retired_cindymerc

To eliminate many headers to strikers. Set target man supply to feet and set target man who has best technique, strength and balance.

Headers for strikers cant be avoided though as in a lot of matches the DC's have to clear the ball under pressure.

Also a wide style doesnt effect short passing, it just stretches the opposition. I would defly suggest lowering the tempo, so the build up is played along the ground mostly and passes are not lofted.

Also set fullbacks and wingers crossing to mixed.

retired_janellewood86

Three headers? :eek:

I'm sorry, but this sounds like a recipe for disaster. I can understand wanting to play fewer high balls, but to virtually eliminate them completely seems like a complete waste of time, in my opinion.

I've played with Arsenal who really only have a couple of what you might term "tall" players by Premier League standards (and I sold one of them after my first season), so my style was to keep the ball on the ground. However, I played a number of long through balls to my wingers and striker for them to run on to, and a number of crosses for my striker or far side winger to tap in.

I still had a few headers (I'm not sure of specifics, but probably around 5 each?), quite a few of which were uncontested, so it was basically a free header point. But on the whole, it was the footwork of Henry, van Persie and Hleb (and now Messi, Ronaldinho and Eto'o as I've moved clubs) which ran the show. My midfield three always pass on the ground in a little triangle with each other before launching the killer through ball.

My point (eventually ) is that playing it solely on the ground is a really bad idea. I understand you don't want to be lumping balls all the time, but reducing high balls to the extent that you're trying is very unlikely to work (in my experience). I think there's little chance of you avoiding one-dimensional, easy to counter play.

I mean think about it. Play any team with a tight formation, high closing down and quick tempo and they'll break up your play so easily and exploit the space. Their tight marking will also give your players no options to pass to if they have to go along the ground (through opposition players) and there will be no creative spark in the team.

That's to say nothing of wet-weather games.

I would create a system that plays on the ground most of the time, but is able to play precise longer balls when necessary. Otherwise, the one dimensional play won't win you anything.

And I assume that's the point of any tactic, right?

retired_lachina

I dun mind the occasional long and high through ball or sometimes a cross to the far post.

However, as I mentioned in my above posts that most of the headers seem to come from the defenders clearing their lines or the Gk making a long goal kick even when he is told not to.

retired_janellewood86

The goalkeeper instructions are crap on this game anyway - do bugger all as far as I can see.

One thing I thought about (since I did it in my tactics to try and keep the ball on the floor) is playing a three-man central midfield of a DMC and two MCs, with the DMC as a semi- or even full playmaker. Lots of neat, on the floor triangles there.

I think, however, you're best off having this tacitc (if you decide to go with it) as a "control" tactic for playing defensive teams, as counter attacking along the ground is nigh-on impossible to impliment in the game.

retired_management team

Well the ball does not need to be on the ground ALL the time. Defenders have to clear the ball sometimes and corner kicks have to reach penalty area. I have not seen a team making only low passes. Even Real in their glory years, when they had only small guys at the front, scored that zidane volley after a desperate cross from carlos...

And then you set high creative freedom only to select players, not to all players. You need to select the right players - technically gifted and creative. Giving Rijkard high creative freedom to Messi and Ronaldinho has not resulted in some rugby kicks or something. After all you need a technically competent squad. You do not play this type of football with Heskey, Crouch and Carew...