Mr Langvatn's Tactic Thread (Updated for 13.3.3)

[Traquan]

It might have been asked before, but 248 pages is just a bit too much to search through...

How would I be able to counter the 4-1-4-1 Rock tactic?

I'm currently playing a network game, and I suspect my opponent to be using this tactic.
He is getting very good results with Man Utd, and has conceded only like 5 goals during the entire season (premiership).

I played him twice this season, and was somewhat outplayed by this tactic, although I managed to limit the damage: 0-1 and 1-1.
I'm playing a pretty wide 4-2-3-1 formation, I guess I am vulnerable through the middle, and also my AMC has a hard time against the DMC.

What are your ideas on countering someone employing this tactic? I am thinking of employing a narrow formation myself and fielding 1 or even 2 DMCs, and try to exploit the flanks in the process. I only have a couple of chances to do this right though, therefore your thoughts would be really appreciated.

I saw him lose one match in CL against a 4-4-2 formation (2 DMC and 2 WM/WINGERS), this might be a good idea since it might stop his attacks through the middle, while still having options on the flanks to benefit from his narrow formation.

 

[Pezman123]

It might have been asked before, but 248 pages is just a bit too much to search through...

How would I be able to counter the 4-1-4-1 Rock tactic?

I'm currently playing a network game, and I suspect my opponent to be using this tactic.
He is getting very good results with Man Utd, and has conceded only like 5 goals during the entire season (premiership).

I played him twice this season, and was somewhat outplayed by this tactic, although I managed to limit the damage: 0-1 and 1-1.
I'm playing a pretty wide 4-2-3-1 formation, I guess I am vulnerable through the middle, and also my AMC has a hard time against the DMC.

What are your ideas on countering someone employing this tactic? I am thinking of employing a narrow formation myself and fielding 1 or even 2 DMCs, and try to exploit the flanks in the process. I only have a couple of chances to do this right though, therefore your thoughts would be really appreciated.

I saw him lose one match in CL against a 4-4-2 formation (2 DMC and 2 WM/WINGERS), this might be a good idea since it might stop his attacks through the middle, while still having options on the flanks to benefit from his narrow formation.

if anything, because it only has 1 striker, id say play with 3 at the back, or play 4 at the back but with wingbacks as u wont need a flat back 4 to look after 1 striker. i would say maybe a 4-4-2 but the full backs pushed up to wing backs and the left mid/right mid push up to attacking mid left/right. so a bit like this: Also maybe a sweeper keeper to put pressure on the lone striker.

ST - ST

AML - AMR

CM - CM

WBL - WBR

CB - CB

SK

play maybe a balanced standard tactic with counter attack ticked on

 

[Pezman123]

is there a massive difference between the classic and the normal for rock?

im not a lover of classic tactics lol, but if there is a big difference i suppose i can try and like them.

also is there a player list that would fit the roles of the tactic?

thanks

 

[Traquan]

if anything, because it only has 1 striker, id say play with 3 at the back, or play 4 at the back but with wingbacks as u wont need a flat back 4 to look after 1 striker. i would say maybe a 4-4-2 but the full backs pushed up to wing backs and the left mid/right mid push up to attacking mid left/right. so a bit like this: Also maybe a sweeper keeper to put pressure on the lone striker.

ST - ST

AML - AMR

CM - CM

WBL - WBR

CB - CB

SK

play maybe a balanced standard tactic with counter attack ticked on

Thanks for your thoughts.

Not a big fan of 3 men at the back, since I don't seem to be able to get this to work in the last couple of versions. Since the ML and MR in the 4-1-4-1 Rock have attacking philosophy I would still like to counter their threat. I currently employ WBs at the DL and DR positions, I might consider putting them in the WBL and WBR positions.

Do you think 2 MCs will be able to cope with all the plays through the middle? Still thinking of a DMC here (in stead of a second striker)

Also, what roles would you give the two strikers in your formation? I am thinking, maybe a target man and advanced forward, with some more direct passing to skip the opposing team's strong midfield.

 

[Pezman123]

Thanks for your thoughts.

Not a big fan of 3 men at the back, since I don't seem to be able to get this to work in the last couple of versions. Since the ML and MR in the 4-1-4-1 Rock have attacking philosophy I would still like to counter their threat. I currently employ WBs at the DL and DR positions, I might consider putting them in the WBL and WBR positions.

Do you think 2 MCs will be able to cope with all the plays through the middle? Still thinking of a DMC here (in stead of a second striker)

Also, what roles would you give the two strikers in your formation? I am thinking, maybe a target man and advanced forward, with some more direct passing to skip the opposing team's strong midfield.

id set it up like this:

AF attack - CF support

W attack - W attack

DLP defend - BWM support

WB support - WB support

LD - defend - BPD - defend

SK defend

have the wingers and wing backs wing play changed to normal so they do a bit of everything

 

[Rhys Baird]

hey mate, for corner set up do this:

aim - near post
the full backs - stay back
the wingers - stay back if needed (usually 1 of them takes the corner so only 1 stays back if needed)
your best header - near post flick on (works alot better than attack near post, which alot of people dont realise)
your 2nd best header - challenge keeper
and the rest of the team - go forward (apart from 1, usually the worst header, lurk outside area)

i get atleast 25 goals a season from this

I changed my front post settings and is a huge improvement.

I finished a season as Crystal Palace, paying literally, no attention at all. (using my tweaked tactic) Finished 16th in league and won League Cup. Could do a lot better had I bought players, took training and team talks, etc... Im setting up a new game now as a bigish team to see how it plays. Newcastle seem perfectly with the players they have. Going to run a season with them and will report back!

 

[Rhys Baird]

is there a massive difference between the classic and the normal for rock?

im not a lover of classic tactics lol, but if there is a big difference i suppose i can try and like them.

also is there a player list that would fit the roles of the tactic?

thanks

Rock Classic works better than TC version, but there is a TC version on the OP, along with a player filter list. I am not sure if this is official, but I look for:

GK: Best you can afford

Central Defenders: Your standard defenders, not too fancy. Physical and quick ideally. I like to Look for good mental stats, particularly concentration and positioning, particularly as this is a tactic that lacks possession.

FB: Solid defenders who can cross do best for me. Use Fit, fast hard working players.

DM: Think more DLP than smashing rampaging DM. Cirigliano is awesome for me here. I train the PPM plays killer balls often here.

MR/L: Hard working, tricky wingers. Pace, agility and dribbling are key. If they cant tackle, reduce their tackling to medium.

MC: Both are box to box midfielders. Stamina, Strength and anticipation really are important, on top of usual CM stats.

SC: I get better results with RC using a deeper lying SC, again, strength and work rate are paramount.

So: Use the best, strongest, hardest working players you can get in your team. Thats how I see it!

 

[Spikester]

Can I ask people who have used the rock classic - do you ever get over 50% possession, or is it normally between 40-45%?

 

[maxeneize]

Can I ask people who have used the rock classic - do you ever get over 50% possession, or is it normally between 40-45%?

It is a counter tactic, so that is normal. Only when playing against weaker oppositions the possession is over 50%

 

[Warson]

Rhys when you share that your tactics?

 

[Mr Langvatn]

I'm back But I don't have time to go through all the pages since I left now. Hopefully I will have time tomorrow Meanwhile, glhf

 

[mfernott]

Welcome back! If you could check my long post on pg 247 when you get a chance, that would be much appreciated as I had a query with injuries! Many thanks!

 

[Mr Langvatn]

Welcome back! If you could check my long post on pg 247 when you get a chance, that would be much appreciated as I had a query with injuries! Many thanks!

Read your post now Incredible season indeed. So many injuries and still that good results. Do you have good physio's btw? Maybe replacing them could make next season better.

 

[Dantes7]

Read your post now Incredible season indeed. So many injuries and still that good results. Do you have good physio's btw? Maybe replacing them could make next season better.

Firstly welcome again Mr and will you make a new tactic?

 

[Mr Langvatn]

First off all, one of the greatest Tac threads ive ever read, thumbs up.

I read on the OP, that training is set low, to do High/Heavy Individual traning, does this still apply, or whats the case?

Also, I though that pre season was all about Tactics only to get fluid, but OP says Teamwork? Does this also still apply, or how do you set up training pre season and during?

I think I saw Mr. L did Attacking/Attacking Movement on Very High dyring season, and if so, do you do that thruout the whole season, or change it for tougher games?

Thanks in advance, and once againg, great post

I usually don't change match preps during a season. Balanced/att.mov training is very good right away, but the teamwork/balanced suggestion on the front page makes ur talents grow a lot faster

I believe this tactic can still improve, in the late season you will face opponents that park the bus. In those situations classic rock will fail and you will often lose points in draw games. In those situations strong set piece instructions can mean the difference in victory or defeat because chances in front goal are rare occasions.
I just had a game against the strongest defence in the premier league (me beiing the second best defence with only 4 goal difference) i anticipated this game would end in a draw so i improved the set piece instructions and won the match 1-0 by a header goal from my centre back in a corner set piece. Otherwise this game would have ended in a bore draw wich i have had many throughout the season, i am sure many of you have the same problem unless you have a world class team. I think i just countered the only drawback this tactic has.

It can probably still improve, I just haven't figured out a way to do that yet

You know, I love your tactics and have been using TONS of them, but I simply cannot get the Rock Classic to work for any team I try it with. I've started 5 seperate games to try it out, using different teams obviously, and none of the teams are succesful. I got sacked from my United and Real Madrid-games as I was hanging around midtable at the end of the season. Really strange.

You should ask the tons of people posting great results with Man Utd and Real Madrid for help maybe. I have no idea what you do wrong, but it certainly isn't the tactic.

I smell FMRTE over that Rock Classic being #1, I've used it, so overrated.

I used FMRTE to make the all the tactics fluid in the test. You're entitled to an opinion about the tactic, so I won't comment on it any further than that I suggest you give it another try, cause the game can be quite random sometimes, and over 90% of the results in these 250 thread pages are extremely positive.

I have just finished season 4 with Genoa undefeated in the league using a modified version of Rock Classic.

I switched a few settings on the MC, pushed the MR/ML up to AMR/AML with FWD runs often. I fiddled with the wide play of the AMR/L most of the season as I had injury problems along the way.

As a bit of background info, in season 3 I finished fourth in the league, but won the Champions league - Beating Man Utd, PSG, Chelsea and Man City - 4 times iirc including group games. It was a strange one as we lost games we should be winning. I had finished second two seasons in a row previously so was disappointed to drop down the league so much.

Back to the tactic, I left the CD settings the same for everyone, except the wingers, who i tinkered with reducing CD to try and free them up slightly. In the end i put it back.

The most exciting thing for me was getting Destro scoring for fun. He hit a goal a game in the league (32 in 30 with 2 off the bench. He also missed 3 penalties along the way.) , compared to the previous season, using Rock Classic "out of the box", where he scored once in 18 games. This is in no way a slight on TRC as a tactic, I have had unbelievable success with Coventry, Swansea and Liverpool. among other teams. Destro just had a bad season, and a slow start to season 4, he didnt score until October, and was on 6 goals at Christmas. He learned the PPM Likes to beat the offside trap and hasn't stopped scoring since.

I have also just noticed I only scored 6 goals from corners all season, so does anyone recommend a good corner tactic this year? With a decent set up this tweak could easily go over 100 league goals.

I do have a really good first team, but have a sneaky feeling I will have to sell Ozil at a loss, he really isn't justifying his wages or resord transfer fee. This is still a counter attacking tactic, and i feel he would do better in a control environment, or a system playing through the middle. His PPMs just don't suit this at all.

Which takes me on to my last point. The flexibility this offers as a tactic. As it has generally low creative settings, it appears PPMs take a greater effect. I am able to slightly change the style of play to suit the situation i am in by changing personnel, and still maintain the integrity of the system. E.G. If i play Juventus, I would play Maher as the less offensive MC and Bradley as the MC with FWD runs, with the aim of putting more pressure higher up the field, forcing mistakes from midfielders. Maher would then operate deeper, picking passes to either AMR/L (Operating in however i had them that particular game, Winger/IF, AP/IF, W/W, IF/IF etc... (I use these as descriptions of the role i wanted the player to occupy, and manipulated crossing and wide play to achieve what i was trying to achieve.) or Destro, who is skillfull enough to recieve the ball to feet, in the air, running into space, coming deep you get my drift.

The opposite of this set up might be used in a home game against a 20th position Cagliari. (Whom I relegated using this set up) I would use Maher as the offensive mc, Marshall as the MC with mixed fwd runs and Cirigliano in behind as the DLP. This gave the creativity needed to break down a team fighting for their lives, while minimizing the risk of Michael "The Super-Beast" Bradley getting into a battle with an opposing CM. getting frustrated and hacking him down. Possibly causing death.

Im not going to upload it until Mr L returns and gives it a look over first, I feel its only fair as the foundations, (and ground floor) are all his work.

In regards to training, I didn't plug this in until Game the Atlanta game, so it wasn't fluid right away. I let my AM take match training, and I had mine set to Team Cohesion - Balanced and Match prep 40% with a rest day after the match. I like training this way as I seem to get better results training individual attributes on heavy. (I have just realised, in my last fixture, it still wasn't fluid. Can't wait for next season now.)

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Wow, sounds interesting Will you send me a PM about it?

Firstly welcome again Mr and will you make a new tactic?

I've just come home from my vacation, so I'm abit busy atm. But maybe later

 

[arka09]

Sorry, it's probably been mentioned loads of times but is there anywhere I can find some more info about Rock Classic?

Like does it matter what foot the wingers are?

 

[Mr Langvatn]

Sorry, it's probably been mentioned loads of times but is there anywhere I can find some more info about Rock Classic?

Like does it matter what foot the wingers are?

I'm online every day, just ask me if you need answers There is no thread for the tactic. It does matter what foot the wingers are. Use lefties at the left side of the pitch and righties at the right side.

 

[arka09]

I'm online every day, just ask me if you need answers There is no thread for the tactic. It does matter what foot the wingers are. Use lefties at the left side of the pitch and righties at the right side.

Cheers mate, going to try it with Spurs and see how it goes!

 

[arka09]

Do you use OIs?

 

[k3zz4]

Do you use OIs?

no OIs as mentioned in OP