Help! I can't score goals

[LeedsFan67]

I'm having a lot of trouble scoring goals in the ML mode. I'm playing as Leeds on the 3* setting with 10 minute matches, and I'm now into my 6th season in Div.2.

I've managed to get some half decent players in the team like James in goal and Vassell up front plus a few others, so my team isn't total crap like at the start. I've tries tinkering with the formation settings, moving players into slightly different positions, putting the red attacking arrows on some players etc. etc.

But whenever I get the ball around the opponents area it all breaks down. The through ball button seems next to useless. It just hits an opponent 99% of the time. What I try sometimes is to play a short passl then get that player to run into space using the R2 button, then try a return ball. Also, I cannot for the life of me score a header from a cross. (But I wouldn't expect Vassell to do that anyway!). But the opposition seem to belt headers in against me quite a few times, and from the edge of the area as well.

I've managed to score 2 goals in a game just twice in 6 seasons! But one of those was when I came back from 2-0 against West Ham, so that was pretty sweet! But goals are a rarity for me. I've got the defending pretty reasonable. At the end of the season my goals against is like the top teams record in the league, so I just need to improve my scoring rate.

What am I doing wrong? (Please don't say that I'm just sh!t, or that it's 'cos I've got Leeds. I've heard them before!)

 

[Wrig]

Post your full Leeds United team plus what they in position, then I will have a look what is wrong ok

 

[Zygalski]

After you let your players play in many matches, their Teamwork stat will increase and they will start to work better together. So give your players lots of matches and try not to switch things around like Ranieri.
Playing players on better form arrows will result in better success in passes, shooting etc.

Who is your other striker and you OMF? Vassell is quite good for pace so maybe the other CF should be the target man for headers, for heading on goal and heading for Vassell to make runs onto. Your OMF needs very good Short Pass Accuracy to make through balls work better. Have a go with L1+/\ through balls to chip them over the defence. With Vassell's high Shot Technique, he should be able to get some decent shots in.

Keep practicing with a variation of attacking methods. Use your wingers to send in different types of crosses. High crosses to your target CF who can head them down for Vassell and your OMF to have shots. Don't be afraid to have a go with a first time shot. Try a few lobs, using the L1 and R1 methods.

Use someone good with Long Pass Acc and FK Acc to take your corners. You should be able to score quite a few headers from corners over the season. Even if it's Minanda taking them in for Vornander to head in.

Vassell is great for putting him on goal with a through ball and then getting him to dribble around the keeper to tap into an empty goal.

Use the Force too

 

[LeedsFan67]

OK.... here's my full team:

James GK
Cufre CBT
Garcia Calvo CBT
Ximelez LB
Espionasa RB
Aranburu CMF
Vicente LW
Jesuli RW
Locatelli CMF
Gilardino CF
Vasell CF


I don't fully understand the form arrows. Should I pay more attention to those. I do have some other subs in the squad (minimum 16 though) but they are rubbish. I just manage to get through a season with a +ve points score so I don't get the sack. Even though I come bottom I still manage about 10 to 13 points, which is enough. Can't sign anyone though 'cos if results don't improve then I will DEFINITELY end up with a -ve points score.

 

[Zygalski]

Try playing with a 4-4-2 diamond midfield. Choose the most suitable players who would play best as DMF and OMF.
OMF has to be a good passer.

There is a Sticky thread at the top of this section which explains the arrows so check it out. The more up arrows mean that the player will play much better than his stats say.

I don't really know many of those players in your team so I can't comment on them. Make sure you play players in one of their preferred positions and check the arrows too and you should be fine. Good luck.

 

[Wrig]

Erm..to tell honest, you definite need new players, included defender, midfielder and striker. Or you might have to force to selling your players then buy new players. OR trade your players to new players. Look at Ximelez in left back, I am afraid he might not good players. You can go to General Discussion for arrows at 'Players arrow explained.'

 

[phelan]

Maybe you're attacking too aggresively. Try to step on the ball with R1 and wait until someone's free. Often the COM player attacking you will have left his mark, so try to look in the direction he is coming from. If no-one is free, pass it back.

Use wide camera!

The through pass is most effective against the defensive line because there's lot of space behind it.

Even with a decent CF you should be able to score a great deal of goals from crosses. Remember you can control the direction of headers. Aim for the side of the goal with no defender in it!

I usually use circle to cross if I'm close to the sideline and double tap circle when I'm closer to or inside the penalty area.

The form arrows are explained in the link below.

 

[LeedsFan67]

OK guys. Thanks for the advice, I'll give it some more time. I did use the 4-4-2 diamond system to begin with, then switched to a flat 4 midfield.

Although some of my players are still not that good, they are still better than what you get at the beginning. I know some people who win the ML on 5* just using the original players!

I'll post back in here later to let you know how I get on.

 

[LeedsFan67]

Instant results!

Changed back to the 4-4-2 diamond, and played with the counter attack strategy. After studying the form icons, I changed one player. And I also sorted out my corner kickers and free kick takers.

The first match was a 0-0 with Brescia...... but it was in the second half of this game that I noticed something. And you're gonna laugh here!!

After 6 seasons of playing master league I only just realised that pressing the X button when not in possession actually moved the nearest player to the opponent in possession and tried to tackle him! I knew that button put pressure on the man with the ball. But I thought I still had to control his movements with the left analogue!! The game has just become 50% more playable!

I can actually pressure and tackle them in their half, near their area. The second game was a 1-0 win over West Ham. But the stats were 5 shots for me with only 2 for them. I've never had more than double shots than the other team.

Things are looking up! Perhaps 4* will not be too far away for me?

 

[Wrig]

You have improve your team a bit and remember no pressure. You can try 4* if you want, try a game. From season 3 to 7, my Barca team still at 5*.

 

[Zygalski]

Sounds good. Keep at it.

X makes your player press the opponent on the ball.
Pressing Square makes another player also press him too.
Holding R2 may help when making an X tackle.