retired_mikela619

I am currently playing as Reading FC and have, what I feel is a team that should be capable of challenging for european qualification without too much trouble. I shall explain the problem...

In goal I have Vincent Enyeama, with Benoit Costil as a backup, both of who are very accomplished goalkeepers and are attracting interest from big name teams. I dont feel I have a problem in the goalkeeping department therefore.

My defence is what I am most proud of. I have always been a fan of building from the back, and have assembled a world-class back four/five consisting of Cassani, Balzaretti, Felipe and Zapata, with Breno and Sonko as backup DC. I have Ratinho as backup DR and am using Rosenior as a backup DL (needs to be replaced I know). I don't see too many problems here in terms of quality as all players are at the top of their games.

As I play a 4-1-3-2 I have a DM, who is currently Flamini and is doing a solid job for me. Possibly a new DMC could help, but I don't feel this is a huge problem as Flamini is a quality DMC and can more than hold his own at the highest level. Perhaps a new DMC or at least a decent backup as cover for this position is a little lacking.

In midfield I play a flat central 3, with the centre player being more of an AMC and the other two being more like workhorses to try and win back the ball as soon as possible and play it forward. For the AMC role I rotate between Valdivia and Kewell, both do well, Kewell in particular seems to score quite a few and help with a lot of assists. For the workhorses I rotate between Harper, Banenga, Andranik and Fae. I find Andranik always gets good ratings and works well here.

In attack I play the typical big/small style, with Doyle or Long usually for the tall striker and then Lita or Stancu as the faster striker. Sometimes Long plays as teh fast striker too, as Doyle and Long have each other as favourite personnel and feel they work well together.


Now for the problem, I feel with a squad like this I should be able to perform to a high level and should easily qualify for europe, however the team seem to be hanging around midtable, finishing a lowsy 10th last season. Zapata was a summer signing so can't really be included for that, but Breno and Felipe should have been able to do fine. So my question is how can I improve the fortunes of what I feel is a very capable squad?

Like I say I play a 4-1-3-2 currently, with the fullbacks getting forward to provide crosses and give me the width I lack from midfield. The DMC is set to literally just add to the defence and try to break up attacks before they begin. The central MC is there for creativity and to link midfield with attack, plus also have the odd shot on goal. The two wider MCs are there to break up attacks in midfield as I stated before and to win back the ball asap (any player I play here has good workrate and teamwork ratings). Then the typical fast/strong striker pairing up front.

Any suggestions for how I can improve this tactic or perhaps a change of tactic that may bring me more success with my squad? I don't want suggestions of other peoples tactics, more ways in which I can help to improve my own tactic. If needed I can post up tactic information for people to look over and see where it can be improved.

I look forward to your advice...

retired_mikela619

Sorry was in a bit of a hurry to get to lecture before. I have now hosted my team and player instructions for anyone to look over:

Formation:
4-1-3-2

Instructions:
Team
GK
DL/R
DC
DMC
MCd
MCa
TS
FS

retired_bobbysrissa

1. GK's closing down set to 12

2. FB's marking to man, Cross from byline / cross aim centre, set through balls on mix

3. CB's closing down higher ( home tactic minimum 8, away 10 ) - 2 notches more for every other position - CB 8, FB 10, DM 12 etc...
Reduce pasing for the DC - on 2 or 3

4. DMC more CF 8 or 10 is o.k, longer passing ( depends what kind of player you are using ), FWR to mix, run with ball to mix, cross from deep

5. MC more CF, longer passing, Cross ball / through balls - depends what you want, but one of them to often. FWR to often - who is attacking with this tactic ? You cant attack with 4 players.

6. MC/a longer passing, more closing down, cross balls to mix. Run with ball often.
You dont allow your players to run with the ball. Why ? Give him free role / playmaker

7. TS lower CF set it to 8 ,RWB mix.

8. ST lower CF to 8, FWR often, RWB often, Cross from mix, cross to centre

Set your corner distribution to 6 yard box
1. No one on near post flick on
2. Best header on Challenge GK
3. 2nd best on attack far post
4. Third best on attack near post
5. One on stand on far post
6. one on forward
7. 2 on attack ball from deep
8. 1 outside area
9. leave 2 behind

Cheers

retired_mikela619

retired_miked

FORMATION: hmm it's mainly a preferance and what players you have at your disposal as to what formation you go with. As far as i'm concerned the only thing I would change is have your midfield different.
Keep your DMC but change your AMC to be more neutral and remove the farrow. Then I would have your LMC and RMC have Farrorws to the AML/AMR positions maybe play Kewell on the MCL. Then lower the FB's FR's to mixed, this should make you more solid in def and stronger in attack.
One glaringly obvious thing i've noticed is you have Individual passing, mentality, creative freedom, tackling and passing on all your players. This overides team instructions. IMO you should have some of your players on team instructions as this allows you more flexibilty during a game. For instance moving the teams passing or mentality slider during a game will have no effect on your players because you've given them their own instructions. You need to look into this more.

TEAM: Your mentality and CF should be closer together a couple af notches at most difference, the same for tempo and passing.

GK: All seems fine, good that your having him distribute to one of your FB's helps with possesion.

FB's: Their MENT should be in line with your DMC, so they form a good line of defense together. I would also have them cross from deep.
DC's: Everything seems fine although I tend to have one of my DC's have a slightly lower Mentality and CD as this seems to help with defending. It makes 1 DC Close down earlier and the other sits back. This is good if your first DC gets beaten for pace as the other will close down deeper in your own half.

DMC: should be on mixed passing imo, it gives him more options, also his CD should be slightly lower, just so he keeps his position better. If he has high Creativity, Passing and Decisions then increase his CF and look into having him as you PM.

MC's; I would have their Ment, Closing down and Passing on team as this will give you more options to change it during a game. Put the LS on rarely (this should bring down the number of stupid shots), have the 2 wide men FR's on mixed and RWB (if they are skillful) on often.

TS: His CD is far to high, this will pull him out of position and have him running around like a headless chicken. If you want your fowards to closedown the DC's & GK then do it in the opposition instructions before a game. It makes then just target those players into making mistakes, and not every opposition player on the pitch!
Drop his LS's to rarely, this should make him play a through ball or pass to the FS more. Set his TTB's to often.

FS, Fast Striker?. Just have his Mentality higher than your TS, RWB and FR's on often. You really want this player to be the one on the last defender so if you start to get lots of off sides against him then lower his Mentality.

I hope this helps.

Oh and remember these are only my ideas and opinions, formed from reading posts by better and more experienced tactictians, they've helped me succeed but they might not work for you.

You should head over to Fmbritain and read Pelle Madorffs post called movement it gives a great understanding of how to implement tactics.

retired_miked

So your using RoT. I was under the impression that this no longer works for FM08 as well as it worked for FM07?

retired_bobbysrissa

So your using RoT. I was under the impression that this no longer works for FM08 as well as it worked for FM07? </BLOCKQUOTE>

No, it works.

retired_dijohnson

So your using RoT. I was under the impression that this no longer works for FM08 as well as it worked for FM07? </BLOCKQUOTE>

No, it works. </BLOCKQUOTE>Nice, RoT en RoO are good