towerofpower

Hello.

Introduction

I took Rushden to Premiership some seasons ago but really always struggled there. I had very hard time especially defensively; no matter what I tried didn't seem to work. Then I really wanted to make a tactic that is not only good on attack but very reliable on defense as well. I really wanted to keep my AML and AMR positions, but I came to realize that with AML and AMR positions on formation it is very hard to play defensively without having too much pressure on defensive midfielders and midfielders, which wore them down quick as well.
So I simply made them ML and MR, but with long farrow. Way regular wingers participate on defensive duties compared to AML and AMR is huge and by adding these my team now defends as a team, not just with defenders and central midfield like on my earlier attempts. Before this I tried pretty ridiculous things, such as having even three defesnive midfielders, but it simply didn't work without wingers participating on defence. It invited too much pressure. So now I have here solid 4-5-1 as you'll soon see. I really feel 4-5-1 is the best balanced tactic for this.

I was surprised how well this formation worked. It took couple of games to gel in, but even from start it looked promising. After 3 games of same old in premiership I made this tactic and my goal was to keep as many clean sheets as possible. For my positive surprise I conceded only 19 goals whole season with more or less average premiership team and scored 73 goals resulting me goal difference +54. Also I eased to FA cup victory, perhaps 0-7 victory against Liverpool at FA Cup semi-finals was the biggest victory of whole season for me.

Out of these 19 goals conceeded, 5 were conceeded on my first three games ( after which I created this tactic) and I can honestly say most of the remaining 14 were from deadball situations such as freekicks, corners and penalties.

Ok, here are the results:




As you can see it was a close run against Arsenal. I won both matches against them which secured me the championship.


Here's for the tactic...I give you the layout and some basic info. I won't be bothered to take screenshot of every position individual instructions because they're in the tactic download anyway.




I play it slow tempo carefully, yet I use counter attack and offside trap. Might sound pretty weird, but it really works for me. Most of the will naturally score your striker...for me Frazier Cambell been sacking easily over goal per match. Midfield works hard winning those ball and launching counter attacks. There will be a lot of crossed by wingers and fullbacks. All in all this formation - at least for me - produced some very attractive football as well.


Positional stuff

Striker - needs to be quick and composed, someone who can really beat defenders on those through balls, but also needs to be able to finish them. Also good aerial ability wont hurt as he'll come across many crosses.

ML and MR - Needs good acceleration and techical skills. Crossing, passing etc. Passes direct.

MC's and DMC - These guys work hard, but are creative as well and good passing ball, trying to keep possesion as well. Sometimes I played very technical MC's, yet with poor physical stats and they seemed to work pretty well there too.


DL and DR - Forward runs. Often. Don't be afraid of it. I always had them on often and I didn't have to pay the price for it. They can be very important supporting the attack by flanks. However, when I buy a fullback I of course look at physical and defensive attributes first., because to me defense comes first naturally.

DC's - Pace wouldn't hurt, eventhough my other CB only had pace and acceleration about 9 or 10; he made it up with some postional skills, teamwork etc. I'd recommend other CB to be quick though, preferred acc and pace at least 14.

Tweaks

I never really tweaked this during the whole season. Sometimes I took farrows off, but it seemed to be just as good with farrows on. Then naturally time wasting if really need to hold on lead. I never tweaked width to narrow or anything like that.

For lower league teams or teams with poor passing ability on midfield, I'd tweak passing from individual instructions to last notch of short or something. They're currently on 3rd notch of short because my midfielders are good at it and can play it quicker. I haven't tried this with LL team though so I can only make assumptions, but can't see why this couldn't work on them.



Here's the tactic, hope it works for you as well:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/5uk4eh


Give it some games to gel in. Keep in mind I made this tactic for my team, based around my players. It should work though, because my team wasn't really that great so I don't see why not. I hope it does, that's why I post it here for those who have been struggling especially defensively like I was before. If any questions, don't hesitate to ask me.

towerofpower

Mostly the reason I posted this, is the curiousity whether this works for other people or not. I'm not too disheartened or surprised if it doesn't. I'm not claiming this is guaranteed success just because it works for me.

If it works even for one person who had been struggling with tactics before, I'm happy.

Law_Man

Hi, can you upload it to another site please because sendspace says the service is currently out of capacity. Cheers.

towerofpower

Here's mediafire link, hope it works: http://www.mediafire.com/?fo0h5momxym

Law_Man

That one worked fined thanks I'll try it out and let you know how it goes!

Law_Man

By the way, what year was it in the screen shots you posted?

macca72

Dude, this looks cool...first time i've seen someone take a team like that to glory !!

Will try with my Leeds side and let you know. Out of interest, what year are you in ?

towerofpower

I'm on year 2018. Been long road, my 4th season on EPL though and finally found tactic I can stick on...we'll see how we do in champions league then.

Midge

Wow thats a lot of goals scored in the season. over half with +60, the defences in that season must have been a joke.