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2015 Guide to Understanding FMH Formations


zacksson007
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Hi mate when playing 4411 formation could I play wing backs or is it best full backs thanks

Hi mate when playing 4411 formation could I play wing backs or is it best full backs thanks

I use a 4-4-1-1 with wing backs and it works fine with the wing backs getting a decent amount if assists and also nicking the odd goal
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I constantly use wingbacks with wingers...doesn't seem to be a problem as I am still having success with this formation. I have to admit that I am using maccas galacticos formation and it is extremely effective once I have the right players.

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Hay zackkson are you on face book

Need more help

If the game pick roles for the players is that good thing for tactic formation thanks

Yes, I'm on Facebook, and I think we're friends. I'm the guy with the Russian name. 

 

I wouldn't advise you to allow the game to pick Player Tactical Roles for you. You know how crazy FMH is, right? A player at the AMC position is best played as an Adv. Playmaker, but FMH might pick Central Mid as his best role. That's just crazy. 

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Welcome to the Guide to Understanding Football Manager Handheld Formations Part 2
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For each one of you who read my Guide to Understanding Football Manager Handheld Formations Part 1, I assume you are all anxiously anticipating the next part in the series. Today you will get the chance to read the Part 2.
 
 
The Formations:
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It's no news that the best strategy to use midfielders is to use them for a counter-attack. Keeping this thing in mind, the basic strategy behind this formation is to have three midfielders play ahead and in a more aggressive manner.
 
In any case, do take note that you must have a decent/strong defensive midfielder to make this formation work effectively. 
 
The 4-1-3-2* should feature a strong and talented defensive midfielder, because the one static position in the midfield is the defensive midfielder, who provides an anchor in the centre of the field and also acts as a pivot between defense and attack. This pivot system is key to launching attacks. This allows the remaining three midfielders to play further forward and more aggressively, and also allows them to pass back to their defensive mid when setting up a play or recovering from a counterattack.
 
Another small thing that you need to keep in mind is to play with a Direct Passing Style
 
The 4-1-3-2* gives a strong presence in the forward line of the pitch and is considered to be an attacking formation. Opposing teams with midfielders that have incredible passing abilities can attempt to overpower the 4-1-3-2*.
 
Strength:
Two proven goal scorers and three attack-minded players behind them in the field just add to the headache of any defense as there is not one man to key on. It's an all out attacking formation which cannot really be argued with.
 
Drawback:
4-1-3-2* is an open attacking formation, I see it as a 5-5 formation, meaning five players are tasked to defend and the other five are tasked to attack. With the somewhat large gap in between, your team might get caught up should a quick counter from the opposition happen, as such this formation is risky and it’s vulnerable to a 4-5-1 or a 4-4-2 formation and a lot other more. 
 
 

IMG_0051.thumb.JPG.29ef07cb0f86877c308f5 The 4-3-2-1 is a narrow Football Manager Handheld formation which has another forward brought on for a midfielder to play “in the hole” leaving two forwards slightly behind the most forward striker and on account of its pointed shape as seen above, 4-3-2-1 is dubbed the “Christmas Tree” formation.

 
Like in the 4-5-1, one player in central midfield is assigned a defensive role (Deep Lying Mid) while the other two are more offense oriented. In this approach, the central midfield player acts as a quarterback, capable of not only shielding your back four, but also dictating the play. The job of his two lieutenants is to disrupt the opposition by pressing the play and winning the ball back, before passing it to the forward players.
 
Once the ball gets into the feet of the two advanced midfielders  i.e. inside forwards, that's when things start to happen. They're tasked with probing, creating, shooting and supporting the lone striker and providing width now and again. These two advanced midfielders i.e. inside forwards, focus more on the middle instead of the wings. Be that as it may, you as a manager can give more width to your offense by changing the roles or your full-backs to wing-backs in order to work the whole length of the pitch.
 
Packing the midfield dwarfs the opposition in a key area of the pitch, but relies on quality in possession with little space to move the ball.
 
The "Christmas Tree" formation is viewed as a relatively narrow formation and relies on upon wing-backs to provide presence in wide areas. The formation is also relatively fluid. Though, some managers would contend it needs width, but if your team is blessed with an adventurous (and super fit) wing-backs, they can pose some real threats from out wide.
 
If executed perfectly, the 4-3-2-1 more commonly known as the “Christmas Tree” formation, can pose all sorts of problems for the opposition's defense.
 
