Question regarding width and crossing!!

[Nitin Mohandas]

Hi All,

I play a narrow 4-1-2-1-2. But i don't want all my players to be in the middle all the time, hence i thought of using the "Play Wider" shout.

My question is, does this make my players(esp WBs) cross more?

Now i know that the amount of crossing depends on the type of players and the type of passing/crossing options that they have when on ball.

But is there any connection between the shout and the crossing frequency?

Thanks,

Nitin

[SpartyOn]

"Play Wider" does not directly affect crossing at all. It will make your team play with more width (obviously) and pass down the flanks more, so it could indirectly cause your team to cross more just because the ball's out wide.

[Nitin Mohandas]

Thanks for the reply SpartyOn. So is it ever a good idea to use the shout if you only have one wide player??

Since you mentioned that the shout could make the passing down the flanks.

[tennisball]

You could use the "Play Wider" TI with the "Exploit the Middle" TI. This should have the desired effect I think...

If you want your WB's to be passing outlets rather than crossers you can give them the "Cross less often" Personal Instruction.

[Nitin Mohandas]

Thanks tennisball. Will give it a try.

[Dr. Hook]

Thanks for the reply SpartyOn. So is it ever a good idea to use the shout if you only have one wide player??

Since you mentioned that the shout could make the passing down the flanks.

It just spreads your team out some. I use the same formation as you, and often will play wider and only one of my fullbacks is on attack. He does cross sometimes, but not too much. Because you only have two wide options in the formation, it won't increase your passing down the flanks, other than passing out to your fullback as an option. You won't see your team all of sudden using wide play often as no one is really out there. Play will develop down the flank on occasion as your team responds to the defense, but it isn't a worry. As Tennisball said, set the "exploit the middle" shout if you feel the play drifting out wide often.

[Nitin Mohandas]

Thanks Dr. Hook. Just out of curiosity...can you post a pic of your tactics? I am trying to find the right balance for the 4 midfielders and its been a hit and miss so far!!

[Dr. Hook]

Thanks Dr. Hook. Just out of curiosity...can you post a pic of your tactics? I am trying to find the right balance for the 4 midfielders and its been a hit and miss so far!!

I'll try to get a screenie up tomorrow for you, but its fairly basic:

AF(A) DLF(S)

IF(A)

MC(S) MC (A)

WB(A) CD (D) CD (D) WB (S)

I use fluid as a philosophy and almost always start a match with standard mentality. I like how the middle four work as they occupy different lines in the midfield and so passing options are generally good.

[RTHerringbone]

Dr. Hook is possibly very good at the game, but even a very good FM player will struggle with just nine outfield players

[Nitin Mohandas]

Thanks Dr. Hook, A screenie wud be great.

Here is my tactic...pls let me know if there are any obvious mistakes.

http://postimg.org/image/4kd7xhivd/

[Dr. Hook]

Dr. Hook is possibly very good at the game, but even a very good FM player will struggle with just nine outfield players

:o I am not that good, even with ten outfield players. Left off the DM!!!

[Dr. Hook]

Thanks Dr. Hook, A screenie wud be great.

Here is my tactic...pls let me know if there are any obvious mistakes.

http://postimg.org/image/4kd7xhivd/

It looks good- but keep an eye on the AM (A) and see if he gets into the box for you; I couldn't get mine to do enough going forward. How do you get on with a DLP and AP? I haven't used both in the same midfield before. And, here is my setup:

[Nitin Mohandas]

AM position is one where i am confused as well. I tried enganche,trequartista and normal AM, none of them worked as well as an AP(A). He does get into the box more often and scores a few as well.

I always use both DLP and AP, my theory is that DLP is for Counter and AP for Control.

Regarding your formation, you could have gone for Very Fluid since you only have one specialist. Also how is WB(S) working for you? I had the same WB(S) on my right hand side and his passing statistics was really bad, hence i switched to FB(S).

[Dr. Hook]

I shied away from very fluid as I don't want my lads who are part-timers in the conference getting *too* much freedom. The WB(S) has been fine, his passing stats haven't been a bother, but most of mine are crap anyway so I expect some level of missed passes

Regarding the AM, the only role that worked for what I wanted was IF. He gets into the box a lot and gets some goals. I'll keep monkeying around with it, especially against the DM sides, and try to find a way of cracking that problem without having to settle for a flat midfield three which is what I usually do.