FM16: 3-4-1-2 Control, Very Fluid

[CybrSlydr]

Yes, it's me again - back with my relentless pursuit of a good 3-4-3 or similar system. I had my 3-4-3 Diamond thread last year for FM15 so I thought it was time to get on with implementing something similar for FM16.

After two successful years at Columbus Crew, I resigned and waited out a new job. After about 6 months of offers, I settled on AS Saint Etienne. Reason being is that I wanted a decent club with a decent budget and I've never coached in Ligue 1 before. Off I go!

It's now just after the January Transfer Window in which I picked up an extremely exciting prospect in Ze Gomes. Gelsenkirchen came to me asking for my 25yr old Complete Striker, Andres Renteria, who had a value of around $26m USD. I rebuffed their request twice until on the third time I told them I'd take $35m USD up front, $10m USD after 20 games and a 20% sell on. They accepted (I was shocked). So I had to find a good striker and I think this guy has what it takes. I screwed up when dealing for him as I originally offered $24m USD and they countered. I wanted to try $27m USD next but wasn't thinking when I clicked offer and they accepted for $37m USD.

He's thus far scored one goal and has one assist on his debut.

Anyway, here's the tactic.

If you are familiar with my old 3-4-3 Diamond thread, you'll notice I'm using the same formation but with different roles. I was hired on 8 July, so just after the main transfer window opened. Shortly after that, I was offered a couple of incredible talents in Lucio Compagnucci and Sebastián Driussi. Both were 4-4.5 star CA and I couldn't pass them up. So, my 3-4-3 turned into a 3-4-1-2. I also was offered Dusan Tadic, who was a free agent, and picked up Kevin Mirallas, who was also a free agent. In my previous thread, I used Wingers out wide. This time, I'm trying Defensive Wingers for a bit of added defense. BTW - Defensive Wingers are a COMPLETE pain in the ass to find. I think what I'll have to do in the future is find some natural Wing Backs and try to retrain them into Defensive Wingers.

Here are the instructions I'm using.

My thinking on this is with 3 at the back and just Defensive Wingers outside, I need to control the game. My best defense is keeping the ball so the other team can't score. I've also read with Very Fluid that everyone tries to contribute to ever phase of the game - the whole "Team Defense/Offense". I'm trying Very Fluid to see if I can get my Defensive Wingers to contribute more to Defense yet still get up/down the pitch and provide width. I realize I could use Wing Backs to do this probably a support role, but I really want to see if I can make this formation work shape-wise.

I often used to see the comment during my game that there was a gap between the midfield and the defense that was being exploited. So, I tried to remedy that by having the defense play Slightly Higher up the pitch. I also figured that since I'm slightly higher up the pitch, I'd see if I could utilize the Offside Trap.

I'm going with the "Sometimes" closing down because less was allowing them to just walk into the box nearly unchallenged and more is drawing my players WAY out of position too often, specifically the outside two CBs on stopper duties. The biggest problem with them is getting the Defensive Wingers to track back and stay wide enough. The Defensive Wingers will get sucked into the middle of the pitch following the ball while the overlapping player pulls the outside CB way out of position. This is despite having both Defensive Wingers having player instructions to "Stay Wider". It seems to only apply to when attacking rather than defending.

The only other TI I have is telling them to retain possession. I did this as said before, we want to keep the ball to prevent exposing ourselves. I also limited myself to these TIs as reading about Very Fluid means the players pretty much have control over the way the game is played and to use many more TIs would run counter to having them play Very Fluid.

As for player instructions, I've not used many as like with TIs, I figured it would violate the point of playing Very Fluid. That said, I do have my F9 set to "Roam from Position", my Defensive Wingers I talked about above, the BBM is told "Fewer Risky Passes", the BPD is told to "Hold Position" and the keeper has the standard, "Roll It Out", "Distribute to Centerbacks", "Fewer Risky Passes" and "Slow Pace Down" - though I'm thinking of ditching the pace one since I'm playing "Normal" pace.

Thus far, I've met with mixed success.

