help me win in the league for the first time in 5 different saves with argyle

[Wavelberry]

Sweeper keeper and push them up? Early doors this FM that was happening to me all the time. Managed to negate it by having my keeper being a bit more proactive.

[green and white barmy army]

would that only work if the keepers have decent pace or can it work if their slow?

[FMunderachiever]

END OF SEASON 1 - LAST THIRD OF SEASON COLLAPSE RUINS PROMISING SEASON

It was all going so well. A win in early February at Home Park vs Blackburn had moved us to 8th in the table, and within 2 points of the playoffs.

What happened then could only be described as a total collapse, winning only one league game in the remainder of the season.

Some of that was my fault, reacting to our situation tactically with too many changes when things started going wrong. I had been switching between the 433 counter formation and the 442/4411, but the confidence was so low no one was buying into the ideas. I believe there was a definite feeling of being safe which then put the players into a comfort zone. In particular, the defending went completely out of the window.

It meant we finished the season in a solid, non relegation threatened, but disappointing 17th position at the end of season 1:

SEASON 2 - THE BEGINNING

I want to change our tactical focus from that of a team looking to steal points, to one that can keep the ball better and that can start to dominate in some games. I feel like a change of formation to a 4411 or 442 will pay dividends to allow us to be more creative, and to give us a more solid shape.

I had identified what I believed to be a few weaknesses in the squad in season 1, and looked to act on those in the transfer window.

First of all, the two full back positions, I felt I had a lack of quality and lack of forward intent. Id like to get my two fullbacks supplying crosses and getting on the overlap, and I felt that Sawyer and Miller/Vyner had a lack of athleticism. So ive secured the following players at left and right back:

SCOTT GOLBOURNE & DARNELL FURLONG

Both give us added pace aind impetus from the full back slots, and can defend too. Darnell Furlong is on a season long loan from QPR and looks like an exciting prospect with a good championship future having played 15 games for QPR's first team last season. Scott Golbourne has the same qualities and bags of experience at championship level with Wolves and then Bristol City, he arrives on a free and will push Gary Sawyer into a rotational role. Taylor-Sinclair was released, simply not good enough for our level.

CRAIG CONWAY

I felt we were lacking a versatile left sided player who could perform a number of roles. Conway had played in Blackburns promotion campaign and joined me on a free, and i intend to use him as a wide midfielder to partner with Golbourne and make 2 v 1s. He can make good crosses and direct passes into space, and gives us high work rate and high determination. Probably not the signing that will excite the fans, but provides valuable competition in the wide areas with Carey and Grant. Useful on a free.

KEVIN BRU & JOSE BAXTER

I brought in Kevin Bru for around £20,000 from Ipswich. My intention is to play him as a supporting central midfielder alongside Threlkeld. Hes a good technician and has a high attribute for vision, so im hoping he will be a key part of my transition into a more technical, passing team gradually.

Jose Baxter was a free tansfer from Everton. He has loads of experience at this level with Sheffield United, and is very creative. I see him as a perfect number 10 option in my team if going with a number 10 for that game. He unfortunately has an injury but in his one friendly for me so far he absolutely ran the show. Ive set him to roam from position and look for the risky pass. Hoping he can come up big for me this season.

My concern with these two is, although great on the ball, their lack of physicality and stamina at league 1 level could catch up with them throughout the season. We will see.

MASON BENNETT

A season long loan from Derby County. Mason injects the much needed ingredient of pace that i feel we have really lacked up front, and has the potential ability to play regular championship football. I was alerted to him for his 24 league goals for Notts County on loan last season, and have decided he could possibly play off Simon Church in a 442 at times, whilst providing at least a squad option throughout the season

MITCHELL BEENEY

A huge presence in the goal at 6ft5 inches, Beeney is a youngster on loan for the season from Chelsea and im sure he will be an excellent stopper for us. Commands the box well, and crucially has a high kicking attribute, which i hope will allow us to build from the back a little more.

Preseason has been going well, and im beginning to settle onto this tactic to start the season:

Ill add and subtract instructions as necessary. The 4411 is a possibility, but the possibility is also there of playing Bennett and Church together as a pair in a 442, Church dropping deeper as a defensive forward with Bennett running in behind. I may look to press a little higher up the pitch too.

The central midfield pairing would be subject to changing roles if 442 is used. Ive added a PI for Bru to shoot less, whilst Golbourne and Furlong have PI's to stay wide.

 

[green and white barmy army]

Think I'm heading for relegation again, I'm currently re reading the counter attacking thread to see if I've missed anything, my full backs don't seem to stop crosses which is the main assist area for any opposition, I mean as a underdog team for the whole season should I be looking to keep my team as narrow as possible and just put up with conceding from crosses or keep them balanced?

 

 

 

[FMunderachiever]

7 minutes ago, green and white barmy army said:

Think I'm heading for relegation again, I'm currently re reading the counter attacking thread to see if I've missed anything, my full backs don't seem to stop crosses which is the main assist area for any opposition, I mean as a underdog team for the whole season should I be looking to keep my team as narrow as possible and just put up with conceding from crosses or keep them balanced?