Strength:
The 4-3-2-1 formation is very solid because of its great hostile ability and flawless midfield controlling capacity. And it's a good formation for protecting a lead as a switch from the 4-2-3-1 which is more offensive oriented.
 
Drawback:
Low on width and against teams settling for a draw can be too narrow to pierce their defense. 
 
 
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The 4-1-4-1 is a relatively recent Football Manager Handheld development and actually stems from either the 4-1-2-2-1 or from the 4-2-3-1.
 
I like to think the formation itself is predicated on maintaining the all-important midfield triangle that is so key in both the 4-2-3-1 and in the 4-1-2-2-1. From the 4-2-3-1, the formation comes about by pushing a holding midfielder into an advanced position, while in the 4-1-2-2-1 it requires the wide players to be genuine two-way players (inside forwards) instead of the wingers. 
 
The true power in this formation is tactical flexibility in that with single swaps of players, the 4-1-4-1* can promptly transition into either of the other two formations mention above or even into a 4-4-2 if necessary. This allows your team to react quickly and effectively to changes made by opposition sides. In all of these formations, its a simple switch to either a more attacking or a more defensive positioning without any tactical overhaul mid-match as the play style for these different formations are so similar.
 
The real issue is the reality that the lone striker can become isolated although the opportunity to get midfield runners forward means this shouldn't be too much of a problem if he can drop deep, link play and hold up the ball. That said, the importance of the midfield runners getting forward means the holding player has a huge responsibility without the ball, and can often become overrun at defensive transitions, particularly if the opposition gets two players either side of him - he doesn't have the comfort of a partner.
 
The solidity of your midfield trio will be the key in this formation, and these three players are going to be your fort, they will dictate the play, break up the attacks and chip in with goals. The midfield partnership trio has to contain one two-way player (Box to Box Mid) that functions between the holding midfielder and the AMC in the centre midfield. This dual functionality is the key when playing with a non-traditional AMC partner in the centre of midfield. 
 
(Of note: You need to lay off the crack because you can't put two advanced playmakers in a formation designed around midfield dominance and possession. That is simply self-destructive.)
 
From numerous points of view, the strength of this formation should be built around your defensive midfielder. His defensive and offensive games will allow your team to run a 4-1-4-1* that doesn’t require both central midfielders to be possession oriented.
 
Strength:
Can be used to great effect in containing a powerful side.
 
Drawback:
Lone striker can get to be excessively confined. 
 
 
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Considered the most attacking formation in Football Manager Handheld, as not very many would long for playing a 2-3-5 or 3-2-5 formation unless in drastic times. The 4-2-4 formation attempts to combine a solid attack with a solid defense.
 
The 4-2-4 formation made use of the players’ increasing levels of skill and fitness, aiming to effectively use six defenders and six forwards, with the midfielders performing both tasks.
 
The relatively empty midfield relied on defenders that should now be able not only to steal the ball, but also hold it, pass it or even run with it and start an attack (Ball Playing Defender). So this formation obliged that all players, including defenders, are by one means somehow skilful and with initiative. 
 
The 4-2-4 needed a high level of tactical awareness, as having just two midfielders could prompt some defensive mistakes. The system was also fluid enough to allow the formation to change throughout the play.
 
It is quite uncommon for a team to line up in this way. This formation attempts to combine an overloaded offensive line with a solid defensive line. Both the defense and attack are supported by the two midfielders. 
 
The 4-2-4 formation makes use of the player’s skills and fitness, aiming to effectively have six players defending when not in possession of the ball and six players going forward when attacking.
 
However, this formation can leave huge gaps for the wide midfield players on the opposing side. Your two midfield players have to be super fit for this formation to be successful as they have a ton of ground to cover. This formation often leads to your team scoring freely, but also conceding heavily.
 
It is very difficult to say when a formation is best employed as it greatly depends on the strengths and weaknesses of individual teams, both your own and the opposition, as well as the tactics employed within each set up. However, this formation can be employed when chasing the game or looking to press high up the pitch.
 
Strength:
An exceptionally attack-minded formation with lots of attacking options. Width granted. 
 
Drawback:
Outnumbered in midfield.
 
 

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3-5-2 is a formation in Football Manager Handheld with a more attacking style of play with the strength of the formation coming from the midfield. It takes into account a marginally sterner defense, as it has five players in midfield. This makes it easier for players to fall back and assist the defenders. Your team is also able to turn attack into defense quickly. And should again try to win back the ball quickly and then maintain possession. 
 
