retired_josapa

After working tirelessly with tactics for my various games (currently with the Blades). I find that quite often my tactics gain success, but limited success. Now I don't expect to win titles and cups straight away with the sort of teams I choose to manage but my frustration often comes about through playing very well in 3 or 4 matches, then being played off the park in a couple of games after.

My own beliefs and tactical ideals are based around the team keeping its shape and defending as a unit, but breaking out as a unit when posession is regained. Basically I like my teams to be hard to break down and pinch the odd goal. Just not sure if I go about it in the right way.

Certain ways I have tried to do this include employing zonal marking with every player except the strikers. I have also tried to make the team play with a normal amount of width as to not be stretched too much when defending. I also try to keep mentalities as close together as possible throughout the team. But how close should they be? Oh yes and I play a standard 4-4-2.

If anyone can take this discussion further and offer some worthwile advice, please do.

ezekiel702

im playing my self in a 4-1-3-2 with no wingers.

im trying to have my fullbacks and defensive midfielder on the same mentality, and i think i then have a good defense.

im struggling with my attack, i dont want them to be working for them selves. i want them to have the benefit of a good defense to feed them som balls.

im trying this with some success although i have only playes 5 games, i have won against liverpool and drawn against man utd and chelsea. im playing wigan.

but im looking for tips for my attack to be more deadly upfront.

retired_momma_0307

That is interesting to hear. I myself wanted to try a tactic with a defensive mid a strong midfield 3, but without wingers too. I am interseted in knowing when you played these top teams did you deserve to get the results or was it lucky. Screenies please.

retired_josapa

I see, so what do you do in terms of a defensive line? Do you vary it depending on the opposition? I don't like to tinker too much with my team as I like to keep continuity.

ezekiel702

as for the moment when im testing im have a d-line of about 4-5. i havent tinkered with it, but i might change it when my team are confident with my formation and instructions

retired_janellewood86

The first thing to do is make sure you play tightly together.

I would first do this by changing the individual mentalities. Now, you can keep everyone on the same mentality to try and keep them locked together, or you could try spacing them out by using a rule-of-two or rule-of-one system (that is, having each successive player as you go up the pitch being one or two notches above the previous one).

Once you've done that, I would then look to your shape. If you want to be defensive, choose a lower than average mentality, choose a passing style to suit your players and check "counter-attack".

Then comes the experimentation stage. Finding a good solid width and defensive line is important. As you're playing defensively, maybe a def. line of around 5-10? Then you need to find a good width to suit your style of play.

Finally, tinker with your mentality, passing and try with and without counter attack. You'll soon find which teams and formations you can attack and which you need to defend.

I'd read Cleon's thread - his set-up for Sheffield United should work for any underdog team with a little bit of quality in the side.