SixPointer

Great start in catalonia

What a great escape! I think the big Uruguayan was a key signing, along with the Keeper both seemed to straighten out the previous poor defensive displays.

I watched the game before Chelsea against Ajax also. Helps me get an idea of things to counteract. As always you need to look at into context. Both those opponents are stronger than us so there would be slight differences in how they play against us. But overall it helps me see the patterns of play, there positional shapes, who’s making the key passes, who’s the big threats etc

Two good examples that show the wide man in the new approach and how his play varies. In both examples Mattsson is originally stretching the play, in the first clip in deeper build up he plays a 1/2 then fires a killer through ball for the CM to latch onto and finish. The second clip shows him later on in the attacking phase when he comes in from stretching play to link with the CM, and getting behind and really should score. I was worried about dropping them back into the ML/MR slot after you said you had toiled to get much output, but so far between the two players they have notched up 5 assists in the last two games. Perhaps because I play a slightly shorter style of play it's allowing them time to transition into the attacking phase? while your slightly more counter/exploit space plan meant they were being bypassed? will be interesting to see how things have fared for you since you moved them forward a notc

This certainly makes things a lot harder, club captain and rock solid CB out of the big game. Young Staal has had a phenomenal breakout season so will get his chance in the final. Chelsea needed extra time to get past Feyenoord, fortunately for us the game came three days before the cup final. Tired legs for our much powerful neighbours is certainly an issue and I will be looking to keep the pace of the game fast and expose that weakness. A crucial blow for them, Marcos Leonardo picked up an injury, the lethal forward will sit out the KNVB final which is a massive boost for us, especially with Nagalo sitting out.

They do have Ajax, then Chelsea in the Europa league before hand. So I’ll be watching both games to get my game-plan together! Hopefully the tired legs can help us!

It’s going to be a big ask! I haven’t beaten them yet! Works been mad busy today so I’ve not had time to play. But I should have some time to play the month tomorrow!

Yeah I also have the same. Hasenhutl is right footed and plays on the right. And Hojer left and plays on the left. it really is a sublime pass though and like you say the vision is immense

We have said for a while although we have different tactical philosophies we do share a lot of the same ideals. Interesting to see you shift the wide men to the AM slots, I done the opposite and I’ve got some nice screenshots and clips saved up for you for the end of the month report. I’ll post one example in here tomorrow. The pass from the IWB is phenomenal for that goal, another area that my new shape has had a positive impact. I also use right footed ones as well I think it’s offers better progression in the half space and I leave my DMC for switches of play. Very good month and sad to see the unbeaten record (outside Zenit) go, especially on a rotation squad call, I know you’ll be kicking yourself for that but in the long run it will help, plus that’s how I lost against Vitesse I done the opposite and my players ran out of steam. So I still think it’s wise even though you lost! In terms of your man management, I praise or criticise, or fine after every game for everyone who plays. Within reason of course and I pick on what areas they done well and poor on, I’ve never read as much into it as you tho and used it mainly for morale much like team meetings, so I have no idea the effect. Except for one time when my club captain said he responded well to the discipline (screenshot tomorrow) determination certainly improves on the right kind of people. Also Howedes is seen as a strict disciplinarian.

Very nice progression in the save! And already racking up your steps through the mountains, and bagging a few trophies and some vital European football success. Intrigued to see if you can restore the greens to there former glory.

So far so good, we are suffocating them high up and forcing them long over the press. I have 3 players in the two CB’s and the right back all very strong in the air, with the DMC picking up second balls. My opponents hasn’t scored from any of there long shots in the last 5 games but have hit 12 shots from outside the box. Will be interesting to see how it fairs against the bigger sides, Vitesse got the result but it was a poor game from both teams. The main success behind the system is fact it has offered a solid solution against the 4-2-3-1 where we are essentially man for man, blocking balls into the double pivot with the AMC pairing has proved very effective.

