FM 2014 Goalkeeper roles and duties explained

Goalkeeper

This role focuses on simple and risk-free use of the ball, with the goalie simply looking to play the

ball away from goal to an open player. If a player is not open the goalkeeper will play the ball long and
safe.
The goalkeeper will distribute the ball differently between match strategies. For more cautious

tactics, he will try to clear the ball deep while for more aggressive tactics he will feed the defence in
order to start off passing moves.
Can only have defend duty.

Role: Goalkeeper

Goalkeeping: Aerial Ability, Command of Area, Handling, One On Ones, Reflexes

Mental: Composure, Concentration, Decisions, Positioning

Physical: Agility

Sweeper Keeper

Aims to perform two roles, that of the standard goalkeeper and the outfield sweeper. Alongside his

standard goalkeeping duties he will try to sweep up balls in front and wide of the penalty area and initiate
counter-attacking moves with direct through balls to breaking players.
With a defend duty, the sweeper keeper will be a lot more cautious, but will still play counter-

attacking balls when they are on.

With a support duty, the sweeper keeper will stray just outside the penalty area and look to play

counter-attacking passes.
With an attack duty the sweeper keeper will travel some distance outside of the penalty area and be
happy to move out with the ball at his feet.

Role: Sweeper Keeper

Goalkeeping: Aerial Ability, Command of Area, Communication, Eccentricity, First Touch, Handling,

Reflexes, Rushing Out

Mental: Composure, Concentration, Creativity, Decisions, Positioning
Physical: Acceleration, Agility, Pace

FM 2014 Full Back roles and duties explained

Limited Full Back

Knows his strengths and weaknesses and focuses mainly on his defensive duties, rarely going forward

into a more attacking role.

Can only have defend duty.

Role: Limited Full Back

Technical: Marking, Tackling

Mental: Anticipation, Concentration, Positioning, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Acceleration, Stamina

Full Back

A key player in modern football, having to supplement his traditional defensive duties with

overlapping runs down the wing to support forward play and help attacks overload the final third.
Although primarily a defensive player, he must be prepared to get forward when the team needs extra
width.
With a defend duty, the full back will stay back with the defensive line and make simple possession

passes either down the flanks or into central midfield.

With a support duty, the full back will support the midfield by providing extra width and will look for

crosses and through balls when he has the chance.

With an attack duty, the full back supplements his defensive duties by overlapping the midfield and

providing first-time crosses into the penalty area.

With an automatic duty, the full back will switch automatically between defend, support and attack
duties according to your match strategies.

Role: Full Back

Technical: Marking, Tackling

Mental: Anticipation, Concentration, Positioning, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Acceleration, Stamina

Wing Back

Usually playing out wide with no wing support, the wing back must take care of all the attacking and

defensive duties of both wingers and full backs. In attack he must be ready to run at his man and deliver
aggressive crosses, in midfield he must help win the possession battle while in defence he must help close
down opponents, block crosses and win back the ball when possible.
With a defend duty, the wing back mainly stays deep, but will still cross the ball when he has the time

and space to do so.

With a support duty, the wing back aims to provide angled through balls from out wide and cross the

ball when the opportunity arises.

With an attack duty, the wing back aims to overlap down the flank to provide wide support for

attacks, run at his man and get crosses in from the byline.
With an automatic duty, the wing back will switch automatically between defend, support and attack
duties according to your match strategy.

Role: Wing Back Technical: Crossing, Marking, Tackling

Mental: Decisions, Positioning, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Acceleration, Stamina

Complete Wing Back

Loves to attack, and whilst he is capable of taking care of his defensive duties, his natural inclination

is to affect the game in the oppositions defensive third.

Can only have attack duty.

