442 lower league

[Larsson81]

Currently using 442 in the lower leagues. I cant seem to get it to work. I have read every guide online. So formation is highly structured to maintain defence shape. 2 clear lines of 4. I have balanced team with a winger on attack paired with a full back on support. Otherside wingback attack with a WM support. To create overlap. In midfield a sitter, CM(def) and a runner CM(Sup) with player instruction go forward. Up top a AF and DLF.
So nicely balanced-based on man utd 1999 side.

Team instructions, i keep very simple for player at this level. play out of def, exploit wings, and slighlty narrower to make defence shape compact.

Mentality i can never decide, i would like to attack, but with these players counter seems best.

I take time to praise players, boost morale. Do corner set ups etc. Yet i countinue to lose. Heavily.

Am i missing some major lower league tip?

Team plays similar to how i want. Just concede lots of goals...



Any help appreciated.

 

[WJ]

FWIW, highly structured limits creative freedom, forcing players to stick to their instructions.

It is also less compact vertically, which doesn't sound like something you want. https://community.sigames.com/topic/360433-important-fm16-tactical-changes/

The "Slightly Narrower" will affect the team IN possession, not out of possession/defending. That's automatic based on the opponent and, I'm sure, Mentality.

 

[Larsson81]

Thanks for the response. I seem to have got the mentalities confused. I assumed the more structured the more compact team would play. I assumed on lower league a higher mentality would be impossible.

Will look at at playing wider also to help exploit width. Thought that might cause problems when opposition has an extra man in the middle.

At at least my current failings are well thought out.....this is my first lower league save. It is a new frustrating challenge.

My main problem is reading match engine, unless it is obvious like the opponents full back keeps bombing forward leaving massive gaps, I never spot their weaknesses.