4-4-2 | Offense Wins Games; Defense Wins Championships

[Cartmanez10]

Greetings from Antalya, Turkey

As I've been a big supporter of 4-5-1 formation, I decided to try a 4-4-2 formation this year and satisfied with the results.

First of all I'd like to talk about the formation. As you know there is a big tradition in basketball, "Offense Wins Games; Defense Wins Championships". I'm not gonna promise you more than three goals in each match, but I will promise you the trophies.

Formation





Let's talk about the instructions.

Defensive Midfielder: The player who interrups opposition attacks and starts our attack. He must be strong, good at tackling and his work rate should be high. It will be good if he is a tall player. Take a look at tall players when signing for this position. (Like Busquets, Fellaini, Kuzmanovic)

Midfielder: Heart of the team. He should be able to play in box to box role . It means that this player must can both play defense or offense. He should be fast, his work rate, first touch, passing and technique should be high.

Right Midfielder: The player who is more capable of defensive options must play here. He should use his right foot.

Left winger: One of the key players in the formation. More offensive than the other wing. It would be better for him to use his right foot because we want him to cut inside. (Like Stoch, Nani, Pedro, Quaresma) Howewer you can use a player who uses his left foot (Like Malouda)

Forward: The player on left in the formation. He will come deep to get ball, move ball to the flanks and create his own positions. You should look for fast, strong players and their finishing and technique should be high.

Striker: Target man. His strength, finishing and heading must be high. He would be a good poacher if his pace will be high.

Spoiler:

Hope you enjoy my tactic.

Click here to download.

[Shrewnaldo]

cartmanez - I spoilered your large images to help our friends with low bandwith. If you hit "Edit Post" you'll be able to see how it's done for future reference.

Also, any chance you can attach the tactic here rather than provide a link which may expire?

[Cartmanez10]

Originally Posted by Shrewnaldo

cartmanez - I spoilered your large images to help our friends with low bandwith. If you hit "Edit Post" you'll be able to see how it's done for future reference.

Also, any chance you can attach the tactic here rather than provide a link which may expire?

Thanks for help. Next time I will be using spoiler button.

File attached. Looking forward to see your feedbacks

[jpdids]

Ok a quick one to start things off. I've struggled with tactics all through this version but this one could well be the nuts!

Great on the ball and even better off of it. Ive never had my players hassle and tackle and importantly win the ball back so much and its not energy zapping either. I played the last 7 games of my season with Wolfsburg with this and one 6 and lost the other. Still not sure how i lost that one game with the amount of chances I had. I even won one of the game after going down to 10 men very early on and won it convincingly 3-1.

I'm about to start the new season so will give some more feedback at the end but without wanting to jinx myself this is the best tactic ive seen so far. Its solid, its successful and its consistant.

Thanks for the upload!

[lavezzi7]

Liked the thread's title very much!

I will test the tactic as soon as possible and come back with feedback.

[moley]

You just saved my season! I downloaded this tactic after creating one that has more shots than the opposition whilst having more possession and CCC's, but always losing or drawing 0-0.

The change to this tactic has got my team scoring again.

Thanks.

I'll use it a lot more and give feedback with depth.

[Cartmanez10]

Thanks for comments, looking forward to see further feedbacks.

[Gruff89]

Trying this one out right now with Linfield in the Northern Irish Premier. Only 4 games into pre-season, lost 5-1 away to Partizan Belgrade in Champions League qualifier, but drew the home leg 2-2, so 7-3 on aggregate, which is actually pretty good considering the difference in the sides. Also beat Notts Co 2-0 and another N. Irish side 3-0.

Fairly early review I confess, but wanted to offer feedback whilst the novelty was still there. Hopefully I'll remember to let you know how it is as the season progresses.

[Cartmanez10]

Thanks for your comments, Gruff89.

Any other feedbacks?

[Chris]

When I've finished my turn on the succession game i'm involved in I plan on starting a Sunderland save. Might give this a go but switch the wingers around, so have the right side pushed up.

If i do i'll write a review on here.

[Eazy-Duz-It]

That Man U result could have been down to the sending offs and not your tactic? Not that I'm doubting you, its just that you won by 1 goal, they had the same CCC's as you, and could have picked up a draw. But your possession and passing stats there are impressive. And then the Arsenal game, 59% on the road to Arsenal is unimaginable!
It looks really strange, I'm intrigued by your shape and I'm a little confused as to why you staggered your midfield?
EDIT: I also see that teams tend to lose discipline when playing you. Is that just luck, or does the tactic frustrate opponents into getting themselves sent off?

[gooner4life123]

Originally Posted by Eazy-Duz-It

That Man U result could have been down to the sending offs and not your tactic? Not that I'm doubting you, its just that you won by 1 goal, they had the same CCC's as you, and could have picked up a draw. But your possession and passing stats there are impressive. And then the Arsenal game, 59% on the road to Arsenal is unimaginable!
It looks really strange, I'm intrigued by your shape and I'm a little confused as to why you staggered your midfield?
EDIT: I also see that teams tend to lose discipline when playing you. Is that just luck, or does the tactic frustrate opponents into getting themselves sent off?

IF U CHECK, HE ACTUALLY SCORED HIS 2 GOALS BEFORE THE 1ST PLAYER GOT SENT OFF...

IM GOING TO TRY OUT THIS TACTIC

[Cartmanez10]

Originally Posted by Eazy-Duz-It

That Man U result could have been down to the sending offs and not your tactic? Not that I'm doubting you, its just that you won by 1 goal, they had the same CCC's as you, and could have picked up a draw. But your possession and passing stats there are impressive. And then the Arsenal game, 59% on the road to Arsenal is unimaginable!
It looks really strange, I'm intrigued by your shape and I'm a little confused as to why you staggered your midfield?
EDIT: I also see that teams tend to lose discipline when playing you. Is that just luck, or does the tactic frustrate opponents into getting themselves sent off?

As gooner4life123 said, our team scored goals before the red card. The game against Arsenal was really sublime.

Opposition's lack of discipline is not just luck, but %50 of it. I often use touchline instructions like "Hassle Opponents" or use tight marking. That makes opposition players angry and lead to cards.

Thanks for comments.

[searmh]

just downloaded your tactic and am using it with dagenham and redbridge. on the download the target man is set to attack and the complete forward(left player in formation) is support. but on the screenshot of your formation the target man is set to support and complete forward is attack.

can you confirm what is the correct setup

cheers

[Cartmanez10]

The screenshot was taken from a different save game and it wasn't my usual choice. Sorry for it. It's up to you but you should set the complete forward to support.

[ekorkmaz]

i'll give your tactic a shot. Thanks for it

[jlawson89]

What pitch size would you recomend for this tactic to work?

[Cartmanez10]

I reccommend a narrow pitch size for this tactic. We have 2 central midfielders so we have to keep them together.

Btw, the main course is your player choices.

[Winterborn]

Solid tactic. I use it as my away/tough opposition tactic and it's worked out well. I've done some small changes to the set pieces but otherwise am running it as is.

As my home/weaker opposition tactic involves a great deal of closing down also they tend to blend well together.

As for pitch, smallest you can have by Europa regulations for me.

[Shrewnaldo]

cartmanez - your team instruction screenshot has expired. Any chance you can re-upload the picture?

[Cartmanez10]

I re-uploaded the picture. Added to first message. Sorry for the latency.

[Pineapple Hero]

Im not really a fan of classic 4-4-2 in FM, far too dull in my opinion, everyone has there own opinion tho.

[Ledley]

Originally Posted by Pineapple Hero

Im not really a fan of classic 4-4-2 in FM, far too dull in my opinion, everyone has there own opinion tho.

Going off the screenshots I'd hardly call it a classic 4-4-2 and how is it dull if it wins games and wins them well? I'm sure you just like to have a whine and moan at everything.

Has anyone used this tactic with a weaker side and what were results like? J ask as i'm just about to embark in my first season in the Premiership with Swansea and the formation that got me promoted is far too attacking for a weaker side in the Premiership.

[isolator]

Hi C.

Downloaded your tactic yesterday and will give it a go. Results so far are great!

I will test it a little longer and give you some feedback.

[Cartmanez10]

Originally Posted by Ledley

Going off the screenshots I'd hardly call it a classic 4-4-2 and how is it dull if it wins games and wins them well? I'm sure you just like to have a whine and moan at everything.

Has anyone used this tactic with a weaker side and what were results like? J ask as i'm just about to embark in my first season in the Premiership with Swansea and the formation that got me promoted is far too attacking for a weaker side in the Premiership.

Hi, I've seen people who used this tactic with weaker teams in Turkish forums. The one thing I would say is you won't regret. It's worth trying, choice is yours.

Originally Posted by isolator

Hi C.

Downloaded your tactic yesterday and will give it a go. Results so far are great!

I will test it a little longer and give you some feedback.

Thanks a lot for your message, I will be waiting for your feedbacks

[isolator]

Hi C.

I have been testing this for a few games now. I am currently in the middle of season 3 ewith my Blackburn-side. My team is above middle-ish I would say. Working my way up with youngsters. I was playing the Blitz-tactic (by Frankie) but the results was inconsistent - winning big at home and struggling away. I have to say that I am not that good in this game, but have played it for several years kinda plug-and-play-style

So I found your tactic and started using it early in my third season - at that moment I was in 5th or 6th place.

In 13 games i have the following results: 9 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss - pretty good in my opinion.

One of the draws was away against Watford, but only with backup-players. The other draw was against Liverpool at home. Had a heavy 3-0 loss away against Man City - and it was deserved.

Will report back later

[Cartmanez10]

Thanks again for your feedback, isolator

9 wins and 2 draws are really god results in 13 games so far. I hope your team will rise in the league table. Don't get angry with your players when you get a loss against way bigger teams. Instead, you can make little changes in the line-up so they'll be ready for the next match.

Will be waiting for other feedbacks.

[Forest]

Just switched from Frankys Blitz tactic to this and so far results are much more consistent.

I had great success with both Huddersfield and Everton using Frankys but think the update has weakend it a bit and it seems to rely heavily on your forwards playing well, especially against the big teams. If they have an off day you can have 30 shots on goal but still loose 1-0 or 2-0 far too often for my liking.

This tactic so far appears more stable in defence as promised and involves the midfield much more in creating a wider variety of goal types (not just 3 forwards trying to over run a defence).

Do you recommend using opposition instructions for this tactic?

Also I have never used a tactic in FM using this new type of creator. Do you make many adjustments during the matches using the quick tactics etc eg do you change to defensive if defending a lead or go more attacking if chasing? If so what instructions do you tend to use most in which scenarios? I am only used to the old style of tactics where I would adjust the sliders during a match depending on how a match was going.

[Chris654321]

Tactic is working pretty well for me and my Villa side first season.

[robinr22]

Have played this tactic for a couple of seasons with Kilmarnock and Chievo. I have to say that I remain unconvinced. It started very well and, against weaker sides, I get a few crushing results. However, on the whole, I find that the opposition gets at least as many shots as I do, and usually many many more. If their strikers are on form and mine are off, I lose heavily every time.

I get reasonably good results going forward but, for a formation billed as improving on defence, the opposition have so many chances that it's near impossible to get a decent run going. It doesn't seem any better than my usual "default 4-4-2 with a couple of tweaks" approach.

Thanks for the effort but, unless the defence can be tightened further, I'm going to have to try something else.

[Rudolf Belka]

I might try this for my Athletic Bilbao side.

[rikib004]

I used Shrews 433 Pink Panther Tactic and it has been working great but I needed a fall back tactic as I have had a few injuries and need a different approach.

Tried your tactic, one game so far... won 1-0 but The opposition did create alot of chances 15 shots against 5 on target 1 CCC for them. 16 chances, 5 on target and 3 CCCs for me.

Any way to reduce the shots against?

[Shrewnaldo]

Traitor

Your lack of loyalty shall not be forgotten.

[rikib004]

Originally Posted by Shrewnaldo

Traitor

Your lack of loyalty shall not be forgotten.

Haha, I got too many striker and CM injuries so needed to use my RM/LM players