The Gameplay & Defensive Tips Thread

[FluffyTonka]

Re: The Gameplay & Defensive Tips Thread

good luck!

[rangersftw]

Re: The Gameplay & Defensive Tips Thread

Much appreciated thanks

[pacers101]

Re: The Gameplay & Defensive Tips Thread

I'm currently playing friendlies to work on getting the gameplay and controls and I was maybe looking for some help. My build up play is ok, but whenever I get into the final 3rd I get kind of get lost. The defense always seems to be perfectly in formation with no space to do anything really. I understand it's generally hard to score in soccer but I feel like I'm missing something.

Some tips:


I recommend playing fullbacks and wide midfielders (4-5-1 is my preference with the wide midfielders pushed up, and the full backs set to max overlapping). Pass the ball to the wide midfielders and hold it up, and then look to play the fullback in down the line for the cross / cut inside. If they track the run, look back inside and keep possession.


The other option is to get the ball inside to the CAM, and look for the wide midfielders / striker breaking the line with a lofted through ball.


Constantly switch the ball from the one side of the pitch to the other probing for gaps, especially down the wings.


Use your quick players to carry the ball. I find that dribbling diagonally across the pitch, say from deep left to advanced right, causes the CPU to get confused as to which player should be picking up the dribbler.


Stay patient, its easier to score near the end of the game when the opposition's players are tired and your team's pace is most effective. Also if your winning near the end, the computer defenders push forward, leaving masses of space for the counter attack.

[Qb]

Re: The Gameplay & Defensive Tips Thread

I played my last match against the CPU with defensive width in my CTT set to 30. My "weak side" defenders shifted over to the middle of the pitch more and helped clog the middle when the ball was on the opposite side. Now when the CPU passes or dribbles to the middle I have more than just one guy there.

I never really felt this necessary in past years, but it seems like this might be something they changed in the general AI behavior. When I look to switch the play via a long ball, I often see AI defenders closely marking the wide mid or fullback on the opposite side, even in Pro Clubs. In past years, they'd only do that if width was set in the wide range (67+), but now it seems like the normal range (34-66) might do that as well.

Something to try out for yourself to help your team D and maybe for anyone working on team tactics for the CPU, too.

[therizing02]

Re: The Gameplay & Defensive Tips Thread

I played my last match against the CPU with defensive width in my CTT set to 30. My "weak side" defenders shifted over to the middle of the pitch more and helped clog the middle when the ball was on the opposite side. Now when the CPU passes or dribbles to the middle I have more than just one guy there.

I never really felt this necessary in past years, but it seems like this might be something they changed in the general AI behavior. When I look to switch the play via a long ball, I often see AI defenders closely marking the wide mid or fullback on the opposite side, even in Pro Clubs. In past years, they'd only do that if width was set in the wide range (67+), but now it seems like the normal range (34-66) might do that as well.

Something to try out for yourself to help your team D and maybe for anyone working on team tactics for the CPU, too.

Definitely. I changed my line settings to 50-30-30 three days ago and the gameplay is much better. I think the line settings are the most important sliders.

Default line settings allow too much open space and too much space between defenders and their marks, which IMO, is why the CPU dribbles way too much. If they have space they will dribble and if they don't they will pass. Good stuff.

[Qb]

Re: The Gameplay & Defensive Tips Thread

Definitely. I changed my line settings to 50-30-30 three days ago and the gameplay is much better. I think the line settings are the most important sliders.

Default line settings allow too much open space and too much space between defenders and their marks, which IMO, is why the CPU dribbles way too much. If they have space they will dribble and if they don't they will pass. Good stuff.

I also prefer lowered line length and wide in the game settings (with height raised some... I think). However, I was talking about the width setting in defensive section of custom team tactics. It controls how much the team shifts to the ball side, so combining that with lower line settings tightens things up noticeably.

[rangersftw]

Re: The Gameplay & Defensive Tips Thread

Thanks qb!

[Und Lahm]

Re: The Gameplay & Defensive Tips Thread

I play very narrow as well. Sometimes less than 30. Also I have Aggression above 80. That really helped with the useless passive AI defenders. My players will actually pressure the ball and make tackles!

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[FluffyTonka]

Re: The Gameplay & Defensive Tips Thread

I dunno ... I'm still loving the game.

My last 3 games in the premier league have been (me) Burnley.

Burnley def Chelsea 2-0
Burnley 8 (6 on target) shots on goal 47% possession
Chelsea 15 (7) 53%

Was winning 1-nil with 82 minutes down and I hit them on the counter with Trippier who got bought down in the box and Snodgrass put away the penalty.

Swansea def Burnley 3-0
I had a man sent off with a 38th minute penalty which they converted. I was really pressing hard for an equalizer and gave up two goals in the 88th & 94th minute.

Manchester 0- Burnley 0

I parked the bus for 75 minutes and hit them on the counter and nearly scored with Ings, but his shot hit the crossbar, came back into the box, then he wrapped a sweet shot around the keeper, but it hit the goal post.

United dominated play and that was my only shot on goal.

World Class Level, 15 minute halves with my own sliders (based off Orion's).

You can defend if you're patient and plug holes and get men behind the ball and block shots in the box, and don't mind giving up corners and possession on scrambling clearances.

imo you need a gameplan that best suits your team.

mine is to defend or go ultra defensive depending on my opponent, and weather the storm until around the 55-60th minute

As the players get tired I bring some pace onto the wings and/or at striker and try and hit teams on the counter.

I'm using the (I imported the teamsheet) liverpool formation and tactics and playing possession based football and just tapping it around the park in my back half and try to unlock the CPU defense with passing over taking them on with the ball at my feet.

You have to be weary of where you turn the ball over, because good teams will run it right down your throat from turnovers.

Always play with an organised structure (from your tactics page) over free roaming. I free roam with my CAM and that's it. That way when you do lose possession, your defensive line is automatically set and ready for action.

A really good CDM (high stand tackle , high strength, intercept & heading) is a must too, imo. Good jumping and heading, and they'll win plenty of ball in the air, which is excellent to retain possession.