[brocksolid]

Team

I had started a post on the forum regarding a Stafford Rangers save ive been running on FM08, still love to play the earlier version, however this post is somewhat applicable across the series.

I found myself in my 5th season, just missed out on playoffs, and finally got a decent budget from the board to bring in some higher players. Entering the transfer market I went all out on technical players, setting myself the goal of building a team with a purely footballing outlook. I know this is somewhat contrary to the lower league ethos, but I thought id at least give it a go. I wanted to break away from the McD/McA & FcD/FcA and go with players whose strength is on the ball, not necessarily how good a defender they are.

Central Pairings:

(All these comments are in relation to the league's talent)

Central Defence - Neither are particularly robust athletically, (5'10 & 6'1). Both however are positionally sound, mark well and strike the ball well.

Central Mid - All 4 central midfielders in the squad are solid all rounders. None particularly excel at defending, but have a very high level of passing ability and decision making.

Strikers - The 2 I predominantly play have good finishing attributes and high work ethic, but in truth are the weakest footballers in the outfield 10.

Here is where I need some feeback. I know a lot of these answers will ultimately rely on certain player attributes, but any help will be appreciated.


1. What sort of passing style/tempo do you think I should employ? I read that slow and short allow for good possession play, but I have yet to really see this bear fruit in any save Ive worked with previously. Perhaps there is something else contributing to this I have done in error?

2. By reducing through balls to rarely for everyone except my two play makers, will this help me keep more of the ball?

3. When instructing players to "Hold up ball" do you think this helps them make better decisions on where to go next? I always felt this would lead them into getting dispossessed when under high pressure?

4. Im looking at a flat 442, do you think this is the best shape to achieve more possessive success?

5. When playing possessively, what level of closing down is going to enable my players win the ball back without being constantly passed around. I feel the slider sitting on mixed basically ensures they will at some point be passed around. Previously I have went for lower pressure systems, but I have never played this expansively either.

If you think im flogging a dead horse, then im happy for negative feedback, I am just growing tired of seeing constant 352's or deep lying counter attack based 442's. I want to give the league some spice, and I believe I have the players to probably win the league this year. I just wanted to try and imprint a premier league style on arguably lesser players, but who are still above the best in their current field.

[Xulu]

1) Normally, to keep possession short passing and slow tempo is the way to go. With the players you have, you could probably benefit from mixed passing in defense and midfield while telling the forwards to play extremely direct.

2) Try Through Balls = Pass Into Space. Pass To Feet is recommended when you have a low completion percentage or if your possession numbers are low. If you reduce the number of through balls, you will (in theory) keep the ball longer.

3) Hold Up Ball works on players with strength. It will slow down the game a little and allow your runners to get into a position to receive a pass. If the player can pick out a pass, HUB will be fine if the player is pressurized. To some extent, that is the point of HUB. You want the player to be strong enough to stall for a few seconds and allow your players more time to get into a better attacking position.

4) Formations are neutral. Play what you are best at and what will take advantage of the opposition. However, some formations usually breed more success at keeping the ball.

5) Most possession-based teams press relentlessly (Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern). If you want a lot the ball, you have to win it back when you lose it. One thing that will assist you is the fact your strikers have a high work rate; get them to press relentlessly (Defensive Forward perhaps) and you can do pretty well with keeping a solid shape behind them.