lostchild

I've just completed my second season and the two seasons have yielded a 7th place finish and another 7th place in league two. Funnily enough my points total has been better and the team seems better but cannot take that next step and either gain the needed consistency or do well enough in big games (Johnstone paint trophy final, Play-off semi final).

I'm really enjoying the game and put it down to either bad managment or poor players. But would like some people to check my settings and see if i'm doing something wrong or need to make some tweaks to make the tactic/team/club more effective. My current lineup at the end of season two (2007/08) should give you an idea of players.

GK - Saul Deeney

DR - David Pipe
DL - Paul Mayo
DC - Mike Edwards
DC - David Partridge

MR - Andy Parkinson
ML - Paul Cahillane(sp)
MC - Ian Ross
MC - Dan Martin

FC - David McGoldrick
FC - Carl Asaba/N'toya

As you can see i'm playing a 4-4-2 formation. The main difference on the formation screen is short farrows at home and none away. The others settings i have are as follows

Team instructions - Home/Away (Number on slider)

Mentality - 10/10
Creative Freedom - 4/4
Passing Style - 14/11 - I think thats right, the lowest value before the slider turns to 'Mixed' - Tempo/Width the same.
Tempo - 14/11
Width - 14/11
Closing Down - 14/7
Time Wasting - 5/5
Defensive Line - 8/8

Tackling - Normal
Focus passing - Down Both Flanks
Marking - Zonal
Counter Attacking is on away from Home and tight marking is given to the back four only.

The mentalities i'm using for the players is also change depending on home and way. They are set out as follows

Individual instructions - Home/Away (Number on slider)

DL - 10/8 - 8 - Closing down settings for the defenders. All instructions set to rarely
DC - 9/7 - 3
DC - 9/7 - 3
DR - 10/8 - 8

ML - 12/10
MC - 11/9
MC - 11/9
MR - 12/10

FC - 13/11
FC - 14/12

as regards other instructions its depends on the attributes that the player has. Under 10 i set them to rarely, 10-15 mixed, and 15+ often. I also limit who i give forward runs to. At Home its normally one FC and ML and MR and MLC set to what their stats say and away from home its just the same FC and ML and MR. Closing down for the rest of the team is done globally and the strikers have their passing set to short(5) and tackling 'Easy'. The Wingers also have 'Easy' tackling when playing away.

Am i going about this the right way?
Should my poor passers ie 8< be set to short and no creative freedom?
Should my defensive line match either my team's mentality or my Midfield's mentality?

Thanks for the help in advance

retired_naudts

funnt enough im notts county at the moin my third season, having taken them up the first season.
I would say the most vital thing for me in the lower leauges is using the loan market. I got Lewis spence, and Grabbon from palace, both young andquick, and they were the difference between me getting automatic promotion and the playoffs.

barefootboo

hmmm, either you have made a typo or you're playing slower and shorter away and faster more direct at home, in my book that should be the reverse, but if it works don't change it. also a direct fast tempo game with hight closing down, might tire your players alot since they will be chasing the ball alot.

If you play shorter away from home, maybe removing counter attack to give your players more of a buildup of play would be a good idea.

What's you home vs. away results?

If you pass completion is low across the board try reducing the width.

btw Good job getting Ian Ross (he is the one on loan from the start right?) to sign

barefootboo

quick tip: non-specific man marking with the wingers seem to kill the deep crosses from the fullbacks.

lostchild

Thats right i resigned him on loan again as i did'nt get much money so got Partridge and Mayo with the money i had. Cheers for the other tips btw, I though holdong on to the ball away would be better as the teams i'm losing to seem to be the ones who finish above me. I seem to draw more away from home. I beat the teams i'm expected to but never the ones i need to