Alot of what people are saying here is true both good and bad. I just finished winning the league on 5* with Tottenham, so it can be done. Here are some of the things I've noticed:
Fouls- I actually get fouled alot more by the computer than I actually foul them and still manage to usually keep a clean sheet. My problem is that the cpu fouls so much that I often have good fast break chances ruined. This is fine, because that is real life, but the problem is with the ref. He MIGHT call a foul, advantage never works in my favor and he rarely if ever cards the cpu, even when it is the same player making all of the fouls.
Defence- Defence isn't that bad in this game. For the most part if you just pay attention to what the cpu is (always) trying to do, which is the through ball, then you can usually stop them. On the wings, be sure that if you allow your cpu controlled fullback to mark a winger, he will definitely be caught flat footed by a through ball 5-10 times a game. Just switch to that player when the cpu has the ball over there and drop back a few yards so that when the pass is attempted you will have a few steps on the attacker. You can also use R2 to just try to stay in front of the ball carrier to slow him down and make him go back, or just wait to take it. Patience is the key on defence. ***Same goes for through balls over the top, but there will be times on the wings and through the middle when the CPU will just bump your guys out of the way and get the ball no matter what you do, so e sure to be ready to use the triangle to get your keeper to come out (they rarely get called for fouls, and if you get to the ball at or just after the cpu, the keeper will always take it).
Attack- Forget the lofted through ball unless you have a Beckham or Pirlo on your team, because they are useless otherwise (always roll to the keeper). Playing down the wings is pretty useless too if you are interested in crossing the ball (crosses are also largely unhelpful, crossing early helps, but passes on the groud or in the air are usually grabbed by the keeper or crossed to some ridiculous place in the box). The wings do help though sometimes to spread the defence out as well all know that cpu "defence" means to just pack the box. The best time to get the cpu is on the break. Try to play it into your striker and have them roll off of the last defender (this worked well with decent dribblers). Also don't be afraid to just hit the ball from outside of the box. I actually score a higher precentage of shots from outside the box than in. It also isn't that hard to bring the ball across the top of the box, beat a man with a change of pace, and then try to hit a shot on goal. *** I do not score from set peices, maybe 2 or 3 goals in the whole season, not saying it can't be done, but don't expect to be banging them in from deadball situations.
Tactics- they can help (formation wise), but are necessary and can also be unhelpful sometimes too.
Any questions about any of this feel free to ask (be sure to tell me what team you are using too).
There are some problems with the game though too that people have mentioned.
-Your teammates are lazy. Alot of what Konami does I think is not so much to make you mad, but to help the cpu on defence. If your players made the runs they should, timed their runs better, etc. the cpu would never be able to compete. That doesn't make it right, but still... Your players are also ALOT less active on defence. Guys will usually not stick their foot out to get a ball rolling right past them and they won't start to chase a man running onto a through ball until the ball and the man are already past them.
-Passing is better and worse- You can do alot of nice little passing in the midfield, the problem is that your defenders can't pass and your forwards can't pass either. It is annoying to see the CPU defenders hit 70 yard through balls off of clearances that always land on the attackers head or chest (after he has pushed your guy our of the way). The missed passes are good IMO, because that is real life. My problem is when the ball just bounces off of your teammates like they don't care. I also still hate that you can't pass the ball in the are 360 degrees, yet the cpu can, and they also drive the ball when they hit it, while your players still float it, annoying.
Deflections- Still a MAJOR problem in the series (90% of deflections go to the CPU). Passing with headers still sucks too, but the CPU can flick a ball to a teammate 30 yards to their left after sprinting to it and stepping around a defender.
Player movement- I personally think that the players are too sluggish, and that the side step move is a but silly (who in real life has the time to step to the side of and then go past a defender. the side step should have been kept like it was with the R2 button). Defenders can barely turn with the ball (even with no one around). Controls can take a few seconds to respond, the 1-2 is the best exampe of this.
Defense- there is still that nagging feeling that sometimes when chasing people or the ball your player always slows down just enough for the cpu to get there first. Something else you may notice is when you are chasing people at an angle, the angle the the cpu automatically puts you on always leads to just behind the person you are chasing and not to their side or in front of (so you have to use the super cancel which is silly). Also, the cpu defenders can reach around your players and nic the ball without fouling you, while you will get call if you try it. Also, the cpu players are always stronger than yours when running shoulder to shoulder (unless it is an Owen vs. Stam situation), your player will stumble and off the CPU goes.
I also have alot of problems with the fix player (but won't mention them because I am probable the only person that does it).
