Tips on getting a solid defence?

I know I'm not going to start getting cleansheets eveyr game but this is something I've always struggled with, getting a good defence. Now I think it was harbin91 who commented on the fact I conceded 91 goals in the PL last season when I finished 14th, it just isn't good enough. I mean I'm 7th in the PL this seaosn after 6 games but I've already lost 2-0 to Swansea, 4-1 to Wolves (CC) and 6-2 to Chelsea, and most of those goals came from common defensive mistakes.

My main defence is the back 4 there, I guess you're gonna need more screenies but I can't think what atm. So anyone got tips that can help me get a solid back 4?

You have Titus Bramble That's the problem!

You're in 2016 now so I'd imagine there will be some good regens that have come through. Try scouting Brazil, Spain etc. for good young players that can come in straight away!

I might consider changing Bramble from LD to CD and Jeppesen a more defensive role.

Other than that, for me it's all about critical defensive attributes, like, for center halfs you need tackling, concentration, jumping, positioning, strength, and pace and acceleration dont hurt. for fullbacks/wingbacks, you'll need acceleration, positioning, pace

It's also not just about the back 4, if you find yourself conceding a lot of goals, especially when away, consider using 4-5-1 counter

Best of luck

quote CupidStunt

Just general things.. You're gonna concede more with an Attacking strategy, as opposed to Control or Standard.. (depending on player instructions obviously)
Also, placing your team on Defensive positioning match prep. rather than Attacking Movement for tougher games may also help..

However, the main problem will be having a 35 year old Titus Bramble in your defence.....

Usually I have it on defensive, the only reason it's on attacking there is because I had Blackburn who are near the bottom and I felt we could take them Made a mistake in the screenie though, Bartley or my 22 yr old CB usually play, Brambles the back up

quote blueboy123

You have Titus Bramble That's the problem!

You're in 2016 now so I'd imagine there will be some good regens that have come through. Try scouting Brazil, Spain etc. for good young players that can come in straight away!

See above for first part
There were a few newgens/regens I wanted to get, but most of the clubs were asking for prices I couldn't afford, will scout some countries to find better players though, so thanks

quote IcarusAbides

I always play with my defensive line set to deep, set the additional focus area to 'Defensive Positioning',

Will try this next game, it's vs Arsenal so I'll get a look into how they'll cope vs a quality team, thanks for the suggestion

quote IcarusAbides

Edit the Attacking Corners set piece and set your Full backs and two midfielders to Stay Back so that you don't get hit badly on the counter attack.

For Defending Corners, set Full backs to Stand on post, Centre backs to Pick up tall players and everyone but one striker to 'Man Mark'.

Will do this and reply after a few games how it goes, thanks for the suggestion again.

quote IcarusAbides

Cathcart wasn't good enough for my Blackpool team after a year or so in the Prem.

Got an average rating of 7.30 in the opening 9 games, which include the defeats in the first post, he's done well tbh

quote IcarusAbides

Oh and what the hell has happened to your team morale, it shouldn't be that bad just because you're in sixth

Lost the last 3 at the time of the screenie.

quote evantheus

Other than that, for me it's all about critical defensive attributes, like, for center halfs you need tackling, concentration, jumping, positioning, strength, and pace and acceleration dont hurt. for fullbacks/wingbacks, you'll need acceleration, positioning, pace

It's also not just about the back 4, if you find yourself conceding a lot of goals, especially when away, consider using 4-5-1 counter

Best of luck

Thanks
Phelix sorry for not quoting you, but thanks a lot, will try and implement the things you've all suggested and will see if they help.

I think you might have got that idea from someone else, like Guardiola or something. ^^^

But yeah, I'd say defend deep and sort out what everyone is doing at set pieces. Both when you're defending them and attacking them (to prevent a counter attack).

it depends what kind of centerbacks you have in your disposal

if your centerbacks are fast, play a medium/high line and you can be proactively defensive by making those interceptions. have them press a lot and use them as stoppers. use man marking. they need a good work rate stat

if your centerbacks are slow, play a deep line and be reactively defensive by guarding space. use them as "covering" centerbacks. use zonal marking, and have them stand off your opponent. they need good positioning and anticipation stats

if your centerbacks are slow and have poor positioning and anticipation, there's no solution for this. he's mentally retarded and he'll blow lol

and as i've discovered recently, pressing and defensive line need to go hand in hand. high line + no pressing = suicide. whereas deep line + high pressing = suicide as well.

i managed roma and used a deep line, conceding only 15 league goals. now i'm managing schalke and using a high line, conceding only 7 league goals in mid-season

quote shaunie

Yeah, I understood what you meant. Just thought I had heard it somewhere else before, haha

To be honest im sure he had said it, for god sake his team always had the ball so it would make sense for him to say it

quote schnix

it depends what kind of centerbacks you have in your disposal

if your centerbacks are fast, play a medium/high line and you can be proactively defensive by making those interceptions. have them press a lot and use them as stoppers. use man marking. they need a good work rate stat

if your centerbacks are slow, play a deep line and be reactively defensive by guarding space. use them as "covering" centerbacks. use zonal marking, and have them stand off your opponent. they need good positioning and anticipation stats

if your centerbacks are slow and have poor positioning and anticipation, there's no solution for this. he's mentally retarded and he'll blow lol

and as i've discovered recently, pressing and defensive line need to go hand in hand. high line + no pressing = suicide. whereas deep line + high pressing = suicide as well.

i managed roma and used a deep line, conceding only 15 league goals. now i'm managing schalke and using a high line, conceding only 7 league goals in mid-season

This.

Also having a half decent goalkeeper helps lol. I swapped out the keeper who starts at PSG for Handanovic in the second season, and as if by a magic, suddenly had the best defence in the league and one of the meanest in Europe! xD