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TT&F RoO/RoT Tactic Sets: Various Formations for Teams of All Levels
Tactical Theorems and Frameworks’ Rule of One/Rule of Two Tactics Sets
These tactics set follow the two theories I have been writing about over the last 15-month period. They follow the frameworks and theorems laid out in TT&F IV and TT&F III. I have not designed all of the tactic sets (indeed, only the 4-4-2 is mine) but have been in close contact with the designers of the other sets and wholeheartedly endorse them. Thanks to the designers for letting me included them here.
As I am not so au fait with releasing specific tactics I have followed The Next Diaby’s writing plan in supporting my own 4-4-2. Time prevents me from writing such detailed support for the 4-3-3 and the 4-1-3-2, but they both follow the theories laid out in the above-mentioned threads. The Next Diaby has also spent time devising LLM versions of his tactics and for the time and effort he spent I thank him.
I have included all the information in these threads as rtf documents in the zip folder containing the tactics for easier reference should anyone wish to print them out. I hope you find the tactics and the descriptions useful.
As those of you that have read my Frameworks and Theorems threads may be aware, my motivation behind all of its incarnations is to design a standard 4-4-2 tactic that reflects the British game. Thus, my contribution to this tactics set follows a Home strategy of 4-4-2 long-farrows and an Away strategy of 4-4-2 short-farrows. It is a multi-flavoured set with tactics designed for a variety of situations. As it is British in design mentality, it is reasonably direct, although its tempo may not quite fit into the criteria many would associate with the British football, although it is by no means slow. However, with that one exception, I have tried to stay as faithful to a British mentality as possible.
There are also a couple of experimental wet weather versions (with consideration to crazy gra) listed as TTF RoO 4-4-2 HomeAttW and TTf RoO 4-4-2 HomeW.
Version Picking
I have been playing with design variations of this tactic for just over 7 seasons, with the current versions running for the last two. The default home tactic is the 4-4-2 Home which should be used for all home matches unless the odds are heavily for or against you. If you are heavily favoured to win, or notice the AI time-wasting form kick off, pick the 4-4-2 HomeAtt. If you are heavily favoured to lose then the 4-4-2 HomeDef or AwayAtt will be better choices dependant on the extremity of the odds. The default away tactic is the 4-4-2 AwayAtt. If you are heavily favoured to win choose the 4-4-2 HomeDef and switch to the more aggressive flavours if you are failing to dominate. If you are heavily favoured to lose, pick the 4-4-2 Away.
Set-Pieces
I score a lot of goals from set-pieces. The key man is the left-sided DC who needs to be strong and good in the air. The left winger is my default corner taker, but the settings work well when others take the kick, despite individual settings differing slightly.
Opposition Instructions
I’m sure my tactic set can be improved by implementing some of the opposition instructions mentioned in the descriptions of the other sets, but I haven’t experimented much. I have forced the wingers onto wrong foot against the Chelsea 4-5-1/4-3-3 and occasionally closed down and heavy tackled against specific players that have been causing me problems.
Player Requirements
Defence
I am always of the persuasion that if you get the defence right then you will optimise your chances of winning. As detailed above, the left-sided DC should be the best in the air, but both DCs should have good tackling and marking, with heading/jumping being the most important attributes from Conf North through to Championship levels. At higher levels positioning and pace become more important. The FBs should be quick and possess good tackling skills. Crossing is an advantage, but not a must.
Central Midfield
The central midfielders position swap, and their complementary skills are important for total satisfaction in tactical performance. Most importantly, both should be good passers. However, one should be creative and technical with the other being strong and defensive. As they swap positions between deeper and higher up the pitch their different attributes offer a variety of challenges to the AI and impact heavily on the types of moves you will see.
Wingers
Although both play similar roles, needing dribbling, crossing, and preferably passing, the left-winger specifically needs to be good in the air. This is because he plays next to the left sided FC, who operates as an auxiliary target man. Crosses over his head often end up as goal fodder for the left-winger as long as he can outjump his marker. Pace is also useful although not a necessity.
Left-Sided Forward
There are two types of player that can operate in this role. The first is the archetypal target man, big, strong and good in the air. Used with or without target man checked, he will hold up the ball, win flick ons and generally bring others in to play. The second type of player who excels in this role is the creative dribbler, who drops deep to pick up the ball before running at the retreating defence.
Right-Sided Forward
The right-sided forward needs a great first touch, good pace, finishing and composure. He will invariably get on the end of the through balls from the midfield and will have most one on ones with the keeper. Dribbling helps but is not a necessity as usually he will break through the back four onto a ball passed into space so won’t have to beat his man.