Role: Complete Wing Back

Technical: Crossing, Dribbling, Marking, Tackling

Mental: Decisions, Flair, Positioning, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Acceleration, Stamina

FM 2014 Central Defenders roles and duties explained

Sweeper

Drops behind the defensive line, aiming to sweep up through balls, pick up extra attackers and make

goal-saving tackles, blocks and interceptions. Must have exceptional athleticism and reading of the game
which enable him to cover for defensive errors, take possession of loose balls from a deep position and
secure possession. Rarely, if ever, ventures forward.
Can only have defend duty.

Role: Sweeper

Technical: Heading, Marking, Passing, Tackling

Mental: Anticipation, Composure, Concentration, Decisions, Positioning

Physical: Acceleration, Balance, Jumping

Libero

Drops behind the defensive line, having the same duties as the sweeper. He will also roam forward in

support of the midfield when the team has possession.

With a support duty the libero will step into midfield when possession is secured and look to play balls

through to attacking teammates.

With an attack duty the libero ventures much higher up the pitch to provide a goal scoring threat
from distance while also looking to play in teammates.

Role: Libero

Technical: Dribbling, Heading, Marking, Passing, Tackling

Mental: Anticipation, Composure, Concentration, Creativity, Decisions, Positioning, Teamwork

Physical: Acceleration, Balance, Jumping

Central Defender

His main job is to stop the opposing attackers from playing and to clear the ball from danger when

needed. However, especially for more aggressive tactics, he must also have the technique and composure
to be able to help the team maintain possession and lay off simple passes to the more creative players.
With a defend duty, the central defender will stay in line with his defensive partners and look to

break up attacks, mark opposing forwards and prevent the ball from getting into the box.
With a stopper duty, the central defender will push ahead of the defensive line and close down

players before they get to the penalty area.

With a cover duty, the central defender will drop a little deeper and sweep up through balls behind
the defensive line.

Role: Central Defender

Technical: Heading, Marking, Tackling

Mental: Aggression, Bravery, Composure, Concentration, Decisions, Determination, Positioning

Physical: Jumping, Strength

Ball Playing Defender

His main job is the same as the central defenders, stop the opposing attackers and clear the ball from

danger. The main difference is that the ball playing defender is encouraged to launch defence-splitting
through balls from deep to generate counter-attacking opportunities.
Can have the same defend/stopper/cover duties, with the exact same job description as the central
defender.

Role: Ball Playing Defender

Technical: Heading, Marking, Passing, Tackling, Technique

Mental: Composure, Concentration, Creativity, Decisions, Determination, Positioning

Physical: Jumping, Strength

Limited Defender

His main job is the same as the other central defender roles but the limited defender will clear the

ball safely up field in a no-nonsense manner.

Can have the same defend/stopper/cover duties, with the exact same job description as the central
defenders / ball playing defenders.

Role: Limited Defender

Technical: Heading, Marking, Tackling

Mental: Aggression, Bravery, Determination, Positioning

Physical: Jumping, Strength

FM 2014 Defensive Midfielders roles and duties explained

Defensive Midfielder

Main duties are to protect the defensive line from breaking attackers by closing them down quickly

and to support the creative midfielders when in possession. A key job for the defensive midfielder is to
keep hold of the ball while the defence and attack are reorganising themselves after a period of
opposition pressure.
With a defend duty, the defensive midfielder will hold his position between the midfield and

defensive lines and recycle possession from a deep position.

With a support duty, the defensive midfielder will step into the midfield line and support attacking
moves.

Role: Defensive Midfielder

Technical: Marking, Tackling

Mental: Concentration, Decisions, Positioning, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Acceleration, Stamina, Strength

Deep Lying Playmaker

Operates in the space between the defence and the midfield and aims to initiate attacking moves

through pinpoint passes to players positioned higher up the pitch. He is a creative player that also has to
be competent in defence.
With a defend duty, the deep-lying playmaker will fulfill extra defensive responsibilities by holding

position in front of the defensive line, rarely looking to support attacks.

With a support duty, the deep-lying playmaker will bring the ball out of defence and look for long shot
opportunities as well as supplying through balls.

