uses?

Stop playing a high line and offside trap will reduce the amount of balls over the top.

[elland road boo boys]

Stop playing a high line and offside trap will reduce the amount of balls over the top.

Thanks for the prompt reply Cleon.

So should I set any defensive instructions for this or just leave them off?

[MTM1977]

My team is currently having quite a few injuries, i assume it is because my training intensity levels have been too high.

I used to have:

Individual on Heavy

General on Balanced/Average/30% match training.

Now i have:

Individual on Heavy

General on Balanced/Low/20% match training.

Is the new load ok or should i change something?

[phnompenhandy]

That's what I have and injuries are very managable.

[MTM1977]

Another question about injuries.

How should a bring a player back to squad after long injury?

I have had several occasions in which the player has been injured again in the first actual match.

This is what i have been doing:

Let the player play in reserves until match fitness is over 70%.

Then bring the player to first team as substitute.

Substitute player in on around 70 minutes mark.

Doesn't seem to work very well... Should i just let them play on reserves until 100% match fit?

[phnompenhandy]

Just go with the 'U21 squad until match fit' option.

[dooro23]

When training get's written about, I've never read anything else than General Training only determining the set of attributes the training will focus on (with Team Cohesion as obvious exception). So why are many people so keen on training Fitness if there are fitness related scenarios (pre-season, for example), am I missing something?

[MTM1977]

Just go with the 'U21 squad until match fit' option.

My team is in Norwegian Premierhip, so i don't have U21 squad.

I only have 2nd team and U19.

2nd team doesn't even play in any league, but i have scheduled weekly friendlies for the team.

So, i will go with 2nd team until match fit option then

Thanks!

[phnompenhandy]

When training get's written about, I've never read anything else than General Training only determining the set of attributes, the training will focus on (with Team Cohesion as obvious exception). So why are many people so keen on training Fitness if there are fitness related scenarios (pre-season, for example), am I missing something?

Fitness training is not to get match fit, but to increase physical attributes (strength and stamina training).

I always develop very young players at the lowest league level who have very low physical attributes (not unusual to have stamina or strength at 1). Given that physical attributes increase most quickly with youngsters, and physical attributes are often deemed to be the most important at the lowest levels, it makes sense to focus on fitness. Mind you, I'm not doing that this time since I'm following Cleon's method.

[dooro23]

Fitness training is not to get match fit, but to increase physical attributes (strength and stamina training).

I always develop very young players at the lowest league level who have very low physical attributes (not unusual to have stamina or strength at 1). Given that physical attributes increase most quickly with youngsters, and physical attributes are often deemed to be the most important at the lowest levels, it makes sense to focus on fitness. Mind you, I'm not doing that this time since I'm following Cleon's method.

Thanks, but that is what i knew and why i asked. Still, even in Cleon's Santos thread people use fitness training in pre-season for example. Either it's "roleplaying" or there is an effect beside the attribute training that I'm missing.

[kingcav]

In a game where my team has 15ish shots, 50-55% possession and wins 2-0,how many passes would you expect my trequartista to make as a striker in a 4132? Really don't think my trequartista is influencing games as he should.

[SiN8]

I used to recall pre-match feedback on squad integration and language barriers in previous FMs. Is that still part of FM14? Not sure when/if I should choose teamwork as match preparation.

[phnompenhandy]

I used to recall pre-match feedback on squad integration and language barriers in previous FMs. Is that still part of FM14? Not sure when/if I should choose teamwork as match preparation.

There appears to be an oversight, or bug here. The assman still reports on who is still having trouble blending into the team, but you can only see it in the half-time and post-match assman report, not pre-match which is when you really need it!!

[hammer88]

Just how important is tactical familiarity?

I ask because I do like to make several team instructional changes during the game. This brings the familiarity down from what I understand?

While it makes sense in my head to do so (so as to counter opposition weaknesses or my own), am I in fact doing more harm than good?

[Luizinho]

Whens the best time to use 'Tight Marking'? The way I see it is that it should only be used when you have good players with high stats in Marking, Positioning, Concentration and Anticipation?

Or does it depend on your tactical system?

[Liverbird93]

Do player instructions override team instructions? What I mean by this is for example if I have my team instructions on "stick to positions" but one of my players on "roam from position" will my team stick to positions but that one player roam. Or will the team instruction override and the player will not roam?

