Help Solve a Spanner in the Works

[geordiekris]

OK so I have a Newcastle save that's going well. We massively overachieved first season finishing 6th thanks to Callum Wilson being massively OP in this years game. The plan is to change to a team that dominates possession but still creates meaningful chances. I don't have the squad to do that yet but was hoping after the next 2-3 transfer windows to have the players in place.  

 

I had created the tactic below to get my players familiar with it to gradually changer over to. Then all over a sudden BAM! We have been taken over by a supposed tycoon led consortium (hurrah!), However he's decided he wanted to sign two players to celebrate his new acquisition. The first being a CB which I would of been over the moon with if I hadn't just brought two in 3 month earlier that I'd spent 6 month searching for. The other is Lisandro Martinez from Ajax. The problem I have is I'm not sure where to fit him into my  team. His obvious role would be the DLP in the left CM slot but I had signed Lewis Cook to play here and have moulded him the last 18 Month to fit this role perfect with the PPM's I wanted. I feel like he'd be a bit wasted as DM D and not right for the mezzala role.

I'm quite happy with the signing and don't want him to waste away on the bench so does anyone have any ideas how I could shuffle the Midfield 3 round to accommodate him? Am i correct in thinking a DLP in the DM slot is more suited to a counter attacking style of play? I may have to abandon the possession plan.

[Experienced Defender]

9 hours ago, geordiekris said:

Your team instructions suggest that you want to play a hard-core possession-based style. If so, then your setup of roles and duties definitely needs some tweaks, both for the sake of the playing style and for better balance overall. 

 

9 hours ago, geordiekris said:

Lisandro Martinez from Ajax. The problem I have is I'm not sure where to fit him into my  team. His obvious role would be the DLP in the left CM slot but I had signed Lewis Cook to play here

Absolutely nothing wrong with playing Lisandro as DM on defend duty - or any holding DM role for that matter - since he has all needed attributes as well as proper traits. In fact, I would most preferably play him as a HB, both because he can play the role and the role itself would suit your style of play nicely. 

 

9 hours ago, geordiekris said:

I feel like he'd be a bit wasted as DM D and not right for the mezzala role

As I said, he would not be "wasted" as a holding DM by any means. Likewise, he could be quite decent as a mezzala on support duty. But the problem is that in your current setup, I would be more inclined to have the mezzala on attack duty, along with a couple other tweaks (the striker's duty and the right back's both role and duty). 

If you don't want to use a mezzala on attack duty but only on support - or you simply don't have the right player for an attacking mezzala - then one very simple tweak would make your tactic a lot more balanced and sensible: a simple swap of your CM positions - the MEZsu in MCL and the DLPsu in MCR 

P.S: Not sure that the Dribble less TI is necessary and would like to know your reasoning behind it?

[Experienced Defender]

9 hours ago, geordiekris said:

Am i correct in thinking a DLP in the DM slot is more suited to a counter attacking style of play?

No, if you ask me. DLP in DM actually makes a lot more sense in possession styles, especially if played on defend duty.