***THE BETTER HALFS TACTIC UPLOAD & DISCUSSION

Sounds like a really fun save, wish I was there ;d

Anyway, if you are rebuilding the squad, I would be really happy with getting into Europe and if you get trashed away to city or Arsenal, I would not worry too much about it. Ungelled teams are really hard to manage :D

Yeah I know, they're finding it hard to close down in time at the moment so I think I might drop to the low pressure tactic for a while in all games, see if we can hold shape a little better while they get to know each other, also I've got about 5 of my first team players transfer listed so they aren't particularly happy so really it's working fantastically considering the circumstances!
 
Yeah I know, they're finding it hard to close down in time at the moment so I think I might drop to the low pressure tactic for a while in all games, see if we can hold shape a little better while they get to know each other, also I've got about 5 of my first team players transfer listed so they aren't particularly happy so really it's working fantastically considering the circumstances!

Just an idea, would you like to upload the save for me ? Just for the fun of it, and then we can compare. If have not got any save going on right now. if you dont want to, thats ok
 
Just an idea, would you like to upload the save for me ? Just for the fun of it, and then we can compare. If have not got any save going on right now. if you dont want to, thats ok

Yeah sure, I'm only 10 games into the whole save though so only difference to starting a new save is a couple of signings that aren't doing all that well.

I'm just uploading the file now, will put a link up when it's complete :)
 
Yeah sure, I'm only 10 games into the whole save though so only difference to starting a new save is a couple of signings that aren't doing all that well.

I'm just uploading the file now, will put a link up when it's complete :)

yeah I know, but its the challenge that I have to sell those players listed and use the new ones, and then we can compare :d

Edit; If you/we are using the deep 4231, lets post it that thread instead ok ?
 
here you go, in the right thread too
 
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Narrow and long pitch ther right?, suit us fine :D

It must be! Certainly helping my goal difference back up! If things continue like this I'm going to be looking forward to European football next season for sure! I have the day off work tomorrow so may push through the season tonight and try and kick on tomorrow too
 
does this use the near post corner tactic?

It uses the same settings as Akask777´s Sumthin 4231. I score about 30 % of my goals from set pieces so in my saves, it has been realistic compared to real life although in FM corners have a bigger percentage of the goasls from set pieces than in real life and freekicks have a lesser etc.
 
It must be! Certainly helping my goal difference back up! If things continue like this I'm going to be looking forward to European football next season for sure! I have the day off work tomorrow so may push through the season tonight and try and kick on tomorrow too

I have started to play the save now.

Sunderland - Villa 1-3: Jenas 2 goals in AMC - -7CCC to their single one

Everton-Villa ( LC) 1-2 e.t: 5 cccs to their one

Villa-Bolton 1-0 with one man senf off

Edit: Wanted to try a Deep 442 with Villa as Its probably the perfect tactic for them so I tweaked the tactics a bit Results so far looks really good
 
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I have started to play the save now.

Sunderland - Villa 1-3: Jenas 2 goals in AMC - -7CCC to their single one

Everton-Villa ( LC) 1-2 e.t: 5 cccs to their one

Villa-Bolton 1-0 with one man senf off

Edit: Wanted to try a Deep 442 with Villa as Its probably the perfect tactic for them so I tweaked the tactics a bit Results so far looks really good

Very nice, are you playing Agbonlahor up front with Bent then? I've just got to January, looking to sign a couple of nice frees because of expiring contracts, missed out on Junior Hoilett though! I sold Hutton and Ireland in January to give myself a couple of million and got the wage budget back to a reasonable level, going to look at a few more scouts to go roaming for young talent now.

Results are generally good using the low press version. Lost a very even game to Liverpool 4-2 but all of their goals came from set pieces. In the semi final of the carling cup, got a nice draw at home to hull in the FA Cup and am sitting in 6th place just 5 points of 2nd in the league! Bent has been on fire with 25 goals in 22 games!
 
Very nice, are you playing Agbonlahor up front with Bent then? I've just got to January, looking to sign a couple of nice frees because of expiring contracts, missed out on Junior Hoilett though! I sold Hutton and Ireland in January to give myself a couple of million and got the wage budget back to a reasonable level, going to look at a few more scouts to go roaming for young talent now.

