Roaming Playmaker

[Bird_SA]

What would the best complimentary roles be for a Roaming playmaker in the cm slot?

I have been trying out the role with a halfback and mezzala (S) but the roaming playmaker just doesnt seem to get into the game at all? Not a lot of passes, key passes or any impact. 
 

My first though is because of the roaming instruction on both the roaming playmaker and the mezzala? 

[Cloud9]

1 hour ago, Bird_SA said:

What would the best complimentary roles be for a Roaming playmaker in the cm slot?

I have been trying out the role with a halfback and mezzala (S) but the roaming playmaker just doesnt seem to get into the game at all? Not a lot of passes, key passes or any impact. 
 

My first though is because of the roaming instruction on both the roaming playmaker and the mezzala? 

Post a screenshot of your tactic and the player you're using for the role

[CARRERA]

8 hours ago, Bird_SA said:

What would the best complimentary roles be for a Roaming playmaker in the cm slot?

The RPM is a roaming role. To really make him shine and utilize his mobility it’s important to create space for him to operate in. You can achieve this by having players creating depth behind and ahead of him. That said, I would pair him with a holding defend duty in a two man midfield and at least one central player with an attack duty. 

[Bird_SA]

@CARRERA thanks for the advice. @Cloud9 here is tactic and player as requested.

[Cloud9]

8 minutes ago, Bird_SA said:

@CARRERA thanks for the advice. @Cloud9 here is tactic and player as requested.

Yea doesn't look like a RPM, he's not that mobile or capable of executing defensive duties.

• Off the ball is important for roaming roles and his is a bit low.
• 11 concentration is a real concern for such a central player to your tactic. 

I'd stick him as an cm(s) and tell him to pass more direct/take more risks in his PIs. Also if you move him to the right you can pair the W/MEZ which will help things. 

• HB is dropping between the CBs in possession, so two roamers in front (and the MEZ heading wide) means there's very little presence in the middle. CM(s) will help out a bit here as well. 
• Two support midfield roles can end up feeling a bit bland, try swapping the MEZ to attack

[CARRERA]

2 hours ago, Bird_SA said:

Your team is playing out from the back, building up slowly in general. That isn’t particular the best environment for a RPM. You might be doing better with someone as a DLP or an AP Role in one of the three midfield slots. You could also try playing without a playmaker and use him as a CM(a).

[Bird_SA]

Thanks for all the discussion. So now I am considering using a single dm as regista and with a mezzala and maybe a cm (d). I have been berated for only having a Regista in the dm slot in the past but why would a normal cm double pivot with an am be safer? I mean the am role is replaced with a dm role when I have a regista? Shouldnt that actually be safer?  

[Cloud9]

2 hours ago, Bird_SA said:

Thanks for all the discussion. So now I am considering using a single dm as regista and with a mezzala and maybe a cm (d). I have been berated for only having a Regista in the dm slot in the past but why would a normal cm double pivot with an am be safer? I mean the am role is replaced with a dm role when I have a regista? Shouldnt that actually be safer?  

The Regista doesn't hold position and also roams. Not all the roam roles roam the same though, it would be more defensively sound than playing a sole RPM as a dm I believe.

It's more difficult to pull off, not something I would feel comfortable running, but that doesn't mean it can't work for you   

[Bird_SA]

I understand that but why would a formation with amc instead of dmc be safer? Does not make sense for me. 

[Cloud9]

1 hour ago, Bird_SA said:

I understand that but why would a formation with amc instead of dmc be safer? Does not make sense for me. 

A double pivot provides you with two DMs to hold the fort. If they're pushed into midfield they'll win the ball back higher up but either way the AMC has the platform to go and perform. When you lose the ball there's a symmetrical double pivot behind him ready to defend, and if the AMC has defensive attributes he'll help out as well.

• With a 4-3-3 your midfield becomes lopsided when the mez pushes on which can be tricky and leave you caught up on the break. This is why I personally value a DM who can just defend in these w a 4-3-3, and why a sole regista can be a bit of risk.
• In a 4-3-3 I wouldn't ask either of the advanced midfielders to hold position, as this can damage you in transitions. If you're looking for a supporting role to assist the Regista, perhaps the BWM(s) could be a good option?

