retired_kcchiefsfan

'You don't have to have a football background to know what you want from your players. When you pick a formation have a think about how you want the players to play. The next step is then to make the individual players play exactly how you want in your head. Then watch a match and see if they are doing exactly what you thought they would, if not just keep messing around with different settings until you see something that looks right. Thats all I do.'

That is a very interesting perspective. I will try that.

I'm thinking a system where the sweeper is more the stopper, no balls played over the d-lines head. I think that would mean no farrow. Also could the sweeper complement a DM with a barrow to the DC spot, and could this DM from this position be a playmaker/distributor or should he start at DC with a farrow to DM?

Crazy i know but i'm trying to incorporate all the types of players i enjoy having on the pitch.

I would like a sweeper, a playmaker DM, attacking fullbacks (that i can never seem to get to work, they just won't go forward, PPMs or not), two MCs, a highly technical AMC and a striker.

The MCs as the first line of defense/ ball winners in the middle but with good linkup to the AMC. FBs and AMC/MCa presenting big problems with their interchange of play in the opponents half and a skillful elusive striker making runs and hiding behind the opposition fullbacks. Even better for me would be getting two AMC/FCs involved, i love those players, but at the expense of what?

Ideally this team would be able to play fast fast and get the ball to the opponents third as quickly as possible but ensuring the FBs were part of the play.

Now as the amateur i am, is this even possible, or do these types of players contradict one another on the pitch?

retired_elpata

That works very well, especially the DMC being a playmaker. For me this type of playmaker is more effective and it makes much more sense to have someone here dictating play.

Do me a screenshot of the layout you was thinking if possible and I will try and help you implement the thing you want to do, or give you ideas on how id go about getting them to work. Thats if you want ofc Getting the fullbacks to attack isn't a real issue for me and its quite easy to do by just using the width slider

Until I see the exact shape im not sure what part of the game would suffer, although it might be possible that nothing will have to be sacrifised but it might take a while to perfect the tactic for you. But eh if you got spare time and want to get it spot on for your side I'll try my best to answer any queries you got.

Nope it can work and thats my style of play that I like playing

retired_mkrfpe

Cleon,

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I have a few more questions:

Just to clarify-- I assume you mean you like to push your DC(s) up and keep your sweeper back a bit, maintaining a defensive posture to cut out long balls played over the top into the gap created in your own half. Correct?

Although I have romantic dreams of recreating "der Kaisers" heyday with a marauding sweeper, the talent I have on my team at the moment is probably better suited to play the way you describe. My conception is (playing a SW, two DCs, and two WBs, possibly with a DMc as well) to have the DCs/DMC play more aggressive defense, closing down and putting pressure on approaching central attackers, while my sweeper lays back and (as the name implies) cleans up any mistakes they may make. Roughly how high do you suggest I put the "Closing Down" slider for the DCs so they play this way, and yet don't go wandering off to the touchline every time a winger gets free on my defensive flank? Also, should they be put on "tight marking?"

How much creative freedom do you tend to give to your sweeper, or is that simply dependent on his stats?

Again, many thanks.

retired_mkrfpe

Oh, one more question: I've read that one of the weaknesses of playing a sweeper is that you pretty much always play your opponent onside, and you're actually more susceptible (spelling?) to through-balls or balls lofted over the top because the forwards can position themselves behind their markers (in line with the sweeper) and still be onside. Do you find this to be a problem in FM?

Forgive me, I'm a yank who is relatively new to the game of soccer; I've never played organized soccer in my life, and most of what I know of the game I've learned from reading and watching matches.

Thanks again.

retired_elpata

I do yeah, sorry if it wasn't clear from my initial post

As you seem to know how exactly how you want to play you might just want to set these instructions up normal, watch a few games and then change the settings when you see things that are actually wrong. Id like to be more helpful but this is the actual part that differs person to person due to the differnt player you have meaning they have different stats than me on my games. I could suggets a few things but id put money on them not working for you. The best best is to just view a few games and do it that way. Then if you see problems you can always post what problems and then I can try and be more helpful.

As for CF thats pretty much a stats thing too.

Sorry I've not been really helpful with my reply, but I could give you advice thats totally wrong as it would all be speculative.

retired_elpata

I find you actually cut more of the through balls out and same goes for the balls over the top. Although it is true that you can play a striker onside at times, but if your set up good you shouldn't have a problem really.

retired_kcchiefsfan

This is the formation i was thinking of.

I would like the play to be fast, with the fullbacks interchaging play with the AMCs and ST via quick passing and crosses. I would like very offensive FBs.

The two very technical AMCs providing balls through to the ST or taking runs at the defense.

The DM is a problem area i want him to be a playmaker but i think he has to have DC like coverage if i play a sweeper. If he is that far back can he still be the buildup focus? Or should he start at DC with a farrow to DM?

I want to play fast but if i want the FBs involved i'm going to have to have some players holding the ball up, probably my DM, which makes him vulnerable because he is so deep.

I'm less concerned about possesion as i am in scoring chances and goals... and here is the real rub of course, this has to be a solid defensive formation.

We can assume world class players, but ones that fit the right roles. Oh yes the MC is a solid defensive player with high mental skills and good passing.

That is how i envision my team. How would they have to be set up? Home and away differences?

I have had very mixed results, i'm leaking at the back (not to bad), but i am not offensive enough. I have guaranteed the fans and players that they would play exciting football but i'm not delivering.

I apologize for the long posts this is a lot of fun for me.

retired_kcchiefsfan

In addition i have thought of an option with 2 MCs and 1 AMC, perhaps better defensively?

Also 1 AMC and 2 strikers. I am open to any formation option that includes a playmaking DM and a sweeper, these are the two players i want on my team.

retired_elpata

You could also have the keeper distribute the ball to him, this would be very effective for your playmaker. Hes in an excellent start place for build up play. Remember that backward arrows only come into play when you lose possession and not when you have it. SO he will only fall back when your being attacked

You can ask the fullbacks to run with the ball if you wanted.

Id play a normal mentality game, direct passing, deepish D-Line and counter attack at both home and away depending on wha team you are.

retired_elpata

Try both ways and see which you prefer