retired_recca

I've noticed that my opposition are starting to negate my short-passing, slow-building 4-4-2 formation by using a 3-5-2 that floods the midfield and focuses on tightly marking my strikers whilst closing down my midfield.

Has anyone any experience in battling this? I'm thinking that my main options are:

1. Play a direct game from the back to my two strikers (one fast, one good in the air).

2. Stretch the midfield by putting the emphasis on getting the ball to my wingers as much as possible.

3. Abandoning 4-4-2 altogether.

Does anyone have any tips or theories?

retired_kmarie1058

Try playing wingers that have lots of speed that can get good crosses in, and instruct your team to play wide.

retired_carribean14

4-4-2 is best when tailored to your players abilities. From what you say your team is well build so i would try to change the style of play to a more direct one from game to game.

Watch for the weather when playing. A wet weather is a worthy adversary for short passing, so better use direct passing with a higher tempo.

retired_recca

Cheers, I will try your tips.