As title says.
Currently managing Man Utd. I play a 4-2-3-1 with 2 DMs. Initially played with 2 CMs but the gap between midfield and defense was staggering, even when my d-line was set to the highest possible. Now, though, the gap between midfield and attack is the gaping one. My d-line is still maxed, and I've got fullbacks on attack duty and my AMC set on support duty to try to provide some passing options for my DMs. I play with a fluid team shape and attacking mentality (against lower teams). I've also lowered the tempo to the lowest to try to give my DMs some passing options. I don't get why a gap exists.
Also, a couple of other questions:
1. Why are my players are useless at holding on to the ball.
I watch team after team dispossess my players while they are holding up the ball. Meanwhile, I try to do the same (closing down much more, get stuck in) but fail miserably as the opposing player holds off my player easily, spins round and chips a delightful through ball to an onrushing striker. I know this sounds like frustration, and it is somewhat, but also a valid question I hope. It happens regardless of my player's (and the opposition's) dribbling or first touch or strength. My players will fail to hold up the ball, and the opposition will do so outstandingly.
2. Why don't my players work hard enough.
When my deep-lying playmaker sends a long searching ball out wide to my winger, there is always a fullback ready to intercept, or rushing back and successfully intercepting (because of question 1 above). When opposition playmakers sends a long one to the open flank, my fullbacks are never there, and opposition fullbacks are! I dispossess them somehow, and send a long ball over the top to my winger who is just slowly making their way back (they are still past the halfway line, mind) and lo and behold, the same opposition fullback is back to dispossess them. I ask this because I've set my fullbacks to attack duty to provide overlaps and create width in my forward play. And as a result, there may be gaps in defence. However, I see attacking fullbacks from the opposition do the same, and yet they're able to track back to their d-line (which is far deeper than mine too!). This regardless of whether I'm playing at a high or low tempo, short or direct passing. Also opposition wingers (in the AM strata, like mine) track back far more diligently than mine do, regardless of workrate, or team mentality.
3. With team mentality set to Attacking, players stop dribbling?
This is a weird one. There is no instruction to my wingers to dribble less, nor hold up ball. Yet the moment they get the ball, they stop, look up and attempt to find a team mate. I look at my team instructions, and the box "run at defence" is highlighted. But they don't. Set my team mentality to Counter, and suddenly they start dribbling again.
I'm really sorry if it sounds like a post in frustration. I've read the Lines and Diamonds guide in the SI forums to understand more about team mentality, shape and player roles and I thought I understood, but clearly it isn't translating into the game.
Tell me if I need to put my tactic up here.
Thanks in advance!
edit: Tactics and instructions are up.
Currently managing Man Utd. I play a 4-2-3-1 with 2 DMs. Initially played with 2 CMs but the gap between midfield and defense was staggering, even when my d-line was set to the highest possible. Now, though, the gap between midfield and attack is the gaping one. My d-line is still maxed, and I've got fullbacks on attack duty and my AMC set on support duty to try to provide some passing options for my DMs. I play with a fluid team shape and attacking mentality (against lower teams). I've also lowered the tempo to the lowest to try to give my DMs some passing options. I don't get why a gap exists.
Also, a couple of other questions:
1. Why are my players are useless at holding on to the ball.
I watch team after team dispossess my players while they are holding up the ball. Meanwhile, I try to do the same (closing down much more, get stuck in) but fail miserably as the opposing player holds off my player easily, spins round and chips a delightful through ball to an onrushing striker. I know this sounds like frustration, and it is somewhat, but also a valid question I hope. It happens regardless of my player's (and the opposition's) dribbling or first touch or strength. My players will fail to hold up the ball, and the opposition will do so outstandingly.
2. Why don't my players work hard enough.
When my deep-lying playmaker sends a long searching ball out wide to my winger, there is always a fullback ready to intercept, or rushing back and successfully intercepting (because of question 1 above). When opposition playmakers sends a long one to the open flank, my fullbacks are never there, and opposition fullbacks are! I dispossess them somehow, and send a long ball over the top to my winger who is just slowly making their way back (they are still past the halfway line, mind) and lo and behold, the same opposition fullback is back to dispossess them. I ask this because I've set my fullbacks to attack duty to provide overlaps and create width in my forward play. And as a result, there may be gaps in defence. However, I see attacking fullbacks from the opposition do the same, and yet they're able to track back to their d-line (which is far deeper than mine too!). This regardless of whether I'm playing at a high or low tempo, short or direct passing. Also opposition wingers (in the AM strata, like mine) track back far more diligently than mine do, regardless of workrate, or team mentality.
3. With team mentality set to Attacking, players stop dribbling?
This is a weird one. There is no instruction to my wingers to dribble less, nor hold up ball. Yet the moment they get the ball, they stop, look up and attempt to find a team mate. I look at my team instructions, and the box "run at defence" is highlighted. But they don't. Set my team mentality to Counter, and suddenly they start dribbling again.
I'm really sorry if it sounds like a post in frustration. I've read the Lines and Diamonds guide in the SI forums to understand more about team mentality, shape and player roles and I thought I understood, but clearly it isn't translating into the game.
Tell me if I need to put my tactic up here.
Thanks in advance!
edit: Tactics and instructions are up.
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