Leroy1883

I've found the best way to do this is to set tight marking and closing down often on the opposition instructions for the opposing strikers and closing down often, show onto weaker foot for the wingers assuming a 4-4-2 formation.

I set the my fullbacks closing down to 11 and my centre half closing down to 6.

If playing a high line then zonal marking across the defensive line, for a normal line zonal for fillbacks and man for centerbacks, for a deep line man mark with all defenders.

Won the premiership with West Ham like this. No more frustrating defenders leaving the ball for the opposition striker to run onto.

arteta is god

Interesting. I started playing with this and noticed an increase in performance to be honest. I only do it when I am away though. Do you use this home and away?

As for man marking and zonal, there doesn't seem to be any difference unless you mark specifically. I've tested and tested to no avail.

micro-ice

do you close down often the opposition strikers if they are explosive .e.g torres. i will try your defence settings when i get a chance.( i think they should work anyway).

Crazy_T

That means going onto the opposition instructions before EVERY game though, and it takes time messing around.

Do you ever use tight marking with the fullbacks Leroy?

Saintjonny

So far So good.

Saintjonny

Maybe a few more tweaks required.

4 clean sheets in a row, then conceded 5 in 2. 3 from set pieces though and 1 after a FB sent off and i changed to a back 3, while the other team went 4-2-4.

Leroy1883

arteta I did it home and away.

micro-ice Yes, although I did play a normal line against such teams. (My West Ham usually pushed up)

Crazy_T
Yes it does. I got into the routine of setting it after the team-talk which seemed to work well.

I'm sure this blanket approach aren't the optimal settings, however they do seem to yield improvements over not setting them.

[Staintjonny]Set-pieces are now the bane of my life, (I don't get anymore than before, but goes by the opposition in open play have reduced alot).

4-3-2 (Midfielders in the center) or 4-4-1 is best when a man down vs 4-2-4.

Do you see any improvement in the general play at the back?

Do you find that you are actually seeing a few headers returned from your defence for your strikers to run onto?

Leroy1883

Sorry Crazy_T fogot to answer the question about tight marking and fullbacks.

I don't use tight marking at all in the general sense anymore (e.g. tick the box). By setting the opposition instructions the defence stays in place unless a dangerman gets onto the ball.

That means the fullback only makes a bee-line for the winger with the ball or a attacker who is out wide.

I have found that the number of crosses has reduced a bit, and even if one does come in the strikers are tightly marked and challenged for the ball. They might not win it, but at least their are no loger free headers for the oppo strikers.

Marseille07

Very nice post mate. Although I haven't confirmed the effects of what you described, it sure is something worth trying, which is exactly what I will do. I will report back to you with results.

TheWhileyFox

Leroy1883 how do you think this will work with a 5 man defense with the fullback being mor attacking and having 3 center backs.