Limelight - A 4-2-3-1 Tactic Set

What this tactic set is

I’m going to make no bold statements about this set of tactics, I make no guarantees that they will work for you. However after struggling for a while on this version I’ve finally been able to create a set of three tactics that have given me good results so I thought I would share them in the hope they will help other people. I’ll try and explain in as much detail my thinking behind them so that you can decide if you would like to give them a go.

Limelight Control

This is my main tactic and the one that I start the vast majority of games with. In possession we look to play at a slow tempo, looking to keep the ball and remain patient looking to create good scoring opportunities. We look to various options open to us in attack with the wing back and winger providing the width whilst the advanced playmaker drifts inside to link up with the shadow striker and complete forward. The two defensive midfielders provide support if there is no passing option ahead. The full back will also support the attack if the opportunity arises.

Without the ball we look to press to win the ball back whilst remaining solid at the back thanks to the cover the two defensive midfielders provide. The box created by the DMs and CBs make it difficult for teams to attack through the middle and the DMs can also provide cover if we’re caught with the wing back high up the field.

Limelight Attack

This is a tactic designed to try and break down teams who are looking to sit deep and park the bus. We play with a higher defensive line and move the DMs to CM, in an effort to reduce the space the opposition has available to retain possession and look to press to win the ball back. Tempo is higher so that when we do recover possession we try to move the ball forward quickly before the opposition can recover their defensive positions and allow greater creative freedom as sometimes it takes a piece of individual creativity to breach the defensive barrier.

However this tactic should be used with caution as it does sacrifice a lot of defensive stability by removing the defensive shield of the two DM’s. Both the higher line and lack of cover for the wing back means that this tactic is vulnerable to the counter attack.

I use this tactic for short periods where I’m dominating possession but creating little chances or if I’ve fallen behind in a game and need to chase the game. It’s not a tactic I will use for a full 90 minutes though.

Limelight Defense

As might be expected I use this tactic when I want to make sure I’m more solid defensively and I’m willing to sacrifice attacking options. We drop deeper and play narrower, looking to protect the dangerous central areas of the pitch. We look to retain possession whilst also using a quick tempo as in most situations where you would use this, the opposition will be looking to press so we need our players to play the ball quickly to avoid being caught in possession. If looking to hold a slight lead late on I may also add the Waste Time instruction.

Tactic Downloads:

Control: https://www.mediafire.com/?w3za53c8za2nl5l

Attack: https://www.mediafire.com/?7y1vcj5m3l2qy8l

Defense: http://www.mediafire.com/download/wl5iu8o7n17r1a8/Limelight_Defense_v1.tac

Looks good mate, will give them a shot, what do u do for PI's and OI's?

ps u have uploaded the control tactic as the defense one

looks good. looking foward to test this tactics, just need the defense one right now x)

yeah can we have the defense one

is this going to be updated?

doesnt look like it :-(

this any good?

yep they are good, my arsenal is playing an interesting football. I think that I would have better results if he updated the defense tactic. this is a nice set

Apologies for putting the wrong link. I've now updated the link for the defense tactic in the OP.

Player Attributes

Universal Attributes: Technique, Passing, First Touch, Decisions

No matter the position the player plays, I want every play to be comfortable having possession of the football. Whilst I don’t require world class attributes I do need them not to be bad. Ideally I want all players to have a minimum of 12 in these 4 categories. Obviously the higher the better but as long as they possess this then I’ll focus on the more specific positional requirements when looking at a player

Key Attributes

These are more specific to each position. Ideally you want to work towards 15+ in each attribute.

GK (Goalkeeper – Defend) ( http://imgur.com/pF0eedy )

Nothing too special about what you’re looking for in the goalkeeper, just look to sign the best you can find.

Suggested Attributes: Agility, Aerial Ability, Handling, Reflexes

DL (Wing Back – Attack) ( http://imgur.com/qzXyrSo )

Provides the attacking width down the left hand side, the left back is granted more license to get forward than the right back. Needs to be quick and have a good engine as he will usually cover the most ground of any player on the team.

Suggested Attributes: Acceleration, Work Rate, Stamina, Positioning

DR (Full Back – Support) ( http://imgur.com/kqNJhKv )

The more defensive of the two full backs, the right back will still offer an option going forward when the opportunity arises but it is more important he is defensively sound since he’ll get less support from the winger in front of him.

Suggested Attributes: Tackling, Marking, Positioning, Work Rate

CB (Centre Back – Defend) ( http://imgur.com/rB5au9v )

Should be good in the air to deal with crosses whilst also good positioning and marking to keep opposition strikers in check. The quicker of the two should play on the left of the pairing to provide cover should the slower one be beaten.

Suggested Attributes: Heading, Marking, Positioning, Jumping Reach

DMC (Defensive Midfielder – Defend & Support) ( http://imgur.com/cbwswUQ )

Needs to be comfortable with the ball as they will make the most passes during the course of the game, often in congested areas. Should be able to play at both DM and MC. The more defensive minded of the pair should be on the left in order to provide extra support to the wing back.

Suggested Attributes: First Touch, Passing, Positioning, Anticipation

AML (Advanced Playmaker – Support) ( http://imgur.com/CaloQaH )

Asked to drift into the space in front of the more defensive central midfield and helps provide the link between attack and defense. Look more to technical attributes rather than traditional winger.

Suggested Attributes: Creativity, Flair, Dribbling, Off the Ball

AMR (Winger – Attack) ( http://imgur.com/dEHSITv )

Traditional winger, look for pace and dribbling ability. Also tends to be played in on goal regularly so the ability to finish is an advantage.

Suggested Attributes: Acceleration, Dribbling, Crossing, Finishing

AMC (Shadow Striker – Attack) ( http://imgur.com/EpaYpxy )

Should be one of the main threats to produce goals, whether scoring themselves or providing a pass to a teammate. Is given the freedom to roam to look for space from which to most hurt the opposition.

Suggested Attributes: Off the Ball, Composure, Finishing, Creativity

ST (Complete Forward – Support) ( http://imgur.com/eUlffsX )

Will look to drop deeper to receive the ball and create space for the shadow striker, but also a goal scoring threat himself. Ideally also good in the air to get on the end of crosses provided by the wing back and winger.

Suggested Attributes: Off the Ball, Composure, Finishing,Heading

can't see the OP right now

can't see the OP right now

I'm guessing it's awaiting moderator approval again due to my low post count. Hopefully it will be visible again soon. In the meantime download links:

Control: http://www.mediafire.com/download/w3za53c8za2nl5l/Limelight_Control_v1.tac

Attack: http://www.mediafire.com/download/7y1vcj5m3l2qy8l/Limelight_Attack_v1.tac

Defend: http://www.mediafire.com/download/wl5iu8o7n17r1a8/Limelight_Defense_v1.tac

How many did you score/concede in the league? Looks a solid set, good opening post!

This was the league table in my Man Utd season, 79 goals scored and 20 conceded.

and some game examples:

thanks mate, nice set of tactics!

Seems good! Will try it out with Chelsea. Thanx!

I wonder how this would fair with a lesser team than Man U, Chelsea or Arsenal? I guess I will try and find out

Do you use opposition instructions?

I don't use opposition instructions