frukox

I did for a while but then I moved on to the double false nine system I've longed to create. The final system, inverted for my team was: F9 WMA MEZA BBM WMA DMS FBS CDD CDD IWBS SKS F9: Mark Tighter, Close Down More MEZA: Mark Tighter, Close Down More BBM: Mark Tighter, Get Stuck In, Stay Wider, Get Further Forward, Risky Passes Left WMA: Mark Tighter, Close Down More, Stay Wider, Cut Inside Right WMA: Mark Tighter, Close Down More, Cut Inside, Roam from Position DMS: Hold Position, Risky Passes, Mark Tighter FBS: Get Forward, Mark Tighter IWBS: Mark Tighter In-possession: Shorter Passing, Dribble Less, Play Wide, Play Out of Defence, Low Crosses In-transition: Distribute to CBS, Counter-press, Counter, Take Short Kicks Out-of-possession: Defend Narrower(Invite Crosses) , Much Higher DL, Higher LOE(High Block), Stay on Feet, Play Offside Trap(Drop Off More)

Remove OI, then you'll be fine. Think about the attacking shape in transition: PFA and AFA are on the shoulder of the last defenders. SS will aggressively attack space in the final third, too. Yet, you already have two people pushing up early. As if this isn't enough, the mezzala will also attack the left half-space early. Who is going to support the attacking play here other than DLPS?

Then, first you need to change the mentality of the right WB. This should help him close down a bit further up pitch. An attack duty won't hurt here as you have a disciplined anchorman sitting in front of your defence. I wouldn't let my CBs close down opposition AMC in absence of the DM who may shift over to cover the gaps in case of a turnover during the build-up, which could cut you open more easily through the middle. Finally, your system seems to lack in depth on the left half space. One of your players should position behind them to properly support the attack and combine with WBs, the playmaker and PF. This will help you become more compact defensively and recycle possession more easily in case they run out of passing options due to bad positioning by your attackers.

I'd be more aggressive on the wings with three players dedicated to defending and you will see you will be lacking in numbers in and around the penalty area unless the players in midfield has some specific traits thus reducing the penetrative effect of your system and needlessly slowing down the build-up play. Let me show you an example: P IWS IFA MEZA RPM HB WBA BPDD CDD WBS SKS BPDD-CDD-HB Defending space WBA-WBS Reliable sources of width BPDD-HB-SKS Able to make diagonal passes from deep to bypass high blocks WBA Bombing down the left flank IWS Cutting in early to overload central areas MEZA Attacking the left half-space early and present in the box reliably RPM The heart of the system- the central bridge between defenders and attacking six IFA Pinning opposition FB early and attacking right half-space and present in the box reliably PA Pinning CBs and present in the box reliably WBs creating space for players inside PA creating space for the midfielders behind WBA-MEZA-IWS creating space on the right flank by building up play on the left flank IWS- creating space for the central players RPM- overloading any part of the pitch, creating space elsewhere HB- creating space for the players ahead of him, that is WBs and midfielders

Not bad, mate. However, I was talking about a 4-3-1-2 but anyway:) Let me see...I'd take a closer look at how your defenders defend space and whether two playmakers close to each other is beneficial to the system or not. To put it another way, they shouldn't blunt your attacking effectiveness by slowing down play too much and you can only know it by watching your transitions.

I think you can do both

1) A goalscorer role 2) A role up front to link-up play with midfielders behind him 3) A creator between midfield and strikers, like in the old Italian football 4) The left or right central midfielder getting forward to increase presence around penalty area 5) The central midfielder dedicated to protect the central channel 6) Full-backs to provide width and protect wings as it's a formation without wingers. 7) If possible, a central defender comfortable with the ball at his feet to play deep diagonals to players in front of him 8) A technical goalkeeper to ease playing out from the back as well as to play direct balls to the players up the pitch to bypass opposition high press at times Controlling games is possible with high-blocks and/or possession-style football. The better suited your players are for this style the higher chance of a successful system it has.

Great insights and an interesting set-up, mate. I'd love to see you update this with the results. I never thought about this kind of asymmetrical shapes to achieve possession-style football. Can easily be my inspiration for my future saves if it can live up to my standards.