Liking the new shape, very balanced. The CM(a) can prove to be lethal! Also I’ve fell in love with with IF(a) a role I used to be extremely frustrated with in the past, I now see those runs in behind fullbacks or between CB,FB in the channel. Intrigued to what metrics you chose to rate the wide men, i have really only went of there out put, assists and goals.

Tough one to swallow being 2 up against Feyenoord! if you feel the player is being wasteful at times, could you not add shoots less often. Hopefully that would curtail the waste, if he’s 1v1 after a third man run he will still have a pop but he may not waste it if he feels he can’t actually score. It’s not something I’ve used before but maybe worth some trial and error. frustrating that a player shaped at the club in the youth ranks isn’t familiar with playing a role he has been taught for many years, I would consider that a bug to be honest.

I’m 100% on you with concentration and decisions when fatigue. That’s why now when I get into a lead and spy the opponent working us out, I shift to a slightly more relaxed style and then wear them down with possession. I’m playing on attacking mentality and too play at that intensity for 80 minutes before shutting up shop is a big ask. I’ve also come to the conclusion that tactical familiarity plays a huge factor, and I came upon this from watching city fold like a deck of cards against Real Madrid, asking my players to go from fluid positional/total football, to park the bus is a big ask. I have to be wise in my decisions when it comes to game manager. This also applies to what I do instructions wise, it’s pointless going to a narrow compact block if my opponents are deadly down the flanks, I have to be dynamic in the approach. Just in the same way my game-plan is from the offset after the scout report. The game is ever changing and I need to match the AI. It’s actually opened up a lot more fun tactics as now am even more invested in every highlight. I could have opted for SS, but while I want them running in behind I still want them to be a hybrid of a 8/10. Not a 9/10 hybrid that was my thought process. I originally went for a flat 4 but there was no room for IWB’s. So far the wide men have had mixed games, I like how they start deeper and they do stretch play, they are essentially a decoy for creating space, But the fact they are more attacking in the other shape again gives me that variation, without ruining the whole philosophy. I’ll need to monitor it tho as I can see why you did have an issue. Batu has been a revelation, Mijnans is still finding his feet after a bad injury, if both come onto song at the same time it will be the deadly midfield i desire. I feel I can’t afford to drop any more points if I’m to win the league this season, but top three provides a shot at the UCL. The big one is the KNVB Rotterdam derby special. I’ve yet to get the better of Arne Slot (came close a few times) there wouldn’t be a better time to get it spot on.

