TERRIBLE DEFENDING ISSUES

[aaahoyyeehhhhh]

Well, so usually I'm quite decent at FM in previous years, usually score more than enough goals while keeping it pretty low at the other end of the table (I use Grimsby every year) but this year, I don't know if it's because the game engine is broke (doubt it), or for some reason I just concede such a mass and score so little, my average in a season tends to be 2.2 goals a game for compared to a 2.5 against average, which isn't good enough...it's not as if Grimsby have a weak team by any standards? Exact same problem when I tried the San Marino challenge

I have done 3 seperate saves with Grimsby, being sacked in or before December, each time.

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?:'(

[AndrewMC]

Defending just does not work in this game. Match engine problem. I have set this year’s game aside until/if they fix things.

[irlearmonth]

The first bug fix seemed to make things better and stop the ridiculous number of undefendable near post corner goals.
However having played nearly 3 seasons the overall impression I get is that trying to play defensive is a matter of luck rather than tactical play. I've seen too many og's, pens and goalkeeping mistakes as well as the ball falling to an attacker fortuitously via a tackle by one of my players to be a believer that my skill as a manager was influencing things at the back. However, concentrating on defensive training does seem to help and my tip, never play the same tactic twice in a row if you can help it, have helped. The computer AI seems to work you out if you constantly play the same formation. Game will acknowledge this if you begin to see the 'tinkerman' report after a match.

[lakedaemon1]

Having played 3 seasons with 3 different clubs I have noticed a few odd things but not that many. Tactics mater a lot but I would recomend always using a defensive midfielder. Without one there just seems to be to many holes in defense. 4 4 2 just seems useless and this is were I have seen many of the stranger things. Dont just pick players because they have the best star rating. Make sure they have the right stats for the position you are playing them. Also I have found using hassle players and get stuck in to remove most of the stranger things in the game.

[fiddypence2010]

People that post that defending doesn't work just don't understand tactics or the game, and I don't mean to sound like a wind up, but it's true.

I always notice that my first season is always dodgy for me with the tactics I use, but eventually as the game goes I add the players I need, and my team get used to my tactics and formation, but my issue biggest issue is normally getting goals...but I play with a ''Lone Striker'' so I'm going to.

My last season 2016/17 season...I went undefeated and had a great defensive record. To do that I had two different formations set up, as different opposition formations you play will always be different...but I had set up a nice 4-2-3-1 Deep formation and a 4-5-1.

But my best formation is that I use is fairly simple, but effective...but I use a 4-2-3-1 deep which can be selected from the formations list, and then I just change a few of the roles.

But I use DM's instead of CM's and set them both on ''support'', my AM I also set on ''support'', to Help support the DM's (but I normally use an Advanced Player Maker set on Support) with two Wingers set on attack and use a Target Man or sometimes an Advanced Forward, then use Winbacks both set on a ''Support'' role with both CB's set to ''Defend''.

Sometimes it can be frustrating trying to find ways to score though, and depending on the matches I have to change the roles of different players, so for example I'll change my Wingers to support and then set my CAM to Attacking Mid - Attack which can help the Striker a lot at times as he'll get marked out...but my defence is always good.

I only have 3-4 team instructions too, like ''Play Out Of Defence'' , ''Run At Defenders'' and ''Push Higher Up'', then sometimes I add ''Float Crosses'' if my Wingers are having a job whipping in balls to my Target Man. Also when I'm up on a goal or two then add Work Ball Into Box'' to try and retain possesion more...

Mentality set to : Control

Fluidty set to : Balanced

And you should never keep changing the way you pass the ball (from ''Short'' to ''Direct'') or the defensive instructions in between matches as it messes up your Tactical Familiarity...also so does changing your width and obviously your Tempo...But I'm lucky because I never use ANY of those anyway apart from ''Hassle Opponents'' that I might add against a weaker side if I'm really struggling for possesion.

But that formation and Tactics are so simple, but yet work a treat, or, Atleast they do with Spurs...

Way many people put too many Tactical instructions in, without realising what they're actually doing, I've read it on here countless times... ;)

[The Dairy Devil]

Fiddypence you're just talking out of your arse and it starts with your acknowledgement that the first season is usually dodgy.

That is just bad design, in real life a new manager actually usually has a very positive influence on his side.

In FM you always start out consistently rough.

And there just really are several issues with defending, you seem to have found a very specific tactic that works, but football is not just about tactics it's also about players.

If they wanted to Barcelona could play 4-4-2 and still beat any side from halfway down the table with ease, in FM you will suddenly start losing miserably with the best players in the world because 1 of your players is complacent or because apparently he's never in life played 4-4-2 before (which is also ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥)

I think adding a base familiarity with tactics for players might actually improve the game.
If they don't feel like going in personally and asking then you can analyse the most used tactics in the leagues they played in.

