retired_provrb7

I think the hottest debate at the moment on the boards is defending and I thought we could have a good active discussion about it seeing as there are a few thoeries now on the board and I think if we collected quite a few then people could come in here and try a few themselves. If I'm to be completely honest I'm pulling a late shift at work and sitting here eating a chinese takeaway wishing my computer and FM would arrive from England any time soon *violins be a playing*

Anyways, so what is the word on the street, err, boards I mean. Well a few people have their set theories which work and let's have a look at some of them shall we.

Tight Man Marking (non specific) - wwfan's approach in his Theorems. I've seen his records and I guess they speak for themselves. He has waited for ages and ages for man marking to be fixed and he finally got his wish and is now feeling like a duck in water.

Swoosh Defence - Buxton's approach, basically it's about having th defenders on a split (minor split) mentality and closing down so you have a sweeper stopper role. I remember it working well on FM05 IIRC but I haven't tried it recently so I can't really comment as much. It's a system Uncle Sam stil uses and he swears by it.

Tight Zonal - Now there is a belief around the boards that it works with a DMC covering but the tight/man option is better when you only have a flat four. I've also seen comments it works better in a flat three then tight man.

Back four on same mentality - A more recent one I've seen around which Jep uses. IIRC he has for quite some time but he can correct me on that one.

Since I've been without FM I've been thinking about improving defence's quite a bit and there is a theory I want to try out when I get FM. Seeing as everyone seems to like the tight option I wanted to try out a new theory. High CD and Zonal Marking. Now tbh I can't see it working without protection by a DMC. However in my mind (or the way I've seen the match engine react) I think it could work quite decently.

Maybe someone could try it out for me but I'm guessing you're going to have to have about 6-8 CD for the central defenders and as a rule a bit higher for the fullbacks. Seeing as loose zonal means they form a kind of boxlike shape they complete ignore the opposition and attack the ball more. So instead of the opposition in your defenders mind with tight marking, the defence have one job, attack the ball.

Now this could fall completely on it's @rse as I hav not tested it yet but I can't see it being too bad however I can see it being attribute dependant on positioning and anticipation and for center backs you'd need quite a high degree of bravery.

So feel free to discuss what system are workign for you or even argue that you've got a "fool proof" system. :thup:

zyx345

For defensive tactics I'll use tight man marking for the defence and tight zonal for the midfield. I founf that using man marking on the midfield meant that my MCd was marking an opposition ST, so leaving the opposition MCs in more space.

Through a combination of CD, FWRs and opposition instructions, I don't suffer from crosses as badly as I used to, but my main threat to my defence is having an opposition ST turning my DC to create a good chance. I could use hard tackling, but that may result in more FKs around the box and penalties. Maybe loose man marking would be better?

drewopel

tbh, I still think man marking leaves a lot to be desired.

retired_janae55

I always go for tight zonal system, as it is something which works for me but I always use a DMC in my formation as well.

High CD for defenders never ever work for me. From what I can observe, high CD on central defenders works pretty bad for me. Had a tactic where central defenders had a 8 for CD, and in a match, I always see the opposition winger running down my left flank, and then my left back and 2 central defenders would run and close in on him while the opposition strikers would run into my penalty area totally unmarked as my 2 centre backs are busy closing down the opposition right winger. I conceded quite a fair few that way.

Would be interested to know how you set up a high CD and zonal marking defence :thup:

barefootboo

Jealous? Or why do you bring it up?

On defence I've used the Zonal High Closing down, and it works, but opposition gets better chances although they are fewer. DC's seem to need to be really good if this is to work, since basically you're telling him to challange for the ball when it's in his zone... now tight man marking with high CD... gotta try this

retired_janearific

i am favouring the tight/non specific man marking aproach on a back 4 at the moment. As I mentioned in a previous thread I am even playing without a defensive mdfielder, attacking with 6 players in effect, and still keeping clean sheets. The back four don't make any forward runs, and close down rarely (with a DL of between 9-11 depending on the opposition) Easily the best system i have tried so far on FM 2007 :thup:

retired_janearific

Still use that yes - it helps to keep the defence together as a unit, and with closing down on roughly the same too they form a nice solid wall :thup:

retired_thedizzyangel

When was it called Swoosh?

Anyway, I think it's the ideal time for me to try my old theory again as my man marking on DC's in my brand new game with newcastle has not got off to a good start at all as Onyewu is gifting chances to the opposition and getting turned way too easily. I think I will try the Nike Defensive System or Swoosh with Onyewu as the stopper and Taylor as the Sweeper.

zyx345

When was it called Swoosh?

Anyway, I think it's the ideal time for me to try my old theory again as my man marking on DC's in my brand new game with newcastle has not got off to a good start at all as Onyewu is gifting chances to the opposition and getting turned way too easily. I think I will try the Nike Defensive System or Swoosh with Onyewu as the stopper and Taylor as the Sweeper. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Have you got a thread on this where you've detailed it more?

retired_thedizzyangel

I would just do a search for "nike defensive system", I originally posted about it about 3 years ago so it's pretty improbable that any related screenshots remain i'm afraid.