The games that I've been coaching are the 3-4-3 and 3-4-1-2, the others are prior to my arrival. I can't really complain with my position in the league - we're 5th.

We've also got the second most goals-scored in the league with 54 goals scored (first place PSG has the most with 55) but we've also given up 38 (which is tied for 4th worst in the league).

So, in summary, it's working - kind of. We can rack up 3-4 goals per game as well as grind out 1 goal wins, but we can go down quickly and lose by 3-4. I truly don't know what to expect when the game starts. Better defenders are one of my priorities. That's why I picked up Sakho (who has been hit-or-miss for me) and I also picked up a decent-good BPD as well. I'm still trying to find the budget to get one more 3-3.5 star Defender (or better) in so I have at least a 3-star defense across the back (ignore that 1-star guy, I don't know why he's there, he's not the guy that usually plays there).

I'd be interested to hear what you folks have to add.

[RTHerringbone]

Would be interested in some analysis of how you regroup when attacks break down. Specifically relating to your MC players and where the AI midfielders position themselves ; it looks like a dangerous gap.

[CybrSlydr]

Would be interested in some analysis of how you regroup when attacks break down. Specifically relating to your MC players and where the AI midfielders position themselves ; it looks like a dangerous gap.

How would I show this?

EDIT: Is this a game feature or do you mean screenshots from a game?

[ajsr1982]

I'll be watching this with interest. My best attempt at a three man defence this year has been trying to replicate Liverpool's Spice Boys setup, which I've done as follows.

GK/D

CD/C

BPD/D

CD/D

WB/S

WB/S

DLP/D

CM/S

T/A

CF/S

P/A

It's not perfect - I've taken a couple of hammerings. But I've dealt a few out as well. Much like you, it seems to be very 'all or nothing' where the first goal becomes crucial.

Aside from that I've abandoned various 3-1-4-2, 3-4-1-2 formations. I even tried a late 90s Portugal 3-6-1 which was just dreadful. Best of luck.

[CybrSlydr]

I'll be watching this with interest. My best attempt at a three man defence this year has been trying to replicate Liverpool's Spice Boys setup, which I've done as follows.

GK/D

CD/C

BPD/D

CD/D

WB/S

WB/S

DLP/D

CM/S

T/A

CF/S

P/A

It's not perfect - I've taken a couple of hammerings. But I've dealt a few out as well. Much like you, it seems to be very 'all or nothing' where the first goal becomes crucial.

Aside from that I've abandoned various 3-1-4-2, 3-4-1-2 formations. I even tried a late 90s Portugal 3-6-1 which was just dreadful. Best of luck.

Mostly I went with the AM(A) because he's best at it - plus, I can think of it like a withdrawn striker, so I can fool myself into thinking it's a 3-4-3 like I originally wanted. lol

I've also attempted the 3-4-3 with Wing Backs and AML/R before (I think the game called it a 5-2-3 Wide WB). Main problem I had with that was the WB and AMs nearly playing on top of each other. I thought I'd rectify that by having the AMs as IFs and playing overlap, but it didn't work too well in MLS.

[CybrSlydr]

Well, I just got pummeled by PSG @PSG, 4-0. Here's the first goal.

We have a throw in and the ball goes to Compagnucci (who is playing as a DLP(D) since this is PSG).

He passes back to Tripicio who is playing DW(S) and moves wide to provide a cross into the box where three of my attackers are waiting with my BBM at the top of the box.

All of my attackers are marked and Thigao Silva gets the header and clears the ball to Carvalho.

He spots Aboubakar playing on the shoulder of my BPD© and launches a ball over the top. My BPD© does his job and undrecuts the ball and clears it with a header.

The problem is he heads it right at Embolo playing on their left wing. If you notice, both of my DW(S) are slow to track back and are already beaten.

My BBM comes over to challenge him for the ball and Embolo heads it down and across to Veratti. Veratti then turns up-field and dribbles to the center of the pitch.

He then hits a through-ball to Di Maria who collects it neatly at the top of the box, drives in and slots it past the keeper with two defenders closing in on him.

