KeithSuth

well, i just started since some weeks to play FM,
and i noticed my def, although been ordered to play deep, they keep playing in one line as they are preparing an offside trip.
i didn't set to play them on offside trip, but they still position themslef in one line, making them easy to be passed by long ball from oppositon team, with faster strikers they have.
i read most of the tactical posts here, and no one looked to be taken this subect in more detail.
well let us start to diagnose where i gone worng, i asked my def to play deep, and put thier mentality at 100% def, so what i may have missed are the following:
1- i put closing down as normal, could this be the one?
2- could be the type of player skills or charcter?
3- creatvie freedom was normal as default?
i will search other possibilites, and will test all above,
meanwhile, i like if someone has any tips on that which may help extending this discussion.
cheers

retired_katiee10

Regardless of where you position the def line slider your defence will stay in a straight line. It supposedly just tells your defence where abouts this line should be in relation to the balls position.

I think backward arrows or different forward runs would make defenders take higher/lower positions on the field though.

retired_janellewood86

Basic defending 101 is to play a flat line. Otherwise you play too many people onside. I can see what you mean about them being flat and therefore being a bit static, but your midfield should be helping them out by blocking those balls coming in in the first place. Perhaps getting the midfield to play closer to your defence would help solve some of your problems.

If it's long balls that are causing problems, a staggered line won't help you. In fact it will probably just give the opposition more room to exploit.

retired_jfarleymeade1

If Basic Defending 101 is to play a flat line then what is defending in depth? Basic Defending 102?

The era of the true sweeper is gone, but many teams play with 2 DCs 1 "sweeper" and 1 "stopper" mentality. Some of this will naturally be reflected in the players aggresivness attribute. You may also want to set one players closing down higher (and/or mentality/creative freedom).

I want my DCs to mirror each other, but I can certainly understand why one would want to play otherwise...especially in a 442. (I use 4132)

As far as getting beat by long balls...I set my line at normal depth and put my DCs on barrows. I also value pace! I hate, I mean hate to be beaten on the counter or on a through ball (I'm sure it is no coincidence that my attack is built around doing just that!). The barrows and pacey DCs do the trick. It is very rare for me to get beat by a striker streaking through the middle.

retired_megha99

Some teams use the "Stopper" and "Sweeper" theories to good effect. Try setting one of them to Man marking, the DC with the better marking and Strength and the other to Zonal, the one with better pace, Accel and tackling.

That should have the effect of one of your defenders challenging for the ball, and leaving the other one free to intercept any nod-ons or if the opposing striker gets past the other DC