New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

[scitychamps87]

Hey everyone! I'm a casual soccer (football) fan who's getting really excited for the upcoming World Cup and passively follows the EPL & Arsenal. I mostly play Madden and love franchise mode in that game. I'm not a MUT style player and like more "sim" modes in any game. I just picked up FIFA 18 today and I'm pretty excited about playing because I loved the free demo. As someone who wants to learn more about the strategic elements of the sport as well as roster management, how can I get the most of out of my FIFA experience?

I was hoping the die-hards in this forum could give me some good advice for modes to try, ways to keep things realistic, and just things I should know about the sport in general if I want to be more knowledgeable. I'm aware of how the domestic leagues/championship/relegation process works for Europe but have no clue how transfers work or why certain formations in soccer are more advantageous than others. I'd also like to know some team building strategies. Like how do the positions work? What kind of body types and builds/skills do you want for your strikers, midfielders, back players etc.?

I know this is a lot, but I'm really trying to gain an admiration for "the world's game". Any insight is appreciated!

Sent from my XT1650 using Operation Sports mobile app

[GaloVingador]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

Manager Career Mode is the franchise mode of FIFA and the only mode I play. Online might be fun but it's arcadey AF, I totally despise it.

I advise you to pick a good slider set here at OS to tweak the gameplay, because the default gameplay on FIFA has more to do with the preferences of the online crowd, it's far FAR too fast, while a good SLOW slider set will make the game a bit more sim-like (not totally, of course, but much better than default).

The big European leagues (England, Germany, Spain, Italy and France) are better represented than anything else, they're the only ones to have at the same time more than one division with promotion/relegation system and continental cups for the top teams. England has by a huge margin the best support (four divisions, only real stadiums and every real manager for the top division and a good number of real stadiums on second division).

To understand the transfer market, read this:

https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/7/28/5923187/transfer-window-soccer-europe-explained

As for formations, it's a complex topic. 4-3-3 seems to be getting very popular these days and it's good to play wide. 4-4-2 and its variations usually bring the build-up more to the center of the pitch. Some people like to play with 3 center-backs instead of two (not my cup of tea). The possibilities are endless and mostly up to personal preference. What I like to do is make the formation suit the players I want to have in my first team, according to the positions they play in real life (the game tells you that in the player reports, most players can play in more than one position btw).

The formations in football have three lines. The defensive line has the center-backs, which usually are strong and tall and only defend, and the fullbacks, which play wide and often go to attack to cross the ball to the strikers, for this reason they should ideally be fast and with a lot of stamina. Right fullbacks are right-footed and left fullbacks are left-footed, that's the golden rule. Then, the midfield line, which can be flat or split between defensive midfielders (a second defensive line) and offensive midfielders (playmakers who serve as a bridge to attack and are ideally the best passers). The offensive line have one or two strikers, which are the players with the duty of scoring goals. Phisically, they can be anything, they only need to shoot well, but if your team is set-up to cross a lot, you'll need a tall striker. Formations that use a lone striker usually have a couple of wingers playing wide in the offensive line. These are usually the fastest players. The current trend is using left-footed wingers in the right wing and right-footed wingers in the left wing so they can cut inside and shoot on goal (Neymar, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are positioned this way). Or you can do the opposite if you prefer them to be crossers.

And yeah, there's the goalkeeper, which you can put all the blame on whenever you concede a goal (especially since he's not controlled by you on FIFA, haha).

That's pretty much it.

[scitychamps87]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

Manager Career Mode is the franchise mode of FIFA and the only mode I play. Online might be fun but it's arcadey AF, I totally despise it.

I advise you to pick a good slider set here at OS to tweak the gameplay, because the default gameplay on FIFA has more to do with the preferences of the online crowd, it's far FAR too fast, while a good SLOW slider set will make the game a bit more sim-like (not totally, of course, but much better than default).

The big European leagues (England, Germany, Spain, Italy and France) are better represented than anything else, they're the only ones to have at the same time more than one division with promotion/relegation system and continental cups for the top teams. England has by a huge margin the best support (four divisions, only real stadiums and every real manager for the top division and a good number of real stadiums on second division).

To understand the transfer market, read this:

https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/7/28/5923187/transfer-window-soccer-europe-explained

As for formations, it's a complex topic. 4-3-3 seems to be getting very popular these days and it's good to play wide. 4-4-2 and its variations usually bring the build-up more to the center of the pitch. Some people like to play with 3 center-backs instead of two (not my cup of tea). The possibilities are endless and mostly up to personal preference. What I like to do is make the formation suit the players I want to have in my first team, according to the positions they play in real life (the game tells you that in the player reports, most players can play in more than one position btw).

