mattbuck

Well, atfer having a lot of trouble getting a decent tatic going i finally managed to create one that i have had some success with. Its basically 4-4-2, but with lots of arrows. It adopts a very short, slow and narrow passing game. The midfielders stick together closely, and look to dominate the midfield area. When not in possesion, one striker tucks into a AMC position, and 1 midfielder tucks into a Def Mid position. With the ball, 1 midfielder tucks into an AMC position.

This tatic will help you dominate in midfield, and will usually secure you 49%+ possesion. Attack's are built carefully, there are lots of passing options for the midfielders. Both strikers are on forward runs mixed, and will look to hold up the ball. 3 of the 4 midfielders will make runs through the defence.
Using this tatic i have made a very good start with bristol rovers, beating better teams than myself thusfar.

Ideally, you need 1 of your 2 strikers to be strong to hold up the ball. The second striker/AMC should have a decent creativity stat, and if possible also be able to hold up the ball. Your MC/AMC should also be decent as making forward runs. My AMC is my top scorer so far with 5 goals from 7 games.

Man marking is employed on this tatic on all players, if possible try to have man marking of 10+ on all defenders. This formation seems to work much better with manual team talks, dont ask me why.

Feel free to adjust player instructions as you wish, but try to stop one or ideally both strikers from making forward runs, as they guys are key to holding the ball up for the rest of the team. I'd advise just adjusting the wingers with player instructions of your choice.

This formation works well home and away. If your at home, and are sure you can beat the team, and that team's strikers are slower than your defenders, then by all means move the mentality slider to the first notch of attacking, the defensive line to normal or above.

Screenshots

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/300/14987726sr8.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5395/42311669zy6.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/3633/63298938jd5.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/9489/58723858vi5.jpg


http://rapidshare.com/files/64339067/Narrow_Minded_Home...overs__Sep_2007_.tac

mattbuck

Some feedback on the tatic would be nice, if anyone is using it. :p

threedeeice

Don't you get punished down the flanks with this tactic?

mattbuck

Not really, my team are so dominant in midfield. All my players are very close together, meaning its very hard to break down the side. Any loss balls, misplaced pass's etc are picked up very quickly. I am now top of league 1 using this tatic, not having conceded a goal home or away for 5 games.

threedeeice

I'm at work at the moment, so I can't try it out, but how have you countered the closing down issue?

mattbuck

For some reason it hasnt been an issue. This tatic uses man marking, it has worked very well so far. Use Opp instructions to close down their dangerman from the scout report, thats about it. Closing down is left on mixed.

FourFourTwo

Personally I like narrow tactics because it gives a sound defensive foundation even during an attack.

FM Pitch

I am very impressed with this tactic, I was having a hard season with Cambridge Utd, so thought I would try this and ended up winning 5-1 and with the best performance of the season by far (im near the end of the season) impressed with how the midfield kept the ball and a total of 6 players getting an 8 rating.
Thanks :thup:

mattbuck

Thanks mate, its working very well for me. Seems to work well with lower league clubs as well.

Chelsea4Eva

Matt any chance of posting it on filefront? Can't use Rapidshare in South Africa .

Thanks mate!