Formation Ideas- Discussion and other questions(Please Read and reply)

[Furiousmind]

Hey guys been reading the forums a long time now and i thought its time i should make my own post for the experts to read and hand out their advice and the rest of the people to read and learn new stuff. I will be writing down some questions i have had a long time now and really need to hear what u guys think...

First of all im in my 4th season in Top eleven, pretty decent so far, paid some cash to get some tokens as well as i feel its not that bad to support something you enjoy and spend a decent ammount on... In my first 3 seasons i managed to win 3 leagues and get 1 Champions league win and one 2nd place...

However in the cup since second season i have been drafted every single time in a level 22 cup vs opponents i can almost never get through even 1 phase. Instead i got a friend with whom we started same season and he is placed in a cup level identical to his own level which seems really wierd... Have i done something wrong??? anyone got an idea?? At first it was really nice for my budget to get those sweet 3 million but lets face it... This game... its all about the titles!

Ok now involving the Tactics,

I always consisted my team of 5-6 and sometimes 7 star players and ive been quite dominant in most of the leagues ive played so far. My idea of winning leagues is pretty straight forward... Being attacking and playing quite aggressively. Tried many things but its been 1 i have been stack with and seems pretty alright. Wanna hear your ideas as well on it though...

Formation

I've been playing 3-5-2

--------------GK----------------

------DC-----DC----DC----------

ML-------MC-----MC-------MR---

--------------AMC---------------

---------ST---------ST----------

I know it seems quite overattacking but its been offering decent results these 3 years ive been using it. MR and ML have red arrows on them. You think my tactic cant fight vs teams hitting me from the flanks??
What ive been using so far in Instructions is:

Mentality: Normal(Most of the time)-Attacking(Vs very weak opponents)
Focus Passing: Through The middle(i Try mixed- but middle seems to work better on my formation)- any idea why??
Pressing Style: Whole Pitch(always)
Tackling Style: Normal
Passing Style: Short or Mixed(I was using short for more sure passing - no mistakes- counterattacks- but i think ive been missing goals from counterattacks and some long passes...)
Marking:Zonal- whenever i tried Man Marking didnt work for me...

Here are my questions,

1. I've been wondering in terms of defending against opponent AML-AMR- AMC the best way to succeed is use DML-DMR-DMC?? When an opponent plays with 4 in the back (DL-DR- DC-DC) what is the best option to counter him???
How does someone counter ML-MR?? - when is it better to use blue arrows- red arrows on some players in your team??


2. In the team instructions there is the option Focus passing... I've been wondering what is the best thing to do there??? Check where your opponent is weaker and choose on that, or choose the side where you got your best players??

3. Pressing style-Whole pitch in my head works well with offside trap since you are up its easier that they are caught offside... Is that right??? Also i've read that AMC - AML - AMR Is a great way to counter Offside trap and the other way around... Is that true??? Counter Attacking is better suited when u are the weaker side paired with Own half only??

4. Passing Style Short is for when u are better as a side or worse?? We all like Short-sure passing but using it makes u lose potential goals from long ball counterattacks???

5. Marking Style Zonal seems much better in my eyes compared to man marking but i would like to hear your experience on all of that...

6. In Terms of player performance i believe that some players are really bad all the time no matter what increase % they have or what their price is or no matter how much u bench them... While others play unbelievably well even if they are in your team since season 1... Do you agree on that??

7. Special abilities importance?? What is your opinion?? The absolute perfect is that you have almost one of each in your team?? Do you think that some abilities like Defensive wall on Midfielders are ineffectual?? What about Playmaker on DC(DMC)? Also one question i had for a long time... Defensive wall means that he is a very hard player to be passed by for example by a dribble-? or just that when another has a free kick he is better suited to block the shot?? Is it better to have a player in with a special ability but -3 rating overall??? Example better to use 37quality One on One scorer or 40 quality without special ability??

8. What about playing a player slightly out of position?? Taking an MR(6star for example) to play MC vs an MC(5star) which would be better to be used??? I heard that it matters how far his original position is from the one you use him in affects his performance(Better to use AMC as ST if you dont have one - than an MC)

9. Player skill upgrading... I've been upgrading constantly - Defence-Physical on Defenders, Mostly attacking- secondarily Defence on Midfielders, Full attack-Physical on attackers... Whats ur opinion in that??? what is the best in your opinion??
Really interested to have some constructive discussions and help each other improve their game.

