A good example of tactics

[Steve Justice]

Whilst playing ML last night, I had my first prem game since being promoted from the championship. My game was against Bolton, whilst not the best team in the league, it was certainly a step up from what I was used to in the championship. I usually play a possession game, opting for shorter direct passes waiting for the right moment to play someone in on goal. This was not working against better opposition, they were sharper and cut quite a few of my passes out, and caught me on the counter quite a bit. At half time I was 5-2 down.

My game plan was obviously not working and it was a bit of an eye opener. So I changed my tactics. I opted for a counter attack but played deeper in my own half playing with 2 DMF's. I made sure my back four and both my DMF's were marking someone. I noticed a difference straight away. I maintained possession more and they found it difficult to get through my defence. When ever I got the ball back in my possession (especially from set pieces) I changed tactics to all out attack until that situation died down. Using this tactic eventually paid off when on the 73rd minute I got a goal. Now it's 5-3. I made 2 substitutions with just over 10 minutes to go (both were fast paced players), still opting for the all out attack when the opportunity presented itself. I scored 3 goals in the last 10 minutes, the winner coming in injury time. 5-6. Result!

This game made me realise more how important tactics and man marking are. Whilst I've not had a game like the one above since, I'm grinding out results because I'm focusing more on who should play and what tactic would work better in this game. In games past I've always played 'my way', and I've always been successful with that. PES 2012 is different. Whilst I understand other people’s frustrations and complaints with the game, for me the good (like the above) outweighs the bad. It's just making me fall in love with this game even more.

 

[riverplatelv]

yes, this is where PES beats FIFA with a K.O punch. In FIFA tactics never ever matter, every team plays the same and subbing is useless. In pes, u really have to try ur tactics and get used to it. Although the "all out attack" is literally suicide if you play online... smart players will exploit ur back 4 easily

 

[techboy11]

I do agree in some aspects about the tactical game this year.

Where you're right -

I think it's important to get form players in the lineup even at the disposal of your superstar. Players low on stamina leading up to the game will be drained in game so you need to keep an eye on that as everything gets affected, passing, shooting, even goalkeeping (Reina parried one the other day straight into a striker, largely due to the fact he has knackered and had blue arrow, I just forgot to change him).

Substitutions at the right time, especially last fifteen minutes are crucial this year. I regularly keep a check that my two CBs and my defensive MF aren't screwed, or else they'll be a little girl stopping attacks last fifteen minutes.

I also agree that slight variations can change the CPU way of playing. I generally stick by my set formation and sliders, but if the game isn't going my way you HAVE to change - Swansea last night were playing far too much through me in the middle of the park, so I had to sacrifice Carroll and bring on Lucas as early as the twentieth minute, the game changed drastically, Swansea were man for man in the centre, which allowed me to stifle them and set off nice counters.

Where you're wrong -

I have had to modify the game (1.02, with Jenkey's to stop this happening) but sometimes, the CPU will JUST SCORE, no mater what. The other day (this is without any modding to the 1.02 exe) I played Norwich 5 times in a row, for whatever reason, each time I had to stop the game (missus going shopping, me busy etc etc). I didn't consciously think anything of it at the time, until I realised that I had tried to play Norwich five times and this was the sixth. Then I just remembered, in every game for the first three games, they scored the first goal, and normally it was off one of the first attacking moves of the game. The same for the next two. So after FIVE TIMES of playing Norwich, they scored first within ten minutes, every time!! After the first two, I changed everything, tactics, sliders, players etc etc, it didn't make a difference.

Also I played a game the other day in which all my defenders had red arrows apart from the right back who had yellow. So you'd think my defence would be on fire.

This is what happened....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqhrcRGjfwI

I gave a detailed second by second account on another forum, so I won't bore you now. But what essentially happens is that my defenders who are on perfect arrow form just decide to act like spastics, Agger (red arrow) plays some kind of quasi-offside game, running the opposite way he should be, and Aurelio starts to head to the corner flag...this kind of things is disgusting and scripted nonsense.

The only way this game not only becomes playable, but brilliant, for me, is with the introduction of Jenkey's tweak patch, which stops the CPU scripted bullshit, makes the CPU firm but fair, adds responsiveness and ball physics realism.

 

[riverplatelv]

unfortunately lots of people play online like myself and tweak patches do not work there...

 

[zzidane]

6-5??? What a high scoring and entertaining game.

 

[orlandoSPUR]

What level mode Steve? And what speed/settings are you playing with?

 

[S-D-P]

PES 2012 has increased my obsession for tactics, offline master league has me hooked have to say. The AI on superstar is good at finding holes in your tactics which makes your settings all the more important, of course you get the odd time where no matter what you do the game says fuck you.

My current set up, working well at the moment but obviously I have to tweak it depending on team I am using who I'm playing etc.

Player support - 13
Support range - 9
Pos switch - 0
Defensive line - 13(drop to 11 when facing pacey strikers who look to get in behind)
Compactness - 10
Attacking style - 11

 

[abu97]

^^^^^^^Same, i tweak it before i play a match - i look and rely on the coaches comments on the team and see where their weak points are - If they are using quick counter and loves to pressure the opposition, i put more compactness and less pressing. Also it's good to have the offside trap this year because your defenders are cleverer unlike last year.

 

[Steve Justice]

What level mode Steve? And what speed/settings are you playing with?

Pro. There's literally no point me playing on Top Player with the ultra week squad I've got, but I have every intention of putting the difficulty up once 1) I have a better squad or 2) Pro is no longer a challenge.

And I haven't touched the speed settings so I guess normal.