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)

Part 3 - All IF BPL

I am skipping past part 2 because I wasn't completely happy with my team and am waiting till the end of the week before buying a replacement, however I did make a team I was happy with all thanks to the great Team of the Week 18.

Firstly prices on higher priced IF's (around 30k) have halved, now is a good time to buy before the horrible price fixers raise the prices again and everyone builds the same cheap Serie A team.

The BPL Guys

Guzan - 11k - As a Villa fan I was excited for this card but so far he's made life very difficult for me; top corner shots he's great with and his throwing is brilliant but low shots and handling are miserable, 4 of the 6 goals he's conceded were entirely his fault. He has the limpest wrists of any keeper I've used and can't seem to push the ball away at all (unless it's to push the ball in the goal), he also comes for the ball on crosses but stays in his poor position and so rebound goals are always likely. He looks small despite being 6"4 and feels to have no real presence. A real let down which was a surprise. I need a new keeper and Adrian will be next in line. (6/10...because I'm a Villa fan)


Caulker - 19k - Sadly Caulker is now around the 30k mark, but Brown is a good alternative if you're on a budget. Caulker is tall, strong, quick and mobile; that suits me fine. His tackling is great, positioning very good and there's not a lot to complain about. He does what a good defender does; defend. He's no world beater but he'll keep you in games and when you see that spammed long ball you'll feel less bothered. Passing is decent enough too and he doesn't get caught on the ball like other defenders can. (8.5/10)

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)

Figueroa - 10k - He's a left back now! Always getting IF's that attacking centre back has probably found his best FIFA position even if he's not quite Baines. He wins headers, can pass, shoot, dribble and strike a ball but he's a jack of all trades who gives you options rather than quality. He's definitely a centre back playing left back rather than a true LB but I think that can be helpful with the right attacking option in front; sadly I have Sigurosson but that's a different review. His chemistry potential is a pain, so hybrids need Koren, but he's just as annoying so you're better off with full BPL. All in all though he's fun to see on the pitch, does things well enough and is extremely cheap. (7.5/10)

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)

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. So far so 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. (8.9/10)

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 a bit more pace would be nice, plus better work rates, though he makes up for it by playing sumptuous passes and testing keepers at ridiculous ranges. He's another 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 pass so find a man instead! Don't go for headers. (8.8/10)

Sigurossen - 20k - Gylfi is a great player in real life and I've always wanted to try his IF but sadly he's not quite Jurado on the left and I am still getting used to using him. He doesn't make crucial runs all that often (M/M work rates), seems less nimble on the ball than past FIFA's but still retains a hammer shot and superb free kicks. When he makes a run he's strong enough to keep a defender from abusing his lack of pace and when you're on the edge of the box he really comes alive giving you options of nice passes, good crosses and an excellent shot; however in 4231 it can be tricky to get a slow M/M work rate player to get forward. He's a front man who is probably better suited to 433 but he doesn't disappoint, he just doesn't add enough to make him irreplaceable. (7/10)

Johnson - 10k - 4* skills, yey! Though he's pretty weak and doesn't get forward enough I was happy to have his guy in my squad and using a scoop turn to evade the opposition. He's by no means quick but he has a neat turn, with strong shooting and excellent passing, plus he has a 4* weak foot which gives you good options to go inside or take the man on outside. Under high pressure he too gets steamrolled but he dusts himself off and next time draws a foul. Nothing to criticise really apart from a tad lack of pace and poor work rates but he's dangerous in the final third and definitely a keeper. Eventually he like Gylfi will go to a 433 team. (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 more robust but it just means I am practicing skills and dribbling instead; Adebayor can be my strong man. I'd say he adds to my team and when playing well he's a constant danger which allows my wide men a chance to get involved. (8/10)

Adebayor - 18k - Having used his NIF many times I knew what to expect and so far I don't feel there's a huge improvement over his already great NIF. In the air he's fantastic, in front of goal a monster but sometimes he prefers to be a CF and not a ST. He does however let me scoop turn and perform other fun skills and with his decent passing he is extremely useful. Apart from the work rates and lack of agility he's a really great striker but give him some time to get forward and he'll score for fun. He's strong, neat on the ball and deadly from distance/with finesse, goals come easily to this man especially on the volley, I can see him in lots of my future teams. Get one now before people decide he's worth 40k. (9/10)

Team Analysis
It's a great team to use but relies on passing abilities up top rather than always taking on the man, your full backs can prove very useful in this formation but make sure you're aware of where you wide men are when the FB's come forward. A wide man who wants to get forward would be a bonus and as the year develops hopefully a new cheap IF will offer that, but so far so good for wins, goals and entertainment. I really enjoy playing with these guys even if you're likely to get an Ibarbo SHHHH! along the way; I have my own robot dancing Adebayor!
If I could replace anyone it would be Guzan, Sigurossen (for better work rates) and Reither due to height; everyone else plays their part very well.