[phnompenhandy]

Do player instructions override team instructions? What I mean by this is for example if I have my team instructions on "stick to positions" but one of my players on "roam from position" will my team stick to positions but that one player roam. Or will the team instruction override and the player will not roam?

PI overrides TI. OI overrides both.

[barry the second]

How do i set up a Target man and a playmaker?

Do i assume if I've set the ST to TM as the player instruction that he will automatically become the teams TM? And same with DLP/AP with the midfielders?

In previous FM's there has always been a separate tab. Any reply to my stupid question will be appreciated..

[Cleon]

How do i set up a Target man and a playmaker?

Do i assume if I've set the ST to TM as the player instruction that he will automatically become the teams TM? And same with DLP/AP with the midfielders?

In previous FM's there has always been a separate tab. Any reply to my stupid question will be appreciated..

Yeah its all done auto now when you use a TM or PM

[barry the second]

Yeah its all done auto now when you use a TM or PM

Cheers fella

[SiN8]

Is there a way to derive the AI tactic settings from a PKM? I'd like to see what Mourinho is doing at Chelsea.

Also, does the AI alter their tactic to fit the player strength?

[Liverbird93]

PI overrides TI. OI overrides both.

Thanks

[SiN8]

Yeah its all done auto now when you use a TM or PM

So if I don't want the players to prefer TM/PM, can I create all the specialist roles from a base role? For example, DLP (D) seems to be DM (D) + Shoot Less + Risky Pass.

[Wilson7]

Didn't really want to make a thread about this but playing as Barca & trying to play the way they do irl. One of the problems I've come across is they shoot from stupid angles etc & I've got player instructions to shoot less, so they will try and cut it back but doesn't seem to work.. any ideas how to get them pass more than shoot? Without teaching them as a preferred move. Second question is more a defensive one I have plenty of shots but they will have at max 2-3 shots but score at least 1 or 2,Am I being really unlucky with that or can I cut it out ?

Any feedback appreciated

[Taipan]

Whats the best shout to counter a team that is pressing you?

I play majority LL, and my players usually have low decision/passing attributes and I find my game plan goes out the window when my team is pressed. Players panic and do hasty passes which usually ends up in the lap of the opposition or at best the pass ends up in no-mans land where it ends up being a 50/50 proposition. I've tried "Stand-off", "Pass Into Space" & "Drop Deeper" with limited success. The only thing that seems to half work for me is to fight fire with fire and return the compliment and close down the opposition.

Any suggestions?

[Cleon]

Whats the best shout to counter a team that is pressing you?

I play majority LL, and my players usually have low decision/passing attributes and I find my game plan goes out the window when my team is pressed. Players panic and do hasty passes which usually ends up in the lap of the opposition or at best the pass ends up in no-mans land where it ends up being a 50/50 proposition. I've tried "Stand-off", "Pass Into Space" & "Drop Deeper" with limited success. The only thing that seems to half work for me is to fight fire with fire and return the compliment and close down the opposition.

Any suggestions?

If you find they are tight marking too then pass into space is best. You could also try direct passing? If they are pressing in more central areas then try and switch the play to the flanks if you use wingers, that's what I tend to do.

[Taipan]

Thanks mate

[badabing]

Need a little help with a poor performing IF. He was a my big money signing in the summer but so far has not lived up to the billing!

Vitolo is the man im speaking about. Is the AP getting to close to him? I could play a DLP but Drage is doing very well there.

His player instructions are : Get further forward, Sit narrower and PPM'S : Play one-twos(Would this be a issue as my F9 also has this?) and Cut inside.

[Cleon]

Need a little help with a poor performing IF. He was a my big money signing in the summer but so far has not lived up to the billing!

Vitolo is the man im speaking about. Is the AP getting to close to him? I could play a DLP but Drage is doing very well there.

His player instructions are : Get further forward, Sit narrower and PPM'S : Play one-twos(Would this be a issue as my F9 also has this?) and Cut inside.

You don't really want AML/AMR's to get further forward they are already advanced enough naturally by the position they take up on the pitch. By instructing him to go further forward, exactly where is he supposed to go? You are just further isolating him.

As for the AP getting his way I think its the opposite and that the AP won't be getting close enough to him due to the settings that the IF has.

