Raiding my club

Over the last month I've been mostly playing with my previous IF team despite the pace abusers trying their best to humiliate my back line; I do enjoy frustrating them.
I did though make 2 teams with a remainder of the IF players in my club and ended up with mixed results, lots of fun, and some frustration. I have never tried 4231 due to thinking it was too narrow for me but actually it's been a good formation and makes for exciting games; it can however be seriously hindered by the awful FIFA14 player change system.

Alves - 36k - Great keeper who is deadly in one on ones and in all circumstances extremely determined to make sure he gets to the ball first. I couldn't quite muster the coins for the 2IF but the IF has been great so far. On the rare occasions he is beaten I haven't placed fault at his feet because he's fantastic in almost every department. His kicking is decent, throwing strong, reflexes superb, speed excellent and decent from crosses, mostly because he picks up the second ball with ease and comes for corners successfully instead of missing the entirely. A great IF with a strong link to Miranda. (9/10)

Marquinhos - 26k - A must for future teams due to his chemistry in Ligue 1 and Brazil. He isn't the tallest but he is one of the quickest and that pace will really help you out. His heading isn't the best but fortunately his pace lets him cover those mistakes, which is good because his tackling is excellent. Positioning wise he's good and he's not as weak as you might think when looking at him. He doesn't come forward that often and he passes excellently; so far I haven't got many complaints apart from his heading and I'm glad of him in my teams. (8.2/10)

Miranda - 40k - Expensive but due to chemistry worth it. For my playstyle he's a silent assassin; he makes very few mistakes, wins many headers even against the tallest and is great at covering the back line; maybe it's the pace. I really can't complain, I have used in many of my teams and his tackling, awareness and strength really shows. His passing is average (not bad) and he's another shorty at 6 foot but don't let that put you off; he might be 40k but he's fantastic in game and for team creativity. (8.9/10)

Filipe Luis- 40k - As left backs go he is one of the best who is only let down by his slight physique and average heading. Lots of pace, good slide and close tackling and excellent defensive positioning he charges down the wing and has a good desire to get back, I feel more so than his NIF, he also has a great cross and excellent pass and his set pieces are very good too. Feel free to dribble with him he definitely can. All in all he is the best left back I have used, but only just, due to Bedimo's better strength and aggression, and I would recommend getting him especially as he has the strongest link with Miranda which means team building can allow you be creative everywhere else. (9/10)

Juanfran - 18k - Stronger than Carvajal, better in the air, better positioning and with an improved tackle, Juanfran is the IF choice for La Liga and at such a low price is a steal. He also has good strong links with other players (Miranda and Spanish) letting you be creative and getting the most of your less used players. There's not much to say about a guy who can tackle, cross, is pacey, good in the air and strong enough to frustrate attackers; he's very good and should be considered a must for an IF La Liga right back. (8.9/10)


Raul Garcia - 10k - In FIFA I feel dribbling goes a few ways, the excellent dribbler, the poor dribbler who thinks he's Messi and the boat. Boats are interesting because they force you to be thoughtful with your movement; Garcia is one of those, but what a boat. When forward he has the quality to move away from a defender and pass/shoot, in defence he has the strength to hold off the man and roll the opposition; he's an interesting player indeed. His shooting is good but not excellent, always on target not always testing, though it can take a while to get the shot off. His passing is brilliant and playing through balls is great fun, his short passing is strong too as it means you can play tiki-taka with a beast. He's great in the air, strong and good in defence and in general he's involved in everything good. He is a CAM who is a better CDM; for me that's a great compromise in attack and defence. (8.5/10)

Melo - 27k - Melo is brilliant, he tackling is excellent, his strength extremely good and his passing is superb. He is always in the right place in attack and defence and he makes a real effort to chase that attacker who is trying to run away from your midfield. The nicest thing about his passing is his speed, unlike Garcia who can be caught out due to his slowness Melo is a quick passer who dribbles very well for a CDM and that's a real bonus when he's busting a gut to support, he definitely allows a nice one touch passing approach. His shooting is also good and his heading great which is a real bonus with his High/High work rates because it means he can literally support in every attack. It's been tough getting him in an all IF team which is one of the reasons I made this squad but he makes my left side extremely strong especially with Sneijder in front of him. (9/10)

