[FM 18.1.3] • • • MiNiMaL_FuSS - FuSSination V1.0 || 4-2-3-1 • • •

FuSS · December 11, 2017

FuSSination
Rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated! (seriously, some dick has been telling people I died!)

Synopsis (it's okay to google it if your struggling, but to save you time it's basically a short summary)
I can't stand tactics that don't use wide-men and fullbacks, I mean there are some awesome tactics with 3 up top or 3 at the back, they might even work better than this, but it's not how I want to play. So for those of you that want to buy the type of players you want to buy, and enjoy a fairly standard shaped tactic, hopefully I've got something for you (Disclaimer: MiNiMaL_FuSS, herein after referred to only as FuSS, [aka Me, I, FuSS, the tactic creator, Master of all things Football Manager] bares absolutely no responsibility for you being **** at this game)

About
The tactic is built on two key concepts stolen from Jose (Non sono un pirla)
• The team that makes the least mistakes wins - hence the uncomplicated, narrow and short passing game (Less heavy metal, more progressive rock)
• An adaptation of his famous - with aggressive midfielders that also harrow, harass and tackle, aiming to win the ball up the pitch, backed up by a DM who fills the space behind them and creates passing triangles (Jose went 9 years undefeated at home with 4 clubs - there's something to it)

Mentality
As with all my previous tactics I'm a big fan of control, although as you'll see from my screenies I've achieved some pretty marvellous results using counter when I'm the underdog, hence I've supplied two versions of the tactics (for the extra lazy amongst you)

Tip
Load 3 versions of the tactic into all 3 tactical slots, it'll train quicker (probably)

Team Talks
Do them yourself, seriously, assistants are just rubbish at them, even the best assistants (although at least half you will ignore me through sheer laze and then blame me afterwards)
• Be harsh! Ask yourself what the stereotypical Sir Alex Ferguson would have done (NB: there is no "kick boot at head of captain option" - pull your finger out SI!)
• Before I match: I usually aggressively expect a result, followed by individually assertively telling them I have faith (even if I don't have faith, because most of the little primadonna are spoilt sods)
• At half time: (even if my teams winning) if most of my team have below 7 performance I will aggressively tell them it's not good enough, those that don't respond to that (or respond badly) I will individually tell they were not good enough assertively (there you go, despite it being the tactics sharing forum I have spoon fed you, there will be no more from this teat mr!)

Opposition Instructions
• I don't usually use them unless it's not going well in the first 20 minutes against a far superior opponent, then I tend to close-down/tight-mark/hard-tackle/weaker-foot their ST/AML/AMR positions - mark the positions, not the people (there's even a big colourful button so you know the difference this year, well done Fisher Price...I mean SI....)
• The exception to this is of course if you're having trouble with a counter attacking type player - this doesn't just mean any fast striker, this means a striker specifically setup to catch you out with balls over the top, you need to kick his arse and mark him out of the game (Que the idiots who don't actually watch the games and have no idea how they're conceding...)
• Do not put them on AUTO, it just doesn't work (auto OI's are serious atrocious, I think SI is literally punishing lazy people....bunch of sadists)

Team Selection
• DO NOT LET YOUR ASSISTANT MANAGER PICK YOUR TEAM - he will tend to pick AMCs in the wide positions, this will kill you, use wingers, they'll adapt and do fine (Stop. You. Yes you. I see your mouse about to click that "quick pick" button. No. That's a bad manager. Leave it alone. Now step away. Yes from Football Manager. Good. Now don't come back until you can actually pick a team. Yes I know SI added two Quick Pick buttons this year. Look I don't care. Just bugger off!)

Players
ST - Deep Lying Forward (Attack)
• Type of player: You need a fast Target Man, hard to come by admittedly, but worth their weight in gold (think: Lukaku/Kane).
• Best stats: Finishing, Heading, Composure, Acceleration, Jumping.
• Good PPMs: "Gets Into Opposition Area", "Plays One-Twos" .
• Notes: Yes, I've essentially asked you to play a complete forward as a deep-lying forward, I know, it hurts my sensibilities too.