[how-hiGh]

to op: set one of your central defenders duty with higher aggression and tackling to stopper, and another with higher positioning to cover. If your wingbacks aren't fast, it's better to set them to defend only excluding contributing to attack, so they'll be always at their position to avoid empty zones. Depends of the situation, you might add a ball winning midfielder or two to to stregthen your defending. Also opposition instructions matter a lot, do you use them? After halftime check what opposition players have the most shots on target and successful crosses and make them always marked or always closed down respectively. And yeah, if your defenders are way too slower than the opposition attack it would make sense to use shout 'stand off opponents' and not to play offside trap to avoid dangerous through passes.
I hope this will help you.

[fiddypence2010]

Ursprungligen skrivet av PewPewXThePie:

Fiddypence you're just talking out of your arse and it starts with your acknowledgement that the first season is usually dodgy.

That is just bad design, in real life a new manager actually usually has a very positive influence on his side.

In FM you always start out consistently rough.

And there just really are several issues with defending, you seem to have found a very specific tactic that works, but football is not just about tactics it's also about players.

If they wanted to Barcelona could play 4-4-2 and still beat any side from halfway down the table with ease, in FM you will suddenly start losing miserably with the best players in the world because 1 of your players is complacent or because apparently he's never in life played 4-4-2 before (which is also ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥)

I think adding a base familiarity with tactics for players might actually improve the game.
If they don't feel like going in personally and asking then you can analyse the most used tactics in the leagues they played in.

Hold on a minute, I'm talking out of my ''arse'' because usually I struggle in my first season? I can struggle because 1. My players struggle to adapt to my System. And, 2. because I need to buy various players to fit into my system, I pick Tottenham, a team that has no natural Left Wingers, only has 1 poor LB in Danny Rose, and short of DM's to suit my system...I also need to replace players to suit to the way I play, which takes time and money to do that...so it's obvious I'm going to struggle, and guess what...it's quite funny how Tottenham are in real life this season.

And if you want to go on how ''real life'' managers usually have a positive influence on football teams, then again...you couldn't be any more wrong...because more managers are quicker to get sacked than ever before...do you actually follow football? or are you just a angry because you absolutely suck at not only the game and tactics, but also reading people's posts you absolute drip.

What about Paulo Di Canio? Ian Holloway? Martin Jol? Villas Boas? Steve Clarke? Malky Mackay? this season...did they all have a positive influence on their teams? and how about David Moyes and the current Fulham manager that's just took charge...you post utter rubbish.

The rest of your post isn't even worthy of a reply, idiot lol

Now jog on...

[Jermaine Smalls]

I agree with fiddypence on this one.

[Spooky]

Returning to the original point of this thread ...
Since the latest update, defensive performances have plummeted, both myself and AI.
1. Too many ogs, defenders just kick/head the ball the way they are facing.
2. No tracking of runs - every through/long ball catches the defence out
3. Every tackle outside the box deflects into strikers path, nearer defenders just stop
4. Long crosses just dropping into the goal.

Worst version of the game since Beta FM13.

[lakedaemon1]

I have noticed no difference since the latest update

[Jermaine Smalls]

From what you have mentioned sounds like this is your teams style of play, by using all the management tools given you can implement the way you want your team to play.

I've been able to improve my defensive performances since the latest update.

[Macimus19]

Its simply not worth the money anymore. I won't get this problem with any other game I buy such as fifa or cod. If I don't like them then there's nothing I can do apart from return it and Im fine with that. But this business of updates is frustrating especially seen as money is being exchanged. We're purchasing faulty goods and it's just not good enough. An update comes out and you finallly think that the worst is over but a new problem arrises. What happened to buying a game and being done with it. Updates for transfers and various other minor stuff is necessary but full game updates is just a joke.

Sports Inactive seem to be running quite the scam.

[Glen_Runciter]

when FM 14 came out, I was devastated by the removal of the sliters.the less of control was a dealbreaker for me, haven't played for more then a few hours, then shelved the game.
a week ago, I've decided to give it another chance.
this is terrible. in practically every single game, my players just keep backing off of opposing players, no matter what tactic I set. tackles are a rarity, semi-pro teams with randomly generated players can run through my team easily.
and no, it's not my tactics, I've been playing this game for years, and I've never had this problem.
thing is, I don't even know for sure what am I saying to my players.
there is a vague description of a role, a vague understanding by the designers of what that means, and a vague undersating by ME of what that means. three opportunities for misunderstandings. it just fogs your tactics up.

this franchise is dead for me

[Glen_Runciter]

a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ worthless piece of ♥♥♥♥ this franchise has become

[stompin_stuntie]

fan bois out in force gain