Opposition Instructions

[Sir_Frosinone]

Hey all I was just wondering how important are opposition instructions? I seem to find my tactic works a bit better if I ignore them?

[Dr. Hook]

Hey all I was just wondering how important are opposition instructions? I seem to find my tactic works a bit better if I ignore them?

You often will find that because the OI can alter the way your team plays. I use them very rarely, and only to counter specific threats that I notice once the game is in progress. For example, if there is a creative pivot that is completing a lot of passes against me I might close him down, or if I notice a specific attacking player is getting loose too often I might man mark him tightly. Otherwise, though, I find that them disruptive to overall team play. Others here I know use them a lot more, so it is a preference, really. I believe that if you have your tactic setup properly and sensibly, you can get by without much in the way of OI. Team Instructions to alter your play style to counter specific things I find is more effective overall. I am sure others can share their experiences with OI.

[Fenech]

Hey all I was just wondering how important are opposition instructions? I seem to find my tactic works a bit better if I ignore them?

I think they are important but Dr. Hook is spot on, they do alter the way the team plays.. I find an assistant who is the best I can get for tactical knowledge and Judging player ability and then leave it to that member of staff.... then I dont have to worry about them and suffice to say, they know what they are doing!

[Sir_Frosinone]

thanks for the advice guys

[Rashidi]

I played a whole season as Torino and as my Youtube shows have shown, I have never used a single OI. You can use them, to great effect but I would save them for human vs human matches, or for using selectively against isolating a specific player. I wouldn't however look at OIin a whole bunch of players cos that would displace the instructions of a tactic

[Cyderman]

They are an added dimension of complexity. If you seek marginal gains then they are a great tool. If you don't want the hassle to tinker or even become adept then it's no great loss. One of reasons is that you can do as much damage as good - even when you think you know what you are doing. Also due to the confirmation bias - if you show a striker onto his weaker foot but he scores with his weaker foot - you probably think it was your instruction that "caused" to him to score, when in reality you instruction is trying to reduce the propensity of the striker to score overall - he will still score sometimes - the question is more or less often due to the instruction? And by doing this, did you cause something else to happen which is much worse (the striker passes starts passing to better positioned teammates who score)?

I find my assistant manager's recommendations to be a bit hit and miss and I often can't see the logic.

Personally, for weaker teams I don't tend to add instructions (the exception being cup ties, particularly away from home to lower league teams - gotta match 'em). For tougher games, I tend to go in hard on any central players who have bravery & aggression hovering around 10 or below - DCs and MCs. I find going in hard on tricky wingers leads to straight reds when they dance past you. I also target any player with a dodgy temperament (think Diego Costa - always go hard on him). I also go in hard on players who have low fitness (and for that matter especially when the opponent has used 3 subs) and defenders who get an early yellow. Sounds cynical and it is. Not for the footballing purists I know.

[Os]

I always use them with great detail.

for example an opposing player like Hazard I set the OI to tackle easy so my players stay on their feet.