[Defending against 4-2-3-1]

6 hours ago, Experienced Defender said:

Look primarily at attributes. 

 

Speaking of the midfield trio in a 4123 wide, the most common principle is to have one holder (in DM position), one covering midfielder and one runner. One of this can be a creator in addition (usually a playmaker).

Now let me give you a couple of examples so that you could understand what I mean:

BWMsu       CMat

DMde

In this example DM is the holder, BWM is the covering midfielder and CM on attack duty is the runner. As you can see, here we do not use a creator among the midfield three.

Now an example involving a creator:

DLPsu     CMat

DMde

Simply, the BWM is replaced by a DLP, so we now have both the covering midfielder and creator in one single role. The other 2 are the same as in the first example.

A third example could be this:

CAR     MEZat

DLPde

Here our holding midfielder is at the same time a creator (DLP), the carrilero is the covering midfielder whereas the mezzala is the runner (and a roaming and creative one at that).

Of course, there are other possible setups, but those sketched out above should hopefully help you understand some basic principles.

NOTE: None of these will work if the rest of your setup is not designed properly, so you need to pay attention to everything. Balance is key.

Thanks for that. It's slowly getting there.

 

Ive switched to include a DM defending but was unsure on the midfield in front of him.

I've not played FM since FM 18 so it's somewhat of a learning curve again. 

 

It seems to be the Cm Att I've been missing to link up the play.

 

Cheers again I'll post an update in a few weeks if I manage to survive relegation (and the subsequent sacking lol) 

[Pressing Forwards]

On 14/06/2020 at 14:31, toffee71 said:

DCL (Dominic Calvert Lewin) can become top class with some nurturing, he scores, assists, I never sell him, and he a consistent performer, though needs encouraging in teamtalks sometimes. I use him mostly as a PF(s) though 2 of my tactics have him as PF(d) and I love him in the (d) role because of his workrate, and always paired with poacher.

Trying super hard to sign him on my Leeds save. Ideally what I need is to well above Everton this season

[FM20: Leeds Utd - On the way up!!!]

On 13/06/2020 at 13:30, Heredane said:

Guys, 

how to keep Nohan Kenneh in the club? As soon as I start Newcastle offers him contract that he always accepts and immediately goes there.. 

is there any hint how to prevent it? 

Happened to me as well. Personally I let it go and concentrated on ensuring the likes of Edmunson, Bogarv etc all had a decent few years on their contracts before sending them out for loan experience

[Defending against 4-2-3-1]

1 hour ago, Experienced Defender said:

Okay, but in which formation? Because different principles apply to the (optimally balanced) 4123 and (top heavy) 4231.

In all honesty I thought I had it nailed but seems to just be first season success. Both formations guidance would be helpful. I guess the 4-1-2-3 initially. 

 

How do you judge role suitability (via player attributes or the green circle suggested by the game)?

A combo of the two. I get that the green circle is familiarity & its also based on attributes

 

[Defending against 4-2-3-1]

The central midfield role pairing. 

My wide men are pretty fluid in terms of role suitability. 

 

I'm guessing that a 4123 will be harder to break down against stronger teams

[Defending against 4-2-3-1]

This is super frustrating. I'd switched Kalvin to CM on defend but perhaps that was an in match before work... 

 

So a box to box and deep play maker might work? Then switch them to a defend deep playmaker if I'm facing a far superior team? 

[Defending against 4-2-3-1]

based on some of the feedback above

• ive pulled in the defensive line as well as the line of engagement so that we are more compact.
• added a holding midfield player as well as a defensive midfielder. My wide men are currently being coached towards the inside wingers role.

in terms of mentality i switched to cautious and only went to positive for small periods. Should i be looking to bring on a second defensive Mid if the opposition switches to "very attacking"... Grealish was phenomenal for Villa and despite leading 2 nil i managed to walk away with a 3-2 victory

[Defending against 4-2-3-1]

10 minutes ago, Experienced Defender said:

so fortunately ive held on to Kalvin Phillips. At the moment he is the most suitable candidate for a holding midfielder aside from a young italian Pogeba from Milan. I've been trying to tweek it based on the feedback from the Assistant Manager after games but i think i just need to accept that as a freshly promoted side its going to be impossible to continue that attacking short passing game that i had success with in the championship.

 

1. What style of football are you looking to play with this team?

it needed to be attacking to forfill the board expectations but im going to go out on a limb and say that remaining in the premier league is a more important criteria

2. Do you insist on the 4231 formation or it could be something else?

no it dosnt need to be. Ive Costa, Bamba & a freshly signed Pedrinho who are comfortable of playing wide attacking positions.  Additionally i picked up a cheap TM support in case in a bid to get ahead of the curve if i faced difficulty and needed to change perspectives

Originally i brought Pedrinho in to fill the AMC role but hes performing better out wide. I have a good midfield depth so a formation change is manageable

 

[Defending against 4-2-3-1]

14 hours ago, Experienced Defender said:

We need to see the whole tactic, ideally via a screenshot of it.

ive uploaded one. Any help greatfully recieved ive struggled to commit to a tactic since promotion. Suddenly im a small fish in a big pond and can no longer pretty football my way to success without a few seasons of transfers

[Defending against 4-2-3-1]

[Defending against 4-2-3-1]

Ladies and Gents, 

I'm playing as a recently promoted Leeds United. Currently stewing on a night shift at work after this evenings few games played. 

 

Now I'm aware that me bringing in 7 players (depth & prem worthy transfers for the aging players) has had an effect on my consistency and it'll take a few months for the squad to settle.

 

However.... 

I'm currently getting turned over by the top 10 teams who are all playing the attacking

4-2-3-1..

 

I've tried adjusting mentality to cautious as well as switching to a counter attacking tactic I had some success with last year in the championship... 

 

Any advice would be great. 

 

Traditionally I line up as a

 

4-2-3-1 and focus on short high temp passing

What do I need to do differently? I appreciate its a learning curve team wise... And even a few months in I'm sitting lower mid table with a healthy ish point buffer. I just hate getting beat badly 😂

If anyone could suggest a tactic or advice it'd be awesome