LinBer, I like to play 4-1-3-2 with 3 MCs. MC on farrow, RMC and LMC on darrows...this creates a fan-like affect. I find this to be the best formation in FM. It keeps you compact in defending and gets good width in attack. Set width to 15 (you can try higher when chasing a goal, but I don't like to spread out the back four too much.) The DMC allows you to do two important things: 1) play either a deeper line, or put your DCs on barrows (what I prefer) this prevents you from getting beat on counters, or for pace unless you give the ball away in your own third. 2) attack with your fullbacks...attacking fullbacks are key for this formation to add extra width. I do not push them up, just set their mentality to highest normal or low attack and let them make lots of runs, and if they can dribble well, run with ball. Crossing should be vary on how well each player can cross.
I like a DMC who can ATTACK! Especially one who can dribble and has a high off the ball. Carrick and Gago are both good for this.
One of the things I like about this formation is that you can play winger types (Ronaldo, Guardado, Lenon) in the RMC/LMC role and they will do fine. They don't have to be strong defensively, you will control midfield just by clogging it with bodies. Then in attack they will fan out to create space and attack the wing...oh yes, focuse passing to down both wings. Play a fairly quick tempo, counter attacking, no playmaker, no target man, lots of creative freedom (except DCs).
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