3-6-1 is very much alike to 3-5-2, but is a lot more defensive. You can push the wingers far forward if you like or play with one attacking midfielder just up behind the strikers.
 
The key here is in the middle of the park. The fifth midfielder really gives your team the flexibility to defend, press and attack in numbers relying upon the circumstance. When defending, the central midfielder (also referred to as the Deep Lying Midfielder) plays a key role in maintaining a disciplined defensive unit in a vulnerable back line. This player alternates from his position to covering for centre backs floating out of position as well as being the dominant figure in winning tackles in the middle of the park. Easily the most important figure for keeping this unit safe in terms of penetration down the middle.
 
With one player taking the role of an Adv. Playmaker, one a Box to Box Mid and one a Deep Lying Mid - the Deep Lying Mid is used to mark an opponent’s attacking midfield player, screen the space in front of the markers (prevent the first ball out), or push up and complete a block of five zonal markers in the midfield. This player has to be a DESTROYER.
 
If a Box to Box Midfield player is used, this player is usually a “special player” whose technical ability, strength and vision allow him to dictate your team’s rhythm. This lad can come back and get the ball from defenders and open the game with long passing, play short for possession or run with the ball at the opponents’ defense.
 
The Adv. Playmaker is generally an extraordinary player too. Whether with powerful running to the back of the opponent’s defense, elusive dribbling and shooting from distance or combining with forwards, your team's style and methods are often dictated by this player.
 
It is up to the “genius of you as the manager” to organize and implement this engine room of the team.
 
If you can't win the middle of the park lining up this way, then you've got bigger issues than formations and tactics. You play with five clouding up the middle for a reason, that part of the pitch should be a traffic jam where nobody getting through. You’ve given up your back four to win that part of the pitch so own it.
 
Sometimes the best defense is a strong offense and nothing brings heat to the net like a 3-5-2. It’s important to remain a disciplined organize side, despite the fact that it may appear as though you're going for goals in this set up.
 
Strength:
Inherent strength is its flexibility. Because of large numbers of players in the central area of the pitch, your players can quickly move to support the attack, fortify the defense and quickly attack from one flank or the other. Without question control the middle from a possession stand point and game flow point of view.
 
Drawback:
Only three defenders compose the defending block - these three defenders leave uncovered expansive spaces on the flanks behind the flank midfielders, and it’s a specific weaknesses which an opponent may abuse.
 
 

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Well, well, well, look at you 3-4-3* Mr. Offense. No risk, no reward, eh? Attacking minded football, direct oriented play and goals are what Football Manager Handheld formations like the 3-4-3* are about. Your team better capitalize on their chances because they could be exploited in the back if they don't pocket their opportunities with so many committed forwards. 
 
3-4-3* Football Manager Handheld formation is one of the formations that provide very offensive and attack minded system of play. This formation in Football Manager Handheld can be extremely perilous to play with if your team is not decently composed and it ought to be practiced for a considerable measure before the season begins. 
 
Using a 3-4-3*, your midfielders are required to split their time between attacking and defending. One offensive minded player (Adv. Playmaker) and one defensive minded player (Deep Lying Mid) in the center midfield.
 
The Deep Lying Mid, likewise called a Holding Midfielder will play a more defensive role and control the midfield by disrupting the opponents attack and also connecting the defense with offense by being the start of most attacks. 
 
This 3-4-3* formation transforms into a 3-4-3* diamond formation when attacking due to your second more offensive minded player in the midfield who will look for the opportunity to go up the field and help your forwards score at whatever point conceivable. 
 
Having just three dedicated defenders implies that if the opposing team breaks through the midfield, they will have a greater chance to score than with a more ordinary defensive setup, for example, 4-5-1 or 4-4-2. Be that as it may, your three forwards allow for a greater concentration on attack, and your attacking trio is very important for this 3-4-3* formation to win games.
 
As you can tell every position has novel attributes, yet each has a shared conviction where they require one another to be effective. It’s a delicate process getting the right sorts of players to genuinely get the best out of a 3-4-3*
 
"There is no right or wrong answer here with this formation, it's all philosophical. Some say you're left excessively thin in the back, others say if we attack all game and keep the ball the other team doesn't get the chance to exploit us. It really could go either way, both are correct, you just need to make sure you understand both sides of the game. Realize what you are getting and giving up and then decide what's for you. The 3-4-3* can be a beautiful thing or a disaster, you choose.” 
 
