I opted for 4-1-2-3 DM Wide or 4-5-1 formation, as you wish.
So, let's analyze this formation.
It features 3 men in midfield, making it ideal for a high pressing game. Which means defensive line should be pushed up, and width narrow. It features two wingers and two sidebacks, which means we could use the narrow width giving space to wide players, and overload the flanks. So I exploit both flanks and overlap. Possession game requires playmakers, false nine, treq, inside forwards, that sort of thing, so I use two inside forwards on the flanks. I can't expect them to defend, inside forwards are bent on attacking, so I can't use a fluid team shape, which would make them track back, so I use flexible. A DM player will so be needed to help defence, and we have that. Pushing higher up requires offside trap, and allows for more attacking minded midfield, so I gave both my CM's attack duty. DM should ideally be a playmaker with support duty that doesn't roam, so I gave him DLPs role and duty. He will also be used to carry the ball out of defence, which features two CDd-s, which are ideal for keeping possession and offside trap. Sidebacks should be on support duty, and I opted for fullback, since wingbacks are more suited to counter attacking. Speaking of which, I don't want them to counter, and I also don't want players ahead of ball, so I opted for standard mentality, which should suit flexible team shape perfectly.
All of my settings are results of reading this guide: http://www.passion4fm.com/football-playing-styles-tactics-guide/ and this guide: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/football-manager-2015-tactics/205292-team-shape-roles-duties-guide.html
So, let's analyze this formation.
It features 3 men in midfield, making it ideal for a high pressing game. Which means defensive line should be pushed up, and width narrow. It features two wingers and two sidebacks, which means we could use the narrow width giving space to wide players, and overload the flanks. So I exploit both flanks and overlap. Possession game requires playmakers, false nine, treq, inside forwards, that sort of thing, so I use two inside forwards on the flanks. I can't expect them to defend, inside forwards are bent on attacking, so I can't use a fluid team shape, which would make them track back, so I use flexible. A DM player will so be needed to help defence, and we have that. Pushing higher up requires offside trap, and allows for more attacking minded midfield, so I gave both my CM's attack duty. DM should ideally be a playmaker with support duty that doesn't roam, so I gave him DLPs role and duty. He will also be used to carry the ball out of defence, which features two CDd-s, which are ideal for keeping possession and offside trap. Sidebacks should be on support duty, and I opted for fullback, since wingbacks are more suited to counter attacking. Speaking of which, I don't want them to counter, and I also don't want players ahead of ball, so I opted for standard mentality, which should suit flexible team shape perfectly.
All of my settings are results of reading this guide: http://www.passion4fm.com/football-playing-styles-tactics-guide/ and this guide: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/football-manager-2015-tactics/205292-team-shape-roles-duties-guide.html
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