Game controlling/game pads issue...

I just bought the Saitek P880 controller because of the game control issues already talked about on the board (previously I used a Microsoft Sidewinder).

Now that I have analog sticks...do other people use the analog stick to guide player movement or do you still use the gamepad directional pad for player movement?

reason i'm asking is it looks like i can't control playcalling with my analog stick as i previously had hoped. any input on this issue would be great guys

I control my players' movement with the left analog stick, and the freestyle with the right one.
My playcalling is set with the directional pad.
I use the Logitech Dual Action AND AFTER 1 YEAR 2 MONTHS NOTHING HAS BEEN WRONG WITH IT!!!