Results are generally good using the low press version. Lost a very even game to Liverpool 4-2 but all of their goals came from set pieces. In the semi final of the carling cup, got a nice draw at home to hull in the FA Cup and am sitting in 6th place just 5 points of 2nd in the league! Bent has been on fire with 25 goals in 22 games!

Yes, Gabby & Bent upfront. I have also recalled Delfounso and look to bring in 2 more strikers in Januari.
 
Underdog/MiddleTeam Tactic -* Nr3* - The Deep 442 -***Beta Version***


TheBetterHalfs Underdog/small team
The Direct Counter
Deep 442
beta version

Abstract
Here is the 23rd formation using the same approach
People that have read my most in recent years know that I have moved away form using plug & play tactic, tactics that by tweaking sliders in a trial & error manor with the aim to beat the match engine rather than the opponent. So this might come as a slight surprise, being a thread where I not only upload such a tactic, but also that I have used someone else's work as a framework ( Akash777)
( so a big credit to AKASH777)

The Versions
This small set consist of 3 versions that are to be used as plug & play tactics. The first version is called "High Press", the 2nd "Lower press" and the 3rd " Patient Stretching". Playing as an underdog, the main versions are the pressing ones. If you feel that you have the ability to disturb the opponent by putting a **** of a lot more pressure on them, then use the high press and if you are more scared that you might be dragged out of position by this superior team, then use the lower press versionIf playing at the top level or just under it, even as an underdog you will come across teams that you are superior to. Then, you can use the "patient stretch" version as an alternative

Formation & Team settings
View attachment 246846



Tweaks Focus play

When using the high press version and are playing against a team flooding the midfield (by formation), like a narrow diamond or the formation we are using etc, then I change the focus play from "through the middle" to "mixed" as there will not be enough space.

The flow
using Underdogs
As soon as a counter attack is launched, we keep a direct game and channel t-balls from the middle onto the flanks for our 4 attacking players to run onto. Our Right Forward plays like an False nine and the Left Forward acts like a mixture of an advanced FC and a Poacher. In the MR/L positions we keep normal deeplying wingers moving into channels that are supported by 2 more attacking minded DMCs that always seeks free space. When our fullbacks get into possession deep down field, they hold on to the ball to drag the opposition onto them.This means that if we face a tea sitting deep and defend, our attacking players are likely to make a run forward in vain and the FBs hold onto the ball, making these attacking players easy to mark as the opposition simply denies us space to play these direct t-balls into. This is why this approach is for underdogs and middle teams.

The flow using better teams/ top teams
It does work for top teams to, don't get me wrong. You would easily win the league with Man U, Man C but the flow wont look as good as playing a different approach and you will see more 1-0, 2-1 wins instead of 3-0. 5-1 etc. Simply put, there is no reason to use it unless you like being in agony over those longshots. Here, its important that the Poacher/Advanced FC in the Left FC spot is a more complete player and the Right False nine also is a really good fininsher as he will be the one being at the end of most moves

The Result
None yet


The players
All players:
Determination, Team Work, Work rate and DecisionAlso notice that I have not brought the "common sense stats" in any of the players beneath, like finishing for the strikers or passing for all players etc.

Fullbacks
Style of play
When not launching an counter attack, they should stay back so no ppms like " get forward" etc. These player act like holding players and when seeing fit, they will try to beat their man
Stats
Here, we are looking for pace, anticipation, positioning, stamina and tackling. Dribbling is a huge plus to.-

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Central Defenders
Style of play
As we use loose zonal marking, make sure that they don't have the ppm " like to tight mark"
Stats:
The normal ones: Remember that Anticipation are crucial for any top team and that pace is needed if the opponent launches balls over the top of the defenders. Remember that the worse concentration they have, the more likely you are to concede late in games and when you are dominating but not scoring yourself


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DMC´´S - Deep & Roaming Box To Box Midfielders, hardworking

Style of play
Here we use 2 deep BBM´s that roam to seek free space. The left is the more creative with higher flair and decision stats.
Stats
Stamina, Strength, anticipation, tackling, Concentration

