Theorems: Other Settings

Some of these sections have specific threads supporting them which offer extremely far reaching advice. Please click on the links to access these threads.

Use Target Man

This setting works exceedingly well and can create a plethora of chances if used correctly. The archetypal target man, tall, big and strong, can be devastating when set to no forward runs and balls played to head, to feet, or mixed. Obviously, if you want him to run onto ball forward runs are required.

Use Playmaker

A playmaker needs to be in position to pick up easy balls, so giving him high forward runs into attacking zones will lessen his effectiveness. Low or mixed forward runs, low closing down, loose, zonal marking and possibly free role will enable you to get the most out of an AMC playmaker. However, a deeper lying playmaker can have his forward runs set to Often.

Play Offside

Use it in conjunction with a high defensive line, so if the offside trap is beaten your defenders will have time to get back and cover. Thus, it is ideal for aggressive frameworks, but less effective for conservative ones. Obviously, there is a greater risk in employing it if all your defenders are slow.

Counter Attack

Counter attack is, somewhat ironically, counter intuitive. It does not mean that your players will sprint forward into attacking positions once you get the ball, but rather your players will only launch attacks that are definitely ‘on’. Thus, it is a defensive measure. It is a very useful tool and can be used in two ways. Firstly, it ensures your players remain in defensively effective positions until an attack is on. Secondly, it can force a ‘parked bus’ AI out of its own half by drawing them forwards until your team suddenly pounces. It does mean you won’t see a lot of big wins, but it also guarantees a level of defensive stability that allows your side to grind out one or two nil victories.

Run With Ball, Long Shots, and Cross Ball

All of the above often give the ball away but also create chances. Therefore, they should be used in conjunction with a risk analysis of the frameworks. The more attacking the framework, the more settings should be set to often (with players’ attributes taken into consideration). The more defensive the framework, the more settings should be set to rarerly.

Run With Ball: Vital for wingers in Attack and Control, less useful for more conservative tactics

Long Shots: Useful for Attackers in Counter and Defend, Central Midfielders for the other frameworks

Cross Ball: Used mainly with wingers and full backs. A rough guide is as follows:

Control: Both Often
Attack: Wingers Often, FBs Mixed
Balanced: Both Mixed
Counter: Wingers Mixed, FBs Rarely
Defend: Both Rarely

Cross From

Control: Wingers cross from byline, full-backs from mixed/byline (depending on dribbling).
Attack: Wingers cross from byline, full-backs from mixed.
Balanced: Wingers cross from mixed, full-backs from mixed.
Counter: Wingers cross from mixed, full-backs from deep.
Defend: Wingers cross from deep, full-backs from deep.

Cross Aim

This depends considerably on your tactical set up. If you have a tall, strong target man it can be more than worthwhile aiming to target man. If both strikers are good in the air then mixed is the best option. If one striker is considerably faster than his opponent, aim for him at near post. If both strikers will get constantly beaten to the ball, aim for far post and hope your winger out jumps the opposing full back.

Swap Position

Best used with MCs or FCs. If you have a playmaker MC, the swap position roles will keep him as a playmaker, but sometimes drop him deeper and sometimes play him higher up the pitch. This can pull the opposition around very effectively. Likewise, a target man striker who is also fast can switch between the rare forward runs and mixed forward runs roles and, with supply balls at mixed, can run riot.

Further Settings

Player Prefered Moves

Player Prefered Moves can be used to considerably enhance your tactics. Please access the link for further infomation.

Opposition Instructions

Decent keeper settings will considerably improve your overall play. Please access the link for further information.

Throwing Caution to the Winds

On occasion, you may have to abandon all tactical plans and go for the jugular in a deperate attempt to grab a goal. Please access the link for more information.

Testing

As there are some formations that can still unbalance the engine, all the above has been tested with a standard four-four-two. Other formations have advantages over the AI that the four-four-two doesn’t offer and can thus bias results.