If you register for free, you will be able to post threads, vote on polls and lots more. If you have problems with the registration or logging in, please contact the administrator.
Help me out here. I'm in my first season with my Pompey squad playing a 3-5-2. My team and strategy is built entirely around solid defense and a quick counterattack, and I've got a good system. Through 25 games I've only lost once(to Chelski @ the Bridge in the League Cup) and I've only conceded 8 goals in all competitions.
My problem is that while the rest of my team is averaging mid-7's, my DMs keep averaging in the low-6's. My starter is Lorik Cana and I have Banega to throw in as a backup. They look like they're playing well, breaking down plays and keeping the other teams' playmakers in check, but they never come away with a good rating. I've tried every combination of instructions that I can think of and I'm at a loss. Any suggestions?
I get low ratings with my DMC aswell, although it's not much of a problem as he does his job which is to protect the back four and not to get involved with attacks too much.
I read somewhere that you could try putting his Creative Freedom up a bit. If it's not effecting your play much then i wouldn't worry about the low ratings..
Sometimes a player gets a lower rating cos he has nothing to do? Maybe the players in front are playing so well that he stands around a lot of the match? Maybe encourage him to go forward a bit?
Originally posted by Njal_tw:
Why do you care about the ratings of your players if the results are good?
Its because of guys like you I don't post often. Someone asks a fair question and its people like you who have nothing constructive to say apart from putting others down. Why do you care why he wants to know? If you dont have anything useful to say then dont say anything. Sorry folks but I am really sick of these fanboys!!!!
I have the same problem and it does affect his morale. Lately I have changed to 442 with my DM with a b-arrow to the centre in front of the back 4 and that has improved his ratings a bit.
I've had this problem as well. I play a narrow diamond in midfield with my DM as 'back-up' to the other three who are allowed to fly on.
I think the main problem is that he doesn't get involved in the attacks enough. I'd ideally like him to spread the ball wide to my attacking wingbacks, but he always seems to prefer to play short passes to either my central defenders or midfielders. I tried playing a bit wider and putting him onto longer passes (so the fullbacks would be further away and he would choose them), but it still isn't having the effect I'd like.
I am considering focusing my passing down both flanks, but it's only really the DM who I want to spread the ball. Unfortunately I cannot give him an individual instruction to play the ball to the wings. I may try to change his mentality so that it ties in with that of the wingbacks to see if he gives them more of the ball, or I may give him normal mentality so that he plays a square ball (as they are in the same starting level on the formation screen, albeit that the wingbacks have forward arrows).
On the defensive front I am still undecided about how to utilise him. Should I have him closing down a lot so that he pushes onto anyone that gets beyond the other midfielders and can also help the fullbacks; or should I have him holding his position so that he can intercept balls through to the opposition strikers? Currently his closing down is quite high, but he doesn't win (or even attempt) all that many tackles. Equally his interception count is low. From just typing this I think I should decrease his closing down!
Fortunately (or unfortunately whatever way you look at it), my team is preforming well at the moment so it isn't too fundamental to the way I play. However, I'd like to have his effectiveness and efficiency as high as possible. Any hints would be appreciated.
I noticed the same thing and I've decided to make him playmaker and direct passing. (4 notches up) and now he's getting better ratings. He's now the main man to create chances and also he intercepts counter attacks because I put a small farrow on him. Then when I take the lead I put my two CM's as playmaker and reduce creative freedom and passing style a little causing him to only pay attention to defending. Works like a charm so far.
Originally posted by Njal_tw:
Why do you care about the ratings of your players if the results are good?
I care because, as was already mentioned, it impacts the players' morale. I bought Cana for £6.25M and Banega for £3.2 + 35% (a substantial portion of my transfer kitty) because I place a lot of importance on the position and now the fans think they're crappy purchases and they both have 'Poor' morale in the midst of a 10 game unbeaten streak. Sorry, but when Cana completely shackles Rooney or Fabregas or Gerrard for 90 minutes he should be pretty happy with himself.
Furthermore I've started a few games with entirely different systems which relied more heavily on the DM for attack (Xabi Alonso or Makoun distributing the ball), but the results are the same. In all circumstances the ratings have been subpar, so I just want to know what I'm doing wrong.
The rest f y'all: Thanks for the advice/commiseration. I like the sound of what you're trying neckus, think I'll try to get a DM thats more of a playmaker over the summer and see how it works out.
Getting the most from your DMC 
Linear Mode
