Cheers, no worries.
Agreed, the players, stars in particular, need to be more distinctive and noticeable that you are controlling a superior player on the pitch.
I want the CPU to do the same thing. Please CPU push your attack through your best players...
The main part of the problem is RS (right stick) dribbling.
#1 I rarely if ever see the CPU do skill moves. So messi for example has 5 star skill. But when the CPU controls him it might as well be 1 star because he won't do any of the moves.
#2 the skill stick itself. we go one more year without the regular players getting new moves. Why is there no dedicated RS down = pull back/drag back? And why does RS up not equal the little scoop move all players can do that would get the ball above a boot/toe poke? RS UP UP UP is not cutting it. That is a 3 star move and more of a direct lift.
#3 at least the CPU doesn't do that stop the ball and go again move they did 99% of the time last year. I hated that with a passion. But they still do these delicate little moves that are just enough to avoid a challenge or get space for a shot. That is their bread and butter move. While they have the subtle lane change type moves we are stuck with a body feint that doesn't do much and a ball roll that is stuck in some animation of going sideways crab walk style.
#4 because the stick moves are canned animations you have to do the move at a set distance from the defender that always seems to be evolving
The RS I want to work like this. If I am dribbling to the left goal and approach a defender and want to scoop it to the right with the outside of my right boot then catch the ball with the inside of my right boot and sweep it across and exit left then if 12 o clock is up on the RS I would push 10 o clock then push 7 o clock and exit using the left stick.
The canned animations assigned to the stick are stale. I would even like it to just be contextual. If I push it to the right do a push away move if I push it left do a pull it back move. Or just have an option of Simple Dribble where you hold the R stick a direction and some appropriate dribble happens.
Basically, the majority of fifa players I know and from a lot of things I have read online over the years, it seems most good fifa players don't even bother with skill moves.