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I'm not going to tell you the back story of how i got where i got etc. its not needed. I just want to get to the tactics.Smile
So finished 8th with barnsley in the prem last season, higher than expected. basically i was playing a 4-4-2, wasn't very interesting, was getting mixed results. Had been tinkering but couldn't find anything definitive. So i decided to do what i have never done in a champ or FM game and play a 4-3-3
Positions
Team Instructions
Full Back
Centre Back
Winger
Centre Midfielder
Left & Right Forward
Centre Forward
The opposites of the positions i haven't put up are pretty much the same.
Results So Far
As you can see i'm trying to play CA football, but i don't know if that because the 4-3-3 is already attacking it needs it. I was looking for my left and right midfielders to defend with the defenders and to attack through the centre midfielder and three attackers. Recently though i have tried defending with the CM and making the LM&RM more attacking.
My idea also was for the CF to have a less attacking mentality so that he is back far enough to make headers for the LCF&RCF to run onto.
Basically i'm finding it hard to defend, when it comes to the away game i just can't seem to find the right settings. I've got chelsea away coming up and would like to be able to hold them to at least a draw, i might not have the greatest squad, but its good enough for uefa cup at least. I don't know that if with a 4-3-3 attacking is the best defending as obviously i lack players at the back. I have thought about changing back to a 4-4-2, but would really like for this to be successful.
Anyone with any thoughts or ideas please let me know. Cheers
Have you tried a defensive mentality with counter attack on? It can be extremely deadly at times, especially if your players have good stamina, pace and workrate.
Have you tried diagnol backward arrows on the FR/FL to AML/AMR positions? I used them for the W-M system and I found it got them involved in play a lot more, and when I lost possession the formation changed into a 451
Originally posted by Cleon:
Have you tried a defensive mentality with counter attack on? It can be extremely deadly at times, especially if your players have good stamina, pace and workrate.
Yes I have tried this when needed like games when I'm expected to lose. It hasn't worked very well. I have also adjusted the tempo and passing but no luck.
I have to admit not having another center midfielder might limit me sometimes as obviously i have only one guy in the center trying to get the ball and distribute it.
But surely this shouldn't limit my tactic as it might be a weakness but then 3 in attack should be my strength.
I am particualy concerned about the midfield settings.
Do i go for all 3 being slightly defensive then hoofing the ball up.
Do i play the CM defensive and have the R/L Midfielders a bit more attacking to create a supply line.
Or make the R/L Midfielders defensive and have the CM more attacking. The only problem i see with this is that he will get robbed of the ball easily as he is most of the time up against two CM of the opposing team
Id play the midfield defence minded, if not you leave yourself very exposed. Plus if you make the CM more attacking, imagine the gap then should a player rob him of the ball, the gap would basically be the full middle of the park.
Maybe you could drop the MC to DM and put the MR/L to MC with sarrows (if they must be wingers). Then play deep, and last notch defensive/first notch normal. Play quick and direct and turn on CA.
Do that, and you should get some decent counter-attacking football.
btw: why not give the two side forwards sarrows and have them act as wingers and then replace your MR/L with real wingers? This will give you three central midfielder in the centre of the park.
Taking on your thoughts and advice i put diagonal barrows on the FCL and FCR. I then put sarrows on the ML and MR and dropped the MC to DM. I am a bit wary of this as it changes my formation which could have an adverse effect. Hopefully the FCL and FCR will help cover the wings a bit as my wingers move to a more central position.
As my team are now on lower mentalities individually i play the last notch of defensive. everything else is pretty much how i would normally prepare for a game i'm not expected to win.
Individual instruction
So i decided to drop the mentalities of the FCL and FCR to 9 and the FC is on 11. I dropped the DM to last notch of defesive and the ML&MR were put to the first notch of normal. The defence i left the same as above except dropping the DR&DL to the last notch of defesive. Everything else is the same as in there instructions above. One Last thing i swapped my FCR with some who had better crossing but still had decent pace.
Oppostion Instructions:
I put Weaker foot on Robben, Close down Frank Lampard Always, and tight mark a player called Issiar Dia who has 19 pace and acceleration.
First thing i do is change target man supply to ball to feet. I know that i'm not using a target man but my FC is currently selected as it. 15 headers and only 1 won!!! the other guys stats show he has worse heading but better jumping. I have only conceded through a penalty so i am not too worried so far. I knock tempo up one to see if it might help create more chances.
Creating a CA 4-3-3, The RTTT 
Linear Mode
