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Player Skills and Positions
[fab] The following was written by Matttombstone who
is in one of the premier leagues and a Game Assistant
in MZ. Crew' has a somewhat reluctant attitude
to explaining how some things work, so some of this info will
be garner from experience. Given Matttombstone
position, it is advice I would listen too. Here goes........
Players need many stats to perform to perfection, in an
ideal world your team will be 10 in everything, sadly, this
is ManagerZone and not an ideal world which would be boring
anyway.
Skills and what they do
Speed
Speed, simply put, is how fast a player is. Every player
needs to be quick, from the striker to the goal keeper. It
is obvious that a fast striker would need speed to outpace
the defenders but Keepers would need speed to get out to
gather up a free ball. The amount of goals I've seen
conceded due to a slow keeper is silly.
You won't see a slow player scoring hat tricks left and
right unless he's in surreal condition, otherwise high
stamina, and facing aweful competition who have cruddy
defenders and the striker has high ball control.
Stamina
Probably the most important skill in the game, at least
up to a certain level. It's very important you get your
players up in stamina otherwise not long in the game your
players will exhausted. You should be looking for at the
extreme lowest of 4 stamina for any player.
What does stamina do then? Well stamina is more than what
the eyes see, not only does it keep players running at top
speed for longer, but it also helps the players avoid
injury. Stamina works like a fatigue bar, the longer your
player plays, the more tired he becomes and his skills begin
to deteriorate (only in the match) and he loses his
abilities later in the game. For example, a 10 shooter with
0 stamina would become tired within 5 minutes of the game,
by the end of the match he could be a 5 or less shooter,
however with 5 stamina he'd be able to perform to a high
standard up to the 80th minute before losing speed and he'd
finish the match as a 9-7 shooter.
Play Intelligence
Play intelligence is one of those skills you notice very
little difference between each ball, you notice a huge
difference between a 5 and a 6 keeper, but the difference
between a 5 and a 6 PI player is minimum and barely noticed.
However, saying this, do not neglect the skill, 0 PI
strikers, for example, would play really badly, whilst 6 PI
strikers would show a big difference of performance in play,
even if he was the exact same in EVERY other skill.
Passing
The ability to pick out good passes could mean the
difference between winning and losing. If your team passes
excellently between one and other, you'll keep possession of
the ball longer and set up better chances, however, if your
passing is non existent you could be giving away silly balls
or a great opening could be stopped by a pass ending up at a
defenders feet.
Shooting
Shooting can be random at the best of times, a 10 shooter
could put in more chances than a 6 shooter however the 6
shooter could score more. Here, however, shooting is
everything rolled up in one. Accuracy, power are all covered
under this stat and the higher the stat the more chances
that are usually on target and the better chance of scoring.
Heading
Not one of the most active skills in the game, however
that is changing, it will help if your players have good
heading ready for the new simulator as being able to head
between players (passing it around), heading it away
(defending) and putting it in the net (scoring) could mean
winning or losing.
Keeping
The skills for goal keepers, no other players need this
skill. The higher the skill the better the keeper plays and
the more he'll save. Simple.
Ball control
This works in many ways, mainly being able to control a
pass or a cross. However this skill also helps a defender
with his tackling as he takes control of the ball rather
than letting it roll away. Also it makes it harder for a
player to be tackled, worth training it, especially for
strikers. Ball control also helps a goal keeper keep hold of
the ball during saves thus leaving less opportunities for
rebound shots.
Tackling
The ability to take the ball from the opposing players,
the higher the skill, the higher the chance of taking the
ball. It's a needed skill against high ball control players.
Cross balls
This is the same as passing, however it is the skill used
when the ball leaves the floor. A hugely required skill for
defenders and midfielders.
Set plays
This skill makes free kicks better, being able to put the
ball in the back of the net in a shot or just picking out a
good pass into the box over a wall. It also aids corners and
penalties.
Experience
A non trainable skill, this skill increases over time.
Players mainly gain experience through cup and league
appearances, even if on the bench, however friendly
cups/leagues give little boost. This skill is a boost skill
and generally makes the player play better, like in any
other job, the more experienced you are the better you'll
perform. For example, you're working in a call centre, at
the beginning you might be nervous and hesitant during calls
and may lose your place and such, however as you get more
experienced you'll be able to speak comfortably and
confidently and knowing exactly what you're doing.
