Der WSV - An attempt to avoid relegation

[Muggert]

Der WSV - An attempt to avoid relegation

I'm currently doing the Big Euro small club to big club challenge. After a troublesome first couple of seasons I finally found a tactic that worked. Untill this season that is.

I'm Wuppertal SV and are newly-promoted in the german Bundesliga.

This is my quest to find a tactic that saves us another season in the bundesliga.

The previous tactics

I have been using two tactics:

AssWup

This tactic is what I've been using the most this season. An very defensive tactic based in quick direct passing on the counter. This tactic sent us into the cup-final last season and got us promoted despite our media prediction had us battling for relegation. It has a solid defending bank of 7 and relies on the 3 offensive players to create some magic.

WupOff

This tactic I used a lot last season, but only 4 games this season. It's an unorthodox tactic in which I tried to maximise the touches of my talented RB Etcheverry. It worked brilliantly although in the final 30 minutes of games I was winning I changed to the AssWup tactic. Also I wanted to use two attackers to due all kinds of damage. The tactic consists of a fluid team trying to control the game with a short passin game. I do not have the team to dominate yet and that's why I only used this a few times this season.

This season though. Both tactics have failed miserably. Our team isn't the strongest however I would say it has enough qualities to avoid relegation. Both wins came in matches with the first of the two tactics.

The Outlook

This is the current table. We're still within reach, but only 2 wins in 17 games are troublesome.

We have decided to change our tactics at the worst time fixture-wise. We are heading into our first game of the spring season. Home against Leverkusen.

The Squad

A detailed rundown will be posted as the next thing.

The transfer window

The transfer window is closing in ten days. We've spent all our money on MC Mazibuko. We still have about 300k left in the tank and are prepared to spent it to find a player to fit our new tactic.

When

I'm a busy man, so this might take a while. This is my only save though. So be patient.

[Muggert]

The Team:

Goalkeepers:

Odisseas Vlachodimos

Ersin Cetiner

No doubt about it. Vlachodimos is our starting goalkeeper. We lost our goalkeeper after last season due to finances. We have never found a replacement as good as him unfortunately. This is a major weakness on the team.

Defenders:

Ladislav Lukes - D/WB L

Pedro Carmo - D LC

Danny Zakuani - D/DM/M C

Dennis Kuijt - D C

Pape Abdou Camara - D/DM C

Frederic Etcheverry - D/WB R

Marcus Coffie - D R

I pretty strong bunch. So far I've used a backline consisting of four players. Carmo and Etcheverry on the backs and Zakuani and Kuijt in the centre. I still want Etcheverry to be a big part of the team. However I'm thinking of playing a back three with wing-backs. Zakuani, Kuijt and Carmo in the middle. I'm not sure who to play on the WB L if thats the case.

Overall a decent bunchof players.

Midfielders:

Jonas Alves - AM L

Jesper Andersson - M L

Dorian Diring - DM/M/AM C

Tobias Fölster - DM/M C

Jochen Geyer - M/AM C, AM L

Enrico Lavalle - DM/M C

Nkanyiso mazibuko - M C

Bruno Monteiro - D/DM/M C

Our top players in these positions have the quality. We're pretty thin outside these 4-5 players. Our newsigning Andersson unfortunately plays the same position as Alves. I could use him to fill in the WB spot mentioned above. Besides these two players I have very high hopes for our new player Mazibuko. I would like to make space for Alves, Andersson, Lavalle and Mazibuko. Possibly Geyer. the rest will be backups. As some of you probably have noticed. I have no players capable of playing the right wing.

Attackers:

Cesar Javier - ST

Roberto Gandola - ST / AM L

Sekou Barry - ST / AM L

Joao Andrade - ST

Our Weakpoint along with the goalkeeper. Joao Andrade has been decent for us scoring 7 in 17. Gandola has been playing the second striker or AM R in the AssWup. Javier and Barry are backups. I have no need for playing more than one striker before I sign another.

Overall:

So.. That's what's available to me. I have an idea but will be tinkering the next day or so.

At the moment I I'm thinking of a 3-2-2-2-1.

3 DC's, 2 WB's, 2 MC's, 2 W's & 1 ST

For this I have been considering the following lineup:

Vlachodimos - Lukes/Andersson, Zakuani, Kuijt, Carmo, Etcheverry - Lavalle, Mazibuko - Andersson/Geyer/Gandola - Andrade/Gandola

To be continued...

