Pitch Dimensions Guide for FM2008
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Are you wondering exactly what pitch dimensions to set to get the best out of your players in Football Manager 2008? If so then this guide will explain everything there is to know about pitch dimensions in FM2008 including various hints and tips on what pitch dimension to choose.
A new feature to FM08 is the ability to set your own pitch dimensions. Yes I know what you are thinking; who cares? Well, you will once you have finished reading this article. If you have no idea what I am on about, after a few weeks you will get a message from your groundsman asking about the size of your pitch. I got asked on July 22nd, so if you don't know what I am going on about, wait until you get to that date, and then come back and read.
In real life, Highbury was known as quite a small pitch, and Arsenal stretched it ti the max. When they moved to The Emirates Stadium they made it a key point to have a wider and longer pitch. This enables them to stretch the opposition more that what they used to be able to, and you can really see the results! This was a key move in real life, and now Sports Interactive have put this into the game, brilliant!
Okay, so you want to win by any means possible, yeah? Well adjusting the pitch dimensions could give you a huge advantage, as long as you know how to use it to your benefit!
First of all, I wondered if I could make a decision on the pitch I wanted by just looking at my team. If you are a smaller team you will be looking to keep games tight and trying to nick a game by the odd goal. In this case you may want a smaller pitch so there is less space for the opposing teams. That said, you may think the best form of defence is attack, and want a bigger pitch to stretch the game. A bigger team full of technically gifted players, like Barcelona, would suit a large pitch. The likes of Messi, Ronaldinho, Deco, Xavi, Eto'o, Henry etc need room to play. You can't put them all in a team on a short narrow pitch and expect fireworks. They will end up running into each other and generally not being able to do their thing.
You can also look at the individuals on view before deciding. Key players for a long pitch for me are players who play "in the hole" between the midfield and strikers. Someone like Elano or Scholes will revel in space to run and weave their magic. The more space he can get, the better your team will do, and for this you want a longer pitch to stretch the opposition. You could also get stretched though, so make sure you look at your team and then see how others could take you apart on different size pitches.
A wide pitch could also work in your favour. If you have 2 outstanding wingers you want to give them the most space on the flanks for them to get room to either beat the man or get room to cross it in. A nice wide pitch will give you the advantage, but beware; the channels in defence will be bigger between the centre backs and full backs. If you get caught with a through ball, you could get made to pay!
We have covered the endless possibilities of a larger pitch, so why would someone want a smaller pitch? Well if you are a smaller club you want to squeeze play and keep all the oppositions quiet. If you are playing Arsenal, the worst thing to do is give them time and space. Not every club has players like Arsenal, but when you are a smaller team your opponents will have better players than you most of the time - so you will want to keep it tight.
So, the conclusion? I would love to be able to say that one type of pitch is better than the other, but infact, I can't. You have to take in all of the above, and then make your own decision. If you are really struggling for ideas, keep the standard size.----------------------------------One of the innovations in the FM 2008 - editable pitch sizes of your home stadium. Reasonable question: why must we suddenly deal with this issue? Suppose that reading this article to the end and then received a letter from an employee of your stadium, you will understand why and for what.
In reality, pitch of Highbury, for example, is known as very small, and Arsenal always tried his best to "stretch" it. When Arsenal moved to The Emirates Stadium, the main requirement was to box its size-it should have been a long and wide. This allowed to stretch defense of an opponent, and not slowed to impact on the success of Arsenal.
So you believe that all means good for a win? Then the sizes of your pitch can be a serious advantage. If you know how to use it correctly.
Before deciding on the sizes of the pitch, assess your own team. If your team is clearly not among powerful, and you have to play mainly in defensive football. Therefore you need to have a narrow pitch, which would deprive of the opponent’s attack space. But if you, looking at your team, are convinced that the best defense is an attack, you necessarily need a wide and long box to beat an opponent’s defense. Super Clubs, who has a large number of star players , are in need of a large field. Stars need space.
Also, pay attention to your key players, namely, their speed and acceleration. It seems, the higher acceleration the attackers have, it is easier to play the short field. And the higher the speed they have, the more chances they will have to run away from long distance defender. If both attributes equal - choose long pitch. It seems that powerful central forward should play on wide, but a short pitch. He do not rely on his speed, and his head must be as close to the gate. But the defense of an opponent will be stretched – and this is good for both powerful central forwards and wingers.