AML/R - Inside Forwards (Support)
• Type of player: A traditional winger but with good finishing and shooting (think: Sanchez).
• Best stats: Dribbling, Finishing, Acceleration, Pace, Crossing, Long Shots.
• Good PPMs: "Cuts Inside", "Moves into channels"
• Notes: Don't switch them to attack, they won't cover and you'll get smashed on counter attacked. This position will play a little erratically, on a normal day they'll get acceptable 7.0's, but when they're on, they'll get a hat-trick. I'm open to ideas to improve consistency.

AMC - AM (Attack)
• Type of player: A play-maker but not a play-maker? I find the actual play-maker position is drawn toward the ball too much, this is my compromise, a good AMC does the business here, and if he's got an eye for a pass all the better, they'll also get a few long-shot opportunities from corners!
• Best stats: First Touch, Passing, Dribbling, Long Shots, Acceleration.
• Good PPMs: "Plays One-Twos", "Runs With Ball Often".

MCL - CM (Support)
• Type of player: A box-to-box type player, a battering ram, charges into the box from deep and takes on shots (Dembele was amazing here). I've reduced him from Box-to-Box to CM Support as he joins up the play better.
• Best stats: First Touch, Passing, Dribbling, Long Shots, Acceleration.
• Good PPMs: "Gets Forward Whenever Possible", "Gets Into Opposition Area".

DMR - DM (Support)
• Type of player: Aggressive defensive midfielder, will look to attack the ball and break up opposition play (think: Kante).
• Best stats: Tackling, Work Rate, Positioning, Stamina, Concentration, Aggressive, Acceleration.
• Good PPMs: "N/A"

FB's - FB (Attack)
• Type of player: Defensive duties come first, but some good attacking attributes will give you width and crossing (think: Rose).
• Best stats: Marking, Tackling, Work Rate, Acceleration, Crossing, Dribbling.
• Good PPMs: "Runs With Ball Down The X", "Runs With Ball Often".

CB's - Defender
• Type of player: Jumping and Heading are important as I play a high line and they'll often need to clear the ball as it comes in. You'll also need good acceleration (anticipation is a huge bonus too) so they don't get beaten by balls over-the-top on the counter.
• Best stats: Heading, Marking, Tackling, Jumping, Strength, Acceleration, Anticipation.
• Good PPMs: "N/A"

GK - Keeper
• Type of player: One-on-ones is particularly important as this tactic often has it's fullbacks pressing quite high-up the field.
• Best stats: Handling, Reflexes, Arial Reach, Command of Area.
• Good PPMs: "N/A"

Download
FuSSination V1.0 (CONTROL).fmf (Main version)
FuSSination V1.0 (COUNTER).fmf (Underdog version)

Final Words of Warning
• If this tactic has one major weakness it is counter-attacking balls over the top, be very wary to Jamie Vardy types and consider using OI's to stop them.
• If you're conceding, check if it's from set-pieces, I've never been good at defensive set-pieces, so these may need some work.

(Que the complaints in 5...4...3...2..1..)

FuSS · December 11, 2017

FM 18.2.0

My tweaked personal version is below:

FuSSination V2.0 (CONTROL).fmf

I'm not calling it an official release yet as I've not had time to test properly.

Changes:

AMC dropped to Mezzala
DMR(S) dropped to DMC(D)
Closing down reduced on full-backs
Tight marking added to Mezzala + CBs
IFs sit narrow (still debating this one)

For now I've resisted dropping the FB(A)'s to FB(S)'s...this would make things more solid, but they play beautiful football at the moment and give the tactic great width. I may try dropping them to Support roles but adding the "look for overlap" command in an effort to get them to pick and choose when they go forward more carefully, but again, I've not had time to test.

Results

FuSS · December 11, 2017

Q & A section

These are just my thoughts on things that come up in this thread, I might be wrong, they might not suit your style of play, this is just how I play.

Signings:
Make sure you don't sign too many players, my second season with Norwich I got carried away and signed 9 new first team players when I moved into the Premier League, despite them being ALOT better than my original players the team bombed. You need to keep the players that have learnt to play together and developed relationships and gradually build around them. Wenger famously once said signing more than 3 first team players in any one season is a very bad idea (or words to that effect).

Dynamics/Relationships:
I like as long a pre-season as possible get your team fit and get them working together. If you don't have those green relationship links between key players on the tactic screen then you're in trouble.

Social Group:
I find this a really useful new tool. It's a much better indicator than the overall dynamic arrows. If you have more than 1 or 2 players that are marked as "others" and do no currently fit into any social group. Then you're in trouble, you've essentially got a team of individuals. You need a long pre-season tour and to work serious on team cohesion.

Rotation, rotation, rotation:
I usually aim for a squad of 22 "first team" players. I rotate my entire 11 each game, I usually have a Team A (my best 11) and a Team B (my second 11). This allows you to keep players fresh and fit, but also allows you to develop the vital player relationships quickly within each mini-team.

Team talks:
There's a lot of good guides in the forum, you should be entering games with at least 75% of your players marked in green as "motivated" or "fired-up" (happy is not a good substitute). I usually aim to get 100% of my team on "fired-up" at half-time and I keep a close eye on shouts now and use them to much the same effect when I hit about 75 minutes (never used them in FM17).

Complimentary players:
So player's individual styles just compliment other player styles better. I was 0-0 against Newcastle as Norwich at 70 mins in my last match, swapped out my CF for a small quick striker and one of my wingers for an IF with much better vision/passing stats....3 through-balls, 3 goals, 3-0, in 10 minutes. Job done.

Individual Training:
On the individual training tab I set every players positional training to match the position they are given in my tactic, I find this really helps them to adapt faster. I also set additional focus training if they are lacking in any particular stat I really want them to have.

Individual Management:
Roughly every 10 games I go through the entire squad and praise and criticise every single one of them, it takes a little practice to get this right every time, it can mostly be judged on the performance of the last 5 games, but players personalities and goals/assists also seem to have an effect.

Squad Management:
I never ever give into any player demands of any kind, ever! This is much easier in FM18 as captain intervention is VERY OVERPOWERED, I'll always ask my captain to intervene which works about 75% of the time. The rest of the time I go in hard, taking a no nonsense approach. If it fails and the player is demotivated they go straight into the U23 side and are transfer listed. I don't care if it's Cristiano Ronaldo, any disruptive influence is gone.

You'll find if you apply a matching approach (I like to think I model my style on Sir Alex) across all things, media, players, team-talks...you're team will adapt to it and respond better and better to it. This is most noticeable when I have a new player, often they don't respond well to my aggressive/demanding style, but after half a season or so, it's all green arrows and falling in-line (unless I've got rid of them!).

Media:
A pre-match conference is a great motivational tool for you games, you should be able to get 2-3 player to have a positive PR symbol next to their names before every match. Again keep your style, answer sensibly. Play-up expectations and build up your team against minnows, play-down expectations and shield them against giants. Again, SI give you some tools as indicators (moral), but these are not the be all and end all and are overly simple.

If this all sounds complicated, that's because it's supposed to be. This game tries to simulate real life. I've clocked 188 hours in FM18 so far, that's 2 seasons for me.

wixta79 · December 11, 2017

welcome back from the dead!

original formation as well

FuSS · December 11, 2017

11 minutes ago, wixta79 said:

welcome back from the dead!

original formation as well

I hate non-symmetrical formations, but I couldn't get it to be solid enough without the DMR being dropped back sadly.

cricketdave · December 11, 2017

All over this!

WillyBroadband · December 11, 2017

Hello FuSS, can't wait to give this a go, mate. Thanks a lot man.

burnum · December 11, 2017

Been waiting for something like this, almost to the point where I considered creating my own thread. Will give this a good long look...

FuSS · December 11, 2017

7 minutes ago, burnum said:

Been waiting for something like this, almost to the point where I considered creating my own thread. Will give this a good long look...

No guarantees, there's a reason the tactics forum is empty this year, tactics are more realistic than ever (i.e. need more game by game adaption) and dynamics play a HUGE role now.

Stremka · December 11, 2017

My first match with this tactic))F

Augustin1979 · December 11, 2017

1 hour ago, FuSS said:

Some of the games might not appear to have the most impressive stats, but remember this is all first season (admittedly with a few very good loans - Andre Gomes, joined us from Barcelona in January) and most of the screenshots are against Premier League opposition in cup games.

Team sheet is taken at the end of the season, so most of the player values are hugely inflated due to promotion.

Would it be possible to post a screenshot of the final table from your winning season?

burnum · December 11, 2017

@FuSS You describe the IFs as 'wingers' - do you play a right-footed IF on the right side (classic winger) or on the left side (typical IF)? Due to them cutting inside a lot, wouldn't it make sense to play them inverted (lefty on right side)?

FuSS · December 11, 2017

2 hours ago, Stremka said:

My first match with this tactic))F

I do hope you're Roma!

2 hours ago, Augustin1979 said:

Would it be possible to post a screenshot of the final table from your winning season?

Of course, although you can see all my matches already, so should be easy to work out

1 hour ago, burnum said:

@FuSS You describe the IFs as 'wingers' - do you play a right-footed IF on the right side (classic winger) or on the left side (typical IF)? Due to them cutting inside a lot, wouldn't it make sense to play them inverted (lefty on right side)?

They'll cross and score so you don't need to worry too much. Versatile wide-men tend to do better though, for Norwich Alex Pritchard was very goof, for Spurs Son Heung-Min has been amazing, both can play on either wing.

burnum · December 11, 2017

So it doesn't matter at all which foot is their strong foot?

Stremka · December 11, 2017

@FuSS, yes I'm Roma!

PG2060 · December 12, 2017

Welcome back @FuSS What do you do with the training ??? :-)

Wyer · December 12, 2017

I wonder whos funeral it was I attended then....

widowmaker- · December 12, 2017

20 hours ago, FuSS said:

Welcome back Sir! Excellent work once again! Great opening post! And i wonder how many !'s i can fit in the post!!

Ernest166 · December 12, 2017

Welcome back mate,

Nice to see you here again. Hope you tactics will still dominate.

FuSS · December 12, 2017

20 hours ago, burnum said:

So it doesn't matter at all which foot is their strong foot?

It probably does, just I haven't really experimented with it yet!

19 hours ago, Stremka said:

@FuSS, yes I'm Roma!

Keep them results coming!

5 hours ago, PG2060 said:

Welcome back @FuSS What do you do with the training ??? :-)

The usual training advice applies - fitness up first, then tactics, then usually defensive positioning.

3 hours ago, Wyer said:

I wonder whos funeral it was I attended then....

Shhh..I need the insurance money!

2 hours ago, Ernest166 said:

Welcome back mate,

Nice to see you here again. Hope you tactics will still dominate.

Cheers, let's hope so!

LucasBR · December 12, 2017

I'm gonna try this for sure! Thanks for sharing! Can I change the role of the striker? Use a F9 or a CF?

pinardier8282 · December 12, 2017

great start

jw1598 · December 12, 2017

Easily the best tactic so far, very consistent and a normal formation, thanks !

scwiffy · December 13, 2017

Loving how this is tactic is playing on the pitch. So we’ll balanced - exactly what I like to see.

Looking forward, I’m struggling to find quick target men. But it seems to me that jumping reach/heading and passing/team work are more important than acc/speed for this role?

Azza09 · December 13, 2017

@FuSS is there any chance you could post up the individual player instructions for those of us on FMT on iPad? Been looking for ages for a tactic that looks normal and plays decent football whilst also getting results!

