melogroovy

As always when I start getting bored I look at the "popular" tactics to see how they work. The top ranked tac on FM arena was a 4-1-3-2 that used an incredible throw in exploit which bagged me about 40% of my goals. 442 and 4141 were primarily at the top. Three at the back tacs were near the bottom. I did have a much more difficult time getting 3 at the back working in 2019 and hope that 2020 will be a little easier

Newcastle, AS Monaco and Bolton

Newcastle, AS Monaco and Bolton in that order head my list

Awesome job on this...thank you.

I'll employ Shelvey as a DLPd but it helps if he's paired with a strong BtB because he does have deficiencies in a defense role. However, watching him launch a pinpoint pass to the flank from deep is a joy.

Been toying with this as well. I've been working with Rondon up top as a PF(s), Perez as SS(a) and Almiron as AM(a). I want both to stay wider and run the channels. Hayden is a CM(d) and Shelvey as DLP(s). Interestingly, Hayden would make a fine BPD as part of the back 3. An issue with Schar is he has a PI that prevents him from bringing the ball out of the defense as he has a tendency to do.

Count me in about not keeping long-term saves. I start a save, get through a season (maybe) then fancy trying out a new formation and start the whole process all over again! I'm currently trying to get a 5221 working and rather than play as Newcastle again, I may look for another team to experiment with formation.

Work ball into box and higher tempo may be working against each other. Remove one or the other and see what effect each has.

I'd like to relegate Newcastle to the Vanarama National and promote the next team from each successive league up to and including the PL. Is this possible and how difficult would it be? I'm willing to spend some time to make it work

I'll put my very best 16-17 y/o with the senior squad to train and be mentored and then specify them to play with the u18s for 16 y/o and the 17 y/o will play with u18 and u23. Seems to work ok but I don't have a long term save yet.

To add to what others have said...lower your tempo. Give Salah a chance to work his magic off the ball. Your tempo is set very high and it doesn't give him a chance to find space, IMO.

It is essential to have "types" of players to link up play. If I have two IF, one on support and one on attack, they'll operate on the same strata offensively. However, the IF on support will track back deeper when defending, while the attacking IF will stay further forward. The IF(s) (and other support players) will bring the ball out of the defense and link with the more attacking players. PI's, as you point out, will accentuate that function.

I've been a fan of Khaloua over the last couple of versions. He doesn't seem to improve much so what you see is what you get but he is a very handy player...and the price is right.

I agree. The 19.1 ME was very predictable. My wide guy would always dally while two defenders closed him down before crossing. One on ones were always hit into the belly of the keeper. Through ball opportunities were always ignored. Now, I watch and it's like, whoa, "I didn't see that coming". The 19.2 ME has a better variety of outcomes from similar situations. Not sure if that makes sense but a big thumbs up!

I'm pretty screwed up as I fall in and out of love with formations. I wanted to play with a HB so I did a 4-3-3 wide. I got to FEB in my first season. I found a kid in JAN that would make a great TQ so I started a new season with my team so I could sign the TQ. I do that kind of thing a lot. I think in 2012 I played 6 seasons. Since then I usually only play one, get bored with the formation and players and start something and different.