Interesting formation. Never done too much with a strikerless formation. I read the Strikerless blog but never tried it myself.
I really vaguely recall having given Everton a try a long time ago. Like FM06 or 07. I don't remember anything about the save. But I have a blurry recollection that it did occur. I assume it didn't last long lol. They definitely have a strong infrastructure. How is the coaching staff? And how far into the save are you now? And does the narrow formation with two CWBs end up being vulnerable on the wings?
Never managed in Brazil or Argentina. Who do you usually take? Or is it someone different every time?
Kinda still in my "save jumping" phase. I've realized I tend to do that in the first couple months after the game comes out. I don't tend to settle into a save until after Christmas, sometimes not until the winter date update. I was quite enjoying my Lokomotiv Moscow save and made into March. But despite getting a pretty good regen on youth intake, and sniping another, I'm having a few issues. The reserve side doesn't have any matches, which is weird and not how it worked on FM16. Plus my sponsorships ran out at the end of December and the club hasn't negotiated any new ones. Sponsorships in Russia are pretty lucrative and a key financial aspect. As it is, I'm watching my finances slowly drain down to nothing. I assume i'll get new sponsors in June (when they typically expire), but its a bit concerning. As I was playing this save, Kransodar kept catching my eye. So I started a save and I'm a few weeks in. Don't know how far I'll go.
Krasnodar are quite intriguing. They are less than a decade old, but are one of the best built Russian clubs in terms of the infrastructure. Pretty good training facilities and great youth facilities. Brand new awesome stadium. Solid first team. Play in the Europa League. The youth recruitment isn't up to the level of the youth academy and the staff need lots of work. They have never won anything and the only club legend is the owner. They are a relatively blank slate but already in a good spot as they are well run (rare in Russia). Its a save with a lot of long term potential.... but I'm not falling in love with it just yet. I'll probably go back to Lokomotiv (or try a new save with them, if it might solve the reserve team issue) and then try Krasnodar down the road.
1. I love the Strikerless blog and me and Guido have been internet mates for some time now. I always take one of his tactics and tweak it (I did very well in the FM Base league in FM 16 -while it lasted- with such a tactic). But my current strikerless tactic is a bit of a Frankenstein. I downloaded a tactic with striker(s) from somewhere (I think The Raumdeuter but Im not sure) and superimposed a strikerless formation over it (with the aim of overloading thus controlling the middle of the park). I then began tweaking the PIs and TIs.
I actually have a template of TIs which I tweak in match if need be - eg I start with no hard tackling especially against better teams as well as with play out of defence TI but eventually I may tackle harder and lose the play from defence TI to play faster. I also start with CONTROL but may change to ATTACK or STANDARD depending on the score. I also have a "safe" set of TIs based on what I say in this thread which I employ from the 85th minute to protect lead, which is 99% successful. I like reactive management.
Oddly enuff the formation is not overtly vulnerable on the wings, I think because having overloaded the midfield the opposition doesn't find it easy to properly feed wingers. I am also seeing some amazing track backs by the cwbs and pinpoint tackling as well as midfielders properly covering the wings. Only problem is that by the end of matches almost all my players are in the high to mid 60s fitness wise from 95 to 100% at the start.
Generally it produces some lovely football. I recorded 5-3 and 6-2 wins vs Man City, 4-2 and 5-3 vs Arsenal and always comfortably beat Arsenal. Doesn't always work but when it doesn't its obvious within 15 minutes so I "cheat" by changing to one of Mr Langvatn's tactics.
Im in Feb. 2018. Just lost 1-0 away to Bayern. But will overturn it!
2. Always somebody different in Brazil and Argentina. Currently have a save with Argentinos Juniors who start from 2nd division but Ive had saves with Lanus, Arsenal, Estudiantes LP, San Lorenzo, Rosario, Gremio, Vitoria (3 different versions), Nautico, Santos, Palmeiras, Cruzeiro. All very enjoyable.
3.I remember your Russian adventures with Lokomotiv. Ive actually been to Krasnodar as my Ukrainian wife comes from a city directly across a very short ferry trip from it (and is a Shaktar supporter and she's take me to matches so I usually have saves with them also). Must say if I ever go back to Russia in FM (I had a Zenit save a few aeons ago) it will be with Krasnodar cos it looks like they have a nice springboard. I don't like the squad rules and the dearth and expense of Russian players tho.