Role: Deep Lying Playmaker

Technical: First Touch, Passing, Tackling, Technique

Mental: Composure, Creativity, Decisions, Off The Ball, Positioning, Teamwork

Physical: Ball Winning Midfielder

His main function is to close down the opposition and win the ball. He also needs the skills to help the

team keep possession and create chances for players with attacking roles.
With a defend duty, the ball-winning midfielder will look to win the ball in the middle of the pitch

and quickly lay it off to a more creative player.

With a support duty, the ball-winning midfielder will attempt to win the ball back high up the pitch
and support resulting counter attack chances.

Role: Ball Winning Midfielder

Technical: Marking, Tackling

Mental: Aggression, Bravery, Determination, Positioning, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Stamina, Strength

Anchor Man

Main duty is to take position in the hole between defence and midfield, intercepting moves and

winning the ball back. Plays simple passes to his more creative teammates. Doesnt venture too far from
his position either to close down an opponent or to support the more advanced players.
Can only have defend duty.

Role: Anchor Man

Technical: Heading, Marking, Tackling

Mental: Anticipation, Concentration, Decisions, Determination, Positioning, Work Rate

Physical: Strength
Half Back

Looks to serve a role somewhere between that of an aggressive sweeper and a defensive midfielder.

When a half back is employed the central defenders will push higher up the pitch while the half back
drops deeper than a standard defensive midfielder. In addition to his defensive duties the half back looks
to offer an outlet for quickly recycling possession when the teams attacking play breaks down.
Can only have defend duty.

Role: Half Back

Technical: Marking, Passing, Tackling

Mental: Anticipation, Composure, Concentration, Decisions, Positioning, Teamwork

Physical: Acceleration, Stamina, Strength

Regista

A more aggressive version of the deep-lying playmaker, suitable for possession-oriented tactics that

press high up the pitch. He is given complete freedom to dictate play from deep positions, offering a
dynamic and unpredictable creative outlet from behind the attack. He will seek to maintain intense
pressure by constantly looking for new chances as his more advanced teammates get into goal scoring
positions.
Can only have support duty.

Role: Regista

Technical: First Touch, Passing, Tackling, Technique

Mental: Composure, Decisions, Off The Ball, Positioning, Teamwork

Physical: -

FM 2014 Central Midfielders roles and duties explained

Central Midfielder

Has the technical ability to play in attacking, support or defensive roles, but tends to lack the

required qualities to do all of those simultaneously.

With a defend duty, the central midfielder stays back in front of the defence and plays a simple

supporting game for those teammates playing further up the pitch.

With a support duty, the central midfielder looks to hold his position in the middle of the pitch and

plays balls into players ahead of him.

With an attack duty, the central midfielder looks to get into the box to support the forwards, drift

wide to support the flanks in the final third and also play teammates in front of him.
With an automatic duty, the central midfielder will switch automatically between defend, support
and attack duties according to your match strategy.

Role: Central Midfielder

Technical: Dribbling, Finishing, First Touch, Passing

Mental: Creativity, Decisions, Determination, Off The Ball, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Deep Lying Playmaker

Operates in the space between the defence and the midfield and aims to initiate attacking moves

through pinpoint passes to players positioned higher up the pitch. He is a creative player that also has to
be competent in defence.
With a defend duty, the deep-lying playmaker will fulfill extra defensive responsibilities by holding

position in front of the defensive line, rarely looking to support attacks.

With a support duty, the deep-lying playmaker will bring the ball out of defence and look for long shot
opportunities as well as supplying through balls.

Role: Deep Lying Playmaker

Technical: First Touch, Passing, Tackling, Technique

Mental: Composure, Creativity, Decisions, Off The Ball, Positioning, Teamwork

Physical: -

Box To Box Midfielder

He contributes greatly to both defending and attacking. In attack, he pushes up to support the

forwards, often going into the box to get on the end of crosses, as well as providing a threat from
distance. In defence, he harries opposition attacking midfielders and helps protect the defensive line.
Can only have support duty.

