Different Formations (A Long Post About Old and New Formations)

retired_elpata · 10-05-2007, 01:23 PM

I think thats enough for now

retired_elpata · 10-05-2007, 01:55 PM

Please feel free to add to these if people think I've missed one. Or maybe you want to go into more detail about one I have already covered

retired_roshawnda82 · 10-05-2007, 05:44 PM

1. The Family of Wingless Tactics: 4-1-2-1-2, 4-1-3-2, 4-3-1-2, 4-3-2-1 and variations

1.1 It is instructive in my mind to outline some of the positions and concepts which are familiar to all of the above formations and their variants, before moving on to explaining any formation specific nuances.

1.2 The above Family of tactics are commonly adopted by continental sides (although they have occasionally been seen in the premiership) and aim to facilitate a midfield which is dominant, adaptable, creative and fluid. In addition to the midfield, the fullbacks are another key component and are relied on heavily to provide width and penetration in behind and down the channels (helped out sometimes by a quick SC/AMC doing the same). AC Milan use all of the Family and their variations. To highlight their fluidity and adaptability it is clearly a purely subjective matter of opinion as to exactly which of the Family they might start, finish, and play a match with.

The attacking midfielders in this Family of tactics can be devastating if they run with the ball and then either play the killer ball in behind or go on to finish themselves (e.g. Kaka), or if they simply make forward runs and arrive late in the box to finish off a pull back (a la Scholes).

The beauty of this Family of tactics is that depending on the opposition, the manager can clearly decide to make his midfield (one of the key parts) either balanced, ultra defensive or ultra attacking, by playing one or more defensive/attacking players.

1.3 Below I will outline the key positions for the so-called winger-less tactic family. I will hopefully try to maintain a decent balance between accurate real-world information and Football Manager specific points.

It should be noted that the first ‘stratum’ of the formation referred to numerically (i.e. the ‘4’ in a 4-1-2-1-2 for example) is the back four compromising of two fullbacks and two DCs (or a stopper/sweeper combination). The second stratum referred to (i.e. the first ‘1’) is the DMC. The third stratum (i.e. the first ‘2’) are the MCs. The fourth stratum should this be used (i.e. the second ‘1’) is the AMC(s). The fifth stratum referred to (i.e. the second ‘2’) are the SCs.

1.4 Full Backs
As said, a key element of this tactic. They need to be real box to box full backs as they provide most of the width, so they should be energetic, good crossers and comfortable on the ball. This tactic can fall down heavily if the opposition wingers are so good that they manage to either keep their fullbacks pinned back or exploit the gap when their fullback has gone forward. This might mean the SC(s) become isolated and play is forced through the middle meaning that if the opposition plays narrow and defensive there would be little real penetration.

1.5 DCs
Either flat or playing a stopper/sweeper system. Pretty standard stuff and the juicy bits of this tactic are in the full backs and in the midfield.

1.6 DMC
Depending on the team and the opposition this position is either a deep lying playmaker of the Pirlo mould or a tough tackler of the Gattuso mould. Either way, the DMC will look to bring both fullbacks into play and also depending on the type of DMC, might either give it short to one of his creative MCs or may even play some nice through balls to take advantage of the potentially devastating forward runs and movement of the more advanced MCs (and SC(s) and fullbacks too sometimes).

1.7 MCs
Depending on the type of DMC employed, where there are three MCs employed, the MCs will usually consist of (1) a box to box ‘English’ style midfielder combining defence and attack (e.g. Ambrosini) (2) a playmaker either deep-lying or in the hole (e.g. Pirlo/Kaka) and (3) a quick dribbling creative finisher (e.g. Kaka/Seedorf), or a combination of the above depending on the opposition.

Where there are two MCs employed then they will both usually be fairly creative box to box midfielders. The ability to run with the ball and receive it in wide positions can also be useful here a la Seedorf.

1.8 AMCs
These will be highly creative, dynamic, attack minded players who look to receive the ball and run with it, either drawing defenders to them and leaving gaps for them to slide the killer ball through or look to drive into the penalty area with the ball and score themselves.

They will often be given a free role to roam about the attacking third and cause havoc by for example receiving it on the wing (and therefore perhaps doubling or even tripling up that area of the pitch with the fullback and quick SC respectively) and then cutting inside to shoot or pass.

Consequently they must be fairly mobile, and have good movement, touch, finishing, passing and vision.

1.9 SC(s)
Where one SC is employed he will either be quick and creative or a more rounded player who is decent in the air and a decent finisher. The quick type SC will look to run onto killer through balls from the MCs/AMCs and also to run the channels and, in conjunction with the fullbacks, penetrate the opponents defensive line and occupy defenders. The more rounded SC will look to play intelligently and perhaps hold up the ball, play the odd through ball for the MCs/AMCs running on past him, and also get on the end of the crosses from the fullbacks (and/or an attacking midfielder on free role) and put the ball in the back of the net.

Where two SCs are employed they will usually be the quick type and the more rounded target man type mentioned above. The quick striker will often look to run the channels and cross for the target man and/or midfielders who have burst into the box.

1.10 SPECIFIC FORMATIONS

In addition to the generally applicable points made at 1.2 above, I think the following tactic specific points are worthy of comment:

4-1-2-1-2
It is fair to say that this formation relies heavily on two hardworking box to box MCs and a very good AMC used as a playmaker. This formations also lends itself to two fast strikers who can operate as wingers at various points as the formation is otherwise fairly narrow full backs aside (but they have already been dealt with at length).

4-1-3-2
This formation is slightly more balanced than the 4-1-2-1-2 as it leaves some scope for the outer central midfielders to get involved in some wing play should they choose a la Seedorf. If the three MCs are told to hold their position and play a cautious defensive game, as there is no actual AMC in the hole, this formation can lend itself to one of the SCs dropping off and playing a good link role a la Viduka.

4-3-1-2
This could potentially be a very attacking formation if all of the MCs employed were attack minded and given attacking instructions. This is rarely the case however. What usually happens is the central MC out of the three will be either a defensive ball winner or a deep lying playmaker. Either way, the three MCs will usually consist of (1) a deep-lying playmaker/attacking playmaker, (2) a box to box all rounder and (3) a defensive ball winner, or any combination of thereof, opposition dependent. If the two SCs have good movement they can pull out wide, hopefully dragging their markers with them and leave a big gap for the AMC (and/or runners from MC) to exploit.

4-3-2-1
Affectionately known as ‘The Christmas Tree’, this formation is perhaps the most interesting out of the family of wingless tactics. The two AMCs are crucial here. They will be given free roles to either pull wide, run past the lone striker, or occupy the space in ‘the hole’ and generally look to receive the ball and/or pull markers out of position and then cause havoc by either passing or dribbling and finishing. They can do this because they are backed up by the three MCs behind them.

retired_elpata · 10-05-2007, 06:51 PM

A nice contribution

retired_roshawnda82 · 10-05-2007, 08:16 PM

Cheers for the compliment Cleon

Have been a user since Champ Man Italia but (absurdly) was only made aware of the existence of these forums a few months ago, and even then only joined to have a quick peak (hence the the username - picked the first thing that came into my head!) So at that point I'd kind of missed the boat on much of the FM2007 discussion and developments. But since then I've developed a big fondness for the community and will hopefully try to contribute a fair bit on FM2008 if I can. Is there any way I can change my user name to something less flippant? Cheers.