Tactics 4-3-3 with a difference

[Cockers2505]

This not your usual “look at this tactic it’s brilliant”, more I’ve been quite successful but could make it better with the help of you guys who know the positions and player attributes

I have been playing 2026 since it’s release, and I have realised it’s not as easy as other versions, but it can be successful if you put effort in, not simple plug and play, but more trial and test until something works.

I choose Newcastle, not because of money, but because they are good in most positions, but can improve, I know Liverpool, city, and arsenal will still have the automatic best teams and the first season is always hard with these 3 getting most of the best games, so my objective was to knock them off their perch with a format that I didn’t care to much about scoring lots of goals, but can score to win, whilst defending enough to win the games.

So I am happy for assistance to improve, I have changed it many times, but end back where I feel is the better formation, which I finished a whole season to see how I could get on.

Tactic is:

Update - changed to 2 CDs at the back and changed the 2 strikers to a AF and a DLF, did really well up front

So I went with IWB to fill the midfield and try to overpower it with a single CD hold firm, whilst the other is the ball player. 
Key note, always use a left footed player for the left centre back and left IWB, the stats are rubbish if it’s a right footed player.

Another note, now matter what I played, FB, WB or IWB the stats is terrible in this version, mostly getting 5.0 and even down to 4.0 during the game, this is both left and right, so I simply had to hope the rest of the team will get better and give a good performance.

Defensively I thought pushing to far forward with a high defensive line loses to many goals, so I kept it balanced where I see a lot of formations having both defensive line high and closing down All Over. I believe in tackling hard to win the ball, yes it gets a red card or 2 throughout the season, but in my opinion you win more tackles with this set to Committed.

 

Update - Changed the Final Third to Through Balls only, with Short passes and into the centre

Instructions is the hardest decision I found in this version, I tried so many times changing this until I got half decent, and then good scores as well as getting the best out of the players I had and bought. Passing style changes throughout, I started it mixed, but at times I would change it to Short if I am not getting decent stats, if the players are low in stats I find it’s because players try to much on mixed, lower division is ok for this as players don’t have the same controls as top players, so changing it to Short can help how the team plays, cutting down the amount of wasted passes.

For the Final Third, I had this to nothing selected, until I discover even though I have a left IF who is right footed, he gets more goals with Early Crosses selected, but again this worked both ways.

Again I selected 2 CFs as the heart of midfield was packed with this formation, so setting a CF meant they stayed further forward trying to score the goals, but again I am all ears to see if I can improve on this.

A lot of people want to know how set pieces are set up, well not that I really take any notice, I again set it up for a more defending formation in case there is a break away

 

Goals.

Woltemade did well with 26 goals, Moffi was hit and miss scoring 2 here and there, but not really being the striker to partner up front, the rest of the strikers aided with a few goals to get some of the wins I required.

Assists

Didn’t expect to much here with a single IF, most coming through from all over the pitch

How did I get on?

Won the league but close with City as expected 

 

Awards

 

Managerial Stats

Lost the Champions League final

Carabao cup Quarter Final

FA cup Semi Final

 

Any comments are appreciated 

 

 

 

Edited February 10 by Cockers2505
Tactic update

[tfntkn58]

gegenpress , vertical tiki taks?

[leedsunited87]

I like your tactics from previous editions. Almost looks like a 41221. Not to dissimilar to mine. That's what caught my eye. Impressive you won the PL as well! Love the set up, I struggled this year with the PL, I haven't managed since my 4th place with Leeds. CF is a interesting one, I find the the AF is the best to use for me. Assist wise, you have done really well there

Well done for cracking it buddy! 

[rseven]

IWB at DMRL position will conflict with MCRL position. So if you really want your IWB go center, then move them to DRL postion.

[Cockers2505]

9 hours ago, tfntkn58 said:

gegenpress , vertical tiki taks?

Sorry are you telling me to use, or asking am I using? 
 

[Cockers2505]

7 hours ago, leedsunited87 said:

I like your tactics from previous editions. Almost looks like a 41221. Not to dissimilar to mine. That's what caught my eye. Impressive you won the PL as well! Love the set up, I struggled this year with the PL, I haven't managed since my 4th place with Leeds. CF is a interesting one, I find the the AF is the best to use for me. Assist wise, you have done really well there

Well done for cracking it buddy! 

Its definitely not a plug and play version, it needs change throughout the game, that’s why I mentioned mixed to short passing, and at times I change the CF to Target if they have good heading which was Woltemade in this test, but maybe changing to AF could improve, but both strikers or just one?

[Cockers2505]

6 hours ago, rseven said:

IWB at DMRL position will conflict with MCRL position. So if you really want your IWB go center, then move them to DRL postion.

Thanks, so come back to full right or left back but switch to IWB 

[Cockers2505]

Quick update, I have tried this with Oldham in the second division, so far got 2 promotions but the Championship is hard without the right players

[tfntkn58]

14 hours ago, Cockers2505 said:

Sorry are you telling me to use, or asking am I using? 
 

I'm asking which one I asked.

[Cockers2505]

38 minutes ago, tfntkn58 said:

 

I'm asking which one I asked.

Genpress

[Cockers2505]

**UPDATE**

I have listened to the comments, amended where I thought it would help, and then tried another season with Newcastle.

I have changed the screenshots in the first post to show the changes, but my main changes was the 2 strikers.

How did the season go. Won the league again but with 2 games to spare

 

Won 27 of the 38 games losing only 2 all season.

Manager of the year


Also won the Community Shield, FA cup, Carabao Cup. Knocked out by Barcalona in the Champions League.

 

Final manager stats

 

Please let me know if you have or will try it

[SonCanito]

Hi!!
Seems interesting but youre missing the shape tab, team mentality etc 

Thanks

[Cockers2505]

25 minutes ago, SonCanito said:

Hi!!
Seems interesting but youre missing the shape tab, team mentality etc 

Thanks

Sorry forgot to add it on the update, it’s there now, thanks