What are you views on pressing??

[MikeVick7]

I have a Cup match next week against a Div 4 team and I'm a lowly 2nd season Div 6 team. Comparing Hatstats he gets anywhere from 145-155 and I can register just 105-110. Being that I haven't taken on an opponent of this calibur before I was curious as to just how good my chances are. I'll be playing at home so I have that in my favor...but I just don't feel like I could beat him straight up.

So looking at my other choices...counter-attack or pressing...I...after reading the rules...felt like pressing may give me a glimmer of hope. The thing that I like about it is "powerful" players have their defense rating doubled...I have three midfielders and one winger that are "powerful." And my stamina is pretty decent as everyone on my team is either Excellent or Solid.

So has anyone had success with pressing before? With the disparity in talent between the two squads...should I just say screw it and enjoy the revenue that will come in and the PIC? Or I know it's always possible too that he...after seeing my lowly squad...may not play his best players so that has me thinking that anything's possible as I just don't want to give up on it yet.

Also my team has no experience using anything but a 3-5-2...so I don't even know if switching to a 4-5-1 would increase my defensive chances at all.

[Raven Hawk]

When pressing cup matches, you also want to take into consideration what your Set Pieces are on your top five guys and how good your keeper is. Pressing is usually used in an attempt to keep the score low and tie the game at 0-0 or 1-1. If you have 5 good SPers and 1 good goalie, pressing is a phenomenal idea, especially when you have a bunch of powerful guys.

I personally love the press tactic, but I play a 3-4-3 and use it for a different reason. I use it because I think that if I lower the # of chances in a game, it benefits my team. I think that my strikers have a better chance to get it past their keeper, even if they only get two chances. If I can score on 2 of 2 and my opponent only on 1 of 4, I win. :)

[MikeVick7]

When pressing cup matches, you also want to take into consideration what your Set Pieces are on your top five guys and how good your keeper is. Pressing is usually used in an attempt to keep the score low and tie the game at 0-0 or 1-1. If you have 5 good SPers and 1 good goalie, pressing is a phenomenal idea, especially when you have a bunch of powerful guys.

I personally love the press tactic, but I play a 3-4-3 and use it for a different reason. I use it because I think that if I lower the # of chances in a game, it benefits my team. I think that my strikers have a better chance to get it past their keeper, even if they only get two chances. If I can score on 2 of 2 and my opponent only on 1 of 4, I win. :)
Well I have one Formidable set pieces then a Solid and maybe a Passable or two...so nothing that will set the world on fire in a penalty situation. But if I can make the pressing idea work to get to that point...I'd take it. Using a tactic to make the game competitive is all I'm really concerned with.

So do you think I'd have a shot even with the disparity in talent?

[Desnudo]

Honestly, probably not. But you'd have a better shot with pressing than without.

[Raven Hawk]

Pressing is your best alternative.

[MikeVick7]

What would the settings be for you midfield and wingers when pressing? Defensive? Normal?

[rickJ]

If you're going for a 0-0 draw you want to maximize midfield and defense.

[PilotMan]

It might cost you a training spot for a week, but you could always go with a 4-4-2 (3IM +WTM). Certainly a good formation, and you are already excellent at it.

[Kathmandu]

I'm curious. If you expect to score on 100% of your chances and you expect your opponent to score on only 25% of his chances, then why would you want to limit the number of total chances?



I personally love the press tactic, but I play a 3-4-3 and use it for a different reason. I use it because I think that if I lower the # of chances in a game, it benefits my team. I think that my strikers have a better chance to get it past their keeper, even if they only get two chances. If I can score on 2 of 2 and my opponent only on 1 of 4, I win. :)

[Raven Hawk]

I'm curious. If you expect to score on 100% of your chances and you expect your opponent to score on only 25% of his chances, then why would you want to limit the number of total chances?
Because I'm more likely to break up his chances. It's hard to put hard statistics to such a limited number of chances. If I let the opposition have a 5th chance, does that one score or no?

I did forget to mention that I use this most often when I'm completely outclassed. I don't think that I'm going to score on 100% of my goals, but that is what it would take for me to win a match where I'm outclassed. 100% and 25% aren't truly representative of my expectations. I expect to score on 75% of my chances and my opponents to score on 40% of their chances (it varies depending on opponent's attack). However, when you apply 75% to two opportunities, you can't score 1.5 goals. By pressing, I hope that the reduction of chances manipulates the game into my favor. At 40% if they get that 5th chance, it's a tie, providing I scored on my two chances. Therefore, I want to reduce the number of chances and get a little lucky.

To take it further, I know that when I press, if I miss a goal, I'm done. I don't know if I explained that well. Feel free to question me further. Perhaps I'll explain a little clearer when I'm less tired.

[bjceac]

Ask ntndeacon!!

[Desnudo]

Realistically you aren't going for the draw with pressing. What you are hoping is to keep the total amount of scoring chances down and then that you luck out and score off one of the few chances. Unless you're setup for counter-attacking, it's really your only option against a much better team.

[finkenst]

well..

after tonight's lovely 8-1 whipping, i'm thinking i'm going to employ the time-honored tradition of PPP.
:(

[Raven Hawk]

well..

after tonight's lovely 8-1 whipping, i'm thinking i'm going to employ the time-honored tradition of PPP.
:(
PPP = Pic, Press, & Pray?

[finketr]

PPP = Pic, Press, & Pray?

Ravenhawk! You are correct, sir.


:(