retired_j_u002

I have had the same problem with FM07 and now with 08. No matter what I do with my tactics settings nothing seesm to change. I have read many tactical threads and tried so many things but...

The main thing is that my defence keeps conceding an awful amount of goals...and they're still getting good ratings! They're making so stupid mistakes and even if I change their creative freedom to zero and everything related to this matter they just seem to get even more stupid and double the amount of mistakes. It seems that I just don't get the idea of closing down with the game. Of course I know what it means and how it works IRL but it's so frustrating to see one of your centrebacks running towards an opponent just to leave too much space behind him which is immediately utilized by an opponent's striker just to recieve the ball hit it back of the net with no-one trying to stop that...and it keeps repeating all the time! I know it's something to do with my tactics setting(both team and individual) and I just can't get it fixed!

Can someone help me with this matter or pass me a link explaining the idea how to deal with the defensive part of the tactics, please.

Thanks in advance

retired_maverick8

Have you read this from Rash?

How do I play defensively?
Short - Normal passing
Slow - Normal Tempo
Low creative freedom
Few TTB instructions
Normal FWR instructions for most players
A normal defensive line
Normal mentalities for most players
Slow to normal tempo
Normal width
High timewasting
Closing down low at the back, normal in midfield and normal upfront


When it comes to passing I generally recommend mixed for most teams because of the weather effect on pitches. Waterlogged pitches are a huge problem for short passing, so sometimes you need to play mixed. A slow to normal tempo allows you to hold possession. Closing down is also interesting, for good sides I'd even consider higher closing down, but sometimes that wears out players too much, lower closing down keeps your players in shape.
If you have your link players on direct passing and one or two wingers on fwr, they could launch very quick counterattacks.