Form
Form is a multiplier skill making players play better and
is controlled through league, friendly, friendly league and
cup games. Whilst friendly league and cup games only effect
form POSITIVELY, league and friendly league games can effect
players NEGATIVELY if over played. The best way you can keep
a player at top notch form is through playing 4 friendlies
and 2 league games per week. However Friendlies and League
games can be replaced by FLs and cups. Don't fear about
playing 500 FLs, your form will ALWAYS (unless you over play
in friendlies) remain high and will not drop to I need to
rest. It's worth noting that form rarely goes above 9 balls
and if you get 10 it's a screen shot and print opportunity.
I have never had 10 in form in my 2 and a half years of
playing (in ether sport).
Player positions and their skills
So what do players need? Well all players need certain
stats, I split them into 3 categories, Musts,
Needs and Bonuses. Must stats are
the skills that players can not do without, in every case
here it would be stamina and speed. Below I will describe
how each skill work.
So, that's the skills spoken of and now since you
understand the skills a little better, here's a run down of
what skills a player needs, why he needs them and a
suggested number for each player.
Goal Keepers
Goal keepers can decide any game, sometimes they can have
good days, sometimes they can have bad days regardless of
the number of balls in their skills. Keepers need the
following skills.
"Must" skills.
| Keeping |
This is needed heavily and should be the first
skill you should focus any keeper on and work on
maxing it first. Remember, you could lose an easy
game with a clown in goals. |
| Stamina |
A keeper can never be injured. Stamina is used
for in game performance, and the higher the stamina
the longer he'll be able to keep shots out.
Performing at 100% could be the difference between
winning and losing. |
"Needed" skills
| Play Intelligence |
You could have an excellent 10 keeper with high
stamina, but it's not always enough! If he's as
thick as a plank then he could give away goals. Play
Intelligence is mainly about positioning and if your
super keeper can position himself well he could save
a lot more shots! |
| Speed |
A keeper can never be injured. Stamina is used
for in game performance, and the higher and quicker
a keeper is, better chance he can come out of net to
pick up a lose ball before a striker gets to it.
If your keeper is slow, you best turn away when the
striker gets to the ball because 9 out of 10 times
the striker will slot that ball for home runs. Also
the quicker a keeper is the quicker he can recover
from open goals. I've also noticed quicker keepers
tend to get off the ground quicker. |
"Bonus" skills.
| Ball Control |
Keepers usually keep hold of the ball, however,
ball control greatly increases the chance of him
keeping hold of it. Keeping hold of the ball is
critical for preventing any dead ball situations and
when it goes in it hurts. |
| Cross Balls
|
Keepers always use this skill, even for close
range passing. It seems to me that if you ask a
keeper what a pass is you'll receive a blank stare.
Cross balls is crucial for getting the ball to the
right player, no point giving it to a striker on the
opposing team. |
| Passing |
Market wise, this will bring in more money for
two reasons...
1) People tend to value passing higher than cross
balls.
2) Passing adds a lot more to his value thus you
will keep more of the money made |
Recommended stats...
Keeping - 7+ (8 or higher for high leagues)
Stamina - 4+
Speed - 4+
Ball control - 4+
Cross balls - 4+
Play Intelligence - 4+
Passing - 3+
Defenders
Defenders are the back line that aid in keeping attackers
out.
Often thought of less than strikers, they really do add a
valuable contribution to a team. They do an important job
but like all players, their job are worthless without
certain skills...
"Must" skills
| Speed |
The quicker defender usually catches a striker,
a 10 ball striker is guaranteed to catch any striker
eventually (see strikers). Without speed a defender
is useless and does little to add any contribution
to a team. |
| Stamina |
To defend well a defender needs to last the
match. Higher stamina = better lasting performance.
|
| Tackling |
A defender's main job description usually
requires decent tackling, if a defender can't tackle
they tend to find themselves out of a job quickly. A
better tackler gives you a better chance to keep the
ball away from the goals meaning a better chance of
taking something from the game. |
"Needed" skills
| Cross balls |
I value cross balls highly, as defenders tend to
send that ball up the field for a counter attack
when they tackle. It does help to get that ball on
target. |
| Play Intelligence
|
The ability to position himself and mark an
attacker really does help any team, and if they can
play the offside trap well you get to see more of
the ball where you want it, at the feet of your
players rather where you don't want it, in the back
of your net. |
| Passing |
Defenders help the midfield with passing often
and it does help if they don't give the ball away.
