melogroovy

I really like this point. I've been experimenting a CMa (or s) and CMs (or) d combo in midfield because I can use their individual attributes, with or without PIs, too a better benefit for my team rather than, say, as a BtB and DLP combo.

I keep a standard def line with an attacking mentality. What I do switch is my line of engagement. If I want to go defensive, I compress my midfield by dropping the line of engagement from standard. I'm playing Newcastle with a 541, btw. With previous versions I used to set up an attacking, balanced and defensive tactic and choose which one to play to start the match. Now I just have my base tactic and work off of that to start the game. I don't make in game adjustments based on how the opponent is playing but I do make adjustments based on how I want to play my opponent largely dependent on if I'm superior, equal or inferior.

Mid December in my Toon save. No transfers first window. The club has been taken over by a Greek businessman. He hasn't invested much as I've just been given a 20M kitty. Shelvey, Saivet, Colback and Krafth are being shipped out and I'm bringing in Fran Beltran for 16M. I'm playing 541, have lost 4 out of my last six games and currently sit 9th on 22 points after 16 games. My plan is too switch to a 424 wide for next season.

There is more to the game than just tactics. How are the players "feeling" coming off their last game or run of games? Are heads dropping or are they overconfident? What do you say in the pregame presser? Do you challenge the players before the game? What do you say at the half? I don't leave these to my AssMan because they do make a difference with the result of the game. I've experimented over the years with different types of teams and the way I approached my team talks with them. Some teams you have to challenge against a weaker opponent. Some teams need to coddled through a poor patch until you can squeeze one or two good draws out of them before they start winning games again. Man management isn't a HUGE component of winning in the game but it surely is a component of your overall success.

Newcastle spunking ~40M for Joelinton...why, why, why!

Classic example of why I love this game: I'm Newcastle, home to Wolves 3rd game of 1st season. I'm down 1-2 as I put the pressure on from the 70th minute on I hit woodwork twice and have a goal dribble away from Patricio and sit on the line before he lunges back and holds it. I figure there is no way to rescue a point and am resigned to a loss. 3rd minute of injury time and a blocked shot falls to St Maximin and he tucks it in the far post for the draw.

Played the Toon in Beta. I made some purchases and sales and squeaked into 7th on the last game. When Liverpool beat Bournemouth in the FA cup I secured Europa League. I decided to start anew with no transfers in the first window.

I play 3-4-3 with Newcastle. Joelinton up top as PFa, St Maximin at LW as IWs and Almiron as IFa. I start game with one of 3 mentalities: attacking, balanced and cautious (with appropriate TIs). My wide guys, on the break, never pass back to the other onrushing players but will always go side net. However, when my BTB gets into the box with the ball he'll drive to the byline then cut the ball back for an easy tap in. It's a thing of beauty. Of course if my wide players did that I'd be scoring 5-6 goals every game!

Marin Pongracic is a solid, well rounded BPD that can be bought for under 20M

OK, changed my mind. Newcastle first, then I want to do a Bundesliga 1 team where I'm just coach and rely on my DoF and youth to build the squad. I still want to do Bolton, am intrigued with Larne and of course a good ol' meandering journeyman save.

That's cool. As long as I know a low DET player can be mentored up this issue is a lot more palatable.

Beta always seems to have wonky transfers, IIRC. It's usually very easy to snap up young talent cheap. That gets sorted with official release though.

The Longstaff brothers, each with DET of 5 or less, kind of dictates a restart. For me, beta is always for experimenting and scouting . I have a good tactic and I've targeted a couple of key players to fill new roles so I'm good to go. Even with the changes I've made in game, Newcastle are 7th with 8 games to go.

Interesting stuff. I started my Newcastle save last nite with a very similar set up. Like you, I want my AMCL Almiron and my AMR StMaximin to play the same way but have not quite identified how I want to play Joelinton. Also my midfield two has yet to be hashed out. I'm thinking of S Longstaff as a B2B and Hayden as a CMd but am also toying with playing Longstaff with Shelvey as a DLPs Will be following this.

DON'T PLAY WITH MY HEART THAT WAY HUNT3R