The second goal was an intercepted flick-on from Tadic to Gomes. They took the ball and passed it to DiMaria, who cut in from the left wing and tapped a weighed through ball into the box for Aboubakar to slot past my keeper.

Third was a PK and the fourth was a header off the underside of the crossbar at the near post from a throw-in near the corner flag.

[CybrSlydr]

I'm pretty sure anyone who has tried the 3CB and any combination of WB/DW/W will see what DiMaria did is the Achilles Heel of a 3CB formation. I've yet to find a way to consistently address that issue, in either FM16 or FM15.

[RTHerringbone]

How would I show this?

EDIT: Is this a game feature or do you mean screenshots from a game?

It was screenshots. I think the images uploaded just now show some issues with the centre being undermanned, but it's the DWs in that match which seem too advanced. That was basically the hardest game you'll face (P-SG away), so probably best not to make too many changes based on that match alone. My instinct would probably be to consider getting the DWs to specific man mark the AI wingers, and I'm still nervous about the composition of your central midfield.

[pattricb]

I'm currently using a 3-1-4-2 and having success with it. I attempted the 3-4-1-2 like you but found it was too attacking for my liking so switched the CAM to a defensive midfielder who drops into the backline. I eventually ditched the fluid team shape as well as I found there would be games when my players would be way too ambitious with their passing and dribbling. I like to allow some creativity but would prefer if it was left in the hands of my actual playmakers. This is what I'm currently using:

Standard mentality and balanced team shape. I use a lot of support roles because I prefer to control the pace of the game and we have about 55-65% possession in most games. The only issue I'm dealing with is we probably draw a few more games then I'd like and still trying to work out which changes can turn those draws into wins. Other than that I am pretty happy with the system so far.

[CybrSlydr]

What is a good way to increase your scoring? I ask because I'm seeing games where I've got 20 shots but only 5 on target and one goes in while I have 60%+ possession.

I've already tickedthe "Work Ball Into Box" TI to try and buff it.

[pattricb]

What is a good way to increase your scoring? I ask because I'm seeing games where I've got 20 shots but only 5 on target and one goes in while I have 60%+ possession.

I've already tickedthe "Work Ball Into Box" TI to try and buff it.

Yeah I had a problem scoring at first when I used a cf-s and dlf-s combo. I changed the cf-s to a poacher to push the d line back to make space for my cm's and left winger to move/dribble into. I also decided to leave my passing at 'mixed' without the retain possession TI. My thinking there was I wanted my players to spot runs being made and I wanted them to try and play balls over the top. We get a decent amount of assists from our own half after winning the ball back and playing a long ball to either the poacher or dlf making a run. 'Vision' and 'decisions' are very important.

I also taught most of my cm's the 'plays one twos' PPM. It's very simple I just wanted my players constantly moving around finding open space and trying passes into a space my player just moved into. Watching a team like barca shows how important it is in a possession system to have your players constantly moving around searching for space.

[CybrSlydr]

Yeah I had a problem scoring at first when I used a cf-s and dlf-s combo. I changed the cf-s to a poacher to push the d line back to make space for my cm's and left winger to move/dribble into. I also decided to leave my passing at 'mixed' without the retain possession TI. My thinking there was I wanted my players to spot runs being made and I wanted them to try and play balls over the top. We get a decent amount of assists from our own half after winning the ball back and playing a long ball to either the poacher or dlf making a run. 'Vision' and 'decisions' are very important.

I also taught most of my cm's the 'plays one twos' PPM. It's very simple I just wanted my players constantly moving around finding open space and trying passes into a space my player just moved into. Watching a team like barca shows how important it is in a possession system to have your players constantly moving around searching for space.

Good stuff - thanks!

[ajsr1982]

What is a good way to increase your scoring? I ask because I'm seeing games where I've got 20 shots but only 5 on target and one goes in while I have 60%+ possession.

I've already tickedthe "Work Ball Into Box" TI to try and buff it.

