WAFFLE;
So my quest for a satisfying tactic continues.
Although i've been successful in my long term Tonbridge save and i've won the League with my testing team Man City with a number of different tactics i've been looking for something that ticks every box. Namely;
1. Real World formation and approach
2. High scoring whilst solid in defence
3. A tactic for all occasions, can blow away weaker teams but hold its own against stronger opponents
4. Be consistent, limit the inevitable runs of poor form to an absolute minimum
5. Be enjoyable and entertaining to watch
In other words a plug & play tactic for all levels.
I'll admit to getting a bit paranoid when i've taken a look at some of the prominent tactics on this and others forums and i've seen teams go unbeaten all season which i've never done.
For the first time i've downloaded them and tried them with Man City, they are certainly strong attacking tactics capable of good runs of goal scoring and results but i never made it to the end of September without defeat with any of them. Normally a pretty heavy defeat at this.
What is obvious is that the truly great results are achieved by teams which have been improved over 6 or 7 seasons and are now full of technically gifted footballers but seemingly more importantly with IMMENSE PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES, i.e very high pace & strength to compliment there other attributes. In all areas of the pitch.
This can make a very good tactic appear to be a great tactic. As Brian Clough said, footballers win you matches not tactics (which i agree with only partially!)
I've tested some very attacking tactic's of my own, i abandoned 1 after 9 straight wins averaging 2.9 goals a game as i was conceding 15+ shots and 5 or 6 clear cut chances a game. I wasn't fooled, i'd been getting away with it but this is exactly the kind of tactic which will fall apart mid season when your luck runs out, morale takes a hit and your ambitions are derailed.
My current tactic
The results are very solid, plenty of goals, few conceded. I had an unusual sense of calm when using this tactic, not a lot was going to go wrong and would likely get at least 2 goals a game. Pretty stress free.
I would expect this to scale well with weaker teams as its a very well balanced tactic. Results will obviously not be as strong but you should comfortably meet/exceed expectations.
Tactical Observations
Target Men are good. In the tests i've done a Target Man on Support is more prolific than a Complete Forward on Attack. It might be related to their inherent physicality or the fact that they don't get isolated like a Complete Forward does but i've had a great return from mine as you can see below.
The Advantage of using only 1 (official) Striker. Anyone in a dedicated 'striker position' has a weight of expectation on them to score goals. The game doesn't care if he's had 10 assists in 6 games, if he hasn't scored you start hearing about 'goal droughts', his form drops, he misses sitters and this snowballs into a massive problem for him and the team as the goals dry up. This is really over done in FM in my opinion.
Conversely when your Strikers starts scoring they can get on a massive roll as confidence gets high and they start smashing them in from all over the place.
With only 1 striker with the goal scoring burden, and a tactic which will feed him chances you can almost always stay on the right side of this mechanic. You can also put him as your main penalty taker and in a good spot at corners to feed him extra goals and keep his form high for most of the season.
Our other main goalscorer is the Trequartista, as he is in the AMC strata he does not have have pressure to score goals and we don't have to worry about goal droughts as this mechanic does not apply.
Sitting Deep with Attacking roles vs Pushing up with Conservative roles.
These approaches seem to be the way to go on FM. The former is more popular with both FB's on attack, with decent pace they are able to get back when attacks break down.
I prefer the latter approach with my conservative nature. We are 'risking' a high line but are set up to recycle possession and recover our shape quickly should we lose the ball, win it back and start again.
You are vulnerable to the ball over the top but strikers are woeful one on one, sitting deep you are vulnerable to crosses which are far more deadly.
Too many cooks.....
There is a temptation to throw lots of players into the box during attacks, these players bring defenders with them which causes the box to be over crowded and 'melee' type situations to occur. Our creators can pass and cross, all they need is 1 man in space.
I find 3 in the box is ideal, maybe 4 with 'lurkers' ready and available outside the area to recycle possession win back the ball early of need be.
So in the end we have a tactic with 3 attacking mentalities 4 defend and 3 support (exc GK).
Following the rules
This tactic follows the various guides on the forum quite closely, with all duties present in both the defensive & midfield lines. This ensures you have depth in attack, a 'staggered' approach with multiple passing options and good defensive cover.
We have a team which transitions smoothly from attack to defence and back again, threatens equally from the flanks and through the middle, has depth in both defence and attack (attackers in the box, the rest 'lurking') and gives me what i have been looking for.......... BALANCE in all areas!
View attachment 339392
DOWNLOAD
HEAVENS'S GATE
So my quest for a satisfying tactic continues.
