TheBetterHalf
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The Better Half´s
Control & Counter
Disclaimer
This is not a tactic as such, but an approach using the Tactic Creator and the shouts.
Download
There is no (or will be any) download
Welcome
For the last couple f months, I have yet again reverted back to using the presented settings of the Tactic Creator and those settings only. Here, I am sharing the approach I have been using for about 10 season( some full, some half season) with various teams such as.
The Newcastle Project
I will present to you and reason how I change roles and use the different formations and strategies along with the shouts. So far, I have only played 3 competetiv matches and it might take a day or two for me to take the needed screenshots and do the write-up.
The Approach
Basiclly, I load up 2 formations, one Deep 4231 Control and one 451 Counter. As you can see, in the 4231 I use an Advanced FC stretching the defence with a TQ just behind him, sitting in the hole and linking up play with the DMCs.. As for the wingers, I tend to swap and change depending on who I play but Its crucial to keep a balance so it does not become 2 block, one defending and one attacking. In the other formation, the 451, I use a DLF on support to link up more and hold on to the ball when launching an attack. Again, the same things apply for the wingers as in the previous approach
As for the DMCs, MC, its again about having some players sitting deep and some moving forward and regarding the Fullbacks/Wingbacks, its something I again change depending on the players ( some are better at crossing, some are better at passing) and the opposition ( if they have really fast wingers, I might let them stay back a bit more and vice versa.
Switching between the 2 formations ingame ?
- Yes and here, the AMC drops into MCleft and becomes a CM/attack and the DMCleft pushes up into MCright(!), all to avoid the attacking MC to get in the way of the Advanced playmaker on the wing so he has space to cut inside when he has the ball . Here, I have found the a player like Sissoko/Toure/Gerrard etc is the perfect one to act both as a TQ in the AMC position as well as the CM on attack.
The Deep 4231
View attachment 346850
The 451
View attachment 346851
Along with this I use the following shouts
In all my saves, I have naturally not used all these differents shouts with all teams. After all, a team like Gateshead might not have the players for using the "Pass n´Move " shout, just like a team with really techniqual, yet slow players might not benefit from using the "Hit it Quickly". Here, its all about knowing your side and get inspired by these settings.
Pass n´Move
Passing the ball around with lots of movement
View attachment 346855
Exploit the Flanks
View attachment 346853
Its all about using the flanks and the width, using overlaps. Just remember that when doing this, the wingers hold on to the ball and this might not be what you want at all times.
Hit it Quickly
Higher tempo, more t-balls and players going directly at goal or hitting those early crosses from deep. This one works really good when we can exploit the space behing the oppositions fullbacks
NOTE: Consider NOT using the " run at defence" if you want really swift attacks and if really wanting to fully exploit the space being the opponenst line of defnce, its better to use an advanced FC or a Target Man /attack ( the role, not the actuall focus play)
View attachment 346854
Retain & Press
Here, we press higher and when in possession, we try to keep the ball
View attachment 346856
Drop Deep and Defend/Control
Here, its all about sitting deep and defend and restrict the opponent to taking longshots. Just be careful so you dont invite a team back into the game.
View attachment 346852
The Players
As I use the TC, all the needed stats are found within the game
Defenders
Fullbacks /Wingbacks
Here, I have used really poor ones, and some worldbeaters. The important thing to remember is to always to aware of the opportunities and the threats, meaning that in some games, I give the the Attack dutie and in some, the defend.
Central Defenders
I have not used anything fancy, just 2 plain DCs. In the end, its all about the balance and if you have one that is big and strong, you might need one that is quicker.
Central Midfielders
The Deep Playmaker
I like using one that stays deep and knows how to spread the passes
The DMC or CM on support
One thats is vey much like a Box 2 Mox midfielder
The AMC or CM on attack
Here, we have one that sits or gets into the AMC position, olne that is strong and can work his way out of a flooded area, one that comes up with a lot of options and one that has the composure and intelligence to make the correct decision
Wide midfielders
Its all about your players but do try to think about waht will happen if you have an AMR huges the touchline whilst you have a rightfooted FC that likes to move into channels down the right flank, or if its best to use an inside FC as the AML if the FC likes to drop deep etc etc.
In the end, its about having players moving between the lines, one pushing forward in HIS way, one provding space for other or one using his skills to beat his man etc etc. Play them to their best whilst make sure you have a plan B on the bench when the opponents switch to the " Stoke Deep 442".
The Attacker
Well, what kind of strikers do you have ? Personally, I always make sure I have both my Poachers, my advanced Forwards and my more complete FCs that likes to drop deep and link up with play.
Here, its again crucial to actually make an asummtion on how the flow will look like and watch the game to see if you are correct or if you need to switch role during a game.
Team Talks
I am very indpeth when I play so I actually take notes on how all my players react ( when I play a carer game that is). But here, I am not going into this
Opposition Instructions
I use them every game, but now from the start but as a reacion to what I see on the pitch
Example:
As always, either you focus on limiting the threat of the opponent or you try to exploit one of your strengths and their weaknesses
Control & Counter
Disclaimer
This is not a tactic as such, but an approach using the Tactic Creator and the shouts.
Download
There is no (or will be any) download
Welcome
For the last couple f months, I have yet again reverted back to using the presented settings of the Tactic Creator and those settings only. Here, I am sharing the approach I have been using for about 10 season( some full, some half season) with various teams such as.
