Theorems: Key Settings

All great teams are built first and foremost on a solid defence. Getting the defensive settings right enables you to have a solid platform from which to build and experiment. The following section outlines the key settings towards designing a working defence.

Mentality

As iterated previously, ensure that one MC is on the same mentality settings as the central defenders to provide constant defensive cover (for 8.0.1 but not necessarily correct for 8.0.2). A small backwards arrow can also aid in this respect.

Defensive Line

The defensive line links heavily with whatever mentality framework you have chosen. Defender attributes, specifically pace and positioning, will allow for some level of line adjustment but I would advise not placing the defensive line in a position that unlinks it from the framework. Simply put, the defensive line should be placed at mid-point of the framework mentality (for Attack, Balanced and Counter). Thus, if you have chosen to implement the attacking framework, with player mentalities ranging from 14-19, you would position the defensive line at midpoint between the two (16-17). If you have chosen the Counter formation (6-11), you would set the defensive line at eight or nine.

If you have quick defenders who have good positioning stats you could happily place the defensive line higher than the mid-point of the mentality framework in confidence that their pace and ability to read the game will allow them to cover any counter-attacks over the top with relative ease. However, if they are slower than average, then dropping the d-line back slightly will allow them to cover quick attackers without becoming over exposed to balls over their heads into the space behind them.

For the Control and Defend frameworks the defensive line setting requires some adjustment. As Control aims to open space and assumes the opposition will not commit many players forward, the DCs job will be mainly recycling possession rather than defensive duties. Reduce the d-line to mid-normal to ensure the DCs are in space to pick up rushed clearances and keep pressure on the opposition. For the Defend framework the d-line needs to be higher than the mentality average in order to compact space. Setting the d-line to a very low mentality invites almost constant pressure and the team is likely to give up a plethora of chances in and around the six-yard box.

Width

Just as the defensive line, width varies dependent on how aggressive you wish to be. Widening the formation opens up space and enables a greater variety of attacking balls. Equally, it allows more space for the opposition to exploit should you lose the ball. Therefore, narrow is defensive and wide is attacking. However, too narrow is not advisable as it gives up too much space on the flanks. I use roughly the following pattern:

Control: 20
Attack: 16
Balanced: 12
Counter: 8
Defend: 4

If you have a squad full of speedy, tireless workaholics you can play with slightly higher width settings as these attributes enable them to get quickly back into position once the ball has been lost. If you have a few too many work-shy plodders then play more narrowly in order to maintain shape.

Closing Down & Marking

Closing Down and Marking seem to work in conjunction. There is a logical pattern. Defensive formations require tight, man-marking to constantly maintain contact with the opposition attackers, leaving them as little space as possible in which to operate. As the players are already closely marked, closing down isn’t required. For more aggressive formations in which you expect to control the play then marking should be zonal and loose. In order to regain quick possession, preferably in the opposition’s half, closing down should be pretty high.

Defenders

In general, the defenders’ marking/closing down settings should be roughly as follows:

Control: All zonal/loose, FBs close down 14-16, DCs 10-12.
Attack: DCs man/loose, FBs zonal/loose; FBs close down 10-12, DCs 6-8
Balanced: DCs man/tight, FBs zonal/tight; reduce closing down
Counter: All man/tight; further reduce closing down
Defend: All man/tight; further reduce closing down

Midfielders

More of an art than a science. Getting the midfielders’ closing down settings correct are paramount to creating a decent tactic. As with the defenders, the marking/closing down should be looser and more heavy the more aggressive the tactic; tighter and less heavy the more defensive. However, unlike in 07, in which you could be defensively sound simply by having a low CD DMC/MCd sitting in front of your back line, in 2008 these settings are much more sensitive. Too low and you will see the opposition pass the ball uncontested around the perimeter of your 18 yard box. Too high and the midfield cover will be bypassed leaving the back four to contest with breaking midfielders and strikers as the MCs struggle to regain position. You will need to watch the 2d very carefully to decide upon your best settings. They will be player specific, depending on work rate, pace, stamina, adaptability and culture. Play around with them until you start to see the MCs break up attacking play in the areas you wish (just above the final third in Counter, much higher up the pitch in Attack).

Attackers and Wingers

Usually both wingers and one attacker need to have reasonably heavy closing down in order to stop the opposing defenders launching uncontested balls forward. This has two functions. Firstly, it reduces their time on the ball and helps your team regain possession. Secondly, it ensures the balls from defence can’t split your defensive structure as the player in possession has much less time to hit a composed ball. Deep crosses and direct through balls become more aimless and easier to defend. Play around with these settings until you are confident your attackers and wingers are providing enough defensive aid to the back six.

Tackling

Heavy attacking is more likely to win the ball, but also more likely to give away free kicks and penalties. Therefore, heavy tackling is best employed with the loose marking and high closing down of more aggressive systems, in which the aim is to win the ball high up the pitch. It doesn’t matter if you give away a free kick on the edge of the opposition’s area; it does matter on the edge of yours. A rough rule of thumb is as follows, although you can be more or less aggressive with attacking players should you wish.

Control: Heavy
Attack: Heavy except for defenders (normal)
Balanced: Normal except for defenders (Easy)
Counter: Easy
Defend: Easy