statisticool

Dm acts as the "engine" of a team in modern football such as Xavi, pirlo. In reality, DM should more concern about covering. So they need good position attribute to keep them in position. And the problem comes. When there is only one DM in the center, should he close down always to disturb opponent’s attack or just keep in his position to form the protection in front of the DC.

retired_dezipoo

if opposition teams play amc then you closing down on him.. but other not so much, i find givin my dm hold up ball brings the best out in my team

statisticool

When you let your DM close down on opponent’s amc, the dm is mostly to be pulled away form his position and the center way is open for opponent’s mc to enter. When opponent has fast strikers, it’s danger to let dm to hold up ball.

Destruction

well if you play a hight lvl of cd for defenders you want your dmc to cover and therefore drop cd. however if you have the defense sit sit and cover positions then it is very important to have the dmc close down play to stop you being over run.

depends on how the tactic as a whole is set up.

retired_fsteenkamp

in all my games i play with a holding mid/dmc with hold up ball and closing down often, passing direct, mentality at 8or9 depending on the cb's mentality, creative freedom at 10, forward runs mixed, run with ball mixed, long shots mixed, through balls often, crossing rarely, if you have a competent dm that should work really well, but try looking at your team and what lil tweaks here and there may be more appropriate. may work.

retired_FaultyFate

I usually instruct DM to close down often. The reason is I do not want opposition MCs (AMC) to have time to make right decision. If DM is really good in terms of positioning, anticipation, and decision, he won't be out of position most of the time as he will close down only when appropriate. Instructing DM to close down rarely limits his functions to picking up loose ball and making interceptions. It might be appropriate when you use DM as a playmaker as well. All imo.

statisticool

Thanks for discussion. DM acts as playmaker is an inevitable trend. The former playmakers----amc, are less and be marked tightly in games. So versatile midfielders are more adapt to modern football. And the forward run of DM is more efficiency and threaten. Parker, tiago, fabregas are all outstading mc/dm.

retired_hope

Totally agree with this :thup:

retired_liv1

It all depends really on what you want your dmc to do, eg he maybe your playmaker a la pirlo, and therefore having him close down will have an adverse effect on how your team plays. You would want him to have space and therefore close down rarely or mixed at worst.

If you want him to stop the opposition and act defensively then the above would be better suited for him.

As I said depends on what you want from him.

retired_rayrhi

I find that if you have a DM on low closing down (whether it be Pirlo or Vinnie Jones), he will annoyingly join the back line. This may be what you so desire, but not me. With closing down on high, he will do what a DM is supposed to do—break up the play Makelele/Hamann style. On the other hand, I have found it quite successful when employing a barrow on a DC/DM playing DM (Meira for example) in order to play a back 5 when defending, but as a DM when attacking.