retired_Balanchinegal

I had this idea earlier today when reading through a lot of Rashidi1's replies to (Mainly my) posts.
He's forever stating that you should first concentrate on getting your tactic's Defense right.
So my idea is this:

Tactical Thought

To explain this; I figured it might be worth trying out an "Ultra Defensive" tactic, even though Liverpool are capable of so much more in the game, I MYSELF am barely capable of anything, as you all know.
So if I instruct the back four to act as basically four CB's, their individual instructions are all identical;
Full defensive mentality, minimum creative freedom, direct passing, no FW's etc.
The DM (Xabi Alonso/Javier Mascherano) is only slightly less Defensive so he stays just in front of the back four.

My idea then is to leave the Mentality "Un-ticked" for LM, RM, CM(or AM) + 2 FW's and alter this in-match depending on the opposition and/or current score; they would then act as indicated by the arrows I've drawn on that screenie there.

The back four would always remain set as is, so they would always be on ultra defensive, meaning that the formation can go from defensive (By setting the MF + FW to defensive via team instuctions) to attacking (again by altering team instructions) without sacrificing the defensive stability. Hope that makes sense.

Do you think that would work, or is it just plain daft?

(I want to ask a few guys for their thoughts first before I try it, as I'm notorious for being festooned by the AI then giving up and crying like a big girls blouse)

retired_janae55

On paper any tactic would work. Perhaps you should try it in the match engine and see how much further you can go with the idea.

retired_cindymerc

Its a great idea starr man. I personally use this system now, where my back 4 or 5(including Dm) are defensive and the rest of the team is controlled with the mentality slider. A guy called Asomodeous or something called it slider apathy.

KUTGW starr_man. You also probably need to play a few games to get ur passing and closing down right.

retired_management team

It is worth trying!

However I would note that this will only work with counter attacks and / or target-man as your defense will be very far behind your attacking players. This will force your defenders to kick long balls forward. Moreover, your full backs will stay back and probably will not help midfielders by giving them additional passing options. I guess your DMC needs to be really good in passing the ball to compensate that...

If you play counter attack it should be fine though because the defenders will pass quick long balls forward before the opposition gets back.

retired_Balanchinegal

Em... It's Xabi Alonso. (Passing and creativity: Both 20)


I've seen that title before, I'm gonna check that thread out and see what he has to say. Cheers, mate :thup:

The thing is guys, I've started more new games than I care to remember; the fact this thread will be mainly ignored by the majority due to the author will be testament to that. (Not that I'm Disliked as such, just that people will think "Oh, there he goes again, give it up Starr_Man5")
I just want to once, JUST ONCE finish a season on '07 before '08 comes out.
But I'm not going to go into too much detail, I'll just work quietly in the background...

retired_FaultyFate

Starr_Man,

First of all, defensive tactics generally work better than attacking ones. And honestly, if you spend some time tuning it up starting from what you suggested, you will be surprised that you will score quite a lot.

Since you really want to understand game better rather than compete with other people, I would suggest start a game, arrange 5-6 friendlies against some strong teams and play them watching in full mode, experimentnig with tempo, passing, etc. You may want to replay some matches just to have more room for building a tactic. It may look boring, but it's worth your time.
Once you see something you really like, you start new game and go from there.

One tip - place Xabi into playmaker box (not tick "use playmaker" though) and ask him to try through ball "often" as well as long shots "often".

retired_kellyk

Starr_Man, I'm not suggesting you make a defensive tactic. What I do suggest is making sure your defense has been set right.

When making any tactic, always make sure that the DCs are sorted first. give them ultra defensive mentalities. For the rest of the defenders have them on normal if you want. Then set up closing down. Generally attacking formations need high closing down up front and low at the back. Defensive formations are different they need medium closing down up front, in the middle and low at the back.

I'm not a big fan of direct passing unless I play for a really good team that can search out the players.

You can set the rest of the team on one mentality. If its normal then fine. One attacker on attacking...then make sure your defensive line depth is set according to whether you're attacking or defensive. If you're attacking and playing high closing down set it higher, if you are defensive with defensive mentalities all around set it lower.

retired_nickgiardina

What's your passing and width setting?

I find a narrow/slow tempo with defenders on mixed passing and the rest on short passing, with only your wingers on high closing down to work well against most teams but not against teams that have parked the bus infront of goal.

Your DM needs to have some pace imho and good at heading, strong in the tackle/is aggressive when needed - you want your DM to fight for be able to cover the back four when your CM's if they get caught out. Alonso is weak in the heading/aggression/strenght department imho.

Alonso is better used in a more advanced position , espeically in defensive type formations/tactic's...

retired_Balanchinegal

Kaz_1983 - Are you saying I should put Alonso where Gerrard is, put Gerrard where Pennant is (removing him) and put Sissoko or Mascherano in the DMC role?

I played the first match with the formation/team selection in that screenie in the OP but, to be honest, it was a load of old nonsense.
I never felt for a second that we would concede, but I also never felt for a second that we would score either!
I watched the full match (Almost nodding off in the process) and fiddled around with the tempo and what-not.
I'd like to know what to do with the D-line in this tactic, and how I should use it in relation to the overall team mentality.
I read somewhere someone said they used a very deep D-line for their attacking tactic and then pushed up when they were defending. But then others will use the reverse of this. It's all a little confusing for someone as tactically inept as me.

Rashidi1 - I've no intention of making a defensive tactic. Well, not "Globally" defensive anyway; I want the back four and the DMC to remain ultra defensive regardless of opposition and/or current match status/score etc. Then I want the "Front Five" of LM,RM,CM,TM,ST to be adjusted in unison with the Team Instructions going from defensive to attack without sacrificing Defensive stability, know what I mean?

retired_Balanchinegal

I appreciate your enthusiasm Badboy500, I really do. :thup:
But you should know by now my work is not, and never has been, Good.
I should change my name to "Guff_Girl2"