Lower League – Tactical Discussion Thread

[TheBetterHalf]

Lower League – Tactical Discussion Thread​

Just like the thread says, this is a thread where we discuss the tactical side of the game when playing with **** teams. There is a whole section called Lower League Managers and if wanting to share your career or ask question regarding any other aspects of this approach, then the mentioned section will be the place for it

When speaking about lower league teams in general, we mean teams that dont have the funds, nor the status, to attract and sign players that will bring a new dimension to the team, players that let us play really attacking without having to sacrifice the defence. Basically, teams that carry a big sign saying “What you see is what you get”

The aim with this thread is so that we all can discuss and share our approach when playing with these clubs/players. I shall first admit that I am not an expert when it comes to playing with teams like Ramlösa in the Swedish Second Division or Burton in England and therefore I am not going to be devoted to this thread more than any other of you but I will still share my opinion on how I approach the game the times I do play with **** teams




Let the discussion begin

 

[WonderManager]

Just buy Reunion players available

 

[TheBetterHalf]

Just buy Reunion players available

That was just the type of comment we did not want is this thread. Don't you see that if people keep on posting things like this, people that do want to help will stop posting here. I am not angry or anything like that, but the post defeats the purpose of this and other threads just like this that I intent to start, all with the aim to support those wanting to learn about the game

 

[mvp93]

i use my formation or my other 3-4-3 i find in lower leagues goals are more important than the defence

i played 3 up top and this won me dah BSS,BSP,L2, JPT and FA trophy X2 with woking

 

[Nixon]

Simple is best in my opinion. The 3-5-2 formation works a treat against teams who play 4-4-2.

I stick to rigid or very rigid formations with little creative freedom, and using direct passing. I usually look for a quick (ish) striker with reasonable finishing to play upfront with a targetman which is a combination that works well in LLM. I prefer playing centrally, as I find wingers absolutely pish in the lower leagues and I aim to overcrowd and dominate the midfield.

 

[bijak]

nice tech-physics combination I believe will work.
mental stat doesn't matter for me when LLM-ing

4-1-2-3 I think is a good strategy: flooding the midfield whilst unbeaten when going wide.
of course you'll need a good winger [12-15 physics, and 11-14 crossing will do]

 

[Mike.]

Simple is best in my opinion. The 3-5-2 formation works a treat against teams who play 4-4-2.

I stick to rigid or very rigid formations with little creative freedom, and using direct passing. I usually look for a quick (ish) striker with reasonable finishing to play upfront with a targetman which is a combination that works well in LLM. I prefer playing centrally, as I find wingers absolutely pish in the lower leagues and I aim to overcrowd and dominate the midfield.

totally with this. Its about "traditional" football, where physical attributes are key, though if you can get a mentally gifted player and set him at the heart of your side as a midfield general, it lifts the whole side. like playing 3-5-2, or 4-2-3-1, since everyone plays 4-4-2 at that level, and they are unlikely to have the quality players to overcome being outmanned in midfield (unlike say in the prem)

 

[Jake]

The 352 approach is effective against your bog standard lower league opposition, however if you come accross a decent winger/AMC/striker as an opponent, your back 3 will get slaughtered.

I'm all for the throroughly defensive approach. 4 'stoppers' at the back, ie no attacking input from the full backs at all. 2 central midfield sitters who rarely venture forward, though it helps if at least one is a relatively gifted passer. An ideal combo is a gattuso-pirlo style pairing, one who does the donkey work, gives the ball to the other, allowing the other to quickly get it forward to the attack minded players.

2 wingers in the style of park ji sung, ie workhorses who dont have to be gifted dribblers or crossers, but who will get up and down the flank, supporting the defense as much as the attack, and hassling the opposition at every opportunity.

An AMC/deep lying striker in the style of gerrard combined with an advanced forward/targetman works wonders.

This is an Fm10 screenshot from my story, but this is the formation i'm talking about.

Wth that sort of tactic, you set your stall out to defend alot (which is easier than trying to dominate possession with a set of substandard players), and then counter the opposition quickly to nick a goal, usually resulting in alot of 1-0 and 2-1 wins.

As mentioned above, look for mental and physical stats ahead of technical ones, a quick player with poor finishing usually scores more goals than a slow player with a decent finish in the lower leagues.

Players with international caps and/or high mental attributes are invaluable, bringing a level head, calmness, composure and discipline to your team, they just might make the difference.

 

[mrjack41]

With my dartford team, I downloaded a tactic called "4-4-2 for lower leagues" it is a very good tactic.

It uses direct passing, rigid philosophy, pressing and man marking. very tradditional. Aims on playing longball up to a strong target man, who hold the ball up and either lays it off to the wingers, or plays my poacher in. I was predicted to finish 12th in BSS. and im in january and im in 2nd place. very pleased.

 

[frazthegun]

i genuinely struggle with havant and waterlooville, i've been sacked twice and am having a third go. my problem i win a few in the begining like i have again (now top of the table) then i slowly lose more games till i consistently lose and get the odd draw and get sacked. i have ade akinbiyi but i'm scared to play him if it changes anything in the team even though hes the best forward i have.

 

[*Paul*]

I'm no expert at Lower League but I know that Defence is not as important; playing Stoke football will not get you promoted, but attack is very important. I also know that free transfers, key players and tactics are vital in Lower League, as the difference in quality is not that big.

 

[Withnail316]

Sorry, first ever post on a really old thread!

I absolutely agree that playing with wingers is a waste of time. I'm currently playing at Dartford, who I've taken from the Blue Square South to the top of League 2 in four seasons (beaten in the LG2 Play Off final, or it'd be three promotions back to back). Most of the grounds in the lower leagues are pretty narrow, so the key to success is to dominate the midfield. I play a 4-3-1-2, with two defensive ball winning midfielders and one box-to-box player. Up front I like to have a big target man (quick if possible) and a little nippy poacher. The other key element I think is a free kick/corner specialist, and stick a big defender to attack the far post from corners, and you'll score shedloads. Oh yeah, and midfielders who can shoot from long range certainly help out, so somebody like Oliver Norwood or Victor Palsson are ideal signings.

So I'd recommend 4-3-1-2, play direct passing and 'control' for your strategy, zonal marking and counter attack....works a treat for me.

 

[TheBetterHalf]

Bumped for FM12