Those dudes definitely merit this kind of formations with complete midfielders and full-backs behind. Hard to find but when you do, awwwwhh😂

I know how to set up a really good one. Love that shape, as well. You can control most of the matches with that formation easily.

4-3-3 is great for ball retention with the right roles. I'm looking forward to seeing your new system:)

What are you planning to do, then?

I always use this if it's a tight game and I'm up and never disappointed me except for odd goals coming from crosses, which is expected from this low block. I don't want to allow any long shots personally. That's why we still defend narrow. They are very strong unfortunately. Here I know they are going to throw everything at me but the kitchen sink and am willing to soak up pressure but still need a plan to get out of my own defensive third. This is the plan. It gives me lots of opportunities to close the matches in my favour. That's why I posted this.

Trying those might be useful but only you can know what you want. You're the coach, after all:)

If Endrick is the focus, then the rest of the roles should be chosen in such a way that he has enough supply and support all over the pitch. This will make sure he has time and space most of the time to put the ball into the back of the net. However, first, you need to fix a crucial problem: 4-2-3-1 is a top-heavy formation which requires two players in the middle of the park covering the central channel and keeping the pressure on the opposition by being deeper passing options thus creating depth centrally. Here CMA is busting his guts to get forward. DLPS will also move to where the ball is though a bit restricted as per his PIs. Two wing-backs are getting forward. In short, this system lacks depth and can easily be overrun, unfortunately. It needs a secure double pivot or you can move both of the players into the DM strata and be a bit more aggressive with your roles while still defending the centre properly. Then, we can talk about other possible tweaks.

Yeah, it's a good idea. I'm still optimizing my system in my only save so I don't have time to try this and please give some feedback whether the system works as expected.

@bosqueFor example, a low block trying to play through the middle where DLPD is only needed at the start of transitions to attack close to your own penalty area or in a 4-3-1-2 generally at the centre of the diamond for easing playing through the middle.

It's great to see you solve your scoring and transitioning problems. I only have one caveat left for your system. You may find space in front of opposition defence a bit limited against teams sitting deep as you committed another early attacker to your transitions. Just watch out;)

So somewhere on the pitch the way of support your midfield might be wrong as you want your main striker to score for fun because space will be created for him with a system focused on his goalscoring. Therefore, I'd consider some changes for the midfield duo as a start.

You already have three players behind so it's less risky to play him further up the pitch because he will act as the fulcrum of the team influencing attacking plays with late runs and dictate the game from deeper areas of the pitch which will give you more support in the middle of the park.

Do you notice how deep your DLPD is? He is just sitting in front of the backline while watching the game from the front seat:) I think you need him higher up the pitch for a smoother transition.

No, you don't need to consider your players as incapable. They can play it to some extent anyway. For example, this is my see-out-the-match version of my only save: What do you see? An extremely compact narrow and aggressive low block to hit teams on the counter with fluid sane attacks. In possession, the team is trying to progress to the final third through the middle moving up the pitch all together without any hollywood-style passes while doing this with a bit of haste and time-wasting when possible.

I also do this kind of stuff if I don't go for an all-in-one approach like Cleon. Let me give you an example: Imagine I am playing against a 3-4-2-1. The only formation I can match them and outplay them truly is 4-4-2 narrow diamond. How? They have 3 defenders; I have two forwards. They have one forward; I have two defenders. I always have an extra player to press and defend better. My only caveat would be to know how to distribute roles and duties in accordance with your tactical style and your players. Remember they don't have to be perfect. I safely play a left-footed inside forward as a full-back or a wing-back as long as he has what I need from him, e.g. speed, diligence and passing ability as well as a slight will to get stuck in when needed. Here, the number 5 can play the ball to the DM to bypass the press even if the opposition WB comes out to press the number 3. Then, it gives us a clear way to start a perfect attack.

Great post, mate! Well-written

Ok. Have it your way, no hard feelings but you're right. Watching transitions and working out how all these things related to a tactical system come together in the ME is definitely the best way to learn this game. Looking forward to seeing your new system, then.