Opinions on this low block counter attacking tactic please

[Kuchiki]

Hi I'd like some critique on my current tactic please, I'm looking to play a low block and hit teams on the break, my aim is to primarily use this tactic against teams who don't leave too many players back. 

 

Additional PI's

CFa - has close down more

APs - has sit narrower

Wa - has close down more 

CMa - take more risks, dribble more, Roam, move into channels

BWMs - Gets forward

DLPd - More direct passes, take more risks, close down less

WBau - Cross more, gets forward, close down more, tackle harder

FBs - Cross more, cross far post, dribble less, run wide with ball, shoot less, stay wide, close down less

I've been considering changing the FB to a defend duty, do you guy think this tactic could work? Thanks.

 

Edited May 19, 2021 by Kuchiki
Format

[Jack722]

I don't like to play with hard rules in FM but one thing I always do with a front 3 is press high. IMO attacking wingers don't track back enough and there's going to be way too much space to defend if you want to sit back and play on the counter. I've only ever seen it work if you just create chaos by maxing the pressing intensity. Experiment with that and also dropping the wingers back to midfield and see what you think.

[Experienced Defender]

Roles and duties look okay in terms of the overall balance. However, from the perspective of your intended counter-attacking style of play, having 2 playmakers does not make much sense IMHO. In that respect, the DLP on defend duty is the one I personally would remove, i.e. replace with a non-PM role (preferably DM on defend duty). 

When it comes to instructions, here is my two pennies worth:

- no need for an overlap (or underlap) TI in a counter-attack-minded tactic (you want fast attacks and transitions, rather than keeping possession in the attacking third and waiting for an overlap)

- no need for time wasting (except as an in-match tweak in the final stage of a match when you are pleased with the result and just want to hold on to it until the final whistle)

- when it comes to attacking width, I generally advise people to leave it on default and only tweak it during a match on a situational basis if needed (unless you want to play a genuine wing-play style for whatever reason)

- the take short kicks and/or distribution to FBs (or anyone specifically) needlessly limit your keeper's options and can also be potentially risky (if you want to prevent the keeper from kicking the ball long and thus potentially giving possession away cheaply, you can simply ask him to distribute to both CBs and FBs without specifying the method of distribution)

- most (if not all) of your player instructions are completely unnecessary IMHO

[Kuchiki]

18 hours ago, Jack722 said:

I don't like to play with hard rules in FM but one thing I always do with a front 3 is press high. IMO attacking wingers don't track back enough and there's going to be way too much space to defend if you want to sit back and play on the counter. I've only ever seen it work if you just create chaos by maxing the pressing intensity. Experiment with that and also dropping the wingers back to midfield and see what you think.

I did experiment with dropping the right winger back to a defensive winger although I have doubts about whether the players I want to play in that role are actually good enough therefore I'm more inclined to leave it in the attacking strata so I don't have to sacrifice it as an attacking outlet. 

Here is the player I had considered for the defensive winger role:- 

Like I said not great therefore I'm more incline to play these two as attacking wingers:-

[Jack722]

1 hour ago, Kuchiki said:

I did experiment with dropping the right winger back to a defensive winger although I have doubts about whether the players I want to play in that role are actually good enough therefore I'm more inclined to leave it in the attacking strata so I don't have to sacrifice it as an attacking outlet. 

Here is the player I had considered for the defensive winger role:- 

Like I said not great therefore I'm more incline to play these two as attacking wingers:-

I wouldn't worry too much about attributes. You could change the AP -> WP (in midfield) and the Wa -> Wa (in midifeld again). The roles will still attack in virtually the same way. it will only influence the shape in which your team presses.

If you find that the three forwards works better then just stick with it. It's just that in my experience that sort of formation + low block doesn't work.