Fm13 Possession tactic discussion thread by Raikan007

[Headshothunter]

The only things i could not find and understand was:

Use Hold up ball sparingly, I'd place this to FB's and both CM's.
- Run from Deep sometimes/often, depending from the position and how you want the player to act. Run from Ball to rarely/sometimes to force passing.
- Make your players put through balls often so you create chances.

 

[8GoUrCuFf8]

have you got a link to download ?

 

[Gump]

The only things i could not find and understand was:

Use Hold up ball sparingly, I'd place this to FB's and both CM's.
- Run from Deep sometimes/often, depending from the position and how you want the player to act. Run from Ball to rarely/sometimes to force passing.
- Make your players put through balls often so you create chances.

Use hold up sparingly, dont put it on for too many players otheriwse they will ignore a possible chance and instead hold of the ball and then the chance is gone. Your game can improve if you put your FB's and CM's to hold up ball as then that will give time to your attackers to move into other position, move into channels, which can create something. Hold up ball basically means that they will retain possession and not try many risky passes which might lead to losing possession.

Run with ball & Run from Deep has always been major part of how possession tactics work. Ive seen that you can now rack up passes easily even if you have run with ball set to often, but you can further force the passing by reducing this slider to sometimes / rarely. Note that it will reduce the movement when on the ball, meaning that if opposition presses and marks good enough, you might end up losing possession. In light of what Ive seen, keep it on sometimes / often, depending from the roles of the players and stuff.

Now to Run from Deep. Possession tactics core is to keep hold of the ball and being effective with it. Now Run from Deep is essential as it determines how much player will run ''upwards'' and offer themselves available for a key pass. If you have ur Cm's set as rarely and AML, AMR, AMC & ST set as often, it will leave a gap between your midfield and attacking section and opposition can easily use this gap to their advantage by e.g. pressing hard. That would force your midfielders and defenders to pass around your half, which is something you dont want, but as all ur attackers R running from deep often, they wont offer any passing options. To make them offer passing lanes and not being up all the time, set this slider to Sometimes / rarely to your Attackers. Note that this needs to be in balance. If Everyones on Rarely, you wont create many chances. If you set too many on often, you wont be able to utilise the possession as you would like.

Yes well put your CM's and attacking players put Through Balls often, its a slider in the Player Instructions, which will make them look for a key pass which leads to a chance to score.

 

[Headshothunter]

I started a new career with Tottenham, because i was about to go insane, that my tactic didn't work at all and everything i tried to do to impårove my tactic was useless. Also with Tottenham i am playing a 4-2-3-1 formations, the differense is, that instead for two CM's i have two DMC's.

GUMP, i took some of your advices and it started to work, even when i had two DMC's, but suddenly it was **** again and i lost 4-1 to southhampton. What the **** just happend?

I want to create two domanant tactics, the first one 4-2-3-1 (with two DMC's) and the second is also a 4-2-3-1 (with two CM's)

I will upload a lot of pictures to give anybody a great look at my team and instructions and hope that you can help me with creating two great tactics i can use in the future.

Team: http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8274/tottenhamteam.png

Teaminstructions: http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6097/tottenhamteaminstructio.png

GK: http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/2803/tottenhamgoalkeeper.png

CB's: http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/4008/18630475.png

FB's: http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6529/62897578.png

DML: http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/8846/tottenhamanchormandml.png

DMR: http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/1027/tottenhamdeeplyingplaym.png

AML/AMR: http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6803/tottenhamwingersamlamr.png

AMC: http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3540/tottenhamattackingmidfi.png

Targetman: http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1451/tottenhamtargetmanadeba.png

Poacher: http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/8660/tottenhampoacherdefoe.png

I have the same problems and want the same results for my tactics, conceeding less goals, creating more chances and having much more ballpossession.

Please, can someone help me, and divide it in team and player instructions?

 

[Gump]

I started a new career with Tottenham, because i was about to go insane, that my tactic didn't work at all and everything i tried to do to impårove my tactic was useless. Also with Tottenham i am playing a 4-2-3-1 formations, the differense is, that instead for two CM's i have two DMC's.

