retired_josapa

After starting my new game with Stoke City in the Championship I have discovered that man marking across the back four works a treat. If you play a flat 4-4-2 I definately recommend this. I was always one for using zonal marking along the back 4 but after experimenting with man marking I have noticed that not only do my defenders make less mistakes, they also play show more discipline, play with a better shape and work very solidly as a unit. I have conceded one goal in my first three games and it came from an individual error from a midfielder. With a back four of:

Marvin Elliot, Michael Duberry, Clint Hill, Danny Higginbotham

you can see that it isn't exactly the greatest line of players, but if you have experienced players like this man marking definately seems to work a treat. They are also all on the same mentality which makes them defend as a unit! If anyone els has used man marking like this before please give feedback too!

retired_nsample

Interesting point but I personally have always shied away from man-marking because a good team will pull all the defenders all over the place and this creates large spaces for midfielders to run into and exploit.

retired_curlatorres

A few questions.

Does it work better with a deep back line or mixed?

Is it just man mark or specific man mark?

for example, Do both full backs mark the wingers and the centre backs mark the forwards?

retired_josapa

From what I can see the depth of your defensive line wouldn't particularly affect it because the fact that its man marking doesnt mean it has to be high up with the strikers. Plus most strikers will press on your back 4 at all times anyway. It is just set to man mark but in the opposition instructions before the match I set marking on wingers and strikers to always to make it work together.

Since my last post I have actually noticed that specific marking should be adopted against quicker counter attacking teams, as you need to get to tighter to your man. I found this out to my cost in a defeat against ipswich (very poor performance).

retired_monica90

Interesting- haven't used this myself, but I've found tight marking to be very good. Will give it a shot.

retired_Markpdoody

I'm playing Cardiff. I'd do anything for that line-up!

:cool:

retired_1shirley

hi everyone, i was very interested in this theory and decided to give it a go. I am using it away, and am finding it very good as it as really shored up my defence, and have found that using a dm gives an extra man to help defend. I haven't tweaked any of my defenders instructions just added man marking and on matchdays, set the two centre backs to specific player marking depending on the strikers style of play.

retired_janae55

what FrazT said, tbh. A good team like Chelsea and Man Utd can pull all your defenders out of position with man marking and you can concede goals even more easily. Personally, I go for a Push Up defence with Zonal marking. A DM to protect my back four as well.

drewopel

I've used man marking with better success than zonal, but with Welling, my defenders are still absolute idiots. Often my DCs will chase after balls that the full backs have covered, or simply leave their mark to go after the ball. Another fine habit my DC has is to run out and leapfrog my DMC to head an opposition kickout, leaving him in no mans land if an opposition midfielder picks up on his clearance. It's comical, but infuriating to watch. Closing down, creative freedom, and mentality are all on the lowest settings, so I can only assume it's the DC that is just being a moron.

retired_elpata

Man marking is excellent, and iirc its on the template for the DC's, so SI advise this.