A Beginners Guide

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CHOOSING A TEAM

Okay, so you've loaded up the game, you've entered your name, and now you have to choose a team. When you have the whole world to choose from, it can be difficult. If you're a first time player or have little experience of SWOS, then don't be tempted to choose a team in a high league. This is because, although the team you choose may be high on quality, you can almost guarantee that every other team in the league will also be high in quality. Therefore it is best to learn your trade in the lower divisions, before moving into the top leagues. Rome wasn't built in a day, and you certainly won't become a SWOS expert after only a few seasons. It takes time, so be patient. This also gives you a gradual learning curve, as the standard of opposition rises gently as you move up the divisions (hopefully!). The step up to the Premier league (or foreign equivalent) is however quite large, and if you manage to take a side into division one, and are doing well, then you would be well advised to accept a job offer from a well established premier league club, rather than try and carry on with the team you have.

TACTICS

Everybody has there own personal favorite tactics. Some like to hoof the ball up to their predatory striker to lash it home, others prefer to play the possessive, passing game, looking to win games by nicking the odd goal and keeping a clean sheet. Finally their's the showman's flair tactics, using their favorite player to take the ball from their own penalty area, dance with twinkle toes up the pitch as opposition defenders fall at the players feet, and beat the keeper with a cheeky little chip.

Personally I like to mix it up using a few aspects from each of these tactics to keep the computer guessing but my advice to beginners is as follows:

Against opponents of equal skill level, the long ball tactic is usually quite reliable, especially if you have a particularly speedy striker. You can use your defenders to launch the ball up-field and then use your strikers to finish it off, meaning this tactic is handy if you have a poor midfield. However don't attempt to use this tactic against higher quality opposition (eg. away to Moan Utd. in the cup) or you will get SLAUGHTERED. Each time you launch the ball, their defenders will nick it off your strikers, and before you know it, you will have conceded a goal. This tactic is also good against poor quality opposition.

Against opponents of high skill, the possessive tactic is the best. Play short, simple passes, around the field, forwards, and backwards, and anyway you please. Try to frustrate the opposition, then they may start to dive in with their challenges and you may find a gap in their defence which you can exploit. Don't worry if you don't get in many shots, as long as you are restricting the oppositions efforts. Remember a 0-0 draw is better than a defeat. Try to resist the long range shot (unless you're on an icy pitch) as more often than not, it will be saved by the keeper, and you have given away possession. However if you are on an icy pitch, then the odd long ranger is definitely worth a go, as many good 'keepers can be deceived by the wicked bounce on an icy pitch.

Against opponents of lower skill, you should really try to have fun, go for it, play the flair game, it may mean that the opposition gets a few goals, so always make sure you get yourself a lead using the long ball tactic or even the possessive tactic (anything goes against bad teams) before you go on your stylish runs. There's no better feeling in SWOS than the feeling you get after scoring a wonder goal and it feels so good to know you've won in style. Entertain the crowd, have fun, laugh at the opposition and if you win, hurray!, if you don't then, well, don't blame me.

DEFENDING

One golden rule. Never just slide in aimlessly with your tackles, always judge and time your tackles or else you will miss the ball and leave a huge gaping hole in your back line. Also, never take your defenders on runs, give the ball to your midfielders as soon as possible or hoof it up for your striker. As soon as you start running with your defenders, they will get tackled, and oops, another hole in your defence.

MIDFIELD

Not really a crucial area of the pitch, but try to use your midfielders to thread some useful balls through to your strikers. Good wingers are a handy little thing, they can score you a canny few goals, and set up lots aswell. Also use your midfield to help stifle out any attacks before they get to your defence.

ATTACKING/SHOOTING

The most crucial area of the pitch, after all, if you can't score goals, then you can't win games. There are two easy ways of scoring goals.

1)Used particularly when you have a good striker. Run the ball up to the edge of the penalty area and curl it past the 'keeper.

GOAL!! guaranteed (well nearly)

2)Used with any striker against any 'keeper. Run the ball up to just beyond the point where the semi circle on the edge of the box meets the box and lash it into the opposite corner.

GOAL!!! GUARANTEED (well nearly!)

3.) Slightly more difficult to pull off this one, but still very effective once mastered. Shoot from just outside the corner box, pull the joystick diagonally away from the goal, and curl it across the face of the keeper.

GOAL!!! GUARANTEED (well nearly!)z

BUYING ADVICE

Defenders:Look for (1=Most important, 6=Least important)

1)Tackling
2)Heading
3)Speed
4)Passing
5)Shot Power
6)Ball Control
7)Finishing

Midfielders

1)Passing
2)Ball Control
3)Speed
4)Tackling
5)Finishing
6)Shot Power
7)Heading

Wingers

1)Speed
2)Ball Control
3)Passing
4)Finishing
5)Shot Power
6)Heading
7)Tackling

Strikers

1)Finishing
2)Shot Power
3)Speed
4)Heading
5)Ball Control
6)Passing
7)Tackling