[retired_BrownVanilla]

I was going to write up a thread on a new formation like i did for my 4-2-3-1 development which now seems a bit dead. But when my HDD crashed i lost everything and FM won't install on my new one so so far testing has been postponed by a few months so far.

and to wwfan - great post as always:thup:

[retired_FaultyFate]

Thanks DirtyACE. I guess you know where it comes from

Btw, personally I rarely tweak anything during one game (only if I make subs (i.e remove TM), clearly see that tactic does not work at all, or trying to break game / defend a lead), and do it no more than twice a game. There are two main reason why.

First, I try to do my homework and set up proper tactic before a game, taking into account players available, opposition, wheather, scout report, my intuition, etc.

Second, I do not have enough time to always watch game (I play 1-2 hours a day on average). I enjoy reallism of the game. Irl, if you have chosen wrong tactic, you cannot change your setup every 5-10 minutes.

Cleon has done great job researching the game, as well as many others here. I apply their ideas but trying to do it before the game. If i loose, i am trying to understand why. And even though i cannot post super records here (i do not have one), I can say I am pretty happy with my results.

[retired_FaultyFate]

Ok, sorry for multiple posts.

A little contribution from what I have learned from my experience.

When I am not a superior team (usually the case), I analyze my squad very carefully and try to set up a tactic that fit the best. For instanse, if i do not have a good DM, I either switch from my prefered "diamond" tactic to something else, or find a player who could serve best at the position and try to buy someone.

I always try to setup at least a couple friendlies against strong teams (Barcelona, Chelsea, etc.). I watch them in full mode (do not care about results) and tweak closing down, marking, passing, etc. I change only one characteristic at a time, but for all players. Then I watch what happens and, more important, how individual performance changes (viisually, not ratings). It is not always clearly seen, but even if I find "optimal" settings for two or three players only, it is a great deal, because it gives me a base to build a tactic.

I do not create special tactics for home and away games, because I feel that it is better to stick with one particular style and change a few things before each game. And i never change settings dramatically (no more than couple notches left or right) except for width. The reason is that in this case my players are not confused. Then during the game i may go to extremes (all attack or all defend) if I have nothing to loose, just to see how it affects my players. During the first season, if i have a big lead, I am experimenting with my settings as in friendlies and search for suitable changes. Since i am not a super team, my board does not expect me to win everything in the first season, so I can allow myself to lose sometimes for the sake of good finding.

So I hope it helps somebody.

[retired_Mister Fixer]

I have come back to fm after a few months away because of things going wrong in my life.

I start looking and I cant belive the amount of rubbish post I can see and then I see a thread of this quality and all the rubbish is forgoton.

Great thread KUTGW

[retired_mgavlick]

Originally posted by faruq:
ahaa I was just about to ask how best to implement closing down settings. So judging from what you said wwfan, that means when you're chasing a game you should close down more right? and vice versa when you're defending a lead?

to be honest, FM07 is a tad too difficult for my liking, however I've had some success in a game with Arsenal. Am currently struggling with smaller sides, but I'm not ready to give up yet! moreso when I come accross threads such as this one. thanks wwfan!

Following my above 'Simple Guide' I only have trouble with two formations, high-tempo, defensive 4-4-2s or 4-1-3-2s in which the AI players close me down heavily. I have found that by playing an attacking formation but lowering the tempo, increasing the width and deepening the d-line (thus spreading the playing area and playing fewer risky high tempo passes) I can overcome it. My possession percentage reduces but I manage to create more quality chances without letting the oppositon put my defence under much pressure.

The 3-3-2-1-1 and 4-1-4-1 are also difficult, but less likely to score against me than the 4-4-2 described above. With those, it is a matter of breaking them down rather than worrying too much about the counter. Similar tempo, width, d-line strategy might help here as well.

The strategy from the OP copes easily with all other formation types/styles of play. I invariably score in the first 10 minutes against every other type of formation and then manage my tactics between attack, possession, counter and defend depending on how I think the AI is playing.

[retired_anitarobinson]

That defensive high tempo 4-4-2 is all i seem to face at the moment, its murder. As soon as the AI has the ball its punted forward in an instant to the opp forwards.

interesting to see how you combat it, i always go with short passing and slow tempo but normal width, so the players can find each other easier. i'll give your width and DL settings a go :thup:

[retired_kellyk]

To add on...

Width is an important component in playing well. Having too little or too much can be counterproductive. If you are playing against a massed defense..you need to do several things:-

1. Increase width and make sure you get a quality crossmaker in your side.

2. Stretch the defense, you can do this by sarrowing the strikers and telling them to make RWB and cross ball..this adds another dimension to attacking play.

3. Mass defenses can be notorious. More often than not you'll dominate possession but lose because you have parked yourself in their half leaving yourself open to counterattacks.

Personally in these kind of matches I hate playing with any formation with a flat back 4. My personal favourite is having 3 defenders and 1 DMC in front of them shaped like a diamond. When playing with 3 man at the back the odds are you will take care of quick breaks. The problem is protecting the flanks from wingers. This you do by making sure they dont' have much time on the ball.

This can be done by getting your forwards to harrass the defenders early. Or you can also tightmark the wingers with your wingers.

[retired_mgavlick]

I'm (still) working on perfecting the 4-4-2, so I haven't tried the DMC/back three solution.

What is great about the current version is the variety of possible strategies, all working (successfully) towards the same goal.

[retired_kellyk]

I like the 442 as an attacking formation...still ranks as a good formation since it offers the possiblity of going 424. Having a back 3 with a DMC is a bit more tricky. If the computer plays with a long farrowed 442...its attacking as a 424 and defending as a 442..which makes it hard for a 3 man backline.

The 442 still ranks as a formation that is versatile and gives plenty of options. Having a back 3 essentially takes fullbacks out and leaves you with the more challenging task of defending from the front.

I'd agree there are a variety of ways to play the game. Its a pity I don't have nearly as much time as I would like to play the game. But my priorities have changed considerably in the last couple of months.

[retired_Damonica]

Originally posted by kolobok:

I do not create special tactics for home and away games, because I feel that it is better to stick with one particular style and change a few things before each game.

just to clarify, i think you're saying the same thing in principle. i've played with tactics based on wwfan's mentality and passing frameworks (including downloading tactics he created), and 'switching' tactics is more like making the kinds of small adjustments that every manager/head coach in every team sports makes to their overall tactic.

in other words, if somehow you played wwfan and his Wycombe Wanderers side, it might look to the careless observer like he never changed his tactics--but the reality is that the little adjustments 'under the hood' don't normally change the basic formation but have a massive impact on the outcome of the game.

i have looked closely at wwfan's system and Cleon's approach and on the surface they differ vastly, but the core idea of making small adjustments to counter the match engine's decisions is crucial to both.

<<disclaimer: i cannot claim to fully grasp *any* of the tactical systems i purport to discuss in this post nor am i a tactical 'expert'. i am merely offering the perspective of a slightly informed layperson>>