Career C.D. Mafra - My Philosophy

[SSolas]

CHOOSING THE SQUAD

I chose C.D. Mafra because they were one of the smaller teams in the LigaPro. The club were founded in 1965 & have no major achievements of note in their history. This was again a tester season for my amended Tiki Taka Tactic.

STADIUM & FACILITIES

On my 1st day in charge, the board were asked to improve the Stadium & Facilities. The board improved the facilities from Average to Good. The stadium remains at 1,250 capacity.

STAFF,FINANCE & TRAINING

The staff room has been fulled filled with intermediate/Basic trained coaches,scouts etc. The Finances are OK due to heavy spending in the transfer market. Training is delegated to assistant manager Hugo Relvas.

SQUAD

As you can see below, the squad underwent a total overhaul. The players in matched my winning filter of STAMINA,PACE & POSITIONING. The players out were not good enough & sold to free up transfer & wage budgets.

TACTIC

I used my amended Attacking Tiki Taka Tactic. The tactic was amended to play at a slower tempo. The tactic had highs & lows - unbelievable defence again resulting in 9 consecutive wins! But our attack was 8th in the league.

THE RESULTS

The result of this season with C.D. Mafra was again successful, but by narrow margins. Our defence & clean sheets were there, the win rate was 55% & we had 9 consecutive wins. That said, were still not finishing comfortable first & attacking is still an issue.

STEPS FOR SUCCESS

MANAGERS STATS

LEAGUE STATS

[DanEnglish]

Hi @SSolas,

On 05/09/2021 at 04:50, SSolas said:

But our attack was 8th in the league.

On 05/09/2021 at 04:50, SSolas said:

That said, were still not finishing comfortable first & attacking is still an issue.

You’ve mentioned multiple times that you’d like to improve the team’s attacking play (I.e. score more goals). Back in the Man Utd save they scored something like 44 goals in 38 games.

Question - Do you have any ideas on how you will do this? Are you open to suggestions from us?

[SSolas]

2 hours ago, DanEnglish said:

Hi @SSolas,

You’ve mentioned multiple times that you’d like to improve the team’s attacking play (I.e. score more goals). Back in the Man Utd save they scored something like 44 goals in 38 games.

Question - Do you have any ideas on how you will do this? Are you open to suggestions from us?

Absolutely Dan, open to all suggestions.

I had thought about amending the stats searched for some of the attacking players as forwards who are great at Positioning,stamina & Pace may not be the best at finishing ( defensive minded). 

[DanEnglish]

3 hours ago, SSolas said:

Absolutely Dan, open to all suggestions.

Great - so I’ve watch most of the goals you shared for each save. I think it shows some attacking issues + opportunities. 

ISSUES

1. Narrow Opposition Defence (blue line) - in each screenshot below, you can see the blue line showing how narrow the opposition 3-4 defenders are. That because your 2 IFs (in attack mentality) are cutting inside. This means there is very little space for through balls / runs inbetween the opposition defenders.
2. Same Space (in the striker / midfield gap) - the yellow box in each screenshot shows the space in front of the opposition defence. Unfortunately your AP + DLF are trying to occupy the same space. your AP is often already there (and marked), which means often there is no / little space for your DLF to drop deep + pull the opposition DCs out of position (so he often stays forward next to the 2 IFs).
3. No-one in the Half Spaces (white boxes) - rarely do your midfielders occupy the ‘De Bruyne’ half-space shown by the white boxes. Without this, your attacking WBs lack service / through balls behind the opposition wide players.
4. Double Pivot (black oval) - you are playing a double pivot in midfield, but they are located too close together during your attacks. Both your DMC and DLP are close together, staying deep + narrow. This means they have less passing options (especially lacking passing lanes to the WBs), and struggle to link up to the 3 forwards (unless an IF goes against their instructions and drops deep).

