Been thinking about this re the discussion with SRA on the trade threads.

Similar to the question raised on Utility players, what position would you class as most valuable. Posted in the new managers thread so they can have an idea from some of the older heads in SESL?

My own opinion is:--

1st - FW - Get a top FW and you can get the goals flowing in, higher SL the better due to shoot/score ratio - vital.

2nd - GK - Once you are scoring at one end, you need to stop at the other, GK is most important position to help your Goal Protection - saves/shots ratio better the higher the SL.

3rd - DF - once GK saving shots ratio is good, you then want to limit shots stronger DF does this.

4th - MF - aids both DEF and OFF, but not as effective in either as both DF and FW's.

5th - SW - tops up the goal protection offered by keeper more than DF, but if you have strong all round DF's not entirely necessary.

6th - WG - add a lot to OFF, but IMO only really useful if you have 2 top ones and play Early Cross.

All just in my opinion, but what do others think?

GK is key position.
FW next, as goals vital.
WG
DF
MF
SW

FW that's the most important player. A top scorer is going to... well, score your goals

GK he comes next, after all you need someone to stop those shots from rocking your own net. But I am not sure if the GK is more important than getting another top FW.

2nd FW, is important almost or exactly like your GK. Why? simply because your 1st FW can't play on each match and besides, even when he plays he might have a bad mood or get jinxed. That's why he needs help up front.

DF more vital than MF on most occasions. You must have DFs to support your FWs and sometimes your MFs too. and they contribute to the GP and naturally DEF ratings.

MF vital only for ball control teams.

WG, that's a tough one. Can contribute a lot of the OFF, but so can a FW. My view is that WGs are best used when they are 15-19 SL. That way they don't steal shost from your FW. But if you get a player up to 25-30+ SL, why not make him a FW? One big bonus is that WGs are ignored for the 1:2 area ratings formula.

SW, I don't use them!
But should one choose do have one around, make sure he is a real good player with 25+ even 30 SL. On Sesl, most managers go for the long ball or early cross approach, that means the SW gets 50% SL bonus for the DEF ratings. Can come handy sometimes. the downsides are that the chances of the opposition getting caught offside are reduced immensely, also the SW do not help to support the MF and FW areas.

I've always viewed GK's as the most vital element of a team. And you need a decent backup in goal, or you'll concede nearly a third of your games before the opening whistle. I also place a high priority on a very strong SW. Next, a good balance is critical in your three outfield areas (depending on your team strategy of course) but I feel there's an added emphasis on DF. WG's are a powerful tool, but I generally view them as a luxury that I usually cannot afford.

Interesting discussion.

My personal preference is:-
FW
GK
DF
MF
WG
SW

GK is the key position in the sesl.
SW
FW
DF
MF
WG

When thinking about this question you have to imagine that you
have 10x10sl players and 1 20SL player. Where do you play him?

SW> no
DF> no
GK > possible , he will save the shots but do nothing else. GK SL adds nothing to rest of team.

FW > possible he will score the goals, but adds nothing else to rest of team.

MF> Yes > he adds to both DF and MF and OFF , so in my book a MF is
top dog.

Next would be a DF , as you start the game with 1 point , so a 20SL DF would
make sure you hang on to that point.

Third choice would be a FW , after shoring up DF and MF , time to go for goals.

4th. GK

5th. SW

6th. WG.

Robin

Way to go Robin. A MF adds to both DF and MF, and OFF.

I overlooked this.

The news on MF being so useful to 'team totals' in games may give the Long Ball brigade something to consider.
I tend to think as season progresses more teams will try to build up their MF in order to play Ball Control team tactic against a predictable Long Ball opposition team.

Most valuable positions.....

nobody mentioned the celebrated 69 position?


I'll get my coat.

Looks like most managers never try to 'Finesse' their way

Nice reply Yoav. Finesse not a guy thing!

Returning to sesl matters for a moment, wonder why Finesse Team Tactic is so rarely used? Is it to coincide with the demise of the Brazilian national team the tactic was based upon? Top teams could certainly toy with the opposition when a few goals up by switching to Finesse.

Anyone offering to experiment using Finesse team tactic in sesl?

Most teams prefer to go for the E\L approach, so low OTF rules out this tactic. Besides, even with the bonus, it seems that on almost all occasions it's better to go for Ball control or Press rather than Finesse.

The demise of the Brazilian national team?
Last I heard they were still the best team in the world. (Hadn't they won the last world cup?)

I did play Finesse once or twice on SaSo (season1) when I got a feeling the opposition would play a very weak lineup. But it was more for experimenting rather than a main tactical choice for my side.

You'll notice that the top teams are more inclined to STALL when up.

Al sellers removed Finesse as a tactic for the current season on MSWL league because it is virtually unused.


My guess is that in order for a manager to play Finesse he has to fall under the following categories:
1)Already won titles. (not as hungry for success)
2)Not fighting for a title or promotion nor get involved in avoid the drop. In short have a mid-table team.
3)This is the most important one! He's got to think about playing it

My favorite positions depend on the level of the team. For lower skilled teams (say and expansion division) high MF's using Ball Control will win you most games - and yes, I have been there, done it, got the League and Cup double.

However, when teams have mattured it gets more interesting. The fixed bonus from Ball Control's OTF reduces in effectiveness versus Longball domination. The arguements have been well put so far for FW & GK. Both look good, but for my money a solid DF is the man.

The DF stops shots even from being made, so you can settle with a lesser GK, and invest instead in a good FW (to win matches, rather than draw them as Yoav mentions).

I support this by turning the question on its head... when I lost matches that I should have really won, what position let me down? That is, where would I have really wished for an extra guy... 80% its the DF.

The dynamic nature of OLMEC-based games as teams do gain/lose strength is one of the most challenging aspects of the game to master, and its one of the areas that is fun to work through from building a lowly team to a champion team.

Finesse? No point, since every multiplier is less than or equal to Normal, then is it always inferior to Normal and the Finesse bonus hardly ever outweighs the losses that the reduced multipliers inflict. The nail in the coffin is that it halves your GP with respect to Normal. No brainer!

I don't really agree with that. I have Craig Conway 2/27 WG, who I often play as a lone WG with 2 or more FW in a longball game and he does very well. Scored 3 goals so far.