GUMP, i took some of your advices and it started to work, even when i had two DMC's, but suddenly it was **** again and i lost 4-1 to southhampton. What the **** just happend?

I want to create two domanant tactics, the first one 4-2-3-1 (with two DMC's) and the second is also a 4-2-3-1 (with two CM's)

I will upload a lot of pictures to give anybody a great look at my team and instructions and hope that you can help me with creating two great tactics i can use in the future.

Team: http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8274/tottenhamteam.png

Teaminstructions: http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6097/tottenhamteaminstructio.png

GK: http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/2803/tottenhamgoalkeeper.png

CB's: http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/4008/18630475.png

FB's: http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6529/62897578.png

DML: http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/8846/tottenhamanchormandml.png

DMR: http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/1027/tottenhamdeeplyingplaym.png

AML/AMR: http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6803/tottenhamwingersamlamr.png

AMC: http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3540/tottenhamattackingmidfi.png

Targetman: http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1451/tottenhamtargetmanadeba.png

Poacher: http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/8660/tottenhampoacherdefoe.png

I have the same problems and want the same results for my tactics, conceeding less goals, creating more chances and having much more ballpossession.

Please, can someone help me, and divide it in team and player instructions?

Take all my advices + Raikan's first post and you'll see a difference.

I think I can give you a base tactic from which to work on if you want to. I just dunno where to upload it as everything seems to require a sign-up nowadays.

 

[Headshothunter]

Since i am Tottenham and i only play with one striker how are your recommends to play Adebayor upfront and than lso what about crossing?

 

[MrCynical]

Its a reported glitch within the match engine that SI seems to be looking into.

Possibly the same bug that made one of my full-backs, taking a free kick just inside our half in a pre-season friendly, give the ball a mighty row-Z hoof into the stand behind the opposing team's goal. The commentary even said "Chalmers clears the ball upfield", so it wasn't an optimistic shot on goal that went wrong.

 

[wilfy79]

i'm Swansea and have spent my first night on fm13 setting up tactics on keeping the ball and playing attractive football, thanks for the post as you dropped in a couple of tips and ideas i forgot..

 

[djlm]

Hi guys,

Still fighting with FM13 to get some consistency. I love a passing and possession game, so I downloaded the OP's Might and Magic tactic, edited it's formation to have 2 DC, 1WBR, 1WBL, 2 MC, 1AMR, 1 AML and 2 ST.

The team settings was changed to match the image provided, using "classic tactics". Other settings and player individual settings was tweaked according to what I read during the OP. That being said, I keep 65%+ possession on average, however I don't seem to be able to get players to have all these high passing stats. On the 7 games I used this tactic with, 5 against much lower standard competition as I'm playing the regional championship currently, only once did a player hit 80 passes.

Anyway, here is my setup for both team and all player positions, as well as analysis from past 4 games in the passing section. I've removed player names, but they are all on the original team, nobody was purchased or sold.

Here is the team settings:

Individual player settings now for both central defenders:

Settings for Wing backs (left and right use same settings) and AM/Wingers (left and right use same settings)

Settings for central midfielders:

And finally, settings for the forwards:

Here are the analysis from past 4 games:

That's pretty much it, so here is the question: Can I juice up my possession even more? And those passes... how can I get closer or pass 100? What should be tweaked? Many thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Lukeeggy]

Is there a download for your version raikan? Please

 

[Gump]

That's pretty much it, so here is the question: Can I juice up my possession even more? And those passes... how can I get closer or pass 100? What should be tweaked? Many thanks in advance for the help.

I wouldnt actually say that getting like 70+ passes in a game for several players is bad, but funny thing is that in my tactic my playmaker sometimes racked up 90 - 120 passes in a game and it wasnt pure possession tactic. Other thing is, whats the point of getting loads of passes if none of em actually contribute to your game?