Maher - 10k - A great little player let down by game mechanics. These game mechanics place weaker players at the mercy of push and pull, or the autotackle/barge, and so he can find himself in real peril when trying to dribble though the opposition. His dribbling is good, especially with 4* skills and weak foot, and his passing is solid (short is better), especially speed wise, but his shooting can leave you frustrated especially as shots feel weak and sometimes quite laboured. He doesn't tackle all that well and his defensive duties were poor but he is a decent player to get attacks going and making things work even if he hasn't been magical in finishing off attacks. (7.5/10)

Sneijder - 26k - I wasn't a massive fan of his NIF but so far his IF has been brilliant for me. He's strong enough to get by a man or drag him back, his positioning is superb in attack and even midfield defence and his passing is absolutely wonderful allowing crazy short passing and incredible through balls which always seem to split defences. The lack of pace isn't an issue because he's always in the right place and his crossing is great too. His 5* weak foot really pays off and while I do prefer wide players with 4* skills his dribbling is excellent and he's very difficult to take the ball off. I can't wait for some better Dutch players to compliment him, or even some Galatasaray players, but I thoroughly recommend him because he will definitely make your team very dangerous in attack. Oh, his shooting is brilliant, unleash a monster shot whenever you like, and with either foot. (9/10)

Park - 9.7k - Cheap as chips but a legend all over the pitch. The high/high work rates are very noticeable as he supports literally everywhere and despite being small and not that strong seems to decimate full backs and the hardiest midfielders. Shooting wise he is very able, his short passing is brilliant, endeavor to keep/retrieve the ball very worthy and tackling very good for someone with 49 defending. He has a willingness which allows him to be a real threat in every aspect, even when going for headers where he constantly makes it difficult for the bigger man to win the ball. He also dribbles well and although doesn't have 4* skills seems smooth when trying tricks and with a decent weak foot. There really isn't much negative with Park and I recommend everyone trying him, especially as he's so cheap. (8.5/10)

De Leeuw - 11k - I had De Leeuw lying around after a bargain purchase and I thought he could be a real treat in this squad, what I didn't count on was his frustrating work rates and lack of strength/height being such a hindrance. His heading is 78 which is usually a positive but he doesn't consistently reach crosses, this is because he's either in midfield after charging back to defend (high/high workrates) or too small to get to the ball (5"10). His shooting is average and feels quite slow, his strength isn't that exciting and he's quite easily stripped of the ball, his dribbling is poor and he has no skills and his weak foot is noticeable. He does score for me, but he misses more, he's good at winning headers in front of the defender but he seems very average when he has a free chance. His passing is better than average for a striker which is a real bonus with Park and Sneijder either side but he doesn't feel that quick to turn which means getting caught on the weak foot can be annoying. I find the best way to use him is to shield the ball and hope he makes a smart run into the box after passing it away, I think playing in a front two he'd be pretty useful but he's not going to consistently win you games. Without pace or real strength he isn't the best, but I had no real options in order to get full chemistry. (6.5/10)

Adrian - 10k - I used him to replace Guzan who was terrible for me and excluding a few mistakes he is a very good keeper. He takes out attackers to win the ball, is good at crosses and long shots and has enough speed to get down to ground balls. He is a solid keeper who makes the typical mistakes we either expect of this game, or expect of a better than average keeper. His distribution is sketchy and I prefer to throw the ball but this isn't a problem, just take your time and you won't lose the ball. (7.9/10)

Winston Reid - 12k - Tall enough, strong enough, quick enough and with good work rates but isn't the best defender you'll use. His defending is more than adequate but you get the feeling he's going to miss a tackle or be slow to turn, and then it happens. His pace is perfect and allows you to cover mistakes but I don't like making mistakes and so I keep him back to make the tackles rather than meeting the attacker. He blocks the ball well so that's a bonus and as a BPL IF he's a bargain at 12k. (8/10)

Riether - 15k - Tiny, weak but angry. He's quick enough for a right back but needs to stay back more as he's no Abate when getting back into position. When getting under the body of the opposition he's very good but he's a last ditch tackler as people regularly knock him down and go straight through him. He is nippy and agile which means he can make unusual tackles but he's not the best defensively and with Johnson not caring about defending can leave the right side exposed. His crossing is good as is his passing and when he gets forward usually creates danger in the box. Also he has green chemistry with Per Mertesacker which is good for those who like slow Germans. (7.5/10)

