retired_annnzzz

Tis' the season to be jolly. Given that its the time for festive cheer and so forth, i thought in keeping with the Xmas theme, what better than to employ the Turkey tactic of 2002.

...Those of you that can remember the Korea/Japan tournament, will recall the 3-6-1 system that Gunes, the then Turkey coach, employed with great panache, on route to collecting the bronze medal. For as long as i can remember, i've battled in vain to recreate this system in Champ, and now feel i have come as close as ever to crossing the threshold, finally.

...At the moment, the keys in the door, but its not opening, and thats why i come to for some collective advice which may help me make that final charge.

...This basic strategy is as follows:



http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/3175/3331lp9.png

retired_annnzzz

DRrom

Just an idea as I did not try your 3-3-3-1 formation but usually maximal closing down does not work best - specially with respect to central defenders and midfielders as you do not want them to be caught out of position

Let me know what are the results with low CD for your central positions

Nice idea btw

retired_annnzzz

Hmmm, its almost the antagonist to my initial ploy, which was to have the midfielders pressing the opposition as much as possible, so as to allow for swift counter-attacks. However, i will try a less pressing game. What this will mean in effect, is that no one on my side, besides the striker and DMC will be on high closing down. I've found to much pressing from the wingbax leads to them going walk abouts when t he balls coming down the channels.

...So, back to your ploy...how low is low?

DRrom

I would keep high closing down for R/L wings, R/L AM and ST (2-4 notch of often)

Low closing down is essential for your DMC and CD: otherwise they would run to the ball, leaving your defence like a Swiss emmenthal ... with loads of holes

I usually leave the CD with closing down around the 3rd-4th notch from the left wing

Another problem you may be facing is the huge gap between your DMC-Wingers and the AMC??

What are your individual instructions for your defence? This also has an impact on the way you are playing...

retired_abjanicki

i probably wouldn't use atarget man and a playmaker because i have read that it can leae your team with fewer attacking options and very one-dimensional going forward.

its up to you though and if thats the way turkey played then stick with it

retired_annnzzz

Aps for the delayed response.

...Havent got screenies for my individual instructions available at hand, will post them later.

...Essential my back 3 is set up as follows:

DRC/LC

Mentality: Defensive (1 before normal)
CF: Lowest
Tack: Hard
CD: Rarely (1 before often)
PS: Direct
Marking: Zonal/occassionally Man marking

and essential everything else is as you would assume.

The DC

Mentality: Defensive(2)
CF: Lowest
Tack: Normal
CD: Rarely (lowest)
PS: Direct
Marking: Zonal

...As you can deduce from the above, the man in the middle is intended to play a little deeper than the outermost centrehalves, and clean up any spillages. More times than not this works.

...My main problem at the moment is getting my wingbax into the game. If you cast your eye back to Gunes' Turkey, you'll remember the Mohicanned head of Umit Davala marauding down the right flank, i'm trying to get the same effect out of my wingbax, but they're leaving alot to be desired at the moment!

Wingbax:
Ment: Normal (1 before Attacking)
CF: Normal (mid-bar)
CD: Often (1 after mixed)
Tack: Hard
RWB: Often
FWR: Often
Cross: Often
Cross from: Byline (depending on the players pace and dribbling)

...With the big teams, i had no problems getting the likes of Eboue and Lieghton Baines to the byline, but for my Baggies side, its Greg Harford, not the most skill, but good enough. I feel that as far as instructions are going, he's being ill-advised!

...Its funny, as i come here, and from the sounds of things, you'd assume this tactic was failing me, but o contrare my friend! It's just the manner in which these wins are being achieved, leaves much to be desired.

...I'm not getting enough shots off, and for a tactic with so much in midfield, aim to dominate possession by >10%.

...Perhaps, attention needs to be turned to my attacking midfielders? For Gunes, it was Buruk Oka, Hasan Sas, and the brilliant Basturk. Okan offered width down the right, Sas down the left, and Yildiray marshalled the centre.

...I dont have problems getting these guys to assume the above positions, but again its the attainment of my objectives. I want the outermost AMC's to attack the fullbax, get crosses in and get into the box when the balls coming in from the opposite side. The guy in the middle (The Penny in Xmas pudding) needs to get his foot on the ball more often. I expect the majority of the teams attacking play to go through him. For my Baggies side, Koumas fills this role with applomb, he's hit 9 goals in 14 games, however its Greening and Gera either side of him that are slacking.

...Guys, i need your help here. I know a few of you play a 4-2-3-1 system, and perhaps you may be able to offer something as far as the front 4 is concerned.


Cheers

retired_jfarleymeade1

I have always struggled with 3 man back lines. I either play low closing down and get exposed on the flanks or as I raise the closing down of the R/LDC the back line gets pulled out and I get cut to shreds by penetrating runs from the midfield...sound familiar? I have NO constructive advise on the back three! I gave up and just stuck with what works for me, 4 in the back.

I strongly agree with Wauters that you do not want your CD on high closing down, I stongly disagree about the DMC. I always closing down with the DMC and with flank defenders. (This appears to me to be the advantage of your tactic over what I have used...you can close down with the DMC AND the WBs).

You big problem, again agreeing with Wauters is the midfield gap between AMC and DMC. I simple barrow would do the trick. The player doesn't even need to be set to do much defensively...just be a body to get in the way. I have found it an interesting experiment to see the difference between a AMC on a barrow or a MC on a farrow (take what ever two positions you like).

Target man & playmaker. Some people think using a target man AND a playmaker restricts your team. I don't like using playmakers as I "think" it takes players out of the game...the ball is funelled to the playmaker, not to the player best placed to recieve it. I don't know...I rarely use playmakers and prefer fast, counter attacking football.