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Everton 4-1-2-2-1. Does the job, albiet by small winning margins
I have usually struggled with the tactical side of things with FM. I was expecting another year searching for the right tactic after failing to build one that I liked and that suited me.
I have liked playng as Everton in te past due t the squad being reletively strong, but not all conquering and also the squad does have a few weaknesses (depth IMO). This is where I have decided to start once again.
After reading another thread in these forums about Everton and after having a bit of a hink about players in the squad I decided to go for a 4-1-2-2-1 formation.
I read a lot (or at least tried to) about the closing down bug so with this in mind I started to try and develop a defence on this. The fatback 4 I hve implemented seem to stop most attacks - although I think that too many do get into the box before being stopped.
The midfield I have a DM and 2 MC's. I tried to get the right MC to act as an attacking player, but one who could defend when required and the left one as a box-to-box style player. My thinking was that Tim Cahill could be the attacker but he starts thegame injured so Leon Osman has been playing here with success. The left MC I have Graveson but once he leaves the club I think Phil Jagielka will slot in quite well.
Up front: 2 AM's (AMR, Arteta, AML, McFadden) and Andy Johnson. I wa expecting te 2 wingers to score some goals but as of yet the only goals they have are from set pieces. Not a huge issue as Johnson is harrassing every golkeeper put in front of him.
As I said earlir I am not sure why this tactic has been successful bu it has. no losses up until 24th Oct, and only 8 goals conceded in 17 games (including pre-season frieldlies.)
Up until the 1st loss the record read as follows (Not including friendlies):
Played 12
Scored 20
Conceded 6
I haven't tweaked my tactic at all up until the loss but I thin know is the time I need to play around with it. Also the possibility of buying players at the January window is vital to cover up for Evertons lack of quality backup players. I started the game by not allowing players to be signed before January.
well, with all that reading I guess you will want to try this tactic out. I was planning to release it after I had played up until half way thru November (when I was expecting the game engine to start to counter the tactic's effectivness) but now with the loss I feel that there will be no great loss in releasing it now:
I've been using the same formation with Boston United in the BSN in my first ever season on FM2008.
I started the season with a 442 formation and didn't win any of my first 5 games. Tried this formation and now sit at the top of the league with 10 games to go.
It's much more effective away from home in terms of winning margins I'm finding. You usually come out second best in terms of possession, but create more chances.
10-25-2007, 12:12 PM
Everton 4-1-2-2-1. Does the job, albiet by small winning margins Post #3
I forgot to add into the inital post that come pre-match I make sure I close down always and tight mark the player who is described as the dangerman by the scout on his team report. Also, when plying big clubs like arsenal and Man Utd I also do this to anyone I feel may need it like rooney or Van Persie. This seems to blunt their impact most times on the matches
10-25-2007, 03:38 PM
Everton 4-1-2-2-1. Does the job, albiet by small winning margins Post #4
Originally posted by ozzieg:
Just as an update, now won the league with Boston using this formation.
Will see how I go in the BSP and report back.
Good to hear you had success. I finished the first season with Everton in 5th place, but have startedseason 2 encouragingly with 3 big wins (3-0, 2-0, 5-1)
10-26-2007, 01:39 PM
Everton 4-1-2-2-1. Does the job, albiet by small winning margins Post #7
Always a bit wary of declaring a "great tactic" as I did manage to sign some good players for the level, but of the 3-4 formations I tried early on, it was easily the most effective results wise.
10-26-2007, 10:32 PM
Everton 4-1-2-2-1. Does the job, albiet by small winning margins Post #8
i gave him a run and was scoring well bu i got a deal from portsmouth for him. 7.25m + nugent + begovic. yakubu did play well in the striker position, so had both vaughan and nugent
Everton 4-1-2-2-1. Does the job, albiet by small winning margins 
he is better than andrew johnson in my game 
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