Over the past few seasons (currently in 2023) I've been trying to develop a tactic for my Manchester United team that combines possession, passing, clean sheets and goals. I can get possession (typically 60-65%), I don't concede too often, and I get goals (although I could certainly get more), but it's the passing that I'm having trouble with. I'm looking to get at least two or three players who are reliably getting 70+ passes per game.
I've stuck with the same formation, 4-2-3-1, but tweaked the tactics a lot to little effect. Now I'm looking to get some feedback on the tactic to see what I can do to improve it. Rather than bombarding you with screencaps of every facet of the tactic, I decided just to attach a copy (as well as a "slow" variant I've been experimenting with to try and increase the number of passes).
I'll start off by showing the formation. I've changed a lot of the player instructions, but their roles still largely map onto what they're expected to be doing.
I forgot to get a screencap of the team instructions, but the tactic is quick with little time-wasting (to try discourage sitting on the ball), the defense is pushed up high and the team is a little more narrow than wide. I have the MCl set as a playmaker, and the AMC as targetman with run onto ball.
Positions
Goalkeeper
My first choice keeper is still De Gea, but I wouldn't dare give him the freedom to move around a little more, so no sweeper keepers here. Realistically anybody could be the keeper, as the midfield and defense usually do a pretty good job of cutting down the opposition's opportunities. There's been a few games this season where the opposition have only had one or two shots.
Fullbacks
There are slight differences between the sides (e.g. attacking wingback vs supporting fullback), but each player is expected to get into the midfield and pass the ball around. The left back pushes a little higher, and often finds himself in a passing triangle with the MCl and the AML, while the right back typically gets 50-70 passes per game. Both should be able to make a pass, but the right should be a little more solid defensively.
Centrebacks
Both players have identical roles. The only difference being the one on the left is set to collect from the goalkeeper and allowed more through balls. Additionally, he is set to hug the touchline, to try and cover for the leftback's forward runs.
Centre midfielder - Left
The deep-lying playmaker. He tends to drop a little deeper than his partner on the right, and will often move from side to side behind him. With recent tweaks he's not really making as many passes as he used to, but with the ball playing defender behind him I would like a lot of the play to move through him.
Centre midfielder - Right
His role has largely been dictated by the players I've had. Would like him to have been a supporting DLP, but don't really have the depth to do that. I suspect that if you have someone who can play the role AND is great at long shots then he'll bag a lot of goals. Unfortunately all I get are a lot of misses!
Wingers
I'll lump these two together. Historically they were more different: the right tended to be more of a playmaker (a hangover from a previous 4-3-3 formation), while the left was a poacher who had been pushed wide (my youth academy produces a lot of quick, one-dimensional, right footed poachers). Now they're much more similar. Both cut inside, giving the fullbacks space to move into. Both try and score. Crossing is kept to a minimum. I rotate between right and left footers on the right wing. When the player is left-footed he tends to score more, when he's right-footed he assists more.
Attacking Midfielder - Centre
Originally he was strictly a playmaker (in fact, I moved from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 to accommodate Ozil), but this has shifted recently. Had two young playmakers come through the ranks who are both great finishers (one of whom is deadly from 40 yards, and would probably be a complete forward if he had the pace). The position has evolved into more of a false 10, with the player pushing up and having more opportunities to score. That's where the previously mentioned twist comes in. With three strikers sitting behind the forward, the tactic is more of a 4-2-4.
Centre Forward
The AMC's partner, the false 9. He drops deep and offers support, but I also expect him to grab a few goals. I'm fortunate to have the only regen I've ever seen who's recommended role was complete forward (he endeared himself to me by responding to us going 1-0 down in a cup final by banging in 5 goals from open play), so I expect a lot from the players in this position.
Match preparations
I usually use teamwork (moving from very high to average as they get more acquainted with the tactic) then switch to average attacking movement.
Shouts
Nothing novel here. In fact most, if not all, credit goes to Raikan007. I do have a home and away variant, but playing away to bottom half teams, I often tend to use the home shouts. Also occassionally use Look to Overlap.
