4132 direct counter - I need to be more consistent

[Karlo]

Currently playing with FC Metz in the French league. Media prediction is 15th and as it stands, I'm overachieving.




But as you can see, I'm really inconsistent. Winning - losing - winning - losing gets a bit frustrating and I know I can do better.

Also, we have the most scored goals in the league apart from PSG so I must be doing something right.

I've set-up my tactic as a 4-1-3-2 direct counter which Experienced Defender suggested somewhere in an older topic (and cannot find anymore ), and tweaked it a bit.



PI's:
BBM - take more risks
IWsu - sit narrower
PFat - roam from position

I don't have any pressing going on, not as a TI nor as a PI (split block), maybe I can do something with that?
 

In the matches that we lose, we almost have no possession / shots on goal so I think we might be a bit to passive now and then.


Do you guys have any more feedback or tips that I can try to make it more consistent? 

[zyfon5]

46 minutes ago, Karlo said:

Currently playing with FC Metz in the French league. Media prediction is 15th and as it stands, I'm overachieving.




But as you can see, I'm really inconsistent. Winning - losing - winning - losing gets a bit frustrating and I know I can do better.

Also, we have the most scored goals in the league apart from PSG so I must be doing something right.

I've set-up my tactic as a 4-1-3-2 direct counter which Experienced Defender suggested somewhere in an older topic (and cannot find anymore ), and tweaked it a bit.



PI's:
BBM - take more risks
IWsu - sit narrower
PFat - roam from position

I don't have any pressing going on, not as a TI nor as a PI (split block), maybe I can do something with that?
 

In the matches that we lose, we almost have no possession / shots on goal so I think we might be a bit to passive now and then.


Do you guys have any more feedback or tips that I can try to make it more consistent? 

Just use a different formation. Notice how you have no midfield presence at all. Not surprised that you conceded so many goals and lost so many matches and have no control at all in the games you lose. Basically with this formation you are just surrendering the whole midfield to the opposition and hope they do not punch through the centre.

A 4411 or a 442 might be a more suitable formation depending on the players you have.

[Experienced Defender]

4 hours ago, Karlo said:

I've set-up my tactic as a 4-1-3-2 direct counter which Experienced Defender suggested somewhere in an older topic

This is definitely not a tactic I suggested (even though it does not look bad overall). What I did often suggest to people managing weaker or average teams is that 4132 wide formation (not tactic). 

Now, a general problem with counter-attacking tactics - even when "perfectly" designed - is that they cannot work against every (type of) opposition. Simply because there is no point in playing on the counter against a defensive opponent (i.e. in matches in which you are not the underdog). Which implies that you should have a plan-B tactic, which would not be primarily counter-attacking, but still not too different from this one. Basically, the difference should not be more than just a couple of small tweaks. 

Speaking of this particular tactic you posted, if you want it to be truly/purely counter-attacking, playing both strikers on attack duty is the first thing to do. TM and PF are generally a very good partnership in counter-minded tactics (as are TM and AF as well), so you just need to switch the TM's duty to attack.

The rest of the setup is more or less okay(ish).

Instructions-wise, I don't see any need for the Be more disciplined TI in this kind of tactic, since you neither play under a high mentality nor use any fancy and exotic roles that may otherwise need to be restrained a bit.

[Experienced Defender]

Btw, given that you are obviously overachieving (relative to media prediction), perhaps you should stick to the tactic and not be too greedy 

[Karlo]

23 minutes ago, Experienced Defender said:

This is definitely not a tactic I suggested (even though it does not look bad overall). What I did often suggest to people managing weaker or average teams is that 4132 wide formation (not tactic). 

Now, a general problem with counter-attacking tactics - even when "perfectly" designed - is that they cannot work against every (type of) opposition. Simply because there is no point in playing on the counter against a defensive opponent (i.e. in matches in which you are not the underdog). Which implies that you should have a plan-B tactic, which would not be primarily counter-attacking, but still not too different from this one. Basically, the difference should not be more than just a couple of small tweaks. 

Speaking of this particular tactic you posted, if you want it to be truly/purely counter-attacking, playing both strikers on attack duty is the first thing to do. TM and PF are generally a very good partnership in counter-minded tactics (as are TM and AF as well), so you just need to switch the TM's duty to attack.

The rest of the setup is more or less okay(ish).

Instructions-wise, I don't see any need for the Be more disciplined TI in this kind of tactic, since you neither play under a high mentality nor use any fancy and exotic roles that may otherwise need to be restrained a bit.

 

The suggested formation you advised was as follows:




With this as counter-attacking option:



I've based my tactic on the counter-attacking one.


So, when you would suggest a Plan A and Plan B tactic, how would you advise me to set it up?

Maybe the first one in matches where we're equal or better and the second one against stronger sides?

Edited February 6, 2021 by Karlo

[Experienced Defender]

3 hours ago, Karlo said:

So, when you would suggest a Plan A and Plan B tactic, how would you advise me to set it up?

If your counter setup looks like this:

TMat   PFat

IWsu       BBM        Wsu

Ade

WBsu   CDde  NCBde  WBsu

GK

Then the regular ("non-counter") one could be like this:

TMsu     PFat

IWsu       CMat        Wsu

Ade

WBsu   CDde  CDde   WBsu

GK

Instructions-wise:

- standard LOE instead of lower

- no get stuck in and tight marking

- normal tempo and passing instead of higher/more direct

- no early crosses

- no counter and regroup in transition

And stuff like that.

I mean, you have to experiment until you find a combination that ideally suits your players specifically. Because we are discussing normal sensible tactics, not plug'n'play/exploits.

P.S: I personally would almost always choose WM over classic winger in a 442/4411/4132, but most people tend to avoid that beautiful role (unfortunately).