Basically there's a lot of rules of thumbs about the game that if you break can feel uncomfortable (like a non holding solo DM) and a lot of people will tell you you're doing it wrong.  A sole Regista breaks those general guidelines but again that doesn't mean it can't  function excellently given the right setup/players.

In my own save, I've been running a BWM(D) as the sole holding role of my midblock counter attacking system, after picking up a super high quality ball winning player. Ordinarily this would be a bit of disaster as he'd charge around and get pulled out of position (and people will tell you not to deploy a sole BWM because of it). However, because he's an actual superstar I'm playing to his strengths so he's getting excellent ratings and we're able to launch more counter attacks compared to if I ran him as a safer DM(d). The two CMs in front of him are also pretty physical so there's some nice synergy there to commit to winning the ball. I wouldn't recommend trying it with an average or even good BWM as when he messes up there's a giant gap.

You might find that similar with the sole Regista, where if you're going to make it work, he needs to be a really excellent player for the rewards to outweigh the risks.

Edited May 21, 2023 by Cloud9

[Cleon]

There's a fair bit of misconception going on about the regista and what it does. While the role is risky, this only applied when he has the ball due to him hitting long/direct defence splitting passes. The role is perfect for a single DM and doesn't venture forward or roam much, the same as a DLP and DM support. All three of those roles basically defend in a similar manner. It's how they use the ball that differs.

I actually wrote this the other month and the RPM/DLP/Regista and spoke about how they differ;

The Regista is a brilliant role in Football Manager but I think a lot of people have the wrong idea about what the role is and what it does. So in this article, we will explore all the things it is and isn’t. We’ll also look at the other defensive midfield playmaking roles and discuss how they all differ from each other.

The Differences

The three different playmaking roles we can have from the defensive midfield position are;

• Deep-Lying Playmaker
• Regista
• Roaming Playmaker

While these roles might seem similar, the main difference between the three of them is how they use the ball. While both Regista and Deep-lying Playmakers are creative midfielders who operate from deeper positions on the field, they tend to use the ball differently based on their specific roles and responsibilities:

Regista:

• A Regista is primarily focused on creating goal-scoring opportunities and dictating the tempo of the game. They use their exceptional vision and passing range to unlock defences with incisive, penetrating passes that can change the course of the match.
• Regista often attempts riskier and more ambitious passes, as their primary objective is to create chances and break down the opposition's defensive shape.
• In possession, they tend to roam more freely to find pockets of space and receive the ball, allowing them to exploit gaps in the opposition's midfield and defence.

Deep-lying Playmaker:

• Deep-lying Playmakers, while also creative and responsible for dictating the tempo, focus more on maintaining possession and recycling the ball. They use their passing ability to control the game, connecting the defence to the attack, and ensuring a smooth transition between the two.
• They are more likely to play shorter, safer passes to maintain possession and build up play gradually. While they can also deliver long-range passes and create scoring chances, their approach is generally more measured and less focused on taking risks.
• Deep-lying Playmakers tend to be more disciplined in their positioning, staying deeper and closer to the defensive line to provide an outlet for their teammates and contribute defensively when required.

Roaming Playmaker:

• A Roaming Playmaker is a versatile and dynamic midfielder who moves around the pitch to influence the game in various areas. Their primary objective is to contribute to the team's offensive play by getting involved in build-up play, creating chances, and even scoring goals.
• They have the freedom to roam laterally and vertically across the field, making them difficult for opponents to mark and track. This constant movement allows them to exploit gaps in the opposition's midfield and defence, as well as link up with teammates in different areas of the pitch.
• They also like to bring the ball forward with their dribbling ability. Something the other two roles don’t really do.
• Roaming Playmakers are usually more involved in the physical aspect of the game, pressing opponents and engaging in duels to win back possession. Their energy and work rate is key to their success in this role.

