Capn_Flapjack32 Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Being a new player of FM(15), I've spent more time in the last few days reading than actually playing, mostly because I don't really know how to analyze very well (at all) yet. So, I figured maybe it would be fun to post my initial thoughts dealing with a new club, and maybe some of your can critique my work or even just suggest something totally different. The Club: Burton, a strong, plucky League 2 club from England. The Players: imgur Going through the list, we're pretty stacked at DC and MC. Right away Phil Edwards, Darragh Lenihan, Lucas Akins, and Stuart Beavon look like my most important players. We have several younger players with a load of potential, too: George Taft, Tom Naylor, Matt Palmer, Joe Doyle, Marcus Harness, Jacob Blyth, and even Dean Lyness all have at least 4 potential stars. Because of this future value, I want to develop a system many if not all of these players can grow into. On the other hand, we have only one competent ML in Phillips and one MR in Maynard. Our best DMs are Weir and Mousinho at 1.5 stars, which could pose a problem given how popular DMs generally seem to be. Akins is a solid AMR, and someday Harness should be phenomenal if developed correctly. However, our only AML is, once again, Jimmy Phillips, and his backup would be Harness (in his worst role). So, with no real ML/MR options, maybe let's keep it narrow? Idea 1: 4-3-1-2 Narrow imgur In the back 4 I have Shane C-S and John Moushino as a D/C pair of CDs, which is pretty standard as far as I've been able to tell. Flanking them are Phil Edwards and George Taft. I had Edwards at FB-A, but his stats are better suited to a supporting role, like maybe WB-S. Taft lacks the flair to be a WB and the offensive skills to be a FB, so I've got him penciled in at IWB to provide support to the midfield and let those guys thrive. At midfield I've got Lenihan, Weir, and Palmer (note: I just realized that I should have move Sharps in at DC and pushed Mousinho up to MC in place of Palmer, for the short term). Their skills are fairly similar, with Palmer being more technically skilled but Lenihan and Weir being stronger and faster. With 3 MCs I decided on 2 support roles and one to bolster the defense. I have Weir as a BWM-D to try and win back possession before the ball ever reaches my defense. Then I have an AP-S and MC-S. Hopefully the AP stays forward a little and the MC stays center, but both should focus on possession and getting the ball to their dangerous friends up front. The AMC spot goes to El Khayati, acting as an Enganche. The description has Enganche as a link between midfield and the strikers, so ideally he does just that and sits between but ahead of the midfielders and helps get the ball to the Strikers. Up front, Beavon is quick and strong, so I've got him as a poacher, ready to receive the ball, beat any last defenders 1-1 and score. McGurk is only slightly better as a striker than AMC, and it shows in that his best role is as a F9. I look at the F9 and Enganche as the supporting pair that round out a front trio. I've got this tactic set to fluid control. It should rely on passing up the middle to the front, but the players will need some flexibility from the constricted narrow formation. This idea is all well and good, but I have an 18 y/o AMR who is gonna be 5 stars someday, so doesn't it behoove me to use the wings? Idea 2: 4-2-4 Wide imgur Much of this tactic is actually the same, but instead of forcing things of the middle we now have wingers to exploit. Phillips is the W-A because (with a touch of work on first touch and technique) he has all of the stats for that, despite being lower rated. Akins is better all-around, so I'd rather have him in a supporting role with some creative freedom so he can break away up the side and either cross it in at Beavon or do the job himself. This scheme lacks the Enganche, so it will rely more on Akins and Lenihan(/Palmer?) as an AP-S to get the ball inside the box. We also lose the BWM in this setup, which makes me a little more nervous defensively. To sum up: What do you think? What would you do instead? I expect to be completely wrong, so feel free to lay it on. I think I'll learn better from criticism of something I came up with than by reading a guide about how easily someone crushed the CL with a million options turned on. One step at a time, eh? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overmars Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 I think your 4-2-4 is going to be extremely vulnerable defensively, especially with one of your 2 CMs serving an AP(a) role. I would consider using a defend and support duty pairing in CM. A DLP is probably a safer bet than an AP when there is no one in the DM strata behind the CMs. Your 4-3-1-2 might benefit from switching the BWM to someone more positionally solid. A DLP(d) or CM(d) would be a safer choice in the middle. I also prefer making a winger/no-winger decision before the season and selecting a group of tactics/formations accordingly. It makes team building and team selection much easier when you have similar roles to fill in your assortment of tactics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrientTillIDie Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Are you crazy? No good wide players? Akins is exceptional at the level from the wing. Get him running at full backs and you'll destroy teams. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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