Adapting the Tactic
Target Man
I play with it unchecked, but have used it to great effect. The left sided forward is my target man, working in conjunction with the tall left-winger. However, if your right-winger is better in the air, switch the settings for the two front men. Don’t forget to change the crossing instructions for the FBs, wingers and forwards though.
Playmaker
Although I don’t use a playmaker, either of the two MC roles should suit it. As the instruction are different, sometimes the playmaker will be deep and be able to ping long, accurate passes to breaking forwards, whilst other times he will be supporting the attack.
Results
Having played with Blyth Spartans from the Conference North through to the Premiership (7 games in at time of posting) my results are as follows.
Season 1: 2nd Conf North, promoted in Play-Offs
Season 2: 10th Conf National
Season 3: 1st Conf National
Season 4: 1st League 2
Season 5: 6th League 1, lost in Play-Off final on penalties
Season 6: 1st League 1, Winners Johnstone Paint
Season 7: 1st Championship
Season 8: 11th Premiership
Feedback
There has been no feedback form the current set as I haven’t released it previously. However, theory feedback continues in TT&F IV and there has been some positive feedback for an earlier set in TT&F III.
TTF RoOmbus
Tactic Designer: The Next Diaby
The idea is simple: wwfan has designed up something really interesting with his RoO mindset, and while his excellent RoO 4-2-2 set is very "British", I tried to implement some more "continental" ideas to this concept. Many of them I have been using successfully with Creativo (a 4-5-1 RoT based set), and they work with RoO too.
This is a good tactic for decent mid-table teams and higher. They seem to significantly over perform, although it is not as team-boosting as Creativo seems to be. So I would not recommend it for underdogs.
The tactics work fine in any league tested so far, but keep in mind that most quality AMC players are based at continental clubs, so it might be easier to find teams there that take full profit of a diamond's advantage.
Basic Setup
The DMC/AMC combination offers more freedom for the fullbacks. In attacking versions they will support the attack strongly. Generally, I synchronized forward runs on the wings, so FBs and wingers will support each other and sometimes even make some nice overlaps, which is a bit reduced due to the long farrows.
These tactics use fast target men. In attacking versions unticked and supply set to feet, in more cautious versions ticked and supply run to ball. The best choice is a fast creative target man on the left and a poacher on the right (where crosses are set to). If you don't have a strong striker, two fast will work too (and could swap positions).
The use of attacking fullbacks in both attacking versions is very powerful, but needs some monitoring. If the opposition puts too much pressure on you, especially on the wings, you should switch down to balanced. At least for the first games you should use extended highlights.
Player Hints
The right CB should be your best header (set pieces).
I am using the same sweeping keeper as in Creativo. If you see huge number of keeper errors, use default settings.
Fast target men left, strong striker right.
Turn long shots to rarely if your DMC has lousy shooting stats.
Watch your corner takers: corners set to far post, so left foot from right and vice versa.
The Versions
Attack: for clear favourite home games (away only in case of emergency, consider Brasilio then)
Attack away: for clear favourite away games (seems to work as a 2nd attack at home too)
Balanced: very measured approach, can be used as default
Defensive: for away games with clear odds against you, at home if you face heavy pressure only.
SUS: Shut up shop, for defending a lead in last 15 to 20 minutes, home and away.
Alternate: Brasilio RoO adaptation against the odd 3-3-2-1-1s and ultra defensive formations
Version Picking
According to my own results and test feedbacks, wrong version picking is the main reason for a loss.
Don't watch for formations, watch for your opposition's mentality.
Use extended highlights.
Never use defensive against opponents who are not clearly attacking! Switch to balanced then.
Never use SUS until the last 15-20 minutes of the game.
Strong teams in EPL should switch off counter if facing ultra defensive 4-4-2s.
Whenever you are not sure which version to pick, go balanced. You will try to control the game, you will have a stable defence and create chances in attack.
Most important hints for picking pre-game:
Opposition style - more important then formation - so scout. Odds (take with a pinch of salt if you are over performing heavily), media prediction
In game: opposition mentality, chances, possession, passes completed, action zones. Formations are secondary in FM 07, as well as farrows or barrows.
Opposition Instructions
Tight marking for any half decent striker always, closing down always/never for slow strikers/explosive strikers, hard tackling for towering strikers/heading monsters (if they get fouled all day, turn off). Sometimes show on weaker foot for technical strikers.
Tight marking/closing down always for wingers, show on weaker foot if their strong foot matches their side.
