Subject: Skills of players

I've been playing for around a year now and tbh, I had lost interest until very recently. For some reason, I seem to have re-discovered my appettite for the game with simply watching some of my past matches in 2D. I have re-read the newbie guides etc and tried to piece it altogether.

From reading these documents though, I'm just left thinking that basically every position needs most if not all of the skills! The reason I say that is because if you take a defender as an example. Ok, they won't require keeper and striker but they basically need everything else it would seem? On the face of it, Defending and Pace are most important. But, then I read on and it seems they require technique otherwise they won't control the ball and they need playmaking otherwise they will appear to not know what to do with the ball when they have it? However, these last 2 conditions would seem paramount for every player to me.

I'm probably missing the point, but won't that mean having to try and get technique and playmaking to minimum levels on all players and if so, what would be regarded as good enough in this regard?

Thanks.

hi mate, yes defenders do need some technique, passing, and playmaking otherwise they can cost you goals, but in the lower leagues i wouldn't worry about it too much. trying to buy a defender with even good or solid in them can start costing a lot of money. here's a list of what each position should definitely have, and what secondaries they might need.

Keepers: primary skills - keeper and pace. secondary - passing.
Defenders: primary - defending and pace. secondary - tech, pass, pm.
Strikers: primary - striker, pace, tech. secondary - def, pm, pass.
Central Midfielder: primary - pass, tech, pace, pm, def.
winger: primary - pass, pm, tech, pace. secondary - def, str.

in IV i would really only focus on the primary skills, and try to get players with higher secondaries when you move up a league or 2.

I agree with what everything Tom Said. I would like to point out that in the case of defender the primary skills of pace and defending is vital importance till you get to premier division or div II aiming for promotion. Why? Because the opposition themselves will not have that well rounded a defender high in tech and playmaker! Same goes for mids and striker too.. So dont worry about the sub skills for each type till you get to be around in the top leagues of england.

Thanks guys, points taken.

and remember that stamina makes a big impact, especially for outfield players, If you team has very low stamina a quick boost can come from a few weeks stamina training.

thanks, my team are generally alright in terms of stamina though.