The Better Half´s Asymmetric 4222 - A Set Of 4 Versions
The Asymmetric 4222
Why this formation ?
Well, the reason for using an asymmetric formation is to let you use your players where they do the most damage whilst still having a balance between defence and attack, having enough players in the trasition phase
Does this formation suit a poor team or an underdog ?
Actually, this is more likely to suit better teams as the formation is a rather attacking one by default. Mind you, its all about having enough complete players in the trasition phase. If you are playing with an underdog but have hardworking wingers, AMCs and wide defenders, it works.
When I created this formation, I actually had Man City and Chelsea in mind as it lets you play most of their attacking players in the correct positions
Why a set of 4 Versions ?
Well, this is constructed for those that don’t want to simply plug & play but still feel that they are in agony with the many options of the Tactic Creator. For those that are unable to construct a tactic but still wants to feel like they are the reason they win matches, using the correct approach for each match, not the author of the tactic.
So how do you use this set then ?. Personally, I use this set to suit my managerial preferences. In some saves, I focus on building a team that relies on quick breaks that uses players with good stats in Strength, Aerobic and Tactics. Here, I am more likely to use COUNTER and OVERLOAD. In some saves, i try to build a team that focus on on passing and possession, using players with good stats in Tactics, Ball Control and Attacking. Here, I will be more likely to use ATTACKING AND CAUTIOUS POSSESSION
Key or Extended Highlights
I personally start all matches ( and 2nd half ) in full match. I then react to what I see on the pitch and are always ready to switch version. When I think I have a petty good idea of what is going on, I switch to Extended highlights, never key.
THE VERSIONS
OVERLOAD
Attacking, quick, direct with the aim to overload the opponents defence. We play with a really high line of defence and when getting into possession, the ball is quickly played onto our advanced.
ATTACKING POSSESSION
Here we play attacking with lots of width with the aim to drag the opponent out of position and make them loose their defensive shape. Possession ?. Well this is the aim anyway. Its not your ordinary possession tactic that produces lots of passes or 75 % possession though. In fact, none of the versions do. To be able to use the most of the pitch we not only use lots of width but also the length of the pitch, hence the slightly deeper d-line than your ordinary possession tactic The aim is to approach the opponent with the ball and drag them out of position by player movement with AND without the ball.
COUNTER
Quickish, direct and one the counter. Here, the aim is to exploit an already open space rather creating one.
CAUTIOUS POSSESSION
Here, the aim is to keep the ball by playing slow and compact, players evaluating every situation one more time before making an easy pass to a team mate. Here, its not about scoring many goal but to control events on the field that we otherwise would not be able to control. Never mind a poor shot on target ratio. It basically happens instead of us loosing the ball in dangerous positions
PICKING VERSION
First out, here is a really good summary on how a user called Rush is using ONE OF MY SETS in FM13 and beneath that, some of my generall hints
I am actually using the tactics from the bottom of the original post. I didn't actually read it properly I suppose and just guessed they were the ones designed for FM2013. I suppose it doesn't matter because even though they are designed for FM2012 it is still definitely working for me.
I am currently in Febuary and still top of the English Premier League with Everton (1st season with no money spent). Ive got passed the period where I thought I may just be being lucky to actually really admiring the tactic. I have slightly switched how I use it from my post before which I will explain.
I start with the attacking possession against all sides apart from Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City, & Arsenal at home. After 20minutes I see if we are dominating possession and how many chances the opponenets are having, if the opponents have had 4-5 chances in the first 20minutes and I am dominating possession I switch to cautious (so that I keep the possession advantage but dont concede as many chances against). If the opposition is winning the possession battle (even if its 50-50) I will switch to counter attack, I do this often and counter attack is when I have scored the most amount of goals.
I then review the game after 45 minutes, 60 minutes, and 75 minutes in a similar format. I dont tend to switch even from attacking if I am dominating the match. I will often switch to counter attack in the last 30-20minutes if I am 1 goal up and its a tight game.
Against the above mentioned teams at home, and also top 8 teams away from home I will start with the counter attack tactic. This is very secure defensively and its actually a bonus if the opposition control possession because it gives you more chance of scoring through a counter-attack. I very rarely switch from this during the game however if I go behind I may switch to attacking, also if the opposition is dominating possession, creating a lot of chances, and stopping me creating chances I will switch to cautious possession.
I can't see why this wouldnt work with Everton and not other top 8 sides. The AI finds it nearly impossible to pick up the whole 7 def midfield, midfield, and offensive midfield players therefore creating oppurtunities isn't a problem. Defensively the attacking possession can have holes but this is usually matched with creating more than the opposition. However a good keeper is important Howard is averaging 7.3 for me at the moment and had a few MOM.
I would encourage anyone who isn't have success with the FM2013 designed tactics to try the ones at the bottom of the original post in the format I am using.
If facing an underdog team that sits really deep and defend.
I would start out with Attack and follow the game closely, at least for the first 10 minutes. If the opponent doesn’t t lose their defensive shape due to having the whole midfield behind the ball, then perhaps trying to OVERLOAD their flanks is a better idea. Their attacks on the counter will probably be fruitless anyway since they will kick the ball up in haste onto a maximum of 2 players and we will sit with at least 3 in defense against them.
