[COLE UK]  storybud22, you finished top of the Irish Leaderboards in FIFA 10 with a huge 8003 points and are currently sitting in the top spot again for FIFA 11. That’s quite an achievement! Is the top spot something you set out to achieve at the start or did it just happen?

[storybud22]  On FIFA 10 it just happened, but on FIFA 11 I went for the kill.

[COLE UK]  How long have you been playing FIFA and do you remember how you got started?

[storybud22]  Two years properly, but I’ve played every instalment since 2000 really casually.  My brother asked me for a game on FIFA or PES and I was rubbish, practice makes perfect permanent.

[COLE UK]  How much time do you have to put into playing FIFA to become Number 1 in your Country?

[storybud22]  Enough, most people quit out against me so 3 hours a day, I normally sit around talking 2 hours a day and I normally play 2 hours of clubs.

[COLE UK]  Are there any differences between playing Head to Head and Pro Clubs?

[storybud22]  Clubs lags a bit more so it’s harder to play.  It’s not as fluid.  When I play in attacking positions on clubs I can’t dribble as well because of the lag.  I play in defence on clubs because defending is the same on Head to Head and clubs.

[COLE UK]  Do you notice any difference in skill levels of your opposition depending on what time of the day you play?

[storybud22]  In the night time they are worse but it’s really laggy, its awful, you can’t really move.  Around 6 or 7 o’clock all the good boys are on.

[COLE UK]  You see at lot of people towards the top of the leaderboards with low average opponent skills levels.  What are your views on this?  Do you think the points scoring system should be changed to reward people that play against better opponents?

[storybud22]  They are fools, people who are good at the game play people who bought the game and they think they are good and they are rubbish.  Do they understand you want a challenge?  They go on 150 game unbeaten streaks.  Some players have glitches and get 100 points per game and have 12,000 points on country leaderboards (normally the flag glitching only affects world leaderboards).  ESPash is the best player I’ve played (UK, currently no. 5).

[COLE UK]  Despite improved gameplay, FIFA11 has come in for some criticism on various forums.  Do you think this criticism is justified?

[storybud22]  No, people are just finding it harder to play the game.  The game has changed.  Dribbling is a bigger part of the game on head to head.  I don’t like when it freezes mid game.  It just happened yesterday when I was winning.  They should fix that.

[COLE UK]  What do you think are the main difference between FIFA 10 and FIFA 11 and have you got any tips for people trying to adapt?

[storybud22]  The main differences are that you can’t chip the GK using the x-chip everytime.  The dribbling is a little different.  Heading is easier.  Corners are harder to defend.

[storybud22]  Get your controller settings right first.  Make sure your assisted settings are on except for lob passes (they should be on manual).  Practice dribbling with your players in and out with good strikers (Ronaldo, Messi, Ozil, Villa) and try to deceive your opponent.  When you are defending its all about practice.  You get used to what people will attempt.  Its all about thinking what your opponent is about to do but not committing yourself.

[COLE UK]  Do you have a preferred team and formation or do you like to mix it up? (Can you tell us a bit about why you like the team you play with?)

[storybud22]  Real Madrid or AC Milan.  Whatever the default formations is I use.  I like playing with them because their players have great dribbling stats and can turn really quickly.

[storybud22]  If I’m feeling adventurous or playing a friendly I’ll pick Napoli or Villarreal.  They are also very mobile but a little poorer at finishing.

[COLE UK]  Are there any teams or types of player that you don’t like playing against?

[storybud22]  I don’t really like playing against Real Madrid but I pick them so I never back out.  Time wasters, people passing around the back.

[COLE UK]  Do you make use of custom tactics in games?

[storybud22]  No, I don’t change any pressure or nothing, I don’t really understand it to be honest.

[COLE UK]  What’s the secret to winning games on FIFA 11?  Can you share any tips for people trying to improve?

[storybud22]  Consistency, not conceding soft goals such as getting turned or losing goals from cut backs.  Scoring a goal – rarely does someone keep a clean sheet against me.  Always score first, that’s important.

[COLE UK]  Do you play in any FIFA leagues or tournaments? (tell us a little bit about them…

[storybud22]  I play in leagues.  The Boards.ie league.  Its a league set up by some fellow FIFA players.  I’m currently the Prem champ.  Its always tough playing against Kirk or Hokem.  Kirk is the number two in Ireland.  Defensive king lol.  He doesn’t play 5 at the back but he’s good at defending.

[COLE UK]  Have you got any advice for people interested in playing (and winning) tournaments? (Do you find it differs from just playing normal head to head?)

[storybud22]  Well if you’re standing beside someone it’s different, I don’t think I play as well.  I’m used to my room and my setup.  Online, it’s the same, you can’t see the person and it’s just a normal game.

[COLE UK]  If you were an EA producer would you change going into FIFA 12?

[storybud22]  Crossing is a bit random, and you get a free Chelsea goal every game.  The over the top through ball is too easy, you just press two buttons and people playing 7 at the back.

[COLE UK]  Do you play any other games apart from FIFA?

[storybud22]  No…  ;)  I play worms and Tiger Woods.

[COLE UK]  Has the celebrity status changed you now that you get recognised in the street and how do you cope with the paparazzi?  ;)

[storybud22]  I don’t, whats with that?  You just get messages from a random person asking you for a game.  Thats why I appear offline all the time.

[COLE UK]  Finally a few quickfire questions to finish:

Favourite Skill Move:  Fake shot lol

Favourite Colour Boots:  Ahh…  Red

Ronaldo or Messi?  Ronaldo

Spain or Brazil?  Neither, Real Madrid, Enjoy Boys.  lol

Fifa 10 or Fifa 11?  Fifa 11, clubs was more interesting on 10.

Twitter or Facebook?  Neither

Playstation or Xbox?  Xbox

Big thanks and good luck to storybud22 for the remainder of FIFA 11.

If you’ve got any questions for storybud22 you can leave them in the comments and I’m sure Irelands No.1 will answer them when he’s not beating people at FIFA.