Well, i think you're right at some point. It did evolve to a more complicated level and the problem of such thing is that there will be lovers and haters.
The developments have been pretty logic though. Yes, i loved the simplicity of the old versions and played them over and over and over again. But on a side note also longed for more features, more to do, more possibilities. Mostly simple things like player interaction, more stats, more interaction in general.
I'm still in a neutral zone about the tactic setups. I still don't like the sliders. It doesn't feel right. I prefer a more visual approach like real coaches use as well. Like a whiteboard. I've never seen them with sliders.
I rather do the general setup, with some directions, some basic options to tick or untick and let the players try to do what you've asked of them. I mean, tactics are important, but they are a guideline. In the end it's always the players on the field. Are they in the right position, do they have the skills and how can we improve a player or his role in your approach of the game.
Followed by trainings where you can actually guide them and tell them what you expect from them, what they can do better, what they do wrong etc ... Like in real life. It's people management mostly - not slider management.
But i bet they will end up more in that direction since the slider options aren't too popular with most people. Also the Training is just a bunch of numbers and sliders that give you some insight, but many times are pretty unlogic. Why did his finishing and composure drop, even when i have it on intensive? There sure is a logic explanation once you know what it is, but most of the time it's just a guess and many times a frustration.
I do indeed think it's too much based on tactics. But on the other side, it's a digital game, not real life. But there are numerous ways to simulate it much better, i agree, and i hope they will evolve to that level soon enough.
On a positive note. I'm very happy with the new match engine! It's more logical and less of an exact science compared with the terrible 2007 release. Ok, it's still a bit strange now and then. I mean, a throw in right over the line, or too stupid you can't imagine throw it 2 meters away from a free player into the feet of the opponent. But in the old days you didn't have a 2D overview - so it could have been anything these days. Now you just see it, so i try not to bother too much.
I still have my frustrations i didn't have with the older ones (before 2007). Especially because i sometimes just don't get it. I say Forward Runs often and still he doesn't dive into that enormous space in front of him. Why? His attributes are excellent for such action. I ask him to do it. He might fail, ok, no problem, but why didn't he just try?
I would be happy to tell him after the game he might have played well, but also tell him to use that space. He might not do it straight away, or do it wrong again, but it should improve to some extent. It's also a matter of character and morale if he succeeds at your club or not. If he doesn't improve - or doesn't want to because he's stubborn. So be it, go find another club.
But if it works! Man, in the first place it gives way more satisfaction because you've actually learned him something (i'm a coach, yes!) and besides that more grip on your tactic in a logical way. You will get way more involved with players and your team instead of being happy you've find the right combination of sliders that seem to click.
CM have implemented ProZone. Not sure if it'll be an improvement, since i haven't seen / tried it yet, but it might be one way to get more insight in tactics and grip on your teams performance.
Besides the tactics i love all the extra features.
And yes, the interface design is butt ugly. But hopefully it will be solved with some custom skins coming soon most probably.
I just wait and see what will happen. The FM people never respond to such posts but i bet they do read it or get notification of it because many of the problems posted on this forum are being answered, allthough not very well most of the time
Making errors is not a bad thing, it will help evolve to a "better" level, but we are talking about a commercial product. We pay for it, so we are allowed to expect to receive a solid and good working game without flaws.
In general. I'm happy with 2008 so far. I do feel it's less exact science and more based on your players, their skills and placing them on the right position. But i've only played 2 seasons so far with just one team. I might have been lucky
Is it me... 
Linear Mode
