Southampton Tactic Advice

[Mykeywinst]

I have developed a tactic using the basics from the ChristianEriksen V3 as I liked the effectiveness of the attacking corners, the tactic itself wasn't doing me many favours. I am at the start of January in my first season and currently 3rd in the League, behind Spurs and an unbeaten Chelsea side. Whether I will die out before the end of the season or not, I don't know but so far it's surprisingly positive. The negatives lie in conceding goals from crosses in open play and corners, and Full Backs backing off more than I would like, although I don't want them to mark tight as I fear for large amounts of space behind them if they do so.

If anyone has any tips or advice, please read on and leave any comments!



I have stuck with the same 4-1-2-2-1 formation, as I think with full backs that like to push up and get involved in attacks, it's crucial to have a DM in there to keep everything together and not leave yourself too open to a counter attack.



For my team instructions, Retain Possession and Work Ball Into Box are the two main ones for the way I want to play. I also have Pass Into Space on as I have quite a bit of creativity with Schneiderlin and Ward-Prowse in the centre of the park.

Look For Overlap comes with having attacking minded full backs, especially Clyne getting forward often, I didn't want to stop him from playing to the best of his potential. Roam From Positions I have on, as I believe I have quite a lot of technical ability in the side and want to try and unlock as much creativity as possible with this.

Close Down Much More and Close Down More are the two I use, usually Much More. Tight Marking and Prevent Short GK Distribution come with wanting to a side that closes down fast and high up the pitch.

Be More Expressive also because I have Roam From Positions so I thought the two would go together quite well.

Player Instructions involve Pass It Shorter for the two full backs, DM and ST, nobody else though. The two FB's have Tackle Harder too as I am trying to get them not too stand off the wingers too much, as 90% of my goals come from crosses towards the near post.

The two CM's, Wingers and ST all have Close Down More, with the two CM's having Shoot Less Often on to encourage more creative passing from them.

Opposition Assist Positions I think proves where my problems are defensively.

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[JoroBG]

Link?

Here you are - http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/shar...s/179480-christianeriksen-beautiful-play.html

You can see all versions of the tactic.

 

[Mykeywinst]

Here you are - http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/shar...s/179480-christianeriksen-beautiful-play.html

You can see all versions of the tactic.

JoroBG here you go:

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[rothordegilian]

The problems defending out wide are known and will (hopefully) be fixed before full release.

But if you have Roaming on, Close Down Much, Tight Marking, More Expressive, Overlap etc, etc then you may be asking too much of your wide defenders. Remember that some positions are inherently attacking/defensive anyway and don't need extra instructions.

When I build tactics, I try to start with the principle that less is more and only add instructions if I think they are vital, not in the hope that the team will follow them. For example, you are using Attack and Fluid AND Close Down Much More so your team is almost bound to be out of shape on a counter attack. I'd recommend at least turning off the team closing down and then using the PIs to do the job and also maybe switching to Control (it's more attacking than the description would suggest).