Alternatively, go to the 'Stats' dropdown on the Squad screen. It will tell you the shooting stats of all of your players. If your forwards are at 50% or better, they're not the problem, most likely. I just did this and realised that my BBM was taking a lot of shots, but only 19% of them found the target. An instruction to shoot less often has seen my ratio increase.

[CybrSlydr]

Alternatively, go to the 'Stats' dropdown on the Squad screen. It will tell you the shooting stats of all of your players. If your forwards are at 50% or better, they're not the problem, most likely. I just did this and realised that my BBM was taking a lot of shots, but only 19% of them found the target. An instruction to shoot less often has seen my ratio increase.

Good call - I'll look into that!

[CybrSlydr]

Well, I'm nearing the end of the season and I'm in 5th place, the last Euro Cup qual spot, 2 points ahead of Montpellier.

I've also made it to the Euro Cup Final (vs Athletic) and the French Cup Final (vs PSG). Once the season is over, I'll post up a summary.

[CybrSlydr]

Ok - the regular season is over and the last two games we won - which put us into 3rd place securing Champions League play next year!

Of the Ligue 1 Best XI, 8 of them were PSG players. One of mine made it - Driussi.

Here are the final standings.

Here's the season stats for the formation I used.

I would say that this is an outstanding attacking formation. Even at a high-level like Ligue 1. However, it's clearly not defensive enough a formation. If I'd given up fewer goals, I might have been able to challenge for... second place? lol I have to admit, I think my guys succeeded despite my best efforts to hamper them with this formation because looking at the stats, hamper is about the best word you can use for this formation.

Finally, here's the stat sheet for my Ligue 1 Best XI Winner, Sebastian Driussi.

I still have to play the Euro Cup Final and the French Cup Final, but I don't anticipate winning either of them. So, all-in-all, I would say my team did outstanding despite my best efforts. lol

[CybrSlydr]

Wow.

Just when you think you have your team figured out, they go and do this.

We just curbstomped Athletic 6-1 in the Euro Cup Final. We were winning 5-0 at halftime. Roux (my F9) and Driucci (My AM(A)) both had hat-tricks. Athletic's lone goal came in the 87th minute.

[CybrSlydr]

Rats. Well, we gave it our best shot. Lost 4-3 to PSG in the French Cup Final.

But, given everything else that's happened this year, I can't really complain. We've had a great year!

[CybrSlydr]

And here is my season ending overview.

[Narval]

U score a lot of goal but u concede a lot too !

Any idea why ?

[CybrSlydr]

U score a lot of goal but u concede a lot too !

Any idea why ?

Most likely because I play 3 at the back with almost token defense out wide with the Defensive Wingers. I honestly figured those Defensive Wingers would just be really advanced WBs. They didn't track back and defend nearly as much as I wanted. I'm also pretty weak in the middle with two support roles at CM instead of a defensive and support.

So I'm going with a different formation for next year. Something with WBs instead of Defensive Wingers.

[pattricb]

Not a bad season at all! Good job man I'd like to see your new system in play when its fully fluid.

[CybrSlydr]

Not a bad season at all! Good job man I'd like to see your new system in play when its fully fluid.

It was fully fluid. I played the entire season with it.

Since this formation wasn't very defensive, I've gone with a different formation for the next season. Technically you could still call it a 3-4-3 as I've got 3x CB, 2x WB, 1x DM, 1x CM, 2x AMC and 1x ST.

[CamillePunk]

Incredible, I too just started a save using this same shape, with minor role differences (but DW-S on both wings). Following with interest.

[CybrSlydr]

As mentioned before, I've switched to what the game calls a 5-1-3-1.

I'm pretty pissed right now. 6 games into the season and my team has scored 1 goal with that formation and given up 6. This is league and champions games. wtf

What is wrong with this formation that apparently my team suddenly sucks with it? They're knowledge of it is Fluid and I'm not asking them to do much differently than the previous formation.

I realize that my #1 striker is currently out with ankle ligament stretch or some BS, but he'll be back in 3-4 weeks and he's a 4-star CF.

