This is my first tactic - so don't be too harsh on it if it doesn't work if you try it. I do feel like I have some decent knowledge though, being an avid Football Manger Live player, which I have had success on.
After starting unemployed and then being approached for the Charlton job in early October 2010, I decided it was time to make my own tactic. I opted for a 4-5-1 with wide attacking midfielders as I have mainly used a narrow 4-3-3 for the past couple of years. The first thing I did was bring in Magnus Eikrem from Man Utd on loan and then went on to looking for a better target striker. I was unable to bring the players I targeted in on loan and with being 10k already over wage budget with no transfer budget, I could hardly bring anyone in on transfer. I decided to stick with Abbot and Sodje for now – Abbot being first choice.
I would say having a powerful and high jumping striker is important as well as having a strong and high jumping DM (Anchor Man) and similar DCs. Pace and crossing is good for wingers. I have them set to cut inside on the Inside Forward role. Similar to having 3 forwards but I find you get a nice balance between them crossing and between them cutting inside and running at goal. Your playmaker needs to be creative with good passing and your ball winning midfielder needs to be strong defensively as well as a good passer of the ball. Your full backs should have good pace and decent jumping will also help a great deal but is not necessary.
I will update this when I have time and will keep developing and adjusting the tactic.
ANY TIPS OR SUCCESFUL ADJUSTMENTS YOU MAKE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE.
Diary of first 10 mathches with the tactic.
Exeter at Home - 2-0 WIN (Convincing win – dominated all game)
Bury at Home - 4-2 WIN (Conceded goals were a 25 yard wonder goal and a silly own goal – Main DM and Striker out for this game)
Brighton at Home 0-0 WON ON PENALTIES (Hit the woodwork numerous times – should of beenw on in the 90)
Southampton Away – 3-3 DRAW (Decent result against a strong side. Came back from 3-1 with 2 goals after I used Get Ball Forward and Pass in to space shouts – From this game, the formation seems more stable at home than away but Southampton are a top League 1 side)
MATCH PREP: Selected Attacking Movement
Peterborough Away – 5 -1 LOSS (Got demolished. Penalty conceded early and then shortly after went down to 10 men. Should of scored 2-3 ourselves but we were outplayed for most the game after the red card – Expected a tough game against top of league team. I don’t totally blame this on the tactichowever – had a very poor DL in for my suspended regular and the defence isn’t all that great anyway - Still early days, only 5 games in)
MATCH PREP – Defensive Positioning – Brought down defensive line deeper.
Plymouth Away - 1-1DRAW (Much better defensively and had better possesion)
Darlington Away - 3-1 WIN (Made two changes, new swapped the striker and AML for someone new. Both players perfomed well and it seemed to amke us much stronger going forward, should of had 5+ goals easily)
Yeovil Away 2-1 WIN (I set the strategy to counter after conceding which seemed to tighten everything up)
Huddersfield Away 2-1 WIN (I set the strategy to counter after conceding again which seemed to tighten everything up.Home strategy attacking, away strategy counter seems to be the way forward)
Notts County at Home - 2-0 WIN (Convincing win – dominated all game)
10 Game Record
Wins - 6
Losses - 1
Draws - 3*
*cup game, won on penalties
Key Player
Key player so far seemed to be Magnus Eikrem (On loan from Man Utd) playing in Advanced Playmaker role. His high freekicks and corners make him a deadly freekick specialist and he is also a creative force who scores as well as assists. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND him for Championship and below teams. Was epic during my Bradford save as well in a 4-3-3. I also found Wagstaff, my AMR contirbuted A LOT OF GOALS
These results are with a poor striker really in Abbot and Sodje. Someone like Lukaku or Adebayor would thrive I feel and put away the chances given. I will look to investing in someone at the end of the season when I get some funds. Targetman style striekr isn't a must though, pacey will work.
Notes:
The best strategy for home seems to be attacking. For away, Counter has been working well but also control or simply defensive might work better if you are struggling.
Shouts I find useful are get ball forward, pass in to space if you are struggling to score.
Pacey wingers are a must I feel, Wagstaff was a much better winger than my AML and he was in every game, playing out of his skin. With two great wingers I feel there would of been much more goals.