Perrin - 13k - Perrin lacks pace and height but most of the time these won't cause you too many problems. I use him as an outlet defender as he passing is very good but in tackling terms he's just as good as any even if he isn't the strongest. At times his lack of pace can be a problem, especially as I find shorter defenders are slower than the taller slow guys, but his positioning is good and he rarely makes a big mistake Reid can't cover. His heading is good when unchallenged but he does find it difficult to consistently win the header and he usually stops the attacker from making a good connection rather than winning the ball himself. I have used him a lot, mostly because he's not actually that slow and because his passing is good but if you struggle letting in crosses you might find his height a bit of an issue. (8/10)

Digne - 24k - A great defender but also a guy who likes to get forward so sometimes caught out of position, he's never in central midfield though. Not quite as devastating as Carvajal when in the final third but better alongside an attacker when heading and making tackles. He's a strong enough player, he has enough pace to cope with many of the quickest and he has some decent passing and crossing. A left back who does what an all round full back does, defend and attack. (8.5/10)

Toulalan - 12k - Defensively his tackling and positioning are excellent and he's always stripping the ball from attackers, offensively his passing is absolutely amazing and through balls constantly split defences which is a real help because he makes plenty of interceptions and allows me to create great counters.His dribbling is also very good, heading decent, but his shooting is atrocious and I tend to find someone else rather than letting him test the keeper. He is also a very big player which means the opposition rarely flattens him and needs to go around him; he stays back but also comes forward at the right time. An absolutely great player. (9/10)

Barry - 10k - Who cares about pace when this guy is patrolling the midfield! His tackling is great, bursts forward brilliant and positioning excellent; you don't need a lot more in a CDM. His passing from the back is strong but getting forward he can play some lovely intricate balls to running teammates, his shooting is very average though volleying decent. It's been all good for Mr Barry, he's a great tackler who is strong and well equipped to stop an attack, plus he can pass. 10k very well spent and not much more to say! He also has high defensive and medium attacking work rates. I had to down-rate him a little as in this formation he can frustrate due to being fairly left footed. Still taking great corners.(8.3/10)

Cabaye - 25k - So small but so good at it all. He can defend well enough, he passes brilliantly, strikes a ball well from distance and dribbles nicely. His height is his only real downfall, though he doesn't show it too much as he gets under his man nicely, but he makes up for it by playing sumptuous passes and testing keepers at ridiculous ranges. He's a jack of all trades but a master of passing and shooting, his free kicks are immense and his corners great though he does get bulldozed off the ball if you don't use his neat dribbling, which with high aggression can be a pain, but he can really pass so find a man instead! In this formation his through balls are stunning so now I need to work out how to get him and Sneijder in the same team. Don't go for headers. (8.8/10)

Lallana - 19k (price fluctuates a lot) - More skills even if he is tiny. Sadly he doesn't have anything spectacular apart from skills and a strong weak foot but all the same he's a guy who likes to get forward and has enough attributes to be a danger. His shooting is adequate with a good finesse attempt, his turning on the ball is handy and short passing excellent but he doesn't play the best through ball. His new position though is a bonus and allows his natural attacking flair to shine a little more. He takes up good positions but unfortunately can get knocked down before receiving the ball. In 4231 I do prefer my CAM to be a little bit stronger/aggressive but it just means I am practicing skills and dribbling instead. He doesn't overwhelm or underwhelm and I think he's been better for me in 4231(2). (7.7/10)

Payet - 25k - Payet is a good player who feels taller than his 5"8 suggests; his passing is very good, shooting strong and ambition to get the ball great. I haven't used him for more than 10 games but he's been fun to use so far and he has everything a wider CAM needs. His crossing is good, dribbling smooth (4*skills/weak foot) and finishing from close and far very dangerous. His NIF was always strong enough to shrug off a man and the IF is no different. He is an entertaining guy to use who when near the ball is every bit as useful as the highest rated players, he does however lack a little in terms of long passing which can be annoying but his short passing is quick and that's a real help in this formation. (8.5/10)

Lacazette - 23k - His dribbling is very good, finishing decent and weak foot surprisingly useable though he does seem to make more goals and attacks rather than finishing them himself. His positioning is good, pace superb and he can usually burst away from the defender with his neat turning and abilities on the ball. His heading is average but his agility means he is dangerous from any angle, he is stronger than most 5"8 players and has a real desire to get forward but so far the lack of strength means I have had to alter the way I play (no back to goal tactic) and use Cabaye's passing to get him onto goal. Definitely an improvement on the NIF but I didn't really like that card anyway. I think as a striker on the right in a front two he'd be brilliant but so far I haven't wanted to return to Jouffre. (8.2/10)

