Leeds United: My 4231 Plan - Input welcome

[macca72]

I’ll start by admitting that despite the number of hours and years I’ve put into this game, I’ve never really succeeded tactically.

I’ve put this down to not really ever having a plan, so now I’ve come up with one and I want to enlist some help.

Plan - Step 1

Firstly, I wrote down a list of things that I care and don’t care about tactically.

• I want to be positive
  
• I want to win
  
• I want to be able to counter attack
  
• I want to be hard to beat
  
• I want it to be simple
  
• I want my goals to come from multiple players
  
• No square pegs in round holes
  
• I don’t care about possession
  
• I don’t care about short intricate passing
  

Plan – Step 2

I then got to thinking about players, namely how with the thin squad I have (and no money to rebuild) I could make sure that a simple approach gets the best out of what I have.

I pretty much decided that;

• I would keep the roles as “vanilla” as possible and allow my players skills & PPM’s to dictate how they play.
  
• To allow for this I will make sure that the key pairs & combinations are focussed on how players in those positions would compliment eachother and tweak roles on the basis of who was playing together, rather than that individual
  

So I came up with this as my base. No Frills. No PI’s.

*Full screenshot to follow tonight, when I get home.

4-2-3-1 Deep.

Counter

Structured

GK(D)

FB(A)

FB(A)

CD(D)

CD(D)

DM(S)

DM(S)

WM(A)

WM(A)

CM(A) * Not at all sure about this

DF(S) * Not at all sure about this

As above some of the roles will get tweaked when certain players are in certain postions. For example if I have my MR who naturally is more of a winger, then my RB will change to be more a support player (less likely to overlap).

Similarly, if one of my DM’s is naturally more of a runner and is likely to move into more advanced positions, then the other will be asked to sit more.

I'm not sure on the CM(A) roles, or the DF(S). I want my striker to be more of a target poacher, meaning I want him bringing others into the game, but getting primarily on the end of crosses, I would expect him to score his fair share of goals.

So thoughts / input welcomed. I'll get some screenshots added later and will play a few games tonight, but wanted to get some early thoughts.

Cheers.

[pedromanuelpinto]

Hi,

I'm doing the same save as you, but I'm using a 4-2-3-1 with CM instead of DM and trying to use possession instead of counter . I don’t believe that Leeds have a start team to do a fast type of attack.

I see some problems in your shape of playing:

- Counter attack without fast players in the front;

- Two DM in a Team that have best CM instead of DM, and I don’t see them feting the DM role;

- The FB, I like to have just one in Attack, so they have still 3 members more in the back, instead of just 2. You don’t want to put all men’s in front and then suffer goals in counter attacks;

- With a DF (S) and without Wingers/inside Fwrds you won’t have anyone in the front, so making goals will be too much complicate;

- Using a structured way you should have 2 or 3 specialists roles, and you just have 1 (meeting the Very Fluid or Fluid way);

I suggest to you to read the “Sticky: How to Play FM: A Twelve Step Guide“ and “Sticky: Pairs & Combinations FM2015 - UPDATED” topics, this are a good way to be introduced to the FM tactics perspective.

What I purpose is that you review the design of the tactic shape and try to put some more men in the front. To counter you still need men’s in the attack and make goals, don’t focus that you will need to defend with all the team and them the players runs to the front… You will still need to have strikers and wingers to support your counter attacking system.

Don’t see my comments as a destructive way, but in a way of alert to see if the team is ready for the type of play that you want to use. I will try to help you after your feedback .

Regards,

P Pinto

[OrientTillIDie]

I echo the above and have a few bits to add...

You say you want to be positive but also play counter attacking football. This is contradictory. Being positive would be controlling the game and keeping the ball, whilst counter attacking is sitting back and absorbing pressure ready to break quickly and directly. With Leeds I would go with the controlling aspect. Not elite pace in the squad and good passers lends itself to a control mentality. On a similar note, your "no square pegs in round holes" desire contradicts with "no intricate short passing" because Leeds do have good ball players (Cook, Mowatt, Antenucci etc). If you try to avoid playing short passing then effectively you're forcing your players to play a game they're not comfortable with. Play to your players' strengths.

As Pedro said above, Leeds have some outstanding young central midfielders so don't force them to play DM. Again that's a square peg in a round hole that you said you want to avoid. Push them further up. I would recommend finding someone who can play holding DM to let Cook and Mowatt do their thing and cause your opponents problems.

Chris Wood isn't really suited to being a Defensive Forward. He's big, strong, good in the air and with the ball at his feet. As close to a rounded striker as you're going to get at that level. He's the sort of person you want dragging defenders away from goal and bringing others into play. Maybe use him as a False 9 or DLF/S. Alternatively, you could use him as TM/A to make him spearhead your attack. He'll still link the play but will get into the box quicker. Watch him in real life... He's always coming deep and throwing his weight around. Plenty of goals he scores are from the edge of the box as well.

Again, like Pedro said, use one full back on Attach duty rather than both. I would recommend this being Byram as his attacking ability is excellent. Charlie Taylor is a good solid left back so I'd keep him on support.

I would say you're squad is more suited to playing a 4-1-2-3 formation (the one where the midfield looks like a V). Make sure your midfield is supporting your striker and get a wide player cutting in to flood the opponents area.

I hope some of that has helped.

[macca72]

Thanks for the advice, I'll go put some more thought into it.

Enjoy your games.