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Dan's 4-1-4-1 : Proven LL Results, Tight but with good attacking options.
Before I get started, this is the first version of the tactic and my no means perfect, however it has worked out well for me so far. Enjoy.
DAN'S 4-1-4-1
This is a flat back four, 1 DMC, flat midfield, and thena lone striker up top.
Mentality
The mentality system is loosely based on RoT. Only loosely, basically I tried to adjust them to the places I think they should be on the team, and is more just common sense rather than following a strict set of guidelines. I wouldn't say it was particularly innovative, as it isn't as much as a system as I would like. However the positioning seems to be fine after I tweaked my original beta of the tactic. We can have a look at the instructions here:
So you can see RoT in there somewhere, however, some parts are only one space above the rest, where as others are two. Think of it as a hybrid of the two minds if you will.
Team Instructions
The screenshot above shows the team instructions. I'll explain them a bit. Generally, the tactic is a counter attacking tactic, and quite fasted paced. It can produce what I would say is sexy football, but I like hollywood balls if they go right, and at a lower level, it's as close as your going to get. So obviously, direct passing, quick tempo and counter attack is switched on. Don't play offside (line is far too low for that). There are no playmakers but there is a Target man.
The target man has to be fast paced. This is key. If he is a tall striker, well, I don't think it would work. I'm not saying it wouldn't, but for this version, a nippy striker is going to kick ass much more than a tall man. Feel free to try and tweak it to work with a tall man, and tell me of your results. It may even work f you have a strong guy to HuB.
Individual Instructions
This tactic does contain one odd feature, that being that the DCs have HuB on. This hasn't been fully tested yet, but so far, I have yet to see any problems, and that's playing through a full season. It works well for me as it gives the players a chance to get forward, then the defender can get the ball to the front line quickly. Remember this is counter attacking, I can't see possession being a huge problem here.
Being in the conference, this wasn't designed to be a creative tactic, in fact anti-creative I suppose, there was just not enough players to do creativity for. I found that having the DMC and the two MCs on creativity was good enough, in fact the DMC is very good. He usually doesn't go forward, however his creativity lets him get more involved in the action than his instructions would suggest.
This is almost certainly a team formation. There is no free-role, or one player who is vital to the success, except maybe the DMC, but I have played some rubbishy DMCs and it has stilled worked well.
Versions
Currently, there is kinda 2 versions, but I only really use the 'attack' version as it were. There is a defend version, but I only use that if I am well out classed by an opposition, where it just limits them to what they can have, and really does try and win on the counter.
I haven't so far found any problems Home and Away yet. You might find that odd, but I am use to having one tactic which just works, might just be me. However if I find that this tactic sucks away say for everyone, I'll get a custom away tactic in the works.
Player Types
I'll just list them here it'll be far easier:
GK: N/A
Fullbacks: They can get into the action, which means that some sort of crossing ability is advised, however, they are mainly defensive, so don't worry too much if they don't get crosses in constantly.
Centre-backs: I'll elaborate again, they need to be strong, they are holding up the ball. I have not found a time when FM08 has actually realised that closing them down would work very well. If they have passing ability, great. If they are fast, even better, but that isn't necessary. They do however need to be good in the air I have found, but so do most normal DCs.
DMC: Some creativity wouldn't go a miss here, as his creativity is quite high. Other than that, a more defensive DMC would work here, he doesn't HuB in case anyone was wondering. He'll be the link between the attack and defence.
Wingers: You all know what wingers need. There is no unusual stuff going on here with their instructions.
MCs: Some creativity required. Other than that, nothing unusual here, they are both quite neutral, neither one is more attacking or defensive.
FC: Fast striker, will need pace and acceleration as well as other key striker stats (Finishing, composure etc)
Results
This has been tested in Conference and now I'm in league 2 and it is working even better with better players.
It should work for other levels, I haven't tested it, but everything above and including the conference should have the right sort of players to fit the tactic.
1 season so far, where I won the division, and also the FA Trophy, coming runner up in the Setanta Shield.
My manager was unknown then to regional.
Problems/Improvements
The FC isn't scoring enough, and I'm not sure why. It might be that Drew Talbot sucks ass, but he is usually quite good. If anyone could have a fiddle and find out why he is firing blanks (how can tactics sound so wrong?) then I would be grateful.
The corners and such haven't been set up properly.
Notes/Pictures
Right basically, if people would like to download the tactic, and give it a few games, I would appreciate it. If you ould give it maybe a whole season, well I would love it even more, as a few games is hardly enough time for a team to adjust to a tactic.
MCs: Some creativity required. Other than that, nothing unusual here, they are both quite neutral, neither one is more attacking or defensive.
With regard to this quote, you do have you MC's set up differently.
Your right MC appears to be the more defensive of the two. Your left MC has more creative freedom.
I guess this is an error? The differences are minimal.
I'll be having a play with this and will let you know how I get on.
11-26-2007, 04:03 PM
Dan's 4-1-4-1 : Proven LL Results, Tight but with good attacking options. Post #5
Dan's 4-1-4-1 : Proven LL Results, Tight but with good attacking options. 
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