So overall - the team struggles to find space in between the opposition back 3/4 + your midfielders struggle to get the ball to your WBs on the flanks (outside of their back 3/4) + you have discouraged shooting from distance (by selecting work into box). It makes sense why you score few goals, even if everything else works great.

MORE EXAMPLES:

Each of these screenshots (from different goals / games) shows the same issues over & over again.

Some screenshots show a green tick ✅ which indicates the issue is solved + directly led to a goal (e.g. DLF dropped deep, or midfielder moved into the half-space).

 

NEXT

Question - does this make sense? As you’ve seen more if the games, goals & build up play - what aspects of this analysis is correct?

Next - later today or tomorrow I will post some suggested options / solutions for you - in the same general tactic you have now, just some small tweaks.

Thoughts? 

[SSolas]

4 hours ago, DanEnglish said:

Great - so I’ve watch most of the goals you shared for each save. I think it shows some attacking issues + opportunities. 

ISSUES

1. Narrow Opposition Defence (blue line) - in each screenshot below, you can see the blue line showing how narrow the opposition 3-4 defenders are. That because your 2 IFs (in attack mentality) are cutting inside. This means there is very little space for through balls / runs inbetween the opposition defenders.
2. Same Space (in the striker / midfield gap) - the yellow box in each screenshot shows the space in front of the opposition defence. Unfortunately your AP + DLF are trying to occupy the same space. your AP is often already there (and marked), which means often there is no / little space for your DLF to drop deep + pull the opposition DCs out of position (so he often stays forward next to the 2 IFs).
3. No-one in the Half Spaces (white boxes) - rarely do your midfielders occupy the ‘De Bruyne’ half-space shown by the white boxes. Without this, your attacking WBs lack service / through balls behind the opposition wide players.
4. Double Pivot (black oval) - you are playing a double pivot in midfield, but they are located too close together during your attacks. Both your DMC and DLP are close together, staying deep + narrow. This means they have less passing options (especially lacking passing lanes to the WBs), and struggle to link up to the 3 forwards (unless an IF goes against their instructions and drops deep).

So overall - the team struggles to find space in between the opposition back 3/4 + your midfielders struggle to get the ball to your WBs on the flanks (outside of their back 3/4) + you have discouraged shooting from distance (by selecting work into box). It makes sense why you score few goals, even if everything else works great.

MORE EXAMPLES:

Each of these screenshots (from different goals / games) shows the same issues over & over again.

Some screenshots show a green tick ✅ which indicates the issue is solved + directly led to a goal (e.g. DLF dropped deep, or midfielder moved into the half-space).

 

NEXT

Question - does this make sense? As you’ve seen more if the games, goals & build up play - what aspects of this analysis is correct?

Next - later today or tomorrow I will post some suggested options / solutions for you - in the same general tactic you have now, just some small tweaks.

Thoughts? 

@DanEnglish- It makes sense & very well explained. I had not thought of those issues. You should be the FMM Vibe tactics fixer 🤭👍. I am looking forward to your suggestions for tweaking the system. 😁

[DanEnglish]

Right so let’s look at some of what’s been going well + your attacking opportunities.

OPTION #1 - Free up the DLF

When your DLF drops deep (like Firmino), he pulls out an opposition DC, creating space for a through ball to your IFs.

However this doesn’t happen often, as usually your AP occupies this space, so your DLF can’t drop deep.

Therefore one option is to change your AP’s role to a CM or B2B, as this will stop that midfielder from both pushing up AND moving into that central hole behind the strikers.

• This tweak allows you to keep your DLF, 2x IFs and 2x attacking WBs - but gives your DLF the space to do their role.
• You’d choose a CM role if you want him to be vertically static, or a B2B role if you want them running between the boxes more.
• Note - this works best when the opposition do not play a DMC (e.g. 442, 4231), as otherwise their DMC can mark your DLF when he drops deep, without the opposition CBs having to move.

OPTION #2 - Get Attacking Width

Your ST is typically your highest scorer. Sometimes, as he can’t drop deep, he instead plays like a AF or Poacher, running onto through balls, which is effective.

