Managing teams like Man Utd, Barcelona, Real Madrid, etc... I'm flamboyant with tactics, because the players are there to do pull off all the fancy movement and tricks.
With a team like Granada CF, I keep things more basic and simple. Post #8 shows the basic shapes I recommend, with the players available at Granada CF. In each of the formation images, you'll also see the player roles assigned.
As for team instructions, as per the following:
Balanced/Standard with now specific tweaks to any of the other settings. That's something that I'll do during matches, based on what's happening during matches. It's also the hardest thing to explain, other than to say that observation is important.
I tend to have a variety of the match statistics widgits open during matches, so I can see how players are performing and observe how both teams are performing. If my team is under pressure, then I may get them to sit back a little and counter-attack, "get the ball forward" and "pass into space" - because if the opponents are pushing forward heavily, then there's a chance of catching them on the break. Just one example.
I'll also keep an eye on opposition player ratings and morale, because if there's a player or two not performing well, I'll utilise opposition instructions to close down or tackle harder, putting them under more pressure.
In this particular save and in the first season, I've mainly alternated between the 4-2-3-1 with 2x MC's and the 4-2-3-1 with 2x DMC's. The former I tend to deploy against teams who don't utilise AMC's, the latter against teams who do.
Late in games if I'm losing or drawing, I'm not afraid to go for broke and throw everything forward. All out attack, taking more risks and getting the ball to forwards as quickly as possible. More than a few times during the season, this gained points with a late equaliser or winner in the dying moments of games.
Sometimes though, it was a case of grinding out results. Sitting back, soaking up pressure, frustrating better quality opponents and looking to exploit them on the counter. I often see many people on the forums complain at losing to teams where they've dominated possession, had countless chances, yet lost to a team that's had one or two chances. Well, it works both ways and we can do it too!
Finally, attention to detail. One advantage I have with this squad of players, is I know what the best roles are for them very well indeed. I did do the research for them, after all. Utilise the information available to you though, as with the different screens, you are able to see highlighted attributes for each position and role. Use a "hand in glove" approach, fitting the right player attributes with the right roles. For example, whilst I keep it simple in the centre of midfield to keep the shape of the team compact, if I introduce a more creative player like Fran Rico in the middle, I'll use him in a role that suits his attributes best - MC or DMC "Deep-lying playmaker" Support.
Making sure you use the most suitable roles for each player, generally gets the best performances out of them.
One more thing... it took me about three weeks on and off, to play through that season. Not as much time to play FM as I used to, but when I play a run of matches, I pay a lot of attention to detail. If I rushed through seasons, I can guarantee 100% that I wouldn't do as well as I have so far in this save.
Team-talks can be one of the more frustrating parts of the game. My best advice, is to hire an assistant manager with 18+ motivating, then ask their advice or let them do it.
What I quite like in FM13 though, is getting an assistant to give the "main" team-talk, but then still have the option to do use defence, midfield, attack talks, or individual player talks. For these, irrespective of what the assistant has chosen for the "main" team-talk, I often add a calm or passionate talk with the defence, midfield, attack.
If the assistant manager talk has done well for morale, then I'll simply look at two or three individual players I can give a pep-talk. Most often, I'll choose a calm/passionate "I have faith" type approach.
At half-time or full-time, I'm not frightened of a few harsh words, if the team are doing badly. Then I'll use an assertive/angry "where's your pride" type approach.
I don't vary from these methods and they seem to serve me well. I might get the odd player reacting badly, but if that happens, I'll sometimes look at a private chat. Silly as it sounds, when I do that, I look at what some might consider lesser options, such as asking their opinion on potential signings and suchlike. Not contentious and sometimes results in a little boost in morale for the player.