[dooro23]

Thanks, but that is what i knew and why i asked. Still, even in Cleon's Santos thread people use fitness training in pre-season for example. Either it's "roleplaying" or there is an effect beside the attribute training that I'm missing.

So is there any reason to train fitness other than to improve the respective attributes? :/

[Cleon]

So is there any reason to train fitness other than to improve the respective attributes? :/

No none.

[dooro23]

No none.

Thank you!

[badabing]

You don't really want AML/AMR's to get further forward they are already advanced enough naturally by the position they take up on the pitch. By instructing him to go further forward, exactly where is he supposed to go? You are just further isolating him.

As for the AP getting his way I think its the opposite and that the AP won't be getting close enough to him due to the settings that the IF has.

Made the adjustments, first game he was alot more lively and second game he just bagged his hattrick.

Thanks!

[Fabio MVP]

Given that there is no more option ''Counter Attack'' to tick what does "replaces" it?

[RTHerringbone]

Given that there is no more option ''Counter Attack'' to tick what does "replaces" it?

It is tied to Mentality.

Originally I assumed it to just be linked to Counter Mentality, but it is also apparently linked to Defensive and Overload.

[gooner4ever]

Hello folks!

I'm currently managing Arsenal and I'm employing a 4-2-3-1 formation with wide attacking midfielders and no defensive midfielders. One thing that has recently caught my attention is how many goals we concede because of dangerous crosses from byline. And this happens because my full backs are not marking corresponding players, i.e they are out of position. Both my full backs are set as Full Back - Support and I never change that setting. How could I make my tactic defensively more solid? For instance, would it make sense to add "Mark Tightly" and/or "Close Down" to their player instructions? And if I do that, how would our attacking play change as a result of this? I want my full backs supporting transition play as well.

Thanks.

[RTHerringbone]

Hello folks!

I'm currently managing Arsenal and I'm employing a 4-2-3-1 formation with wide attacking midfielders and no defensive midfielders. One thing that has recently caught my attention is how many goals we concede because of dangerous crosses from byline. And this happens because my full backs are not marking corresponding players, i.e they are out of position. Both my full backs are set as Full Back - Support and I never change that setting. How could I make my tactic defensively more solid? For instance, would it make sense to add "Mark Tightly" and/or "Close Down" to their player instructions? And if I do that, how would our attacking play change as a result of this? I want my full backs supporting transition play as well.

Thanks.

1. What are the Roles and Duties of your AML/R players?

2. What sort of volume of goals are you conceding from crosses? Can you post a screen of your goals conceded this season?

[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?

[gooner4ever]

Here is my current base tactic. This tactic is based on possession, clever movement and creativity. Any comments and suggestions are welcome, but my main interest is stopping most of these deadly crosses from wide positions. I tried using "Tight Marking" player instruction on my DL, DR, MCR and MCL and it might have made it a little bit more solid (not sure). Nevertheless, is it not true that any such defensive instructions actually hinder my attacking play because players are more restricted in their choices? So, currently I don't use any of these instructions, the only active player instruction is "Defender Collect". Please advise.

[Fabio MVP]

It is tied to Mentality.

Originally I assumed it to just be linked to Counter Mentality, but it is also apparently linked to Defensive and Overload.

Thank you. It sounds logical to a degree, but I would still like to be able to choose that option unrelated any other settings.

[Weezer]

Which position is more offensive (in its natural state, no PI's selected), DW(s) or WM(s)?

[hbsssj]

How can i improve my results against big teams? Home fixtures i win, but away my shape is very poor. This is my team and tactic:

[Cleon]

Which position is more offensive (in its natural state, no PI's selected), DW(s) or WM(s)?

WM's just about edge it but there isn't that much difference between the two in all honesty.

[Cleon]

How can i improve my results against big teams? Home fixtures i win, but away my shape is very poor. This is my team and tactic:

It would help if you lost some of the shouts especially as some are contradicting others almost. Not sure why you feel you need that many and the reasoning behind them.

[gooner4ever]

Having just conceded two goals from nobody properly marking opposition's wingers, please help me out. As a temporary fix, I set my DL, DR, MCR and MCL back to "Mark Tightly". I uploaded my tactic on my previous post. If you need any other information, just let me know.

Thanks.