Bringing Neves to the party

Dida - 18k - Dida is a great keeper with a god awful right foot. From distance he's rarely beaten, unless the shot is low, he punches a fair amount but he's incredibly quick which means mopping up long balls and his rushing at attackers is fantastic. His throwing is quick and accurate and his kicking very good, just use his left foot, his right really is atrocious. His shot stopping is amazing and the crosses he likes to come for actually get taken. I haven't used the best IF keepers from this game but so far Dida has been my favourite IF keeper, and one of my favourite keepers in the game. Mistakes are few. A great buy especially for chemistry. (8.9/10)

Marquinhos - 26k - A must for future teams due to his chemistry in Ligue 1 and Brazil. He isn't the tallest but he is one of the quickest and that pace will really help you out. His heading isn't the best but fortunately his pace lets him cover those mistakes, which is good because his tackling is excellent. Positioning wise he's good and he's not as weak as you might think when looking at him. He doesn't come forward that often and he passes excellently; so far I haven't got many complaints apart from his heading and I'm glad of him in my teams. (8.2/10)

Miranda - 40k - Expensive but due to chemistry worth it. For my playstyle he's a silent assassin; he makes very few mistakes, wins many headers even against the tallest and is great at covering the back line; maybe it's the pace. I really can't complain, I have used in many of my teams and his tackling, awareness and strength really shows. His passing is average (not bad) and he's another shorty at 6 foot but don't let that put you off; he might be 40k but he's fantastic in game and for team creativity. (8.9/10)

Carvajal - 13k - Carvajal stay in your position! That's my only complaint. He's a mini bull due to his lighting pace, his tackling is very good and his agility lets him make headers awkward for the opposition, though he doesn't win all that many. His passing is superb and his crossing is brilliant and that's good because he never stays back and if not charging down the wing is probably helping out in central midfield. For some reason I don't mind though as he's a good defender and he plays a quality part in my attacks. Well worth the coins, plus Spanish and at Madrid; that has to be a good thing for chemistry. (8.5/10)

Maxwell - 25k - A good player who simply lacks a bit of pace. His positioning is excellent, strength more than adequate and tackling great he can however feel a little sluggish next to the quickest players and so a shadow chemistry would be useful. It's not a major concern though as he usually hold  a good position for the tackle/interception. His passing is above average and crossing quite good but I tend to use Neves because of his skills and general passing brilliance; plus I don't like to leave Maxwell too far up the pitch as he doesn't get back quick enough. In the air he holds his own, especially against wingers who are usually small and his ball control means he rarely gets caught on the ball, he almost always finds a pass. With Digne's pace he'd be in all my teams but as it is that slight sluggishness can get you caught out. (7.9/10)

Tardelli - 13k - I think this guy is fantastic and is a little bull charging around the place until he gets the ball back; his first touch and dribbling is brilliant and his short passing more than adequate but his long passing is average and he when he meet a bigger bull he generally get flattened. His work rates are great as it means he assists everywhere and this covers for his lack of defensive ability; yet he does make many crucial tackles for me, just very few interceptions. His shot is pretty good but it doesn't feel that strong, yet he's dangerous on the edge of the box and has a tidy one on one finish. He loves to overlap the passer, probably that 'beat the offside trap' trait and that suits me fine as Neves prefers to pick his moments. He is everywhere and as a CM that's very useful, it's a shame he doesn't have better defending but I think it's so low you shouldn't waste a chemistry card on him. 4* skills. (8.5/10)  

Neves - 12k - I made this team purely so I could use Neves and he doesn't disappoint. He isn't the quickest but he is strong enough on the ball, has a mean left footed cross, 4*skills, and some of the most ridiculous in-game stats. Passing wise there isn't a lot he gets wrong and that's brilliant for me as it means I can continue moves with ease; both long and short passing are excellent. His freekick taking is close to 2IF Rakitic and you feel like every corner could be a goal and every freekick should be one. He can feel a little laboured to dribble with but he rarely loses the ball and it works for him because he really is a great dribbler who keeps the ball close to his feet. I don't shoot from distance all that much but Neves is one to do it with, he has a rocket shot. All in all he makes this team really fun and although his M/M work rates mean he doesn't bust a gut to get forward he is always available for a pass and quite the versatile player when he gets one. (8.9/10)