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MR/L- Normal Wingers
Style of play
:
As the wingers are used as both pacey Wingforwards AND defensive hardworking wingers, its naturally COMPLETE players that will do the best of job. But as these players are really hard to find, I crucial that they most of all are physical classic English Wingers, that they know how to close down and tackle. Inverted wingers ?. Well if playing as a real underdog and face teams pushing up and that leaves gaps between their d-line and midfield, the why not, but whan facing teams that sits with many men behind the ball, then not really as they will cut inside from deep right into the arms of the deep dropping MCs/DMCS
Stats
Pace, off the ball,flair, crossing

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Forward - The Pacey Poacher/Advanced FC

Style of play:
This is the main goalscorer for lesser teams. He needs to be able to find space, break free from his marker by dribbling past him. When he moves down the line into channels, its also good if he has good team work stat so he cross the ball to a tam mate instead of taking the poor angle. At higher level, this player can actually be a player like Tevez or Aguero, RVP, a player that likes to come deep to get the ball
Stats: Off the all, Flair, Agility, First touch, Technique

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Right FC - The False Nine
Style of play
He drops deeper and after that, he seeks free space and moves into channels. When playing with a middle team using the high press version, this player will often seek the space that the Left FC has opened up and then he will be the main scorer
Stats
Off the ball, Creativity
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Tweaks and Shouts
As its a plug & play Tactic using classic mode, I use no tweaks(apart from the mentioned focusplay) and shouts are enabled
Opposition instruction
I have not used any at all but feel free to use them in a manor that suit the actual formation. ( i.e NOT showing MR/L wingers inside if they use overlaping fullbacks

Playmaker & Target Man
None is used

Match prep
There is no focus area that i crucial for the flow of the tactic. If you face a team that are great at set pieces and might focus on attacking set pieces as their only chance, use defensive set pieces. If up against a team you know are going to play really deep and compact BUT have poor attackers, then use attacking movement. If up against a team with really pacey and agile FCs, then use defensive positioning etc etc. Naturally, I use Team Work on a heavy workload in preseason but remember that when using a focus area that relates to the match plan ( like def positioning), the workload have no impact what so ever.

Pitch Size
Looking at the tactic and the circumstance, and you will see the following•-Close down heavily: Meaning that the bigger pitch, in theory the bigger area to close down. So teams with players lacking in stamina would prefer a smaller pitch.•Focus the play through the middle: If the pitch is really short, there will be congestion in the middle will struggle to find space.•- Its a tactic for underdogs, hence opponents are likely to push up and use the width or the field, : Here, a really wide pitch means that these quality players will get too much space •- The deep d-line and the balls into channels - AS we play a deep d-line, we can actually use a long pitch and as we play a more direct game, putting those t-balls into channels, we would benefit from this long pitch in our attacks to. That is if our 3 attacking players does have great pace and good stamina
So, in short, I would go for a Longer but more narrow pitch


DOWNLOAD LINK

http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=6651

Some more results

My other Underdog Tactics

Underdog/MiddleTeam Tactic -* Nr1 - The Wide 42121 - Promotion with Posh, Morecambe

Underdog/MiddleTeam Tactic -* Nr2* - The Deep 4231 -***Beta Version***

Underdog/MiddleTeam Tactic -* Nr3* - The Deep 442 -***Beta Version***

Underdog/MiddleTeam Tactic -* Nr4* -Narrow Diamo -***Beta Version

Underdog/MiddleTeam Tactic -* Nr5* - The 451 -***Beta Version***

 
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Suitable for many teams/squads

Examples

Aston Villa
Stoke
Fulham
Newcastle
West Brom
Sunderland
Blackburn
Wigan
 
Played any more games ?

I am using the deep 442 and the latest score was Man city-Heskey 0-2 !! ( also beat pool 1-0 at home so its just wins in all matches so far). I actually think we might push for the title :D

The matches played so far with your save ( naturally, no reloading to tweak the tactic)

View attachment 246847

Sund - Lower press all match
Evert - Lowe press 0-1, the high press scoring 2 goals
Bolt - High press 1-0, the lower press
QPR - HIgh press 3-0 up after 30 minutes, then lower press 4-0 until 70 minute when they got too much possesion,the some subs and high press again
Pool - lower press
Wig lower press got one goal behind, the high press 2 goals scored, the lower press again
City - lower press
Tott - high press 2-0, the lower press in the 2nd half, scoring one more
 
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Recent results with Aston Villa ( 2011/2012)
recentmatches.png

 
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