My mate bought an xBox 360 and FIFA08 (Exams=FAILED) and I noticed something on it that I think is brilliant.

If I move Drogba to CB or RB or something on FIFA, his ability decreases because its not his natural position.

For example, I played as Chelsea and I put Alex at right-back to fill in for injuries and his ability dropped.

I think that this would be a useful addition to FM, because I've accidentally played a defender up-front and striker in defence on FM and they've both played well.

It's not really realistic for a players ability to drop just because they are played out of position. Players attributes are generally in line with the position they play in, whilst if they can't play in the position they are put in, then performances are likely to be much lower, especially if their attrributes don't suit the position.

Indeed, attributes make up the fall for the re-positioning.

I don't believe that's very realistic at all. Why would my attributes drop just because I've changed position? For example, IRL I am a right back. I am no better or worse and shooting, heading, passing etc when I play right back, striker, midfield or anything.

My attributes won't change if I play in a different position, BUT I don't have good enough attributes to play in central midfield.

Hope that makes sense.

Their attributes don't drop in FM but they're unlikely to play well for more than a few games.

The effect your after has been in FM for many, many years - it's just not a visible attribute drop.

IMO that is one of the worst things in FIFA, I mean, Ronaldo is an excellent dribbler and whatever but if I put him to CB he will suck. Not because his ability dropped (he is still a great dribbler) but he can't tackle, he couldn't tackle as a winger and he can't as a CB.

I hope you understand what I mean...

SI also has something in the game,that makes players play worse when out of position, because otherwise fixed positions wouldnt make any sense at all, which i would prefer.

I read an CM/FM manual years ago, unless it's changed players do lose stats depending how far they are out of their position.

Like if a striker played in midfield he'd lose some stats but if he played in defence he'd lose more stats as it's further away from the striker position.

You are actually incorrect in this. It works the same as in FM, but in FIFA, you control the player. If I move Drogba to CB in FIFA, his atrributes remain exactly the same. His overall ranking will decrease because, like FM, FIFA's overall rankings reflect the attributes. I can't explain it that well, but for a CB, heading and tackling is really important. Drogba, I assume, isn't a terrific tackler so his rating at CB won't be as high as Terry or someone, but Terry won't have a high overall ranking as striker because he can't finish. You will note that if Terry has a 90 or something in heading, he will still have a 90 in heading at Striker but his overall ranking in the position is lower because his other striker attributes aren't good.

In FM, Drogba won't play well at CB either because his tackling/marking/positioning are poor. You may not notice this in Fifa because you control the player.

Basically what I'm trying to say is: Overall rankings in FIFA are indicative of the player's natural position. That's why Drogba will have a 69 at CB compared to a 85 at striker. His heading, tackling, etc will not change, but they are reflective of overall ability in THAT POSITION.

Sorry, I'm really confusing but it's harder to explain than I thought it would be.

Playing a player out of position doesn't affect their attributes, but it makes their attributes less effective by a certain percentage.