Feghouli - 11k - I didn't like his NIF, he felt awkward on the ball and poor at everything but his IF is brilliant to use and involved in everything good down the right. He is very quick, strong enough to take on a full back and has a pretty good cross. His shooting is also good for a wide man and he is able to skip past most players with some superb dribbling. He only has 3* skills so he's not complete in my eyes but that's fine because he makes up for it with H/M work rates and brilliant control. Passing wise he is decent though his cross is better than his long pass; for short passes he is pretty good but certainly not as good as Garcia but he gets involved in great moves and propels my team up the pitch with his desire to get forward. I like him a lot and plan on using him in a 433, I recommend him to everyone especially as he's so cheap. (8.5/10)

Jo - Jo is brilliant; he really is. I didn't like his NIF so was unsure of his IF but I was wrong. He takes up great positions, has an amazing header and finishes with ease even though his shot takes a bit of time to wind up. Any cross is his and he is a complete bully on the pitch throwing everyone aside. His dribbling is definitely average and he lacks any real skills but he's really fun to use and completely changed my perception of him. He is strong and quick enough but he's definitely not lightening so don't think you can outrun Alba, it's never going to happen unless you push him to the ground first. He has quickly become one of my favourite players and I can't wait to find another team for him when and if the right in-forms come out. Try him out and make those crosses count, then when your opposition thinks you're a cross abuser show them he can finish on the ground too. (8.8/10)

Jonas - 19k - This is the second team I've used Jonas in and I enjoy using him every time; he is a very unusual player. He finishes 85% of his chances, is good at linking up play, can dribble and run away from defenders and bizarrely can score with his head no matter who he faces. I put this down to his positioning because he seems to be well placed all the time and available for all my moves. His passing is actually quite good too, as is his strength, and although he isn't the quickest he is a lot of fun to use especially as he can play Jo in for an early cross. He's not the best striker you'll use but he is one of them, plus he is fun which to me is an important reason I make these teams. He also have a H/L work rate which is perfect for getting behind the defence. He is a creative goal scorer a little like Vucinic and that suits me fine. (8.8/10)

4222 All IF's; lots of fun

After the BPL 4231(2) success I had a Ligue 1/La Liga fitness team alongside it, it didn't work and the players simply didn't suit so I knew I would have to use them somehow.
Following on from a 4222 team with IF Milito and IF Pandev I decided to use this fun formation for the previously beleaguered players and with great success and entertainment.

 Dida - 18k - Dida is a great keeper with a god awful right foot. From distance he's rarely beaten, unless the shot is low, he punches a fair amount but he's incredibly quick which means mopping up long balls and his rushing at attackers is fantastic. His throwing is quick and accurate and his kicking very good, just use his left foot, his right really is atrocious. His shot stopping is amazing and the crosses he likes to come for actually get taken. I haven't used the best IF keepers from this game but so far Dida has been my favourite IF keeper, and one of my favourite keepers in the game. Mistakes are few. A great buy especially for chemistry. (8.9/10)

Marquinhos - 26k - A must for future teams due to his chemistry in Ligue 1 and Brazil. He isn't the tallest but he is one of the quickest and that pace will really help you out. His heading isn't the best but fortunately his pace lets him cover those mistakes, which is good because his tackling is excellent. Positioning wise he's good and he's not as weak as you might think when looking at him. He doesn't come forward that often and he passes excellently; so far I haven't got many complaints apart from his heading and I'm glad of him in my teams. (8.2/10)

Miranda - 40k - Expensive but due to chemistry worth it. For my playstyle he's a silent assassin; he makes very few mistakes, wins many headers even against the tallest and is great at covering the back line; maybe it's the pace. I really can't complain, I have used in many of my teams and his tackling, awareness and strength really shows. His passing is average (not bad) and he's another shorty at 6 foot but don't let that put you off; he might be 40k but he's fantastic in game and for team creativity. (8.9/10)

Carvajal - 13k - Carvajal stay in your position! That's my only complaint. He's a mini bull due to his lighting pace, his tackling is very good and his agility lets him make headers awkward for the opposition, though he doesn't win all that many. His passing is superb and his crossing is brilliant and that's good because he never stays back and if not charging down the wing is probably helping out in central midfield. For some reason I don't mind though as he's a good defender and he plays a quality part in my attacks. Well worth the coins, plus Spanish and at Madrid; that has to be a good thing for chemistry. (8.5/10)

Digne - 24k - A great defender but also a guy who likes to get forward so sometimes caught out of position, he's never in central midfield though. Not quite as devastating as Carvajal when in the final third but better alongside an attacker when heading and making tackles. He's a strong enough player, he has enough pace to cope with many of the quickest and he has some decent passing and crossing. A left back who does what an all round full back does, defend and attack. (8.5/10)

