My team has forgotten how to win...

[Colorado]

I'm in my first season with Olhanense in the Portuguese top division. We were relegation candidates but at Christmas we were second in the table and winning games at ease.

During this time, I fluctuated between two tactics, different in shape but fairly similar in style of play. Since Christmas however, I just can't win a game. We're salvaging draws against teams who we would have previously beaten comfortably. I haven't had any major injury worries and I have gone into the game using some of the methods I've learned from the tactics forum.

In truth, I'm probably doing better in this game then I ever have in an FM save and desperately want to save my season.

I don't think it is my tactics as they worked extremely well at the start of the season, I appreciate they may need tweaking but I'm worried about changing too much too soon etc.

Please help!!!

PS - I've just spent 10 mins taking screenshots of tactics etc and uploading them to photobucket but when I go to upload them here, the site won't accept the URL which sums up my evening!

[Puni]

Opponents adapt, and you may have been playing above your level.

[Colorado]

Yeah, I gathered that. I'm just not sure what and how much I need to change.

[dyne]

well, since screenshot didn't work for you right now, maybe try to put your formation, general tactic,role and shout that you usually use. It also will be helpful if you tell us the reason you use that tactic (like, I have a good TM and want the rest of the team supply ball to him with an AMC as backup in case the TM fail to score)

[Colorado]

Ok, I'll write it out and hopefully it will make sense to you.

My primary shape is 4-5-1 (from right to left).

GKd

FB att, CB, LDx, FB auto

DMs (although this has evolved into Anchorman),

BBMs (although this has evolved into APa), CMs

Ws, Wa

DLFs

My other formation is 4-1-2-1 (from right to left) tactical shout is play through centre:

GKd

FB auto, CB, LDx, FB auto

DMs (although this has evolved into Anchorman),

BBMs, CMs

AM auto (or APa depending on the player)

DLFs, TMa

I use all the default tactical settings, with the exception of creative freedom: very fluid. I try to be aware of creating enough movement 'between the lines' as I've read on this forum many times.

I don't think there are any serious shortcomings about my tactics (although willing to accept if there are) purely because I started season so well.

After 13 games, I'd W9 D2 L2, now I'm something like W9 D5 L6.

Sorry I can't post neat screenshots, hope this is readable and someone can help!

[RTHerringbone]

I can't answer specifically why you have seen a downturn in form, but do have a couple of tactical observations which may or may not be pertinent.

With the 4-5-1 (assumed to be the one the game labels 4-1-2-2-1, or is it a flat 5 in the CM line?):

You have a DLF on Support which is a sensible setup for a lone striker formation when he is adequately supplied and supported.

However, there's no real support centrally. With a defensive Anchor Man, you can allow either of your other central duties to be Attack. With a suitable role selected, this should see more movement from behind the DLF into attacking positions.

Furthermore, a DLF (S) likes to drop deep, but you have two wingers, one of who crosses early, one of who runs more before crossing. Who is getting your goals? I can imagine a few situations where there are few options for your wingers to cross to - is your cross completion low?

An option here which is particularly relevant with a DLF is to set one winger to be an IF instead - he'll cut inside to offer much needed support to the DLF.

The 4-1-2-1-2 I assume to be a narrow diamond?

For me, a critical thing with that shape is to get width from your fullbacks, one can be on Attack as you have a DM covering.

In the absence of that attacking width, your supply is limited to ball carrying roles rather than playmaking roles, which isn't in my experience often successful.

It might be worth losing a BBM in favour of a DLP on Support.

Here are some notes from wwfan about Creative Freedom:

"Mentality and CF are holistic settings. The philosophies/styles are mentality and creative freedom structures. They range from being very structured (i.e. individual mentality settings) with low creative freedom, to being very unstructured (i.e one mentality setting across the team) with lots of creative freedom. A useful interpretation would be as follows:

Very Rigid: Each player is given a job and is supposed to stick to it (usually 5+ different roles across a team)

Rigid: Players are assigned a responsibility that contributes to a specific element of play (Defence, defence & transition, transition & attack, attack)

Balanced: Players focus on their duty (Defend, Support, Attack)

Fluid: Players are given instructions to focus on defence or attack

Very Fluid: Players contribute to all aspects of play

As you can see, each step reduces the level of specialisation. At Very Rigid, you have five different roles, Rigid four responsibilities, Balanced three duties, Fluid two focuses, Very Fluid one method. In Very Rigid philosophies, you expect players to stick to their role, so can assign multiple specialist roles. In Very Fluid philosophies, you expect everybody to do a bit of everything, which means specialist roles are redundant."

This thread may or may not help, the linked thread from svenC in post #24 is very interesting and may also help:

http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/351422-What-is-your-opinion?highlight=Creative+Freedom

[Colorado]

Thanks for your comments, my line up is more of a 4-1-2-2-1 and not a flat five across midfield.

To provide support to my DLF(s), I use a box to box midfielder OR an attacking playmaker to get up close to and supply passes, with two wingers high up on either side - one support, one attack.

What you say about the 4-1-2-1-2 is definitely worth considering. I think you may be right about this but during my bad run, I have tended to use my other (4-5-1) formation more, which seems to be the most common formation used in the league by other teams.

I am aware of wwfan's ideas about CF settings, which I why I use Very Fluid. I have a minimal number of 'specialist roles' so use Very Fluid to create enough movement etc.

[RTHerringbone]

Thanks for your comments, my line up is more of a 4-1-2-2-1 and not a flat five across midfield.

To provide support to my DLF(s), I use a box to box midfielder OR an attacking playmaker to get up close to and supply passes, with two wingers high up on either side - one support, one attack.

I've not used BBMs or APs to create forward movement personally. It may be worth experimenting with a CM on Attack as they definitely push forward and support, but if you're already seeing this from your players, disregard that suggestion!

[Colorado]

I'm still having problems and really want to learn what I'm doing wrong and need to consider changing.

I've tried the search function without luck but can anyone link me to any guides/threads where this is discussed please? I'm sure there must be some on here!

Thanks.