Nkoulou - 17k - Bargain for a pacey decent defender who will keep you in games as well as frustrate your opposition. It's difficult to criticise a 78 pace defender especially one who can tackle but his lack of height can be a problem when someone spams crosses. Fortunately there is pace/strength either side and it means crosses aren't that easy to get in. When the ball flies over his head Nkoulou is quick enough to get back and while he's no strong man he's strong enough and agile enough to get in front of his man and make a last ditch tackle. Standing tackle is better than his sliding tackle but I don't slide tackle all that often; feel free to pass with him, he'll get you out of sticky situations. (8.5/10)
Koscielny - 38k - A true defensive monster who only struggles when someone spams crosses, though he doesn't struggle too much. Extremely quick, great work rates, good standing and sliding tackle I can't say much about Koscielny apart from being a brilliant defender who everyone should try. One of the best defenders I've used. (9/10)
Bedimo - 16k - A monster of a defender he is the best Ligue 1 left back by a distance. I'll keep this brief, there's not much to mention! Great pace, very strong, brilliant in the tackle, good cross, willingness to get forward and a desire to get back, good in the air, horrible to play against. He is aggressive to the point of being angry and he makes crossing extremely difficult. People go down Coleman's side instead but unfortunately for them that just leaves them open for the Walcott counter attack. (9/10)
Coleman - 11k - Brilliant defender who only lacks height and a little bit of strength. He seems to be in the right place at the right time, has a good standing and slide tackle, brilliant dribbling and a very good pass. He allows Walcott to get away on the counter but also allows me to counter with my full back because he always seems to be in the right place in attack as well as defence. All in all I really like him but he's part of my team efforts rather than being like Bedimo the a monster defender, he's also makes up for Walcott's M/M workrates. Strong crosser too and he can hit a ball even if I rarely shoot with defenders. (8.5/10)
Ayew - 13k - Great cross, good pass, good positioning and a desire to get forward when the ball runs free. I'm a huge fan of his because he just seems to make the team tick on the left hand side. He is more than quick enough, his dribbling is good but his real asset is his strength and he will push his way past most defenders and leave them crying in a poor of AI rage. He's a truly useful player with some really great abilities, with 4* skills (he only has 3*) he'd be one of my favourite players in the game but as it is when things get oppressive you'll just have to 1-2 with him instead, he will definitely get past his man. Oh his finishing is very good too. (9/10)
Walcott - 62k - I hate his NIF and I don't think his IF is all that however he does have one stat which makes him extremely useful, pace. I am not pace abuser but I find his wide pace a real plus in this team and gives me some great counter attacking efforts. His crossing is very good but his short passing is average, his long passing I find poor. He is a pretty decent dribbler and his agility lets him beat his man with ease but I prefer to 1-2 with him and release that pace. His first touch is decent enough but I do find his lack of attacking workrate a bit frustrating especially when Ramsey gets back to defend, however he can always rely on the overlapping Coleman while he stands in midfield. Actually his midfield attitude isn't that bad as it gives him some defensive use. (8/10)
Ramsey - 30k - A great midfielder who has found the perfect role for his abilities. Great passer, good dribbling and shot, excellent positioning and very decent defending. He really puts pressure on the opposition and helps this team a lot in both attack and defence. I don't know what else to put about him because he's fantastic. He's not all that strong but he's not weak in any way, his one touch passing is excellent and his neat turning lets him find good passes to wider players, if he had 4* skills I'd be delighted but as it is I'll just use that brilliant passing to it's fullest. (8.9/10)
Moutinho - 39k - One of my favourite NIF players has become one of my favourite IF players. Defensively pretty perfect, in attack he's magnificent, his passing is brilliant, shooting good, and desire to be everywhere, and I mean everywhere, unparalleled. He breaks up most attacks, even with his small frame, but don't let that height fool you, he's getting the ball off the strongest players and he simply doesn't care for stature. Even Toure feels his wrath. He's a 'beast'. If he was 6 foot he'd be the best midfielder in the game, but as it is you just have to use him, watch him get underestimated and then decimate the opposition. Just quickly his tackling is superb in every way, he will strip the ball from the opposition or die trying, his long shots testing and his long passing as good as his short. (9/5/10)
Berbatov - 11k - He goes nowhere but he's always ready to attack. His dribbling is incredible, his long shots and finishing spectacular, volleying good fun, passing strong and heading abusive. Okay he doesn't get forward a massive amount but he's in the right place to get involved and puts through anybody making a run. He seems to arrive late into the box as well as chilling on the edge of the area expecting the ball, the 4*skills come off with ease and he's extremely strong both on the ball and when making challengers. He can shoot, pass, dribble, knock down the opposition and generally make your attack tick. Definitely worth buying because he's cheap as chips and twice as healthy. (8.9/10)
Gignac - 18k - Finally a strong Ligue 1 striker who can make the opposition panic. I don't cross all that much but this man mountain is going to trouble even the strongest defenders, and if he doesn't Berbatov will. His dribbling is good for a big man, and he is able to hold off enough even the most aggressive AI tactics, his short passing is better than average but he doesn't have the best vision in his respect. His finishing is very good both close and from medium distance but his desire to get forward seems pretty useful especially as he has M/M workrates. So far all the TOTS players I've used have been a significant improvement over the NIF's and Gignac is no different. If you like the NIF then you'll enjoy the improved dribbling, it really does make a difference, and with more precise finishing with better heading you'll get yourself a decent amount of goals. He could be better with a H/M workrate but in reality I can't complain, he seems to be in the right place at the right time and that's pretty important to my passing play. A bargain for a TOTS player and one everyone should consider. (8.7/10)
