Hi guys, I usually manage to go 1-0 up against most teams, with plenty of possession and chances. The problem is I can't (mostly) seem to get that elusive 2nd goal, which allows you that little bit of breating space. I keep creating the chances, but usually my strikers put it straight at the keeper, or the keeper tips it over the bar for a corner.

My strikers don't have a problem scoring in general, and they have good finishing and composure etc thats required of a tasty striker. The failure of getting that 2nd goal quite often allows the other team to nick a goal (sometimes 2) and it is getting my goat now, that even though we have the superior shots on/off target I cannot put these 'inferior' teams to bed.

I don't think it's the tactics, and I play a patients short passing game, no high tempo that might make the strikers 'rush' their shots.

Any idea's ladies and gentlemen??

Three thoughts.

One is, that patient short-passing game, isn't it most useful against a packed defense? Once you've gotten the lead, the opposition should be coming at you a bit more, and I would expect you'd be more likely to have success with a more direct counter-attack.

(Warning: I've stepped away from 8.0.1, so that advice MAY not work - check the Training & Tactics Forum if you want more detailed and correct tactical advice.)

Second thought is, perhaps its related to your team talks? This might be especially true if you tend to get that first goal in the first half, and your half-time team talk is letting the players feel that they can "take the foot off the gas" a bit. The Communication & Psychological Warfare article over in T&TT is first-rate, great information.

Third thought is, have you tried bringing a substitute striker on? Fresh legs can really wreak havoc on a tired defense in the final twenty minutes, and a not-regular-player may have more motivation to score for you, since he wants to impress you to force his way into your first team.

After I score my first goal, I am usually home free. What I do is :

- I make the mentality a bit more defensive (2-3 notches) for everyone except for a couple of players (striker + 1 midfielder).

- make tempo a bit slower and passing a bit longer.

- decrease closing down a bit, as they are going to come at me anyway.

- If off, I turn counter attacks on.

- decrease width and defensive line 2-3 notches.

All the above seems to mean that I make my team more defensive. But practically, it means I defend better, and therefore I can attack more and find emptier space too.

This thread really belongs to the tactics and training forum, not here.

I do almost the exact same things that Lyssien does - in fact, I have that tactic stored as a "Defend and Counter" tactic, for use when leading, or when playing against a top team.

You've gone back to 8.0.0?

Nope. I'm not playing a "serious" game of FM right now at all, mostly waiting for 8.0.2. If I feel an urge to fire it up, I play my "quick and crunchy" 5.0.5 game.

Ok guys, thanks for the advice. I may try some of these tips. Just pee's me off that I continue creating, but the ball doesnt go in the net lol.