What to do if you just can't win

[figueirense1921]

i think i am very lucky in this game, because i rarely build a team that goes wrong... i always manage to exceed the board's expectations. all you need to do is think the game as if it the real life.. the problem with most people its to face this game as a GAME and try to follow pre conceived recipes, wich may serve in some situation and simply **** your team in another situation.

build your team tactics in the way your squad fits better... hire good staff, follow their recommendation (actually ignore some of them ), buy the right players for the right positions and, after that, its impossible to fail... yes there are games when everything goes wrong, but in general you're gonna make it

 

[Phil Soulsby]

After numerous saves I have finally got one where I have been semi successful. Just finished my 1st season with Southampton and finished 9th. After not winning any of my first 9 matches I was on the brink of giving up but after tweaking tactics and focusing on 1 game at a time I started to win some games and got the players I had playing well and in the positions they are best suited for. I was. A avid fm player some years ago but stopped playing after fm 09 due to been bored. But now I'm back and loving it the game has moved on so much. From my experience on this game you really have to focus on tactics and how to stop the oppositions best players

 

[udotbdot5]

First ever post - been playing this series for 7/8 years.

In 12/13, I have had terrible luck in my Arsenal save(s), combining Fellaini and Alaba signings with credible tactics and preparation but getting mid-table results, performing terribly home and away.

With the same kind of approach, I have finished 6th in a Southampton save, with Wellington Nem and Okore leading my team to Europe. next year I finished 3rd and 2 years after that won the league and CL consistently - with Southampton.

But...still always struggled with Arsenal.

Having read this , I am determined to start a new Arsenal save and tinker pre game a bit more. Could someone tell me though, do you adjust your tactics in the week before or on matchday? or even just before kick off (in the match)?

Also, Southampton save was 2d, but my Arsenal ones are me trying my hardest to suceed in 3d - is that relevant?

I think it is crazy to blame the game because, whatever you're playing (apparently flawed or not), you should master what is in front of you. Or not play it.

 

[SoccerSagacity]

I, like many others, have now achieved success with Southampton [10th, 6th, 3rd, 1st, unbeaten in season 5 after 17 games inc Champions League]. I'm going to write a blog post on it to help those who are struggling (check on soccersagacity.com) but until then, a few points:

- udotbdot5: I keep the same principle tactics (formation, style etc), regardless of who I play. If I tweaks the tactics (moving from Attacking to Control or Counter) I do so in the game, just prior to kick off (just before team talk)

- find a winning formula and stick to it. All those who are spending hours scouting the opposition, countering their best players, learning back up formations etc etc this ISN'T necessary. Yes, pinpointing dangerous players can allow you to counter this (e.g. switch a fast FB to counter a fast winger) but don't spend ages on this, it should just be small tweaks.

- as always, use players who are positionally strong and not just players you 'like'. Experienced brokensjnf8ewhce8.com can do this by eye, but FM13 has made it fool-proof by offering you the chance to 'highlight key attributes'- newbies have no excuse!

- keep players motivated by playing down the pressure, especially with a young team. I use 'Calm' voice and 'pressure is off' 90% of the time.

- the signings in your first season are key, especially on a budget. For Southampton I got Wellington Nem (£3m), Okore (£2m) and Adam Maher (£9m) all on reduced price deals. Destro (free), Kolarov (£3m) and Ron-Robert Zieler (£4m) followed at the end of first season, and these players set me up for success (season 5 update: Nem worth £15m, Okore sold for £10m, Maher worth £16, Destro worth £20m, Kolarov worth £8m, Zieler worth £10m)

Key to long term success:

Develop young players:
New signings can disrupt the team, especially if you use more than 2/3 at a time. To do this, develop your youth facilities but more importantly...

BE THE SCOUTING SYSTEM:
Don't rely on scouts other than for a 2nd opinion. I spend hours searching through the sources of the next great players and it pay dividends. Places to target your eyes:
- National U23/U21/U19 teams
- Team renowned for producing top players (but not necessarily 'top' European clubs): River Plate, Boca Juniors, Santos, Velez, Partizan, etc. In fact, most South American teams plus a few from Europe.

Send scouts to look for players with 3 star + potential, age max 24.

Search your game by pace, technique, determination, work rate, dribbling - anything you are looking for.