This formation is used by more offensive-minded teams and should only be used if the opponent is playing with ideally one, at most two attacking players. 
 
Strength:
A clear strength of this formation is your options going forward. Having four midfielders with three different strikers buzzing around up top can cause havoc for opposing defenses. Always knowing that a goal is within your reach lining up this way gives you that additional certainty that you're never out of a game.
 
The ability to overwhelm a team with players forward may make them reevaluate what they are doing. Getting a team on their heels early can set the tone for the match. A team's strength in this formation is to effectively make the other team uncomfortable and allow doubt to crawl into their brain.
 
Drawback:
Clearly with each open door there is a risk. The risk for this situation is getting hit on the counter or not sufficiently having defenders to cover attackers.
 
Regardless of who you have in the back playing with three is always a risk. Not to say it can't work or you don't have players equipped for playing with just three in the back, it simply leaves the chance to get broken down.
 
 

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Protecting a lead? Welcome to the 5-3-2. It eliminates the offside trap allowing strikers of opposing sides to be more dynamic in your danger areas. Giving up your flanks and staying exceptionally defensive is this formation essential idea. 
 
The 5-3-2 likewise employs five defenders, however, has two attacking side-backs (wing-backs) who contribute liberally in attack while the three centre backs maintain the defensive rigidity. The midfield is compact to keep the play equally spread and to protect the three-man central defenders partnership. 
 
The two wing-backs, who operate up the flanks, play a key part in this line-up. It is their business to work the full length of the pitch, supporting both the defense and the attack by getting crosses in and tracking back respectively. 
 
If these two attacking defenders struggle with the pace of the game, your team can be left short of support, be it up front or at the back. Thus, it does put a considerable measure of responsibility on to the shoulders of just two players. They do need to be exceptionally fit. 
 
5-3-2 is often played by teams that are blessed with talented midfielders that are fit and creative. The formation relies on your two wing-backs getting forward in wide areas supporting the attack and creating goal scoring opportunities for your forwards, additionally getting back to cover as full-backs when not in ownership of the ball. 
 
Your central three midfielders need to work as a close unit, often one will support the attack (Adv. Playmaker), one will sit in the middle (Box to Box Mid) and one will sit in front of the defense (Deep Lying Mid) as cover or drop in to make a four, the three will very rarely play in a line across the middle. 
 
This set up gives little attack with the three midfielders and two strikers, but goals can still happen. If the outside backs (wing-backs) get involved going forward then your team can increase their chances of putting the ball in the back of the net.
 
To make this formation work, your team must be extremely fit, exceptionally creative and have the capacity to work as a unit in all areas of the pitch. 
 
The 5-3-2 formation is very rare in Football Manager Handheld, but you don’t get anything out of being ordinary. 
 
Strength:
A lot of bodies in the back line offering a tremendous amount of cover along the defensive line, leaving no open players and little room for opposition attackers to operate in.
 
Drawback:
Lack of width in a three-man midfield. And the formation can fatigue wing-backs who are asked to cover a lot of ground up and down the flank.
 
By perusing the Guide to Understanding Football Manager Handheld Formations Part 1 and 2, you will have the capacity to upgrade your seeing on how Football Manager Handheld Formations ought to be sorted out under distinctive Player Tactical Roles and Team Instructions.
 
My Final Thoughts: Remember, there’s no best Football Manager Handheld Formation! As a manager, it’s important to understand not only the responsibilities of your own position but of your players as well.
 
A manager ought not change a team's formation drastically amid a match, especially for inexperienced or young teams who may get confused. If your team is trailing and you’re trying to tie up the match, taking out a midfielder for a forward will work just fine. And what’s more if your team is on a cruise control, replacing a midfielder with a defender and/or a forward with a midfielder are additionally fitting strategic moves.
 
And should incase your player got injured and you have no more subs, or they’ve been sent off, a good formation is one where you do whatever it takes not to let the missing player’s absence impact the team whatsoever. So reverting to a 4-4-1 or a 4-1-3-1 formation, is a good idea as you will be able to maintain the score. But if you are behind and lost a player, then you clearly have more issues to deal with, (good luck with that).
 
 
 
Never forget to have tons of fun and that the main genuine approach to succeed in Football Manager Handheld is to experiment, as no guide can be as complete as to serve as a walkthrough to the many-sided quality of endless options Football Manager Handheld offers. 
 