If on the other hand this compact opponent uses more men in front of the ball, then you have a better chance of scoring by using the slower and more patient ATTACK approach
Facing the superior opponent
Firstly, I would take a draw any day of the week. I would probably start with the CAUTIOUS POSSESSION unless I see that they have pushed up their defense to the limit where we easily can put balls in behind their fullbacks using COUNTER
Facing the Equal opponent
Here, I normally start out with either CAUTIOUS POSSESSION or ATTACK, depending on form, morale, home or away match. COUNTER is a version I switch to as a reaction to what I see on the pitch. If they push up and play more direct, then we can do so to and try hitting them on the break but with the COUNTERs lower d-line. Just watch out for those pacey AMR/L that might run awoke in our defense. If they are superior to our fullbacks, then the opponent have an advantage, just like in any tactic
THE PLAYERS
The thing about squad building is not only to get players with great CA/PA and get a balance between defensive, supporting and attacking players. Its also to get players that can play a certain role and by using their skills and preferences able you to overcome a vaietry of opponents and managerial tactical approaches. If playing as a top team, its a must to have creative players acting from deep as well as players able to create chances and break the pattern in more advanced postions. For bottom team is hugely important to have hardworking players both in defense AND in the attacking phase, players that feel obligated to track back and take a good defensive position. Have this in mind when reading up on the different playerroles
FORWARD
Here, I would use different players depending on what team I am managing.
FC LEFT
If you are playing with a top notch team, you would be better off with a more complete player that likes to come deep to get the ball. Players like Rooney, R.V.P. Aguero, and Tevez etc. This is naturally mainly down to the reason that you are more likely to use the more attacking versions where it’s better that the player links up with play rather than going straight for goal. Using a lesser team, then any hardworking player that likes to play with their back towards the goal is good
FC RIGHT
Here we use our main goalscorer. For absolute top teams, its best to use a complete FC that DOES NOT like to come deep. For middle teams, an advanced FC is the best choice. For underdogs, using a quick poacher that likes to beat the offside trap is the better choice
THE WINGER
WINGER
Here we use an attacking winger that looks to get forward by moving into channels. He plays a short passing game and looks to get inside..OR…if being a great crosses, one that likes to hug the line. Most of the time, this is not the player that gets the highest of ratings as opening up space and making “2
nd-assists” just does not give high ratings
THE CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
Here, we use a Passer-Creator- Destroyer partnership. When reading about the roels beneath, look at it as tendencies rather as something written in stone.
ATTACKING CENTRAL MID
Here we have the creator. He is the player that mainly stays back to link up with the rest of the team, not breaking forward early in attacks. He has a free role to be able to pass and move, pass and move. As he no cover just behind him, he has a bigger defensive responsibility and should there for be able to defend, or at least be willing to.
In short, it’s a Trequartista with defensive duties
CENTRAL MID
Here we have a Central Mid or a Box2Box Midfielder. Its crucial that he don’t put too much emphasis on the attacking play or likes to “stay back” at all times. As he is the focal point in the build up, being the only player in the MC-strata, he really needs good stats in Passing and decision.
DEFENSIVE MID
Here is your destroyer. When playing with absolute top teams or have the ambition to be one, then having a complete DMC is naturally the best options. But for those teams that do not have the funds, let’s just make sure that he is great at defending and is able to read the game and make good decision
WINGBACKS/FULLBACKS
When looking at the formation you will see that there is one fullbakc and one wingback. This means that the bigger the team you are and the more likely you are to play more adventures, the more complete the have to be. Depending on opposition, always reconsider who to play. If the opponents are playing with really quick and smart AMR/L, then it’s perhaps better to use a more cautious wingback/fullback but if playing against a lesser team or a team lacking in quality down the flanks, don’t be afraid to start with players that has really attacking ppms.
CENTRAL DEFENDERS
Not much to see here. They are basically your standard limited defender in a flat 2 men partnership. As they are so limited, it is important that they do have good concentration and above average in decision.
MATCH PREP
The Better the team, the more adventures you can be but in the end, it highly depends on the opposition
- If playing with a top team and are using the Attacking possession approach, I would probably go for Attacking movement unless its a team that has really, really strong headers and have scored 5 goals from corners in their 6 matches, then defensive set pieces might be a good idea.
- If playing the counter version and really want to punish their slow defenders, you can again go for the Att. movement but if you fear their superior movement, then def. positioning is the way to go.
- If you feel your only chance is playing cautious, then you might go for Def.positioning, but if you feel comfortable in this area and it looks like you have a taller team then them ( like Celtic versu Barca), then your best chance might be using Cautious Possession and using Att.set pieces
So, it depends
As for what 3 versions to put in the match prep, I suggest Attacking possession, Counter and Cautious Possession as the team will be pretty familiar with the overload anyway being a mixture of all the other team settings
RESULTS SO FAR WITH A TOP TEAM
Just want to share my progress with Chelsea. Can't praise this tactic enough and don't understand why it's not more popular than it is! TheBetterHalf is tactical genius!
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