retired_toiwoods

How long do you give a tactic before you decide it isnt going to work?

Im playing;
------ST------
AML--------AMR
---MC----MC---
------DM------
LB--DC--DC--RB
------GK------

i have given this 20 games in the premiership with villa with mixed results..beat liverpool 2-1 at villa park, drew with Man Utd 1-1 at old trafford and im in the semi finals of the league cup but im still 5th from bottom in the premiership with 9 defeats in 20 games.

Is it time to change.. i have also read that new players take time to gel and i have 4 in the first team??

retired_toiwoods

retired_janellewood86

45 minutes.

That seems stupid, but you can usually tell the major flaws and strengths after that long.

I set up my side based on the theories I like in the T&TT Frameworks thread (usually the rule of two) and based on my own experience of what might work. Then I watch a full half on either extended or full highlights, tweaking as I go (stopping gaping holes, stopping poor players playing through balls etc.)

By the end of the first half, you can tell if you're well off or not.

After 3 games against different teams you can tell if the basis of the tactic is right.

From then, I stick with it unless my results completely bomb out (i.e. I'm playing worse than what the board expected of me at the beginning of the year). I will change settings, play different styles away, at home, against good opposition etc, but my basic foundation tactic remains the same for 12 months.

Then, when the new batch of youngsters/transfers come in in July, it's time to start afresh on the same course - tweaking and changing.

I change my tactic drastically (formation, fundamental style of play) probably once every 24 months, but only when obviously required.

retired_nsample

The 4 new players will cause as many problems as the tactic. I would say that half a season is sufficient to see if a tactic will work but try not to make too many tactical changes because that will cause more problems, just make a few tweaks.

retired_toiwoods

Cheers for the replies guys..... so how long before the 4 new players will have 'gelled' and i start to get the best out of them?

retired_toni

This depends on how adaptable the players are. For example you could have an Obafemi Martins or a Diego Forlan on your hands. If they are from the same country they shouldn't take that long to adapt and gel but if they are from a different nation they have to adapt to the language and tempo/style etc.

retired_janellewood86

There's also the issue of how long the players take to gel with you.

Some players will take little if no time. Others may never get it.

As for the team, I rarely can get them to play as a unit until I've been there 6 months, so be patient.