[jengaehassim]

Not that good at tactics, but it seems your new tactic lacks support. 3 CDs with a anchor man seems too much, that's 4 defensive players who barely contribute to play.

Plus, both the wingbacks and the BBM have ofensive mentality, leaving the midfield empty. Maybe using a DLP/D on the DM position would help.

[Phil Macklam]

I'm no tactical guru so maybe I'm going to be way off the mark here but where are you conceding the goals from?

Your problem may still be on your flanks? The 2 WB's are on attack duty so will be more interested in going forward than back (to track opposition players).

The it maybe down to your actual structure of your 3 CB's.

The 2 outer ones maybe on a Cover duty as then one of them would push out wider if there was a threat down the wing, leaving the other 2 to stay central.

I understand why you may have a BPD but why not make him into a Stopper? This way he would be more prone to staying in a central location and not drawn out wide.

I like the idea of a Anchor but maybe this is where your not getting help in going forward in central positions as he's too deep?

One final thought have a download of the document found in this thread - http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/375632-Pairs-amp-Combinations-FM2015-UPDATED

This will help you in setting up some of your players (like the 3 CB's)

[Phil Macklam]

Not that good at tactics, but it seems your new tactic lacks support. 3 CDs with a anchor man seems too much, that's 4 defensive players who barely contribute to play.

Plus, both the wingbacks and the BBM have ofensive mentality, leaving the midfield empty. Maybe using a DLP/D on the DM position would help.

HA HA you beat me to it, was so busy about thinking what to put to help out.

[CybrSlydr]

But the problem isn't giving up goals - I'm giving up far fewer than before, only 1 per game. It seems quite defensively sound. It's just that nobody is scoring. I realize that a 2-star player isn't so hot, but my AM(A) guy scored 20 goals in half a season last year. Plus, the AP(S) guy is a Wonderkid, so he should be performing a lot better than he is.

The idea is the WBs give width and crosses, the BBM helps the AM, AP and A in both offense and defense since that's what BBMs... do. The Anchor man screens the three defenders and gets help from the BBM and keeps things simple.

The only instructions I have are Stay on Feet, Pass into Space and Retain Possession.

EDIT: For instance:

I appear to be owning the midfield, but nobody is getting in the box. Which I find quite odd for having an AM(A) and a P(A).

And yes, I admit to save scumming this one. I rolled back to an earlier save as my ego can't take how poorly we're performing with this.

[CybrSlydr]

Holy Jesus. Just played the Euro Super Cup game and we were... embarrassing.

2 shots, 0 on target 40% possession against Dortmund. Dortmund had 24 shots. We lost 1-0.

[CybrSlydr]

In case any of you are wondering what it is with me and trying to make 3 at the back work or strange formations, it's a desire to simply and reduce the number of positions needed. This way, instead of having a DR, DL, AMR and AML, I can turn those four positions into two. I can then get a person who can play both as depth and I've suddenly got a free spot to put somewhere. Consolidation.

[fman1]

I wanted to go back to an attacking back 3 and looked to be structured and control with looking for overlap but shorter passing and a high tempo, closing down as well and have this formation

I hope the screenshots work, and have changed after a few games to these instructions

[CybrSlydr]

I think another problem of mine is that I don't have any height in the box. I've got WBs sending crosses in but not really anyone who can fight for it and flick on or bury it.

So, I'm going to see if I can pick up a Target Man in the Winter transfer window.

I've already sold the second AMC I picked up to Dortmond for $55m USD. So, paired with the $25m I already had, I have $82m USD to go get someone as well as about $350k in salary available.

I'm thinking Benteke or someone like that. He's strong and an absolute beast in the air.

[CybrSlydr]

Oh. My. God.

I found my Target Man.

[CybrSlydr]

lol In a Ligue Cup game against AS Saint Priest (a nobody... lol), my new Asenovic had... 3 Assists and 2 Goals. That's his debut. Really excited to see how he does against a legit team.

[CybrSlydr]

Well, I just finished the next season and... we improved over the previous season.

19-7-12 with 64 points last year and finished with 22-7-9 with 73 points.

