[i had 2 du this]

Okay so as many users are struggling at the moment i thought i would release a thread which was very helpful last year and it generated some discussion

It is about the back four, so come on in and tell us your settings. This is how mine is set up for an example, however its leaking a few goals so it should probably not be used.

DCs

Mentality=5
Closing down=5
Creative freedom=Low

FBs

Mentality=8
Closing down=8
Creative fredom=low

So come in and discuss how and why your team is set up and hopefully we will be able to make a solid template for new users to use.

[glory utd]

I read your theories and made a tactic for the beta patch which did really well but since the full patch came out it has been unsuccessfull. Have you got any advice? Maybe post it n the other thread though.

Now to the topic at question:

Firstly I play a 4-1-2-2-1 (a la Chelsea) and so I use a DM which I think helps a lot with the defence.

My Defensive Line is set to 12, I never change this.

My DC's are set to man mark but not tight. Their mentality is two clicks from the left, I guess 3 if the first notch is 1. Their creative freedom is also 3. Their passing is set to 6. Their closing down is also set to 6. They are set to rarely on all those extra things like forward runs etc.

My FB's are set to zonal marking and also not tight. Their mentality is 6 and so is their creative freedom. Their passing is set to 11, the dead middle of the slider. Their closing down is set to 9. two clicks left of the centre. They have often forward runs with run with ball set to mixed and cross ball often. They have through balls mixed and long shots rarely.

For both my DC's and FB's tackling is set to mixed.

My DMC is actually set up quite close to my FB's. He has a mentality and creative freedom of 6. Passing is 13, closing down is 9 (2 to the left of centre), tackling is mixed. He has rarely for forward runs and long shotsnwith mixed for run with ball and cross ball and often through balls.

I have my DC's setup so that they basically sit back and let my DM stop whats in front of them. My DM doesn't close down that much either but my two MC's close down at 13. So what this does is let my two MC's chase while my DM stays back in case one of them gets exposed and even then if the opposition pass my DM I still have my two DC's. I rarely ever get passed through and most of the joy for the opposition comes from either long shots or playing the ball out wide. The fact that my FB's are attacking probably contrinutes to this.

This is what I have been using as my defensive set up for the beta patch but since the full patch I'm not so sure anymore.

[i had 2 du this]

I think maybe you should up closing down with the DM as its seems preety important now.

I agree with your mentality etc. though so i feel it could be the atttacking side of the game which is at fault or am i wrong.

[glory utd]

No, on the beta patch I was pretty good going forward and I wouldnt up the closing down on my DM, I want him to be the Makelele type so it is the MC's I would up it on, although they get pretty tired as it is. Anyway I havent examined it in full since the full patch came out but played a few games and the first impressions werent good. Im sure when I look at it in detail Ill be able to sort it out.

[Sheps.]

Atm I'm trying to make an explosive, quick moving 4-4-2 with a solid defence. I've gone with the following instructions at home.

DL + DR:
Mentality - 12
CF - Team (11)
Passing Style - 5
Closing Down - 12
Tackling - Normal
FWR - Often
RWB - Mixed
Long Shots - Rarely
Through Balls - Mixed
Cross Ball - Often
Cross From - Deep
Aim For - Far Post
Marking - Team (Man)
Tight Marking - Team (Yes)

DC's:
Mentality - Team (15)
CF - 2
Passing Style - 7
Closing Down - Team (11)
Tackling - Team (Normal)
FWR - Mixed
RWB - Rarely
Long Shots - Rarely
Through Balls - Mixed
Cross Ball - Rarely
Cross From - Mixed
Aim For - Mixed
Marking - Team (Man)
Tight Marking - Yes

I'm in the process of testing this out; if anyone see's any flaws with it then constructive critism is welcome.

[glory utd]

Well first thing I would say is 15 mentality for DC's :eek: And having them on forward runs mixed. Dont know how that will work but let us know anyway. I guess Im a firm believer in defenders defend and attackers attack lol

[Sheps.]

Originally posted by glory utd:
Well first thing I would say is 15 mentality for DC's :eek: And having them on forward runs mixed. Dont know how that will work but let us know anyway. I guess Im a firm believer in defenders defend and attackers attack lol

I dont think it'll effect the DC's too much as I've tried it another tactic which was awesome. I'm thinking that if my team's attacking then the DC's will push up a little, but if we're defending then theyll just pummel upfield to clear the ball.

And only one of the DC's is on mixed (Ferdinand) and the other (Vidic) is on rarely. I forgot to mention that sorry.

[korzy]

Im playing my back 4 on diffrent mentalities depending on the tactic.

when playing home i usually play my CBs this way:
mentality - 6
closing down - 5
marking - man, loose.
CF - 1
rarely on everything.

FBs:
mentality - 7
closing down - 7
marking - tight, zonal.
CF - 5
FWR - mixed, RWB - mixed, cross ball - often

[Joor]

An attacking central defender(15 mentality) will take alot of risks - I really hope he got impressive technique, passing skills and tactical knowledge

[glory utd]

Are you playing a high DL then sheps? I think most people say to play the type of football you are trying to play you need a high DL but I find it hard to make one work tbh. The range of the DL that I play within is 8-12 tbh.