Huge thx for anyone willing to participate- the expert ones who will offer advice and the new ones that will reply!

Thanks for your time!!!

[fmldotcom]

This is my opinions through personal experience and preference although this game is pretty unrealistic and i'm quite logical so I could be wrong.
I just don't get how DML/DMR are better to block AML/AMR than DL/DR. I would use DML/DMR to boost possession in midfield and only when they don't have AML/AMR. My choice is only to play DML/DMR when the only danger the opponent create from the wings are their fullbacks because the distance is safe. I think in order to counter you need to draw the opposition into your half to create gaps and space so I would use own half defending, normal tackling, long ball. I use short passing most of the time as long as you select counter yes you will use long balls. Some of the experts suggest with a certain tactic when playing against a much better opponent is hard defending, lots of players back defending in your own third and midfield but uses short/mixed passing with no counter since the opposition has better quality. I don't know how you can score if you don't counter against a better side using defensive tactics and formation because you'll have hard time moving up the field to link attacks but then again maybe the experts understand the game engine well and that's how it works? Why you need to counter ML/MR? Arrows to me are mentality of individuals, try to put red arrows on your GK when playing high pressing with offside trap to see if he acts as a sweeper. AMC plays in the hole and he draws your DC to come out of position causing confusion with your offside line but AML/AMR won't since they will be pushed to the side. Man to man marking should only be used when you match your defends with his attackers paring them in numbers and positions. What exactly you mean is playing bad? For me 6 rating is average. Players usually perform under par with a string of 5's if he's the weakest link or if the position he plays in lacks action. Another problem is if you play 3 MC with DMC or AMC or both 1 of the MC will perform average and same goes for 3 ST I think because they lack space to perform and a jungle only has 1 tiger, you can't expect them all to play well at the same time. Defensive wall is hard to understand because the arrow points to the left but I guess its to defend freekicks since the ball will bounce off the wall moving with the arrow. Either way its good to have. Corner Specialist is stupid! Not all corner kickers are good at freekicks but I don't know any1 good at freekicks couldn't take a corner. The only SA that seems to show it's effectiveness to me is the Freekicks ability since I changed my freekick taker to the specialist he banged in a few even his shooting stat is lower than my previous choice. I Never had a penalty kick specialist because I don't get much PK. If they don't have advantage its stupid because SA costs more money. The 3 SA I haven't seen their's effects are playmaker, dribbler and SS. I don't read any comments about how my playmaker control the tempo or my dribble nutmegs his markers. The shadow striker shouldn't even be a SA in the first place and I have changed quite a few SS they don't seem to explode. I wouldn't trade 50 points for a SA but I would choose a player with Freekick over a non-freekick with <10 shooting points anyday. If your opponent is better or he has fullbacks with overlap runs or he has 2 ST inside waiting for crosses yah he has a chance against you with wing play. The rest is your choice and style of play.

[Luskin Star]

Firstly, Cup draw depends on the server you are on, this cannot be changed so you will have to endure it until you get up in Levels.

1. I personally so not use DMLs or DMRs, my DR & DL defend pretty well, if you are concerned, just throw red arrows on the DL & DR. Playing the formation as you do tends to weaken your wing defence. I like playing teams with only 3 central defenders, I attack out wide with great success. So if you play 3 central defenders, I'd play a DML & DMR. I prefer 4 at the back, always

2. I tend to focus passing where my opponent is weak. So if playing the narrow diamond I attack down both flanks, if playing 4-4-2 classic I attack through the middle

3. Pressing style is always own half, unless I play a much stronger opponent, then whole pitch

4. Passing style I use short at home, mixed away, unless playing a stronger oppoenet when I mya play defensive & long passing

5 Always zonal

6. If I have bought a dud, you soon know after 4-5 games, I sell them

7. I don't put much creedence in SAs. I find a normal player will always score from the penalty spot, & I have a normal MR that scores often from free kicks. One SA that is important is a Defensive Wall, get one if you can & an Aerial Defender is also a very good

8. I never play players out of position, unless they go on as a sub. I have seen teams that do well playing MC at MR or ML, but I simply don't risk it, especially long term

9. All my players skills are within 2 point sof each other, always

Remember, everyone is different & everyone will have a different opinion. Maybe you can gather info & come up with the best solution.

