Amature to regular difficulty ... now i can't score

[nofitstate]

Ok so i started a masterleague season on Amature difficulty and it was just too easy ... i was just winning virtually every game in my first season. So i restarted on regular and the difference was a slap in the face. I can defend ok and rarely conceed a goal, but scoring and retaining posession has become a nightmare.

On Amature i always seemed to find someone to pass to and could keep the ball moving. But on regular as soon as i get into the opposition half i'm getting pressured straight away. The other team is cutting off all my normal passing channels and if i don't pass the ball quickly as soon as i get challanged they just push me off the ball (and its pretty hard to win back).

I don't use any of the manual tactics or calling attack/defend (its on semi-auto i think) and just play a standard 4-4-2 formation. I don't really know how to do any tricks / fancy sidesteps ... i used to depend on my passing game (particularly through balls down the flanks) to create chances, but I'm guessing i need some new strategies.

nil nil draws are killing me ... so, how can i improve my attacking play?


oh, and the players i've purchasd are:
Sidnei (CB - cheap and effective)
Ben Sahar (CF - cheap and decent long term development)
Fujimoto (MF - utility midfielder. probably not the best choice due to low balance so gets pushed off the ball all the time - good development).

 

[fick]

Good tip is tap R1 after passing. The player that passed the ball will then set off on a forward run. Quite useful to break the offside trap/back line if timed well. Can take a little practice though.

 

[Azzza]

Make sure you see the player you wish to pass to on the screen and make sure the opposition is relatively far from them. This will help you to retain possession more.

Also, try pressing L1 and triangle. Do this after your player is making a forward run and when they are in line with the opposition back four. This is basically a thru-ball in the air. The ball will climb over the back defenders and, if your player is fast enough (use Sahar), you should win the ball.

Try and direct the passes and shots aswell. For example, when running towards the keeper or when you are about to take a shot, press up and right for the top right corner or down and left for the bottom left corner for example. This will allow you to place your shots and not just smack them (although smacking them can help - try with a player with high shot power attribute and hold up whilst taking the shot for a harder shot).

Hope this helps.

 

[craven_crazy]

sounds like good info. i just wish this stuff could translate into wins. i am getting really frustrated with the game at this point on regular difficulty. are the original players in ML that bad?

 

[wintermute00]

in a nutshell, yes

90% of my first season goals are from crosses (majority to unmarked players) or long range pings from outside the 18 yard box. FYR I averaged around 0.6 goals per match and drew the vast majority with 0-0 shutouts. It helps the first 4 rookies I bought were two big CBs and two CMFs, all of whom developed fantastically so at least defensively I had a big improvement over your default ML pieces of cr-p.

I didn't get to play nice balls to strikers feet until the middle of my second season and I actually had more than 3 attacking players with 80+ speed and dribbling.

FYR this is using 442 diamond with the wingers in a straight line with the attacking midfielder. I would reverted to 4-2-3-1 halfway thru the second half to get shutouts - if premier league clubs can play for nil all draws then so can my ML team LOL.

 

[nofitstate]

cheers for all the tips.

using RT to force players to make runs helps a lot. my DMF and CMF get a few goals from playing one-twos and hitting long range strikes.

But in general i guess i've just had to start adapting my game and play fewer short passes and look to shoot from range or just put high balls into the box. I've started crossing a lot more and using deep crosses and trying to knock the ball down for a striker/AMF to run onto.

I'm now at around 5 wins / 6 draws / 6 losses. Just a few games away from summer transfer window so looking forward to adding another CB and utility midfielder

 

[Azzza]

Look to get Park Ji Sung from Manchester United as your utility midfielder. Hes very good as a DMF or wing position.

More advice: pass the ball around more (short passes) and wait for a gap to open. From here, play the ball forward through that gap by either running through it or passing to your midfielders/forwards/strikers. Always look for your friendly players who are open. If you run into trouble or more than one opposition player, look to pass to them to widen the oppositions positions. From here you could pass back to your player, run to the byline and cross (try pressing circle twice [ps2/3] or B twice [xbox] to make a short cross to the near post or player).

Don't always go on the attack, slow the pace down in midfield, look for a gap, then burst the speed down the flanks or through the oppositions back four.

Again, I hope this helps.