However this doesn’t happen often, as usually the opposition defence is too narrow, so there’s little space for these runs + through balls.

Therefore this option is to change your ST’s role to an AF, and change one IF to a IW or Winger. This will give you two attacking runners (AF + an IF) plus two creators (AP + IW/W).

• I’d only play a Winger if (a) your ST has better aerial than opposition CBs, or (b) you want to pull the opposition FB as wide as possible, and don’t care that your Winger is a decoy + not involved in play.
• If you play a Winger, then on that side I’d switch a WB to a IWB or FB - otherwise they are attacking the same space. If you play a IW, then keep your 2x attacking WBs.
• I’d also change your DLP to a CM or B2B - the AP, B2B (and Anchor) combination seems pretty powerful for me.
• Theoretically you could also try moving to “wider” width, but I haven’t tried it myself in this way. 
• You should notice the opposition FB is positioned wider on the side of your IW/W, which gives space between their FB + CB for your attacking runners.

These tweaks allow you to keep your front 4 (of which 2 have different roles), and 1-2 of your attacking WBs.

 

NEXT

A couple more options coming soon, have got to do some real life stuff first.

Edited September 7, 2021 by DanEnglish

[DanEnglish]

OPTION #3 - Supply the WBs

As the screenshots below show, your two attacking WBs have plenty of space down the flanks - probably because (a) the opposition back 3/4 is very narrow and (b) opposition wide attackers often don't track back well.

However this doesn’t happen often, as the WBs don’t get much service from the MCs - as none of the MCs are in the ‘half-space’ (the gentle white shaded area in the 1st screenshot above).

Your DLP is meant to be playing creative passes, BUT is positioned too deep + too central to easily make these passes. Plus is located too close to your DMC, so your DLP is easily closed down + had less time on the ball.

Therefore this 3rd option is to change your AP + DLP to both normal CMs (or maybe B2Bs). This means they will be positioned closer to those half-spaces, so they can better supply your WBs.

• This tweak allows you to keep your narrow front 3, and better use your 2 attacking WBs.
• This tweak can be combined / used together with OPTION 1 - so you have two sets of attacking creators (via the central DLF or via the wide WBs) - with 2x CM, 2x WB, 2x IF + a DLF.
• If you decide to not combine this with option 1, then you could move your ST to a Poacher role, to ensure they’re always in the box ready for your WBs’ crosses.
• Theoretically you could also try moving to “wider” width, which should move your 2x CMs a little wider, and more into those half-spaces.

This option would be more effective if you were willing to move your DMC forwards into the CM position (as a DLP?) - which would give you three central midfielders in a line (2x MC flanking a DLP).

• This pushes the 2x CMs a little wider, perfectly into those half-spaces to supply the WBs.
• However you may lose some defensive solidity, which is why I picked the DLP, as at least it still stays somewhat central and deep in front of your CBs.

Note - you will need a strong aerial ST to take advantage of the crosses (aerial, shooting, movement, strength), and ideally your 2x IFs would have a good aerial threat also. 

NEXT

Above are the first 3 options, there is a 4th option I’ll add later, plus some other minor comments / suggestions.

Edited September 7, 2021 by DanEnglish

[DanEnglish]

OPTION 4 - Gengenpress

Your tactic is setup to press - with a high defensive line, pressing all over + even the offside trap.

But I’ve yet to see you share a goal from successfully pressing your opponents.

Note - perhaps you have scored a lot of these, but haven’t shared them as they don’t look as good? (I.e. selection bias)

Therefore this 4th option is to optimise your Gengenpress - which I’m not an expert at, but will try to offer some suggestions:

• Change your ST’s role to a Pressing Forward - as they’ll more aggressively press the opposition GK + DCs, rather than a DLF who often will drop a little deeper instead of hard pressing.
• Replace your DMC with a Shadow Striker (in the AMC position) - as an SS will more aggressively press the opposition DCs + DMCs.
• Am not sure what to do with the other 2 MCs - standard CM roles and/or BWM roles? I’d go with CM roles, but am not an expert on this.

