Since FM2005, the match engine can be seriously predictable at times. I'm not one of those people that close the game when I lose or something, but sometimes it's just too obvious what will happen in the match once you see the early signs.

For example in my Everton game I was 1-0 up against Man City but their keeper was in superhero mode (please can fanboys not tell me it's my tactics! My tactics have worked well for the past 3 seasons). Then they had someone sent off. And I straight away knew that I was going to lose this game.

Second half, and they score one from a corner. I have another 10 shots on goal (I haven't changed my tactics by the way). 85th minute and they score again. The match finishes with them having 4 shots overall and me having 29. Please, I'm not a moaner, but this got me going a little bit...

Yeah I was at home btw.

I posted about FM06 being too predictable in the Match Engine.

I only watch my games on Key Highlights and I can instantly tell with each highlight who will have the final chance due to one team playing like Brazil and the other playing like my pub team.

Again I see this in FM08 where I know what will happen. When a Key highlight comes on the difference in the 2 teams are extraordinary but in the next Key highlight it will be reversed.

30 shots to their 4, they have had a man sent off, they are losing BANG they win the game.

Yup SI how can so many people be wrong who suffer from this?

Hi,

I feel your pain and have been there many times before. Once the cpu gets one of their players sent off, one of two things will happen. You will win, and score a few goals, or you wont be able to break them down and they will nick a goal.

Im afraid it really does come down to tactics in the end though. Other factors which will play a part are choosing the correct team talk. Generally, when the cpu gets a player sent off they will narrow their formation, or even change it, they will get lots of men behind the ball and close down often once you enter their half of the pitch. The best thing to do in my opinion would be to spread out, slow your tempo down and close down often, trying to keep them pinned in their half. If your defenders are quick, or their strikers are slow you can also push your defensive line up to the same level as your attacking mentality, ensuring that you keep them pinned in their half.

Finally, you will need a little bit of luck.

Hope this is of some help, as i experience the same thing, just remember you wont always win against 10 men, just remember to use the same tactics against them when you get a player sent off.

Thanks for the replies.

Matt, I can see what you're trying to say, but when in real life has a team with 11 men against 10 ever changed their tactics? Why would they be mad enough to do so? Look at United vs Chelsea in September (2-0). Chelsea got Mikel sent off but United kept on playing the way they did. Chelsea did not threaten at all, and were embarrassingly subdued.

Agree with the above poster, I always tend to change my tactics closer to the end of the match as I know the CPU team will go all guns blazing. I tend to go defensive and counter-attack if their down to 10 men. If I have slender lead, then I make sure my fullbacks do not bomb forward.

If you attempt to keep on attacking towards the end of a game, more than likely, you end up conceding a goal in this game.

Good point, but can i point you to the game Chelsea played against Everton at home in the carling cup not so long ago? Mikel got sent off, and Chelsea ended up nicking a goal through Shaun Wright Phillips in the final few minutes if i remember correctly.

Was agreeing with Mattbuck by the way.

Matt,

The Chelsea vs Everton game is slightly different though. Chelsea were at home so were bound to be more attacking.

Granted, but they scored first, then Mikel got sent off, Everton scored but Chelsea nicked it at the end. Your point still stands i think, but im just saying sometimes you need to give a little and think, well i suppose it could happen. I am sure that if you had done some of the things i suggested then you may have got a different result.

Also you said they scored from a corner, not from open play so in a sense they were indeed lucky, as that was probably their only chance of scoring (from a set piece).