I apologise for any grammatical errors or typos, as English isn’t my first language. Comments and feedbacks are always welcome, and thanks for reading.
Edited by zacksson007
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Absolutely amazing work. Do you want me to merge the topics so they are all together and call it "guide to understanding tactics?" I think this would be better. This is great and cannot wait to fully read it in depth.

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Absolutely amazing work. Do you want me to merge the topics so they are all together and call it "guide to understanding tactics?" I think this would be better. This is great and cannot wait to fully read it in depth.

Thanks and yes you can merge them. It'll be nicer if people read them all together. 

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Just skimmed through this an I'm impressed. So much time an effort has gone in to this. Looking forward to reading it all when I get the chance. Great detail mate. Cracking work! This will help so many people.

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First of all, great post, Zacksson007.

 

Two points.

1. I would recommend readers to make a note on several successful combinations of player roles and apply those in different (or their preferable) formations. 

It's such an information overload I also fear the average FMH player will either get confused by the sheer amount of info or it'll put them off and want to keep it simpler. 

My advice to those managers is to pick 2-3 formations you like and focus on those in order to perfect them.

 

2. There's only one thing I disagree with and that's your player roles for defenders. You make no use of limited defenders (LiD) and I'm astonished you get away with it. In a back 4 with full backs playing a CTR and BPD is perfectly OK but especially formations with 3 defenders only -3 CB's and no full backs- is kind of asking for trouble.

 

I play quite often with only 3 pure defenders and I would highly recommend to play at least 1 if not 2 defenders as LiD as they're much better at clearing the ball. Playing only 3 defenders is very risky so it needs to click perfectly at the back otherwise your GK will have his worst day.

So my advice is go for a 'complete' defensive line with a variety of skills from the entire defensive trio with at least 1 CTR (great headers) and 1 LiD (great tacklers).

 

My cents.

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Excellent! 

Thank you. 

Just skimmed through this an I'm impressed. So much time an effort has gone in to this. Looking forward to reading it all when I get the chance. Great detail mate. Cracking work! This will help so many people.

Thank you so much. And it's like you said, "so much time and effort has gone into this." That's absolutely true. I'm just happy to help the community. And I'm also looking forward to you reading it. 

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First of all, great post, Zacksson007.

 

Two points.

1. I would recommend readers to make a note on several successful combinations of player roles and apply those in different (or their preferable) formations. 

It's such an information overload I also fear the average FMH player will either get confused by the sheer amount of info or it'll put them off and want to keep it simpler. 

My advice to those managers is to pick 2-3 formations you like and focus on those in order to perfect them.

 

2. There's only one thing I disagree with and that's your player roles for defenders. You make no use of limited defenders (LiD) and I'm astonished you get away with it. In a back 4 with full backs playing a CTR and BPD is perfectly OK but especially formations with 3 defenders only -3 CB's and no full backs- is kind of asking for trouble.

 

I play quite often with only 3 pure defenders and I would highly recommend to play at least 1 if not 2 defenders as LiD as they're much better at clearing the ball. Playing only 3 defenders is very risky so it needs to click perfectly at the back otherwise your GK will have his worst day.

So my advice is go for a 'complete' defensive line with a variety of skills from the entire defensive trio with at least 1 CTR (great headers) and 1 LiD (great tacklers).

 

My cents.

I won't disagree with your point on playing with three CTRs, like I said in the first Part prior to this, the overall idea behind this guide is to help the average FMH player understand this awesome game and to get him/her on his/her approach to thinking and experimenting with different formations. 
 
Player Tactical Roles is an incredible way to further tweak formations to fit one's playing style. When I play with three in the back, I always like to keep things as basic as possible, this is something I've fiddled around with and trust me, I just find it better to play with three CTRs. Not that I haven't tried the three centre-backs partnership, I simply didn't get an excess of accomplishment with it.
 
A debt of gratitude is in order regarding the add and heads up you made.  :)
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That's the only point of critique I had and probably the reason why 3 defs formations aren't so popular because it's 'too leaky'. But again with the right combo of players and player roles they become great.

Added bonus is it's easy to find good subs to cover those spots.

 

I think your post will encourage managers to start experimenting if they haven't done so yet so that's fantastic.

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First of all, great post, Zacksson007.

Two points.

1. I would recommend readers to make a note on several successful combinations of player roles and apply those in different (or their preferable) formations.

