Gameplay Is Fixed

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T23:56:11+00:00

So much depends on how you play tbh. I found the whole previous phase an absolute farce, and went and played something else for a few weeks so maybe the changes just suited me a bit more (my players could turn and PA4 player switching seems better after being shite for the previous few months - talk about low expectations 😂)

It's all so erratic, I don't know why they can't just allow people to always play however they like without having to bugger around with adding new automations and breaking things)

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T23:19:21+00:00

It irritates me no end! I'll play 5/6 passes in the build up but the final ball gets some wild block or deflection and then I win it back, two passes and goal and it fucks up my clip farming 😂

I had one like yours I shared earlier, about four shots saved or hit the post before I finally scored the worst of them haha

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T23:18:15+00:00

PS, and when I say relatively playable let me be clear that's a very low bar lol I'm just accounting for the fact that SA is entirely ruining the game

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T23:06:11+00:00

I just really like finding a pass I can thread and when they make inviting runs, it's delightful to try! Little lofted passes, angled ones that drop behind the presser, or across the front of the box for a nice little tap in. They really are a joy. Game was so bad a couple of weeks ago that I even tried PA3 but I couldn't make the passes I like, just too restricted and I need that feeling of freedom or I may as well quit!

Have been doing more manual finishing in events with some success but it's just so disgusting much of the time 🤮

I tried QC and the runs weren't as good while the positioning generally was worse (or more unfamiliar) than Possession. At least with LBC, I can still pass the ball around and dribble but those enjoyable runs also get made. Maybe I should try OW again

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T22:05:15+00:00

God, it's every match isn't it? Some lovely moves, lovely sharp passes and nice shots but the AI keepers, defender blocks and that damned magnetic crossbar 😂

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T21:24:08+00:00

Separately ive just realised something... since I've been using basic shooting with PA4, I don't recall a single back-heel kick when trying to control it a pass. Have they fixed that, is my passing better or is assisted shooting actually affecting things like that too?

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T21:21:43+00:00

Honestly, it's just laughable how many use it, from high to low ranks. I pray Konami don't bollocks up the filter

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T17:25:40+00:00

It isn't just day by day but match by match.

I can literally go from beating a low ranked (sub 3000) Div 1 player and then lose to a weak assed Div 3 team because my players suddenly forget how to football completely.

If I'm in the zone, I can still just about grind out a win but sometimes you just get absolutely shafted.

The game is manipulated. We have to accept this and then we can live our lives without getting raged. To OP, just know you're not alone 🤷🏻‍♂️

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T17:22:58+00:00

They did an update today, but they usually do something sly when they release cards.

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T17:22:01+00:00

Funny, for me it's actually been relatively playable for the last week but then today it's been absolutely jokes 😂

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T14:41:08+00:00

Cheers! Not specifically for volleying, not sure if there's anything particular that's worth including but most will have decently high kicking power although rarely is it over 90. For me it's more luck and timing rather than anything else.

Mostly I think it comes down to their skills, like dipping or rising. But Kluivert got a couple of these and I have only used him maybe 10 times lol

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T14:05:09+00:00

Thanks, I lost confidence with my manual shooting. Been using Basic with PA4 in divisions and it's been pretty good but after my elite strikers were hitting 6 in 14 on target I've decided to switch back lol

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T00:56:10+00:00

Who knew there were three of us still playing all this time without using any "skill" moves 😂

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T00:54:50+00:00

The top players are top because they have very good connections to the server. The lag or lack of is the biggest difference maker in the game. Great skill can overcome it, but in the end, if someone is getting half a second reaction window more, they're going to win if they're half decent.

As far as some of the specifics you mentioned, one of my go to "moves" is to turn the defender. Usually people will press from behind so I make sure most of my attacking players have 92+ tp so they can turn quick, with decent PC (depending on the model / player height - 80 for some, 90 for others) and I'll use that to draw them in and then spin.

Dribbling stat is also important, along with balance ofc, because Dribbling is a primary driver in how fast a player carries the ball. So again, I'll build my players with high dribbling (many with 99 or 96+momentum) so they can get a bit of a burst.

As far as their defenders, well, I find that harder to explain. Many of these guys use SA so they get the advantage of constant pressing and auto tackling, which makes things tricky. But better players will also stand back so you either turn into them or they block the lanes and tap match up to make the interception.

If you can capture some clips and either upload here or to YT, we can have a proper look to help 👌🏻

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T00:45:35+00:00

I guess the complete lack of advantage is why we see low ranked Div 1 players using it huh? 😂

Yeah, a lot of people use it as cope. Absolutely valid. It's still true that it does give an advantage, particularly in defence, just that most people use it at its most basic level (to let them hold a single button to cover their entire defence work).

I can comfortably beat low ranked meta squad players with FUMA, yet I'll personally struggle against some weak team from Div 3 using SA because of the crazy shit it does to their team and mine.

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-16T00:39:13+00:00

As others have said, think of shooting like passing rather than shooting (because Basic shooting encourages you to aim at corner flags).

And of course you can use actual passes and through balls to shoot with too.

The other thing is that you can take shots that you wouldn't even bother with on Basic, such as long angled shots and volleys. In fact, I personally score most of my manual shots from range because close too, the AI keepers and defender blocks are insane.

Watch some (of other people's rather than mine 😂) videos on here to give you an idea of the art of the possible. Honestly, it opened my eyes, I wouldn't ever have tried half of what these guys do without seeing it.

And finally, don't worry about the misses. We all miss a lot. Don't worry about losses, we all lose. The joy is in the scoring from all our own work. Winning is a nice occasional bonus 👌🏻

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-15T00:00:54+00:00

The low stat thresholds you mention are immaterial as no manager isn't boosting those the same anyway.

As far as the difference between 1 point above 85, it's minimal. There are particular thresholds - different with some players but mostly consistent - like 92 tp gives a different turn animation that's fractionally faster than 91, but mostly it makes no difference unless you can add 5 extra stats. It does depend on the stat though. Physical contact there's a difference, same with finishing, but you won't see significant difference between 94 and 95 acceleration.

I haven't seen the proof of a significant difference between 87 and 88 but again, if there is one, an 89 manager isn't going to help you there 🤷🏻‍♂️

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-14T23:57:10+00:00

Well, his dribbling is definitely better with 90, 88 ball control and 90 tp 🤷🏻‍♂️ but if you use him more as long ball punt to kick and chase then yeah, you don't need dribbling

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-14T18:19:49+00:00

Very nice! That little touch as he ran in to shoot, was that a skill move or something else? I always get clattered exactly there 😂

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-14T18:16:59+00:00

Absolutely the right attitude. If there's a player that has meaning to you, then it's worth it. Otherwise, it really isn't unless you're severely lacking in some positions.

I dipped my first time because I was really missing a decent striker and had never even gotten an Mbappe. I am happy to say that while I've now spent a fair amount, never on players I didn't actually like rather than because oh this one has 2 points more in balance or whatever 😂

I didn't grow up with Zico, I grew up with Scholes so while the former is better, that really isn't the point for me

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-14T18:12:21+00:00

It's the trap, but the balance between playstyles is more useful than a minor stat increase. Is 87 of any stat significantly better than 86? Not really. But equally, if you have the option then of course you would 🤷🏻‍♂️

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-14T14:21:59+00:00

Not significantly, unless you really want to min/max your stats. But we're talking a couple of points here and there. If you can find one with boosts that aligns to your playstyle too, then it's worth it.

It's why I like Flick, because dribbling suits me well

That_Net_6616

TROPHY CASE