Raul Garcia - 10k - In FIFA I feel dribbling goes a few ways, the excellent dribbler, the poor dribbler who thinks he's Messi and the boat. Boats are interesting because they force you to be thoughtful with your movement; Garcia is one of those, but what a boat. When forward he has the quality to move away from a defender and pass/shoot, in defence he has the strength to hold off the man and roll the opposition; he's an interesting player indeed. His shooting is good but not excellent, always on target not always testing, though it can take a while to get the shot off. His passing is brilliant and playing through balls is great fun, his short passing is strong too as it means you can play tiki-taka with a beast. He's great in the air, strong and good in defence and in general he's involved in everything good. He is a CAM who is a better CDM; for me that's a great compromise in attack and defence. (8.5/10)

Matuidi - 42k (risen hugely since, should drop....) - A good player who supports everywhere but doesn't feel as strong or as mighty as his NIF; he is still strong though. His passing is improved and his shooting feels like a real shot, still not very good though, but all in all he does a CDM's job excellently with great tackling, sudden bursts of destroying 4 or 5 of the opposition and a constant willingness to support his team mates. His ball control is pretty decent for CDM too, which means taking a touch and run is good fun, especially in this open formation. I really like his NIF and for different reasons (his ability on the ball) I like his IF just as much. Don't expect to win too many headers but do expect to tackle the hell out of the opposition. (8.7/10)

Cabella - 18k - I had used him in a 4231(2) team and he was decent, though very weak, so I was excited about having him less isolated. His 4* WF and Skills show, his touch is very neat and his dribbling superb but he gets bullied off the ball unless you shield the ball, strangely though I've done this quite successfully even with this tiny guy. His passing is great and his runs are brilliant; and I know in some ways I can always beat a man either passing and making a run or dribbling past them. When you beat the first man the second usually clobbers you but knowing this allows you to adapt your game. His crossing is superb and his free kicks good when close to goal, he also likes to beat the offside trap which is a blessing as smaller players find it harder to make an extra yard by shouldering the defender off them. I like Cabella, if he were 2 inches taller he'd be a star as it is he's just excellent. (8.7/10)

Dos Santos - 31k - I had his 1IF (first in-form) and he was very good, but I thought for the same price I'd go for the second one and there is an improvement. His dribbling is sublime and his pace is a real bonus, his skills come off easily (4* WF/Skills) and although I used him on the left in another team he is very good on the right too. He seems fairly strong on the ball, passes extremely well and creates a sense of relaxation when you get him on the ball. On the left his crossing was devastating but on the right it's still very good; his shooting is great too so cut inside, use those skills and get a shot off. His work rates mean he doesn't defend and he can't always be bothered to go forward but it's fine, he has skills and Carvajal has the willingness. All in all he's a brilliant CAM and I'm sure a brilliant striker; a bargain so get that 2IF before someone decides it's worth 50k+. (9/10)

Ben Yedder - 15k - An interesting player with some great and very average abilities. Finishing wise he is absolutely lethal, when taking one touch and a shot he scores so very often, and he also makes excellent runs despite having medium/medium work rates. He does have the beat the offside trap trait, though blink and you'll miss them so he does get called offside a decent amount. His pace is good at getting past a man but seems average when running away from someone. His dribbling to get past a player seems very average and his ball control isn't always the best but his passing is very strong for a striker which can be very useful and he is able to use a skilled dribble very well. He is 5"6 though so you won't be barging your way through anyone; and although he has good heading it feels very difficult to beat a defender in the air. (8.3/10, on his finishing alone)

Javi Guerra - 20k - Guerra is a hidden gem, his has unusual work rates for a striker M/H but don't let that fool you; his attribute is making critical runs. He is strong, quick enough and has a great header as well as a good finish but isn't anywhere near as clinical as Ben Yedder. His runs are superb and is always arriving at the right time for a header or late pass but he does have one flaw, very poor dribbling, though it is manageable you need to think about what you're about to do instead of reacting. His passing is okay and his defending excellent which is good in this formation as in 4222 the middle can feel lonely. I really like using him and I think he's a star, much as he was in FIFA13. A fantastic bargain silver, especially when you consider silver IF's can be very expensive. (8.5/10)

Welcome to the Cheap Seats

Before I unleash my FIFA Ultimate Team review I'd like to post the teams I've been using over the last weeks, unfortunately I haven't had time to trade like I did last year and so I'm back to making discard teams, this time the cheap gold variety.

