Other changes in the new Simulator

Headers

Heading is an aspect of the game that we wanted to improve in the new Simulator. Below you will see a few examples of heading (and the lack of heading!) in the old Simulator.

As we stated in the forum during the Beta testing, we do give a small boost to the heading skill for all players, this boost will decline over the next 2 seasons, as you have the chance to train this skill.

(Old Simulator)

• First sequence: here we can see that the receiver is close to the ball and, in almost all cases, should be able to head or control the cross. Sadly, the ball goes over his head whilst the player stands still.

(New Simulator)

• Second sequence: the striker receives the ball, runs with it towards goal and finds the striker with an aerial pass. The striker scores a great headed goal.
• Third sequence: here we see that the left attacker controls an aerial pass and heads the ball to the striker, who has a clean passage towards goal.
• Fourth sequence: another example of a cross to the striker who heads the ball towards goal.

Defense

We’ve improved defender behavior so that defenders will try to support each other more effectively without creating too much space when moving out of position.

Defenders want to help each other with tackling and marking, as well as with covering the open space. They will make mistakes, depending on their intelligence and tackling skills, as well as the skill of their opponents. With improved tackling and intercepting, defenders are now much more capable than before.

Previously, defenders didn’t defend well, and their poor play was partly responsible for the strange defensive formations that were widely adopted (the pyramid defence). Wing play was largely neglected, so there was never a need for defenders to cover the full back positions.

Defenders would miss too many tackles and often receive cards, resulting in free kicks, penalties and red cards.

Defending is still something we will improve in future Simulators.

(Old Simulator)

• First sequence: the first defender just stands frozen and doesn't try to take the ball. After the attacker has rounded the first defender, the next one backs away into his own box and doesn't attempt to stop the attacker.
• Second sequence: the left striker gets the ball and three defenders surround him, but none of them make a tackle and the striker is allowed to shoot on goal.

(New Simulator)

• Third sequence: one of the defenders attacks the ball while the center back holds position, covering the run. When the first defender fails to reach the ball, the center back steps up and stops the attack with an interception.
• Fourth sequence: the left defender runs up and tries to break the wing attack while the midfielder runs back to support. The midfielder catches the attacker and breaks up the attack.
• Fifth sequence: this is an example of weak defending in the new Simulator as a result of the defender’s low skills. The ball is passed to the striker who then runs at goal. The defender’s low tackling, speed and player intelligence contribute to the failed defensive play.

As part of our efforts to improve defending, we have continuously made adjustments to how cards are issued. Initially, when we made defenders more effective they began to successfully make more tackles. This meant there was an increase in the number of cards given, as more tackles created the possibility of more bad tackles.

This has been balanced through the experience and player intelligence skills. Experienced or intelligent players will receive fewer cards than other players. These players will still attempt to tackle and intercept, but with less risk of receiving cards.

Improved defending means strikers will attempt more long range shots on goal, to avoid defenders.

Scoring verses keeping

If you have the best goalkeeper in the world and the best striker in the world, what should the score be? We have improved how your goalkeeper play in matches. They are more aware of what the opposition strikers is trying to do and they try to position themselves better.

Keepers are not supermen, they are now performing to the level that they should, based on their skills. This means that there will be more saves than before, so your team may have to create more chances than they have in older Simulators to score the same number of goals.