- Nott Forest, Top team in 2023 - Unbeaten for 69 matches now
- Wigan 2012/13
- Fulham 2012/13
- Bristol Rovers 2012/13
- Liverpool 2012/13
- Hoffenheim 2012/13
- AIK ( Sweden)
- Varberg ( Sweden )
- Inter
The Newcastle Project
I will present to you and reason how I change roles and use the different formations and strategies along with the shouts. So far, I have only played 3 competetiv matches and it might take a day or two for me to take the needed screenshots and do the write-up.
The Approach
Basiclly, I load up 2 formations, one Deep 4231 Control and one 451 Counter. As you can see, in the 4231 I use an Advanced FC stretching the defence with a TQ just behind him, sitting in the hole and linking up play with the DMCs.. As for the wingers, I tend to swap and change depending on who I play but Its crucial to keep a balance so it does not become 2 block, one defending and one attacking. In the other formation, the 451, I use a DLF on support to link up more and hold on to the ball when launching an attack. Again, the same things apply for the wingers as in the previous approach
As for the DMCs, MC, its again about having some players sitting deep and some moving forward and regarding the Fullbacks/Wingbacks, its something I again change depending on the players ( some are better at crossing, some are better at passing) and the opposition ( if they have really fast wingers, I might let them stay back a bit more and vice versa.
Switching between the 2 formations ingame ?
- Yes and here, the AMC drops into MCleft and becomes a CM/attack and the DMCleft pushes up into MCright(!), all to avoid the attacking MC to get in the way of the Advanced playmaker on the wing so he has space to cut inside when he has the ball . Here, I have found the a player like Sissoko/Toure/Gerrard etc is the perfect one to act both as a TQ in the AMC position as well as the CM on attack.
The Deep 4231
View attachment 346850
The 451
View attachment 346851
Along with this I use the following shouts
In all my saves, I have naturally not used all these differents shouts with all teams. After all, a team like Gateshead might not have the players for using the "Pass n´Move " shout, just like a team with really techniqual, yet slow players might not benefit from using the "Hit it Quickly". Here, its all about knowing your side and get inspired by these settings.
Pass n´Move
Passing the ball around with lots of movement
View attachment 346855
Exploit the Flanks
View attachment 346853
Its all about using the flanks and the width, using overlaps. Just remember that when doing this, the wingers hold on to the ball and this might not be what you want at all times.
Hit it Quickly
Higher tempo, more t-balls and players going directly at goal or hitting those early crosses from deep. This one works really good when we can exploit the space behing the oppositions fullbacks
NOTE: Consider NOT using the " run at defence" if you want really swift attacks and if really wanting to fully exploit the space being the opponenst line of defnce, its better to use an advanced FC or a Target Man /attack ( the role, not the actuall focus play)
View attachment 346854
Retain & Press
Here, we press higher and when in possession, we try to keep the ball
View attachment 346856
Drop Deep and Defend/Control
Here, its all about sitting deep and defend and restrict the opponent to taking longshots. Just be careful so you dont invite a team back into the game.
View attachment 346852
The Players
As I use the TC, all the needed stats are found within the game
Defenders
Fullbacks /Wingbacks
Here, I have used really poor ones, and some worldbeaters. The important thing to remember is to always to aware of the opportunities and the threats, meaning that in some games, I give the the Attack dutie and in some, the defend.
Central Defenders
I have not used anything fancy, just 2 plain DCs. In the end, its all about the balance and if you have one that is big and strong, you might need one that is quicker.
Central Midfielders
The Deep Playmaker
I like using one that stays deep and knows how to spread the passes
The DMC or CM on support
One thats is vey much like a Box 2 Mox midfielder
The AMC or CM on attack
Here, we have one that sits or gets into the AMC position, olne that is strong and can work his way out of a flooded area, one that comes up with a lot of options and one that has the composure and intelligence to make the correct decision
Wide midfielders
Its all about your players but do try to think about waht will happen if you have an AMR huges the touchline whilst you have a rightfooted FC that likes to move into channels down the right flank, or if its best to use an inside FC as the AML if the FC likes to drop deep etc etc.
In the end, its about having players moving between the lines, one pushing forward in HIS way, one provding space for other or one using his skills to beat his man etc etc. Play them to their best whilst make sure you have a plan B on the bench when the opponents switch to the " Stoke Deep 442".
The Attacker
Well, what kind of strikers do you have ? Personally, I always make sure I have both my Poachers, my advanced Forwards and my more complete FCs that likes to drop deep and link up with play.
Here, its again crucial to actually make an asummtion on how the flow will look like and watch the game to see if you are correct or if you need to switch role during a game.
Team Talks
I am very indpeth when I play so I actually take notes on how all my players react ( when I play a carer game that is). But here, I am not going into this
Opposition Instructions
I use them every game, but now from the start but as a reacion to what I see on the pitch
Example:
- If the opponent play a 451 with a FC coming deep to get the ball, then I let a DMc man mark him and use Close down/always.
- If they have a DMc that is the playmaker, then I use the AMC/MC in support to take care of him or if wanting to sit really deep, the FC
- If the have inside forwards trying to cut inside, then I push them wide
- If they have wingers trying to huge the line, without attacking and supporting fullbacks, then I show them inside
- If they have a player acting reeeaaaly nervous, then I close him down/Always
- If they have a MC or a AMC with greeat longshot/decision/technique, I show onto weaker foot
As always, either you focus on limiting the threat of the opponent or you try to exploit one of your strengths and their weaknesses
Last edited: