*NEW & IMPROVED* The Big FrootLoopski 4-2-2-2 Version 2

[The Big FrootLoopski]

The Big FrootLoopski 4-2-2-2 Version 2


Introduction

After almost 2 years with the Football Manager 2008 match engine Football Manager Live recently upgraded to the fantastic FM2010 Match Engine, i had previously played 4-2-3-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-6-0 type formations. However, after reading recent articles (listed below) i decided to try something different.

This led me to a 4-2-2-2 "Box" formation. This is an FML developed formation, i would say im equivalent to a mid-table Premiership side in terms of quality.

The tactic was built with the priority to prevent conceding, but also have an attacking threat from counters.
Feedback on its use and Suggestions on how to improve the tactic would be fantastic.

You can either respond to this post, PM me on the forum or email me TheBigFrootLoopski@Live.co.uk

Tactical Shape







Set Piece Instructions

In Version 1 i did not supply these, however, in the improved Version 2 i have included my setup for Corners.

i do find these differ from person to person so I highly recommend this post for advice on your own setups

SI Official Tactics Forum - Corner Theory


Player Roles/Duties

GK: Goalkeeper/Defend
DL: Wingback/Automatic } These two roles can be changed depending on preference and ability of your players
DR: Fullback/Automatic }
DCL: Central Defender/Defend(Cover)
DCR: Central Defender/Defend(Stopper)
DMCL: Anchorman/Defend
DMCR: Anchorman/Defend
MCL: Box-To-Box Midfielder/Support
MCR: Advanced Playmaker/Support
FCL: Poacher/Attack
FCR: Deep Lying Forward/Attack


Manual Tactical Changes from Default Creator

GK: Cross From: MIXED
GK: Cross Aim: MIXED
GK: Distribution: MIXED
DL/DR/DC/DM: Tight Marking: NO
DL/DR/DC/DM: Roam from Position: NO
DM: Hold Up Ball: NO


In-Match Shouts to Tactics

Drawing (1st Half)
Match Strategy - "Defensive"
Shout! - "Pass To Feet" + "Look For Overlap"

Drawing (2nd Half)
Match Strategy - "Counter"
Shout! - "Pass Into Space" + "Look For Overlap"

Drawing (2nd Half 85-90 Mins)
Match Strategy - "Standard"
Shout! - "Pass Into Space" + "Look For Overlap" + "Push Higher Up", "Get Ball Forward"

Winning by 1+ Goal (1st Half) -
Match Strategy - "Counter"
Shout! - "Pass To Feet" + "Look For Overlap"

Winning by 1+ Goal (2nd Half 45-70 Mins)
Match Strategy - "Counter"
Shout! - "Pass To Feet" + "Look For Overlap"

Winning by 1+ Goal (2nd Half 70-90 Mins)
Match Strategy - "Defensive"
Shout! - "Pass To Feet" + "Look For Overlap"

Winning by 1+ Goal (2nd Half 85-90 Mins)
Match Strategy - "Contain"
Shout! - "Pass To Feet" + "Retain Possession" + "Stand-Off Opponents"

Winning by 3+ Goals
Match Strategy "Standard"
Shout! - "Retain Possession" + "Take A Breather" + "Stay On Feet" + "Clear Ball To Flanks"

Losing by 1+ Goals (1st Half 0-25 Mins)
Match Strategy - "Defensive"
Shout! - "Pass To Feet" + "Look For Overlap" + "Retain Possession"

Losing by 1+ Goals (1st Half 25-45 Mins)
Match Strategy - "Counter"
Shout! - "Pass To Feet" + "Look For Overlap" + "Retain Possession"

Losing by 1+ Goals (2nd Half 45-70 Mins)
Match Strategy - "Standard"
Shout! - "Pass Into Space" + "Look For Overlap"

Losing by 1+ Goals (2nd Half 70-90 Mins)
Match Strategy - "Control"
Shout! - "Pass Into Space" + "Look For Overlap" + "Get Stuck In"

Losing by 1+ Goals (2nd Half 85-90 Mins)
Match Strategy - "Attacking"
Shout! - "Look For Overlap" + "Get Ball Forward" + "Pump Ball Into Box" + "Pass Into Space" + "Hassle Opponents" + "Push Higher Up"


Download Link

MEGAUPLOAD - The Big FrootLoopski 4-2-2-2 Version 2

FILEFRONT - The Big FrootLoopski 4-2-2-2 Version 2

HOTFILE - The Big FrootLoopski 4-2-2-2 Version 2


Credits

FM-Britain

GameworldOne - Top Football Manager Live Site

Guardian - The Question: How is Brazil's 4-2-3-1 different from a European 4-2-3-1?

FM-B - Tactic Styles: 4-4-2 Box

FM-B - Tactic Theorem '10

GW1 - Playing Fluid Football – the balance between pragmatism and beauty

[mdbussen]

This is a very interesting variation on the 4-2-2-2... I have a couple of questions about the way that it works!

1) You play "defensively" by default - doesn't this result in an extreme lack of width from your team? I was under the impression that a successful 4-2-2-2 needed to have fullbacks in at least a "support" role in order to provide an outlet down the flanks when attacking.

2) Your team seems like it would be hampered by a lack of creativity given that you play with two "anchormen" and only 4 non-defensive roles. Do you find that you have trouble scoring goals? I don't think most of us would mind a 1-0 win every time though

[The Big FrootLoopski]

in terms of statistics, i have the following so far from about half way through season:

[The Big FrootLoopski]

League results are as follows:



Obvious point here is the inability to Win when away

[The Big FrootLoopski]

This is a very interesting variation on the 4-2-2-2... I have a couple of questions about the way that it works!

1) You play "defensively" by default - doesn't this result in an extreme lack of width from your team? I was under the impression that a successful 4-2-2-2 needed to have fullbacks in at least a "support" role in order to provide an outlet down the flanks when attacking.

After experimenting with various levels of Mentality, Defensive was where i found my defense actually focused on doing its job, anything more attacking led to the team being very risky and conceding more goals.

With the combination of shouts and talented DR/DL (primarily the DL) i focus most attacks down the left with a wingback, whilst the DR is a Fullback.

2) Your team seems like it would be hampered by a lack of creativity given that you play with two "anchormen" and only 4 non-defensive roles. Do you find that you have trouble scoring goals? I don't think most of us would mind a 1-0 win every time though

As the stats above indicate, goal scoring istnt so much an issue, its the Away games i am having trouble killing off, majority of the time i have to return from early attacks with the later shouts combatting their fatigue to share the points.

The use of two anchormen, allows me to give the DL more freedom to get forward, whilst still providing cover at the back to prevent goals

[Steviedaniels]

I'll have a play with this on Altobelli and report back

[Dinamiteru]

Have you tried to lower philosophy and change match strategy to counter? Maybe in that way the defenders still will defend and your mid-attack could win a little punch?

[james hurt]

How do i get screen shots of my tactics 4 my site.
And a link so they can download my tactics please help

[Steviedaniels]

Have you tried this since ther reset Phil? Im just going to use it now and see how it goes,

just one question, do you have a particular pitch size you use for this?

Dan

[R-win]

How do i import this file in fml ? Where do i have to paste it? plz mail to erwinvdw(a)live.nl

[Nerull]

How do i import this file in fml ? Where do i have to paste it? plz mail to erwinvdw(a)live.nl

I have same problem, how i can import this tact to FML?

[Andy Thom]

I'm fairly sure that although you can export a tactic to a .tac file you cannot import a .tac file.

[JPCrofton]

lol theres so many issues with this formation. Just because you might happen to have players that suits this formation doesnt mean that this will be best formation for anyone else.
If you had ronaldo or messi etc would this be the best formation for you. NO!!!

[cynet]

Agree you need the right players to fit in with the positions and that does not always work, the other thing for me i prefer a attacking approach and that tactic looks more like park the bus across the goal post.