Kandinsky

First of all, I would like to cheer the fantastic discussion topics that influenciated my ideas, mainly wwfan.

This tactical approach does not follow RoO or RoT, and has only been tested in Reading. I'm in the second season now, so I think I have enough results. Just for you people to have a better evaluation of my squad value, here's a screenshot of the squad:




and now from the results so far:




Basically this theory is based on counter-tactics. The tactic just tries to overrun opponents miedfield, forwards and try to exploit 1 on 1 situations on the center of the attack, usually sticking two strikers when the oposition plays with a back four, which means 2 center backs. When the opponent uses a back 3, I use one lonely striker supported by side miedfielders who will run forward and make the other center backs open wide a bit.

The tactic instructions are basically the same for all tactics. off course I advice people changing it a bit according to game situation/conditions.

Player instructions are "normal" instructions for their positions, nothing much to appoint on this theme to be honest, since Tactic and player instructions is a theme already over-explored by all FM fanatics. I dont know if it's agains the rules to refer another site, I based my set pieces on a good bible on fm-britain, which gave me the basis for all this new set pieces instructions.


(In the following screenshots red spots are the opponents )


Frame 1:
Facing a 4-4-2

Good-old 4-4-2. Plain and simple looking, but always giving a big headache. As you read in the begginign of the posts, all tactics will be countered.



As you can see, 3 center backs vs 2 strikers. 2 of those center backs will engage man mark, and the sweeper will be there for emergency. the miedfield will do a tight marking, and will win a superiority. As you notice, there are 3 CM vs 2 CM, and I gave the mid CM instructions to have a good time joining their forward friends.



Frame 2:
Facing a 4132

Usually teams that use this tactic have a powerfull miedfield, with a good/decent long range shooting rating. The 4132 system works out very well if you use them in Big teams.




Why using a sweeper and a def miedf if and not using just the 3 at the back and 2 AMC to make his DM C go crazy? Well, as I said, usually teams that use this tactic have a very powerfull and shot skilled miedfielders (ex: Chelsea with Lampard + Ballack), and the def miedf is to have an extra-security. So once again the same formula Defenders = Oposite forwards + 1 && Miedfielders = oposite Miedfielders + 1;

Although the miedfield formula can also be Miedfield Centers + Def Miedf = Opposite Miedf Centers + Attacking Miedf Centers + 1 depending the situation and oposition tactic, as I will show further.


Frame 3:
Facing 4-3-3 that uses wingers or a 4-4-1-1




Frame 4:
Facing a 433 with 3 Strikers/ Forwards Center



Frame 5:
Facing a 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 types(same applies to 3-4-1-2)



Frame 6:
Facing a 3-4-3 that uses wingers or forwards opening wide




Frame 7:
Facing a 3-4-3 that uses 3 striker center/ FC

Same thing as Frame 6, but 4 defenders become 3 CB + 1 Sw


Frame 8:
Facing the infamous 424




For the las frame I saved the tactic that I found to be the most dificult to counter. the 442 Diamond, when used by Big teams, it can be nasty for their opponents.

Frame 9:
Facing the 442 Diamond





Advantadges of this tactic theory:
- More consistent results during a season.
- Higher adaptability to all tactical situations
- Harder for the AI to find a pattern in your gameplay


Disadvantadges:
- Needs a bigger squad than usual, due to position covers.
- Requires players that can play in more than one position at times.
- Adaptability and team work may decrease in the beggining due to quick tactical changes


Well, For those who read all my theory, thanks for the patience. I know its a bit of a long post. Now the download link of all frames. Note that this is a basis, you have to set some changes according to your team/game situation (most of all be pragmatic in all your changes. football might not be simple, but it's a logical game)

http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.ph...=Pragmatic.rar


Note: Congratulations SIGames for such a great work on the AI programming. Today I watched a beautifull detail. Bayern needed a goal agains me, time was running out, and they put Van buyten in as left back just to use an extra tall man in set pieces. It's on litlle details like this that my FM addiction increases (as if that is possible)

Kandinsky

Oops, sorry guys about the bad links. To see the images that don't show up on the screen, just right click with your mouse in the icon where the image doesnt show up and choose "View Image". Sorry, my fault

socks

Looks like great work and well presented, well done bud :thup:

zdobzdub

I like your ideas.But! I tried using tactics depending over opposition formation,but it doesn't work.For example i countered 5-3-2 by 4-3-3 on flanks.But constantly changing your tactics do not bring good results.

Kandinsky

thanks for the feedback zdobzdub. Yes, I was afraid for that to happen, since I only had tested/builded this frames in my 1,5 seasons at Reading with good results. As I said, it's just a theory that will probably only work with adjustments.

zeusbheld

interesting idea, adapting the formation.

i use a RoOmbus-based wide diamond 442 and just adjust the settings. i may try designing a multiple formation tactic at some point.

after all, the dreaded desperation 424 is just the 442 with the MR and ML pressing forward at all times.

zdobzdub

Kandinsky,tweaking formations is a good idea,but we should not tweak them every match.For example if you play in England,here most teams play 4-4-2.You find yourself a formation in what your team fit the best.Here to find this formation use Genie Scout (it helps a lot).For example it's 4-4-2 diamond.
Other formations like 5-3-2 use against teams you don't have chance to beat,experiment,but rarely no more than a match per five game.
Your theory would be great for FM 2006,but not for FM 2007.In FM 2007 we should tweak tactics,not formations.
This is my point of view.I a human and may be I go wrong anywhere.Share your experience!

socks

There is certainly something in this - whether or not these formations work, I agree with the overall concept that one can be succesful if you're prepared to change your tactic according to the opposition formation. I find the best solution is to develop formations that are effective against the very common AI formations - in the EPL they are

442 with two long farrows
442 defensive with two small farrows
442 defensive with no arrows
532 with no arrows
424 (yes that one)

Thats my tuppence worth anyway

Keep up the good work Kandinsky

Kandinsky

I'm gonna make a new study now in scotish league using Dunfermline Athletic. "Why dont you test it on big teams?" some people might ask. Well, it's quite simple. Managing a big team to succes is no big deal. You don't need to use as many tactical "tricks" as if you were on small sides, since you can make 2 or 3 4132 ou 442 diamond versions and get titles easilly. The major difficulty in this FM is that it is quite hard to bring titles to clubs like Reading or Derby or any other small team in a top class competition like EPL or Serie A, etc. But I see that with a lot of satisfaction, because in real life that's what happens. Little teams struggle and only the creativity and ability of the manager can make them do a good season.

wwfan

Although, paradoxically, players struggling to win with big teams is probably the major frustration with 07. You do need a different tactical approach once you have a world class side but too many fail to work that out.

Nice thread, by the way.