Positions and fit
Position codes, why a player out of position plays worse and how the game shows how well he fits a place.
Every player has one main position. There he shows all his strength; the further from it you put him, the less use he is.
Position codes
Positions are laid out in rows from your own goal to the opponent's, and in three columns — left flank, centre, right flank.
The main position is shown on the player card and in the player decisions in "Tactics".
Four levels of fit
The lower the level, the less of his skill the player brings to that place. A player out of position also gets a lower match rating.
How the game shows it
- On the pitch in "Tactics", the number by the player is his skill already adjusted for position; if he is out of place, the number is yellow and the marker has a "!" in the corner.
- In the player decisions you see "before → after" and the fit level.
- "Coach's advice" lists such players among the squad risks.
- "Line strength" and the formation estimate (the "Recommended" tag) count players with the same adjustment.
Secondary positions
The "Info" tab of the player card has "Secondary positions". This is for reference only: on the pitch the game measures fit from the main position, so the same four levels apply in a secondary position as well.
In practice
- "Auto" first fills the positions you have few candidates for and puts players as close to their own places as possible.
- If a strong player keeps ending up "Far off", change the formation to suit your squad — the formation window shows which one suits your squad best.
- A slightly weaker player in his own position is better than a star two rows away from his.