Tight marking/closing down always for every AMC
Closing down for every player in midfield who tries to make good long shots.
Alternate Hints
Some recommend tackling hard against wingers, I am not sure about that.
One tester had better results using zonal marking. I would not recommend it, but if you want to use it, these instructions are crucial.
Credits
Special thanks to the beta testers garyh and Dale C from FM-Britain for their tremendous help with testing and feedback and to wwfan for his support and inspiring work.
TTF RoO 433 Set
Tactic Designer: Garry WHUFC
TTF RoO 433 Home Normal: Always use this tactic at home.
TTF RoO 433 Home Attack: Use against Lower League sides or when you desperately need a goal.
TTF RoO 433 Away Def: Use as base away tactic for close odds away games.
TTF RoO 433 Away Normal: Use when you are odds on favourites against normal 442 short farrow tactics etc.
TTF RoO 433 Away Att: Use when odds on favourites against defensive tactics.
TTF RoO 433 Away Ult Att: Use when needing a goal or against 33211 tactic.
Hints
Use easy tackling across the board when starting a game.
Change all 3 MC farrows to barrows if opposition go 442 long farrow or all out attack.
Before every game go to "opposition instructions" then choose "close down always" against players who have a decent long shot!.
Results
....W....D....L....F....A....
....25...5....0...93...19... as Arsenal
Okay, you wont see that kind of performance using teams of lesser quality, but a respectable 1st season finish seems a possibility for ANY side after what I've just witnessed!.
That is the best unbeaten run I have ever had on FM2007 (by a country mile) and I am more than a little surprised to say the least.
Put that together with the fact that I didn’t attempt any media interaction or team-talks and I only checked on a game in play maybe 2 or 3 times (not including half time) and what you have is a pretty good.
Feedback
Tried this tactic with Forest and had probably my best run on 07 yet. My team was playing great football and I even managed to dominate against Championship opposition. I was 12 points ahead at the top of the league conceding only 2 goals. This tactic is great!
I must say this tactic worked wonders for me especially against the dreaded 3-3-2-1-1
I have also included a 4-1-3-2 Home and Away set designed by thegooner, but have no documented support
02-05-2007, 12:05 AM
TT&F RoO/RoT Tactic Sets: Various Formations for Teams of All Levels Post #3
Creativo is a set of 5 tactics, suitable for major clubs and underdogs. The Brasilio add-on is an alternate version for later stages of the game, especially against ultra-defensive formations and the odd 3-3-2-1-1. Creativo will "create" many chances by using no less then 7 creative players in the attacking versions: the FBs, the MC/a, AMRLC plus the FC. It is designed to achieve numeric superiority on almost every area of the pitch, except for the penalty area, where you should see superior quality of chance. You will have many extra chances through set pieces. Usually your team will foul far less than the opposition.
The tactics were designed for Arsenal (though it will be more of the original Barca style), and since then been successfully tested with teams like West Brom, Wolves, Betis, Dortmund etc.
The only weak spot of these tactics are ultra-defensive opponents and the odd 3-3-2-1-1. This is where Brasilio kicks in at later stages of the game (more early for big teams though).
One key is the central partnership. The left MC/d or DMC will sit on top of the defence, with the right MC/a acting as a deep lying playmaker, often switching into an AMC role and orchestrating the attack, while the AMC is more of a second striker.
Versions
1: TTF RoT Creativo Attack
2: TTF RoT Creativo Attack Away (1 DMC)
3: TTF RoT Creativo Cautious (for cautious away games and strong opponents)
4: TTF RoT Creativo Ultra Cautious (2 DMCs, basically just for underdogs)
5: TTF RoT Creativo Shut Up Shop (for defending a lead during last 15 mins) Choosing the Correct Tactic
Assign 1 through 4 by the strength of opponents and by your tactical requirements. 1 has most men in front of ball, 4 most men behind it. Shut up shop should not be used too early, of course.
If you are creating tons of chances and dominating the midfield but seeing too many shots off target, switch one version down.
If you are in control of the midfield, but aren’t creating enough chances, go one version up.
Before you gain familiarity with picking the right versions, TTF RoT Creativo Cautious is a good default starting formation.
The use of attacking fullbacks in both attacking versions is very powerful, but needs some monitoring. If the opposition puts too much pressure on you, especially on the wings, you should switch down to cautious/balanced. At least for the first games you should use extended highlights.
