Fun/Games FMM Cup 2

[Cockers2505]

Wouldn't Option A be better with a Sweeper rather than a NCB who would more or less just kick it away, if you have a reasonable fast paced, Aggressive Sweeper wouldn't they be better to act as a 5th Defender?

Option B won't work for me, Direct play is rubbish in this formation, the type of players you have can't hold the ball as good, so it would spend most time being chased around the pitch, so Option B for me is a No go!

Option C is good, but Liverpool are very good at Countering, so will you have enough pace and stamina to keep up with that type of play for 90 mins? 

Edited February 22, 2023 by Cockers2505

[DutchTony]

If option B had normal tackling I would probably go for that. As it's committed I'm really unsure now...

[BatiGoal]

1 hour ago, Cockers2505 said:

Wouldn't Option A be better with a Sweeper rather than a NCB who would more or less just kick it away

Sometimes kicking away is good 😆 I know what you mean but ..

 

1 hour ago, Cockers2505 said:

if you have a reasonable fast paced, Aggressive Sweeper wouldn't they be better to act as a 5th Defender?

Our fastest guy has 13 Pace. I usually use Sweepers when playing high line, so I'm not sure how well they'd perform tbh. Food for thought tho.

1 hour ago, Cockers2505 said:

Option B won't work for me, Direct play is rubbish in this formation, the type of players you have can't hold the ball as good, so it would spend most time being chased around the pitch, so Option B for me is a No go!

There's no ideal passing style for this group I think, imo they can do all but none very well. Perhaps mixed would be the least damaging but the idea here is not so much to do quick attacks, the idea is to minimize loss of possession in own half so we don't unnecessarily concede. But ..will it work? Can't reveal anything yet.

1 hour ago, Cockers2505 said:

Option C is good, but Liverpool are very good at Countering, so will you have enough pace and stamina to keep up with that type of play for 90 mins? 

Million dollar question. 😆 Million dollar answer comes tomorrow 👍

Good to see you back, btw, sabbatical yes? 😂

[BatiGoal]

33 minutes ago, DutchTony said:

If option B had normal tackling I would probably go for that. As it's committed I'm really unsure now...

Doubts creeping in. Like 👍

[DanEnglish]

3 minutes ago, BatiGoal said:

Doubts creeping in. Like 👍

No doubt. Don’t speak. I know what you’re thinking. I don’t need your reasons. 

Finish that paragraph! 😂 

[BatiGoal]

Don't tell me that it hurts !!!

Had a big crush on Gwen 😂

[Cockers2505]

1 hour ago, BatiGoal said:

Sometimes kicking away is good 😆 I know what you mean but ..

 

Our fastest guy has 13 Pace. I usually use Sweepers when playing high line, so I'm not sure how well they'd perform tbh. Food for thought tho.

There's no ideal passing style for this group I think, imo they can do all but none very well. Perhaps mixed would be the least damaging but the idea here is not so much to do quick attacks, the idea is to minimize loss of possession in own half so we don't unnecessarily concede. But ..will it work? Can't reveal anything yet.

Million dollar question. 😆 Million dollar answer comes tomorrow 👍

Good to see you back, btw, sabbatical yes? 😂

I'm a granddad now so on top of work I spend time with my grandchildren, plus there are guys on here who just simply know everything, and there's others who are a pain asking toooo many questions instead of playing it for themselves, I bet Conte or Dyche would love someone telling them what's their best team and players, or what plug and play tactics works 😂 so I take a little more quiet stance these days at grand age of nearly 52!!! 

I think if I was a betting man Option A would be my preferred choice, but... I still have my doubts

Edited February 22, 2023 by Cockers2505

[BatiGoal]

9 minutes ago, Cockers2505 said:

I think if I was a betting man Option A would be my preferred choice, but... I still have my doubts

Interesting... almost done playing the same game countless times 😂 results maybe tomorrow.

7/13 votes in so far.

[StuartM]

I quite like option B but I think I would like it more for this in an asymmetric set up, i.e. block it up down one side but then have an outlet down the other but I've never really tried that so I'm really curious how this one plays out.

[BatiGoal]

40 minutes ago, StuartM said:

I think I would like it more for this in an asymmetric set up, i.e. block it up down one side but then have an outlet down the other

Very nice idea. Lure 'em into a "trap" on the other side. Interesting concept for sure, definitely something worth experimenting with. Might be really useful vs certain players / teams.

[Sqwagalog]

7 hours ago, DutchTony said:

If option B had normal tackling I would probably go for that. As it's committed I'm really unsure now...

