sheffieldred

I am currently Peterborough, top of league 2 after 20 games of the first season with the 7.02 patch. But I have a serous problem.

My team can't defend to save their lives. On paper I have the best defence in the division, but they have conceded 38 goals in 30 matches, and you have to look down to 12 place to find a team with a worse defensive record (and only 9 other teams have conceded more goals). I play quite an attacking formation, but started the season defensively but still conceded goals so went for the tactic of outscoring the opposition. In fact, i've never got the hang of creating a solid defence in FM.

I currenty play with a back 4, with the centrebacks not tighly marking and zonal marking. Can anyone give me advise? Do I use tight marking, man marking zonal, how high should my defence hold their line?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated as I am tearing my hair out at the incompetance of my "defenders".

Nistelrooy_is_back

decrease creative freedom..
decrease foward run..
no tight marking if urs team jumping is not good

moggydave

A problem I've had (and think I've solved) is that I haven't been getting the rest of my team to defend. The midfield and attackers need to close down the opposition to decrease their passing options and slow their tempo, and thus decrease the amount of chances.

At least that seems apparent to me, but my tactical logic seems to be quite unfounded all too often.......

Explains a lot when I look at the league table.

smithybulls

By using this me and others seem to have sorted the defence out.

I usually play with barrows on my fullbacks which seems to stop them getting the ball behind the defence, also i haver my defensive line on 2.

The CB's are set to 2 notches in from the left on mentality and closing down is rarely. My fullbacks are left on team mentality and closing down.

This way i only conceded 13 goals in the Serie A with AC Milan