***THE BETTER HALFS TACTIC UPLOAD & DISCUSSION

Darceon said:
Hey there, I'm going to try this tactic with my Antwerp team for the whole of next season atleast.

I just finished the 2nd season at place 7. The 1st season I brought the team from division 2 to division 1. My team has players that can play the required positions. I can't really make any signings since the Club is still in financial troubles. All I can do is sign free agents (preferably Belgian, can't help it. :P) and use youth players, which I actually like quite a lot. (I normally use Arsenal to play in Fm, but decided to switch it up this year.)

Some stuff I noticed and have some questions about before I can start using the tactic really:

1. I noticed the LB and Left Winger both have 'Hug Touchline', won't this mean they'll get in each others way? :)

2. Wouldn't it be better if the right wing stayed wide and the left one cut in so the left back could do overlaps? Since the RB is more defensive minded and with the Box to Box mid playing on the right as well; won't they run into the same space?

3. My defenders are pretty bad at passing, should I still keep the through ball option on Often or switch it to Mixed or even Rarely?


These are the 3 most pressing questions I have on my mind. I like to be prepared. ^^ And since I don't know much about how the ME works and such, I thought it would be better to just ask before I really get going.

PS: I like the face there are 3 different ones, which is really needed in FM these days.
PSS: I haven't actually played a game using the tactics yet, since I'm about to get into pre season.
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1 ). Well, using both players on the same flank huging the touchline with the ball actually makes them use overlaps ( its a with the ball movement). As the AML stays wide with the ball, he often awaits the DL and when the DL gets the ball, the AML uses his free role to get inside the area( or he drops down just behind him to support) just as he does when the ball is on the right flank.
Think about it as them connecting rather than getting in the way

2.) Lookiing at the MCr B2B sort of player, he doesn not really act as one in the 4231, he just needs to be one regarding stats. The AMR is set to cut insdie with the ball mostly because i want siome players going straight for goals in the most attacking version and as its more common for the FC to drift down the right flank, I have chosen the AMR to cut inside ( again, a with the ball move)

As written in the OP though, feel free to change the wide play of the winges to suit your players.

3. ) The depends on how good they are for the level playing at. If they have really poor decision stat, then they will make lots of poor passes anyway, regardles of settings.
 
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Some more matches played. As it stands, we are having more trouble breaking down good teams that are playing Cautious. This is a scenario you will see if overperforming and as soon as some of our players hits a slump in form or get complacent, we are in for a heavy loss.

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WBA ( Home)

I started with the 4231 and we controlled the game, 1-0 at half time. In the 2nd half, we scored 2-0 and where still in control of events.

...but...

..around the 70th minute, our players looked like getting dragged out of position, half the team not really bothering putting in the effort. This resulted in WBA getting possesion in advanced positions behind our fullbacks ( their AMR/MCR/DR using triangels). My answer to this was to drop deeper and play with more men behind he ball, retaning possession and passing to feet...in other words, I used the Deep 4231 instead. After this we where in control of the game again, WBA never looked like scoring and we saw the game out winning 2-0
 
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Why all formation of you is counter why you dont use one is control or standard, i dont understand why play as a 4-2-3-1 with arsenal and philosophy is counter, is 4-2-3-1 in real life a base possession tactic
 
gnoud said:
Why all formation of you is counter why you dont use one is control or standard, i dont understand why play as a 4-2-3-1 with arsenal and philosophy is counter, is 4-2-3-1 in real life a base possession tactic
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(Its all in the Opening post)

Because this is a thread where I just change the formation and not the strategy all depending on how you want to approach the coming game.If you want to play differently chnaguing stategy, then their is already all the settings in the Tactic Creator and I have made about 40 different approaches and hints about how one can use those in a 3 or 5 tactic approach, all found in my different threads.