Agreed

[BatiGoal]

Your Votes:

Option A : Defensive + Man Marking

• Titjes
• Kanegan
• AtleticoWolves
• Cockers2505
• broodje kip

 

Option B : Defensive "Park The Bus"

• DutchTony
• Kun Aguero
• StuartM
• BakaSotong

 

Option C : High (Gegen) Pressing

• DanEnglish
• Sqwagalog
• AndersJ
• leedsunited87

[DanEnglish]

1 hour ago, BatiGoal said:

Your Votes:

Wow. A fairly even split between the three options (can you have an even split between an odd number of options 🤔?)

Putting out a prediction in advance 🔮 I’m expecting option B to … er … be … the worst performing here. Let’s see!

[Cockers2505]

7 hours ago, DanEnglish said:

Wow. A fairly even split between the three options (can you have an even split between an odd number of options 🤔?)

Putting out a prediction in advance 🔮 I’m expecting option B to … er … be … the worst performing here. Let’s see!

This is where Diaz picks up an injury and goes off, Salah does a silly tackle and gets a straight red, so Liverpool lose 1-0 from a simple counter putting each option under threat of which is best 😂 😂

[BatiGoal]

FMM CUP 2

- Round 4 -

★  Goal Drought Woes  ★

 

The Results

 

Option A : Defensive + Man Marking

Spoiler

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

• Goals Conceded : 9
• GA/g ( + twist ) : 1.1

 

Option B : Defensive "Park The Bus"

Spoiler

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

• Goals Conceded : 10
• GA/g ( + twist ) : 1.4

 

Option C : High (Gegen)Pressing

Spoiler

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

• Goals Conceded : 19
• GA/g ( + twist ) : 2.3

 

Extra Tests

Option D : Gegenpressing + Man Marking

• Goals Conceded : 17
• GA/g ( + twist ) : 2.4

Option E : --> Option B with 'normal' Tackling + ST drops to AM

• Goals Conceded : 13
• GA/g ( + twist ) : 1.5

 

My Thoughts

Option A - this set-up did a whole lot better than I expected. 5 times 0-0 is incredible. A 5-man defense seems impenetrable at times and Man Marking is a lot more effective in smaller spaces (.. more on that in Option D). But I also have to say that, from the many tests thus far, this year's version really seems (to me) favorable to defensive tactics like this one.

Option B - just 10 goals conceded but too many penalties given away to Salah. Without Committed Tackling and / or a different penalty taker it could've possibly made this the winning option (.. more on that in Option E). And as @DanEnglish mentioned, I think we could've improved possession by bringing the ST down to the AM strata.

Option C - no tactical analysis needed here and really not much to say other than that this *is* a very good tactic but *not* with these players. This once again confirms that Plug & Play tactics don't exist in FMM, no matter how great a proven tactic - you still highly depend on having the right players on the pitch. That's my opinion anyway.

Option D - @Kun Aguero wondered how Gegenpressing + Man Marking would fare, and the big takeaway here is that you can't Man Mark a world-class player with a mediocre defender *especially* over a larger area due to the high def. line we play. We're basically Man Marking near midfield with lots of space behind, and that sort of 1v1 play is ideal for pacey forwards like Salah.

Option E - this is basically Option B "Park The Bus" with Normal Tackling. The stats simply say that yes fewer set pieces and penalties given away *but* also fewer duels (Tackles - TaA and TaW) won -> reduced possession -> slightly more shots on target / chances for opponent etc. So I believe that Committed Tackling can be effective, but only if you have very good tacklers in the team.

 

Option A : Defensive + Man Marking : 3 pts

Option B : Defensive "Park The Bus" : 1 pt

Option C : High (Gegen) Pressing : 0 pts

 

FMM Cup 2 Managers : Leaderboard

(Round 4/10 completed)

1.  9 pts - DanEnglish
2.  8 pts - broodje kip
3.  8 pts - StuartM
4.  8 pts - Titjes
5.  7 pts - AndersJ
6.  7 pts - BakaSotong
7.  7 pts - Kanegan
8.  6 pts - DutchTony
9.  5 pts - Kun Aguero
10.  5 pts - leedsunited87
11.  4 pts - AtleticoWolves
12.  4 pts - Sqwagalog
13.  3 pts - Cockers2505
14.  0 pts - Chris Rawlings

[DanEnglish]

5 minutes ago, BatiGoal said:

Option C : High (Gegen) Pressing : 0 pts

Ah. Ooops. I got that one VERY wrong 😑 

Really liked the thoughts you shared @BatiGoal 👍 

[BatiGoal]

12 minutes ago, DanEnglish said:

Really liked the thoughts you shared @BatiGoal 👍 

Thanks. I'm learning a couple new things along the way, which makes it a lot more worthwhile.