Also there is probably a guide on Gengenpressing somewhere on this site.

NEXT

These are the 4 options, next I’ll do a summary with some other minor comments.

[DanEnglish]

SUMMARY

Normally I’d go with option 2 (change a IF to a IW for some extra width + change the DLP to a CM / B2B + maybe play wider) - this has worked brilliantly with me at multiple clubs - especially Man Utd with Rashford as an IF left, Martial as a AF centrally, and Lingard / Greenwood as a IW right.

Based on your philosophy though, you may want to go for a combination of options 1 + 3. Keeping the DLF and 2 IFs, but changing the 2 (or 3?!) midfielders to a standard MC role. This both gives space for your DLF, and supply to your WBs. Note that you’ll need good aerial attacker(s) in the box. 

MINOR SUGGESTIONS

• You may want to switch ‘long shots’ on - or at least remove the ‘through balls’ selection. This is because you’ve scored some goals for long shots (& their rebounds!) but it’s not something you are encouraging right now.
• If you do not pick option 4 (Gengenpress), then perhaps you can reduce your defensive line to ‘normal’, as often there will be more space behind your opponents defensive line for through balls to your IFs.
• If you do have play 2 CMs / B2Bs + a DMC, you may want to change the DMC to an Anchor role. An anchor will stay just in front of your 2 CBs, giving more space to your 2 MCs. That’s my preference anyway.
• Lastly you’ll need to change your final third instructions depending on the option you go with. 

DONE ✅ 

So that’s it. Analysis based on the 1-2 goals you’ve shared on each save. Then if you’re interested, there are 4 options + some minor suggestions for you. 

Pick what’s interesting for you. Test it out. See what works. Hope this helps.

Thoughts? What do you think you’ll do?

Edited September 7, 2021 by DanEnglish

[DanEnglish]

21 hours ago, SSolas said:

I had thought about amending the stats searched for some of the attacking players as forwards who are great at Positioning,stamina & Pace may not be the best at finishing ( defensive minded)

One more point. You may want to prioritise the attacking attributes for attackers (finishing, movement, passing, creativity). Unless you’re going for option 4 (Gengenpress). Attacking attributes & desirable player traits would help!

[SSolas]

@DanEnglish - your analysis is absolutely incredible with excellent observation's & suggestions. I really appreciate this mate! I have never thought to look at it in this much depth as I usually just feel my way to with Barcelona team of 2010/11 as a guide.  That said, your suggestions & analysis of the highlights show the issues so clearly.

It would be great if you were the FMMVibe tactics fixer or could post tactics emulating the ones in real life such as Klopps Gegenpressing.

I shall go away now & test out some of the suggestions, maybe tinkering with the midfield as I think I would prefer the ST being in a sort of FMM21 False Nine position, again, matching the Famous Barcelona teams.

Thank you @DanEnglish so much again! again, you have worked so hard! Your posts are clear, interesting & helpful! Can't wait to see more from you! 😁 Thanks again 

[Rich]

Fair play @DanEnglish, some great posts their mate 👏🏻

[broodje kip]

I used to analyse the game a lot but @DanEnglish took it to another level! 😰

[DanEnglish]

37 minutes ago, SSolas said:

I shall go away now & test out some of the suggestions, maybe tinkering with the midfield as I think I would prefer the ST being in a sort of FMM21 False Nine position, again, matching the Famous Barcelona teams.

That sounds pretty interesting, let us know how you get on. I’ve never really used the ST’s Treq. role, but you could experiment with that as an alternative to the DLF role as it’s more of a False Nine. Just as a backup if the DLF isn’t working how you am want it to (e.g. if is man-marked out of the game by an opposition DMC).

Happy experimenting!

Edited September 7, 2021 by DanEnglish