retired_piscesneo

OK, it's taken me half a season to discover the value of getting a scout to report on the next opposition. I now need a bit of help working out how to act on his reports.

Firstly, I'm interested to hear how you use the scout report to prepare for the next match. Do you ever view the scouted match, comment on dangerman, view the team etc.

Secondly I need help in relating the scout report to the tactics I use (I'm playing a 4-1-2-1-2). I'm alright with a lot of the comments, but there are a couple I need help with:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>XXX team will look to get the ball down and play it. What does this mean with regards to how they'll play and what can I do to counter it?
<LI>We should concentrate on preventing their strikers receiving the ball to feet as they should not pose us an aerial threat. How do I achieve this in my tactics? I usually play a zonal defence, do I add tight marking in my player instructions (DC's) or select it in the opposition instructions? Or, do I close down their wingers to reduce the amount of crosses?
<LI>Finally, where it suggests a problem could be the pace of a particular player, what do you do? I usually put my fastest DC to play against him, do I also mark tightly?
</UL>
I'm playing as Adelaide United in the Australian A League so we're not exactly Premier League quality, but then again neither are our opposition.

I'm also interested in how you may change your responses to your scout report depending on whether you're home or away.

Thanks in advance.

retired_m10234

Means they will keep the ball on the floor playing a passing and possession game. I would make sure my players are closing them down and harrasing them. Don't give them room to play in.

Mark their strikers tightly either with a man marking or zonal system. I prefer to man mark. In the oppossion instructins you can ste also to always mark tightly.

Good idea to put your fastest DC up against him and mark tightly if there is not to much difference in acceleration and pace between the players.

I always try to attack more at home and am only less cautious if the opposition are a lot stronger than us.

Away from home I think it's best to be a bit cautious but this all depends on your team and the opposition.

In my game I played attacking football home and away with Shrewsbury Town in League Two and finished the season in 2nd place so it really all depends.

GreenRage

I find even with Man marking and my fastest defender the use of tight marking is very dangerous. It allows the striker to peal off and beat the offside trap resulting in a few too many one on ones.

If you find tight marking causes this, try closing down the striker instead of tight marking him, or closing down his supply, either by tight marking the midfield or closing down the wingers.

I would be interested in a few more views on this.

retired_piscesneo

Thanks Steves_Smith and The Lambs for your replies.

The Lambs makes a good point - I'm interested in other views on the merits of closing down v's tight marking.

I'm also interested in which circumstances people chose to comment on the Dangerman or whether they don't bother.

Thanks again.