Maybe your a victim of the same thing I was for two years, which is getting passes. Yes I know it sounds cool and yes you might want to emulate Barcelona, but I tried to do that during FM10, FM11 and FM12. I had one tactic which was my emulation of Barca back in FM11 and it was a good possession tactic. But during those years I noticed that its only a waste of time, since whats the use of just getting loads of passes unless U cant actually do something with em? The game is about winning, not passes. Yes its always nice to play with short passing and that and thats what everybody should aim for but we need to scrap those Barca models in our head and start being realistic. Think everyone should think questions like do I actually need 120 passes instead of 70 - 80 for some player? Do I want more CCC's with 70 - 80 passes or 120 passes and less CCC's? Possession tactics aint about the pass pass and pass, its about keeping the ball and retaining it whilst trying to turn it into goals.

Now what comes to your tactic, it seems to me that playing with slow tempo aint beneficial in this game. Play with a normal tempo. Also dont place hold up ball for so many of your players, let it be on your CM's and WB's.
I wouldnt allow so many players to cross ball sometimes/often. Allow your CM's to run with the ball sometimes and see whether allowing them to roam from their position helps. Long shots to rarely for everyone aswell. Shorter passing for some of the players., dont leave too many with mixed or they will take more longer passes than you'll like. Also Focus passing to mixed, gives you more options with passing. I dont prefer using Counter Attack either.

 

[FM_Jack]

Gump you have some good points, but i think the reason strive so hard to make a 'Barca' tactic is because it's a simulation game. Your not actually playing like a game like let's say FIFA?. So i think people try to make there tactics the 'Barca' way because they like to watch beautiful football being played. They don't want to watch there team sitting back and counter attacking, Also i think a 'Barca' tactic is very much do able in this years Football Manager. So to say 'Scrap' the Barca idea is stupid i think they should concentrate on making this there goal.

 

[Gump]

Gump you have some good points, but i think the reason strive so hard to make a 'Barca' tactic is because it's a simulation game. Your not actually playing like a game like let's say FIFA?. So i think people try to make there tactics the 'Barca' way because they like to watch beautiful football being played. They don't want to watch there team sitting back and counter attacking, Also i think a 'Barca' tactic is very much do able in this years Football Manager. So to say 'Scrap' the Barca idea is stupid i think they should concentrate on making this there goal.

Its not necessary to make a Barca emulation as their goal but it can be set of course but I think people should be also more realistic and as I mentioned above, think about those questions I said there. I didnt even say about playing counter attacking and sitting deep. I love possession football tactics as many others and yes I know everyone who loves possession loves Barca style. Its still a game and everyone wants to be successful in it. As I said, you can play a beautiful, controlling, short passing game and yes, definitely aim for that but does it really matter whether some of your player(s) get 100+ passes or 70+ passes? We all gotta remember that we must give up some of our possession to create chances and score goals. You get my drift? Im not encouraging to create some other tactics than possession, quite the opposite. Im just saying that is it really a necessary to start getting 120 passes for Xavi as he does in real life in some circumstances? Not that its not possible in this years FM. Maybe the scrap term was a bit too much off the mark, but I think most of the people get what I mean. People can of course try and do Barca emulations if they so want, no-one can stop em lol.

Back to possession tactics, just wanted to share this photo of my testing with Arsenal.

 

[Va Va Vooom]

I understand you perfectly; what is the point in having 120 passes for a player if you yield 1 or two clear cut chances and maybe 2 goals, if you can achieve the same results and better with 70-80passes for/per player.

I think there's a massive difference in trying to replicate Barcelona and playing possession football. To me Barcelona's tika taka is unique to them and there players. Possession is the amount of the ball you have, not the amount of passes and making the most out of that possession of the ball.

Ive played football manager games (not the title FM) since 1998 and have only now thought of replicating Barce's style purely to see if it can be done 'exactly' like they play; 65-75% total possession, camping inside the opposing teams half, winning the ball back quickly via high pressing and forcing mistakes,triangle passing, one touch passing and making the opposition run further on average than your players (as they say, its **** hard to chase a ball when you don't have it).

