Having trouble with offensive efficiency, need help with my tactic!

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rdubs30

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Hey guys,

I'm playing as Middlesbrough in the EPL for the 2019/2020 season predicted to finish around 6th-10th in the league. I'm thoroughly addicted to this game (read: f*****) yet my command and understanding of tactics is pretty poor.

I just played a game against Swansea and won 1-0. Hooray! However, my team had 35 shots on goal, 12 on target, 15 off target (the rest blocked I assume) and 3 CCC. I'm a little less than pleased at the scoreline based on the given stats and my 59% possession (Swansea had 2 shots, both off target).

I'm not entirely sure what's needed to help in analyzing what's ineffective in my current tactic, but I'll list what I can. Any help would be great!

Formation: 4-2-3W-1

Strikers: AF:Attack
Attacking Midfield: W-Support, AP-Support, W-Support
Midfield: CM-Defend, AP-Support
Defense: FB-Defend, CB-Defend, CB-Defend, FB-Defend

Mentality: Attacking
Fluidity: Fluid

Team Instructions:
Work ball into box
Run at defense
Push higher up
Higher tempo
Be more expressive
Exploit the flanks
Hassle opponents
Use tighter marking
Play wider

Player Instructions:
GK - Pass it shorter, Distribute to defenders

PPM:
Striker: Runs with ball through center, shoots with power, likes to beat offside trap, knocks ball past opponent
AML: Runs with ball through center (trying to unlearn this), moves into channels, likes to round keeper, knocks ball past opponent
AMC: Gets forward whenever possible
AMR: Runs with ball often
MCL: None
MCR: Runs with ball through center, tries killer balls often, shoots from distance, dictates tempo
FB(L): None
CD(L): Plays short simple passes, plays no through balls
CD(R): None
FB(R): Runs with ball down right

Shot distribution
Striker: 4 shots, 1 SOT, 1G (sub 1 shot)
AML: 5 shots, 2 SOT
AMC: 7 shots, 2 SOT
AMR: 4 shots, 2 SOT
MCL: 1 shot
MCR: 4 shots, 3 SOT (sub 4 shots)
FBL: 1 shot
CDL: 1 shot
CDR: 1 shot, 1 SOT
FBR: 1 shot, 1 SOT

Thank you if you've made it this far. If you can offer any opinions on where I may be going wrong, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
 
Guide to Football Manager | FM 2014 Guide

I'd run through the above link, if I was you. It covers everything, you'll still have questions and srtuggle afterwards, but it is a good starting point.

There's also some good stickies over at SI tactics forum, pairs and combos and 12 steps to playing fm 2014.

Looking at your setup (and I'm just as frustrated as yourself) - the first thing that strikes me is you have to Adv playmakers - now some argue that only one playmaker should be used and some insist you can use two, however with that I would find it sensible to perhaps move one to dlp, depending on your players you could switch the central mid to a dlp defend and the then have your supporting player as a b2b or ball winner - depending on stats and/or opposition. Or scrap the second playmaker all together - but I'd look into the suggestions on tactical styles on the above guide before you make a decision on that.

But it you read the guides and then check through your tactic maybe you find the answers you need.

Hope this helps.
 
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You've divide your attack from your midfield by having only 1 attacking mentality and over crowding support players.
Meaning there are no overlaps of players running between he lines to create the space for your play makers to pass balls into.


The PPMs of your AML suit an attacking winger fairly well and you need someone making runs to pull CB's out of position, thus opening room to allow your midfield play maker to try the killer balls.


I roughly altered your formation to try create more overlaps in midfield an you should hopefully see players making runs to open space,

View attachment 369009
 
The above suggestion seems very good but I would change the AP (a) to a CM (a) to create more runs forward. The AP, whether it be on attac or support) will primarily look for space, whereas the CM (a) will be more direct in running forward. With your winger on support and your advanced AP on support I'd say you want someone running more directly on that side. You might need the AML on a different role than winger too. You have your ppm for the AML 'moves into channels' and so the winger wouldn't be cutting inside...unless the arrow wasn't meant to show him cutting inside and was just to indicate a run forward? If you want the winger to stay outside then the above illustration would work great.
 