FuSS · December 13, 2017

14 hours ago, LucasBR said:

I'm gonna try this for sure! Thanks for sharing! Can I change the role of the striker? Use a F9 or a CF?

I found CF pushed too far forward and didn't crossover well with the AMC, but a False 9 could work. To be honest just put your best striker in the DLF position, it doesn't matter if he's supposedly not good in that role.

13 hours ago, pinardier8282 said:

great start

Looks promising, lot of people playing in Italy it seems!

11 hours ago, jw1598 said:

Easily the best tactic so far, very consistent and a normal formation, thanks !

Thank you.

1 hour ago, scwiffy said:

Loving how this is tactic is playing on the pitch. So we’ll balanced - exactly what I like to see.

Looking forward, I’m struggling to find quick target men. But it seems to me that jumping reach/heading and passing/team work are more important than acc/speed for this role?

Thank you.

I designed the tactic around Harry Kane originally and he absolutely smashes it.

Butwith Norwich I found that as long as your striker makes sense you'll be fine, the tactic scores goals on different ways.. ..ie.. small and fast is okay (Rossi did very well for Norwich, but our crossing rate went down) or a target man is okay (olivieria did well for Norwich on crosses, but was too slow for through balls from AMC)...ideally you find a decent all rounder.

52 minutes ago, Azza09 said:

@FuSS is there any chance you could post up the individual player instructions for those of us on FMT on iPad? Been looking for ages for a tactic that looks normal and plays decent football whilst also getting results!

I will do this evening, I'll warn you there quite a few!

LucasBR · December 13, 2017

23 minutes ago, FuSS said:

I found CF pushed too far forward and didn't crossover well with the AMC, but a False 9 could work. To be honest just put your best striker in the DLF position, it doesn't matter if he's supposedly not good in that role.

Okay, gonna play with a DLF.

Bothan Spy · December 13, 2017

I've got a game going with AC Milan so i will give it a go as my own tactic has been a bit hit and miss (although very similar).

Not sure how I feel about using Andre Silva as a DLF though...

Plus I'm not a huge fan of playing a DM just in front of the defence. Will try this with a DLPM in the middle with a B2B I think.

macca72 · December 13, 2017

On 11/12/2017 at 19:28, FuSS said:

tactics are more realistic than ever (i.e. need more game by game adaption).

This 1000%

It's actually quite funny now watching a team who have had 7 shots and 2 on target go to 15 shots and 8 on target in 5 minutes because they need a goal

Or you're 3-0 with 0 minutes to go in the first half and concede 2 goals before half time. Whilst playing counter.

FuSS · December 13, 2017

1 hour ago, Bothan Spy said:

I've got a game going with AC Milan so i will give it a go as my own tactic has been a bit hit and miss (although very similar).

Not sure how I feel about using Andre Silva as a DLF though...

Plus I'm not a huge fan of playing a DM just in front of the defence. Will try this with a DLPM in the middle with a B2B I think.

I'd suggest taking some time to read the tactical bible - it's not good to use too many specialist roles, you need a majority of non specialists else their closing down level will be uneven (just think of the old sliders needing to be within a certain number of notches of the nearest post to be effective).

1 hour ago, macca72 said:

This 1000%

It's actually quite funny now watching a team who have had 7 shots and 2 on target go to 15 shots and 8 on target in 5 minutes because they need a goal

Or you're 3-0 with 0 minutes to go in the first half and concede 2 goals before half time. Whilst playing counter.

If a team goes all out attack against me I've actually found it's better to go to attacking against them, pushing them back. Sometime dropping deep invites problems.

macca72 · December 13, 2017

7 minutes ago, FuSS said:

I'd suggest taking some time to read the tactical bible - it's not good to use too many specialist roles, you need a majority of non specialists else their closing down level will be uneven (just think of the old sliders needing to be within a certain number of notches of the nearest post to be effective).