I also dont agree at all about the 4231 being a possession based formation, that is simply false. Its an agressiv pushed up approach that you can use with both Counter and Control etc.Just look at my results and see if you still dont think it can be used it with Arsenal ;D

-The 4231 is highly agressive and tries to push back the opponent. If they sit deep and defend, the approach turns into a more possession based one as a counter attack just wont be triggered.In short, this is a approach where we try to get all 3 points and wont settle for a draw

-The Deep 4231 is one where we dont press so high but instead try to play more cautious, dragging the opponents onto us. Here, It can be used both as an possession based approach when we dont dare to push and also as a deeper counter approach where we hit them on the break in swifts attacks.In short, this is a approach where we are try to win 1-0, 2-0 but will be happy with a draw

-The 42121 is a even more defensive approach that is used to hit the opponent on the counter, exploiting the fact that they are attacking us bug time. If they dont, well then we will eitgher hold possession deepr or they will, all depening on their style of play. IN short, this is a approach where we are happy with a draw and wont risk it for 3 points
 
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Hi, TBH! I have been using these tactics for the past week with the teams of HamburgerSV and OMarseille.

The Deep 4231 works good (I mirrored carefully the tactic so that the winger and wing-back "hugging the line" are on the right flank). With HSV my first game of the season was a home game versus Bayern. We won 3:1 (2 goals by Son Heung-Min, Bayern central defenders lack speed and decided to choose him over Artjoms Rudnevs). The match preparation was Tactics Only since the team was not fluid wit the tactic familiarity levels. When playing at home versus average or weak teams I used the standard (more attacking 4231). In summary, I played about 10 games with HSV, topping the table. Stopped playing with HSV because the quality of the HSV wingers and strikers is poor and the flow of the game was not good, even annoying (Ivo Ilicevic got injured for 3 months in the second game of the season, loaned Kacaniklic (AML) and Hoesen (ST) but they are still too young).

I am currently playing with OMarseille, also using the mirrored version. Top of the table in february, about 15 points in front of the second placed. I only loaned M. De Sciglio in the start of the season. The board made a good amount of transfer funds available in November, bought S. Corchia (FB right), Ch. Kouyate (CB) and N. Stanciu (Treq). Also loaned Thiago (Treq) from Barcelona, trained A. Ayew as FB left and N. Nkoulou as CM (Barton and Romao get too many (yellow) cards and they are often suspended). In summary, I have a very good squad at the moment. However, the performance is disappointing after January - the team finds it difficult to create and score goal even with the most attacking 4231 and 20% Att. Movement preparation (tactic levels are fluid). Gignac was scoring like a beast in the first half of the season, after January he just won't score, 6.76 is his current form in the last 5 games, 7.46 overall for the season.

There might be a defensive issue with the tactics. The central midfielders and defenders are maybe too passive when an enemy player is playing with the ball in front of our team's penalty area (probably because they are not tight marking their zones?). In my opinion, when using aggressive and high-pressure tactic as 4231 the central midfielders should not allow enemy players entering our team's final third and the central defenders should not allow enemy players entering our penalty area. One also wants to stop enemy wingers advancing in our final third but it is difficult and unrealistic unless the enemy wingers are poor and our fullbacks are great.

I did not use the 42121 tactic (the most defensive) since the Deep 4231 is already defensive enough for a decent team, especially when playing more cautious and avoiding senseless through balls and crosses from players who can't really pass or cross. A very attacking (overloading) version of the 4231 tactic might be more helpful, do you have any suggestions how to design it?
 
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Played half a season using this approach and from here, I will try my new 451 instead. Anyway, here are the1/2 final results using thes "4231"


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how come I cant import this file into my Liverpool save? ive noticed that its saved as a RAR file any chance it can be changed?
 
Will test this approach with my beloved Benfica, after a break (lack of motivation). We've some new players that will fit this approach perfectly, I guess.

Cheers
 
I got red card many time with my roma, got it in my last 5 games, what should i do? Help please!
 
Eltonde said:
I got red card many time with my roma, got it in my last 5 games, what should i do? Help please!
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What actions did you take against the player getting the red card ?. If you did not fine him, then you will see a floodgate scenario. If you did fine and the others players getting cards, then It suggests that you have either lost the dressingroom or that its the results of your players getting dragged out of position and getting into tackles late, being frustrated and taking the wrong decisions.
 