Get the best regens before anyone else does. Some of my recent finds are:
- Argentinian CB - signed from Boca for £5m. 2 years later he's club captain and worth £12m (increasing every month)
- Czech CM - signed from Partizan for £4m. 2 years later he's essential CM and worth £15m (rising)
- Brazilian CM (I retrained as Winger due to stats) - signed from Fluminese for £900k. 1 year later worth £5m but stats will mean he's worth £20m before next season.
- Dutch WB - signed for £20m from Ajax (all of my season 4 transfer budget) but worth every penny and now the World's leading full back, average rating of 7.80+

 

[vlademer17]

unfortunately i feel victim to two things, 1. sticking to a 4-4-2 with WB's and attacking mentality with no solid back up tactic.
2. saving on wages, which lead to team spread thin after plague with injuries and fatigue, was on a un-beaten run of 28 games about's.
looking to begin again and learn from mistakes.

thanks

 

[SoccerSagacity]

re: vlademer17


4-4-2 with WBs is arguably too risky. I play WBs in a 4-1-2-2-1 (4-5-1 with DM and WG). The DM covers in defensive positions should your WB get forward but lose possession, so a DM with good anticipation, work rate, stamina and tackling is key.


That said, I find WBs far more effective than FBs in exploiting attacking areas, particularly if they have good dribbling and pace stats (I have Coentrão and Blom (wonderkid regen) at WB and they are tearing teams up

 

[toonarmy0511]

From my experience with the 2013 there are 2 important things you need to focus on:

1. Team cohesion/tactic familiarity
2. Morale.

If you get the team to be fluid with the tactic and overall morale at 'good' or better then you should be alright.

 

[stigen]

What to do if you just can't win

Well, when I'm losing,
I stop losing and start winning instead
.

 

[Panakas]

My only problem with this game is that 99% of the time CPU teams make 2-3 shoots per game and every single time they score. This doesn't happen with human teams. If you get a small team and build it buying players, even if your players are 10X better than the other teams, CPU players with finishing lets say 5/20 score every single chance they get.It's ridiculous! My team makes 20 chances per game and I have strikers with finishing 15/20 and I lose from 1-2 shoots that the CPU makes? This is a very big problem in FM13. You can only play this game if you control a big team...Thats my opinion.

 

[robertlecomber09]

i find if your losing badly its your tactics and possibly your team talks my first season with newcastle was shocking, but the board kept me as manager strengthened the defence and in second season i altered my tactics (4-5-1) with two dmc's one counter for teams i might struggle against one attacking one for teams i should beat. i also altered the way i approach team talks and now im doing better than expected 3rd in march so like many i got annoyed but once you admit its you and not the game and learn how to do better you should see better results, like i did

 

[robertlecomber09]

I, like many others, have now achieved success with Southampton [10th, 6th, 3rd, 1st, unbeaten in season 5 after 17 games inc Champions League]. I'm going to write a blog post on it to help those who are struggling (check on soccersagacity.com) but until then, a few points:

- udotbdot5: I keep the same principle tactics (formation, style etc), regardless of who I play. If I tweaks the tactics (moving from Attacking to Control or Counter) I do so in the game, just prior to kick off (just before team talk)

- find a winning formula and stick to it. All those who are spending hours scouting the opposition, countering their best players, learning back up formations etc etc this ISN'T necessary. Yes, pinpointing dangerous players can allow you to counter this (e.g. switch a fast FB to counter a fast winger) but don't spend ages on this, it should just be small tweaks.

- as always, use players who are positionally strong and not just players you 'like'. Experienced brokensjnf8ewhce8.com can do this by eye, but FM13 has made it fool-proof by offering you the chance to 'highlight key attributes'- newbies have no excuse!

- keep players motivated by playing down the pressure, especially with a young team. I use 'Calm' voice and 'pressure is off' 90% of the time.

- the signings in your first season are key, especially on a budget. For Southampton I got Wellington Nem (£3m), Okore (£2m) and Adam Maher (£9m) all on reduced price deals. Destro (free), Kolarov (£3m) and Ron-Robert Zieler (£4m) followed at the end of first season, and these players set me up for success (season 5 update: Nem worth £15m, Okore sold for £10m, Maher worth £16, Destro worth £20m, Kolarov worth £8m, Zieler worth £10m)

Key to long term success:

Develop young players:
New signings can disrupt the team, especially if you use more than 2/3 at a time. To do this, develop your youth facilities but more importantly...