Here are the photos:

As I mentioned above, my 3-4-1-2 has evolved into what the game calls a 5-1-1-2 DM WB or a 3-4-1-2 DM, so here is the tactical analysis.

I sorted the Stats by goals.

I must say, even though we finished better than last year AND still qualified for the Champions League, this season didn't feel that successful.

As you can see, goal scoring was down SIGNIFICANTLY yet goal differential was only down by 4.

Gomez and Driussi's production was significantly down as well. However, we notice I gave up significantly fewer goals - my keeper finished 3rd in Best Keeper voting. He was spectacular - in 36 starts he allowed 24 goals and had 19 clean sheets with a 7.09 average rating.

But I can't help but look at my production from Driussi, Gomez and Asanovic and feel like they should have done better. That said, Driussi did, again, get selected to the Ligue 1 Best XI.

Suggestions?

[CybrSlydr]

So I just read from RT the following in another thread...

A Target Man enormously influences the way your team passes. They will bypass all other options to try to find him, so it can only ever have detrimental effects on your possession, unless he is a physical monster with astonishing Off The Ball attributes who can hold off two / three defenders, and as long as the pass to him is perfect

Could this be part of my lack of production? Let alone the sometimes appalling possession numbers I had?

Since he's a TM, they just all start chucking it at him rather than look other places?

EDIT: Forgot to mention, we also had the best discipline record in the league.

[CybrSlydr]

Well damn. Lost in the first Champion's League match-up this year to Sporting Portugal 5-3 on aggregate. 2-0 away and 3-2 at home. Didn't help that Gomes, Asanovic and Driussi were all injured for both games and didn't play... So now I've been dropped down to the Euro League.

Bit of annoying timing - the day AFTER the transfer window closed, the board comes by and gives me $25m in transfer budget. lol So, I didn't bring anybody in.

I'm also looking at playing my youth more this year as they're finally getting into 18-19 years of age. I have a couple really promising youth at AMR, DM/M and AMC.

I'm going to be switching between a 4-1-2-3 DM Wide, a 4-2-4 2DM and possibly a 4-4-2 Diamond Narrow.

[nasipepes]

ive been using a variation of 3-4-1-2 for my Athletic Bilbao, i am now facing my 10th fixture in my first season and my records are 5 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses (one came from Barcelona). i've been tinkering with multiple formations at Sampdoria and Athletic before i decided to start all over again with the latter and teach my players this formation right from the start of the campaign, so that they could master it overtime. most of the time i won by a slight margin 2-1 or 1-0 (i got 6-to-nil once against eibar), but this formation is very stable in my opinion, both in defending wide areas and executing pass retention tactics, also i occasionally got to enjoy very beautiful movements on and off the ball. but, further tests are needed, though.

technically my formation would be 5-2-1-2 WB, since i dropped the side midfielders in 3-4-1-2 so that they could protect the 3-man defence as defending wing-backs, so my actual formation would be consisted of:

SK/D

2 CD/C and a CD/D in the middle

2 WB/D

2 CM/S or 2 CM/A depending on the available players at my squad

an AM/S or an Enganche if no opposing defensive midfielder is present

2 side-drifting forwards (preferably trequartistas, but i could manipulate a Target Man to do this if no trequartistas are present)

tactically, i usually opt for CONTROL and FLUID, plus high defensive line coupled with narrow shape. i need to remind you, since im writing this in my desktop and my fm is in my laptop, actual images and screenshots will have to wait, hehe sorry im too lazy to open up my laptop right now.

as you know, Athletic Bilbao is a challenge to begin with since we could only sign basque players. luckily, i have many players who got high values in off the ball and positioning, and most of the affordable basques in the early game were defensive midfielders with good values in both stats. players possessing these two stats would be indispensable in executing fluid transitions from defending to attacking (or vice versa). sadly Athletic are short of true and fast centrebacks capable of breaking down attacks, so i need to come up with some kind of a makeshift plan to deal with scary fast wingers in Liga BBVA.