Hope that helps

[Furiousmind]

2. I tend to focus passing where my opponent is weak. So if playing the narrow diamond I attack down both flanks, if playing 4-4-2 classic I attack through the middle

Nice Guys!! really appreciate your help... Really looking forward to more opinions...

Btw when you say, i focus passing where my opponent is weak, you mean where he owns the less star players or where he got not many players??

Also you mentioned you would attack me through the flanks using DML- DMR, dont you think that defensive midfielders have slight chance to score?? why would you use DML -DMR instead of AML-AMR??? Also in your team if you use for your flanks only AML-AMR will they go back to defend?? or you will be completely defenceless???

[fmldotcom]

Nice Guys!! really appreciate your help... Really looking forward to more opinions...

Btw when you say, i focus passing where my opponent is weak, you mean where he owns the less star players or where he got not many players??

Also you mentioned you would attack me through the flanks using DML- DMR, dont you think that defensive midfielders have slight chance to score?? why would you use DML -DMR instead of AML-AMR??? Also in your team if you use for your flanks only AML-AMR will they go back to defend?? or you will be completely defenceless???

He meant he'll use 3DC, DML/DMR are just high defensive fullbacks as he'll be defending man vs man and don't got to worry about the opponent's fullbacks overlapping.

[Furiousmind]

Could anyone tell me whats the best way to counter this??

------------------GK-----------------------

-------DL-----DC-------DC-----DR---------

-------------------DMC--------------------

-----------MC-------MC-------MC------------

--------------------AMC---------------------

---------------------ST----------------------

Last game i played 3-4-1-2 with Short passing through the middle and normal mentality and lost 2-1...

Just bad luck? Should i try it again, or any other ideas?? I have a better team than him... I average 39 quality with almost all players having special abilities and he is using 33 average quality... and 3 of them are with a special ability...

[fmldotcom]

Could anyone tell me whats the best way to counter this??

------------------GK-----------------------

-------DL-----DC-------DC-----DR---------

-------------------DMC--------------------

-----------MC-------MC-------MC------------

--------------------AMC---------------------

---------------------ST----------------------

Last game i played 3-4-1-2 with Short passing through the middle and normal mentality and lost 2-1...

Just bad luck? Should i try it again, or any other ideas?? I have a better team than him... I average 39 quality with almost all players having special abilities and he is using 33 average quality... and 3 of them are with a special ability...

This formation is very strong in possession but thin on flanks. It's not strong in attack either and very congested in middle. Depending on your players because you don't want to bench your star but 4-2-2-2 hexagon red arrows on your fullbacks attack down flanks long ball is the appropriate tactic. Or anything similar or use a DMC to prevent your DC's breaking the line if you want safety. 4-5-1v would work as well cuz even though you play with 1St, you totally dominate the wings when your fullbacks support.

[Furiousmind]

Whats the best way to face this??

------------------GK-----------------------

-------DL-----DC-------DC-----DR---------

-------------------DMC--------------------

-----------MC-------MC-------MC------------

----------------------------------------------

-----------------ST-----ST----------------------

What about orders??? Been seeing it a lot lately...

[Furiousmind]

Plz someone know how to counter this??? REALLY URGENT!!!

------------------GK-----------------------

-------DL-----DC-------DC-----DR---------

---------------------------------------

---ML----------------MC------------MR---------

--------------------AMC------------------------

-----------------ST-----ST----------------------



I Used
--------------GK----------------

------DC-----DC----DC----------

ML-------MC-----MC-------MR---

--------------AMC---------------

---------ST---------ST----------

and lost 4-3 away(even though i was winning 0-2 at half time...)

I tried attacking from Mixed sides and no counterattacks... with mixed passes...
Plz im really in need of some help!

[essokimo]

in fact i dont trust in counter formations anymore just yasterday another mistake i played against hexagon and 442 classic work they said this but i had bad experience with formations so i decided to play 541 and was acceptale i scored 2_1 in the first half .was equal in every thing but wasnt danger on my deffence and as i said was 2_1 then i tried to see 442 classic any way will have more ST then he scored 2 goals direct become 3_2 directly i return to 541 and things ecome better but i lost 3_2 away hope i can win even 1_0 at home to qualify to final of CL.another example happen to me against 532 i played 4141 and 442 classic i won 5_1 away and match at home i play half match with 4141 and was 2_1 for me and then tried 3n412 and was disaster match finish 2_1 for him.i dont blame anyone every oneknow his team better and may be this counter formations changes and it was my mistake to try this in big match semi final specially things was ok