After starting unemployed and then being approached for the Charlton job in early October 2010, I decided it was time to make my own tactic. I opted for a 4-5-1 with wide attacking midfielders as I have mainly used a narrow 4-3-3 for the past couple of years. The first thing I did was bring in Magnus Eikrem from Man Utd on loan and then went on to looking for a better target striker. I was unable to bring the players I targeted in on loan and with being 10k already over wage budget with no transfer budget, I could hardly bring anyone in on transfer. I decided to stick with Abbot and Sodje for now – Abbot being first choice.
I would say having a powerful and high jumping striker is important as well as having a strong and high jumping DM (Anchor Man) and similar DCs. Pace and crossing is good for wingers. I have them set to cut inside on the Inside Forward role. Similar to having 3 forwards but I find you get a nice balance between them crossing and between them cutting inside and running at goal. Your playmaker needs to be creative with good passing and your ball winning midfielder needs to be strong defensively as well as a good passer of the ball. Your full backs should have good pace and decent jumping will also help a great deal but is not necessary.
I will update this when I have time and will keep developing and adjusting the tactic.
ANY TIPS OR SUCCESFUL ADJUSTMENTS YOU MAKE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE.
Diary of first 10 mathches with the tactic.
I started off with a month or 2 of team blending in match preparation.
Exeter at Home - 2-0 WIN (Convincing win – dominated all game)
Bury at Home - 4-2 WIN (Conceded goals were a 25 yard wonder goal and a silly own goal – Main DM and Striker out for this game)
Brighton at Home 0-0 WON ON PENALTIES (Hit the woodwork numerous times – should of beenw on in the 90)
Southampton Away – 3-3 DRAW (Decent result against a strong side. Came back from 3-1 with 2 goals after I used Get Ball Forward and Pass in to space shouts – From this game, the formation seems more stable at home than away but Southampton are a top League 1 side)
MATCH PREP: Selected Attacking Movement
Peterborough Away – 5 -1 LOSS (Got demolished. Penalty conceded early and then shortly after went down to 10 men. Should of scored 2-3 ourselves but we were outplayed for most the game after the red card – Expected a tough game against top of league team. I don’t totally blame this on the tactichowever – had a very poor DL in for my suspended regular and the defence isn’t all that great anyway - Still early days, only 5 games in)
MATCH PREP – Defensive Positioning – Brought down defensive line deeper.
Plymouth Away - 1-1DRAW (Much better defensively and had better possesion)
Darlington Away - 3-1 WIN (Made two changes, new swapped the striker and AML for someone new. Both players perfomed well and it seemed to amke us much stronger going forward, should of had 5+ goals easily)
Yeovil Away 2-1 WIN (I set the strategy to counter after conceding which seemed to tighten everything up)
Huddersfield Away 2-1 WIN (I set the strategy to counter after conceding again which seemed to tighten everything up.Home strategy attacking, away strategy counter seems to be the way forward)
Notts County at Home - 2-0 WIN (Convincing win – dominated all game)
10 Game Record
Wins - 6
Losses - 1
Draws - 3*
*cup game, won on penalties
Key Player
Key player so far seemed to be Magnus Eikrem (On loan from Man Utd) playing in Advanced Playmaker role. His high freekicks and corners make him a deadly freekick specialist and he is also a creative force who scores as well as assists. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND him for Championship and below teams. Was epic during my Bradford save as well in a 4-3-3. I also found Wagstaff, my AMR contirbuted A LOT OF GOALS
These results are with a poor striker really in Abbot and Sodje. Someone like Lukaku or Adebayor would thrive I feel and put away the chances given. I will look to investing in someone at the end of the season when I get some funds. Targetman style striekr isn't a must though, pacey will work.
Notes:
The best strategy for home seems to be attacking. For away, Counter has been working well but also control or simply defensive might work better if you are struggling.
Shouts I find useful are get ball forward, pass in to space if you are struggling to score.
Pacey wingers are a must I feel, Wagstaff was a much better winger than my AML and he was in every game, playing out of his skin. With two great wingers I feel there would of been much more goals.
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