Although i've been successful in my long term Tonbridge save and i've won the League with my testing team Man City with a number of different tactics i've been looking for something that ticks every box. Namely;
1. Real World formation and approach
2. High scoring whilst solid in defence
3. A tactic for all occasions, can blow away weaker teams but hold its own against stronger opponents
4. Be consistent, limit the inevitable runs of poor form to an absolute minimum
5. Be enjoyable and entertaining to watch
In other words a plug & play tactic for all levels.
I'll admit to getting a bit paranoid when i've taken a look at some of the prominent tactics on this and others forums and i've seen teams go unbeaten all season which i've never done.
For the first time i've downloaded them and tried them with Man City, they are certainly strong attacking tactics capable of good runs of goal scoring and results but i never made it to the end of September without defeat with any of them. Normally a pretty heavy defeat at this.
What is obvious is that the truly great results are achieved by teams which have been improved over 6 or 7 seasons and are now full of technically gifted footballers but seemingly more importantly with IMMENSE PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES, i.e very high pace & strength to compliment there other attributes. In all areas of the pitch.
This can make a very good tactic appear to be a great tactic. As Brian Clough said, footballers win you matches not tactics (which i agree with only partially!)
I've tested some very attacking tactic's of my own, i abandoned 1 after 9 straight wins averaging 2.9 goals a game as i was conceding 15+ shots and 5 or 6 clear cut chances a game. I wasn't fooled, i'd been getting away with it but this is exactly the kind of tactic which will fall apart mid season when your luck runs out, morale takes a hit and your ambitions are derailed.
My current tactic
The results are very solid, plenty of goals, few conceded. I had an unusual sense of calm when using this tactic, not a lot was going to go wrong and would likely get at least 2 goals a game. Pretty stress free.
I would expect this to scale well with weaker teams as its a very well balanced tactic. Results will obviously not be as strong but you should comfortably meet/exceed expectations.
Tactical Observations
Target Men are good. In the tests i've done a Target Man on Support is more prolific than a Complete Forward on Attack. It might be related to their inherent physicality or the fact that they don't get isolated like a Complete Forward does but i've had a great return from mine as you can see below.
The Advantage of using only 1 (official) Striker. Anyone in a dedicated 'striker position' has a weight of expectation on them to score goals. The game doesn't care if he's had 10 assists in 6 games, if he hasn't scored you start hearing about 'goal droughts', his form drops, he misses sitters and this snowballs into a massive problem for him and the team as the goals dry up. This is really over done in FM in my opinion.
Conversely when your Strikers starts scoring they can get on a massive roll as confidence gets high and they start smashing them in from all over the place.
With only 1 striker with the goal scoring burden, and a tactic which will feed him chances you can almost always stay on the right side of this mechanic. You can also put him as your main penalty taker and in a good spot at corners to feed him extra goals and keep his form high for most of the season.
Our other main goalscorer is the Trequartista, as he is in the AMC strata he does not have have pressure to score goals and we don't have to worry about goal droughts as this mechanic does not apply.
Sitting Deep with Attacking roles vs Pushing up with Conservative roles.
These approaches seem to be the way to go on FM. The former is more popular with both FB's on attack, with decent pace they are able to get back when attacks break down.
I prefer the latter approach with my conservative nature. We are 'risking' a high line but are set up to recycle possession and recover our shape quickly should we lose the ball, win it back and start again.
You are vulnerable to the ball over the top but strikers are woeful one on one, sitting deep you are vulnerable to crosses which are far more deadly.
Too many cooks.....
There is a temptation to throw lots of players into the box during attacks, these players bring defenders with them which causes the box to be over crowded and 'melee' type situations to occur. Our creators can pass and cross, all they need is 1 man in space.
I find 3 in the box is ideal, maybe 4 with 'lurkers' ready and available outside the area to recycle possession win back the ball early of need be.
So in the end we have a tactic with 3 attacking mentalities 4 defend and 3 support (exc GK).
Following the rules
This tactic follows the various guides on the forum quite closely, with all duties present in both the defensive & midfield lines. This ensures you have depth in attack, a 'staggered' approach with multiple passing options and good defensive cover.
We have a team which transitions smoothly from attack to defence and back again, threatens equally from the flanks and through the middle, has depth in both defence and attack (attackers in the box, the rest 'lurking') and gives me what i have been looking for.......... BALANCE in all areas!
View attachment 339392
DOWNLOAD
HEAVENS'S GATE
Last edited:
