Cleon

You can see how I utilised WCB's here if you're wanting ideas;

It should be fixed now, the update pack for 6. It happens sometimes. Just drag and drop them in the folder you think it best suits

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.

Why would it drive me mad?

It was good. I’ve played 7 Premier League seasons so far. I’ve not had the time to write an update yet as I’m getting ready to raise money for charity by walking 1.7 million steps over 92 days. Plus I’ve been studying for some rugby coaching badges, so these have taken up all the spare time I’ve had. I'm hopeful I’ll have something soon though.

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.

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. 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. Here's why progressive passes are important for a regista: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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; 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. 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. Now when he receives the ball he has three passing options, all come with different degrees of difficulty attached to them. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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........

full thread

Every system has issues somewhere against different formations. All back 3's or 5's can have issues against formations that utilise 2 wide players. That's not to say it has to be a massive issue but it's something you have to be aware of and plan for. As your using a 3-4-3 with 2 DM's what you can do is something like this; Ask the 2 outer strikers to mark the oppositions fullbacks, making their life hard so they can't progress the ball up the pitch without pressure. I.e forcing them to make quicker decisions. The wingers in your side can also be okay as they are. It's no different than using wingbacks in a back 3/5 system. But you can ask them to mark any other wide threats from the opposition, so AML/R/ML/R etc I'd also not use WCB unless you want them to attack. Even on support duty, a BPD will do everything they do but do it much better. As someone who uses WCB's all the time I'd advise against using them unless you want more attacking options and forcing wide overloads. I wrote about WCB's here to give you more in-depth info. On support duty they don't really sit or offer protection. That's why BPD's or normal defenders are more suited, regarding the worries/concerns you have. https://www.viewfromthetouchline.com/2023/03/22/wide-centre-backs-overlaps-underlaps-and-more I've also written this as part of something else and not released it yet. But it's about the 3-5-2 vs 4-3-3 so it should give you an idea of how you should be thinking when facing other shapes. Just as an example. Vulnerabilities Against a 4-3-3 formation, some potential vulnerabilities of the 3-5-2 formation include: Vulnerability to counterattacks: With five midfielders in the 3-5-2 formation, there may be more players committed to attack, leaving fewer players to cover the defensive transition. This could leave your defence vulnerable to counterattacks, especially if the opposition has pacey forwards. Lack of width in the attack: While the 3-5-2 formation can provide attacking flexibility, it may leave the attack narrow, with fewer options for attacking down the flanks. This can make it easier for the opposition to defend, especially if they are able to keep your wingbacks pinned back. Difficulty in marking opposition wingers: The 4-3-3 formation often relies on its wingers to provide the width and create scoring opportunities. However, with only three defenders in the backline, it can be difficult to mark both the opposition wingers and the lone striker effectively. This can lead to gaps in the defence that can be exploited by the opposition. Overall, the success of the 3-5-2 formation against a 4-3-3 will depend on the specific tactics employed and the strengths of the players on the pitch. It is important to be aware of these potential vulnerabilities and adjust your tactics accordingly to minimize them. 4-3-3 Weakness To exploit the weaknesses of a 4-3-3 formation when using a 3-5-2, you can consider the following tactics: Overload the midfield: The 4-3-3 formation relies heavily on the midfield trio to control the centre of the pitch. With a 3-5-2, you can field an extra midfielder to outnumber the opposition in midfield. This will make it difficult for the opposing midfielders to find space and limit their ability to control possession. Exploit the wide areas: The 4-3-3 formation often relies on the wingers to provide width in attack. However, with a 3-5-2, you can field two wingbacks to counter this. These wingbacks can push forward to create overloads on the flanks and deliver crosses into the box. Target the lone striker: With only one striker in the 4-3-3 formation, the opposition's attacking threat can be neutralized by marking the striker tightly. The three centre backs in the 3-5-2 formation can take turns to mark the striker, while the wingbacks can drop back to provide cover if needed. Press high up the pitch: The 4-3-3 formation can be vulnerable to high-pressure tactics as it relies heavily on possession-based football. By pressing high up the pitch, you can force turnovers and capitalize on mistakes made by the opposition. By implementing these tactics, you can exploit the weaknesses of a 4-3-3 formation and gain a tactical advantage on the pitch.

Updated with Spurs and Porto

I've done a thread over on Twitter that explains more about how you can use ChatGPT for Football Manager as a reference point/guide or even a smart assistant.