Set-Pieces
Check your set piece assignments. The AMC is set to first post flick on, change this if you have a lousy header there. The DMC and one winger is set to outside area, which will give you some goals from long shots and help winning the ball back. If you have good long shooters, place them there. The MC/a is set to come short. This will create some surprise goals, but it is pointless if he is always man-marked. The best header should be the right CB, he is set to stand on far post.
Opposition Instructions
Quality Opposition: Only the CDs are set to tight marking. It is highly effective to single out opposition players. If you are facing overwhelming opponents, it can be worth singling out their WHOLE midfield!
Forwards: Tight marking for any half decent striker always, closing down always/never for slow strikers/explosive strikers, hard tackling for towering strikers and heading monsters (if they get fouled all day, turn off). Sometimes show on weaker foot for technical strikers.
Wingers: Tight marking/closing down always for wingers, show on weaker foot if their strong foot matches their side.
Tight marking/closing down always for every AMC
Midfield: Closing down for every player in midfield who tries to make good long shots.
Hints
Team Talks: Don't neglect this. It IS important. If you need to switch to Brasilio at halftime, it especially helps give them the hair-dryer or fire them up. This can make the difference and turn a poor performance into a second half rout.
Extended Highlights: Very handy, if not crucial since '07. Including Brasilio, you have 7(!) alternatives at hand to allow you to react on ANYTHING happening on the pitch. Use it to your advantage, don't hesitate to switch instantly if needed.
Player Requirements
Easiest are DCs and DMC/MCd. Any good player will do a decent job. Having a tall DC as the right DC will pay off, since you will create many chances through set pieces.
The FBs are key players. In attacking versions, they really should be offensive minded with good crossing and dribbling (both set to often!). In cautious versions, you can use more defensive ones, if you do not have balanced players. But they should give you quite a few key passes, even if they cannot cross and dribble.
The MC/a on the right is a deep lying playmaker. Some DMCs with offensive qualities will do great there, even some AMCs. Best suited are classical playmakers of course.
The AMLR: classical wingers often give you less then expected. Some do great though. Best results I had with strikers who are competent on the wings. They can create and convert many chances.
The AMC: Ideal is an AMC/FC. Even better, if he has decent header stats, since most fast strikers are no monsters in the air. But there are also many natural MCs who score like mad in this role. Especially if they have good long shots.
The FC: A key man. If he cannot cope with the running target man role, the whole team will suffer. Fast (15+ in FM 07) is useful, and a guy like van Persie is a monster there. On the other hand, speed is not everything, and many fast strikers just cannot convert. There have been also reports about "slow" players with pace 13, doing a great job there.
Last but not least: The keeper! The keeper is set as playing keeper, coming off his line and sweeping out through balls. If you see your keeper doing too many mistakes, set him to act more conservatively.
It can be very helpful to try players out of position.
Feedback
Chizrah suggested increasing the tempo and passing slightly for less technical teams. Plus a slightly deeper d-line. You can try to increase the closing down of the CBs by the same level, if you want to follow the mirroring concept.
Adamski reported a successful use of shut up shop earlier then last 15 minutes of a game. I did not try that myself so far, but it might be worth an effort.
Some teams have great success with swapping positions between AML and AMR. This can be a good idea for top teams with equally adept players.
Results
Arsenal: PL and CL double - CS, WCC, domestic treble season 2
West Brom: Instant promotion (+20 pts) - CL spot season 2 - European force since then - PL and CL double in season 7
Dortmund: German cup, European spot - top of UEFA group and league mid-season 2
Wolves: European spot (season 2)
River: sensational run at start of season
Betis: top of league after 11 games, including 7 points against Barca, Real and Valencia
Napoli: instant promotion - top of league mid-season 2
Credits
Credit to two tactical geniuses: Franky for his Magnifico and other great FM 06 tactics, and wwfan for his remarkable works on tactical frameworks, Rule of Two mentality and mirroring. I tried to put these two concepts together, and the result has been more then convincing so far.
Special thanks also to all users at the Dugout and to wwfan again for their helpful feedback, which made the tactics work even better.
Special mention to adamski for his great feedback and amazing West Brom story.
TTF RoT Brasilio Set
Tactic Designer: The Next Diaby
The Brasilio tactics are simply add-ons for teams using Creativo. These are extremely attacking tactics for special games and situations, and not meant to be balanced or working as stand-alone tactics for a whole season.
If you have been using Creativo for a while, you will face ultra defensive opponents sooner or later, or even the odd 3-3-2-1-1. This can stop you from creating chances through your midfield superiority. Or you might be in urgent need of one or two instant goals. This is the moment to switch from Creativo to Brasilio.