The formations in football have three lines. The defensive line has the center-backs, which usually are strong and tall and only defend, and the fullbacks, which play wide and often go to attack to cross the ball to the strikers, for this reason they should ideally be fast and with a lot of stamina. Right fullbacks are right-footed and left fullbacks are left-footed, that's the golden rule. Then, the midfield line, which can be flat or split between defensive midfielders (a second defensive line) and offensive midfielders (playmakers who serve as a bridge to attack and are ideally the best passers). The offensive line have one or two strikers, which are the players with the duty of scoring goals. Phisically, they can be anything, they only need to shoot well, but if your team is set-up to cross a lot, you'll need a tall striker. Formations that use a lone striker usually have a couple of wingers playing wide in the offensive line. These are usually the fastest players. The current trend is using left-footed wingers in the right wing and right-footed wingers in the left wing so they can cut inside and shoot on goal (Neymar, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are positioned this way). Or you can do the opposite if you prefer them to be crossers.

And yeah, there's the goalkeeper, which you can put all the blame on whenever you concede a goal (especially since he's not controlled by you on FIFA, haha).

That's pretty much it.

This is incredibly helpful!! Thank you so much.

Sent from my XT1650 using Operation Sports mobile app

[roll2tide]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

I'm not a die harder. I am you 18 months ago. Career mode isn't as in depth as madden, which is sad to say, but it can work. Sliders, as mentioned above are a good start just like with Madden. Taking the time to customize team sheets and tactics is also big. This will give you game to game variation that you really wont get otherwise. Gameplay is excellent and I love crowd noise in fifa.

If it was me, I would pick a lower division team (or import your team to a lower division in england) and play your way up. It extends career playability, imo, and let's you work your way up. I would customize team sheets for every English team at all levels and then just teams from other countries as you play them in tourneys.

Stay away from drop in games online. Online seasons can be fun and online coop seasons are a lot of fun. Hit me up if you ever wanna try that on xbox1. My gt is the same as it is here.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Operation Sports mobile app

[scitychamps87]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

I'm not a die harder. I am you 18 months ago. Career mode isn't as in depth as madden, which is sad to say, but it can work. Sliders, as mentioned above are a good start just like with Madden. Taking the time to customize team sheets and tactics is also big. This will give you game to game variation that you really wont get otherwise. Gameplay is excellent and I love crowd noise in fifa.

If it was me, I would pick a lower division team (or import your team to a lower division in england) and play your way up. It extends career playability, imo, and let's you work your way up. I would customize team sheets for every English team at all levels and then just teams from other countries as you play them in tourneys.

Stay away from drop in games online. Online seasons can be fun and online coop seasons are a lot of fun. Hit me up if you ever wanna try that on xbox1. My gt is the same as it is here.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Operation Sports mobile app

How many matches do you play vs sim? I'm doing a premier league career. I know you have FA Cup and Champions League matches mixed in, but of the 38 Premier League matches, how many do you play? 50%? 75%?

Sent from my XT1650 using Operation Sports mobile app

[GaloVingador]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

The question wasn't directed at me, but I'll jump in.

This is personal, some people just get bored to play less important matches, friendlies, Carabao Cup games, things like that.

I personally play every single game and never sim any. I see no point. Football is a sport full of luck, very often a weaker team beat a stronger one, so every game counts. And I don't care if a season takes some time to finish, they drag for an entire year IRL anyway. This even adds to the drama of avoiding relegation or qualifying for a continental cup, because failure or success will be more meaningful.

[roll2tide]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

I play tourney games and anyone above me or up to 3 slots below me in the standings.

I play more online seasons and coop seasons than anything.

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[Martini_Boy18]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

There are a few other things you need to consider if you want to be successful in career mode.

-Keep track of your Board Objectives: There are five categories that the board tracks your performance in. These are Domestic Success, Continental Success, Financial, Brand Exposure and Youth Development. These rank in importance from Very Low to Critical in importance for the board. Essentially they are tasks that you need to accomplish each season or over several seasons. How well you do reflects your coaches rating shown in the top left corner on the main menus.

-Youth Academy: In order to pass certain Youth Development objectives it is wise to hire a Youth Scout (found in the Office screen) to look for aspiring talent for your club. Generally a scout with a higher experience and judgement rating will find better talent. Asia is the cheapest region to scout for some reason with Central Europe and South America being the most expensive. I would suggest looking for players that are "physically strong" because they usually develop better than other player types. Each month you will get a report from your scouts about players they have found, and you can choose which players to sign or not. Try to sign players with potential to have an OVR in the 80's or 90's, and are worth at least a certain amount when they are scouted (for me it's $200,000 which is around 56 OVR). Anything less and the player will take too long to develop.

-Training: Take advantage of the player training option on the central main menu. Typically it makes the most sense to train younger players with lots of potential and youth academy players. Goalkeepers are easier to train than other positions because they have the least categories which affects their OVR.

