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The W-M Project 2007 Development and Discussion Thread
I've closed the other thread, so we can discuss this on the patch to save confusion for all.
So now the patch has been released we can set about doing this now and see how many versions of this tactic people can create. First up, here is a bit of history about this formation and stuff you might not have known about this classic formation.
History of the W-M
The W-M(1925)
The 1925 amendment of the offside rule meant that an attacking player need only keep 2 opponents in front of him and not 3 as stated before. This made the offside trap a much more challenging proposition. If one defender made a mistake, then the goalkeeper would be left on his own to defend the goal... Unsurprisingly, the number of goals scored in the English First Division rose by 43%, from 1,192 to 1,703.
The perceptive Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman, along with his captain Charlie Buchan, devised a system to stop this problem after a 7-0 drubbing by Newcastle. They noticed that it was the centre-forward doing most of the goalscoring. Thus, the centre-half was pulled back to become the stopper, or the centre-back. To fill up the gap created in midfield, the two inside-forwards were pulled back to create a four-man midfield which the Italians called the magic square. The team thus had the general shape of a W of defensive players and an M of attack-minded players, giving rise to the name W-M. The typical W-M centre-forward was brawny and could score well.
Arsenal's W-M was very successful because of a few special touches that Chapman put in: Firstly, his defensive W was a lopsided one. This meant that when an attack began on the opposition's left flank, Arsenal's rightback would come in for the challenge, while Arsenal's defensive right midfielder, stopper, defensive left midfielder and leftback moved to respectively deeper positions as shown in the diagram to your right. Secondly, the Arsenal wingers could also cut in to score goals. Thirdly, one of the inside-forwards was used as a playmaker, to fill up the gap from the loss of the centre-half
Brazil's version of the W-M in 1950 was the diagonal system, with only 2 fullbacks, covering the centre and right part of the defensive third of the field, the left flank being the job of a withdrawn left midfielder who was expected to help out in attack. This led to some defensive vulnerability, but lots of attacking firepower. Its vulnerabilities were only exposed once, by the Swiss, which held the Brazilian team to a 2-2 draw with their bolt system. This was enough, and the Brazilians switched to an orthodox version of the W-M, which proved very successful, taking them to the Final where they lost to a highly adapted Uruguayan team using a sort of metodo which was really more like a 4-3-3.
Advice on the W-M: To use the orthodox W-M successfully, the defense has to be alert, and passing within the team must be good. In other words, as with all other formations, teamwork has to be strong so that communication is done efficiently. Scoring must not be a difficulty to the forwards as there are now less forwards up front, and where attacking play is concerned, the midfield has to help out as well as the movements upfront have to start with the midfield.
To use the Arsenal version, your wingers should have about the same skills as a 2-3-5 centre-forward, for scoring goals is another of the new responsibilities of the wingers. You can use all four midfielders as a bridge between the defense and offense, as the role of playmaker will be taken up by one of the inside forwards. For the Brazilian version, strong defenders with lots of stamina are the thing to have because if the withdrawn left midfielder gets caught out, then the two backs will have to cover the entire defensive third of the pitch.
12-01-2006, 03:41 PM
The W-M Project 2007 Development and Discussion Thread Post #2
Now for the set up I will use to begin with, its likely to change over the course of the season as the tactic progresses and develops. I might also be forced to make certain changes depending on how well its playing out on the match engine. I wont post what settings I'm using until the first game, as I'll change it accordingly then.
I'm in two minds at the minute, whether to have the 2 outer forwards in the FL/FR positions. Pre patch this was the best set up how it currently is, however now I'm not so sure. I guess time will tell. I have no doubt I will be able to score a few goals, the problem will be trying to get all the team involved in play and not get certain players isolated at time. Something which can be very common with this type of formation.
As usual I will choose Sheffield United, I have done this because the team is expected to loose and be relegated. So its a good side to experiment with, plus most teams I play will play their own game. If I choose a Man U, Chelsea or an Arsenal team to try this with, then most teams would be very defensive and hard to break down. Plus the expectation, if I loose a few while tinkering around I might not last the duration of the season depending on how badly it was going.
Pre Season Friendlies
Remember not to take these results too serious, just use them to get to learn about your squad and what the players can do. You will probably see a few things you like while viewing the games and a few things you don't. If I see things I don't like, I'll make a note of it but wont change anything until the season starts. One of the first things I will be doing, is trying to work out which mentality to use, in my mind I want to play defensive. If I play defensive it will suck the opponents onto me and allow me to play counter attacking football. And because of the shape of this formation I can break quick and get numbers forward. So it should create quite a few good counter attacking chances.
The first friendly I played was against AZ, I lost 2-3 but I really should have won. They scored 3 goals in 12 minutes which was worrying, so I made a note of this and will look at changing it for the first league game against Arsenal away.
For the second game I played against Abingdon Town, I changed the mentality from defensive to attacking due to how weak the opposition was. I was really pleased with this game as I totally dominated and won 6-0. I expected to win this game but didn't expect to be so dominant.
The third game I played was against Ahlen so I decided to keep the attacking mentality and I won this game 5-0. However I dominated totally but noticed a few positive things in this match. Most of my play came down the left side which is surprising as I play through the middle. I think this is down to the left attacking midfielder Michael Tonge. I gave him lots of creativity and noticed him and the left forward link up really good. It was encouraging to watch.
Next up it was AFC Hornchurch, where I won 8-0. This game was good to watch as the front 3 worked perfect. The central striker scored 3, the right sided FC scored hat trick too and the left forward got two. They worked perfectly and I had over 40 shots on goal. I know its weak opposition but you cans till see some promising signs.
That's the end of my pre season now and I have seen some excellent stuff so far, especially attacking. Now its for the real test of my first league game against Arsenal away
12-01-2006, 04:02 PM
The W-M Project 2007 Development and Discussion Thread Post #3
im going with preston in the championship and in my first friendly against bury i won away 4-2.
my intire defense line where to sit back with tight marking. and i started the game with normal mentality. in the second half i switched to attacking about 16 with counter attack and target man. playing narrow and quick tempo.
it was 1-1 at half time so i see hope for this formation. i think i will move up the defence line as i thought they where sitting a bit way back.
both my dm are closing down.
will let you know whats going on
12-01-2006, 09:56 PM
The W-M Project 2007 Development and Discussion Thread Post #7
I am giving this a go with my Newcastle Team. Not going to be easy, since I got no money, and can't sem to give away the likes of luque, babayaro etc..
Only change i made , is the play the forwards in the FR/FL postions, to make the most of the good wingers NUFC have.
I am actually playing Bramble in the DMLC positon..to surprisingly good effect.
I have my DMC's on higher pressing than my DR/DL, with my DC (Taylor) on lowest setting, making him play like a sweeper.
Whole team tight zonal markingexcept the DC. No counter-attack, and ~6-8 tempo, 12 width & def line.
So far pre-season has been good, most team fail to get into my penalty area at all.
Quite pleased, i love to keep clean sheets!
12-02-2006, 02:32 AM
The W-M Project 2007 Development and Discussion Thread Post #8
The W-M Project 2007 Development and Discussion Thread 
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