To celebrate 5 years of the Sweetpatch site, my very good friend Matt Holme, previous supremo of the world's largest Soccer Gaming community, and now EA Sports Assistant Producer for FIFA 2005, has provided us an exclusive interview regarding FIFA 2005, the FIFA Fansite Community and looking ahead to FIFA 2006.

Check out the full interview where Matt answers very honestly to questions such as:

• What would you say are the main differentiators between FIFA 2005 and previous versions?


• How can the FIFA community compliment the work of EA Sports most effectively in the future?


• What are the biggest changes we can look forward to in FIFA 2006?


• How has working for EA Sports changed your outlook on the FIFA scene?

Some of the interesting points Matt brings out include that it is important we the FIFA community realises that EA Sports are continuously reading our feedback in the forums and that the community is certainly going to play a big part in how future FIFA's are shaped.

Read the full interview here to see what Matt has to say about FIFA 2005, the FIFA Fansite Community, looking ahead to FIFA 2006 and the first 5 years of this site.

• Roma vs Lazio Demo Patch. (Fifa 2005)
  
• Rapid vs. Sturm Graz Demo Patch. (Fifa 2005)
  
• Galatasaray - Fenerbahce Demo Patch. (Fifa 2005)
  
• Peru 2005 Home, Away, GK Kits (Fifa 2005)

• Big Raptor FIFA 2005
  
• FIFA 2005 Demo Customizer
  
• Controls, Tips & Tricks Manual v0.1 for Fifa 2005

• Amsterdam Arena
  
• Anfield
  
• BayArena
  
• Calderon
  
• Camp Nou
  
• Closed Square Style
  
• Constant Vanden Stock
  
• Delle Alpi
  
• Div 1 Euro Style
  
• Div 1 UK Style
  
• Div 2 Euro Style
  
• Div 2 UK Style
  
• Div 3 Euro Style
  
• Div 3 UK Style
  
• Felix Bollaert
  
• Hamburg Arena
  
• Highbury
  
• Mestalla
  
• Municipal de Gerland
  
• Old Trafford
  
• Olympic Style
  
• Open Square Style
  
• Oval Style
  
• Parc Des Princes
  
• San Siro
  
• Santiago Bernabeu
  
• St. James Park
  
• Stade Velodrome
  
• Stamford Bridge
  
• Westfalenstadion

• FIFA 2005 Big Archiving Kit
  
• Lite Demo Version of Fifa 2005
  
• Ajax Away 3rd FIFA 2004,2005
  
• Neverending demo patch for Fifa 2005
  
• Roma - Real Madrid Mini Patch for Fifa 2005
  
• Ajax - Feyenoord Patch for Fifa 2005
  
• Latest Reebok boots for Fifa 2004
  
• Panama Kit Pack for Fifa 2004
  
• Scotland Kit Pack for Fifa 2004
  
• Adidas Boot Pack for Fifa 2004
  
• Juventus - Manchester United Patch
  
• Corinthians - Palmeiras Mini Patch
  
• Milan Baros 1GF Face
  
• FIFA 2005 Demo Graphics Patch

• Demo International Intro Cinematics
• Demo Factory 3.0
• Kit Raptor 2005 Demo

If you are struggling to get midfielders forward in the demo then you should start using the "Trigger Player Runs" button. This is typically the L1 button on a PS2 type controller or Q on the keyboard. If you press this button after a player has passed the ball, that player will most likely make a forward run. If you hold this button and move the right analogue stick (used for first touch) in a certain direction the player will make a run in the direction the right analogue stick is pointed, known as "Remote Receiver Control". Do not underestimate this button as this could make the difference between being a Professional player or a World Class player.

If you are tired of playing the same team over and over again with the same styles, then try swapping the team you play as. You will notice that Milan's defence sit more deep while Arsenal's defence will remain more open. Arsenal on the other hand tend to get many players forward and use the wings to good use whereas Milan choose to attack through the middle more. This perhaps can give you a taste of how teams will play differently in the full version of FIFA 2005.

There's no point playing the game if you don't know how to shoot. To score at short range the best way to beat the keeper is with a low shot along the ground, aimed either side of the goalkeeper. This can be done with a simple tap of the shoot button and aiming in a direction. Timing is the key. Try to draw the goalkeeper towards you and while he is charging at you shoot it before he has the chance to adjust his position.

Tapping the shoot button will play a shot along the ground. If you hold the shoot button and are standing still or moving slowly towards goal, your player will most likely attempt a curled shot. To perform a piledriver, sprint towards goal and hold the shoot button for a considerable time and your player will fire the ball at goal as hard as possible. It's important to understand which shot is good for each situation by trying it out. For example, a piledriver will be more powerful then a curled or along the ground shot but you will have less control over the direction of the shot.

Low Cross: Double tap lob button
Early Cross (hit the ball into the box from anywhere): Trigger Player Run button + lob
Powered Up Passes: Trigger Player Run button + pass button
High Through Pass: Trigger Player Run and through pass
Chip Shot: Trigger Player Run button + shoot
Fake Shot: R2 (or C on keyboard) + shoot button
Knock/flick the ball in when receving: Flick right stick in direction
Step sideways: Right stick down/up while dribbling (not sprinting)
Stepover: Right stick forward while dribbling (not sprinting)
Lift the ball up in the air: Right stick forward while dribbling (not sprinting)
Back-heel and 180 degree turn: Right stick back while sprint dribbling
Knock the ball ahead into space: Right stick and forward direction while sprint dribbling