Brasilio converts the AMC into a 2nd striker, while the fast target man will now drift out wide. The two wingers turn into AMCs, and those four up front now form a "magic quartet". If you have quality players there, you might see some magical short-passing combinations that are hard to cope with, and some remarkable runs through midfield as well. Any of those four can create and convert, and they are close enough to support each other effectively.
To create even more havoc, both AMCs are set to swap positions.
Of course, as the layout might suggest, this is more prone to defensive errors then Creativo. Keep this in reserve for those games, where you expect ultra-defensive oppositions or if you want to go out and thrash lowly opponents in a cup mismatch.
If you should face increasing pressure from your opponents, you should switch back to Creativo and start controlling the pitch again. It is no problem to switch in game, since almost all player instructions are identical.
Since I did not want to make any balanced versions of this, there are just two versions:
1 TTF RoT Brasilio + (with attacking fullbacks joining the party)
2 TTF RoT Brasilio – (with fullbacks standing off a bit)
02-05-2007, 12:45 AM
TT&F RoO/RoT Tactic Sets: Various Formations for Teams of All Levels Post #4
wwfan, I have just played my first match with your RoO set of tactics. I drew 1-1 at home to Palace. I notice that you play both counter attack and offside in the same match. How can it be done? The one requires deep defending to enable the counter to work and the other needs the defence to push up to get the offside. Surely they are not compatible.
I intend to persevere while trying to make my own set of tactics. The problem is that if I donate my pc time to tactic making I don't get to play the game and vice-versa, as I'm sure you know. Kind regards.
02-05-2007, 05:49 AM
TT&F RoO/RoT Tactic Sets: Various Formations for Teams of All Levels Post #6
Originally posted by oescus:
wwfan, I have just played my first match with your RoO set of tactics. I drew 1-1 at home to Palace. I notice that you play both counter attack and offside in the same match. How can it be done? The one requires deep defending to enable the counter to work and the other needs the defence to push up to get the offside. Surely they are not compatible.
I intend to persevere while trying to make my own set of tactics. The problem is that if I donate my pc time to tactic making I don't get to play the game and vice-versa, as I'm sure you know. Kind regards.
Counter-attack is somewhat counter intuitive. it doesn't work quite like it does in real life. What it does is to stop your players making risky forward passes that lose possession and instead the team will only attack when the move is 'on'. Hence, it minimises risk, whilst obviously limiting attacking opportunities. It needs to be turned off once you become overwhelming favourites for matches.
Hope that explains things.
02-05-2007, 08:02 AM
TT&F RoO/RoT Tactic Sets: Various Formations for Teams of All Levels Post #7
hi wwfan,
I've used your formation of 442 in several games. I find offsides are so frequent that the forwards' rating are low.
Would u solve this problem?
02-05-2007, 10:55 AM
TT&F RoO/RoT Tactic Sets: Various Formations for Teams of All Levels Post #8
Originally posted by wwfan:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by oescus:
wwfan, I have just played my first match with your RoO set of tactics. I drew 1-1 at home to Palace. I notice that you play both counter attack and offside in the same match. How can it be done? The one requires deep defending to enable the counter to work and the other needs the defence to push up to get the offside. Surely they are not compatible.
I intend to persevere while trying to make my own set of tactics. The problem is that if I donate my pc time to tactic making I don't get to play the game and vice-versa, as I'm sure you know. Kind regards.
Counter-attack is somewhat counter intuitive. it doesn't work quite like it does in real life. What it does is to stop your players making risky forward passes that lose possession and instead the team will only attack when the move is 'on'. Hence, it minimises risk, whilst obviously limiting attacking opportunities. It needs to be turned off once you become overwhelming favourites for matches.
Hope that explains things. </BLOCKQUOTE>
Unless you play a defensive formation then you can keep counter attack on. I've won the ECL, EPL 4 times in a row now and still use a defensive set up with counter attacking against everyone and it works like a treat.
02-05-2007, 04:55 PM
TT&F RoO/RoT Tactic Sets: Various Formations for Teams of All Levels Post #10
Unless you play a defensive formation then you can keep counter attack on. I've won the ECL, EPL 4 times in a row now and still use a defensive set up with counter attacking against everyone and it works like a treat.
"Unless you play a defensive formation then you can keep counter attack on." contradicts with "and still use a defensive set up with counter attacking against everyone and it works like a treat."
Which of the two has the typo? (my guess is the first)
TT&F RoO/RoT Tactic Sets: Various Formations for Teams of All Levels 
(my guess is the first)
Linear Mode