March 2025 A much better month, so close to being perfect, and am happy to report not one single goal conceded beyond the 80th minute. The curse is broken, being more pragmatic and less stubborn, proving decisive. Four goals of real quality at the Limburg stadion, the third goal from the lethal IF is the pick of the bunch. A role I once found so frustrating is playing exactly how I want it to now, perfect run after nice build up play. You would forgive someone for thinking they were crazy by changing the system for the very next game but that's what I did. The conductor, now tweaked & tuned and the early signs are promising as we battered GAE, 0 shots on target against and an XG of 3.56 makes for great reading and each end of the pitch. Had we taken more of our chances it would have been perfect, which leads nicely to Willem II. Complete performance, everything went exactly to plan, four well worked goals, even weathering a late push from the away side. Baturina with 2 assists and 2 goals and a 10/10 performances, proving to be great business so far for the Croat, so much so that Leipzig are showing an interest, so I moved to sign him on a new deal. After taking care of FC Utrecht we are rewarded with a colossal Rotterdam derby! The Utrecht game was not as clear cut as the previous two, as late on we came under pressure but I'm pleased to say we handled it and then actually sealed the game with our second goal, last month I feel we would have collapsed. Now it's really time to dream of some silverware... The Vitesse game is the only negative this month, a poor match in every sense. Away side dominated the early stages, before a few changes at halftime brought us back into the game. A home loss is never good, especially conceding from a set play (another pet hate). A result which I do have to take a large portion of blame for as I perhaps pushed a few players' legs to the limit, as I tried to use the form to drive a result. Eredivisie Table Three points of our bitter city rivals, they do have a game in hand. The loss to Vitesse makes a dent in our hopes, and again we fail to fully capitalise on our rivals slipping up. Six games to go and it's still wide open, any of the top four could win this. The goal difference this year i really have to be proud of, i know i'm upset about the goals late on but its only because they are late and in crucial moments, we have also only scored two goals less that we did in total last season. Tactical Shift The conductor takes a slight shape adjustment, enough that it's given it a new feel and a cutting edge. Still a 4-3-3 in form, which stops us devianting to much from the overall formation but gives us that variation. The free 8's are moved into the AMC slot, the IW's move back into the midfield strata giving us a sort of xmas tree shape. The striker becomes a false 9, the DM becomes an actual DM. In possession the shape now resembles a better form of a 2-3-5, the 8's moving up creates more space for the IWB''s to advance into making a better line of three. The IW's are really pleased with it as they now act the way I want in this system, stretching play and opening up the channels for the IWB & 8's but cutting in later on in the attack to become goal threats. The False 9 rotating with the 8's makes for a very fluid central front three (all are asked to move into channels), with the movement causing havoc on CB's shape. Out of Possession the team defends in a 4-1-4-1, one of the main reasons i feel things have gotten a lot tighter at the back, a compact shape with two banks of four to play through gives us that added protection needed, with the IWB and DMC in good positions to stop the quick counter in the transition phase. Changing the role in the number six has been coming for a long time, a regista with two free 8's was gung ho, on my part i fell to into the trap of the Condutor (no6) being a sublime playmaker. When in reality I didn't see many defence splitting passes or switches of play, nor did i need it, i need someone keeping the game ticking over and linking everything and from Verbeek's numbers moving the 8's up have given him more space to make this happen. Perhaps the Regista would have benefited from this but after reading the roles I feel am settled now. Now the DMC gives me more of what I really need, the in-game description covers it perfectly. I want him to be neat and tidy on the ball especially in the transition, as we look to regain our attacking shape. He must also recognize the danger along with his IWB who initially will be positioned beside him before we recover into our shape. The easiest way to describe the change, ive went from a Pirlo type to a Fabinho/Fernandinho type. shape.mp4 Against Willem II you can see how wide the inverted wingers are in possession, compared to how narrow they become when out of possession. Ideal for teams who like to dominate the middle of the pitch, we stretch them when we have the ball making the pitch as big as possible, then in defence we narrow and suffocate the central dominance and send them down our sides. Three pass maps from the new shape, good pattern of passing, plenty of options, diamonds and triangles across all three. Slight variation but of course that can come down to opponent, the wingers are wide the 8's are in the channels either side of the F9, IWB are narrow and crucially the DMC is in the middle linking everything and Conducting the play, not with lavish passes or wasting the ball just knitting everything together nicely. I now feel the conductor is very much tweaked and given that specialisation that the salida received, now offering something different from salida while sticking to the core principles and game plans, just enough variation to keep our opponent from working out our attacking patterns and positions. Off all the goals i've chosen this one to highlight the changes best, although if you look closely at the four goals in the Willem II highlights, you can see the IT's stretching the back line to open the channels as well as the midfield three (IWB-DMC-IWB) recycling play and making things happen. Here though, wide men stretch the play keeping the full backs wide for as long as possible, opening up space for the central players. The ball is worked from CB to AMC who drops it into the DMC before moving into the space vacated from the F9 dropping to receive the ball from the IWB, the AMCL, drifts in and then out of the space left by the F9, too attract the attention of the CB which drags him out the way for his fellow AMC to exploit the space and score.