BE THE SCOUTING SYSTEM:
Don't rely on scouts other than for a 2nd opinion. I spend hours searching through the sources of the next great players and it pay dividends. Places to target your eyes:
- National U23/U21/U19 teams
- Team renowned for producing top players (but not necessarily 'top' European clubs): River Plate, Boca Juniors, Santos, Velez, Partizan, etc. In fact, most South American teams plus a few from Europe.

Send scouts to look for players with 3 star + potential, age max 24.

Search your game by pace, technique, determination, work rate, dribbling - anything you are looking for.

Get the best regens before anyone else does. Some of my recent finds are:
- Argentinian CB - signed from Boca for £5m. 2 years later he's club captain and worth £12m (increasing every month)
- Czech CM - signed from Partizan for £4m. 2 years later he's essential CM and worth £15m (rising)
- Brazilian CM (I retrained as Winger due to stats) - signed from Fluminese for £900k. 1 year later worth £5m but stats will mean he's worth £20m before next season.
- Dutch WB - signed for £20m from Ajax (all of my season 4 transfer budget) but worth every penny and now the World's leading full back, average rating of 7.80+

i also find there a few good regens in the irish leagues not many but some got a talented goal keeper from a irish team too young to play in newcastle seniors but quite promising tho

 

[Panakas]

Even if its me mate, its still so fake because CPU players with finishing 5/20 score goals with 1-2 shoots on target all the time and my players with 15/20 finishing make 15 chances on target and score 1...CPU doesn't lose chances...they always score...And you play with Newcastle!! Try playing with a blue square team...(last division in England)...All those weak teams score goals with only 2 shoots on target all the time...If you use a premier league or championship team everything is better-easier...

 

[Mike.]

Even if its me mate, its still so fake because CPU players with finishing 5/20 score goals with 1-2 shoots on target all the time and my players with 15/20 finishing make 15 chances on target and score 1...CPU doesn't lose chances...they always score...And you play with Newcastle!! Try playing with a blue square team...(last division in England)...All those weak teams score goals with only 2 shoots on target all the time...If you use a premier league or championship team everything is better-easier...

The match engine is the same for the CPU and User, your issues are almost certainly approach based.

 

[fabregas2]

The match engine is the same for the CPU and User, your issues are almost certainly approach based.

Got bored of my Arsenal save because the other teams were just more clinical than I was. You can argue for all you like but I saw what I saw and if most of the matches I play end up with the team winning because they had 1 chance (slight exagerration) then I don't want to play anymore.

Then for fun I started with Man City just for fun while taking a break from the Arsenal one, same ****. First game v West Ham it was our 9 shots to 1, ended 0-0. There were no cccs and it was a bore draw, not bothered much. Next game v Arsenal, similar number of shots, they 0 cccs and 3 half chances while we had 1 ccc and 1 half chance but we lost 2-0. Ok it's Arsenal and they are a good team, could happen. Next match at home to Newcastle, had tons more shots than them with 3 cccs and 3 half chances to their 1 ccc and 1 half chance, ended 3-3 after we were 3-0 up and squandering chances for fun. Needless to say I closed the game.

 

[Mike.]

Got bored of my Arsenal save because the other teams were just more clinical than I was. You can argue for all you like but I saw what I saw and if most of the matches I play end up with the team winning because they had 1 chance (slight exagerration) then I don't want to play anymore.

Then for fun I started with Man City just for fun while taking a break from the Arsenal one, same ****. First game v West Ham it was our 9 shots to 1, ended 0-0. There were no cccs and it was a bore draw, not bothered much. Next game v Arsenal, similar number of shots, they 0 cccs and 3 half chances while we had 1 ccc and 1 half chance but we lost 2-0. Ok it's Arsenal and they are a good team, could happen. Next match at home to Newcastle, had tons more shots than them with 3 cccs and 3 half chances to their 1 ccc and 1 half chance, ended 3-3 after we were 3-0 up and squandering chances for fun. Needless to say I closed the game.

Its not about arguing. Its a fact. in the same way 2+2 equals. Its a fundamental build point to the game. Unless you have decided that, SI are lying to you in which case, no one can help you.

 

[TheBetterHalf]

Even if its me mate, its still so fake because CPU players with finishing 5/20 score goals with 1-2 shoots on target all the time and my players with 15/20 finishing make 15 chances on target and score 1...CPU doesn't lose chances...they always score...And you play with Newcastle!! Try playing with a blue square team...(last division in England)...All those weak teams score goals with only 2 shoots on target all the time...If you use a premier league or championship team everything is better-easier...

