Quote:
Originally posted by Malfuriouspete:
Just finished my first season with Newcastle, finished 7th. Scored 68 goals, but conceeded 59!! This definately has to be improved, what sort of things can I do to make my defense a solid wall of respectability?
...and also, how do I stop getting absolutely destroyed when I visit Old Trafford and the Emirates Stadium? I think both games ended 6-1 for them.. so 12 goals conceeded in 2 games
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First - do not hesitate to spend money for quality DCs - it is money well spent. Strikers may get periods when they do not score, but defenders can be relied upon all season provided they are good enough. Look for players with exceptional mental skills (determination, aggressiveness, positioning. teamwork bravery, etc.) physical skills (especially jumping strength pace balance and stamina) + marking, tackling and heading.
This may be straightforward but is crucial because DCs will have to be able to stop tevez, sheva, ronaldo, etc one-on-one. In other words no tactics will save you from these one-on-one situations and you rely solely on their skills in those.
Second, when you play defensively against the big guys, play deep defensive line with tight marking. Your MCs will have to support the DCs in front of the penalty area, so that the DCs concentrate inside.
Third, think seriously how to set opp. instructions. Harrass strikers with low mental skills with hard tackling. Do not close down very fast strikers, close down slow ones.
Fourth, try to get decent possession of the ball. If you play away to Man Utd and you only have 40% possession it means that they have 60% of the time to torment your defense. Try to limit their possession up-front. They should possess the ball in your area less than 15% of the time, ideally less than 10%. Look in the tactical bible how to do that.
Fifth, score first! Scoring a goal first is essential in away games because your morale gets a boost. Make sure you do your best early in the game. Tweak tactics as often as needed, but do so carefully. If you make mistakes you will get punished.
Sixth, finish with class. If you enter the last 20 mins with a good result - act to protect it. Set more players to stay back at set pieces (at both ends). Make defensive substitutions - switch to a defensive tactic. I play 442 but change to 541 when I have the lead against good teams. Make one or two tactical substitutions but leave at least one for stoppage time. Then you make substitutions when the time is really a factor (especially when you set time wasting at 20
). Substitute players who are tired even if they have the highest match ratings.
Seventh, settle for draws when you play away. If you play away to a good team (especially against teams next to you in the table) and the score is 1-1 in 70th min, you should seriously consider to follow the sixth point and concentrate on not losing rather than winning the game. A draw only awards you only one point and mathematically you lose if you have two draws instead one win and one loss. However, your opponent has lost points too, so this negates the effect. Moreover, you prevent to go to a slump of morale as a result of losing a game. A draw away from home is always OK, even against poorer teams
Probably 80% of the above is crap, but if 20% is useful than it was worth struggling with my spelling
How to tighten up on Defense 
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