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This tactic has been famously used by the French and the Spanish national teams in the recent years. However, I decided to look into this tactic because I saw Rafa Benetiz use this tactic against me (Arsenal), quite a few times in FM2006!
So I decided that it would be fun to replicate the way the 2006 World Cup's runner's up played. Wikipedia has the following to say about this tactic:
4-2-3-1
This formation is widely used by Spanish and French sides: it is a defensive formation which is quite flexible, as both the side midfielders and the fullbacks may join the attack, usually on the counter. In defense, this formation is similar to the 4-5-1. It is used to maintain possession of the ball and stopping opponent attacks by controlling the midfield area of the field. The lone striker may be very tall and strong to hold the ball up as his midfielders and fullbacks join him in attack. The striker could also be very fast. In these cases, the opponent's defense will be forced to fall back early, thereby leaving space for the offensive central midfielder. This formation is used especially when a playmaker is to be highlighted.
Teams that used this formation * French national football team, runner-up at the 2006 World Cup with Zinedine Zidane as the team playmaker and Thierry Henry as the centre forward. * A.S Roma uses this formation. This formation fits into almost every squad current Roma coach Luciano Spalletti coaches, which include, along with Roma, Udinese and Empoli (youth and senior). * Australian national football team used this formation during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, under the guidence of Dutch super coach Guus Hiddink. Australia had the key players to make this formation work with key holding midfielders in Vince Grella and Jason Culina. Hard working and super fit left and right backs Brett Emerton and Scott Chipperfield, who are natural wide midfielders. And captain Mark Viduka operating under the strain of a tactical straightjacket as the sole man up front.
So yea, I am not a tactial genious. And whatever information I get about the tactial side of things in FM2007; is derived from the endless hours I have spent looking at the unofficial tactical Bible on this website. They have been amazingly useful, contradictory at times; but we have to remember that these are some individual's work. And so quite opinionated. Same goes with the discussion that follows in those threads. In short, they have been a treat to read through.
The purpose of this thread is multifold. And as follows:
1. Have an interesting discussion about the 4-2-3-1 formation.
2. Learn more about tactial side of football.
3. Implement the target man settings to the fullest.
4. In the end, if we end up with a tactic that is good to play with/interesting to watch, it will be shared. However, all good things come to people who wait; and since its a developmental and discussion thread, there will be a wait!
Like I mentioned before, I am not amazing at making tactics. And so, by Cleon's permission, I have decided to replicate most of his individual and team settings. Shamelessly, I have also decided to play with Sheffied Utd. But in my defence, I quite like that team too, although I am not an ardent fan.
The problem so far, that I am facing is that Sheff Utd have a big average striker base. And we only need one. I am trying to get in more Defensive midfielders and full-backs. It might be highly probable, that I will have to change the subject team. So if anyone has another team in mind (with abundance in DM's), please let me know !
The team structure:
DL/R
As far as I can see, and as Wiki mentioned, pace and acceleration in the full backs is a must! They should/will join the attack, esp on the counter. This makes me think that the width on the pitch must be narrow.. But care must be taken such that they do not go too far away to be countered by the wide wingers of the opposite team.
DC
Understandably, the central defenders will have to be the last liune of defence. After playing a couple of matches on the narrow width and flying fullbacks, it was noticed that most of the lower league teams (I played friendlies), try and attack from crosses. The Central defenders will have to be good at heading so as to nullify their ariel attack.
DMC
It is their job to close down. And so, prevent the few steps just before the call is crossed in. These defensive midfielders have been barrowed. And so, their marking and tackling is far more important than their pace. I have also been thinking about changing one of the faster DM's settings to slightly attacking, so that the tactic does not become too defensive. It all remains to be seen.
AMC (central)
A very very important position. For France, Zidane held this position. This jus goes to show how useful can this position be. Generally, I would go for making this player a playmaker. Which pretty much means giving him free roll (I think), and a bucket-ful of creative freedom. Needless to say, he has to create a lot of chances.
