retired_warwick79

I am interested to know people's thoughts on the 4-2-4 system that the AI uses to great effect. What are your thoughts on this formation? Do you feel that it is a cheap programming module that SI have included to give your opposition a fighting chance? Do you think that it's a slick and sophisticated module that has its place in the FM series?

Most importantly, I am interested to know how you combat the 4-2-4. Do you combat it or do you simply let the game run its natural toll? What settings do you use if and when you do combat the 4-2-4? Do you change formation? what do you do with farrows and barrows?


All thoughts on this AI tactical change are welcome. I am trying to get an insight into people's perceptions of this AI change. Do you feel it's overly effective? Do you feel that SI have got it just right? Should it even be in the game?

retired_angeliwuoma

As a formation it is definately over effective however as someone who has dominated the AI in previous editions of FM I guess it's fair payback.

I do hope it is employed to a lesser extect ni FM08 though.

retired_NLeniewska

IRL if a team is 1 goal down and chasing a goal, then it's common sense that they are gonna push more men forward to try and score.

I feel it is a good idea to have the AI use such a tactic in the later stages of a match, but it seems that every team uses the 4-2-4 and I would like to see alternative formations that the AI could use when chasing a goal.

To Counter the 4-2-4, I just simply keep all defenders on rarely Fwd Runs with Man Mark on their opposite number, I also swith to a fast tempo and direct passing to try and catch them on a counter attack, usually does the trick.

retired_warwick79

I too use the direct counter attack to sneak another goal, but wwfan stated in not so many words that it was a bad idea. How effective do you feel the counter is in your game world? Do you still find that teams will score late against you?

retired_NLeniewska

Yeah sometimes I do conceed late goals, but by time wasting and setting the way I stated previously I don't really conceed that many to be honest.

retired_amberrose31

I've foud that keeping your back fours' indvidual closing down to the same setting helps. Also be sure to focus passing down both flanks. Then again I'm working off a Rule of One set so I don't tweak passing or tempo beyond it's pre-set values. I'll keep experimenting though.

retired_warwick79

I'm going to experiment a little bit with it this evening and I'll let you know what I come up. These are my basic guidelines:

Defensive mentality
Narrow width
Low closing down
Man-marking back 4
Slow tempo
Short passing
High time-wasting
Hold up ball for 2 strikers and 2 wingers
Forward runs rarely for everyone
Rare through balls for everyone

retired_amberrose31

Yeah, I've also been experimenting with dropping the 'hold up ball' instruction for my full backs and applying it to my wingers instead. Also since we're going to be counter attacking I've been setting my Goalie's distribution to one of my wingers, immediately by-passing their forward line and getting the ball down the flanks. With high time-wasting I think this can really frustrate the opposition and kill off the game.

retired_slayerbing

also sarrow your strikers and forward runs to your wingers. Tick counter attack too.

I usually score when they go to 4-2-4. I've as good as got the game won then so its amuses me that people get so panicked by it.

retired_kellyk

The AI has several formations that it uses that make them look like a 424 on the screen, i recall one of the developers saying there were hundreds of formations it uses. For example the 442 can be long farrowed to make it play like a 424, and of course the orthodox 424.

Personally I like it when the AI uses the 235 or the 424 as a last ditch attempt to come at ya. Its generally very easy to combat. The 424 is extremely weak through the centre. My formations can typically go through the middle to, the one I was using for a while back before I stopped playing was the 4312. The middle of the AI is weak so punch through the centre with either a pacey attack or a quick one two passing game with a strong Forward.


If I were playing a 442, or using my own 424 then it wouldn't matter since my fullbacks and wingers have instructions to close down the flanks. The most important thing I would concern myself with is : bravery and player condition. My players absolutely have to make that tackle and these attributes will let me know if they still have what it takes in the 80th min.

There are loads of approaches one can take for this game. I personally only have one formation for a given season, or some tough occassions I may revert to a different formation. The game has a gel factor as such its not recommended that you switch to a formation your team has never used before. Furthermore you shouldn't be making drastic changes to your tactic..ie you go from playing adventurous football all season to playing defensive football which you have never done before.

The 424 is a formation I used for a long time in the game. If you set it up right its an easy formation to master, but its not recommended for the long term, its a good formation for lower league teams actually. I used it with merthyr tydfil to get them promoted to the premiership. They used that formation exclusively for 4 seasons.