13 minutes ago, DanEnglish said:

Ah. Ooops. I got that one VERY wrong 😑 

If I were playing I'd be on 7 pts now 😁

[AndersJ]

How on earth - well congrats to those whom succeed with Greek european championship football - very interesting White up 

[Kun Aguero]

2 hours ago, BatiGoal said:

Option D - @Kun Aguero wondered how Gegenpressing + Man Marking would fare, and the big takeaway here is that you can't Man Mark a world-class player with a mediocre defender *especially* over a larger area due to the high def. line we play. We're basically Man Marking near midfield with lots of space behind, and that sort of 1v1 play is ideal for pacey forwards like Salah.

Pretty sure it's @broodje kip 

[DutchTony]

2 hours ago, BatiGoal said:

FMM CUP 2

- Round 4 -

★  Goal Drought Woes  ★

 

The Results

 

Option A : Defensive + Man Marking

  Reveal hidden contents

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

• Goals Conceded : 9
• GA/g ( + twist ) : 1.1

 

Option B : Defensive "Park The Bus"

  Reveal hidden contents

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

• Goals Conceded : 10
• GA/g ( + twist ) : 1.4

 

Option C : High (Gegen)Pressing

  Reveal hidden contents

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

• Goals Conceded : 19
• GA/g ( + twist ) : 2.3

 

Extra Tests

Option D : Gegenpressing + Man Marking

• Goals Conceded : 17
• GA/g ( + twist ) : 2.4

Option E : --> Option B with 'normal' Tackling + ST drops to AM

• Goals Conceded : 13
• GA/g ( + twist ) : 1.5

 

My Thoughts

Option A - this set-up did a whole lot better than I expected. 5 times 0-0 is incredible. A 5-man defense seems impenetrable at times and Man Marking is a lot more effective in smaller spaces (.. more on that in Option D). But I also have to say that, from the many tests thus far, this year's version really seems (to me) favorable to defensive tactics like this one.

Option B - just 10 goals conceded but too many penalties given away to Salah. Without Committed Tackling and / or a different penalty taker it could've possibly made this the winning option (.. more on that in Option E). And as @DanEnglish mentioned, I think we could've improved possession by bringing the ST down to the AM strata.

Option C - no tactical analysis needed here and really not much to say other than that this *is* a very good tactic but *not* with these players. This once again confirms that Plug & Play tactics don't exist in FMM, no matter how great a proven tactic - you still highly depend on having the right players on the pitch. That's my opinion anyway.

Option D - @Kun Aguero wondered how Gegenpressing + Man Marking would fare, and the big takeaway here is that you can't Man Mark a world-class player with a mediocre defender *especially* over a larger area due to the high def. line we play. We're basically Man Marking near midfield with lots of space behind, and that sort of 1v1 play is ideal for pacey forwards like Salah.

Option E - this is basically Option B "Park The Bus" with Normal Tackling. The stats simply say that yes fewer set pieces and penalties given away *but* also fewer duels (Tackles - TaA and TaW) won -> reduced possession -> slightly more shots on target / chances for opponent etc. So I believe that Committed Tackling can be effective, but only if you have very good tacklers in the team.

 

Option A : Defensive + Man Marking : 3 pts

Option B : Defensive "Park The Bus" : 1 pt

Option C : High (Gegen) Pressing : 0 pts

 

FMM Cup 2 Managers : Leaderboard

(Round 4/10 completed)

1.  9 pts - DanEnglish
2.  8 pts - broodje kip
3.  8 pts - StuartM
4.  8 pts - Titjes
5.  7 pts - AndersJ
6.  7 pts - BakaSotong
7.  7 pts - Kanegan
8.  6 pts - DutchTony
9.  5 pts - Kun Aguero
10.  5 pts - leedsunited87
11.  4 pts - AtleticoWolves
12.  4 pts - Sqwagalog
13.  3 pts - Cockers2505
14.  0 pts - Chris Rawlings

I must applaud the great deal of time and effort you put into this. Absolutely fantastic. Thank you.

[broodje kip]

Ez as always. @DanEnglish be prepared to get catched up 😈

[BatiGoal]

2 hours ago, Kun Aguero said:

Pretty sure it's @broodje kip 

I keep mistaking one for the other for some reason 😆 sorry, mate.

Ahhh, just noticed, both Malaysian and both Man City. Sure, you not the same person?

38 minutes ago, broodje kip said:

Ez as always. @DanEnglish be prepared to get catched up 😈

Oh dear, some serious rivalry starting here. Things are heating up 🔥

[BatiGoal]

1 hour ago, DutchTony said:

I must applaud the great deal of time and effort you put into this. Absolutely fantastic. Thank you.

