gunnerfan

Is the second tactic (I'll call it a 2-1-2-3-2) a representation of what you want to see in attack, or a second tactic you're messing with?

I'm also seeing a lot of wing play from other formations. I think it's more a case of the tactic than the formation.

Is it my imagination, or do an inordinate number of AI sides play a wing play tactic employing a 4-4-2? I'm playing a save carried over from FM23, and all of a sudden, at least half the sides I've seen so far are using it. Those that don't tend to use one of the counter-attacking tactics.

I currently use a SV/IWB combo on the opposite (left) flank. I alternate between a W and IW in the AML slot.

@Rashidi - I've been using a 4-2-3-1 DM, with my AMR set to IF/S. But the player I use there has the skills to be an excellent RMD, so I'm going to try him in that role. My question is: I usually play a WB/S in the DR slot. But with an RMD up front on that side, would I be better off playing an IWB on that side?

I seem to remember reading a couple of years ago that there is a specific percentage attached to each level of playing time. IIRC, Star players expect to start 90% of all matches (close to a physical impossibility unless one constantly invokes "remove all injuries" with the IGE), Important players expect to start 75%, Regular starters expect to start 50%. Are these numbers still correct, and, if not, what are they in FM24? Thanks in advance.

As frank_olaf noted above, hold position is a default PI for a BWM/d in FM23. I haven’t seen any lack of solidity at all.

I’m not playing down the pyramid (Ligue 1), but I’m thinking I can get a similar boost in cohesion from including team bonding sessions in training and cohesion from teamwork sessions (which I do, anyway).

By that I mean a training camp in a different locale, where players can't be added if they're acquired after the first day of camp. Is there some "black box" advantage to a training camp in another location (as opposed to one's regular training facilities)?

AF/A IW/A AP/S IF/S RGA/S BWM/D WB/S CD/D BPD/D WB/S SK/S

The only attacking AMC I use in this tactic is the shadow striker, which sometimes perks up the attack but doesn't do anything to open things up for the AF. I haven't used the AP/A at all.

This is interesting stuff. I haven't used a CF, because every iteration of the 4-2-3-1 I've played (going back to FM21) I've used an AF. At the AM strata, I use an IW/A, an AP/S, and an IF/S. But recently I've found that sometimes, my AF (and I have two great ones) seems to get frozen out of the action. As a remedy, I've tried changing the AMC to a SS/A, which does sometimes open up the offense, but it doesn't do much for my invisible AF. I've also tried replacing the AMC with a second striker, as a DLF or F9, or sliding AMC off center and using him as a T. All of these moves are effective to varying degrees in stimulating the offense, but they never do much for the AF/A. In the beginning, I tried subbing the AF/A out for another striker, but the sub never fared much better (e.g. a 6.4 replacing a 6.3). That's what tipped me off to the fact that, yes, it was probably my tactics. At the DM strata, I use a BWM on the right and an RPM, VOL, or RGA on the left, depending on the player and the tactical situation. Across the back, I use two WBs, a BPD and a CD. I had been using two BPDs in the middle, but this season I acquired a new goalie with a low tendency to rush out and he gave up a few goals early on that he should have smothered. So, I changed one of the backs to a CD (thanks to a suggestion here on the forum).

The double pivot in FM23 works better in the DM strata than the CM, based on changes that were made to the match engine, and it's the default setup in the 4-2-3-1. I'm in the 8th season of my journeyman save, and I pair a BWM/D with a Regista, a VOL, or an RPM, depending on the skills of the player I'm using and the tactical situation. I've had a lot of success with it.

Thanks, already training him as SK, so it sounds like I'm on the right track. Good idea on the CB, since I'm already looking at an upgrade. One other thing I might do is make a role change on one of my CBs. Both are BPDs, but I think I'll change one to a CD (with or without the upgrade).

I have an excellent young goalkeeper with one glaring weakness: rushing out. He’s currently rated 7. I’ve set his “additional training” to address it, and I’ve dedicated one training session per week to one-on-ones, and still no improvement. In the meantime, his lack of rushing out has cost us some goals-against. Any ideas about what I can do? Or is this a permanent weakness?

I accept your apology, but it wasn't personal.

It's in his FM23 Book of Tactics (available on Dropbox) in the section on Possession. He uses what he calls a Bishop 4-3-3, but I find it works equally well with the 4-2-3-1. I have copied-and-pasted the paragraph on BPDs, but you should check out the whole chapter: Ball Playing Defenders I want defenders comfortable with bringing the ball out, I want to progress the ball through the tiers so one BPD will be given the instruction to dribble more. Both defenders are expected to get to the ball ahead of threats when balls are played through the line. So both of them will have tight marking on. The other BPD does not have dribble more assigned. First Touch, anticipation, concentration and positioning are the key attributes here. Acceleration and raw physicality are good attributes that will make sure our defence will be hard to beat.

I use an IW/A on the left and an IF/S on the right. A good Vol has strong attributes in passing, finishing, and technique. I don't find him getting in the way at all, and I've used this system for seven seasons, and for two different teams. I would think two DMs would be too static and not create enough on the attack. To maintain meaningful possession, you need to do more than just play keepaway from the opponent. I suggest you check out Cleon's "Art of Possession" thread. One other suggestion, an idea I borrowed from Rashidi: using BPDs in both central defender spots. It creates a lot of options in attack.

I play a 4-2-3-1 that usually dominates possession. I use a customized tiki-taka style: very short passing, low tempo, fairly narrow, play out of the back, working the ball into the box. I like using a high block, but that varies based on the side I’m facing. I don’t like the two DMs at the double pivot. I use one playmaker—either a vol or a regista—paired with a BWM (which I sometimes make an anchor when I need to go more defensive). You also may want to play your AMC as an AP.

The entire team/player module is ludicrous. I try to choose the least damaging answer. I also save the game immediately before team meetings so that I have a do-over option in case I get a result like yours. Yes, some consider that cheating. Sue me.

Clint Eastwood said, “80 is the new 20”, so don’t be depressed.

When you set up a profile for yourself in FM, do you use your actual date of birth or do you shave a few decades off it in the name of realism? Having just turned 70, I shave three decades off of mine. Otherwise, I'd expect the game's reaction to be "where did this geezer come from?!"

My first was CM3, after having played USM. I bought every new game until around FM11, the I went to every other year until FM13. Been a regular ever since.

One cool thing (for me, at least) about FM adding women’s football: I’ll reunite, in a manner of speaking, with Emma Hayes, currently manager of the Chelsea women’s team. She was the trainer for the boys U-15 team I coached until she took the reins of the Long Island Lady Riders. She was great to work with (although her effectiveness as a trainer was somewhat impaired because several of the guys had the hots for her, including my son).

Some excellent suggestions here. I'd say the whole aspect of interacting with players, either individually or the team as a whole, needs work. The manager should be able to discuss matters with players any time, not just to praise or criticize performance (a lot of player unhappiness could be nipped in the bud this way); change expected playing time, not just when the assman "suggests" it; call team meetings when he feels it's needed, not just when the assman suggests it.