Rangers in the CL

[Camley7]

Hi guys, I'm looking for some help and advice to rescue my European dreams. I'm currently in my second season with Rangers, having won the SPL and League Cup in my first year. I crashed out of the CL and Europa League quickly last time, and facing the same again this time, with defeats away to Rubin, and at home to Fiorentina and Man Utd.

First season I stuck largely to a 4-1-2-2-1 in all competitions, with the midfield fanning out from a DM to two wingers. This season, as a result of signings and constant harrassment from my assistant, I'm usually playing 4-3-1-2, narrow, fairly slow and with a deep defense. I am prone to alter this though, depending on advice, injuries etc.

I'll give you a run down of my basic 11 and their roles, and I'll get a snapshot later when I'm playing:

GK: McGregor
DR - S. Whittaker - Full back/support.
DCR - M. Bougherra - Ball playing/defend.
DCL - Pichu Atienza - Central/cover.
DL - S. Papac - Full back/auto

MCL - Jamie Ness (or David Vaughan since he's become injured) - central/support
MC - Maurice Edu - Ball-winning/defend.
MCR - Steven Davis - Central/support.
AMC - John Fleck - Attacking Mid/attack

STCL - N. Jelavic - Target man/attack
STCR - David Goodwillie - Deep Lying/attack.

Bench - Alexander (GK), F. Fazio (DC), E. Barjami (AML), S. Naismith (ST), K. Broadfoot (DCRL), J. Vonlanthen (AMR), Gregg Wylde (D/WB/ML)

I'm conceding, unable to convert possession and shots in to goals and having to constantly rest players in training to keep a consistent squad in a congested fixture list. Any tips on how to get the best out of them, especially misfiring strikers?

 

[KidSparxx]

I would'nt reccomend using cover/stoppers of any sort. Both players should be on defend as ive found that faster strikers take advantage of the space between the two.

Not having a defensive midfielder(usually an anchor man) always makes my team seem more supceptible to conceding goals. So maybe drop you ball winning midfielder in to a denfensive midfield position.

As for your strikers and chances, try to reduce long shots to encourage through balls from creative players. This will lead to more clear cut chances, which are easier to score.

In my personal opinion you're basically playing with three strikers. It will be hard for only one midfielder to supply all three of them. I would make Davis your playmaker if he has 15 creativeness and passing so he can supply balls to players up the field more often. I would play Goodwillie as a poacher as in my opinion hes not creative enough to be a deep-lying forward. Im not sure what Jelavic's stats are like but if he has 12 passing and creativity and not great finishing i would play him as a target man support.

Also what are your team instructions?

 

[Camley7]

Thanks for your advice. I've been tinkering a bit with the CBs roles, since having one cover seems to work sometimes and not others, though perhaps this was because my cover used to be Davie Weir, who's pace was around 3 but tackling, heading, positioning and anticipation were all 17+. Had an anchorman in 1st season in the 5 man midfield, so I might have to go back to that, or else play a diamond midfield, which I dislike in real football. Through balls is a good idea, I usually tell my players in-match to pass to feet, but this might be limiting me too much. Fleck loves a long shot, and while he scores a few, often I'm screaming at him to pass; I just don't want to upset him in telling him to change, he's my star man. What benefit does selecting Davis as playmaker give? Goodwillie is not creative enough but he's quick so he works well in dropping off the defenders and running at them; he's on about 8 in 12 at the minute. Jelavic has about 14 for finishing and I'd think creativity too, but he's slower so target seems wise.

I play fluid, short passing, pressing, drilled crosses, default for the rest, start controlling against everyone bar Celtic and European opposition, and move the depth of my defense, width etc depending upon next opponent scouting tips.

Thanks.

 

[KidSparxx]

Making Davis a playmaker will make him the main creative outlet. So he will be the go to man for other players when transitioning between midfield and attack. He will be the primary player to play the killer pass, with Fleck being the secondary.

Maybe also reduce pressing to default as i find it only works well with top players in possession formations.