Ibrahima Bakayoko

Hi guys,

I'm playing FM07 as Cisco Roma and I'm just starting my third season in Serie B after two successive promotions.

Last season I only just scraped through in the playoffs and I knew the side needed some surgery and investment if it was to challenge in Serie B. Unfortunately, and for the 3 straight transfer window, I wasn't given any transfer funds. All the players in my squad are either reasonably average freebies or signings I made at the start of the game 2 seasons ago.

As you can guess, the defensive palayers aren't exactly world class, so I really want to play a nice tight formation that forces the opposition to shoot from range.

So right now I'm trying to design a 4-1-3-2 like so, with the players shown:



I've read through the Rule of Two thread for playing without ball, but I'm still being dominated in the games and letting in sloppy goals. Do I need to make 3 tactics to deal with different situations in the game (i.e. defending a lead, coming back from a goal down, neutral)?

I followed the RoT thread to set up my defence (player instructions). What team instructions are advisable for a 4132 formation?

My big disadvantage (being an underdog this season) is the lack of pace in my side meaning playing with counter attacking on is pretty useless. Instead I have a nice big target man (Araboni) whose useful at getting his head to the ball, but isn't very strong at holding it with his feet.

Any suggestions guys? Or is it a case of trial and error with this one?

Dave Fairbairn

The problem is, I reckon, that you have a poor defence playing against good attackers. There really isn't that much you can do about these silly goals.

To me your best bet is not to use good players, but to try and get a LOT of average-ish players, even poor ones and use a big rotation. For example, if a player gets 2 or 3 6s in a row, rotate him out and see if any of the other players in your squad may get lucky patch of form. I mean playing as a poor team can, at times, be more luck than anything I've found, as your players just aren't good enough for the division, but if they're well rested at all times they will be a lot more likely to play to their best.

Morale is also another important factor in situations like these, you might have your best centreback with poor confidence, and your worst one at superb. That worse player is more likely to be able to play better in that particular match and his confidence can even rub off on other squad members, bringing their game up, too.

I'd also reccommend trying to find an old man. He might be a bit slow, but even if he's 40 his years of experience can bring a cool head into your side and be a big benefit to your young players who'll have someone to look up. If you can find one with loads of caps, it can even bring up your team's morale just because of having such a respected player in your squad.

Ibrahima Bakayoko

Cheers for the advice. Funny you should say get an oldie because I had Paulo Di Canio from the start of the game, but he retired at the end of the last season. Now I only have one player in the starting line up whose over 30 (Scarlato).

I'll keep an eye out on morale because it is very up and down at the moment.

I don't usually use a 4132 (normally I use a standard 442 or diamond). Will having a narrow midfield limit my attacks quite a bit?

Dave Fairbairn

Not really.

In fact, my advice would be this is good for you. Especially if you set your tactics to long ball or very direct. Making your tactic wide may spread your team too far and give opponents who are that much better a lot of free spacing leading to goals.

I know punting it up field is not pretty, but sometimes it works beautifully, as when done during an opponent attack, you can catch defenders off guard if the ball reaches a striker.

Another advantage of the long ball is that no skill is required to pull it off, yeah, there's a lot of luck involved, but when you're playing against superior opposition luck will take you much further than trying to outplay them ever will.

bluenose1

global settings is the best way to achieve stability - then everyone will be 'singin from the same hymn sheet"