It's such an information overload I also fear the average FMH player will either get confused by the sheer amount of info or it'll put them off and want to keep it simpler.

My advice to those managers is to pick 2-3 formations you like and focus on those in order to perfect them.

2. There's only one thing I disagree with and that's your player roles for defenders. You make no use of limited defenders (LiD) and I'm astonished you get away with it. In a back 4 with full backs playing a CTR and BPD is perfectly OK but especially formations with 3 defenders only -3 CB's and no full backs- is kind of asking for trouble.

I play quite often with only 3 pure defenders and I would highly recommend to play at least 1 if not 2 defenders as LiD as they're much better at clearing the ball. Playing only 3 defenders is very risky so it needs to click perfectly at the back otherwise your GK will have his worst day.

So my advice is go for a 'complete' defensive line with a variety of skills from the entire defensive trio with at least 1 CTR (great headers) and 1 LiD (great tacklers).

My cents.

Just to be sure I understand correctly, If you were to play with a back 3 using wingbacks, you recommend going for a "complete" defensive line. Would that be 1 bpd, 1 ctr, and 1 lid?

I've been doing this with lid in the middle of the 3 and I've conceded a lot less than I did previously.

Hope no mistakes but not long woke up :D

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First of all, great post, Zacksson007.

Two points.

1. I would recommend readers to make a note on several successful combinations of player roles and apply those in different (or their preferable) formations.

It's such an information overload I also fear the average FMH player will either get confused by the sheer amount of info or it'll put them off and want to keep it simpler.

My advice to those managers is to pick 2-3 formations you like and focus on those in order to perfect them.

2. There's only one thing I disagree with and that's your player roles for defenders. You make no use of limited defenders (LiD) and I'm astonished you get away with it. In a back 4 with full backs playing a CTR and BPD is perfectly OK but especially formations with 3 defenders only -3 CB's and no full backs- is kind of asking for trouble.

I play quite often with only 3 pure defenders and I would highly recommend to play at least 1 if not 2 defenders as LiD as they're much better at clearing the ball. Playing only 3 defenders is very risky so it needs to click perfectly at the back otherwise your GK will have his worst day.

So my advice is go for a 'complete' defensive line with a variety of skills from the entire defensive trio with at least 1 CTR (great headers) and 1 LiD (great tacklers).

My cents.

Just to be sure I understand correctly, If you were to play with a back 3 using wingbacks, you recommend going for a "complete" defensive line. Would that be 1 bpd, 1 ctr, and 1 lid?

I've been doing this with lid in the middle of the 3 and I've conceded a lot less than I did previously.

Hope no mistakes but not long woke up :D

 

I get the same results with or without wingbacks.

But from the 3 CB's 1 is a CTR and the other is LiD. Those two player roles are 'fixed'.

The third is optional whatever suits the player best but I usually opt for a second LiD or CTR. It's riskier using a BPD that suits attacking style of play but with only 3 defenders mistakes turn deadly.

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Changing team Instructions in a match can really be a match winner regardless of what formation you use. I prefer to use one formation and adjust in-game rather than changing formations all together. I am not sure if a team can become effective if you constantly switch formations in a season. Great second part

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Changing team Instructions in a match can really be a match winner regardless of what formation you use. I prefer to use one formation and adjust in-game rather than changing formations all together. I am not sure if a team can become effective if you constantly switch formations in a season. Great second part

The only time I remember switching to a different formation was with a lower division team in Holland where I struggled to keep them up. I like going offensive but balanced approach was the way to go. Generally I start and finish the season with the same formation.

Absolutely amazing work. Do you want me to merge the topics so they are all together and call it "guide to understanding tactics?" I think this would be better. This is great and cannot wait to fully read it in depth.

 

This is very informative and answers a lot of questions that are being asked around the site lately.

Perhaps a good idea to pin it?

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Hi guys if I copyed one of these tactics and put the players in right position does it work as good as doing your own? Cause I can never do my own. I like playing 4222 wit any team

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Hi guys if I copyed one of these tactics and put the players in right position does it work as good as doing your own? Cause I can never do my own. I like playing 4222 wit any team

If the players fit the system, then why not. Have some little confidence and take a stab at something new. It's all about experimenting and good luck with any of the formations you pick.

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Thanks for the advice this is really interesting and helpful. I am really interested in the best formations to counter various formations that I encounter.

 

BatiGoal are you talking about the enhanced engine?

