TheBetterHalf
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In this thread, you will find a set of tactics, just like in my old threads for FM09 and FM10. You might argue that since the introduction of the Tactical Creator, these sets have become obsolete but as I am not finding the structure of Defensive, Counter, Balanced, Control good enough, I decided to make my own framework of these different strategies. As you see, these tactics have been made in the Classic Mode so shouts are disabled, along with the ability to see the players roles and crucial stats.
Why use this set then ?. Well, basically, its for users that likes the idea of being if charge, using micro management but feels that the wizard has too many options that are just not good enough. Its for people that whilst wanting to win every game feel that there is more to it then just plug & play but wanting some easy guidelines on how to do it. For people that have a decent knowledge how the match engine works and knows when to attack and when to defend but just don't fancy the Tactic Creator. In short, if you are truly great at reading the game and pay attention to every single detail, then this set is not for you as you wont need it but for those that likes the idea of using other peoples tactics and wanting to learn something on the way, not just plug & playing, then this is for you
Assumption 1
All versions must have a descriptive name and as this always leads to different definitions due to ones personal perspective, people will interpret the text beneath differently. There for, its important that you read the follow text a few times, load up the different tactics and read it once more
Assumption 2
People crave for confirmation and as I am a human, dont hesitate to rate the thread
The Versions
As I stated earlier, I am not that keen on the structure of the preset Strategies in the Wizard. Basically, I feel that they are too many and that whilst the shouts are a great way to implement several tweaks by just one or two clicks, they are not helping me as ( for example) when I want to play wider, push up the team and get ball forward, I might still want to do this using the same passing game and the same tempo, only using more t-balls and more width etc. Naturally, using only 6 preset approaches is far more static then the TC, but its an approach that I feel more comfortable with. In this set, you will see that there is no Contain version, no defensive, no Balanced, no Control, no attack or no Overload. Instead, I have chosen to call the versions the following.
Defend – something in between the normal Contain and Defend, but more aggressive
Cautious – Something in between Defend and Balanced
Counter – Something similar to the TC Counter but here we use it only as in the description
Standard – Something in between Balanced and Attack
Slow Breakdown – A version that I feel is lacking in the TC, a way to play cautious whilst playing ultra aggressive
Overloading Attack – A mixture between Attack and Overload
So you see, by using these versions, there are really only 2 starting options, at least when playing as a normal team. Either you go for a more cautious approach, using CAUTIOUS or you go for a more attacking one, using STANDARD. If being top of the league and outclassing the opponents in terms of quality, its possible that SLOW BREAKDOWN would be the best version to start all matches with, almost like today's Barcelona do. Don't expect this version to replicate the flow of that team though as its not the though at all. With this said, please read further on to see the full description of the different versions
Defend
This is one of two versions where we use a different formation, pulling back the RIGHT FC into the AMC, dragging the LEFT FC into the center positions. Used to defend a lead, play a defensive appraoch within a more defensive formation or keep a loss to its minimum. We don't sit too deep and just defend though, we will attack as well as keeping possession in advanced positions is one of the keys to holding off the opponents
Cautious
This is a more cautious approach towards a game. Don’t be fooled by the name and that its only the 2nd most attacking tactic in order of the set. Even if playing as a top team, this approach is a good one when being on the road. In real life, very few teams actually play attacking away from home. We play slow and narrow, using ,many players to hold on to the ball and we do launch quick counter attacks when the players feels those passing options are on
Counter
Warning: This version is more direct and when playing on the counter, you need to make sure that here is actually something to counter, space in the 3rd half to play the ball into. With the counter box ticked, the players will, unlike the Cautious version, launch these counter attacks more frequently and mots importantly, even though the opponent sits with many men behind the ball. Personally, I would never use this as a starting version only based on the assumption that the opponent will push up their fullbacks and threaten us form the start. Use incorrectly, we will see a big loss in possession and being hit on the counter ourselves. Used correctly, its much more deadly than the Cautious version
Standard
As there is no Attack version in this set, this one is the Standard approach when not wanting to play cautious. It will never be about possession but about the scoreline. If playing as Everton/Man U/Arsenal/Sunderland home to WBA, this would be my main starting version.
Slow Breakdown
More attacking than Standard ?. Hm, actually not but as the title suggests, it’s a more probing approach. Within almost the same cautious approach as the version cautious, we here push up the line of defence and hassle the opponent. We use more of the pitch width and play down the flanks to drag those deep sitting opponents apart
Overloading Attack
This is the 2nd version using a different formation, now puhsing up the MR/L into the AMR/L positions. Here, we push up the team and overload the area where the ball is. We use the space out wide and hassle the opponent into making defensive errors. Lots of movement along with an attacking mentality sees us pushing hem back again and again. Why should one not use this tactic all the time then ?. Well as you probably understand, you might easily get hit on the counter by the opponent and the players don’t have the stamina to play like this whole matches.