I'm trying the above now and it seems to play fairly well by early signs. I'm not saying to do this but I've changed a few things to suit my preference. I've moved the CM (d) to the DM position as an anchor role. This way it gives me 3 back at all times, along with the DC's. I've changed both FB's to support and the CM (a) has get forward more to push him up to support the AF. Also, out of personal preference, I have the winger support on get forward more and both my wingers instructed to mark the opp fb's. I hate the way my FB's ALWAYS come in narrow and give up sooooo much space on the wings and so lie my wingers to track back as much as possible
 
My DR has dribbling and crossing of 10 and under so I don't think I should change him to an attacking or support role. However, I did change the AML to W-A and the MCR to CM-A. The MCR change seemed to have a huge impact as he assisted twice to my striker in the final third.

Not sure if this is comparing apples to oranges, but I was playing Watford this time. I had 18 shots, 8 on target, 8 off, 6 clear cut chances and the final score was 4-3 Watford. The final score is probably my own fault as I was up 3-1 at 61 minutes so I decided to sub in fresher players in my CM-D role as well as my younger developing striker in place of my starting striker (hat trick!). 2 of the following 3 goals conceded by my side were due to one of my central defenders botching cover in the middle of the field and allowing the opposing midfielder free runs at goal.

Despite the final score, I think the change to CM-A was a good one. My AML seemed to get in my striker's way at times, but those situations may have been outliers. Pushing higher up the field (although I did this the whole game) and my substitutions were most likely my undoing.

Thanks for all the advice guys! I'll keep mixing and matching but the initial results seem promising.
 
rdubs30 said:
My DR has dribbling and crossing of 10 and under so I don't think I should change him to an attacking or support role. However, I did change the AML to W-A and the MCR to CM-A. The MCR change seemed to have a huge impact as he assisted twice to my striker in the final third.

Not sure if this is comparing apples to oranges, but I was playing Watford this time. I had 18 shots, 8 on target, 8 off, 6 clear cut chances and the final score was 4-3 Watford. The final score is probably my own fault as I was up 3-1 at 61 minutes so I decided to sub in fresher players in my CM-D role as well as my younger developing striker in place of my starting striker (hat trick!). 2 of the following 3 goals conceded by my side were due to one of my central defenders botching cover in the middle of the field and allowing the opposing midfielder free runs at goal.

Despite the final score, I think the change to CM-A was a good one. My AML seemed to get in my striker's way at times, but those situations may have been outliers. Pushing higher up the field (although I did this the whole game) and my substitutions were most likely my undoing.

Thanks for all the advice guys! I'll keep mixing and matching but the initial results seem promising.
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I'm playing around with the CM (s) with get forward more now. Seems to be quite effective too :) With your AP on support though it might be best to keep the CM (a) to keep further support for the striker
 
looks like you have a lot of shots, but of poor quality...perhaps play shorter?
 
Slight improvement, but still pretty frustrating. For context, I generally use 4-2-3-1 against weaker opponents who use 4-4-2 (maybe that's the issue since 4-5-1 V is supposedly better and among my tactics). I try to use the most attacking tactic I have which would be this, although I have the narrow diamond...but I'm afraid that tactic doesn't have enough width against 4-4-2.

This last game against West Bromwich, I had 30 shots, 11 on target, 10 off target and 4 clear cut chances. West Brom had 6 shots, 4 on target, 1 off target and 3 clear cut chances. Possession was in my favor at 61%. Final score? West Brom 3-2. There are times it just seems like I kicked the match engine's dog or some demigod has possessed the opposing keeper. Very frustrating! Both of the goals I scored were off of set pieces as well...there's still some tinkering I need to do with this tactic.

Edit: I'm projected to finish 3rd in the EPL while West Brom is projected to finish 16th! I am currently in 3rd, but the quality of my players didn't seem to be enough. Perhaps it's my team instructions?
 
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rdubs30 said:
Slight improvement, but still pretty frustrating. For context, I generally use 4-2-3-1 against weaker opponents who use 4-4-2 (maybe that's the issue since 4-5-1 V is supposedly better and among my tactics). I try to use the most attacking tactic I have which would be this, although I have the narrow diamond...but I'm afraid that tactic doesn't have enough width against 4-4-2.

This last game against West Bromwich, I had 30 shots, 11 on target, 10 off target and 4 clear cut chances. West Brom had 6 shots, 4 on target, 1 off target and 3 clear cut chances. Possession was in my favor at 61%. Final score? West Brom 3-2. There are times it just seems like I kicked the match engine's dog or some demigod has possessed the opposing keeper. Very frustrating! Both of the goals I scored were off of set pieces as well...there's still some tinkering I need to do with this tactic.