 

 

 

Hope this isnt a daft question...do you watch the games and pay close attention to what the lads do? Do they do what you want them to do?

[Old Scouser Tommy]

After a little bit of a poor run I changed things quite a bit and am now using this diamond. Forsell was available on a free so picked him up for a little bit of rotation up front but was injured until now.

[green and white barmy army]

nah its fine @FMunderachiever yeh I watch the games in the 2d camera, unfortunately its just me not understanding what I'm suppose to be looking for the shape appears ok, but the opposition always seem to be first to any loose balls, any clearances by their defence go to 1 of their players when any time my defence clear the ball it goes no where near any of my players, my defence don't mark  how to set up tactics, I have read the threads at the start of this forum but I guess it just comes down to the fact I have no idea what I'm doing. but for some reason I keep buy every version of this game and cant stop playing it lol.  

[FMunderachiever]

PRE SEASON 2 & AUGUST - PROMISING START

Season 2 is off to a good start. The only bad result really was the Blackpool home game. We created chances but just couldnt find the goal, largely thanks to Mason Bennett's concussion injury picked up in the game vs Oxford.

Bennett has 4 goals in 4 games though, and that included a magnificent hattrick vs Portsmouth at home in a rout. The Northampton 1-1 draw was a pleasing result too, as we were down to 10 men for around 40 mins with Threkeld sent off, but we dug in resolutely for a point. 7 points from 4 games is a more than acceptable early return, and the early signs of summer signings Darnell Furlong, Kevin Bru and Mason Bennett in particular have been extremely positive.

Im settling on a basic 4411 nowadays, with some PI's. Bru passes shorter, and looks for the pass more. The two full backs stay wide while we are in possession, whilst Baxter when playing as the number 10 has freedom to roam from position. This is a luxury i only afford to him though, and only when the overall team mentality is structured.

Sunderland and Nottingham Forest in league 1. Big clubs this season.

[FMunderachiever]

SEPTEMBER - THE LEAGUE IS UPSIDE DOWN

An unbeaten league month, the only loss of the month coming in the Checkatrade where i fielded a weak team. Im prioritising the league, so not overly surprised to lose to Exeter who played well on the day. But 3 excellent home wins and a great 2-2 away at Forest from 2-0 down showed good character. I feel like the new found 4411 formation is looking great, and thats a dangerous thing to say on football manager. Mason Bennett has made us look so much more threatening going forward onto through balls into space, 7 goals so far already is a great return and all the new signings have come in and done very well.

Only downside is we have lost Craig Conway for 2 to 3 months with a torn hamstring. Hopefully it wont affect us too badly.

Ive made a couple of small tactical tweaks. Ive adjusted closing down from more to sometimes, and with the full backs, ive set Furlong to a support role, Golbourne to attack. Both staying wide. Jose Baxter has license to roam and pick the risky pass.

[glennuk]

On 3/17/2018 at 16:13, green and white barmy army said:

yeh I did restart, and its the same problem of conceding goals, I've played the first 3 league matches and conceded 9 goals, the defence just aren't up to the task of league one so need to look for couple of loans maybe, the assists locations seem to be from the left crosses and straight ahead via through balls I'm getting torn to picecs.

 

 

 

I know this is not specifically a topic on player recruitment. However when I saw your post about loaning defenders. I would suggest trying to get (Kyle Howkins (CB), Jack Whatmough (CB) and/or Josh Emmanuel (RB). All solid players who should improve your defence.

[FMunderachiever]

Season 2 is going great the new signings have really had a positive impact.

 

Will post screenshots today or later in week

[green and white barmy army]

just been looking through the assist locations to see where most of the assists are coming from and saw this

 

 

now I could of sworn I was conceding a lot from crosses but turns out its definitely  from the middle, so would I benefit playing more narrow and some how defend the crosses that come in?

[Armistice]

If you want to make CT tactic work, you need to see if your opponents commit enough men forward to trigger the CT. If they keep enough men behind ball then the CT won’t be triggered and if they still manage to score past you, then your system might not be defensively sound.

[green and white barmy army]

well heres something I didn't think I would be able to say but survival has been secured with a last day victory against Gillingham which sent them down, I'm buzzing, had a change in formation I went with a 4-5-1, which is below and as you can see from when I switched to it there was a defining upturn in our results which I'm delighted with and now gives me a tactic to build on for next season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FMunderachiever]

40 minutes ago, green and white barmy army said:

well heres something I didn't think I would be able to say but survival has been secured with a last day victory against Gillingham which sent them down, I'm buzzing, had a change in formation I went with a 4-5-1, which is below and as you can see from when I switched to it there was a defining upturn in our results which I'm delighted with and now gives me a tactic to build on for next season.

 

 

 

Youre onto something!

 

Ill post my tactic and progress tonight or at least tomorrow

[FMunderachiever]

INTO THE NEW YEAR - PROMOTION PUSH LOOKING SOLID

Im having good success with what is essentially a very simple 4-4-1-1.

Just the one team instruction, to keep crosses low.

