Last week I made a post about a teams effectiveness and not just how beastly it looks on the load-up screen. In the past Ive always favoured an IF or big name player over an effective regular player just because of how sick the team looks to show off. So I decided to trim down my old teams and rebuild based on pure effectiveness.
Example is IF Hernanes and IF Luiz, both complete dog**** CDMs who attack way too much and never defend. I had IF Miccoli(who is beast tbf) but he was too poor in the air and I had to have lazy BaLOLtelli in CAM, it looked nice on the load-up screen and posting ITT, but it sucked on the pitch.
So I decided to go back to front and where possible use the most effective players Ive used so far(Ive used a lot of players)...
GK - From my GK I need semi decent GK abilities, but mainly I utilise long throws and kicks a bunch, simply because its ridiculous how often you lose possession from the GK. If you kick it you rarely win the header up top, if you throw it you run the risk of it being cut out. SO that narrows down options significantly. In EPL only Cech and Reina have long throw, Reina cant kick for **** which is shocking because IRL hes prob the GOAT at long kicks. Neuer, Casillas and Sirigu are the only other "top" GKs that do it(not that Im calling Sirigu a top GK, but he has an IF)
CBs - I need pace in at least 2 of the positions(out wide). I need strength and the guy in the middle of the 3 needs to have good heading and defending ability. Overall hi def WR is the key, you can get away with 1 hi att WR but its not ideal.
CDMs - Hi def WR is an absolute must, definitely do not someone who has hi att WR and med or lo def WR. Med/med can work if it has to, as can hi/hi, but ideally you want med/hi.
Ive gone back and forth on the big guy/little fast guy CDM, I used to try to get one of each, but my recent switch to Ramires/Sissoko has been godly, Sissoko is a tank and has massive pace, Ramires' pace makes up for any physical disadvantage, with my CBs being great in the air I think this works well.
Wingers - As Ive said already, any WR that doesnt include hi def is fine for these. Let your defenders do the defending, with your hi def WR CDMs you really dont need your wingers to track back. Pace is an absolute must here IMO, but plenty to choose from.
CAM - Heres the position thats troubled me the most and I think it comes down a lot to playing style. I have had med/med guys in here and I just dont like it, they seem lazy and never get involved in play. I guess if you play a patient passing game then having a midfielder "Berbatov'ing" around is probably good, just wandering round waiting for the next pass etc. This used to be my play style but Ive changed it a lot of late as Ive realised just how easy it is to play a high tempo and open teams up. I like a hi/med or hi/lo WR guy in there. Pace is a bonus but not needed excessively. Being decent in the air is handy too for late runs into the box when your ST is about to cross from out wide.
I struggled vs Nasri 3-4 times, so I bought him and hes good, he has great dribbling and good passing as well as a semi decent burst of pace and he is hi/lo. But I think sometimes he gets in the way of the STs, so Im keeping tabs on that.
STs - There are 2 ways to go here. You can either go with 2 fast guys or 1 big guy 1 fast. Im torn on which I prefer. ATM I have Aguero/Remy, Remy has 84 heading and 92(?) pace, his all round game is poor though, passing, control etc. Heading doesnt seem to match whats on the card either so Im keeping tabs on that. I then have Di Natale and IF Cavani(IF klose is on the bench for both teams).
Massive key for me is WR again for STs, Ive had med/lo, med/med, hi/hi and Ive not been in love with any of them. Med att WR is the worst Ive come across, hi/hi isnt as bad, but still not ideal. ATM Ive got IF Cavani hoping that his 99 finishing plus all other mega attributes makes up for his hi def WR, hes on trial, so far hes running around like a headless chicken a lot but when he gets a chance its a goal.
Ranted on a bit but I think you get the picture. Recognise what you want from each player and build your team around it, you wont always get it perfect because you will have to "make do" to get links. Wok-rates are by far the most important thing to look at while squad building IMO. Ive only just realised this after about 800 games
This is what I ended up with, but Im not a fan of Hulk so another option there would be an idea, but I cant think of anyone without having to make lots of changes.