The main difference in how regista and deep-lying playmakers use the ball lies in their approach to possession and risk-taking. Regista's focus is more on creating chances with ambitious passing. While deep-lying playmakers prioritise maintaining possession and providing a link between defence and attack. The roaming playmaker utilises his dribbling more by default and likes to drive forward with the ball at his feet.

You can customise the roles further with personalised instructions but the above are the basics of each of the roles. Hopefully, that gives you enough information to see how they differ and use the ball differently.

The Regista - The Setup

We know I already use a regista in a 3-5-2 formation. If you haven’t read the other two chapters of this series yet, you can here;

[embed]https://www.viewfromthetouchline.com/2023/03/13/the-blades-revolution[/embed]

 

[embed]https://www.viewfromthetouchline.com/2023/03/22/wide-centre-backs-overlaps-underlaps-and-more[/embed]

In this setup, they are responsible for distributing the ball with accuracy and vision. Often with long-range passes, to initiate attacking moves from deep. The regista also acts as a link between the defence and attack, providing defensive cover when necessary but also pushing forward to support attacks. When he pushes forward, he doesn’t push as far as you think though.

The regista's style of play emphasises technical ability, vision, and decision-making. They must be comfortable on the ball, able to read the game, and possess excellent passing skills. Additionally, they should be tactically aware, able to make quick decisions and have good communication skills to direct their teammates.

One of the reasons this is important for us is because the regista progress the ball up the pitch by using their vision, passing range, and technical ability. They typically receive the ball from the defence, either through a short pass or a clearance. Then assess the situation on the field before deciding on the best option to move the ball forward.

One of the primary ways regista progress the ball is through progressive passing, over long distances to find a teammate in a forward position. These passes can split the opposition's defence and create scoring opportunities.

Another method is through short, quick passes to move the ball up the pitch. Registas often drop deep to receive the ball from defenders, and then use their close control and passing skills to move the ball forward to more attacking players. They may also use one-touch passing to maintain possession and quickly move the ball up the pitch.

While less likely, the registas may also dribble the ball forward themselves, using their technical ability to beat opposition players and create space for their teammates. However, this is usually a secondary option, as the primary role of a regista is to distribute the ball and create attacking opportunities for their team.

The Regista - The Data

Let’s have a look at some of the data.

 

Spoiler

 

As you can see, Tommy Doyle has had a really good season and is well above the league average for his position for all the important metrics.

 

Spoiler

 

 

Spoiler

 

Here's why progressive passes are important for a regista:

1. Breaking opposition lines: Progressive passes help bypass the opposition's defensive lines, allowing the team to advance into more dangerous attacking positions. A regista with the ability to consistently execute accurate progressive passes can disrupt the opposition's defensive organisation and create space for teammates.
2. Dictating tempo: By completing progressive passes, a regista can control the pace of the game, allowing their team to dictate the tempo. This can help the team maintain possession, build momentum, and exploit weaknesses in the opposition's formation. 
3. Creativity and unpredictability: A regista who can consistently produce progressive passes is not only effective at maintaining possession but also adds an element of creativity to the team's play. This unpredictability can make it harder for the opposition to anticipate and defend against attacking moves. Allowing your team to gain positional advantages.
4. Linking defence and attack: Progressive passes from the regista help to connect the defence with the attack, ensuring a smooth transition from one phase of play to another. This can be especially important in countering high-pressing opposition teams.
5. Assists and goal-scoring opportunities: Accurate and well-timed progressive passes can lead directly to assists or goal-scoring opportunities, as they can put teammates in advantageous positions to take shots or create chances.

Progressive passes are essential for a regista as they contribute to breaking down the opposition's defence, controlling the tempo of the game, and creating goal-scoring opportunities for their team. A regista with a wide range of passing skills, including the ability to make accurate progressive passes, is highly valuable to their team's overall success.

 

Spoiler

 

 

Spoiler

 

It's important to note that the chances created metrics for a regista will vary depending on their team's style of play, formation, and the specific role assigned to them by the manager. A regista's offensive contributions should be considered alongside their ability to control the game, maintain possession, and contribute defensively.

Chances created is a metric used to evaluate the offensive contributions of a player, including a regista. While the primary role of a regista is to dictate the tempo and control possession from a deep-lying position, they can still contribute to the team's attack by creating chances for their teammates.