Signings and Transfers: If a player you want has less than 6 months on their contract (usually January or later if playing in England) you can sign them without having to pay their current club if the player is over 23 years old. If there is a player you want for your team usually you have to pay their club a transfer fee in order for them to let you sign their player. You need shortlist the player and select them in the transfer hub (on central menu) to negotiate this with the club to decide on an appropriate transfer fee. Once you agree to a transfer fee you can negotiate a contract with the player with factors such as the length of the contract, signing bonus, performance bonus and weekly wage. Once the contract is agreed on by both you and the player then he will join your club during the next transfer window (instantly if you are already in a transfer window). Another team can negotiate a transfer fee for one of your teams players as well, but if you don't want to lose them you can block them from being transferred. If a player has a release clause you can negotiate directly with the player and if you agree to a contract you will pay their former club the amount of the transfer clause as compensation.

Rotate Your Players: It's important to play different players and not just the same starting XI every game or else they will get exhausted and have a higher risk for injuries as the year goes on, and your player which haven't played will get angry and demand to be transferred. I would suggest playing lower rated players in games against weaker opponents such as early FA Cup and Carabao Cup matches and bottom feeder Premier League clubs.

I hope this helps

[markhascole]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

Helpful thread,
Guys today I am here because i want help actually Fifa world cup 2018 is restricted in my region that is why I am very tensed, Today I found this source: https://www.reviewsdir.com/watch-fifa-2018-live-online/ I don't know anything about VPN so please suggest me which VPN I can buy?

[Yak]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

if anyone is up for a friendly PSN: yakoob16

[scitychamps87]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

Just wanted to post an update to this thread. Thank you everyone for all the great advice!!! I'm really having a blast with FIFA 18. Finally understand and am beginning to enjoy my manager career with Arsenal. Halfway through my first season I'm pushing the top of the table and have a big transfer of David Alaba lined up.

Getting good at Professional difficulty and looking to move up soon. Thanks again and looking forward to the World Cup DLC

Sent from my XT1650 using Operation Sports mobile app

[RagingTrav]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

-Youth Academy: In order to pass certain Youth Development objectives it is wise to hire a Youth Scout (found in the Office screen) to look for aspiring talent for your club. Generally a scout with a higher experience and judgement rating will find better talent. Asia is the cheapest region to scout for some reason with Central Europe and South America being the most expensive. I would suggest looking for players that are "physically strong" because they usually develop better than other player types. Each month you will get a report from your scouts about players they have found, and you can choose which players to sign or not. Try to sign players with potential to have an OVR in the 80's or 90's, and are worth at least a certain amount when they are scouted (for me it's $200,000 which is around 56 OVR). Anything less and the player will take too long to develop.

-Training: Take advantage of the player training option on the central main menu. Typically it makes the most sense to train younger players with lots of potential and youth academy players. Goalkeepers are easier to train than other positions because they have the least categories which affects their OVR.

Great bit of insight, thanks.

I have a few questions. The main one is should i loan out young players that won't feature for me or am i better off keeping them and training them until they're ready? I play as Leeds if this makes any difference.

[KidsAreAsleep]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

Very helpful thread!

I really appreciate everyone's insight here. I am also a big franchise/dynasty guy and really just got started with FIFA 18. I actually decided to start with ultimate team, and I am really enjoying it. Although, being the franchise guy that I am, I am really curious to try some career mode.

[face2face]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

just started a cm with fulham,,we'll see if I can make it to the premier league

[Martini_Boy18]

Re: New FIFA 18 Player- How to Make the Most of It

Great bit of insight, thanks.

I have a few questions. The main one is should i loan out young players that won't feature for me or am i better off keeping them and training them until they're ready? I play as Leeds if this makes any difference.

Sorry about taking so long to reply, I don't check this website too often anymore.

Since you are playing as Leeds, I'm assuming most of your first team players and bench players are rated from the high 60's to the mid 70's in OVR. I would keep and train the young players who you think could make an impact this coming season and loan out the rest. Any young player who could realistically get to 70 OVR in one season would be perfect to train. That way they will get some decent playing time in your first team and you won’t have to train them anymore or as often. Usually I stop training players once they get in the 70’s and focus on other players unless I’m managing a top level team like Manchester United where they would still not get any playing time because everyone else is too good.

There are some issues with loaning players because you cannot guarantee they will get playing time and they may not improve much at all. This year it seems players going on loan only improve +1/+2 OVR in a season. Also it can be difficult because it may take a while for a team to offer to take your young players on loan, and for some reason players keep blocking loan moves because they “couldn’t agree to contract terms” even though there is nothing to negotiate unlike in past FIFA’s. This may sound discouraging, but it is better than letting your young players rot their potential away on the bench. Also you could still train them once they get back from their loan the next season.

If you only have a few young players (less than five) then I would definitely keep and train them all, if you have more than five, try to loan your worst players or sell them because it’s impossible to train everyone to their potential, or even to a rotation level player.