Role: Box To Box Midfielder

Technical: Dribbling, Finishing, First Touch, Heading, Long Shots, Marking, Passing, Technique

Mental: Anticipation, Bravery, Decisions, Determination, Off The Ball, Positioning, Work Rate

Physical: Acceleration, Stamina, Strength

Advanced Playmaker

Can operate in the central midfield, attacking midfield or wide forward positions. He aims to drop

into the holes between the oppositions midfield and defence, making himself available for passes and
aiming to turn defence into attack in an instant.
With a support duty, the advanced playmaker will stay in the hole and look to spray passes to support

attacking teammates.
With an attack duty, the advanced playmaker will try to run at the defensive line from deeper
positions, aiming to create crossing or through ball opportunities in the final third.

Role: Advanced Playmaker

Technical: First Touch, Passing, Technique

Mental: Creativity, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Stamina
Ball Winning Midfielder

His main function is to close down the opposition and win the ball. He also needs the skills to help the

team keep possession and create chances for players with attacking roles.
With a defend duty, the ball-winning midfielder will look to win the ball in the middle of the pitch

and quickly lay it off to a more creative player.

With a support duty, the ball-winning midfielder will attempt to win the ball back high up the pitch
and support resulting counter attack chances.

Role: Ball Winning Midfielder

Technical: Marking, Tackling

Mental: Aggression, Bravery, Determination, Positioning, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Stamina, Strength

FM 2014 Wingers roles and duties explained

Wide Midfielder

Performs defensive and attacking duties on the flanks, supporting the forwards, midfielers and

defenders as well when required. Lacking the pace and skills of a technical winger, the wide midfielder
relies on teamwork and work rate to move into dangerous attacking positions without compromising his
defensive responsibilities.
With a defend duty, the wide midfielder will sit back and launch crosses from deep.
With a support duty, the wide midfielder will stay deeper and play angled through balls into the box

from out wide, even though he will still attempt crosses when he has the chance.
With an attack duty, the wide midfielder looks to play quick crosses in from the final third.
With an automatic duty, the wide midfielder will switch automatically between defend, support and
attack duties according to your match strategy.

Role: Wide Midfielder

Technical: Crossing, Passing, Tackling

Mental: Anticipation, Decisions, Determination, Off The Ball, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Stamina
Winger

Aims to beat his man on the outside and needs to be technically proficient and quick as well in order

to do so. Hugs the touchline when the team is going forward, ready to surge into space and attack the
byline.
With a support duty, the winger will try to quickly get past his man and get in an early cross for the

forwards.
With an attack duty, the winger will try to run at the defence, aiming to cause panic before shooting
or attempting to play either a through ball or a cross to a teammate.

Role: Winger

Technical: Crossing, Dribbling, Technique

Mental: Decisions, Flair, Off The Ball

Physical: Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace

Defensive Winger

Aims to press the opposing full backs, win back the ball high up the pitch and either hold it up for the

rest of the team, drive to the byline or get in a quick cross or through ball.
With a support duty, the defensive winger will try to win the ball back, get past his man and try to get
in early crosses for the forwards.

Role: Defensive Winger

Technical: Crossing, Dribbling, Marking, Tackling, Technique

Mental: Decisions, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Pace, Stamina

Advanced Playmaker

Can operate in the central midfield, attacking midfield or wide forward positions. He aims to drop

into the holes between the oppositions midfield and defence, making himself available for passes and
aiming to turn defence into attack in an instant.
With a support duty, the advanced playmaker will stay in the hole and look to spray passes to support

attacking teammates.
With an attack duty, the advanced playmaker will try to run at the defensive line from deeper
positions, aiming to create crossing or through ball opportunities in the final third.

