Chat Seeing out a game - advice needed

[Meestercat]

I was hoping that you clever folks might be able to help me with strategies for seeing out a game - I find that I tend to concede an awful lot of goals past the 80th minute, especially in games with a close score line.  

If you're defending a a single goal margin, what do you do?

Ive tried setting the team to Counter Attack, but this just seems to invite pressure. Changing to a Defensive mentality seems to do little, likewise changing to a more defensive formation.

For context: ive started an unemployed save and wound up at Stockport.   Generally I use a trademark Wenger 4231, but for harder games I drop the wingers back for a 4411. Balanced mentality, mixed passing, no pressing, etc. I know that the two CMs are the weak point of this formation, so they have BWM and DLP roles and so shouldn't push up high.  The team is fairly young, but my back four are primarily in their mid to late 20s.

Any good tips to try and counter this problem? I'm a bit fed up of that sinking feeling I get when the game cuts to the pitch view in the last 5 minutes of a game.

[Scratch]

In past versions I found it best to immediately move to Defensive, Direct, Counter Attack after scoring a goal (for at least 10 or 15 minutes), but I've need this less in FMM 2017, maybe because my team is a lot better than most of my opponents. It still helps sometimes though. 

If I was trying to close out the last 10 minutes of the game I'd go Defensive, Direct, Men Behind Ball, Counter Attack. The Men Behind Ball part really makes a difference and you didn't mention it above, so make sure you're using that. You might have a point about Counter Attack inviting more pressure, so experiment with leaving that off, but I like to show a little something to keep them worried we can still hurt them.

The other thing - what are you're player's fitness levels like at the end of the game? Maybe you're being run over because the players have all dropped to 75% or something. If that's the case, get a fitness specialist coach and look at bumping up the fitness part of your training schedules (probably lowering something else).  

[rseven]

add a defensive player to DMC position.

[Scratch]

Also, maybe read this thread: 

 

The BWM may be running around trying to win the ball back instead of maintaining the defensive shape, so it may be better to switch him to another DLP or even leave him as a CM. I haven't tested that theory out myself, but the people discussing it in that thread should know, so may be worth a try.

 

[Meestercat]

Thanks for the replies.

I will admit, I'd completely forgotten about Men Behind the Ball, I'll do some testing with that and see how I get on. 

I don't think it's a fitness issue as I'm very careful about monitoring my players fitness. However it's something I'll pay attention to when recruiting coaches. This may have to wait for a bit as I'm a bit limited in options in the VNL.

Ill also consider the BWM role when defending a lead. I will admit that I've been using the role based on how a better player (Claudio Yacob) has interpreted it in another save. I do miss the CM-D role from the full fat version of the game as that position has always been a lynchpin of my teams.

[Jack]

I usually play an Attacking 4-2-3-1 but when I need to close a game out I go to a Defensive 4-1-2-2-1 - all I do is sub my CAM for a CDM and switch to Defensive

[BatiGoal]

Good suggestions here and @scratch99 makes a good point. I would change the BWM role if you're playing a 2-man midfield when defending a result. Or perhaps change to a triangle in midfield, depending on the formation you start with, in which case you could leave the BWM.

Btw if you look at the real stats in football a lot happens between the 80th and 90th min. It's true that a lot of teams take risks in order to force a result not too mention the players' tiredness which causes many individual errors / difficulty maintaining shape etc. 

If you got many good 'passers' in your team you could try playing short passing in order to keep possession so they get less time on the ball thus fewer chances. Another thing I do is sub off my most tired players ( make sure subs are quality too tho) and tweak to a defensive formation AMC -> DM or ST -> CB. Usually helps.

[veerus]

If you don't need another sub, consider substituting one of your fullbacks.  Since you're playing at lower leagues, their stamina isn't great so some fresh legs may help.  But as mentioned above, it's only if you don't need another sub.  Take care of the midfield first.  Also, pay attention to your possession.  If you're dominating possession and getting some good shots/chances, you're probably better off doubling down and trying to score another goal (by putting in on a fresh striker or AMC) instead of going into a defensive shell.