[Muggert]

The new tactics 1

The changings to the original roles are as follows:

CD Carmo and Andrade are set to zonal marking

GK Vlachodimos distribution is set to defender collect (Zakuani)

The ideas

Defense:

Two physical strong defenders and a quick sweeper kind of guy. Carmo isn't the fastest of guys though. I have set Zakuani to defender collect because he's the best passer, and I have played him in the left side because I want to attack more on the left flank. Also he's close to the deepest of the two MC's.

I will be using out-of-position Andersson in a lot of games. He has the attacking abilities to become excellent if he can hold his ground defensively. Knowing his defending could be a problem I have placed Lavalle in his side of the field. Etcheverry will be holding his ground on the right side and needs to play a little more disciplined. A nice bonus is that I get to use 3 defenders that are strong headers, which should drasticly improve our set-pieces.

Midfield:

I have high hopes for the Mazibuko-Lavalle combo in the center. Lavalle will be our "Andrea Pirlo light". Both in defense, attack and set-pieces. Mazibuko will be given the freedom to orchestra the attacks from a little higher up the pitch. I have hopes of him scoring some goals too as he arrives late in the penalty area. On the wings I hope Alves and Andersson aren't too much alike to not function well on the left side. Due to the lack of a genuine AM R i will be using Gandola. One thing is sure. I need him to be an Inside forward and supplement oru attacker.

Attack:

Andrade will be playing as a DLF. He's a good allrounder that can hold up the ball and play other into position to score.

Overview:

I want a solid defensive base and then attack on the counter. I want pressure all-over the pitch in an attempt to win the ball high up the pitch. I also want at least one spare man at the back to sweep up any "left-overs" ;-)

[Muggert]

The new tactics 2

The changings to the original roles are as follows:

CD Carmo and Andrade are set to zonal marking

GK Vlachodimos distribution is set to defender collect (Etcheverry)

The ideas

Defense:

Carmo will still be the "sweeper" in defense and Kuijt will be the stopper. Lukes will be playing defense only, and he should be doing that nicely. I have set Etcheverry as the primary passing option for our GK in this formation as he becomes the most aggresive back with Andersson out due to him not playing LB. Etcheverry will bomb down the sidelines and make overlaps for Gandola who'll be cutting inside. I'm afraid the distance betweeen Etcheverry and Mazibuko will be to far, but I'll guess I'll see.

Midfield:

Once again a midfield combo of DLP Lavalle and AP Mazibuko. This time supported by Zakuani as an Anchor Man. This tactic will only be used in games against a lone striker with and AMC behind him. Zakuani's sole job of taking the AMC out of the picture. Gandola will be looking to join Andrade in the penalty area with Alves on the other wing providing the crosses along with Etcheverry.

Attack:

Once again Andrade will primarily be used to hold up the ball and play others into position.

Overview:

Not much have changed from tactic number one. It's a numbers game, and this tactic is used to eliminate the danger of a quality AMC. Still high pressing.

[Muggert]

The new tactics 3

The changings to the original roles are as follows:

CD Carmo and Andrade are set to zonal marking

GK Vlachodimos distribution is set to defender collect (Etcheverry)

The ideas

Defense:

Etcheverry on the right is primary link-up between defense and midfield. In this tactic I really want these 4 to defend and let the other players do the offensive stuff.

Midfield:

With the addition of Geyer to the mix I switch Mazibuko to a CM. I want him and Lavalle to orchestra the attacks from deep. I have my doubts about this tactic as I'm unsure if I can manage to play without an playmaker higher up the pitch than mazibuko. I want to maximise the potential of Geyer in that position though. I'll need him to run at the defense with or without the ball and I rely on the other players to feed him the ball. Also this is the most attacking tactic of the three, and I want as many players making runs as possible.

Attack:

Andrade will be our primary playmaker up front in this tactic. He'll need too make good turns and launch killerballs to the three AM's.

Overview:

I'm not sure i will use this one much. There's too many uncertainties. I like the option as an attacking option late in games, or playing in games playing a lone striker without a AMC. This tactic will need monitoring and finetuning to succeed. The other two tactics will be our standard.

[Muggert]

Oh... Wrong picture on the last one. I have no team instructions on it.... Will change it along with the next update...

[Muggert]

Game 1 - Leverkusen Home

I lineup pretty good against the two attackers of Leverkusen. I could have dropped one guy to DMC but I think it will hamper our own offense more than the gain in defense.

I've picked out Tolga Cicerci as they're main playmaking threat and I'm gonna Mark Tight, Close down and show onto his weak foot.

I do the same against Manu Gomez who seem to be the weakest link on the team.

In the team talks I tell them the'ye huge underdogs. They all seem relaxed. I hope they're not too relaxed.

15 minutes in:

Leverkusen have had 4 shots, but all of them from long range, and none of them have been threatening.

I've had a couple of good attacks in our left side. They're closing Alves down alot. It allows Andersson to overlap though. One attack was textbook as Andersson overlapped Alves and sent a cross to the farest post where Andrade headed it on the crossbar.

Diring is having difficulties in the centre of the pitch. I'm not confident Diring will be able to pull the strings, however he's the only fit guy I have.

Etcheverry has been active from the right wing-back. I'm not happy about his passing options though. I think there's too much a gap between him and Geyer/Gandola. His primary option is diring who as mentioned earlier is struggling. I'll be considering dropping Geyer to support.

17th minute 0-1 I've conceded an own goal. Monteiro was relly clumsy and ended up sending the ball into his own net. I'm afraid his low composure had something to do with it. He kicked an undangerous cross into his own net. He was pressured a little.

19th minute 1-1 I hit them back immediatly. Andersson goes to the byline and sends a cross in. Andrade heads it in. ONce again a brilliant individual performance by Andersson. Until now he has not been struggling defensively.

30 minutes in:

Still struggling in the middle of the pitch. I think I might have chosen a wrong combo here. I need a better DMC in there. I drop Geyer to Support to get him a little further back the pitch. Alves is struggling and need to pick up his game. Andersson is having a great game though. Although I have 58% possesion, Leverkusen have had 13 shots. They are yet to have a shot inside the penalty area. I'm gonna tight mark AMC Milanov as he has a lot of shots.

HALFTIME:

A lot of shots. I'm afraid that closing AMC Milanov down will end up sending my DC's out of position and open up for passes into the area. At this moment I'm pretty content with them having long shots. But damn they're having a lot. I need Diring higher up the pitch, so I'm not switching him to DMC.

60 minutes in:

I'm gonna do a little switch. I'm gonna take an anonymous RW Gandola out and replace him with DMC Fölster. Diring will move to become the AP and Geyer will go to the RW as an IF. I'm gonna get him to track back with LB Manu Gomez as well. Gomez becomes more and more aggresive. I'll do the same on the other side.

75 minutes in:

Geyer goes out with an injury and Barry comes in. We've moved further up the pitch. We're vulnerable on the counter, but I'm confident.

Injury time 1-2:

We concede a corner and Altidore who haven't touched the ball all game goes up and heads it in.

What we learned:

- This tactic does not work against a narrow 442 diamond. (We need to defend the space against a AMC)

- Andersson works brilliantly on the left wingback

- Defender collect does not work if Zakuani doesn't play. (The other candidates have too low composure/passing)

[pcmac1980]

Do you use the tactics creator and the shouts?

[jayahr]

Good luck

I played for that club myself and seeing someone managing it on here makes me very happy

[Muggert]

I have used the tactics creator yes... Making some minor tweaks as mentioned in the earlier posts.

I've never used shouts much... However thats the next thing I'll be trying to learn... The times I've tried I've failed miserably... Probably because I've used the wrng combos...

My tactics have always just seemed to work... The previous many years... This is a nice change of pace and a nice challenge with the new ME...

Thanks for the feedback both of you... Nice to see someone following my quest for survival... :-)

[Muggert]

Good luck

I played for that club myself and seeing someone managing it on here makes me very happy

I chose Wuppertal because of an ancient danish comedy movie in witch they used the name :-)

[sebaz]

I think that when playing against a midfield diamond its vital to deny any space to both their defensive midfielder and their attacking midfielder. Maybe you could have played Etcheberry a little deeper and Monteiro a little further (As a defensive midfielder) in order to have him specially man mark their attacking midfielder, thus leaving two strikers against two central defenders + Etcheberry, outnumbering them in that area.

How did the cross in the first goal came? its a pretty usual situation down the wings in a two-man-midfield against a 4-man-midfield. Their overcrowded midfield will outnumber yours, forcing your wingers to tuck in an join the pressuring in the center of the field, sucking all your with and leaving you vulnerable on the flanks, might wanna take a look at that if the cross came from a situation like that.

Anyways, good luck with your game, Bundesliga is a very fun league to play in, you will have fun

[Muggert]

Gandola was hampered by it on the RW... However on the left side, Alves tucked in but then made room for Andersson on the overlap... I'm not gonna play another game in which I allow the AMC as much time as this one... A DMC isn't that critical as he plays a long way from goal...

The idea of pushing Etcheverry back and Monteiro forward was a nice one... Might try that one next time

[Muggert]

Game 2 - HSV (away)

Before the game I secure young talented Diego Gaona on loan. He will be playing the AM R position on the team.

Formations:

Learning from last games experience, we'll play a holding midfielder in front of an back four this time.

Having adresses the AMC problem of last game, well tr to counter the DMC problem with OI's. Against their DMC Rincon, we will be Closing down, Thigh marking and showing onto weaker foot.

In the team talks I say there's no presurre on them. Besides that I aggresively tell ST Gandola that I expect a performance from him tonight.

15 minutes in:

It's evident that Dorian Diring once again is our weakest link his passing is NOT very good. All in all a good start. None of the teams have been threatening.

30 minutes in:

Still an even game. I'm not satisfied with Alves though. He's not being aggresive enough with his dribbling. I'm gonna change Diring to support, hoping it will avoid some of all the long passing we've been doing.

HALFTIME:

Pretty decent display in the first half. Diring, Alves and Lavalle are having problems with their passing though. Alves has generally been playing like **** and I'm gonna tell him. If he does not dramaticly improve I'll put on Andersson.

60 Minutes in:

I yanked Alves out at 55 and now I'm switching Gandola for Andrade. I'm hoping he'll have a bigger presence up front.

75 minutes in:

Still 0-0... We've been dominating the last 15 minutes and Andrade have had a chance on which he should have brought us 1-0 in front. I'll bring on Monteiro for a tired Lavalle, and hope to continue the push for a goal. HSV's RB Beck is looking nervous so I'll try to focus our attacks on his side.

FULLTIME

The game ends 0-0. We have a couple of decent shots in the last 30 minutes and the overall performance have been pleasing.

What we learned:

- Diring does not have the quality at this level

- Andrade works way better than Gandola as the DLF

- The 4-1-2-2-1 works way better than the 3-2-2-2-1 against the diamond.

[Muggert]

Game 3 - Borussia MönchenGladbach home (away)

Formations:

I think the 3-2-2-2-1 fit the 4-4-2 nicely. However I'm once again seriously concerned about our central midfielders. Mazibuko is at the African Cup of Nations, Geyer is injured, and Lavalle is not in form due to the fixture congestion.

I'm gonna have to go through the flanks in this one. We target Schöne as their primary playmaker and OI him.

I aggresively ask them that I expect a win. I want them to be fires up for this one.

15 minutes in:

All in all a decent first fifteen minutes. We seem to have the game under control, and have created the best chances. Alves looks anxious... He's giving me a headache that guy.

30 minutes in:

We're dominating possesion and shots on goal. Both Monteiro and Diring are playing pretty well in their MC positions. I'm not using the flanks as much as I would like though.

35 minutes in 1-0 Gladbach: Etcheverry bring down someone in the penalty area. 1-0.

45 minutes in 1-1 Wuppertal: Alves slams in a free kick from 25 yard out. 1-1

HALFTIME:

A good first half. We're dominating. However I can't seem to get Gaona involved. I've instructed the guys to pass into space as I think we have the speed to run past these guys.

Most of the players are anxious, so i tell them that they're doing good.

60 Minutes in:

Gladbach has taken control of the possesion, however we're still creating the best chances, however they're getting closer and closer to our goal.

I switch Lavalle for Diring and Gandola for Gaona.

68 minutes in: Ljamcevski 2-1 Gladbach

Gotta love this match engine. Enrico Lavalle clears the ball unpressured from the middle of his own field. To a corner?! Well thank you says Ljamcevski. 2-1 Gladbach.

I move to control.

75 minutes in:

We're going forward a plenty and Gandola have had double the touches of Gaona already

FULLTIME

God damnit. We had them. But two stupid mistakes make it 2-1.

What we learned:

- With Geyer and Mazibuko out we lack creativity to open up that final third

- We're creating chances, but no CCC's. Andrade is too deep and Gaona doesn't cut in behind him.

[Muggert]

Game 4 - Frankfurt away (away)

Before the game we loan another argentinian to play AM R. This guy could play the Advanced playmaker in center as well.

Formations:

I'm gonna go all in in this one. We line up in an aggresive 4-2-3-1. We will OI Ekici in the middle as he will be their main playmaker. My wingers will man-mark the oppositions full-backs. I hop I won't be too hampered by it.

I'm telling the team we're underdogs.

7th minute 1-0 Frankfurt - Monteiro looses the ball in front of the area and Frankfurt hits a beautiful long shot.

14th minute 2-0 Frankfurt - A misfired pass in midfield gets intercepted. And one-two-three it's in the back of the net.

15 minutes in:

This is not working at all. We're gonna go to the 3-2-2-2-1. More pressing as Frankfurt have had an incredibly high pass percentage. We need something to turn this one around.

30 minutes in:

We're back in the game. We've stabilized the game, but not creating any chances. We're gonna go on control for the final 15 minutes of the half.

34th minute. 2-1 Wuppertal. Etcheverry wins the ball at midfield sends Gaona down the wing. On the back post Andersson rifles it home. First CCC of the spring

HALFTIME:

We've been battling Frankfurt for possesion. We look vulnerable in defense , but our attacking movement are better than ever. I'll continue as in the last fifteen minutes of the first half.

Most of the players are anxious, so i tell there's no pressure.

60 Minutes in:

We're taking the game to Frankfurt.

I switch Alves for Lukes and Gandola for Andrade.

74 minutes in: Pamic 2-1 Frankfurt

75 minutes in:

We were doing so good.. I'm gonna keep going now.

FULLTIME

Feels like I'm playing the same record again. I just hope South Africa and Ghana gets knocked out of the African Nations Cup soon ;-)

What we learned:

- We won't get overrun by selecting a control philosophy

- Going all out attack aren't great though ;-)

STANDINGS (13 games to go)

17th Kaiserslautern 20

18th Union Berlin 17

19th Hoffenheim 16

20th Wuppertal 11

[Muggert]

Game 5 - Stuttgart home

Formations:

Alright we're gonna play aggresive yet again. We're gonna continue our 3-2-2-2-1 control tactic. And look who's ready to make his debut. Mazibuko! He's not in the greatest of shape but I rush him in to get him into form as early as possible.

15 minutes in:

We're in control 60-40 possesion and 1-0 chances... Let's ssee how this goes.

20th minute. 1-0 Stuttgart. Tarhan heads in a corner

26th minute. 1-1 Wuppertal. Gaona finishes off a great team move

30 minutes in:

I'm still satisfied. We're having a couple of good chances.

36th minute. 2-1 Stuttgart. Harnik is unmarked in the penalty area.

HALFTIME:

Looking like some of the same old same old...

FULLTIME

Maybe I went up too soon. I miss a couple of giant chances the last 15 minutes.

What we learned:

-

STANDINGS (12 games to go)

17th Kaiserslautern 20

18th Union Berlin 20

19th Hoffenheim 19

20th Wuppertal 11

[Muggert]

I'm not gonna continue this thread.

It's pretty obvious I'm going down.

No need to do these time comsuming write-ups when I know I'm going down.

[Fenger]

Keep the spirit up mate, goodluck!

[sebaz]

Its you decision, i found this thread very interesting and i was actually paying lots of attention. Football Manager can get very frustrating so i understand your position.

As an advice, you should study tactics a little bit more. Zonalmarking and Think Football are two great websites to learn about tactics, you should check them out!

Anyway, you did your best so good luck if you keep this going or start another game!

[Muggert]

I already have a pretty decent football knowledge as of right now. I'm just having difficulties trying to transform my ideas into the engine.

I'm a very big fan of Michael Cox from zonalmarking.net and will as you, reccomend him to any that likes insight into tactics.

I'm not familiar with Think Football, but I'm gonna check it out now.

The rest of the season this year will be about designing a tactic that can ge me promoted in first try.

Thanks for following :-)