Role: Advanced Playmaker

Technical: First Touch, Passing, Technique

Mental: Creativity, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Stamina

Inside Forward

Aims to cut inside from the flanks and run directly at the centre of the oppositions defence; works

best when the players strongest foot is opposite to the flank he is playing on. His movement can open
space for overlapping full backs as well as overloading a retreating defender but it can also end up with
the player running into cul-de-sacs.
With a support duty, the inside forward will cut diagonally into the space behind the defence and play

through balls or take long shots if the opportunity arises.

With an attack duty, the inside forward will run directly at the defence with the options of shooting,
passing or crossing.

Role: Inside Forward

Technical: Crossing, Dribbling, Finishing, Passing

Mental: Decisions, Flair, Off The Ball, Teamwork

Physical: Acceleration, Pace

Wing Target Man

He is the main outlet for clearances and long balls from the back. Ideally positioned against a smaller

and weaker full back, his job is to get the ball and keep it before recycling it to a teammate.
With a support duty, the wide target man is best used for relocating a tall and powerful target man to
bully a smaller and weaker full back, offering knock-downs and opportunities to onrushing central players.

Role: Wing Target Man

Technical: Crossing, Dribbling, Heading, Technique

Mental: Decisions, Flair, Off The Ball

Physical: Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Jumping, Pace, Strength

FM 2014 Attacking Midfielders roles and duties explained

Attacking Midfielder

Operates higher up the pitch than the standard midfielder, so he wont be able to drive into space

from deep like an attacking central midfielder would. Requires excellent technical and metal skills, his
role is to create chances for himself and others in the final third.
With a support duty, the attacking midfielder will help out with defensive duties and tends to sit in

the hole rather than get into the box.

With an attack duty, the attacking midfielder looks to create chances for the teammates but will also
be a presence in the box to supplement the attack.

Role: Attacking Midfielder

Technical: First Touch, Long Shots, Passing, Technique

Mental: Creativity, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Balance

Advanced Playmaker

Can operate in the central midfield, attacking midfield or wide forward positions. He aims to drop

into the holes between the oppositions midfield and defence, making himself available for passes and
aiming to turn defence into attack in an instant.
With a support duty, the advanced playmaker will stay in the hole and look to spray passes to support

attacking teammates.
With an attack duty, the advanced playmaker will try to run at the defensive line from deeper
positions, aiming to create crossing or through ball opportunities in the final third.

Role: Advanced Playmaker

Technical: First Touch, Passing, Technique

Mental: Creativity, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Stamina

Trequartista

Can operate in attacking midfield or centre forward positions.

Aims to drop into the holes between the oppositions defence and midfield, similar to the advanced

playmaker, but the trequartista will do a lot less defensively as he will simply drift around looking for
space when the team is not in possession.
Can only have attack duty.

Role: Trequartista

Technical: Finishing, First Touch, Passing, Technique

Mental: Anticipation, Composure, Creativity, Flair, Off The Ball

Physical: Agility

Enganche

He is the teams prime creator, a hook that joins midfield and attack and operates behind the striker.

He is a playmaker who sticks to his position and becomes a pivot to his team as they move around him. It
is different compared to the trequartista, who likes to roam from his position looking for space between
the lines.
Can only have attack duty.

Role: Enganche

Technical: Finishing, First Touch, Passing, Technique

Mental: Anticipation, Composure, Creativity, Flair, Off The Ball

Physical: -

Shadow Striker

He is the teams main goal scoring threat. Usually coupled with a deep-lying forward, the shadow

striker aggressively pushed forward into goal scoring positions as the ball moves into the final third and
looks to close down the oppositions defenders when not in possession.
Can only have attack duty.

Role: Shadow Striker

Technical: Finishing, First Touch, Passing, Tackling, Technique

Mental: Anticipation, Composure, Flair, Off The Ball, Work Rate
Physical: Agility, Stamina

FM 2014 Strikers roles and duties explained

Deep Lying Forward

His main function is to link the attack to the midfield. He aims to drop deep into space and hold up

the ball before playing linking passes to his teammates, moving the ball back to midfield, spreading it
wide to the flanks or playing in a striker.
With a support duty, the deep-lying forward will mainly aim to bring teammates into play before

attacking the box from deep.