Players
Playing flat 442 in perhaps one of the most difficult approaches there is in FM as it puts really high demands on you as a manager and on the players ability to both open up space for each other, move into that space as well as kepping the shape of the team when defending. Beneath you will find a short description of the players. Notice that I have left out Determination and Decision amongst the important stats as its so obvious that its needed in every player in the team
Goalkeeper:
Common sense applies
Central Defenders
Attacking Keys: Passing
Defensive Keys: Positioning, Anticipation, Marking, Tackling, Strength, Concentration, Jumping, Heading
Here, we use a sort of limited stoppers. As always, its better to have the best defenders in the world and not **** players so again, common sense here boys. These players are on tight zonal marking and even though we don’t play with a high d-line in most versions, pace and anticipation is crucial when up against those ME exploiting pacey attackers with flair
Fullbacks
Attacking Keys:Crossing, Passing,
Defensive Keys: Positioning, Anticipation, Marking, Tackling, Stamina, Concentration Pace
Same here really. Common sense. One thing that one do need to look out for are the players with really attacking ppms. Although this brings another dimension to the attack, they get caught out of position too often.
Central Mid – RIGHT
Attacking Keys:First Touch, Technique,, Pace, Passing, Off the ball
Defensive Keys: Anticipation, Positioning, Marking, Tackling, Concentration
A mixture between your Box to Box midfielder, Hardworking Ball winner and a Elegant AMC. Can you have a player like this in the CCC1 ?. Well, **** no. What I am saying is that amongst your MC´s, the player with the better attacking stats and more adventurous ppms should be played here. If he is strong to and knows how to break up attacks, then its just great
Central Mid – LEFT
Attacking Keys:Creativity, Technique, Passing, Composure
Defensive Keys: Positioning, Marking, Tackling, Strength
Here, we have the mixture of a great passer and a strong ball winner. Again, just like in the role above, this is a player rarely seen in the lower leagues but again, here, we play the ones that stays behind, breaks up attacks and keeps a simple but yet effective passing game
MR/L
Attacking Keys:Off the ball, Acceleration, Pace, Dribbling, Crossing, Flair, Passing, Technique, Finishing
Defensive Keys:
In a 442, its important that you have balance in the squad. Wingers playing in MR/L should not only be able to beat their man, dribble and get inside tha area but also defend, breaking up attacks and cutting angels. If playing with middle teams, you are highly unlikely to sign this perfect player and if playing with that top notch team, its not certain that they need to be able to defend but I thinnk that you get my point anyway. These players, should be able to get into a good attacking position by using their movement. Even though they dont cross that often, its important that they know how to. As always in this game, pace, acceleration and flair means ever so much. Footedness ?. It does not matter actually although I prefer left on left and right on right.
Forward RIGHT
Attacking Keys:Of the ball, Flair, Acceleration ( and pace) Finishing, Concentration
Defensive Keys:None really
The pacey poacher. Quick, agile and with a goal for an eye. This player often starts from deep and its good if he has attacking movement ppms. Just make sure he doesn not like to take first time shorts or shot from distance.
Forward LEFT
Attacking Keys:Of the ball, Flair, Acceleration ( and pace) Finishing, Composure, Strength
Defensive Keys: none
Aha.. here we have my favourite, The complete linkman. He roam around the pitch from deep. He hold onto the ball and whilst his passing game is set to direct, he still makes those easy passes when linking up with play, before getting inside the area. This player needs his pace. Players like Beckford at Everton is a monster here and I just cant imagine how good R.V.Persie would be. Just notice that when using a single FC formation, its crucial that this players one of the best of the team. After all, you using just one FC and if he cant score, link up with play, then it’s all over. As always, its all about having balance in the team and making sure that all areas have more strength then flaws
Set Pieces
I actually used a downloaded tactic when making these ones, using it as a clean sheet so the set pieces are from that one. Defensively they seem really good and we score our fair share on the attacking, mostly from free kicks but also some from corners( mostly against poor teams though). Feel free to change them to something better or worse
Match Preparation
The match preparation is divided into 3 different areas
The 3 chosen tactics for the team to learn
- I would either use the 3 versions I am most likely to use. If going to use them all, then load up Cautious, Standard and Attacking Overload. This way, the team Will gets the best fluidity with the tempo, width, passing, mentality, press, etc that is used in all 6 versions
The Workload
This slider dictates how much time the team puts into learning the chosen tactics. Remember that the higher the workload, the less time the team spends on the training ground, improving their stats.
The focus area
Preseason: When using a focus area, this takes up some of the time the team spends on getting fluid with the tactic. In preseason, playing a new save or if having lots of new players, you do need to use Team Blend so get the squad familiar with each other, playing as a team but if the team is already blended, I normally don't use any
Pre Match: Here, i cant make any recommendations as such. There is no focus area that links up with this set so its common sense. If wanting to sacrifice some of the defensive stability to get better attacking movements, then this is perhaps something you do when facing those deep sitting teams that you should beat, using the more attacking versions. Under opposite circumstances, well, you get my point. As for the attacking and defensive set pieces focus area, i use them only when I have a really good reason to. As an example, in my next game, playing as Everton home to Aston Villa, i see that they have scored 6 goals from corners in just 7 matches so here, I might go for focusing extra on Defensing set pieces, just like I might go for attacking set pieces away against a team where I see this as a chance to ****** the 3 points late in the game, playing cautious throughout the game
Other Information
As for pitch size, I cant make any recommendations, its just down to common sense. If playing with a **** team in a huge pitch and you might be in for trouble though, just like when playing in a very short field with your top notch team. Team talks, and opposition instructions are also things that cant be recommended as it would depend heavily on the situation
Results
My other sets
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