If a team goes all out attack against me I've actually found it's better to go to attacking against them, pushing them back. Sometime dropping deep invites problems.

Yeah - it's very sensitive though, i mean 3-0 why change anything?. Most of the goals i'm conceding are either set pieces, 2nd phase set pieces, or balls over the top into channels.

Anyway, great work with the tactic as always, glad you're back :thup:

FuSS · December 13, 2017

Just now, macca72 said:

Yeah - it's very sensitive though, i mean 3-0 why change anything?. Most of the goals i'm conceding are either set pieces, 2nd phase set pieces, or balls over the top into channels.

Anyway, great work with the tactic as always, glad you're back

Very true, the matches definitely feel more fluid, there's seems to be much more of a risk of complacency and suddenly being overwhelmed by a losing team through the kitchen sink at you. I've actually found myself using shouts much more, still only playing with them, ignored them completely in FM17, but essentially it's like an extra team talk, done right they can make a big difference.

Defensive set pieces definitely need some work, I haven't really gotten around to them yet - please feel fee to have a crack at them!

Bothan Spy · December 13, 2017

But surely having a full green circle next to a player (100% proficient at the role) is better than half an amber one???

brigzi · December 13, 2017

this so far has been the best tactic for me, amazing results

FuSS · December 13, 2017

19 hours ago, Bothan Spy said:

But surely having a full green circle next to a player (100% proficient at the role) is better than half an amber one???

Edit: didn't want to take up too much space with this.

Short version: Not really, the circles are just a guideline on a players preferred role, not how well they'll do in a different role as part of a wider system.

Mr_Berry · December 14, 2017

Very happy with this tactic so far finally a formation I want to use with a tactic that works for me. Congrats and thank you

FuSS · December 14, 2017

Had a bit of a thread tidy-up

AZAZEL8 · December 14, 2017

Not working for me i dont get it How can people have so good results with any team and i'm struggling with pretty good teams . Tried it with 3 different teams and i have mixed results . I can win 4-0 and loose 3-0 against a weaker team

scwiffy · December 14, 2017

22 hours ago, FuSS said:

Edit: didn't want to take up too much space with this.

Short version: Not really, the circles are just a guideline on a players preferred role, not how well they'll do in a different role as part of a wider system.

I think SI need to tone this feature down, I find it quite misleading. There needs to be more crossover in terms of role suitability.

My understanding is that its there to help guide players, but having an orange or red half-filled circle next to a player sends the wrong signals I think.

LucasBR · December 15, 2017

Still working on the new patch?

AHSavior · December 15, 2017

17 minuti fa, LucasBR ha scritto:

Still working on the new patch?

i don't think so, 2 games today and 2 lost 2-0 and 3-0.

Since yesterday work fine....

parano1c · December 15, 2017

3 минуты назад, AHSavior сказал:

i don't think so, 2 games today and 2 lost 2-0 and 3-0.

Since yesterday work fine....

This tactic didn't exploit any AI bugs or glitches, it just plays proper football.It still works as it did you just have to manage your team properly

LucasBR · December 15, 2017

Didn't work for me here with Roma.

matsnor21 · December 15, 2017

What a start! Just amazing

Afraid to install the new update, in case the tactic dosnt work

AHSavior · December 15, 2017

7 ore fa, parano1c ha scritto:

This tactic didn't exploit any AI bugs or glitches, it just plays proper football.It still works as it did you just have to manage your team properly

for shure, but i repeat i had two heavy lost match after the update and not just in the result but in the tactic (same player of course...)

FuSS · December 15, 2017

18 hours ago, AZAZEL8 said:

Not working for me i dont get it How can people have so good results with any team and i'm struggling with pretty good teams . Tried it with 3 different teams and i have mixed results . I can win 4-0 and loose 3-0 against a weaker team

Hi Az,

I'll try and help but there's load of areas to look at, FM18 seems to have a really strong element of team cohesion to it, the dynamics system just reinforced that, but isn't the only indicator.