Why arent my Tactics Working?!?!?

[Aaron-Valentine]

I have played Football Manager for years now and this years game I have never found so difficult. Being a Chelsea Fan I always start with them when the last update comes out. I started a file and I just can't get any consistency like I used to on previous games! I can't work out what I'm doing wrong to previous years as I stay with the same tactics but seem to struggle.

I do a 4-2-3-1

GK - Courtois

RB(support) - Azpil

CB(Defend) - Terry Laporte

LB(Support) - Ricardo Rodriguez

CM (Defend) - Bender, Matic

RM (Winger Attack - Willian

CAM (Advanced Playmaker Support) - Oscar

LM (Winger Attack) Hazard

Complete Forward (Morata)

At home I do Control, Tight marking, quick tempo and closing down more.

Away I do the same against teams I'm more superior than. Teams I'm equal to such as City and Arsenal I do Counter, defence line drop deeper, tight marking.

I have had very good success with these tactics over the years but this year I struggle badly. I'm at home and am all over teams like Watford etc and out of nowhere they have one shot and score. It happens all the time. Away I get torn apart. Sometimes I'm 2-0 up at home and they comeback to 2-2 I just don't understand! I do individual instructions on players from the opposition and even get a coach with tactical knowledge of 20 to put his input on these to. I have had success for years as a Sunday league footballer as well.

What could it be? Are my tactics wrong! I put my players on individual training for their tactical role they play is it that? I do attacking movement training when it tells me to and defensive positioning against teams I know will be tough if not I do match tactics is it that? All my coaches I assign to training is all 4 starts or more? Is It because I'm Sunday league but as I said I have tried as international and still the same outcome! Is It my age I'm 30 years old? (I have tried doing older age).

I have wasted my week off spending all week on it and just the same every time, play at home and concede goals and lose when I'm dominating! And just so dodgy at the back its just crosses or over the top balls I concede all the time even tho I tight mark and put on wrong foot the wingers and striker!

I'm starting to think the game is fixed up and losing patience!!!! Help!!!!!

[alexhcfc]

Tactics should always be flexible. For example, should you be 2-0 up, try slowing the tempo, less risky passes, shorter passes, etc. Also, you could change player roles from A to S. Try to close the game out.

Look at weak points of the opposition and play to their weaknesses. Hiddink & Mourinho and every manager previous change their tactics on a game by game basis. Try to catch the opposition out by using your scout report.

I know it's not a very in-depth response but I hope it helps

[vasilli07]

Like what alex said, slowing things does help. There is no reason to play at a high tempo when you are trying to kill time off. I also don't think you can expect your team to be closing down all the time. Control + closing down more means you are playing a pretty high d-line. If they get tired, they will close their concentration and drop off their closing down as well. A direct ball over the top could easily breach your backline.

[Draakon]

Both CM on defend duty? At least one of them should be forward looking and support - DLP(s), CM(s) or even AP(s).

I use 4-2-3-1. My setup:

FB-s on aut.

CM: BBM(s)

CM: AP(s)

AMC: AP(a)

AMR: W(s)

AML: W(s)

ST: CF(a)

Control. Flexible.

TI:s - pass out of defense, prevent short GK distribution, fairly wide

If I need a goal, I change to attack, which automatically means my full backs will switch to more attacking mentality and I take more risks. Otherwise leave things the same.

[OrientTillIDie]

I had a great tactic that was Chelsea inspired. It looks a bit weird but bear with it!

From right to left:

GK(d)

FB(a)

CD(d)

CD(d)

FB(s)

WM(s)

RPM(s)

CM(d)

WM(a)

SS(a)

DF(s)

The defensive forward was lethal in front of goal and the left wide midfielder scored goals for fun. Have the left midfielder on cut inside and roam like Hazard does.

Team instructions was to close down and play more direct. Also, you need to push the defensive line up a bit to close up any gap between the defence and the midfield.