Chances created metrics can be broken down into several key components:

1. Key Passes: A key pass is defined as the final pass or assist that leads to a shot or a goal-scoring opportunity for a teammate. A regista with a high number of key passes is effective at breaking down defences and creating opportunities for their teammates.
2. Expected Assists (xA): Expected assists is an advanced metric that quantifies the likelihood of a pass resulting in a goal, considering factors such as the location of the pass, the type of pass, and the position of the receiver. A higher xA indicates that a regista is providing high-quality chances for their teammates, even if they don't always lead to actual assists.
3. Through Balls: Through balls are passes that bypass multiple defenders and put a teammate in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper or in a clear goal-scoring opportunity. A regista skilled at executing through balls can create dangerous situations for the opposition's defence.
4. Long Balls: Long balls are passes that travel a significant distance in the air, often bypassing multiple opposition players. A regista who can accurately play long balls can help switch the point of attack or exploit open space behind the opposing defence.
5. Crosses: While regista generally operate in central areas, they can occasionally deliver crosses from deep or wide positions, providing another means of creating chances for their teammates. Accurate crosses can lead to headed attempts or volleys, resulting in goal-scoring opportunities.
6. Set-Piece Delivery: Registas who are proficient at delivering set-pieces (corners, free-kicks, etc.) can create additional chances for their team. Accurate set-piece deliveries can lead to clear goal-scoring opportunities or force errors from the opposition's defence.

The Regista - Match Analysis

People have the wrong idea about the regista and think he ventures forward most of the time. But that’s not true. If he takes set pieces or under certain circumstances, he might venture forward. Outside of that though his movement is more horizontal than vertical. Have a look at this;

 

Spoiler

 

For the sake of this example, I was on attacking mentality, aggressive pressing and a high defensive line. As I wanted to illustrate just how deep the role actually plays.90% of the time, the regista operates in the yellow box. Moving side to side to offer a deep passing outlet. As mentioned above it's not normal behaviour for him to be more advanced than his.

If you play on a lesser mentality then the role will play slightly deeper than this yellow box. A lot of people seem to have this idea that he plays high up in the final third but he doesn’t. His positioning is very similar to how a deep-lying playmaker would position himself. This is why key passes and progressive passes are vital to his play.

By him staying deep in this yellow box he can recycle possession should we lose the ball high up the pitch and the ball is cleared by picking up the loose ball. He can then do many different types of passes to keep the move going again.

 

Spoiler

 

In this example, Tommy Doyle stays deep and offers a passing outlet for the wide centreback. But the rest of the team has already made attacking runs forward. This means that when Tommy Doyle receives the ball he will have time and space on the ball and be able to pick out the pass. What the rest of the side does with their movement is vital to what the regista does next.

 

Spoiler

 

Now when he receives the ball he has three passing options, all come with different degrees of difficulty attached to them.

1. This is the safe option as his marker is behind him, so he should be able to receive the ball at his feet without too much difficulty. This could see the ball played back to Tommy Doyle though as there are not many options for this player to progress the ball himself.
2. Could this one be the safer option? I’d certainly say it would be and would put us on the front foot. If the ball is played to this player then the whole pitch would open up too when the opposition tries and deal with the threat.
3. The most difficult and risky pass would be this option. There’s a player who could potentially cut out the ball or the high ball. But if he played the ball between numbers 2 and 3, then chances are one of them would be able to get onto the end of it.

 

Spoiler

 

Tommy Doyle ended up choosing the second option, as McAtee dropped off the front creating space. Remember earlier in the series when I spoke about asking the wingback to sit narrower? Well, this also plays into that.

Once McAtee gets the ball he sees the wingback has continued his forward run. One simple pass to him and we are in on goal. It’s a really simple move. But it’s an important move because we see the stuff I’ve spoken about in the other articles in the series, all playing out and linking together.

 

Spoiler

 

In this example, we have just won the ball back and the advanced forward is already making a run for it as he has faith in Tommy Doyle to find him. This is a really risky move but if it works it puts us on the front foot and with a possible 2v2 situation. If it doesn’t work then we give possession away. I enjoy these types of passes but perhaps not all the time, which he doesn’t do. But if you use a regista then you have to be prepared for these types of things as this is what makes him and the deep-lying playmaker differ. It becomes risk vs reward.

When evaluating the risk versus reward of a regista's risky passing, it's essential to consider both the potential benefits and drawbacks of such passes. Risky passes can be defined as those with a lower probability of reaching their intended target, such as long balls, through balls, or passes that attempt to split multiple defenders. These types of passes can significantly influence a team's offensive capabilities but also come with inherent risks.

The rewards of risky passing for a regista include breaking opposition lines, as risky passes can bypass multiple opposition players and disrupt their defensive organization, creating space and opportunities for the attacking players. Successfully executed risky passes can lead to clear goal-scoring opportunities, as they often put teammates in advantageous positions to take shots or make final passes. 

A regista who consistently attempts risky passes adds an element of unpredictability to their team's play, making it harder for the opposition to anticipate and defend against attacking moves. Furthermore, risky passes can exploit gaps or mismatches in the opposition's defence, capitalising on individual errors or moments of disorganisation.

However, there are risks associated with risky passing for a regista. These include the loss of possession, as risky passes have a higher likelihood of being intercepted or misdirected, leading to potential counter-attacks by the opposition. Failed risky passes can also disrupt the team's shape, leaving the team exposed defensively, as players may have moved out of position in anticipation of receiving the pass or supporting the attack. 

Unsuccessful risky passes can squander promising attacking situations, especially if safer and more effective passing options were available. Repeatedly attempting risky passes without success can negatively impact a regista's confidence and, in turn, affect the morale and cohesion of the team.

But if it’s more risk you want, I highly recommend the regista........

 

[Cleon]

15 hours ago, Bird_SA said:

Thanks for all the discussion. So now I am considering using a single dm as regista and with a mezzala and maybe a cm (d). I have been berated for only having a Regista in the dm slot in the past but why would a normal cm double pivot with an am be safer? I mean the am role is replaced with a dm role when I have a regista? Shouldnt that actually be safer?  

 

11 hours ago, Bird_SA said:

I understand that but why would a formation with amc instead of dmc be safer? Does not make sense for me. 

It wouldn't, especially with the changes made to pivots on FM23. If you have no DM and use CM's, the CM's drop deeper than they would if they had a DM behind them. 

Don't let people berate you for using a sole regista in the DM slot. If someone has berated you then it's clear they don't understand the role or what it does. A regista is a fantastic defensive role.

Now back to your original question and utilising the role you choose correctly. If you want to use DLP then they suit possession type systems better. That's not to say you can't use them in other setups but as a guideline for yourself and what you are creating. The reason for this is because like the post above states, DLP's are all about safety first and passing sideways. If you're wanting faster transitions or to progress the ball further up the pitch fast, then it could hinder that and make play slow down.

If you wanted a player who didn't venture forward much like the DLP but was more forward thinking then you'd go with a regista. They unlock teams from deep with risky passing looking to play the ball between the lines from deep areas of the pitch. Always looking for those runners.

Lastly, if you wanted a role that focused on being more dominant in the final third by being positioned higher up, then the RPM is the role you want. They venture forward and roam about, deep in the oppositions half. If you were to use this role in your 4-3-3 whether it be DM slot or CM slot, then you'd likely want one of the other two players DM/MC to perhaps be more defensive minded and one to be some kind of runner, so like a B2B/CMA/Mez type. This would give you the perfect balance as the RPM and the other role would venture forward and the more defensive minded role would sit and protect.

You can have all 3 roles attack if you wanted but that does have draw backs and can be risky but sometimes the reward you get from attacking in such a manner outweight the risks. 

In the tactic you posted above, I think you have good balance on the three central midfield roles. It's quite a dynamic three.

[yonko]

On 21/05/2023 at 01:26, Bird_SA said:

@CARRERA thanks for the advice. @Cloud9 here is tactic and player as requested.