They are the feeder club in the trio 🤣 well I want them to become tht as we look to become as powerful as the big mob

I’m glad to hear that! It’s the beauty of the community! thank you very much! I really appreciate that feedback and glad your enjoying it. Makes the effort worthwhile. Should be an update out tomorrow latest. Thanks again

I think we are in with a similar chance as last year. We are scoring more goals which is a big positive as it’s been a weakness previously, but clearly the conceding in big games is an issue. Thanks very much for the input, I like the mention of balanced mentality . I’ve played the next month and it’s something I’ve utilised once getting into a comfortable lead. Until then I’ve very much tried to beat my opponent to a pulp and just carry on. But I’ve tried to look at it more realistically and once I notice the opponent has changed to deal with the threat I drop it down a gear or two. That way we don’t burn out also it give me a chance to crank it up again once the opponent settles. I’ve tried a few of the other things you mentioned as well. I think one of my issues is I’m looking for that one perfect solution to the problem, the reality is, although it’s a pattern football is dynamic and one game may need one thing while another needs another. So i need to stop being stubborn and be more pragmatic towards it. you made good points, slowing the game down seems to be key, but I think your spot on about being over cautions and welcoming to much pressure. Especially when My team is used forcing the issues, this is we’re tactical familiarity comes into play, something I had totally overlooked. Case and point Man City as you mention. City don’t know how to play in a low block as they don’t use it, so I have to use my real life knowledge and apply it to the game. As a CM I hated late one when the back four would drop so deep and leave me chasing shadows and welcoming pressure. Thanks for the input really gives me a lot to add to my workings, trying to kill the curse is not easy but I feel with advice like this it’s only going to get better.

Early seasons silverware is always nice. Well i couldn’t want you to qualify more, even if tried harder! Take the Rotten side of Rotterdam out please. I like the trainer planner, I found it useful for working out what gets hit in what sessions when coming up with my morphocycle!

Few tough results to take! Losing the unbeaten run the game before the biggest game of the season had a very lasting effect on your players. How do the remaining fixtures compare?

Match practice for me is vital, especially in my tactical periodisation model, I see it as being the best session for matching the highest intensity day. Along with being the 11v11 type of session spoken about on that day, and the fact it’s a match preparation session makes it ideal for tactical periodisation.

Nope it can’t be cause I press to much. This was the first thing i started to alter, for the said reasons. because I have tried from 70 minutes lowering the press, I’ve went to shutting up shop. It’s happened with a rotated team with fresher legs then the opponent. I honestly have tried everything I can really think off, without starting a whole new tactical ideal. I’ve went to a 451, Standard DL, lower LOE, defend narrow to make us compact.