I gave him one week fine, what else should i do? Can we talk swedish please? i know you are! Det är De Rossi eller Michael Bradley som får det stup i kvarten, skit svårt att veta hur man ska hantera situationen!
 
Eltonde said:
I gave him one week fine, what else should i do? Can we talk swedish please? i know you are! Det är De Rossi eller Michael Bradley som får det stup i kvarten, skit svårt att veta hur man ska hantera situationen!
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Sorry, Enlish only in this forum. Naturally, you cand send me a pm in Swedish. ( Jonas is it ?)
 
****High Risk & High Reward****A Deep 4-2-4 by TheBetterHalf




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High Risk
High Reward
ADeep 4222
by TBH
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The Tactic
Here, you will find an approach using 4 advanced players, 4 deep, one attacking fullback and one holding and more defensive Fullback. The approach is a counter style using slightly more of the width than the usual mixed passing counter.

As some of you will notice, this approach also uses different approach on the different flanks to ensure we always have one major attacking outlet no matter how the opponent decided to play, just like my tactics called Split "X".

On the right flank, we have two holding players in our Fullback and the DMCright. This means that when facing opponents sitting deep, this is the flank where most successful attacks will be.

The Left flank will have more success in the buildup when attacks are swift and against teams pushing up
Together, this means that we bring more dimensions to the game and that we are always able to threat the opponent.

But this also means that if the play is channeled mainly down one of the flanks and that wingers has a really bad day, the team swill struggle. Whilst this is not a common scenario as it mostly applies when facing heavy underdogs or huge favourites, just be aware of it and be prepared to sub the player


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Suited for
This Tactic can be used both with top teams and with underdogs. As this is a high risk high reward approach, you will see plenty of goals, both scored and conceded. If looking for an approach for Reading, then this one will be really good as long as you have realistic expectations of it. It won’t see you win 1-0 away to Chelsea but instead, you might win 3-2, or lose 4-0. In the end, you are making. When using this with a top team, you should crush most teams at home but if really wanting to be sure not to concede so many goals away to other top teams, and then this approach might not be for you. After all, it is a high risk, high reward approach.

With this said, its a great tactic if wanting to play attacking football, concentrating on finding great players with pace, along with hardworking DMCs...but...its not a tactic if wanting to be in full control of things. If being 2-0 up after the first leg in the CL-semi, then you might not really want to risk so much when playing the 2nd leg :D



Click beneath to read some more
Does this Suit my new save in the EPL ?


All suggestions made with the 13.3 January db. and I am not taking the quality of the players into account, only the actually numbers of DMcs, Wingers and Strikers

Arsenal – Should be able to win the league
If getting one great DMC and one rotation DMC, then you have a great team for it

Aston Villa – Should be able to get into Europe
Great Attackers could do with one more AMR/L. Retrain the MCs to DMC position and Delph, well make him a winger.

Chelsea – Should be able to win the league
Get one more world class DMC and you are ready to rule the world

Everton – Should be able to get into CL
Could do with one more striker. Retrain the suitable Mcs to DMCs

Fulham – Should be able to get into Europe
Needs one more DMC

Liverpool - Should be able to get into CL
Needs one more DMC and retrain the MCs to DMC

Man City – Should be able to win the league
The perfect setup. Just be careful not using too many AMR/L and FCs that likes to “comes deep to get the ball” at the same time

Man Utd – Should be able to win the league
One more DMC

Newcastle – Should be able to win the league
Needs 2 more strikers and retrain the MCs to DMC

Norwich
Not really a tactic for them as you would need to sell and sign so many players

QPR- – Could get them into Europe
Really needs more DMCs​

Reading – Could get them into Europe
Good balance in the squad for the tactic. They are poor though: D

Southampton – Should be able to get into Europe
Needs one more striker and one more DMC

Stoke - Should be able to get into CL
Great team for it. Just need to retrain the MCs to DMcs and wingers

Sunderland – Should be able to get into Europe
Needs one more DMC, winger and striker

