Appreciate the responses, Marc.
I've been having some success with a defense-minded 4-4-2, which ground out a 1-1 against Portsmouth in tha FA Cup (only to lose out on penalties). We conceded the equaliser in the 90th minute so I just know I should have put men behind the ball instruction on for the last 10 minutes
. If anyone wants to try these principles against stronger opposition...
* Have emphasis set as defensive if you have a couple of strikers that can create chances for themselves (creative, pacey, or good dribbling).
* Have all players set to zonal marking and offside trap on. If your CBs are quick and aggressive consider man marking and turn offside trap off.
* Defend from the front by having your 2 forwards pressing. Bolster this by having your 2 CMs or DMCs also pressing - particularly if playing the offside trap or if the opposition are playing a short passing game.
* Don't give pressing to your 2 wide players unless up against a short passing team. By making one of your wide players the team's playmaker, they'll look to him when possession is won and he needs to be in space...
* Play Direct with quick forwards to bypass the opposition's midfield, or Long if you lack pace but have strength and heading up top.
* If playing the counter attack, choose Defensive emphasis so that your team will sit deep, but use a short passing game with a forward or DMC holding up the ball to allow your team to break.
* Normal mentality will give you a more balanced platform in which to defend or attack, with the benefit of midfield players being closer to their forwards when you win the ball back.
* Give any midfielder or forward with high Movement Forward Runs instruction, but ensure one MC or DMC is set to no, and ideally one forward who will then collect the ball from deep more (give him Run With Ball if good at Dribbling).
* Don't ask your fullbacks to make forward runs (I've found this to be the single most important instruction to keep a good defensive record).
* Use Men Behind Ball instruction with zonal marking and pressing for the last 5-10 minutes of a half/game.
* I tend not to give players hard tackling but it can be a good way of upsetting the oppositions more skillful players. Only use it with midfielders with good tackling rating. Defenders can give silly freekicks away or get themselves booked early in a game.
Hope this helps LLM in particular but anyone really. Feedback welcome!
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