in defence i would employ a tall centreback and 2 fast defenders (must possess good acceleration, tackling, marking, positioning and anticipation) as 2 outer centrebacks, ranging from mikel rico, ramalho, balenziaga to eraso (bear in mind that i deliberately ignore the fact that few players mentioned wasnt even a centreback to begin with as long as they fit as defensive full backs) to provide cover behind 2 defensive wingbacks. in this wingback case, i usually retrained iturraspe, mikel rico or any defensive midfielders i could find, not the speedy wingbacks like balenziaga (that i usually choose as one of the outer centrebacks) or de marcos. the logic behind this because i wanted my 'central wingbacks' to drift into the middle area in attacking phase as passing options, balenziaga and de marcos simply lacks the ability in distributing the ball well; even though most of my designated wingbacks will be a bunch pf slowpokes, if they are composed on the ball and did well at tackling and marking, i would go for them (on a side note, this is one of the two areas besides attacking midfielder position where players with good off the ball and positioning i mentioned earlier would do well). okay, some of you might ask: so why didnt i just go for inverted wingbacks instead of retraining defensive midfielders as wingbacks that drift into the middle (with 'sit narrower', 'tackle harder' and 'close down less')? well, inverted wingbacks tends to dwell with ball at their feet by default to contribute more to attack, so given that i don't have the luxury to buy players like marcelo or danilo and my original aim was to create a balanced formation, i decided to stick to this slow-but-defensive 'central wingbacks' approach as passing options in midfield. so far, it's effective enough for me plus i would not have to care for additional risks in exposing my team shape at wide areas, aaaaand i got two outer 'makeshift' centrebacks that are fast enough to cover them as a backup plan (basically solving the need for true fast covering centrebacks in fluid formation).

basically, most of the teams in Liga BBVA were using 4-man backline, so in theory, if i overload their backline with four attackers, chances are their backline would fall apart if one of them loses their concentration (aka doesnt mark well), because with four attackers, they would be forced to rely on man-to-man defence; in theory, four attackers against four defenders would do well against most premier league teams provided one successfully execute his/her attacking plans (build-ups or counters). so after numerous trials and errors with my previous save-games (Sampdoria and Bilbao), i decided to field two attacking central midfielders coupled with two side-drifting forwards that will provide spaces for them to occupy in the front. i prefer susaeta, de marcos, raul garcia, or san jose (as supporting central midfielder with 'get further forward' and 'roam from position' set) as my starting central midfielders. at the front, i usually field the likes of susaeta, ibai gomez and muniain as trequartistas or to the lesser extent, iñaki williams as a poacher, but i could well with a target man like aduriz drifting wide with the right instructions ('close down less' and 'roam from position'). also, if the opposition does not field any defensive midfielder, i would use an enganche right away behind the two strikers so that it could 'float' between opposition's backline and midfield (i usually opt for beñat), where he could try to launch splitting through balls while at the same time keeping the team shape intact as passing option. should the opposition chose to field a defensive midfielder, a supporting attacking midfielder will work, preferably someone with strong presence and excels at marking and tackling to deter their counter-attacking ability. my first choice is raul garcia but the prospect of utilizing iturraspe or mikel rico in this position will do just fine, just dont expect them to launch beautiful through pass every two touches. to sum it up, on attacking phase, my 5-2-1-2 WB formation will turn into something like 3-3-4 or 3-2-1-4.

a glaring disadvantage of my formation would be if the opposing team chose to field more than one defensive midfielder or a really defensive 4-man backline coupled with a defensive midfielder. either of these setups would give my attacking players a really hard time (such as Barcelona with their ungodly-friggin'-firestorm-of-a-pivot busquets). i also tend to struggle against teams that field 3 central midfielders in flat arrangement, especially whenever they launch a counter-attack, the explanation would be that both of my original central midfielders would be caught upfront at the moment they launch a counter-attack and the only players left in my midfield area would be two of my 'central wingbacks' and sometimes the supporting attacking midfielder if he does his job well; so like i said earlier, further tests are needed (and welcomed).

cheers!