Thanks mate, if we all learn a little something that's great and worth the time 👍

[BatiGoal]

Round 5 shall be posted soon. People may still join the fun. Pls read OP for more details.. 

Here's already a teaser of what's awaiting you.

 

 

FMM CUP 2

- Round 5 -

⚽  Time To Say Goodbye  ⚽

 

 

Stay Tuned..

[BatiGoal]

Quick word on Round 5, it's again nowhere near any of the previous rounds and tbh it should never have been part of this Cup. But .... @DanEnglish threw a couple ideas at me and I took a few of those intriguing ingredients and threw them into a big bad pot! Added some magical herbs of my own and this brewy stinky ewwy potion came to life a.k.a. Round 5.

So if you love it - ALL credit goes to me. If you hate it - ALL blame goes to Dan.

😁

[DanEnglish]

3 hours ago, BatiGoal said:

So if you love it - ALL credit goes to me. If you hate it - ALL blame goes to Dan.

Oh dear ... what have I done?! <we've unleashed a monster!>

[Cockers2505]

11 hours ago, BatiGoal said:

Quick word on Round 5, it's again nowhere near any of the previous rounds and tbh it should never have been part of this Cup. But .... @DanEnglish threw a couple ideas at me and I took a few of those intriguing ingredients and threw them into a big bad pot! Added some magical herbs of my own and this brewy stinky ewwy potion came to life a.k.a. Round 5.

So if you love it - ALL credit goes to me. If you hate it - ALL blame goes to Dan.

😁

That sounds like my Wife!!!!! if it's good, she is all 'it was my idea' and if it crap, she simply blames me!!!

[BatiGoal]

FMM CUP 2

- Round 5 -

⚽  Time To Say Goodbye  ⚽

 

 

The end of an era

It's sad but that's reality. Every story has a beginning and an end, and that's no different for every football story. Knowing that, we should take the positives and celebrate what some of the greats of world football have given us. Now I feel it's time to give back (more on that later..)

 

Hanging up my football boots

We're now in 2023 just having witnessed an amazing World Cup and for varying reasons 3 of this sport's legends came up to me and expressed their desire to quit the game. "I've won it all now, I'm the G.O.A.T. I'm done baby!! DONE!", said the first. The second countered: "What records are there left to be broken? I'm the finest goal-scorer there ever was!". Bemused, the third blurted out: "I'm too old for this shit, these injuries are killing me and I'm already a record champion. I'm GOD".

Shocked as I was I totally understood their reasonings and promised to find a new club in the winter transfer window. So I snuck in as manager, released each of them from their respective clubs and waited for the very first team to come in and grab hold of one of these legends. As I opted for a first-come-first-served approach, all 3 quickly found a new home for the next 5 months to showcase their unmatched talent for one last time. It's now Jan '23 and there's still a big chunk of the season left to be played to go out with an incredible BANG!

 

Going out with a BANG

This challenge as I mentioned earlier, was never supposed to play part in this Cup as it's a mere simulation. Uhmm, I changed my stance on that, I think it's a fun addition. It brings variety and it tests our knowledge of how well (we think) we know these AI players and AI managers - our sworn enemies. But this time we're siding with them. We're cheering them on and we want them to win. Win with a big BANG.

 Let's meet our legends at their newly found clubs ..

 

 

Option A : Messi at Newcastle

• 35yo Messi + Newcastle Squad

Spoiler

 

Option B : Ronaldo at Huddersfield

• 37yo Ronaldo + Huddersfield Squad

Spoiler

 

Option C : Zlatan at Celtic

• 41yo Ibrahimovic + Celtic Squad

Spoiler

 

 

Twist - Read carefully. I'm going to play - holiday - through the second half of the season as an unemployed manager. For each of the 3 options I will do so 10x taking NOT the average, but their best run ONLY. AI management throws curve ball after curve ball in the form of injuries and such, which totally screws up the Avs of any player. This is a "last hoorah" for each of these men, so we want to see the bestest version of them only. This is how we give back to them, we give them a golden opportunity to showcase their top performances to the FMM world one final time. *So NO averages of 10x half season -> only their 1 best run to the finish line counts*.

Best ½ season of Messi at Newcastle Vs. Best ½ season of Ronaldo at Huddersfield Vs. Best ½ season of Ibrahimovic at Celtic. Whoever gets the most assists + goals wins. You may discuss the 3 options at length in this thread but do NOT reveal your answer. *PM me the answer!*

 

- If you have any further questions or require additional info before making your decision feel free to ask. Goodluck!

[leedsunited87]

A real tough one this, all brilliant individually

[DutchTony]

Wow this is a great one. I'll need to think very carefully 😏