[angrytelepath17]

There are many many topics that ask how one can get the best out of a given player. Instead of millions of these different forums, let this be an archive with how to's on all the usual suspects from now on, so that if someone's new signing isn't performing up to their expectations, they can look here and hopefully find some advice instead of posting a new topic pertaining solely to that individual player.

Here goes. Post the names of players who have/are underacheived/underacheiving for you, and be as specific as you like regarding the problems you've been having. In addition to this, please try to help others with players who have been underacheiving for them if you've been able to have success with that particular player.

I'll start with the usual suspects.

Steven Gerrard
Ronaldinho
Kaka
L Messi
Francesc Fabregas

The problems I've had with these guys: Not as many goals or assists as in real life.

[angrytelepath17]

I'd post how to's but I honestly haven't found a way to make these guys play likes the superstars they are in real life.

[rashidi1]

Getting a player to overachieve is not a function of individual instructions per se, you need to use the right tactic to maximize your players potential.

[angrytelepath17]

Cesc and Gerrard should both be able to achieve realistically in a 442 formation, and for me so far they haven't. Cesc has 6 goals in 8 games are so this season IRL. in my game he has less goals in over twice as many games, playing a center mid in a 442 formation. It's not like my team sucks or anything either. I beat arsenal with my team WHILE cesc was playing for them in the champ cup final. My team is first in everything right now. Cesc has an average rating of almsot 7.5, so that's good. He's playing well, just not hitting those long shots despite me telling him to shoot them often.

[angrytelepath17]

I'm looking more for specific team tactics or player instructions to help the specific players posted in this forum, not just "use the right tactics." I'm asking for the answer to questions more like "what are the right tactics for x player?"
thanks anyway though

[rashidi1]

There are no right tactics for a said player it all depends on the formation and where you want him to play,

In a 442 diamond I created I put Gerrard up front and gave him one set of directions, in another formation I have him playing as a 3 man midfield, instructions there were different.

What you're asking for is fairly pointless unless you have a formation in mind and you have some kind of a role that you have decided him to play.

I have to say before you waste more time that this road you're on will lead you nowhere

[angrytelepath17]

i appreciate your opinion, and respect it to a small degree, and i ask that if you find this topic useless, don't post in it. let people people who do find it useful post in it.

[brindlefly]

Seeing as 3 of them 5 are with my barca team on the game I thought I'd answer.

Ronaldinho: Best placed on the left wing with high creative freedom and free role. Is other individual instructions should be based off his stats, so in mine I have him to run with the ball and shoot long as often, as he has very high numbers in these. In my first season as Barca he got the highest assists and motm in the league, with 19 and 15 respectively, with an average rating of 8.06, scoring 12 goals.

Messi: Best played on the right wing, again with creative freedom and free role set. Should be doing forward runs and run with ball often, crossing rarely, long shots rarely, through balls mixed (as his passing is a lot better than his crossing in my stats) Also have him swap posistions with ronaldinho. Use short farrows for both these players

Fabregas: Holding midfielder, so have holds up ball checked, give him high creative freedom, but don;t have him run with ball often as his pace is pretty pants. Again give him often through balls as his passing is good, also long shots, pref playing direct passing.

Again these are just what I do on my game for my stats, as I believe the tactic should be made for the players stats, so it may be different on your game, also thats for a 442 formation (I use Deco to round off that midfield)

[Bob]

the best ive had out of gerrard is when ive set CF to max, given him a free role and set all individual instrutions to mixed with an attacking mentality!

[Assenuma]

I honestly do not like to compare players stats with IRL stats... But as far as it concerns the players you have listed - if they "underachieve" this is often because they are not given enough freedom. I generally agree with brindlefly's instructions I guess

If you watch the 2007 CL final you will see how much freedom Gerrard and Kaka were given! they had very few defensive duties. It does not mean they did not participate in defending but it rather means their contribution was left at their discretion.

This allows them to focus on the creative aspect. That is why both were roaming around and it looked like the rest of the team would adjust according to their position.

Rafa played something like 4411 and Gerrard played as AMC and had very high creative freedom and free role.

Even if you play your star player as MC in a 442, you need to give him enough creative freedom and possible free role to let him do his work.