Klash, there isn't a defensive mid in the older vid - it's 4-4-2. I think it's Spurs? You can see a mid tracking back at 1:02 or so, becoming pretty much the last man. Not saying it's perfect - but it's certainly not shit/appalling. One of the things I came out of Guildford and Canada specifically thinking was that the tactical side of the game would be much more significant.
Ohh ok, that clears it up a tiny bit, since it's 4-4-2
It's still not really good enough though
They don't need to build from FIFA 08. The game I played was practically there. The vast majority of the game in Guildford was played in the middle third, working space and trying to stay in charge.
That's the issue you telling us one thing, we seeing another thing entirely.
I know your not lying at all. I respect your views
I just think it's EA juggling between purists and button bashes.
It could be an issue is maybe that the people they choose (you, cooley etc..) play the game is a very purist way. The issue is your playing realistically for the sake of it, rather than playing that way because it's the most effective method of playing. It's almost like the game is realistic if you want it to be and if you play it a certain way.
I actually think they need to invite some abusers along, let the test the game out extensively along with you and the others playing in a sensible way and then make an observations to where the game is going wrong in terms of it being a sim.
I really hope this ain't the case, infact i suspect more that the casuals who tested the same code you did moaned about it being too slow. didn't take notice of the realistic aspect and just wanted FIFA 10 with harder passing
FIFA 08 wasn't won by the midfield because of good design; far from it. You could sprint towards a player 20 yards away with a centre back and sprint and slide to hit them, and there'd be nothing they could do because they couldn't turn. FIFA 08 was balance correctly but it was balanced because several aspects of it were shit.
It's 50/50 imo. Their aim was to make the midfield count! they succeeded thanks to passing even on assisted being hard because it was contextual with how players bodies which moved. This is something which has seemingly been totally lost in 09 and 10 and i couldn't really see it either vid ;(
FIFA also imo STILL the best ball physics in any football game, 1000 times better than the floaty shit balls in FIFA 10. Some of the goals i scored the other day in my manager mode, they way the ball moved was JUST exactly like a real ball. With Forlan i scored a powerful shot from 22 yards at the keepers near post. Very similar to this goal. (and it wasn't a keeper bug
)
YouTube - Eduardo vs Sheffield United
You cant do that in the newer versions unless inside the box at around 15 yards out!
Also one of my favorite goals from Simao i scored on 08, pretty much a carbon copy of this goal:
YouTube - Cesc FÃ*bregas amazing goal against AC Milan
No PES game or FIFA game have i seen goals like that, low awkward shots which bounce just infront of the keeper
BUT the game's limits! which was the terrible responsiveness, fluid but massively limited amount of animations. (there clearly wasn't enough animations for keepers and certain circumstances) and a very, very basic jostling system now make the game look pretty shit but at the time it was OK since it was new ground.
So it leaves the conclusion unfortunately the formations, tactics and player off the ball positioning with be shit again this year 
).
