retired_e_fores

Every time I try a 4-3-3 (2 wingers and 1 FC) I can't seem to score goals. I've tried many variations in midfield, with 3 MC's, a DMC. I'e tried strong target men type strikers and fast pacy ones. I'v tried playing narrow and wide, direct and slow. My solution is always an AMC or 3 FC's, which destroys m aim of a standard 4-3-3.

What player combnations, midfields, widths, tempos and stikers do you use to score goals in a 4-3-3. What do you suggest?

barefootboo

I've had a lot of succes with AMLR running to FC, this makes them operate as a winger when the ball is on their side and a striker when the ball is on the opposing side, you also need your midfielders to follow up the attack, wether it's one AMC or two MC's running up to provide support, the 4-3-3 needs the midfield to win.

basicly look at a few games on full detail, look where your play breaks down, realize that maybe you need a DMC so you can push up the fullbacks, or maybe you need a AMC to run havoc infront of the defense.

Your striker might only have long shots and no "tap-ins" this could mean that the delivery system to him is bad, are your midfielders creative enough?

the 4-3-3 is completely different from the 4-4-2 imo, the 4-3-3 relies on the central midfield to dominate play and set up the offensive players, while the 4-4-2 usually tends to play down the wings to get in a cross. If you are loosing the midfield battle something has to be done.

Look at how Barcelona plays 4-3-3, the wingers (messi ronaldinho) are usually not involved in building the play, this is left to deco, iniesta, xavi and to some extent marquez.

IMO a 4-3-3 the wingers need to have better dribbling and flair than in a 4-4-2, but can get away with slightly worse crossing unless of course you play the huge targetman on top.

also check that your mentalities are not to far appart, especially between the striker and the AMLR. Creative freedom should not be set to high either, start low and then build it up to suit your players.

IMO mixed passing for the creative midfielders are a good option with short upfront, maybe short-mixed on the wingers, the backline is purely down to what players you have.

Enjoy the tweaking

dude17

I play 4-3-3 myself. Most important thing for me is a powerful centre forward and two very quick wingers.

This formation works well on counter attack as the pace of the wingers is pretty effective if you leave them to their own devices. The centre Forward should have jumping 18+ and as a result of the wingers work he should score a hat full.

There you go chicken.

retired_e_fores

Thanks a lot.

Does anyone have success in 4-3-3 with a fast, pacey style striker - Michael Owen/Andy Johnson type, or a goal poacher David Villa type?

Once again, many thanks.

retired_kristileigh12

moggydave:

timpino is right in that you need to have really good midfielders. Importantly, these should be attack-oriented midfielders. If an opponent's midfield is good on the ball or creates a lot of chances, I'll put in a DMC...but not often.

I disagree somewhat on the use of creativity, however. I max out creativity with Ronaldinho, and have it on medium-high for Messi and the creative midfielders. They do a lot of unorthodox things and lose a lot of balls, but they also create so many chances and some spectaculr goals.

I generally stick to short simple passes, although I will permit frequent crosses from players with high crossing attributes (17+). Generally, it's Ronaldinho and Xavi with this on.

My defense is set to low or mid-low creativity...even for players like Zambrotta. I prefer a conservative defense, because my midfielders are always attacking and can leave holes in the midfield.

timpino is also correct is that fast pace is essential on the wings for the 4-3-3 to succeed. The winger will generally run with the ball down the flank or retrive a ball kicked forward by a midfielder or full back. As the winger retrives the ball and controls/holds it, the midfield pushes up and builds up play deeper in enemy territory.

I use Eto'o who is fast and pacy. He scores a lot of goals, but his finishing is not that great, so he misses a lot too. I leave his creativity on medium and his mentality on 16 or so. I don't have him on all out attack, because he's actually a pretty good defender for a ST.

dude17

For me the tall dominating striker works better. If you have flying wingers then logic says that they will get lots of crosses in so a bigger man has to be in there to take advantage. Plus the 4-3-3 needs the outlet of someone who can hold the ball up, there is nothing more annoying then the opposition centre halves winning header after header as the ball just keeps coming back at you.

I imagine that if you at a decent level though then you can get a quick & tall striker no problem whatsoever. As i'm in charge of mighty Blackpool sacrifices are being made and the striker better in the air is more important right now.

retired_sdilts

You can find success against the AI using a front 3. I found that the FR and FL, could expose space behind full backs (especially when they are chasing the game) and found balls over the top worked. The pacey FL and FR were getting in behind into 1 on 1 situations.