AMC (sarrowed)
These two players can either be your regular central midfielders (with good crossing) or good wingers (with a good passing, I think). Anyways, these positions are supposed to join the striker in his attack, and if they end up going wide, crossing into the striker, where the other attacking central winger or the AMC will come in to try and score. Again, it all remains to be seen.
ST
Through and through Targetman. The stronger the better. I am thinking, it should be someone with good heading/jumping stats. However, if we intend to play without ariel crosses, someone fast will be a treat to watch.
So these all the individual instructions. The team instructions are as follows: Team instructions
Like I mentioned before, this is my first such thread, and I am not upto ideas on tactical side of football, so please feel free to pick holes in this formation and the instructions that come with it.
Also, please please feel free to contribute to this thread. I am sure it will be an enjoyable expierence!
Thanks.
12-02-2006, 02:10 PM
4-2-3-1 Development and Discussion thread! Post #2
Originally posted by jaycar:
i'm very interested in this, i posted a tactic with the same formation for 06, when i get the time later i'll have a look
Ah.
Thanks Cleon and Jaycar.
I have played a few friendlies with Sheff. Utd. They went fairly well. Seems this tactic has a lot of potential defensively. Even though I played against lower league teams, I have scored 17 goals in 7 games. Not amazing record, but satisfying none-the-lesss.
One thing that I noticed is, changing width has a very clear effect. Mking the width narrower lead to more pocession (slightly) and less chances. But playing wide resulted in open play. And we ended up giving a goal.
Obviously the real test of charachet is still to come; against the big teams. Other than that, I have a tour of Isreal (4 games) before I start the campaign!
Will keep posting!
12-02-2006, 05:10 PM
4-2-3-1 Development and Discussion thread! Post #5
Just thought I'd make a quick update about htis formation. I have made a few changes:
1. Fullbacks now have more attacking mentality and they make forward runs. ALthough this is quite risky, it works alrite against mid-table teams. This is also helped by the fact that I have new fullbacks, and they are fairly fast.
2. As mentioned before, I have sceptically started playing wider. Even though it leads to more chances, its susceptible (sp?) to attack. However, the DMC's now act slightly more defensive.
3. Also, Alan Quinn is the playmaker. And Danny Webber is doing well as a targetman. In case Alan is unavailable, I would go for Tonge, since he has high creativity too.
Formation is still the same; and this is my first match of the season: v ManC, at home!
This is just to show that my crossing is not good, and would ceratinly like some suggestions to improve that.
Catch ya all later!
12-02-2006, 05:13 PM
4-2-3-1 Development and Discussion thread! Post #6
I checked out your tactic! How is it working with Crystal Palace?
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Anyways, been working on this formation for a bit now, so I thought that I should update the season so far.
The season so far has been rather unsatisfactory. I mean, after 11 games, I am 7th in the league. According to anyone, being in this position with Sheff Utd in the first season would be more than pleasing. However, I suffer from being a perfectionist. That doesn't mean an unbeaten season; just means that I don't like losing (well..who does! )
So as you can see, we are not doing amazingly, even though my away form is better than most of the other teams. On away form, I am 4th. And at home, I am 14th in the league! Any reason?
I must admit that the target man has not been as effective as I thought; buut then maybe Danny Webber is not the perfect candidate in the first place! Although Alan Quinn has been doing a good job as a playmaker. Still, more goals would be pleasing to the eye.
We have given a goal a game this season; I reckon, that most of the goals have come froom free-kicks and someone heading in a free kick, if you know what I mean. Anywyas, I was wondering if there is a way to preven these kind of goals going in. Other than that, the defence has been alright.
So I would love some more discussion on this.
Please feel free to add.
12-03-2006, 06:08 PM
4-2-3-1 Development and Discussion thread! Post #10
4-2-3-1 Development and Discussion thread! 
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