Let's be honest.

Lock in, ladies and gentlemen — this may be a bit of a read.

Let’s be honest: the game, at this moment in time, is in shambles. Input delay is ridiculous, and connection issues during matches — leading to jitters or sudden speed‑lags — are a constant problem. In the past few updates, you’ve claimed to have addressed connection issues, but to me they seem to get worse with every patch.

Passing

Passing logic has major problems. For example: I have the ball with my CAM/CM and three clear passing options — my LM/LW, my RM/RW (both onside and moving forward), or my ST who is very clearly offside. And of course, without fail, the pass goes to the offside striker, despite me very clearly aiming toward my LM or RM with appropriate power.

There are also moments where the pass does travel toward the intended player, but the player indicator switches to someone completely different. For example, I pass to my RM/RW, the ball goes in the intended direction, but the AI gives me control of my ST instead.

Defending

I like to think I’m pretty decent at manual defending — not the best, not the worst — but there are moments where I attempt a tackle with clear directional input toward the attacker or the ball, only for my defender to tackle in the complete opposite direction.

With the supposed “AI IQ logic,” if my CB gets pulled out, it makes sense that my full‑back would drift in to cover the gap. But what logic would cause my full‑back to drift too far inside? For example: my LCB gets pulled out, so logically my LB would shift slightly inward to cover. Instead, he drifts all the way into the RCB position before I can take control, leaving the wing completely exposed — which gives players who just sprint down the line an even easier time setting up cut‑backs.

Another example: the opponent’s keeper has the ball in hand after my attack ends. My midfield is slightly pushed up. The keeper plays it long toward the halfway line. What logic would ever make my CB think it’s a good idea to rush out to challenge for an aerial ball at the halfway line, completely destroying the structure of my back line?

Old‑Gen vs New‑Gen

These issues are based on the old‑gen version played on my Xbox Series X, but they’re just as apparent — and even more AI‑heavy — on new‑gen.

I genuinely believe the problems we’re experiencing now stem from a never‑ending cycle of updates. Patch after patch after patch, ever since the game’s initial release, has created instability. I also believe these could stem from EA trying to please EVERYONE, which may or may not have created "clashes" within the coding.

• People complained about too much AI defending → EA lowered AI defending
• Others complained manual defending felt terrible → EA increased AI defending again
  I personally favour Manual defending.
• People complained about R1/RB dribbling to be too overpowered and fast -> EA nerfed it
• Others complained R1/RB dribbling was useless -> EA slightly buffed it
  I personally like where R1/RB dribbling is at now. (when gameplay is smooth)

GK Movement

Another divide in the community. Some liked it, others hated it. I personally didn’t mind GK movement — I saw it as another skill mechanic to learn — but I understand why others were against it as the speed of the movement was unrealistic.

People argued GK movement was unrealistic, yet they still bring their keeper out to the penalty spot when defending corners. A keeper coming out after the corner is taken to catch the ball makes sense. But name me a list of keepers who realistically stand near the penalty spot before the corner is even taken.

Time‑Wasting

This is another major issue. You updated the gameplay so that keepers automatically kick the ball out of play when a player heads it back to them repeatedly — but didn’t add anything to stop players from passing it around the back normally for as long as they want.

Playing around the back in the 86th or 87th minute is understandable. But time‑wasting early in the match, as soon as someone goes 1–2 goals up, is not.

I’d love to hear the thoughts of other players — and any developers or EA employees in this community — on these or any other issues that need to be addressed.