Swansea
Just like Norwich, they would benefit from a different approach

Tottenham – Should be able to win the league
Needs one or 2 more strikers

West Brom – Should be able to get into Europe
Needs one more Striker


West Ham – Should be able to get into Europe
Needs one more DMC and one more Striker

Wigan
Needs more wingers and have many MCs so here, they would probably benefit from a different approach
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Tactic familiarity
As this is a high risk, high reward approach, you will be even harder punished if the team is unfamiliare with the tactic. This is simply because when not being confortable with the defensive positioning, the attakcing movement etc, they will make a lot of more easy misstakes and as we burst forward when the fullbacks or the DMcs have the ball, we get punished rather easily on the break on those occasions.

The Players
Looking at the player roles, some of the sliders have been tweaked slightly but the needed stats are still the exact ones highlighted for the different roles

Just remember what makes winning team. You need some players being able to break the pattern, you need DMcs that are both able to break up attacks and launch a counter attack as well as holding on to the ball, dragging the opponents onto the them – up in the field - without losing it in a dangerous area.

Apart from the key aspects of having a determined squad with hardworking players in the back “6”, don’t neglect the most important stat, namely DECISION. Surely, you can get away with lots of players having 8-12 here, but in the end, you need to get players with much a much higher stat to win the CL.

Looking at the most important with the ball stats, it would be something in the lines of (i.e., not the whole truth). If having a player that sees a lot off the ball, then these stats are really important

Technique – What he can actually pull of
Creativity – The options he sees
Decision – What of those options he choses
Skill stat (Dribbling, passing etc.) – How well he performs the action

Looking at players off the ball when attacking. If having a player that moves into channels, trying to open up space etc, these are even more important

Anticipation - How well he reads the game, think will happen
Decision - What he thinks he should do
Off the Ball - His ability to use the above to be in the right place in the right time


Looking at the off the ball Defending. If having players denying space, cutting angels, trying to push players wide etc, then they are even more important

Anticipation – How well he reads the game, think will happen
Decision – What he thinks he should do
Positioning – His ability to use the above to be in the right place in the right time
Skills (marking. Tackling etc) – How well he actually performs the action

Now, if you have players that have a really important stat that undermines the other stats, then you will see him struggle in certain situations



Opposition Instructions

I find that in this tactic, its better to push their wingers outs wide so..
AMR, MR - Show onto right foot
AML-ML - Show onto left foot

If facing a flat 352, its not as effective though as they will have so many players in the box to slot in a cross and here, the space in the center will be so crowded that pushing them inside might be a better option ( as hey dont have any overlapping fullbacks either)

Shouts
As the team sliders have been tweaked, they won’t have the intended effect so stay away from them

Playmaker
None as such, but in theory, you could use any of the DMCs

Target Man
None but in theory, you could use any of the FCs

Match Prep & Training
Has nothing to do with the tactic itself and you have to use the one that suits your team.

Results
Have been tested with various teams and results have been good. With some underdogs, we have seen some heavy defeats but in the end, it’s the points that counts.


Forest ( top team)
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Aston Villa LFC update, no transfers
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Reading 2012/13 13.3 update, no transfers

Top of the league. ( 8 games in the prem, 2 in the cup)

Now, as you can see, we have beaten United, Chelsea and Arsenal. We have not really had any posession in any of those games and we have taken far too many shots from distance in most matches due to that we lack players being good enough to beat their man, make and exploit space. In the end, its the points that counts though. I am a bit surprised that tha games have not been more gung.ho so the speak. In my previous save with them, I encountered more 3-2, 5-3, 0-5 against those really good teams

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Everton ( sold Baines, Fellaini)
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Fabio Silva said:
Can you show some results?
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I dont have any results to show you since all the saves I have used it in has been overwriten etc. As I wrote, I have tested this with various of teams and results have been good. I have tested it with an absolute top team and have crushed weaker teams at home and been playing 3-3, 3-2, 2-3 away to top teams. I have been using it with the likes of Reading and have been winning most home games and many away matches against" 6-20 teams", but have also lost heavily away against some top teams.

The Tactic is what is says on the tin, its an high risk, high reward approach.
 
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