undertheray
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This is a 4-2-2-2 tactic that I have used with great success at Tottenham Hotspur, and the results can been seen in detail by looking at my story (link in my signature). In summary I have won the treble in two consecutive seasons while using this tactic. The following is a look at the basic setup of the my 4-2-2-2. The strikers are offset to the left, with the attack midfielders offset to the right, and the central midfielders remaining central.
The goal of this formation is to win the ball high up the pitch and keep it up there, with strong attacking play getting a lead and high tempo, aggressive defending keeping it. We have a rigid shape playing disciplined and controlling football. Individual players such as dos Santos and Modric are allowed freedom to give an unpredictable element on attack and make us more lethal, but coming back the rigid assignments and aggressive closing down restricts opposing attacks and forces them back.
I will use the numbers in the image above to describe the roles of the players, and what they do:
25: Poacher (Attack). This is usually Carlos Vela or Jermain Defoe for me, and they bag 10-20 goals a season with ease. Their main aim is to score goals, but if the attacking play comes up the left flank, they will float wide with the ball and go towards the byline, before cutting back and setting up the left back coming forward for a cross - or cutting inside for a chance at goal.
9: Complete Forward (Attack/Support). For me, this is Edin Dzeko or Romelu Lukaku. This player becomes the focus of the attack, and is instrumental in setting up other players for chances and taking them himself. In my previous season, Dzeko got 29 goals and 20 assists in 47 appearances.
11: Attacking Midfielder (Attack). Luka Modric, a player with excellent technical ability and even better mental to act as the creative brain of the attacking moves, while also making runs and finishing himself. This position is crucial in moving the ball forward and setting up the opportunities at goal, and Modric will often drive the team onwards to victory with inspirational performances from this position.
17: Inside Forward (Attack). This player aims to cut inside and cause havoc in the opposition defense with his silky running and skillful moves. Giovani Dos Santos does an outstanding job for me in this role, and is one of the crucial players in the offense. He draws defenders with dangerous running and opens up holes in the defense for Dzeko and Modric to operate with more space. dos Santos talent allows him to beat defenders and score goals for himself, and often will arrive in the box to finish off moves. Similar to the Poacher on the other side of the field, this player will drop wide to help create, but will look to lay it off quickly to the full back or playmaker and make a run into the box to try create attack.
7: Ball Winning Midfielder (Support). A crucial role, as the high pressure nature of this tactic relies on solid tackling to recycle the ball and start new attacks. Rodwell fills this role for me, and does a superb job in chasing the opposition attackers and winning the ball back. Must have high stamina to chase the ball all over the midfield, even pressuring wingers in some cases.
24: Deep-lying Playmaker (Support). Diogo (regen) plays this position superbly, and the role requires a central midfield player with good ball skills and sound defensive abilities. When attacking, this player will sit in front of the centrebacks, but behind Modric, and look to recycle failed attacking moves by making a new threatening pass. When possession is lost, he is back ready to help win the ball back.
14 & 3: Wing Back (Support). A critical role to the team, as these players have a lot of ground to cover, and must provide the attacking and defending presence on the wings. If Bale has a bad game, I usually will have to deal with more chances on goal, and will get less attacking support from wide play.
5: Central Defender (Defend). Must be a solid player, doesn't have to be outstanding, but must be settled and communicate with the team while being dominant in the air. Good tackling and marking always help, and will often have to clear a lot of aerial ball.
6: Limited Defender (Defend). Must be a solid player, doesn't have to be outstanding, but must be settled and communicate with the team while being dominant in the air to clear crosses.
_____________
The main aim of this tactic is to put pressure on up the pitch to win the ball back fast, then move the ball down the field to score goals. Possession is not generally classed as important, as the aim is to increase my teams chances, while reducing the opposition chances.
Here are some top results against good teams achieved with this tactic:
View attachment 67743View attachment 67742View attachment 67741View attachment 67740View attachment 67738View attachment 67739
As you can see this formation has been successful with me, and I have developed this to meet the strengths of my players.