The two teams I'm posting are the ones I've been using in seasons and they've done well for me. Once again folks I do not contain, long ball or use that horrible auto-tackle so hopefully the reviews I make are a fair and honest assessment of how a player might perform for you.
The first team I chose because I wanted to use some higher rated player and couldn't afford the high costs of BPL, Bund and La Liga players. I have made a few Russian league teams too but the draw of Galatasaray was too much. Interestingly a few of my players have chemistry styles, I don't pay much extra for these (200coins) so it's worth looking at if you have a player who lacks somewhere.

Mandanda - Needed for chemistry reasons but a decent addition to any team. I added Cat chemistry because I wanted his positioning improved, his height can cause problems from long shots and so far he's only let in a couple. Also he is terrible on the ball, throw or kick the thing don't drop and make a little run....it's a sure fire way to give someone a chance. (7.5/10)

Nkolou - The FIFA 13 wretch is back, still with pace but with less ability to defend. He got sentinel chemistry, as did the other average defenders. Quick, strong enough, misses a few headers but overall god enough to start in a team. He covers Wesley who plays higher up for me but he's the sum of the parts and not the rock; great at rushing attackers though and I recommend you use his for that as the rock Chedjou will cover missed tackles. (7.9/10)

Chedjou - Though FIFA is extremely pace based 14 is less focused on this and so someone with a defensive brain is really helpful. His tackling is great, heading strong unless it's a high ball, positioning brilliant and tracking excellent; very strong too. He is often the last line of defence and I'm always happy with that because he rarely make a mistake and mops up those horrible through balls. He can defend so Anchor chemistry gave him more pace to make sure he could do that little more with the Ibarbo's of this world. (8.5/10)

Bedimo - An interesting player, his pace and strength lets him get back and cover pesky through balls but he does wander forward and out of position more than I like. He does a job, and to be honest as a possession player that suits me fine. Great tackles in the box due to his strength and this is imperative in FIFA. He does love to run forward and overlap. (7.5/10)

Sarioglu - The most interesting player in my team, I was going to use Eboue but with a M/M workrate I decided the trade off between height and pace made him my first choice. His positioning is very good, and reminds me of Rafael from FIFA13, his pace lets him chase back and put off crossers and his crossing itself is great. His height and strength is a problem for sure but Chedjou next to him helps a lot, he is always available for a pass which I find fantastic plus he seems to make intelligent runs forward and his pace turns him into a great second winger. (7.9/10)

Melo - Melo is epic and always everywhere. He is a defensive monster, an attacking threat and a good passer for a CDM. The H/H work rates suit this formation brilliantly especially as Sneijder is a lazy bugger. Not much more I can say about him as he is practically perfect. I will put a Chemistry card on him and I think it will be to improve either his dribbling, shooting or passing. (9/10)

Inan - Feels very similar to his TOTS card in FIFA13; strong on the ball, great passer, good long shots (if you can get them off) but a bit laboured on the ball. He really is a M/M guy, he stays in the middle of the park and when he gets forward struggles to get back. I do like him and sometimes he is incredible for me but in an attacking sense I can't seem to consistently make use of him and he usually covers a charge forward/wandering Bedimo. Great defensive positioning. (7.5/10)

Sneijder - In silvers I use a lot of 4star skill players but they are too costly in golds, in this position I would much rather a more skilled player but Wesley is one of those interesting sorts who can win games due to fantastic passing and great snap shots. Amazing set pieces help. He is neat on the ball, but not that strong, has a mean shot and superb pass and spends his time in the final third. He makes good runs to find but sometimes if you're coming out of your own half he's difficult to get the ball to. His 5* weak foot is great for me and should be used. (8/10)

Amrabat - A good all round player who makes decent runs and is a real thorn in the side for my opponents. He is right footed, which can be annoying when crossing, but 4* skills makes cutting inside fun plus he has H/L work rates and 90 pace which means he's always getting away down the wing. He is strong enough to get away but I stuck on Deadeye Chemistry because I find his shooting below par, especially finesse shots. and it has helped but to be honest he makes plays (not chances) for better players especially as he is so good on the ball. (7.5/10)

Huntelaar - This team was based on Galatasaray and I needed a formation that would suit full chemistry, I couldn't afford Farfan at the time but felt the chance to get two high rated players for less than 3k was well worth investing. Huntelaar started slowly for me because I am more used to playing like Arsenal but I soon changed my approach and use his devastating shooting and incredible positioning to better effect. So far he gets at least a goal a game for me and anywhere in the box he is lethal. Pretty damn handy from outside too, if you get a chance. Also he is great to get forward, strong and available to hold up the ball as others get forward. All round a great player and even if he's not that quick I use wingers if I need to run away with the ball. (9/10)