February 2025 Solid month,which should have been perfect, had it not been for the late goal curse (yes it's a curse now) that has plagued Howedes' men this season.The big positive this time around, we managed to hold off Ajax's comeback and advanced into the semi of the KNVB Beker! The FC Twente game fooled me into believing I had solved my late goal issue, a surge in momentum led them to pulling a goal back. I however took action and the adjustments actually led us to creating a few chances and taking back control of the match. Armed with my new found knowledge when sitting comfortably at 3-1 after going behind early, i thought yes we have this under control, well as you can see i was totally wrong. The result takes the gloss of a Mijnans hatrick and some wonderful attacking football, excellent third man run for the equaliser assisted by Baturina, his CM partner from the overloaded side. A goal on 79, and a killer blow to our title hopes on 85 minutes as PSV levelled. Notice Axel losing Cody Gakpo at the back post, from my tactics you can see here i made every effort to nullify his threat. A NFB, Man marking PI & OI, closing down of Sambo(crosser). Which makes it all even more frustrating as three points slip yet again in a huge game, that we dominated. A partial rotation to the squad for the big cup tie, which saw a drab first half, come to life in the second. I have to pay homage to @GIMN, whose Sassuolo tactic certainly gave huge inspiration, that saw us race into a three goal, again, against the Dutch powerhouse. In the second half I went to a flat 433, and Mattsson on the left of the front line ran wild. Setting up the first, a sublime move, from recovery of the ball by the DM and 4 passes later, that third man run is released in behind to finish. He then bagged himself a brace finishing off a nice move down the left, and then exploiting the space left by Ajax being sucked into an overload on the right. Switching to a flat front three allowed us to press Ajax’s back three intensely coupled with man marking the double pivot, forcing them to go longer, the back four dominated in the air. The game plan looked bulletproof, until 82 minutes when it looked like lightning would strike twice, however this time we were more determined and saw the game out, albeit in a very nervy fashion. The flat midfield three was utilised again against FC Utrecht. The passing shape that it's forming is really giving me a lot to ponder, 6 diamonds perfectly formed across the pitch, and many more diamonds, gives the ball carrier a minimum of three options which is vital in ball circulation and progression. Like I said previously, I'm very happy with the Salida shape, but this revelation makes me keen to work on Trident and Conductor. Both are good systems but I feel they lack that clear direction. Salida i know exactly what i want when i want and how to use it, these two could do with being advanced slightly to that level. Controlled the game for large parts of the first half and second half, and at half time the shackles came off and the breakthrough came. Yet again a late goal threatened to spoil our hard work but we did just about enough to ward off the late pressure and bag a huge three points in the league. The nail in the preverbal coffin returned against Fortuna, this time it would cost us. The late goal show goes on and now everyone understands why I'm convinced it's a curse, the same patern evloves no matter what i do. We controlled the game, creating the best chances up until the 84th minute. A break down our left is just defended shambolically and now i don't even consider tactics cause i've tried a number of things and nothing seems to work, am putting it down to the player's character and the CURSE. Staying the same and changing nothing and trying to carry on with the momentum Slowing the game down, keeping the ball (lower tempo, narrow width, shorter passing) Lowering the lines and staying in shape (Lower LOE & DL, lower pressing, stay on feet, defend narrow) Time wasting. Adding defensive roles, playing double pivot, dropping wingers.. A combination of all changes A really have done it all, and perhaps the issue is that I'm so wary of the threat, that it's causing me more problems as I am always looking to solve them. Fitness and concentration certainly could be a factor but often we are still in good shape and concentration isn't a real low point within the makeup of the team. Going forward is a case of scoring enough goals beforehand to cover the threat late on. 5 of the 8 goals we conceded this month have come beyond 80 minutes, that's an incredible 62.5% of the goals conceded, I am at my wits end with it and am very close to accepting the fact we are just terrible in the last 10 minutes, but my quest to stop it can't end if we are to become the best version of Sparta Rotterdam! Simple question from a journalist and Howedes answer is just as simple, if i knew why it was happening (it's a curse) i would stop it happening no? Therefore it's a curse at the end of the story. (storms out) Eredivisie Table 6 points off the lead, cements how crucial these late goals are proving to be. Drawn six games and of those six, four have been late equalisers, costing a total of 8 points which would see us sit at the summit. Add into the fact that two of those draws were against PSV and Ajax who rival us at the top end, and it's really tough to take. The table is beginning to bunch up at the top, even goal difference is starting to come closer together, and everyone in the top five dropped points. Feynoord lost, as did PSV and we failed to capitalise. The main thing is even with those fine margins going against us we are still in the battle and if we can solve the issue (curse) we will really step it up to the big three. KNVB Beker Semi Final Draw Avoiding our neighbours was a massive boost in the quest for the cup, our record against them alone is enough to dent any hopes, never mind their quality. Is the Rotterdam derby another curse? . The away tie to FC Utrecht will pose enough of an obstacle itself, but it's now getting into those championship rounds and the Sparta faithful are beginning to dream as is Benedikt Howedes.

I’m not sure about Ben, but for me personally the first step has to be a clear idea of what your tactical ideals are, then you need to narrow it down to what you want from the player in the position you are recruiting. I then note down the kind of player I need for my the position and then set about finding someone who meets my requirements. Now that Ben and Shrew have got me looking more into the stats (used to only look at goals and assists) I used things like key pass for midfield, heading for my CB’s and XG vs Goals for strikers and so on.

What a famous result against Bayern!