Kind of see where you are going but not exactly.

Think of it like this in terms of Premier League players and the situations in question.

Leighton Baines is one of the most successful penalty takers there is. But he is a LB and is nowhere near the first guy you would want on a breakaway from from the defense running right toward the keeper.

Where as Sergio Aguero is a great example of someone you would definitely want in that breakaway scenario.

Yes they are both just the outfield player and the keeper but there is a big difference between the skills used by Eden Hazard on penalties where it is all about reading the keeper and waiting until the absolute last second to make your strike so you can get the keeper to blink first, give away the direction of his dive, and then calmly roll the ball into the opposite corner........

And making a perfectly timed run, getting on the end of a through ball, and then using pace and and skill to beat the keeper while going full speed to avoid being caught from behind.

No real comparison......


As far as this game goes the PK specialty on either end is the most useless in the game. There are simply not enough penalties called for it to matter much. I tend to keep a backup keeper of similar skill to my starter but with PK specialty just in case of the one in a million chance that I am in a cup/CL final and it goes to penalties and then I can sub him in.........My starter always has one on one stopping skill. These situations come up nearly every single match.

Same with ST, at least 1/2 starting ST's always has one on one for the same reason.

I save my FK specialty for either CAM, CM, or CDM depending on which either needs the boost the most or if I have a good player at CM or CDM which is hard to find I will give it to them to boost their stats more......In my previous team I finally found a good CM after 4 seasons and he became a monster 20+ goal per year player for me and the last season contributed over 40 G/A.

CK specialist is always given to one of my RAM/LAM because I always give my CAM either FK or Shadow Striker and it has to go to one with the better passing skills. Even better if one of the two wingers is either footed.

I find Dribbling to be the 2nd worst skill. I have found 0 benefit in any player with it.

My defenders always get either Defensive Wall or Aerial Defender. They do not need attacking SA's in order to have good ratings. They either are good enough or they are not.......These two SA's do make a difference as a good team will concede very few goals from open play. Most come from spot kicks and this helps, especially if you can get two of each IMO. Watching matches I have seen a significant rise in opp FK's hitting the wall and CK's being cleared in the air.


SA's in order of importance and position recommendation

1. FK Specialist: CAM/CM/CDM(must train them to attack), Either footed if at all possible or one LF and one RF
2. CK Specialist: LAM/RAM, again either footed or one of each
3. One V One Scorer: ST, Only skill I use for a ST
4. One V One Defender: GK, ditto
5. Defensive Wall: CB/FB, at least one on regular starting 11.
6. Aerial Defender: CB/FB, ditto, best at Jumping and Headers if only one
7. Shadow Striker: CAM or sometimes a 2nd at RAM/LAM. It boosts the otherwise low scoring at CAM well IMO
8. PK Stopper: Almost worthless, only good if you happen to get into PK shootout really and that is only in a cup/CL final.
9. Dribbler: Worthless, just takes a slot away from a better skill
10. PK Specialist: Worthless, ditto