Accrington tactical help

[jamos316]

Hi all,

I have just started a save with Accrington Stanley predicted to finish 24th in League 2. My aim to get them in the Premiership, don't worry I am not expecting this to happen in 3 seasons. I reckon at reasonable time to set myself is 6/7 seasons. Have a lot of work ahead of me!

I have not got a good understanding of tactics and have always in the past only managed Spurs where it is pretty easy to win matches with their great attacking midfielders. As Accrington haven't got that and are tipped to lose pretty much every match they come up against I guess I should be looking to start every game with a defensive tactic with my biggest aim to stop any balls getting past my defence.

I have created 3 tactics in which I would like your opinions on and ways I can improve the tactic or suggest a tactic which will be better for me. I will tell my philosophy behind the tactic I created.

What I am unsure of is should I setup a tactic that is symmetrical & basically kinda makes sense or base it around the players I have not worrying if it isn't symmetrical and looks odd? If you think I should base it on my players then how do I do it with a team like Accrington as they don’t really have any good stand out players like you do in the premiership.

First up is a 4-1DM-4-1AM striker-less formation, I am thinking more along the lines of this formation to be solid defensively but when in possession hit them on the counter hard. At the moment I am think this will be my main tactic to start games.

Formation: http://gyazo.com/a392120d5c671868fa62802b68114aa8

Team Instructions : http://gyazo.com/34c3427244514bb9a3738d482980965c

My thinking is that setting my right back position to limited full back will make the player be more of a limited defender than a full back and help out the center of defence, I have set the position to sit narrower. Just above here sits a wide midfielder on defend duty to cover when the limited full back drifts more into the center to help out.

On the other side it is a fullback on attack and above is a winger on attack. This left side will be the main source of counter attacking and I have set in my team to exploit the left. I am guessing that when the left full back darts forward the right limited defender will join the middle to form a solid 3 at the back.

The deep-lying playmaker is set to defend, he will drop to help out the defensive midfielder whilst still finding the attacking pass to start the counter.

The box to box midfielder while drop with the defensive midfielder when team is defending and be a attacking midfielder when attacking.

I wanted an AMC instead of a striker as I feel he will then be available to receive more passes from the midfield and dart forward when either have the ball or the team is attacking.

I have set the left side (fullback & winger) to both use more risky passes to try also the box to box midfielder and shadow striker will do this. The deep-lying playmaker will pass more directly.

Second is a 5-4-1 formation which will be more defensive for when we are up against the top teams. I want to instruct the team to defend, defend, defend and not worry to much about attacking unless it comes our way.

Formation: http://gyazo.com/68ba51c8674c395042c2a6ac18bb0e59

Team Instructions: http://gyazo.com/2dd336359893c2851d1bee0291ef2ff1

I think it is best to instruct them to take their time on the ball, play out of defence and work the ball in the box along with retain possession and shorter passing. I don't want the to do anything stupid so stand off opponents and stay on feet is instructed.

Finally I have a general 4-4-2 formation which is designed to give a good balance of attack and defence. I would like to use this in matches where I think I stand a chance of winning.

Formation: http://gyazo.com/bffd1cb570c9c1ca1b033747fb93bb61

I haven't set any team instructions for this tactic.