I have not tried this with any other team or league, and am curious if anyone else will find it useful. Comments are appreciated
The goal of this formation is to win the ball high up the pitch and keep it up there, with strong attacking play getting a lead and high tempo, aggressive defending keeping it. We have a rigid shape playing disciplined and controlling football. Individual players such as dos Santos and Modric are allowed freedom to give an unpredictable element on attack and make us more lethal, but coming back the rigid assignments and aggressive closing down restricts opposing attacks and forces them back.
I will use the numbers in the image above to describe the roles of the players, and what they do:
25: Poacher (Attack). This is usually Carlos Vela or Jermain Defoe for me, and they bag 10-20 goals a season with ease. Their main aim is to score goals, but if the attacking play comes up the left flank, they will float wide with the ball and go towards the byline, before cutting back and setting up the left back coming forward for a cross - or cutting inside for a chance at goal.
9: Complete Forward (Attack/Support). For me, this is Edin Dzeko or Romelu Lukaku. This player becomes the focus of the attack, and is instrumental in setting up other players for chances and taking them himself. In my previous season, Dzeko got 29 goals and 20 assists in 47 appearances.
11: Attacking Midfielder (Attack). Luka Modric, a player with excellent technical ability and even better mental to act as the creative brain of the attacking moves, while also making runs and finishing himself. This position is crucial in moving the ball forward and setting up the opportunities at goal, and Modric will often drive the team onwards to victory with inspirational performances from this position.
17: Inside Forward (Attack). This player aims to cut inside and cause havoc in the opposition defense with his silky running and skillful moves. Giovani Dos Santos does an outstanding job for me in this role, and is one of the crucial players in the offense. He draws defenders with dangerous running and opens up holes in the defense for Dzeko and Modric to operate with more space. dos Santos talent allows him to beat defenders and score goals for himself, and often will arrive in the box to finish off moves. Similar to the Poacher on the other side of the field, this player will drop wide to help create, but will look to lay it off quickly to the full back or playmaker and make a run into the box to try create attack.
7: Ball Winning Midfielder (Support). A crucial role, as the high pressure nature of this tactic relies on solid tackling to recycle the ball and start new attacks. Rodwell fills this role for me, and does a superb job in chasing the opposition attackers and winning the ball back. Must have high stamina to chase the ball all over the midfield, even pressuring wingers in some cases.
24: Deep-lying Playmaker (Support). Diogo (regen) plays this position superbly, and the role requires a central midfield player with good ball skills and sound defensive abilities. When attacking, this player will sit in front of the centrebacks, but behind Modric, and look to recycle failed attacking moves by making a new threatening pass. When possession is lost, he is back ready to help win the ball back.
14 & 3: Wing Back (Support). A critical role to the team, as these players have a lot of ground to cover, and must provide the attacking and defending presence on the wings. If Bale has a bad game, I usually will have to deal with more chances on goal, and will get less attacking support from wide play.
5: Central Defender (Defend). Must be a solid player, doesn't have to be outstanding, but must be settled and communicate with the team while being dominant in the air. Good tackling and marking always help, and will often have to clear a lot of aerial ball.
6: Limited Defender (Defend). Must be a solid player, doesn't have to be outstanding, but must be settled and communicate with the team while being dominant in the air to clear crosses.
_____________
The main aim of this tactic is to put pressure on up the pitch to win the ball back fast, then move the ball down the field to score goals. Possession is not generally classed as important, as the aim is to increase my teams chances, while reducing the opposition chances.
Here are some top results against good teams achieved with this tactic:
View attachment 67743View attachment 67742View attachment 67741View attachment 67740View attachment 67738View attachment 67739
As you can see this formation has been successful with me, and I have developed this to meet the strengths of my players.
I have not tried this with any other team or league, and am curious if anyone else will find it useful. Comments are appreciated