Think that's everything I wanted to say. Any questions or suggestions would be hugely appreciated! I do have a very good group of players, and a lot of depth, so it wouldn't shock me if the tactic was useless for lower league teams, but still would be interested to hear what you think about it.
I've stuck with the same formation, 4-2-3-1, but tweaked the tactics a lot to little effect. Now I'm looking to get some feedback on the tactic to see what I can do to improve it. Rather than bombarding you with screencaps of every facet of the tactic, I decided just to attach a copy (as well as a "slow" variant I've been experimenting with to try and increase the number of passes).
Formation
I'll start off by showing the formation. I've changed a lot of the player instructions, but their roles still largely map onto what they're expected to be doing.
Team Instructions
I forgot to get a screencap of the team instructions, but the tactic is quick with little time-wasting (to try discourage sitting on the ball), the defense is pushed up high and the team is a little more narrow than wide. I have the MCl set as a playmaker, and the AMC as targetman with run onto ball.
Positions
Goalkeeper
My first choice keeper is still De Gea, but I wouldn't dare give him the freedom to move around a little more, so no sweeper keepers here. Realistically anybody could be the keeper, as the midfield and defense usually do a pretty good job of cutting down the opposition's opportunities. There's been a few games this season where the opposition have only had one or two shots.
Fullbacks
There are slight differences between the sides (e.g. attacking wingback vs supporting fullback), but each player is expected to get into the midfield and pass the ball around. The left back pushes a little higher, and often finds himself in a passing triangle with the MCl and the AML, while the right back typically gets 50-70 passes per game. Both should be able to make a pass, but the right should be a little more solid defensively.
Centrebacks
Both players have identical roles. The only difference being the one on the left is set to collect from the goalkeeper and allowed more through balls. Additionally, he is set to hug the touchline, to try and cover for the leftback's forward runs.
Centre midfielder - Left
The deep-lying playmaker. He tends to drop a little deeper than his partner on the right, and will often move from side to side behind him. With recent tweaks he's not really making as many passes as he used to, but with the ball playing defender behind him I would like a lot of the play to move through him.
Centre midfielder - Right
His role has largely been dictated by the players I've had. Would like him to have been a supporting DLP, but don't really have the depth to do that. I suspect that if you have someone who can play the role AND is great at long shots then he'll bag a lot of goals. Unfortunately all I get are a lot of misses!
Wingers
I'll lump these two together. Historically they were more different: the right tended to be more of a playmaker (a hangover from a previous 4-3-3 formation), while the left was a poacher who had been pushed wide (my youth academy produces a lot of quick, one-dimensional, right footed poachers). Now they're much more similar. Both cut inside, giving the fullbacks space to move into. Both try and score. Crossing is kept to a minimum. I rotate between right and left footers on the right wing. When the player is left-footed he tends to score more, when he's right-footed he assists more.
Attacking Midfielder - Centre
Originally he was strictly a playmaker (in fact, I moved from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 to accommodate Ozil), but this has shifted recently. Had two young playmakers come through the ranks who are both great finishers (one of whom is deadly from 40 yards, and would probably be a complete forward if he had the pace). The position has evolved into more of a false 10, with the player pushing up and having more opportunities to score. That's where the previously mentioned twist comes in. With three strikers sitting behind the forward, the tactic is more of a 4-2-4.
Centre Forward
The AMC's partner, the false 9. He drops deep and offers support, but I also expect him to grab a few goals. I'm fortunate to have the only regen I've ever seen who's recommended role was complete forward (he endeared himself to me by responding to us going 1-0 down in a cup final by banging in 5 goals from open play), so I expect a lot from the players in this position.
Match preparations
I usually use teamwork (moving from very high to average as they get more acquainted with the tactic) then switch to average attacking movement.
Shouts
Nothing novel here. In fact most, if not all, credit goes to Raikan007. I do have a home and away variant, but playing away to bottom half teams, I often tend to use the home shouts. Also occassionally use Look to Overlap.
Wrapping up
Think that's everything I wanted to say. Any questions or suggestions would be hugely appreciated! I do have a very good group of players, and a lot of depth, so it wouldn't shock me if the tactic was useless for lower league teams, but still would be interested to hear what you think about it.