1. Correct
2. Set MIDDLE STRIKER as TM
3. Set MC's as PM in order of best first and worst last.
4. Nothing Else.
Agree with HAZZA for the 1st and 2nd point.
If you want it to be just a plug and play tactic, so that's fine and leave it that way, but if you want to make a "tiny" improvement then:
3. Understand a playmaker is the player that other teammates would look after on the field. He's the boss, the one who dictates the game's tempo, decides when to keep the ball or play quick, to give the ball or to keep it, to play on the right or on the left, to give a short pass to his next player or a STC through ball... It means he ABSORBS/ATTRACTS the ball and will touch it more than others on the pitch. He'll be the one who'll bring a lot of key passes and assissts. He is the smartest one, but to be smart isn't enough. He HAS to have the qualities/possibilities to apply on the field what he has in mind.
So the thing is do you have this player in your squad?
Attributes you look for a playmaker: CREATIVITY, PASSING, DECISION, TECHNIQUE, ANTICIPATION, FIRST TOUCH, DRIBBLING, FLAIR...
Player Prefered Moves (PPM) you look for: dictates tempo, tries killer ball, plays one-two...
- if you want him to ba an ADVANCED PM, so you'll add to run with the ball through center...
- if you want him to be a DEEP LYING, you'll ask him to come deep to get the ball and tries long range passes...
Now that you've these elements, you should be able to see if you've the right player to be your "maestro". If you don't have him, then UNSELECT PM (keep TM though) because the way you team would play wouldn't be "fluent". Your (bad) PM would NOT make the right decisions when he'll get the ball. He'll lose the ball often. It means less possession, so less chances to be in a good position to score.
If you've a player like that, and ONLY ONE, then drag him to the PM settings, and ONLY HIM. If you've 2 like that, then drag them both and as HAZZA's stated: the best one IN FIRST, the 2nd one in 2nd position then. If you've a very good quality squad and 3 or 4 PM, then drag them the same way as explained.
4. May I add another point?
Hazza has set the corner/ free kick routine in a general way. He absolutely can't set it PERFECTLY because every team is different. Of course, some may be obvious (2 DC marking the tallest opponents) but do we all have players with the same specificities? So to adapt it to fit YOUR player would definitely make a difference in long term!!!
For example, DEFENDING CORNER:
Your right full back has attributes of 16 in marking, 15 in heading, and 14 in jumping, but is set to stay at the 1st post.
On the other hand, your MC left has in these respective attributes 8, 10, 12 and is set to mark an opponent.
I don't need to tell you if the initial settings are appropriate. Of course you're going to swap them and make your right FB marking an individual, and your left MC stay at one post
. Apply this for the rest of your team
Attacking corner: your best DC with strength/aggression will challenge the keeper while your best Long shot/composure player would stay around the penalty box...
Attacking free kick: the same DC would challenge the keeper again, while the same player (long shot/composure) would stand next to the free kick taker... etc...
They are small change, but can make the difference between a win and a drawn (or a loss) (I'm sure you'll get ****** off if you conceed a goal in a corner kick in the extra time when you're actually leading 1-0, due to a lack of concentration or because the settings aren't appropriate to your team?). It's just I read here and there people complaining that they conceed too much...
Remember, those changes are MINOR and don't completely change your tactic. It is still a plug and play one.
HAZZA, feel free to correct me if you think otherwise.
GUYS, I hope you don't see me as a "longwinged style" talker. I really try to explain you what I believe I understand in the game. I think it's better to explain things instead of replying YES or NO. Actually, I learned a lot too by reading your posts as well
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