Hammers 4th in League 2nd Season with this classic tactic set. Welcome to try..

I have been trying to develop a classic West Ham tactic that plays the way the Irons did back in 85-86 (the glory years!!) when they finished 3rd. In my first season I tinkered a lot with a 4-4-2 which was fairly attacking but at the same time reasonably deep as I didn't have the pace at the back. I probably ended up with something far away from the way McAvennie and Cottee played but I still call it my Retro 85/86 Tactic. It was pretty good at Home but not too clever Away and I finished a safe 14th.

Pre season two I tinkered again and adjusted various settings to come up with my Away Tactic. It's not overly attacking but it does get results and ironically in season 2 I actually had a better away record than I did at home!! Anyway using these and nothing else I made 4th in the League with I think a reasonably average squad. My signings at the start of season 2 were :

In's : Zigic 3.1m, Wickham loan, Shelvey loan, Butland 1.6m, Obinna free, Owen free, Roberto Carlos 220k, Fleck loan, Andy Reid loan, Micah Richards 5.25m. Total Fees 11.75 m

Out's : Spector 2.2m, Barerra 4.2m, McCarthy free, Dyer free, Jacobsen free, Rat 3.5m, Da Costa 1.6m, Fry free, W. Reid 3.1m, H. Suazo 4.9m, Krucz 300k, Boffin 750k. Total Income 20.5m

With the Retro I have my Full Backs on slightly different settings because Roberto Carlos is a better "footballer" than Micah Richards therefore giving Carlos more CF and through balls than his "stopper" counterpart. All settings of course can be tinkered with.

I have always been a fan of global settings but I find slightly tinkered for the centre backs, keeper and a DM work slightly better. And I always play my right forward well advanced as it seems to benefit him but again settings can be tinkered with. Ignore your assistant saying your forward line is too far from everyone else as if you look at the game this is not the case.

They are basically plug and play so hopefully an asset to those who are not overly tactically inclined. Don't expect a Diablo but if you look at the results an average West Ham side has done well especially against the top sides.

In game tinkering I keep to a minimum. If I am losing away I try more attacking first then I may switch to the Retro. If I am winning away and it's tight I may just withdraw the forward runs of my full backs. At home I stick with it only increasing it to attacking if losing. Sometimes I put more forward runs and mixed long shots for my right side central midfielder. Quite a few last minute winners have come from doing just that with Scott Parker.

All in all though I am quite pleased so I hope someone gets enjoyment out of them. I am also going to try and develop a wider version as now I have Zigic I want to have the option to use him well but I find in this version crossing seems to be a little out so I will have to see. Anyway.

Retro Squad List and Formation

http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg265/SussexHammer/?action=view&current=RETROSQUADLISTANDFORMATION.jpg

Retro Team Instructions

http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg265/SussexHammer/?action=view&current=RETROTEAMINSTRUCTIONS.jpg

Away Team Instructions

http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg265/SussexHammer/?action=view&current=AWAYTEAMINSTRUCTIONS.jpg

League Table Second Season

http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg265/SussexHammer/?action=view&current=LEAGUETABLE2ndSEASON.jpg

Second Season Results Part 1

http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg265/SussexHammer/?action=view&current=2ndSEASONRESULTSPART1.jpg

Second Season Results Part 2

http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg265/SussexHammer/?action=view&current=2NDSEASONRESULTSPART2.jpg

Second Season Results Part 3

http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg265/SussexHammer/?action=view&current=2ndSEASONRESULTSPART3.jpg

Downloads

HAMMERS RETRO 85/86

http://www.filefront.com/17753145/HAMMERS-RETRO-85_86-West-Ham-Dec-2011.tac/

HAMMERS AWAY v1

http://www.filefront.com/17753147/HAMMERS-AWAY-v1-West-Ham-Oct-2011.tac/

Feedback would be appreciated.

I'd have Alan Devonshire in my side any day. What a player!!!!

I'd have Alan Devonshire in my side any day. What a player!!!!

Tell me about it. Can't find any player on FM who even resembles him.

Very nice results indeed. Im just curious, what about the teamtalks and OI's?

Going to try it with my beloved Bolton side..

Very nice results indeed. Im just curious, what about the teamtalks and OI's?

Going to try it with my beloved Bolton side..

Mmm, Team talks are trial and error. Mainly I just leave it as "Do it for the fans" or if I am away to Chelsea, Man Utd etc it's "no pressure". I never use "I expect you to win match". As for OI's I use the Assistant but generally tinker with instructions myself if I see fit. Like with say Tevez or Rooney hit them with everything you have!!! The one formation I have struggled against which is used by Liverpool and Everton hence the results is the 4-2-3-1 as a Cahill will get that space in the AM area. Next time I play it I am going to try and drop the two CM's back to the DM slots to see if it makes a difference.

Those results are supposed to be surprising?

In my 2nd season with West Ham, i stayed in 3rd, and I just signed players with < 23 years, and still had a lot of money to spend. And most of the games I lost/draw I dominated them and pretty much missed the clear cut chances (as in every club I manage in FM, pretty much).

Those results are supposed to be surprising?

In my 2nd season with West Ham, i stayed in 3rd, and I just signed players with < 23 years, and still had a lot of money to spend. And most of the games I lost/draw I dominated them and pretty much missed the clear cut chances (as in every club I manage in FM, pretty much).

You're obviously very good! Put your tactic up!!