While I don't necessarily disagree here there is a counter point to this. ChatGPT can be great for understanding the style of play you want to create and give you logical reasonings behind why and how it should function. It can also tell you the relationships between the players and they roles and how they link up. If you really wanted to aswell, you can input the player attributes and it would also give you feedback on them. If people really wanted they could use it as an intelligent "assistant manager" and throw ideas around on tactical stuff and get pretty good feedback. Obviously you still have to implement those ideas and make them work. But it's no different than using the forum for feedback etc. ChatGPT can also give you valuable information on how you can counter other strategies, other shapes, your own vulnerabilities against other shapes etc. Most people only use basic prompts though. But when you realise how advanced it can be then you get some seriously brilliant feedback and it can be of great use. I have been lucky enough to have access to this for the past 18 months along with Midjourney. I was on the alpha. So I know a bit about it. If you really want to make ChapGPT useful you can try some commands like below; replace the () bits with whatever topic/subject you want to talk about. You can add this to roles, shapes, issues etc. “Can you explain the concept of a (4-4-2 formation) in simple terms? Summarise the main principles and illustrate with examples to facilitate understanding." “I want to learn to (topic). Give me step-by-step instructions on how to learn (skill). Start with the basics and move on to the more difficult stuff. Keep in mind that I’m a beginner.” “What are some key terms I should know about (topic)? Make a list with a short and simple definition of each term each time.” “I want you to act as an (subject) expert and give me recommendations for (specific question).” “Describe and explain with simple words the relationship between (concept 1) and (concept 2).” “Define (term) and provide an example which can be used in tactics. The definition should be complete but simple to understand, explain complicated words if there are any.” “Act as an expert in (topic). My goal is to learn (skill) as fast as possible. Make a list with the most important things to know that will allow me to master this topic.” “I'm just starting to learn (topic). Define the best strategies and tricks for (subject).” "I am having difficulty understanding [insert complex concept]. Break it down into simpler terms and provide analogies or examples that can help me grasp the concept more easily." You can even go further and use prompts to give you a crash course in learning about tactics should you have zero knowledge "I want to learn [tactics]. I am a complete beginner. Create a 30-day learning plan that will help me learn and improve my skills in this area." You can also use it to collect data and put them in tables/charts etc. Personally I think it's a brilliant tool when used correctly. Sure not everyone will likely want to use it. But for those who are struggling and don't really understand the concepts of tactics, the relationships roles have, how tactics should function etc it's probably one of the best teachers out there for giving you the basics of everything you need to know. While also you're able to ask it to help solve issues, give feedback, give ideas on setups etc.

ChatGPT isn't a bad starting place for getting your ideas together and getting a vision of how you want to play. It's no different to the existing presets really in that sense. Just beware that ChatGPT doesn't know stuff beyond 2021. So wouldn't include new settings/roles or know of any changes the game has undertaken since then.

If they're working now there's no reason they won't work long-term. It's like everything else though, you need to pay attention to those you are playing. If teams start playing differently against you then the areas you are having success in now might not exist then. Also squad rotation, if your players start getting tired half way through the season, then again it might not play as well as it is now.

It has fixed it. Your 6 and 3 are now more of less like the image you posted of the AI. If you watch their position actually in game, you'll see they are now further apart.

Using two of the same role and same duty next to each other will see them do the exact same things. Not only that, they'll likely use the same space and be looking to protect the same area, as they're doing the exact same role as the guy next to them. Use a different role for one of them and it'll be more like the AI's and slightly wider. You've also instructed them to hold position. The average position, is showing the players fulfilling what you've instructed them to do which is play the same role, occupy the same space and not stray from their original position much.

Updated with Southampton

I’ve been writing a piece on him for 2 weeks now. Currently at 7k words about his style, tactics and systems and his general approach. Still nowhere near finished yet.

Not as such yet. It's not really different from this;

We have someone writing one yeah

I didn't really talk about it in the article and perhaps I should have but the role can be great for defensive situations too when you use them on support. They can cut out a lot of issues you have in the half spaces by cutting off passing lanes after you turn the ball over. They position great for dealing with the initial threat of IF/IW's and reduce the risk of the ball being played to them early. Or that creative AM who likes to drift side to side.

Thanks mate I actually did start with a RPM initially but felt he didn't do the defensive side of Ollie Norwood. So I switched it around to get better tackling stats, interceptions etc like he does in real life. You could make an argument for this exact system working better with the RPM though. In the sense that all three midfielders move forward together but at different stages. Makes it almost impossible for the opposition to pick up all 3 runners, especially with the WB's and WCB's moving forward too. You have constant over/underlaps all the time coupled with movement and decoys.

Updated with Ruben Amorim 343 Sporting CP Tactical Recreation

We haven't released the post yet. Once we do, it'll be in the thread

Thanks, glad you're enjoying them