It's worth training up, it's not as important as all
the above, however it is still needed. |
"Bonus" skills
| Ball Control |
Ball control is required by any player, and
defenders it's no different. Ball Control helps
defenders take direct possession of the ball during
tackles and makes controling passes and crosses
better. Also it makes it harder for attackers to
tackle your defenders. |
| Heading
|
Defenders sometimes head the ball away, you want
the header to go to one of your players and this
skill makes it happen. |
| Set plays
|
Defenders often take free kicks, so it does help
to have a defender make the free kick a good one.
Although I wouldn't advise training this skill up a
lot until others have maxed. |
| Shooting |
Every now and then a defender will take a shot
on goal, mainly from corners. It's worth while to
make every opportunity count. |
Recommended stats...
Speed - 6+
Stamina - 5+
Play Intelligence - 3+
Passing - 4+
Heading - 3+
Ball Control - 3+
Tackling - 7+
Cross Balls - 5+
Set plays - 3+
Midfielders
Midfielders play centre park and often play the role of
setting up your strikers. You want your midfield to play
well so the below skills are needed.
"Must" skills
| Stamina |
As usual, keeps injuries at bay and keeps the
players performing. |
| Passing |
The better the passing the more on target passes
your player makes. A great ball up field =
possibilities! |
| Cross Balls |
Same as passing. |
| Ball Control |
As usual, control passes, harder to tackle,
control tackles |
"Needed" skills
| Speed |
Speed isn't as hugely important as the other
places, however it's still needed as it helps chase
down the ball and helps the midfielder get to where
he wants to go. |
| Tackling |
Midfielders often tackle each other, if you want
your midfield to stop the ball getting to the
attacker thus making easier work for your defenders,
it's worth having a good amount of tackling in
midfield. |
| Play Intelligence |
Good play making is vital in midfield, if you're
suffering a dumb midfield performance, your team is
suffering too. |
| Shooting |
Shooting isn't hugely needed in midfield,
however sometimes it's a wanted skill during
chances, a winger would have this as a needed skill.
Midfielders do take chances at times so it does help
to have some. Set piece takers should have good
shooting. |
"Bonus" skills.
| Set plays
|
You should look at having one awesome set piece
taker and a reserve set piece taker, it'll help a
lot come free kicks at good positions and it's worth
making the most of the chances. |
| Heading |
Same as defense, good to get it to the right
players. |
Recommended stats...
Speed - 4+
Stamina - 5+
Play Intelligence - 4+
Passing - 6+
Shooting - 3+ (5+ for set peice)
Heading - 3+
Ball Control - 4+
Cross Balls - 6+
Set Play - 6+
Strikers
Here we have the guys who's sole goal is to... well score
goals. These men are responsible for netting goals and
taking wins, won't get far with a dud striker!
"Must" skills
| Speed |
A quick striker is a strong striker and any
striker should have high speed. Any player with
possession of the ball run slower, for example, a 9
speeder would be as fast as an 8 or a 7 speeder who
has no control of the ball. Thus it's crucial your
hitmen have high speed. |
| Stamina
|
Lowers risk of injury, play better. It's worth
noting players tend to slow down first with
possession of the ball before they noticeably slow
down without possession of the ball. |
| Shooting |
Scoring goals is the sole purpose of a striker,
you won't get far if your striker struggles to hit
the target or test the keeper! The higher the skill
the better chances of scoring. |
| Ball Control |
It's important to have high ball control in the
attack, it really is, not only do you have a better
chance of controlling the ball but you reduce the
chances of being tackled. |
"Needed" skills
| Play Intelligence |
This is really the only skill in this category.
An attacker with high play intelligence will
naturally play better and score more chances. |
"Bonus" skills
| Passing |
If strikers aren't scoring goals, they'll be
setting them up, a good passer could see the other
striker with a goal and that's what you're aiming
for! |
| Tackling |
Taking the ball off a defender is not only good,
but it's also devistating to their team, it helps
create more chances which could see you win by a
larger margin. |
| Cross Balls |
Mainly used for wingers, however attackers
sometimes attempt to cross it to their partner so
you will want it to be on target. |
| Heading |
Helps place the ball in the back of the net from
a cross or a corner. |
| Set plays |
For the free kick or penalty enthusiast. |
Recommended skills...
Speed - 7+
Stamina - 5+
Play Intelligence - 3+
Passing - 3+
Shooting - 7+
Heading - 2+
Ball Control - 6+
Tackling - 3+
Cross Balls - 3+ (6+ for wingers)
Set plays - 6+ for Pens/FKs.
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