Wing Back or Full Back

[gunnerjames]

I need help with a question. Could someone explain to me the advantages and disadvantage of having full backs positioned a wing backs. I am playing a 4231 and I am thinking of moving my full backs into the wing back position so that they can link up with the attack and press the other teams wingers and full backs higher up the pitch. My wing backs have the pace accerlation and stamina to go box to box so they should able to play this role without too much difficulties.


The other option would be to keep a flat back four with wing backs duties so that they stay in defence but still play as wing backs.I am big fan of Daniel Alves and how he plays for Barcelona. He is always attacking down the flank pushes the other team's wingerbs back. I have read a few threads on attacking full backs and it seems the only way to replicate this behaviour would be to move the full back into the wing back position.

If I have a flat back four with wing back duty set does this mean that my wing back would take longer to join the attack because he is coming from a deeper position where as when he is in the wing back position he is higher up the pitch and can join the attacks quickly and press the winger more quickly and win the ball back.

I have a ball winning midfielder with defend duty in the middle along with a box to box midfielder so I think my defence might be able to deal with any counter attacks

What are your thoughts on this and how would you replicate this set up in FM11

---------- Post added at 07:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:05 PM ----------

I need some help please, can somebody give me some help with this - come on guys

 

[OsmosisJones]

In order to make wingbacks "work" properly you will need to:
1) Check his attributes - he should be a beast(shitloads stamina, fitness, speed, teamwork and work rate). Also good off the ball, crossing, dribbling, passing + positioning and tackling.
2) Check his PPMs - get forward whenever when possible, hugs the line are good; stays back all the time seems bad etc.
3) Make him hug the line while your wide midfielder(or winger, inside fwd etc) either holds the ball while the wingback runs past him and enemy defender and receives the ball(look for overlaps) or cuts inside with the enemy fullback, following him(so that the touch line is free and your wingback can attack it). This is the reason why inside fwds and attacking fullbacks/wingbacks synergy so well - it is good to have a defensive minded midfielder w/o runs from deep to cover the zone and let the inside fwd cut inside the space in from of him.
4) Flat 4-4-2 doesn't sound good for wingbacks. It is my personal opinion though, but when I hear 4-4-2 I imagine Man Utd and as far as I have watched them their fullbacks are just supporting and not that aggressive. 4-1-2-1-2 narrow diamond is suitable. 4-5-1 with inside fwd in front of the wingback while the other winger is supported by a fullback is Spain's tactic.
I am not expert in wingbacks since I often manage lower league teams that don't have so good players but it's just my opinion.
Btw pressing enemy wingers with your wingbacks/fullbacks doesn't sound very good, a player with good speed, dribble, balance and first touch will always find it easy to beat his man. Moving them higher on the pitch could cause problems if you play them with attacking duty or support duty(if they suck in defensive attributes). Versus another 4-2-3-1 with 3 AMCs you will create too much space for enemy AMCs. Versus 4-5-1(or wide 4-2-3-1) you will make them go 1 vs. 1 with enemy winger and if they suck in defensive department the enemy winger will cut you.