Got bored of my Arsenal save because the other teams were just more clinical than I was. You can argue for all you like but I saw what I saw and if most of the matches I play end up with the team winning because they had 1 chance (slight exagerration) then I don't want to play anymore.

Then for fun I started with Man City just for fun while taking a break from the Arsenal one, same ****. First game v West Ham it was our 9 shots to 1, ended 0-0. There were no cccs and it was a bore draw, not bothered much. Next game v Arsenal, similar number of shots, they 0 cccs and 3 half chances while we had 1 ccc and 1 half chance but we lost 2-0. Ok it's Arsenal and they are a good team, could happen. Next match at home to Newcastle, had tons more shots than them with 3 cccs and 3 half chances to their 1 ccc and 1 half chance, ended 3-3 after we were 3-0 up and squandering chances for fun. Needless to say I closed the game.

If you keep conceding and not scoring despite being in control of the game, you need to look at how you are playing. For what it looks like, its like the Liverpool-WBA game( apart form the penalty) all over for you. This leads to a vicious cirle. The more chances you miss or good chanced you fail to create, the more frustrated your players get, leading to them being more likely to miss their next chance etc. And if your players loose focus, you will in the end give the opponenets one or 2 really good chances and that is all it takes

As I dont know your overall approach ( tactics, squad building coaching/ man management), its hard to give advice but in general, I would do the following

- Get back to basics
- Play Rigid and on the Counter
- Dont touch the sliders
- Play hardworking teamplayers along with only one or two divas with high flair/decision and creativity
- Use specialist roles, like DPL, Complete FC etc to suit the players
- watch some matches in full mode
- Use only 3 shouts at each time, like " Exploit flanks, hassle, retain possession" or " play more narrow, get forward, pass into space"

 

[Mike.]

If you keep conceding and not scoring despite being in control of the game, you need to look at how you are playing. For what it looks like, its like the Liverpool-WBA game( apart form the penalty) all over for you. This leads to a vicious cirle. The more chances you miss or good chanced you fail to create, the more frustrated your players get, leading to them being more likely to miss their next chance etc. And if your players loose focus, you will in the end give the opponenets one or 2 really good chances and that is all it takes

As I dont know your overall approach ( tactics, squad building coaching/ man management), its hard to give advice but in general, I would do the following

- Get back to basics
- Play Rigid and on the Counter
- Dont touch the sliders
- Play hardworking teamplayers along with only one or two divas with high flair/decision and creativity
- Use specialist roles, like DPL, Complete FC etc to suit the players
- watch some matches in full mode
- Use only 3 shouts at each time, like " Exploit flanks, hassle, retain possession" or " play more narrow, get forward, pass into space"

Cannot stress this enough. Far too many people overcomplicate their approach.

Also a chance on a counter attack is more dangerous than most others because you are already often outnumbering the opposition and often behind their defensive line.

"Keep it simple, stupid"

 

[fabregas2]

Its not about arguing. Its a fact. in the same way 2+2 equals. Its a fundamental build point to the game. Unless you have decided that, SI are lying to you in which case, no one can help you.

I wouldn't complain if the ratio of games I win when being dominated is close to the ratio I lose when dominating. I don't mind losing, I don't mind losing sometimes when in control of the game even though I'd be angry, it happens in real life. It just gets too much sometimes

 

[Panakas]

Guys my only issue is that the game scores goals always...They create 1-2 chances and even if its a very bad team their strikers are clinical...they don't miss chances...this is fact...I've been playing FM series (since there is no USM and LMA anymore) and had great results-good tactics...FM13 is a bit over the edge...It would be much more realistic if the opposition team actually made chances and lost some...and the CPU GK are much better even if their stats are very bad...same chances from human teams = misses...that's just my opinion...I respect all your opinions guys! This game maybe isn't for me this year...I will try again next year...I just miss old style manager games where it was pure fan...building your stadium-building shops etc...I really miss that...I love the depth of this game but don't really enjoy its 3D games...

 

[Mike.]

I wouldn't complain if the ratio of games I win when being dominated is close to the ratio I lose when dominating. I don't mind losing, I don't mind losing sometimes when in control of the game even though I'd be angry, it happens in real life. It just gets too much sometimes

Dominating at no point leads to a win if you are leaving yourself open to a counter attack. Most of the teams that truly "dominate" tend to absolutely miserly in giving up opposition chances, and good ones at that. Bayern would be a great example of this.

Dont focus on the CCC its a horribly misleading stat. Frankly I;d like to see it removed from the game