Thus far my attempts have no where near replicated it, and this has been with Barce. (i like to test it against the better teams-Real,Man Utd,Chelsea etc)
I've found its either of these scenarios:

High amount of the ball >60% possession
2-4 Clear cut chances
>17shots only 7 on target (if that)
My players run a lot less than the opposition
However: struggle to win back the ball via high pressing
concede silly goals(for instance players just stand with the ball or watch the oppositions players breeze by)
Some of the other teams players turn into Messi/George Best/Garrincha with 100yard dribbles

Or the other scenario = the opposite. Less possession <50%
hardly any shots
concede goals like they are going out of fashion
forget completely to pass short and hoof the ball away. Or even pass at all.

I consider myself decent enough with FM and put some of this down to the match engine, with as we all know, infuriates at times but it could also be other contributing factors of which i am at a loss.

My most successful tactic was created like the Arsenals Invincibles (of whom I support).

 

[fm20]

I think the way to approach a possession tactic is actually from a defensive mindset - keep the ball and kill the game. It's working for me as Liverpool in my first season and (until I just had a 2-2 draw with Man U) with the tightest defence in the league. It requires great concentration from the CBs who have a more defensive mindset as they're involved so little but hanging around on the half-way line watching the midfielders and full backs kick it between themselves for most of the game until one of the forwards can do something exceptional. I'd settle for a 1-0 win every time.

 

[cloudstr1fe]

I have decided to try a possession tactic with Blackburn and so far I have played 1 friendly, against Bury which the score ended in 1-1. I had 84% pass completion with 1 ccc. However I noticed my 2 central defenders seem to have played the most passes and they were mainly in their own half, so im just wondering would it be worth setting my defenders onto direct passing in order for them to get the ball up pitch more or even set my fullbacks with direct passing? I am looking to try and create more chances than I have done so im tempted to tweek the tactics to play mainly possession but with a lot more balls into the box.....decisions

 

[Gump]

I have decided to try a possession tactic with Blackburn and so far I have played 1 friendly, against Bury which the score ended in 1-1. I had 84% pass completion with 1 ccc. However I noticed my 2 central defenders seem to have played the most passes and they were mainly in their own half, so im just wondering would it be worth setting my defenders onto direct passing in order for them to get the ball up pitch more or even set my fullbacks with direct passing? I am looking to try and create more chances than I have done so im tempted to tweek the tactics to play mainly possession but with a lot more balls into the box.....decisions

I wouldnt encourage setting defenders to put Direct balls, since then you will be losing possession far too cheaply since they will hoof the ball up too often.

What are the mentalities of the team? Make sure midfield & attackers have Normal/Attacking mentality. Long shots to rarely aswell. Use shouts like Retain Possession, work ball into box, play through defence. Make your midfielders/attackers move into channels and roam from position. Loads of tips there in Raikan's first post, check it.

 

[Lukeeggy]

Anyone have a link to download a tiki-taka? pref modern

 

[cloudstr1fe]

I wouldnt encourage setting defenders to put Direct balls, since then you will be losing possession far too cheaply since they will hoof the ball up too often.

What are the mentalities of the team? Make sure midfield & attackers have Normal/Attacking mentality. Long shots to rarely aswell. Use shouts like Retain Possession, work ball into box, play through defence. Make your midfielders/attackers move into channels and roam from position. Loads of tips there in Raikan's first post, check it.

I ended up setting my centre backs to mixed, my full backs to direct, both centre mids to short with my more attacking one to longshots sometimes and to roam, my wingers on mixed, my playmaker on short along with my striker. So far ive been getting about 80% completion and have been creating between 1-6 ccc so far in matches so im going to see how it goes and if I need to then slightly tweek them again, still took lot of tips from here for lot of things and incorporated some of my own =)

 

[cloudstr1fe]

Also im using classic tactics so not using shouts, got attacking mentality with defenders and 1 mid set to defensive