Player Categories
Every game you play will generate a rating out of ten for the players involved, which represents their contributions to that particular game. These will normally be in the range of about four to eight, but may rise to the glorious nine’s and ten’s, or plummet to the two’s and three’s if the efforts are particularly bad or good. The player rated as your sides ‘Man of the Match’, the player with the highest rating out of ten, will gain an additional experience boost. Though you only get to see the final ratings scores for each player, there is an invisible part of that figure you cannot see, so there is always a reason why one player get’s rated as your Man of the Match when his rating is only as high as that of one or two of his team mates.
Power [P] Dominated Sides
If you play seven or more POWER players in one team then you will gain the advantages for Powerdominated teams. These teams rely more on fitness and determination than football finesse. They are probably better-organized and will stick to a pre-determined system more than their `flair-playing’ rivals. Their determination will probably lead to more bookings and dismissals, and they tend to inflict more injuries on their opponents as a result. They will not tire as easily as would a less powerful side, which can be especially useful in Cup games, though they will be less likely to include the type of player who can turn a game with one kick, a turn of speed, or piece of skill. They will be tough-tackling and have especially mean defences.
Advantages
The effects of your opponent’s Physio Point are greatly reduced (if he has played one). Your team does not suffer as much when they have to play extra time. The more Power-dominated players you have in your side, the greater their combined effect becomes, and the closer knit becomes their style. With every player over six in the side that is classified as a Power player, the defence of the team gains the following bonus:-
* Team has 7 Power Players - +1 to DF Totals.
* Team has 8 Power Players - +2 to DF Totals.
* Team has 9 Power Players - +4 to DF Totals.
* Team has 10 Power Players - +6 to DF Totals.
Disadvantages
* Power teams have a 30% higher chance of having a player booked or being sent off than
Skill [S] Dominated Sides
If you have 7 or more SKILL players in your team then it will be classified as a Skill - dominated side. Your team will rely on skill rather than strength to achieve their ends. A skilldominated team will usually be able to pull something out of the bag at vital times, but will tire more easily than a side that thrives on the physical side of the game, and will probably take more injuries in the process. They will use their heads to elude their opponents and will be more creative, especially in midfield where they will be especially effective. A skill-dominated team will bring the best out of Star players and will collect less bookings and dismissals, but stand the chance of being swept aside by a more determined opposition, as at times their organisation and system will be found lacking.
Advantages
The chances of a player being booked or sent off are reduced by 30%.
Any STAR players that play will affect the game more.
The more Skill-dominated players you have in your side, the greater their combined effect becomes, and the more likely it is that they will produce a moment of unplanned brilliance. With every player over six in the side that is classified as a Skill player, the midfield of the team gains the following bonus:-
* Team has 7 Skill Players - +1 to MF Totals
* Team has 8 Skill Players - +2 to MF Totals
* Team has 9 Skill Players - +4 to MF Totals.
* Team has 10 Skill Players - +6 to MF Totals.
Disadvantages
* Chances of an injury occurring to your team are increased. * Your team tires more easily in extra time than normal.
Power/Skill [P/S] Teams
Obviously, the best team of all will be one with a balance of both Power and Skill, but this will also be the hardest to achieve, as dual POWER-SKILL players are hard to come by. If your team contains 5 or more POWER-SKILL players (or 4 POWER-SKILL players, 3 POWER players, and 3 SKILL players) then it is classified as a POWER-SKILL team. The advantage of this kind of team will be that it marries the best parts of power and skill into a finely tuned unit which takes advantage of the best of both worlds. They will be well-organised, but skilled, determined and brave, but intelligent and creative. Few of their men will get booked and sent off, and their cohesion will be such that they will rise to every occasion giving their outstanding players a chance to shine free from the harrying of the opposition. There are no disadvantages with this type of team, except that it is hard to produce and expensive wages wise.
Advantages
The chance of a player being sent off or booked is considerably reduced.
STAR players have a slightly better chance of producing something special.
For each POWER-SKILL player over 4 in your team 1 is added to each outfield area. E.g. If you are lucky enough to have 6 POWER-SKILL players in your side then 2 is added to each outfield area total. Note that if you have a team consisting of 4 P-S players, 3 SKILL, and 3 POWER players then no levels will be added to your team though you gain the other advantages for this category of team.
Notes: If a team Qualifies as a POWER/SKILL team then it cannot also be a POWER or SKILL team.
Power/Skill category is checked for first.
Power/Skill players count for both Power players and Skill players when checking for Power and Skill teams. E.g. A team contains 2 Power/Skill players, 6 Power players and 2 Skill players. It is thus classified as a Power team containing 8 Power players.
When Apprentices and Schoolboys are discovered they are given a random category, so think about your team balance when discovering players as it might produce some unexpected results. It is quite obvious from this that Power/Skill teams are the best to aim for. However, the lack of P/S players in the game means that most teams will never aspire to being a Power/Skill team. However, even so, it’s better if the P/S players you discover stay in your side, to help work towards the qualification of either sort of team, rather than being transferred to another team to enable them to reach that coveted status. If you do decide to transfer P/S players make sure you get a very good price for them.
See also…