 

On 20/05/2023 at 10:44, Bird_SA said:

What would the best complimentary roles be for a Roaming playmaker in the cm slot?

I have been trying out the role with a halfback and mezzala (S) but the roaming playmaker just doesnt seem to get into the game at all? Not a lot of passes, key passes or any impact. 
 

My first though is because of the roaming instruction on both the roaming playmaker and the mezzala? 

I think the problem is that your RPM has the player trait "Gets Forward Whenever Possible". Your tactic uses short passing game with building from the back. You also use HB that drops deep between the CBs. In this case it would be better to use a RPM with "Comes Deep to Get Ball" player trait. The "Gets Forward" trait would be better for the MEZ role. Also another problem for your RPM is that he has low Teamwork and Off The Ball attributes. 

[Adonalsium]

The Roaming Playmaker was excellent in FM21 from what I recall. But in FM23, I find that just a simple Central Midfielder actually does the job a RPM is supposed to do but often simply much better. 

[Wavelberry]

Yeah in FM21 RPM was great and Regista was not to the point I changed from a Regista to a RPM. It's not been anything like that since though.

[ThomasHK1979]

On 21/05/2023 at 13:10, CARRERA said:

Your team is playing out from the back, building up slowly in general. That isn’t particular the best environment for a RPM. You might be doing better with someone as a DLP or an AP Role in one of the three midfield slots. You could also try playing without a playmaker and use him as a CM(a).

Why is playing out from the back not suited for a RPM???

[CARRERA]

1 hour ago, ThomasHK1979 said:

Why is playing out from the back not suited for a RPM???

RPM is a mobile role, that runs with the ball and driving play forward. That type of player usually is best if used in an environment that fits his strength. If you build up more slowly, a role that dictates the match from behind or sits right in front of the box, might fit better. However, that doesn't mean you can't use that role in a creative way.

[ThomasHK1979]

13 hours ago, CARRERA said:

RPM is a mobile role, that runs with the ball and driving play forward. That type of player usually is best if used in an environment that fits his strength. If you build up more slowly, a role that dictates the match from behind or sits right in front of the box, might fit better. However, that doesn't mean you can't use that role in a creative way.

Like a Regista?

[Cloud9]

49 minutes ago, ThomasHK1979 said:

Like a Regista?

@Cleon outlines in detail the differences between the roles above.

[wazzaflow10]

@Cleon

Understanding there's no perfect blanket answer for this, just general concept based on your explanations of the roles above.

Suppose you find yourself playing against a team that likes to press high up the pitch and your tactic uses as DLP as the central midfield creator. Are you better off switching that role to a regista to reduce the chances that you're caught in possession at the back? 

Trying to find a balance between play risky short passes in a press and hoof it long to clear the danger.

[Cleon]

10 hours ago, wazzaflow10 said:

@Cleon

Understanding there's no perfect blanket answer for this, just general concept based on your explanations of the roles above.

Suppose you find yourself playing against a team that likes to press high up the pitch and your tactic uses as DLP as the central midfield creator. Are you better off switching that role to a regista to reduce the chances that you're caught in possession at the back? 

Trying to find a balance between play risky short passes in a press and hoof it long to clear the danger.

I think you're approaching it the wrong way around. Instead of focusing on the high press, you should perhaps focus on the player himself. You can usually see with-in seconds of the match if he's being pressured and caught in possession. You'd change the role/settings based on what you see happening and react to that. The reason for this is that a high press itself isn't always going to be the same. Sometimes it might be problematic for your player but other times, it might actually aid him if he's intelligent and skilled enough to play out from the press.

[wazzaflow10]

5 hours ago, Cleon said:

I think you're approaching it the wrong way around. Instead of focusing on the high press, you should perhaps focus on the player himself. You can usually see with-in seconds of the match if he's being pressured and caught in possession. You'd change the role/settings based on what you see happening and react to that. The reason for this is that a high press itself isn't always going to be the same. Sometimes it might be problematic for your player but other times, it might actually aid him if he's intelligent and skilled enough to play out from the press.

Got it. I'll keep this in mind for the next time I come up against it. Thank you.

Edited May 31, 2023 by wazzaflow10