Farfan - I chose Farfan due to chemistry and I was very happy to see his price was less than 3k, 2.3k later I had my man and suddenly I realised why he was rated so highly. For me he is excellent, he is very strong, has a mean shot, more than enough pace and a devastating cross. He gets assists for fun and goals when I decide to get one. His is a 4* skiller which is great but the M/M work rates can leave him chilling behind Sarioglu, which is fine as Sarioglu can cross. When you get alongside your man Farfan usually comes out with the ball and I find his link with Huntelaar translates in game as Hunt gets many goals from his guys work.(9/10)

The fitness team, I had a Russian league team and Diakite so I decided to make it a party. It's fun, very fun.

Abbiati - Brilliant keeper; makes the occasional mistake but generally is a terrific shot stopper. Good distributor too. Not much more to say about him but that he'll always be in contention for me squads. Solid. (9/10)

Mexes - Great defender, good in the air and strong everywhere else. Isn't the quickest but is pretty strong which means he can drag someone back as someone else covers. He is decent on the ball and able to pass which is a real help. A great discard defender. (8.5/10)

Diakite - The heading machine; he wins everything in the air and makes Drogba shirk with confusion. He isn't the best tackler but he does get back quickly, and powerfully which is good as Debuchy enjoys a venture forward. He does wander from his position and is quick poor on the ball but he stays back which is really helpful. (7.9/10)

Ansaldi - Ansaldi is average; he doesn't feel pacey even if he is, he is strong enough but nothing spectacular and he wanders around like he is sight seeing. Sometimes this is perfect as he's always available for a pass but sometimes it's baffling to watch his 'runs'. He is another guy who does a job but isn't spectacular, even if he has a good cross and overlaps well, maybe the fact he is quiet for me is a good thing...this team has done very well for me. (7/10)

Diarra - A hilarious player to use; a mighty midget who thinks he can do everything. He comes back for keeper passes, is regularly there for the last pass but can't really shine in front of goal or behind the back line as his shooting is poor and passing sub-par. No complaints though as defensively he is great; he wants to help out and that's fine...maybe one day I'll move to assisted-shooting and make the most of him. Used in a 4231 too and he was great. (8.3/10)

M'Villa - A strange concoction of brilliant and useless; he has scored some wonder goals for me and missed some sitters, similarly his passing is either brilliant or awful. Decent on the ball and very quick but nothing special in terms of a midfielder and used for his defensive abilities and occasional attacking luck?.. (7.9/10)

Britton - I needed a solid RW link to help Diakite fit and Dyer was my choice. I was a bit apprehensive using Britton but after 45mins I was sold. He is a good passer, neat on the ball and has a good shot. He does a lot of the link play for me and with Dyer is a good attacking outlet. All round he surprised me a lot and my enjoyment of this team comes from the right hand side which really does step up and perform. Britton is an interesting player that should be tried as he is always available for a pass and has a quick one touch lay off. (7.9/10)

Dyer - Dyer is brilliant and his work rates and pace make his useful everywhere. Don't get in a physical battle with anyone unless you're charging away and getting pulled back but do use those 4* skills and bamboozle defenders before making a pass to make a run. His passing is more than adequate, shooting useful and crossing very good. He is weak, and using him helped me learn how to shrug of the silly jockey/jostle technique that is abused but he is literally always available for a pass of some short. He simply isn't all pace, you just have to use him properly. (8/10)

Danny - Another player who doesn't quite hit the mark but does add a lot to your team. He is strong enough on the ball to hold someone off once, with excellent skills and a nice finesse shot but he doesn't score as much as I'd like even if he's brilliant at moving away from his defender in attack. I'd like him to get forward more but he has a Medium attacking work rate which can leave him behind the line, in this formation you do need you winger to make a run forward but I do like using him. When I improve my skills his silky dribbling will be really effective. (7.9/10)

Cisse - An all round great player who as a CF lacks a little in terms of passing but is a bull on the ball with a fantastic header. His dribbling is average even with 4* skills but if you get a straight line run, then run to another straight line run, he's very good. I used him in a 451 as a striker and he was decent but since going CF he has scored a lot more for me. I think a chemistry card with passing would help him a lot as his link up is either great or poor and usually dictated by whether the pass is with his back to goal. (back to goal good, on goal, poor) (8/20)