Generally, if you believe that the game will be based on wingers, a wide pitch should be chosen.
However, wide pitches can influence negatively on your defense – do not forget this! So think carefully!
And what’s the conclusion? If you read carefully, this article should be useful for you. If you are confused ... Just follow the standard sizes :)
In real life, Highbury was known as quite a small pitch, and Arsenal stretched it ti the max. When they moved to The Emirates Stadium they made it a key point to have a wider and longer pitch. This enables them to stretch the opposition more that what they used to be able to, and you can really see the results! This was a key move in real life, and now Sports Interactive have put this into the game, brilliant!
Okay, so you want to win by any means possible, yeah? Well adjusting the pitch dimensions could give you a huge advantage, as long as you know how to use it to your benefit!
First of all, I wondered if I could make a decision on the pitch I wanted by just looking at my team. If you are a smaller team you will be looking to keep games tight and trying to nick a game by the odd goal. In this case you may want a smaller pitch so there is less space for the opposing teams. That said, you may think the best form of defence is attack, and want a bigger pitch to stretch the game. A bigger team full of technically gifted players, like Barcelona, would suit a large pitch. The likes of Messi, Ronaldinho, Deco, Xavi, Eto'o, Henry etc need room to play. You can't put them all in a team on a short narrow pitch and expect fireworks. They will end up running into each other and generally not being able to do their thing.
You can also look at the individuals on view before deciding. Key players for a long pitch for me are players who play "in the hole" between the midfield and strikers. Someone like Elano or Scholes will revel in space to run and weave their magic. The more space he can get, the better your team will do, and for this you want a longer pitch to stretch the opposition. You could also get stretched though, so make sure you look at your team and then see how others could take you apart on different size pitches.
A wide pitch could also work in your favour. If you have 2 outstanding wingers you want to give them the most space on the flanks for them to get room to either beat the man or get room to cross it in. A nice wide pitch will give you the advantage, but beware; the channels in defence will be bigger between the centre backs and full backs. If you get caught with a through ball, you could get made to pay!
We have covered the endless possibilities of a larger pitch, so why would someone want a smaller pitch? Well if you are a smaller club you want to squeeze play and keep all the oppositions quiet. If you are playing Arsenal, the worst thing to do is give them time and space. Not every club has players like Arsenal, but when you are a smaller team your opponents will have better players than you most of the time - so you will want to keep it tight.
So, the conclusion? I would love to be able to say that one type of pitch is better than the other, but infact, I can't. You have to take in all of the above, and then make your own decision. If you are really struggling for ideas, keep the standard size.----------------------------------One of the innovations in the FM 2008 - editable pitch sizes of your home stadium. Reasonable question: why must we suddenly deal with this issue? Suppose that reading this article to the end and then received a letter from an employee of your stadium, you will understand why and for what.
In reality, pitch of Highbury, for example, is known as very small, and Arsenal always tried his best to "stretch" it. When Arsenal moved to The Emirates Stadium, the main requirement was to box its size-it should have been a long and wide. This allowed to stretch defense of an opponent, and not slowed to impact on the success of Arsenal.
So you believe that all means good for a win? Then the sizes of your pitch can be a serious advantage. If you know how to use it correctly.
Before deciding on the sizes of the pitch, assess your own team. If your team is clearly not among powerful, and you have to play mainly in defensive football. Therefore you need to have a narrow pitch, which would deprive of the opponent’s attack space. But if you, looking at your team, are convinced that the best defense is an attack, you necessarily need a wide and long box to beat an opponent’s defense. Super Clubs, who has a large number of star players , are in need of a large field. Stars need space.
Also, pay attention to your key players, namely, their speed and acceleration. It seems, the higher acceleration the attackers have, it is easier to play the short field. And the higher the speed they have, the more chances they will have to run away from long distance defender. If both attributes equal - choose long pitch. It seems that powerful central forward should play on wide, but a short pitch. He do not rely on his speed, and his head must be as close to the gate. But the defense of an opponent will be stretched – and this is good for both powerful central forwards and wingers.
Generally, if you believe that the game will be based on wingers, a wide pitch should be chosen.
However, wide pitches can influence negatively on your defense – do not forget this! So think carefully!
And what’s the conclusion? If you read carefully, this article should be useful for you. If you are confused ... Just follow the standard sizes :)
