retired_dthompkins

So you've just bought your copy of FM and started your career only to suffer an embarrasing string of results.
The game is rigged! It's impossible!
So now you spend the next few days trawling the SI forum for other peoples tactics, scratching your head when they don't seem to work.
Perhaps all you need, is to use a little logic, and things might not be so bad.
So hopefully I might be able to share a little savvy with you, and get you to where you belong....maybe not the Champions League Final...But at least on the road to success.

retired_dthompkins

Ok, first things to consider:

What players do you have? Bear this in mind when you decide your formation.
A weak defence may mean you need to play 5 at the back, or a defensive midfielder.
But a few world class strikers in the squad....perhaps a lone striker is not your best option.

Once you've found your best squad and decided on a formation, we're onto the fun part....setting up instructions.

retired_dthompkins

First things to consider is not always your own team, but sometimes it's about the opposition.
Are you the clear favorite to win? If so, the opposition is likely to play more defensive you'd think. But how does that help us?

Ok, a heavy underdog is likely to play a narrow formation. That way they're more compact. Harder to break down. After all, they're trying to hang on for a draw or better.

So maybe you may want to consider playing wider. Get players down the flanks, and get them under pressure with a few well timed crosses.

If you're using wide players then crossing from the bye line may be of benifit. But if you're not, then you may want to consider getting them to cross from deep. You don't want to have players out of position under a counter attack.

retired_dthompkins

Consider again the opponents likely mentality and players. Do they have fast strikers? Are they likely to look for the fast counter?
If so you maight wanna shy off an all out attacking mentality. Why play into their hands?
A more patient style may be more benificial. Build up your play, create chances without commiting everyone forward.

Do they like to pass it around ala Man Utd or they hoof and hope?

It's often usefull to close down a passing team more. Don't let them dwell on the ball.

G-lant

This should be in the Tactics and Training tips threads mate.

G-lant

Sorry my mistake

retired_dthompkins

Alright, lets put some theries into practice. A friendly away to Derry. A comfortable result would be expected.

I've left the default formation as it is. On player instructions, set GK and DC's to defensive mentalities (5). Also set Forward runs ect to rarely on CB's.

DL and DR are set to forward run and cross ball mixed....all others rarely.

Changed my ST's mentalities to attacking (15).

Now as I expect to cruise this, I have set Team Mentality to attacking (15). As is Width, Tempo, Passing style, Time wasting and Defensive line.

You may wonder why i am playing a more direct syle of play when i am expecting to win......because it's an away game! I expect Derry to play narrow, that suits a short passing game. Therefore I will play wide and direct.

It takes only 6 mins to score but the rest of the half is pretty uneventful. Key highlights shows their slow strikers resorting to long range efforts due to my high defensive line.

Around the 60th min I decide to close the game down, as Derry push for an equaliser. I drop team mentality to 10, and passing, width, defensive line and tempo to 5.

I'm rewarded with 2 more goals as we pick them apart.

Derry 0-3 Newcastle.

We had 16 shots 9 on target to their 8 with 3 on target. Other than possesion and pass completion, which they edged due to my direct play, we outplayed them in every area.

We didn't set the park alight, but a respectable result.

retired_dthompkins

There's a deliberate mistake in my post above, a flaw in my logic.

Did you spot it?

Ok, normally in away games you should play a more narrow formation. It's more defensive.
Also, I could have effected to play a short passing game from the off, as i was favorites. But I wanted to show the efffect of changing instructions during the game :cool: