Dont think my tactic is working,where am i going wrong here!!!

[steff91]

Hi everyone,

Bit of a newbie here to the tactics area on SI,so ive got the beta and started playing the game as Newcastle United.Designed what i thought was a not too bad 4-2-3-1 system,but obviously not.

Where am i going wrong is what i ask myself,getting a absolute tanking from nearly everyone getting.Ive enclosed some pics of how it stands at the moment.

Thanks in advice for the comments and hopefully some expert tacticians out there.

League Table

Main Tactic

Team Instructions

Thanks again guys.

[Justified]

I can see what you're trying to do but maybe you're being too expansive? Have you tried the AML/AMR in the ML/MR positions on attack and the AMC on support?

[swansongs]

4-2-3-1 is an aggressive attacking setup. Newcastle's squad isn't particularly strong so you might just just be getting overwhelmed, as 4 of your players aren't making a meaningful contribution to defence.

You're also hitting early crosses to a tiny dude with no support.

[steff91]

I can see what you're trying to do but maybe you're being too expansive? Have you tried the AML/AMR in the ML/MR positions on attack and the AMC on support?

Something i did actually think about though i felt it would have just lacked a bit of penetration out wide,possibly just too many players forward possibly?

[steff91]

4-2-3-1 is an aggressive attacking setup. Newcastle's squad isn't particularly strong so you might just just be getting overwhelmed, as 4 of your players aren't making a meaningful contribution to defence.

You're also hitting early crosses to a tiny dude with no support.

Thanks,hmm never quite thought of that,didnt think it would have made a diffrence to be honest.In all honesty im a real noob at tactics as u can probably tell.What would u suggest possbly?

[HUNT3R]

If the Poacher has an off day in front of goal or is marked out of the game, who's going to contribute with goals?

[steff91]

If the Poacher has an off day in front of goal or is marked out of the game, who's going to contribute with goals?

Maybe stick a DLF up top instead of the AMC/AP possibly,would lose my preferred shape though...

[swansongs]

Personally I would make De Jong an AM-A or Shadow Striker so he gets in the box to support Perez, and turn off stick to positions and early crosses. Possibly even let your left winger roam about or become an AP-S, since he has more defensive cover on his side with Anita.

Will give you a bit more control of the ball and options for passes when entering the final third. Hopefully.

[steff91]

Personally I would make De Jong an AM-A or Shadow Striker so he gets in the box to support Perez, and turn off stick to positions and early crosses. Possibly even let your left winger roam about or become an AP-S, since he has more defensive cover on his side with Anita.

Will give you a bit more control of the ball and options for passes when entering the final third. Hopefully.

Thanks,Looks a bit more solid and conservative heres what i have here from all the suggestions so far....

[malfael]

Bud, have you considered not giving instructions for every tactical option? For example, why 'Get Stuck In'? Leave it to default, because you've selected 'More Closing Down'. You're going to cop a lot of cards. Why 'Clear Ball to Flanks' and 'Work Ball Into Box'?

Let the players make the decision, according to the situation.

Why a normal defensive block with 'More Closing Down'? The holes in your formation are going to be pretty eye watering.

You've selected 'Attacking'. This can't possibly be recommended for Newcastle's 1st season squad. Teams are going to murder you on the counter (coupled with your closing down). You've got a bank of four that's going to be hammered.

Your super high tempo is going to result in a lot of turnovers, which will present them tons of opportunities to do the above.

So, to sum up:

You're closing down a heap, while passing into space with super high tempo and using an attacking mindset (and running at defenders, to boot). You're going to lose the ball a lot, and your defence will be badly isolated against counter-attacks.

Why not just keep things simple, 1st season? Pick an overall focus, and stick with it. Maybe play a simple countering game, defending deep, with the 'clear ball to flanks' enabled?

[Blinklys]

Basically what malfael said. You are beeing far too expansive for the quality of your squad. Are you a Newcastle supporter? No offense, but I've fallen into the same trap with my beloved Liverpool many times. You know, thinking that we should be world beaters when clearly arent.

Clear Ball To Flanks is a team instruction for a defensive/counter mentality where you are sitting back. It's not really compatiple with your current strategy.

You have to MR/ML Wingers on Attack duty - which in fact can be more aggressive than AMR/AML Wingers on Support. It depends on your overall set up.

You have a Poacher in front of a Shadow Striker, this is less than ideal for many reasons. A Shadow Striker is mainly configured to work behind (and in front of) a support striker (false nine, deep-lying forward on support duty). The way you have set up currently they will be attacking the same area and you don't really have anyone to offer depth and support. Remember, you need space and movement to create chances. Having lots of players on attack duty with an attacking mentality will not help you achieve what you want (unless you are playing "nearby teams" in pre season...).

[steff91]

cheers for that guys,ive adjusted it a bit from what you both guys said as it made kinda sense i guess,as i said in the OP bit of a newbie with the tactics and such,but hopefuly this will kick on a bit now,Will update again soon.

[reece1973]

Ive tried a 4231 formation with Spurs and the same back 4 positions as yourself and im getting murdered defensively. Even mickey mouse Malaysian teams scoring against me.

[herne79]

Ive tried a 4231 formation with Spurs and the same back 4 positions as yourself and im getting murdered defensively. Even mickey mouse Malaysian teams scoring against me.

Post some detail of what's happening, may be someone can help?

However, if you are only looking at your back 4 and wondering why you are getting murdered defensively when using a 4231, that's your first problem. Look at your midfield screen.

[Dr. Hook]

Post some detail of what's happening, may be someone can help?

However, if you are only looking at your back 4 and wondering why you are getting murdered defensively when using a 4231, that's your first problem. Look at your midfield screen.

Yes, that is going to be a large part of the problem. What are your central midfield roles and duties?

[Dr. Hook]

cheers for that guys,ive adjusted it a bit from what you both guys said as it made kinda sense i guess,as i said in the OP bit of a newbie with the tactics and such,but hopefuly this will kick on a bit now,Will update again soon.

Steff I would also think about the wisdom of using a BBM in your two man midfield. They do track back, but if he gets caught high upfield you have just the one CM back and he will struggle to cope with any kind of numbers coming through, which in turn will cause your CDs to step out and leave holes. Your two wingers are on attack duty so likely they are going to be pushed up pretty high and not able to help out much at times.

[steff91]

Steff I would also think about the wisdom of using a BBM in your two man midfield. They do track back, but if he gets caught high upfield you have just the one CM back and he will struggle to cope with any kind of numbers coming through, which in turn will cause your CDs to step out and leave holes. Your two wingers are on attack duty so likely they are going to be pushed up pretty high and not able to help out much at times.

What would you suggest Dr. Hook?

[Dr. Hook]

What would you suggest Dr. Hook?

You probably need both of them to be holding players unless you are up against a really poor side. I typically use a CM-D and a DLP-D, and if I am feeling confident, I might put the CM-D to a CM-S. The idea is that you don't want either of your center mids to go tearing upfield or out wide too far as you'll lack serious cover in the midfield- you already have four players pushed up on attack.

[liamboye]

Hi,

I don't think you need to abandon the attacking mentality because you are playing with Newcastle. I made a functioning 4-4-1-1 with attack mentality in my first season with Aston Villa. I would however rethink your TIs.

Playing attacking your team will already be wide, you have selected to play even wider, which might give you some problems.

I would also propose to slightly reduce closing down and maybe remove "clear ball to flanks" as this shout often wastes possession.

Looking at your midfield and attack, you now have five players, all running forward. Who are supporting them? I would strongly advice you to add a creative role as a playmaker or DLF.

[Overmars]

Have a look at the Pairs & Combinations thread. It's very helpful for selecting a logical group of player roles.

[steff91]

Thanks lads.