Edit: I'm projected to finish 3rd in the EPL while West Brom is projected to finish 16th! I am currently in 3rd, but the quality of my players didn't seem to be enough. Perhaps it's my team instructions?
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I just find this game INCREDIBLY frustrating really. I mean, your tactic is set up fine and the match stats show that. Where do the opposition mainlt get there chances? If it's the wings then I'll be even more frustrated as that's my biggest issue for this version There is Such a lack of control you have and FB's be have like idiots. It's ruined this game for me. There are some good touches to the game but I concede 80% of chances on the wings because FB's dont behave how I want them to and I can't change that
 
And again, playing Watford. 10 shots, 7 on target, 2 off target, 3 clear cut chances. Watford has 2 shots, 2 on target, 2 clear cut chances. Score is 2-0 Watford. RARHRAYGJARRJAGHARGHARGH. I'm getting plenty of looks, even more clear cut chances, but the quality of the looks seems to be miserable compared to the opposition. WATFORD! I may just need to scrap this tactic altogether.

These stats were for the first 30 minutes, I changed to my 4-5-1V afterwards since I was at a loss as to what's wrong with this cursed formation/tactic.

The game ended with my side having 33 shots, 16 on target, 15 off target and 7 clear cut chances. Watford had 6 shots, 3 on target, 3 off target, 3 clear cut chances. Watford won 3-1. My 4-5-1 strat is usually very efficient...I know it's petty to say it, but I swear the match engine just pencils in losses. This is absurd. I literally watched their goal keeper block a clear cut chance, block another shot off that rebound, and block an additional shot off the following rebound. I have the best goalkeeper in the EPL. ?!
 
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The opposition usually get their chances through a botched coverage in the middle for me actually. I assume this is because I'm pushed higher up the field, but I thought that was the positioning that made the most sense in an attacking formation like 4-2-3-1. By botched coverage, I mean it's usually either a long ball my CD doesn't cover well, or somehow the 2 strikers in the opposition 4-4-2 outnumber and confused my CD's (?). BLARGHHHH
 
Try using the tactic with the best strikers you can find, i know huntelaar is good, and see how it go's with them. If you get a lot of CCC's with huntelaar then there is something wrong. I know everytime I play a team with him in he scores against me lol
 
Hah, the sad thing is I have the highest rated goalkeeper and striker in the EPL overall. It seems I'm not using them correctly though.

Striker has 17 finishing, dribbling, composure, flair, off the ball, and acceleration. 16 first touch, technique, work rate and agility. 15 anticipation and balance. 18 pace. On paper, he is a beast. Against the likes of relegation teams though, he is a poodle.
 
rdubs30 said:
Hah, the sad thing is I have the highest rated goalkeeper and striker in the EPL overall. It seems I'm not using them correctly though.

Striker has 17 finishing, dribbling, composure, flair, off the ball, and acceleration. 16 first touch, technique, work rate and agility. 15 anticipation and balance. 18 pace. On paper, he is a beast. Against the likes of relegation teams though, he is a poodle.
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Tbh, people have defended this version, and I can accept some of their logic to a point, but if the ME is classing something as a CCC and it's falling to a striker with 17 composure, that should be a goal more often then not. If you get 3 CCC falling to a striker with those stats then I'd say that at least 1 should be a goal a game....otherwise, what's the point in the stats? If he has high composure, anticipation and first touch then they should be finishing chances

Huntelaars shots per goal ration is 3.35 is pretty **** good. This isn't saying what would be considered CCC either. I think they need to improve the defending on the game and that would limit the opportunities. Not limiting the conversion rate after you get the opportunity.

http://thinkfootball.co.uk/archives/3294
 
That link would be from 2012 but it's more proving that professional strikers can finish a chance when given it lol
 
I'm actually a basketball junkie but I love stats like these. Fun and interesting.
 
Some stats taken from 2013

Best Strikers in the World Analysis Part I - From goal king Van Persie to master creator Tevez | Just FootballJust Football

Basically, the top strikers would be averaging a shot to goal ration of about 3.5, with an average being 4-5. You would think with these stats that the top strikers would be getting a goal for every 2 CCC given really? I think the issue is more that SI haven't quite nailed the defending down on this edition and so chances are too frequent to come by. I don't think the stats are terribly far off but it just needs to be improved. I've seen games qhere people have had 14 shots on target, 8 CCC and gotten 2 goals. If the majority of chances are falling to a player that has good composure, anticipation, first touch and finishing then it should be higher
 
Yeah, hopefully they patch it up or FM2015 will be an improvement. Still a great game with great depth. Too easy to get addicted to for sure.
 
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