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Thanks for the advice this is really interesting and helpful. I am really interested in the best formations to counter various formations that I encounter.

 

BatiGoal are you talking about the enhanced engine?

 

Yes. (I never remember to add that bit of info)

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Thanks for the advice this is really interesting and helpful. I am really interested in the best formations to counter various formations that I encounter.

 

BatiGoal are you talking about the enhanced engine?

Thank you, and I'm writing a piece on countering different formations. Should be up soon. 

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Hi all, first, good stuff, Zacksson007.

 

In response to Batigo's post re: three man defensive line: "There's only one thing I disagree with and that's your player roles for defenders. You make no use of limited defenders (LiD) and I'm astonished you get away with it. In a back 4 with full backs playing a CTR and BPD is perfectly OK but especially formations with 3 defenders only -3 CB's and no full backs- is kind of asking for trouble."

 

For my part, I have been using a 3-4-1-2/3-4-2-1/4-3-1-2 system (based on Brendan Rodgers Liverpool tactic. I call it the "McCool System") with both my Schalke and Liverpool saves and have had stellar success with it (Enhanced Engine). My record at Schalke over two seasons using primarily a three CD back line is 102-15-3!

 

In 2021-22, the Blues went 54-5-1, won the Bundesliga title, the GSC, ESC, ECC CWC, and GC. 159 goals scored/ 33 conceded (2.65 per match/ .55 per match)

 

In 2021-22, we sagged to 48-10-2, but still won all six cups again. 147 scored/34 conceded (2.45/ .57)

 

I normally use a balanced/mixed/normal tactic with pressing on and everything else off. If I want greater pressure, I switch to attacking mentality.

 

I don't like, or use, either BPDs or LIDs.

 

I have Niklas Sule, Joel Matip, Marquinhos, Ralph Varane, Davide Potenza, and Kaan Ayhan to draw from (Howedes retired last season).

 

At Liverpool, the lads have gone 110-17-10 over the last two seasons (51-10-5; 59-7-5) winning the BPL, ESC, CAP, ECC, CWC and the FA Cup in 2020-21. 

 

In 2021-22, we won the BPL, ESC, CAP, CWC and FA Cup (runner up for both Community Shield and ECC). My CDs are: Jorritt Hendrix, Milos Filipovic, Marquinhos, Ruben Horta, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Mamadou Sakho and Aleksander Dragovic.

 

I switch the formations up a lot and often go to the 4-3-1-2 (kudos to Aangca) in the second half when leading without having to sub. (at Schalke, I use Kolasinic and Kurzawa as left defensive wingers and Itter and Mayke as right DWs who can drop back to WBs or FBs. CDs Marquinhos R/C and Potenza L/C can shift from CD to WB or FB. I have players with similar roles at Liverpool).

 

The bottom line is, as Batigo suggests, that it depends on the players one has and their ability to work together. I always build my squads from the defense up and bid for top quality CDs.

 

When I get the chance to upload my result screens from my Ipad, I will post them along with my formations and player roles. For the moment here is a diagram of the 3-4-1-2:

 

                                                         GK 

 

 

                                      CD               CD                 CD

                                   

 

 

                           W               DLM               BBM             DW

 

 

 

 

                                                          INF

 

 

 

                                            ADF                    P

 

 

and 3-4-2-1:

 

 

 

                                                          GK

 

 

 

 

                                  CD                  CD                  CD

 

 

 

 

                    W                   DLM                   BBM                 DW

 

 

 

 

                                          APM                 INF

 

 

 

                                                       DLF

 

 

and the 4-3-1-2:

 

 

                                                      GK

 

 

 

 

 

                      WB/FB           CD               CD            WB/FB

 

 

 

 

                                  APM             BWM          BBM

 

 

 

 

                                                        INF

 

 

 

 

                                           ADF                 P

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I'll check those defenders' attributes tomorrow when I have a little more time but I'm pretty sure that combo works so well because they complement one another. Where one's lacking pace or aerial abilty the other(s) cover for it. If funds aren't an issue you could get yourself your perfect trio of defs. Otherwise LiD's are good alternatives.

 

Great results McCool.

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Another great post. Read with Dec's tactics thread, I am having great fun creating formations to suit my team and adapt when the CPU 'works out' my formation.

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Another great post. Read with Dec's tactics thread, I am having great fun creating formations to suit my team and adapt when the CPU 'works out' my formation.

Thank you mate, and have a lot more fun with it.  :)

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