With an attack duty, the deep-lying forward will try to create chances for himself in addition to
playing others in.

Role: Deep Lying Forward

Technical: Dribbling, First Touch, Long Shots, Passing, Technique

Mental: Creativity, Decisions, Off The Ball, Teamwork

Physical: Strength

Advanced Forward

His main role is to lead the line and spearhead attacking moves. The main duty is to be the focal

point of attacking moves and he is required to both score and create chances.
As a secondary role the advanced forward has to chase down misplaced through balls or clearances

from deep, win possession and provide passes or crosses to his teammates.
Can only have attack duty.

Role: Advanced Forward

Technical: Crossing, Dribbling, Finishing, Heading

Mental: Anticipation, Composure, Flair, Off The Ball, Work Rate

Physical: Pace

Target Man

He uses his physicality to disrupt the oppositions defence and open space for the other striker or

supporting midfielders. He uses mostly his strength and aerial prowess to bring teammates into play rather
than relying on technical ability.
With a support duty, the target man will try to win flick-ons and play simple possession passes to his

teammates.
With an attack duty, the target man will lead the line and open space for teammates to move into.

Role: Target Man

Technical: Finishing, First Touch, Heading

Mental: Anticipation, Bravery, Determination, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Jumping, Strength

Poacher

He sits on the shoulder of the last defender, looking to break the defensive line and run onto through

balls from midfield. His main aim is to score goals but he will also run at his marker and cross the ball
when required. He rarely offers much help in constructing moves, preferring to remain in a central
position and sniff out chances in and around the box.
Can only have attack duty.

Role: Poacher

Technical: Dribbling, Finishing, First Touch

Mental: Anticipation, Composure, Off The Ball

Physical: Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Pace

Complete Forward

He possesses all the technical attributes of a deep-lying forward, the goal scoring ability of then

poacher and the strength of the target man. He can play in others, create chances for himself or finish up
team moves. Such a player should transcend tactical instructions, should simply be allowed to do his own
thing.
With a support duty, the complete forward will try to drop into space, run at the defence, take long

shots, drive to the flanks or play through balls for teammates.

With an attack duty, the complete forward will lead the line, spearheading attacks and creating
chances both for himself and the others.

Role: Complete Forward

Technical: Dribbling, Finishing, First Touch, Heading, Long Shots, Passing, Technique

Mental: Anticipation, Composure, Creativity, Decisions, Determination, Off The Ball, Teamwork

Physical: Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Jumping, Pace, Strength

Defensive Forward

His main duty is to put pressure on the defensive line, chase down the man in possession or loose balls

and generally stop the opposition defence. In attack he will keep things as simple as possible, bringing
others into play rather than creating his own chances.
With a support duty, the defensive forward will sit a little deeper and put pressure on the oppositions
defensive midfielders.

Role: Defensive Forward

Technical: First Touch, Long Shots, Marking, Passing, Tackling

Mental: Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Pace, Stamina, Strength

Trequartista

Can operate in attacking midfield or centre forward positions.

Aims to drop into the holes between the oppositions defence and midfield, similar to the advanced

playmaker, but the trequartista will do a lot less defensively as he will simply drift around looking for
space when the team is not in possession.
Can only have attack duty.

Role: Trequartista

Technical: Finishing, First Touch, Passing, Technique

Mental: Anticipation, Composure, Creativity, Flair, Off The Ball

Physical: Agility

False Nine

He is similar to a more advanced attacking midfielder or playmaker, an unconventional lone striker or

centre-forward who drops deep into midfield. His movement will create a problem for opposing central
defenders, who can either follow him and leave space behind them or leave him to have time and space
to create dangerous moves.
Can only have support duty.

Role: False Nine

Technical: First Touch, Long Shots, Passing

Mental: Creativity, Off The Ball, Teamwork, Work Rate

Physical: Strength