World Class is a term in modern day football that is definitely over-used and mis-used, with good players being described as World Class. I find it embarrasing when I hear the media calling certain players by this, I think the actual players believe it themselves. The definition of a World Class player for me, can play in any team, with any teammate and shine on any football stage, not just their own domestic league.
I switched to World Class on my Manager Mode with Celtic in FIFA 08 after I was starting to run away with the League. I was 13 points in front when I switched to the higher difficulty from professional. In the short number of games I have seen a dramatic improvement in the CPU AI, in that they:
- use their possession more effectively, stringing passes and hurting my team with killer balls (defence spitting balls)
- close down my players quicker, denying time and space
- finish off chances clinically
13 points clear at the top of the table prior to these fixtures, upping the anti to World Class difficulty, will it be a class too far? I took up the challenge “of winning the Big 3 with Celtic on professional difficulty” (the league title, Scottish Cup and the European Cup). I thought being 13 points clear, I thought was as good a time to try World Class difficulty.
League Fixtures
- CELTIC 1 Inverness Caley 0
- Motherwell 2 CELTIC 1
My first defeat of the season, I conceded the same amount of goals in this match, than I did in the previous 17 league matches. I was 1-0 up with 10 minutes to go and Motherwell hit me with a quick fire double. Their finishing was clinical inside the box.
I led twice in this match, but couldn’t shake Hibs off. You really do see the difference in finishing.
I was hit with a sucker punch 1 minute into time added on, I was gobsmacked. Took the kick-off and final whistle went.
5 games played on World Class level and 10 points dropped, I now find my self 3 points behind league leaders Rangers with 2 games in hand. Rangers won all 5 of their matches, I could still go 3 points clear, if I win my 2 games. Crazy turnaround, I will be getting the sack shortly, I am having my own Kevin Keegan moment in my managerial career.
EFA Cup 2nd Round vs Sporting Lisbon
- Sporting Lisbon 0 CELTIC 1
- CELTIC 2 Sporting Lisbon 3
Sporting Lisbon win on away goals.
An action packed 2nd Leg, this match would have probably have seen the same result on professional difficulty. The only major difference I am seeing on World Class is the CPU almost takes all of it’s chances, I keep saying clinically, it’s true. I am out of the EFA Cup, 2nd in the league, World Class has taught me a lesson.
Don’t run before you can walk
Have you seen THIS yet?! - http://www.svenskafans.com/fantv/clip.asp?id=6146
FIFA09… I want!
Yes, the video makes it look like UEFA2008 a lot, but that’s a good thing. And listen to everythign that EA guy in the vid is going on about. The goalkeeper improvements in particular will be very welcome.
I listened to the latest WENB podcast this morning. I thought it was their best one for a few weeks. I think they talk a lot of sense about PES when they remember they’re not actual Konami employees. But their latest chat has really lowered my expectations of PEs2009. Right now I’d really settle for a half-decent game with good graphics.
FIFA09 on the other hand… my expectations are sky-high.
Re. your move up to World Class on FIFA08, at least you know it’s there waiting for you when you finally conquer everything on Professional, as you’re certain to do. I’m still playign on World Class and I have to say I find the AI players’ turning-in-circles manoeuvre to evade my efforts to get the ball just SO frustrating. I can’t go back down to Pro, though, as it is just a bit too easy as you have found. I’ll plug away with World Class and try to get over my ire at the Ai’s infernal keepball routines.
Two more FIFA09 links - http://www.fifasoccerblog.com/ (That site’s the FIFA equivalent of WENB, if you’ve never come across it before).
And Q&A from Gamespot here - http://au.gamespot.com/news/6193217.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=morenews&tag=morenews;title;1
August/September cannot come soon enough.
Greg
Thanks very much for that link, I hadn’t seen that one before. I am REALLY looking forward to FIFA 09, I think it will be my main football title for the forsseable future.
World Class, I am not ready for that level just yet, glad I tried it. I will give you a little hint at what I am looking to do with my MM career at the end of the season. I am thinking of taking over Everton and attempting to challenge the Big 4. Most of the game in EPL, will be a bigger challenge than the SPL. If I succeed their, then I will move up to WC.
Here is a link to FIFA 09, this is photos to get excited about.
http://forums.evo-web.co.uk/showthread.php?t=48273
http://www.fifasoccerblog.com/
An interview with David Rutter from fans questions, http://www.operationsports.com/feature.php?id=568
I listened to the WENB podcast, I agree that PES 2008 will be the worst PES will be. There will be an improvement. Right now I am more excited about FIFA 09. They were spot on that a lot of people bought a PS3 for next gen PES. See what July brings in terms of news and video play hopefully.
I have noticed that I am the only person that comments on your FIFA articles. I read your blog everyday, I must give your site 10 hits each day. I don’t want to just post about FIFA as your posters are PES fans, I could talk FIFA all-day, but I know there’s a time and place, and I feel it’s not on your blog. I look forward to your Sunday articles. Hopefully I can contribute more to your blog when PES 2009 arrives.
heraldo - I did post another comment with further FIFA09 links of interest (possibly the same links you’ve posted above) but the WordPress spam filter ate it. If the comment’s not in your Awaiting Moderation queue, it’s gone forever.
I’m glad you got a taste of what lies ahead once you’ve thoroughly beaten Professional level, as you soon will. Next time you get a chance, for a laugh, try a game or two on Legendary. (I’m thinking wait until you’ve got a meaningless fixture in the Cup(s) or the League.)
Re. commenting on blogs (in general) most people read far more than they comment on. I’d bet I’ve got regular readers who visit every day and who read all my posts, but who I’ve never heard a peep from and never will. I bet you’ve got readers like that by now too. That’s how I behave on most of the (admittedly few) blogs I read. I think it’s the default behaviour, and commenting is actually rare.
Greg
Got your message, why doe’s it do that? I’ve had loads of them and just deleted as most were insurance quotes and stuff.
Yeah, I came across FIFA Blog a couple of months ago, I read WENB, EvoWeb, EA FIFA forums and PESFan everyday. I never post on forums though.
Jeez, you want me try Legendary, due to going to World Class, I lost a 13 point lead!! If I get in front again, I will give it a go.