WE7:I (ps2) ML tips

[Daniel Jones]

I've had PES3 for a while now and can honestly say it's the best footie game I've played. Picked up WE7:I (for the PS2) the other day since it's supposed to have even better gameplay. However, I've always struggled when starting out at ML. It usually takes me 3-5 seasons to get out of Division 2 (3*). So what tactics and formations do you guys use for better success? If you could list the following:

Team (is it better to start out with a certain team like in WE6:I)
Formation
Strategy
Player settings
Starters

Thanks. And please don't say practice more. That's a given. I've played the game for a while so I don't hammer R1 and can play cover defense pretty well. I usually use a 4-4-2A formation, R/L attack and counterattack. Sometimes I'll use more conservative strategies depending on the way the game is going. Normally I get a lot of draws, some wins and a loss or two in a typical season.

 

[Everlast]

Its depends on what style you like, I started my first ML on 3*, got promoted on the first season. What I do is try save some more point and buy a decent Midfield player, and keep using the default ML players, coz some of them are good, like castolo, voulander and a few more.

Man city (but all default player, except I bought McManaman at the mid. season)
4-4-2 B (with 2 DMF)
Side attack

I found that using "side attack" strategy more effective for me, coz sometime the LB/RB defender will run up and more active on side for crossing / header.

 

[Daniel Jones]

Have you adjusted your individual player strategies as well? For example, using DMFs with a more defensive attitude? I like wing attack as well but you have to be so quick otherwise the box is stuffed with defenders. What do you think about using a 4-3-3?

 

[Everlast]

Nope, I didn't touch anything on individual player strategies, I just pick Side attack, and it seems best for me.

I just have to time the timing right to score a header, and its not hard with those defenders in the box tho. 4-4-3 is also good for wing attack, the important part is use some good long pass player for crossing.

 

[Daniel Jones]

Anyone else have something to add?

 

[akvelocity365]

Just Practice!:funny:





Okay okay. The key is to find the best formation that suits the players you have! This is very important actually. This is where you will have to experiment! For me, with the default squad, I prefer the default formation of 3-5-2 w/ two defensive MFs! I actually set my counter attack frequency to "A", everything else though, I left as default. Depending on your style of play and your weaknesses, try to acquire a player that can provide somewhat of a remedy to that situation! For example, I love to kill the team on possession, my best defense, Real Madrid style, looking for that quick one on one moment where I can take on their last DF with my CF. Hence, why I bought C. Ronaldo on a trade one ML season. Quick, fast, great handles, above average finishing. Evaluate your play and force yourself to make adjustments!

You mentioned that you like to use the 4-4-2 A formation. Try something else if that isn't working out for you. 4-3-3, both SW way up with attacking bias, two Defensive MF staggered with one more defensive, other more prone to attack. Diamond formation front, Offensive MF, two WF, one CF way up on the attack. This is just one example, but really move things around. Another problem might be your atual play as well, this is where practicing by playing friendlies, cups, etc helps. Learn to not take too long to take your shot! Once you get open, it usually might be best to just take it, even if it is a bit far in range. This will get you accustomed to reacting faster to take all your shots, so that when you get those clear open chance where you have a split second to let her rip, you actually get it off without the ball getting blocked!

Okay, this is getting a bit longer than I wanted but another tip might be to risk going into debt right away in Div. 2. Buy a player that will actually make a difference! Only a small percentage of us seem to demolish the comp with only the default player! Not me, I look for a difference maker, I might go into debt, but I don't go so extreme that I have no chance in hell to make it up during the off-season negotiations. Personally, I wouldn't waste your money on GKs or DFs when you start out the ML! If you are letting too many shots off by the other team, you really need to be practicing on defense. Luckily some of the defensive players are good enough to keep the games close! seriously though...blah blah blah. I think you got my main points here.

cheers

 

[Daniel Jones]

Thanks for your reply. I've begun a new ML session and have switched to 4-4-2B with two DMFs. I use side or center attack and it seems pretty effective so far. You're completely right about taking too long to get a shot off. I experience a lot of blocked shots. I'll definitely try your 4-3-3 formation.

 

[Daniel Jones]

Well, I just lost to PES United 0-2. The goalies really are better in this version. I had a lot of shots on target and the goalie made saves every time. The scoreline really doesn't show how the game went until the end and that's when I think I messed around with the formation too much. Oh well.

 

[akvelocity365]

Originally posted by Daniel Jones
Well, I just lost to PES United 0-2. The goalies really are better in this version. I had a lot of shots on target and the goalie made saves every time. The scoreline really doesn't show how the game went until the end and that's when I think I messed around with the formation too much. Oh well.

Don't let this change things up for you or discourage, it's only been a few games man! Another piece of advice, only switch your formation at the beginning of the match and at halftime. If you are making extreme switches durin the match, you are forced to change your playing style as well! You are throwing in way too many variables that can help you find your best style of play! Play a lot more friendlies and cup games, stick with a formation and strategy for a few games, if it isn't working, THEN switch. Not try several formations within the span of one game, seriously, do you think you can find a difference in your play in that span of time?

Your prior post sounded like you were on the right track, you will have games where you get the shots off, but the goals don't come, that's expected though man, keep pluggin, try fast whipped crosses into the box, low high, medium. Be creative to get your guys even more open. The key this time for you is to stick with a strategy and practice with it! Don't throw it away after one half! Every formation and tactic will obviously force you to change some aspects of how you can play! Advice I got a long time ago was to practice by playing friendlies and cups with weaker teams and play stronger teams. Do this until you can start stringing together a good number of wins and ties, prefferably more wins! Not until you can master this, you should even attempt the ML!

Doing this will improve your technical skill, then finding a formation won't be as complicated to find! Seriously though, what it comes down to is experience! The ML is harder than the friendlies and cups, if you can't master those, how do you even expect to master the ML?

So the points, pick a strategy, stick with it for a few games, then switch if it doesn't work. Try more creative things in your play to get your men even more open for the shots. Practice a lot more in friendlies and cups with weaker teams against the top clubs and countries.

(try practicing on 4 star, that should make your 3 star ML experience a little easier as well)

 

[Daniel Jones]

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'm just too eager to play ML since I thought I had it down pretty well in WE6:I (a much different game I know, I actually played ML on 4*). With PES3 I actually had a pretty good run in ML with Arsenal. Moved up to Division 1 after two seasons and after a "couple" of more seasons managed to win the Division, Division 1 Cup, and Champions League. However, it took me 7 seasons to accomplish this.