retired_kellyk

Think of creative freedom as a radius of behaviour. Now the size of the radius is governed by Mentality, Closing down, and individual instructions. The moment you start using more CF a player is then giving more latitude to start using "decisions"...that's what I think it does.

Now how does this translate....I want my players to play one-touch passing. Not necessarily "Deck football"...so I set passing to 1 and then keep CF low.

This keeps me playing fast one touch football.


You notice CF more clearly with corners and freekicks when players ignore your instructions. You can distribute CF upfront and players will move around a fair bit more.

retired_HAdvocate

I have also seen alot of hints and tips, and witnessed these same statements. These hints and tips also include other statements:

Passing is linked with tempo...

To stop "balls going over the top of your defense" set your center backs to ultra-defensive mentalities...

Don't use timewasting until late in the game...

Most of the hints and tips are totally misleading and that is actually the reason I struggled so much at the start. I did everything (to the extent of my ablility) to follow the guide lines and ended up in total tactical meltdown. After seeing Abromovic's thread revieled that the AI had a total different concept than what the hints & tips had suggested, and after implementing the AI's outlook became much more successful. I wouldn't go as far as suggesting that they mislead us on purpose....

retired_hope

Hi Loversleaper,

I'm pretty much in agreement with you.

Following the in game hints and tips do not result in you making better decisions, which begs the question what are they for?

I did some observation of the AI tactical behaviour also, but cannot be certain that the settings that are visible to us are really what the AI is using.

Somethings just don't add up when observing the AI.

retired_kellyk

The hints and tips are written by SI, they are just a guide and are limited. I would strongly suggest using the experience you gained from playing the game.

The hints are just that...hints. They are usually a starting point, not a stated fact. They make suggestions on how you could approach a situation and are not the rule to follow to avoid those situations.

It makes perfect sense for eg.. not to use timewasting till late in the game. You don't want to start it from the 1st min for eg.

Furthermore...yes if you want to prevent balls from going overr the top you need to play with a UD defender. I do that to with a mentality of 1. But if you have a highDLine...then its no use.

Passing is linked to tempo, however...the type of passing is governed by other sliders as well.

The hints are a starting point and are meant to be just that. They lead you in a certain direction of discovery.

retired_HAdvocate

But there are other thing that do, which is what I found interresting. The AI's way of controlling matches, for instance: high Creative Freedom, high Tempo, high Closing Down, and high Width.

Most teams in the top Division in your respective play high tempo games with short passing (I guess that is also pretty much how it is in real life). You just have to get the mentalities and D-Line right and things start to look a lot better (not 100% unbeatable mind you). Also the AI's individual players settings (forward runs, and so forth) are not totally fine-tuned as the AI just goes for the most options, which I think could backfire with your respective team.

retired_HAdvocate

Not entirely, but I'm not offering any facts as I'm just a gamer and can only offer an oppinion. My experience is that when you apply the settings as explained earlier and you are heavily closing down an opponent that is weaker than you, they won't go to a more attacking formation as your attacking settings will override their deffensive settings and they could concede a goal if they atempt this too early in the game.

They could however atempt this late in the game (last 10-20 minutes) and this is when you have to be carefull as some of your players are tired, or your fullbacks are running forward leaving space for your opponent to exploit that and that is when I would change some of the settings or have a more defensive tactic in hand. (It's recomended that one designes a tactic to combat the AI's 4-2-4).

retired_kellyk

I usually have a simple approach to play this game.

I never let the other team settle down and play their football unless I know for a fact I can take everything they throw at me. In most cases I work to unsettle their defenders and keeper as early as possible. It usually works..I've never believed in playing a defensive tactic for top teams..it doesn't make sense.

Unless of course I'm out to hold a lead...even then...that's like throwing the dice. The best defense is always a good offense.

retired_cindymerc

I couldnt agree more. Thats why I never play less than a normal mentality for the team and the back 5(four defenders + DMC) are defensive.So when Im attacking they are still doing their job.

I dont know why but after watching matches and tweaking settings, especially having a DMC my defence is so strong. I conceeded 2 goals in my first 8 matches in the premiership.

retired_kellyk

managing in the Eng Prem is definatley harder than lower divisions etc, what if you are managing a mid table team, are your tactics that good that you actually hit the top 4 on tactics alone.? what if you can't atract top players to your club, are you still succesful.? </BLOCKQUOTE>

When I play as a newly promoted team, my strategy is the same though I'm usually not as bold. I tend to flood the midfield, play as much to hold possession and keep the pressure on their fullbacks so that good teams don't get their passing together. My Dlines in most cases rarely if ever go past the normal mark.

Now once I find that I'm able to snuff out their attacks, I take chances by pushing up the dline while maintaining a narrow width. I usually do that in spurts.

At home I look at the opposition before doing that. With some teams, its just better to walk away with a point.

retired_HAdvocate

Well put. I don't think there is nessessarily a fast set way of doing things but just stick by simple rules. Not letting your opponent in the game is possible when applying the sliders, you just have to know how. I also think, rashidi, that your above post you suggest that you play more or less your own game and not worry too much about what the opposition does, which I think is a good point. Of course, you always have to take match stats into consideration, but you still stick by your general rules and don't go from, for example, heavy closing down to low closing down in the next match...