Then for player instructions, both fullbacks get further forward.

Both wide midfielders have PI's to cross from byline, whereas Carey also has more risky passes as a PI.

Bru has a PI to shoot less.

I was playing Baxter as an attacking midfielder, but since moving him to the Enganche role, this has freed him up and he is performing magnificently for me.

Id have definitely taken a good playoff push at the start of the season, so to be in there with less than 20 to go, im cautiously optimistic

[Old Scouser Tommy]

57 minutes ago, FMunderachiever said:

INTO THE NEW YEAR - PROMOTION PUSH LOOKING SOLID

Im having good success with what is essentially a very simple 4-4-1-1.

Just the one team instruction, to keep crosses low.

Then for player instructions, both fullbacks get further forward.

Both wide midfielders have PI's to cross from byline, whereas Carey also has more risky passes as a PI.

Bru has a PI to shoot less.

I was playing Baxter as an attacking midfielder, but since moving him to the Enganche role, this has freed him up and he is performing magnificently for me.

Id have definitely taken a good playoff push at the start of the season, so to be in there with less than 20 to go, im cautiously optimistic

Good season so far. It's working well looks like. Promotion maybe on the cards which is great.

I'm 2nd with 8 games left 1st season I'll post pictures when I can.

[FMunderachiever]

END OF SEASON 2 - THE MOST CRUSHING SEASON OF MY LIFE

I was convinced this season was the one we would get promoted. We had played some lovely football all season, but an end of season dip has seen us miss out on the playoffs by ONE point.

What makes it HEARTBREAKING, is look at the positions graph:

In the playoffs for the WHOLE season other than week 1 and 2, to then drop out of the playoffs on the FINAL DAY.

Such a hideous end of season collapse.

I dont know if i have the energy to lift myself for season 3, its totally beaten me up

 

[TheMiracleMaker]

On 22.03.2018 at 23:25, green and white barmy army said:

well heres something I didn't think I would be able to say but survival has been secured with a last day victory against Gillingham which sent them down, I'm buzzing, had a change in formation I went with a 4-5-1, which is below and as you can see from when I switched to it there was a defining upturn in our results which I'm delighted with and now gives me a tactic to build on for next season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't using a target man and shorter passing shout conflict with each other? I would not recommend picking a TM as you won't be able to capitalize on a target man's excelled areas such as controlling a long ball and holding it until team comes to support because with a possession football you try to play you don't play long balls at all and TM won't need to hold the ball because all your midfield will be on the opposition half as the TM gets the ball. Instead I would pick DLF or CF (if you can find appropriate player as it is a very technically demanding role) in support role and one of the midfielders in attack role. 

[green and white barmy army]

well I'm now well into my second season and you can see its better, happy we're in mid table, I do seem to have a problem with playing away from home does any one have any ideas as to how I can take more points away from home.

 

 

 

[jc577]

I think part of the reason why you’re struggling away from home is due to the fact you’re using a defensive mentality, which naturally has a low defensive line, and then asking the team to drop even deeper. Away from home teams are likely to play more attacking, and it may be difficult for your players to get out, especially as you don’t really have anyone linking the midfield to the attack. 

[Old Scouser Tommy]

3 hours ago, green and white barmy army said:

well I'm now well into my second season and you can see its better, happy we're in mid table, I do seem to have a problem with playing away from home does any one have any ideas as to how I can take more points away from home.

 

 

 

I think you're too deep. Your defensive mentality coupled with Drop Deeper team instruction and noone breaking from midfield. Maybe have one of your BWM's as a BBM and your CM on defend and change the mentality to standard. I might try your system with my Argyle save and see what happens.

[FMunderachiever]

4 hours ago, green and white barmy army said:

well I'm now well into my second season and you can see its better, happy we're in mid table, I do seem to have a problem with playing away from home does any one have any ideas as to how I can take more points away from home.

 

 

 

Id say too deep as others have suggested but also id use a carillero on your right midfielder of the three and have threlkeld as a wingback. Should see them link up together and sure up the right side

[Old Scouser Tommy]

With the few changes I made it was a 0-0 draw at home to Southampton. Not a bad start but it seemed to lack urgency and the fullbacks didn't join in as much as I'd have liked. There was lots of unnecessary passing in midfield and the striker was isolated a lot. The stats aren't too bad though.

[Old Scouser Tommy]

Played the same game at home to Southampton with my current 4-1-2-3 formation and it was a 4-0 win.

[green and white barmy army]

ok so I took the advice to not defend so deep and this happens, how the **** do you defend against this??? And how does anyone get this defence working as it looks like I'm the only 1 who cant get this defence defending properly.

 

[Old Scouser Tommy]

What did you do to "not defend so deep"?

It's not just about your defenders though it's about everybody as a unit defending. Your midfield play a part too and I always think that BWM aren't providing a screen for your back 4. I don't like using them as they can leave their position trying to win the ball and if they don't are caught out of position with noone holding. To start with if I have a 3 man midfield I never use a flat 3 I usually have someone in the DM position and start with the principal of Holder, Runner & Creator and go from there.