Kazza Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I choose between 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1. I think it gives you two good options. "However I have read that with 4-2-3-1 you can switch to a five man midfield if you’re on the back foot, or try to hold onto a narrow lead. It also gives you the freedom to push forward. There’s a lot more flexibility in a 4-2-3-1 than in a 4-4-2." Having read the above statement, I tend to agree even though I use 4-4-2 more than 4-2-3-1, though that might change. My main settings are control/fluid but I do switch as and when. My question is how do you switch the 5 man midfield when your on the back foot. Is it simply that you change the mentlaity and team shape e.g. counter/structured or am I missing other things that you need to do? Advice appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overmars Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 The obvious move is to drop the AML/AMC/AMR back to ML/MC/MR to make it a flat 4-5-1 or just move the wingers back to make it a 4-4-1-1. When doing this, though, closing down higher on the pitch isn't as effective, so I drop any shouts aimed at engineering a high press. I also would be more inclined to pass into space since there should be some ahead of the midfielders now. I might even choose "More disciplined" to keep people positionally conservative. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
permanentquandary Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 The only advantage of playing a 4231 over a standard 4411 or flat 451 is the ability to use inside forwards or raumdeuters. If you don't have talented players for these tasks or don't want to use these roles I think using ML and MR slots is far superior defensively. The 4231 formation is very attacking as a formation - these players in the AM slots are after all in their defensive positions without the ball - and that's not very defensive. Unless you think your side is one of the better ones in the league I think it best to avoid this formation and go with a more conservative (yet surprisingly flexible) 4-5-1. The other thing to be mindful of when playing a formation with 1 striker is that this striker's responsibilities are greater and more varied than those of each striker in a 2 striker formation. In a 4-4-2, each of the strikers' roles are distinct and very distinguishable from each other. One is a link who holds up the ball. The other bangs them in. In a 4-2-3-1, those roles must be combined into a single striker. So if you don't have the sort of quality for that combination, IMO it's better to go with a 2 striker formation or use a x-x-1-1 formation where the AMC provides that link and alternative goalscoring outlet that you get in the 4-4-2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazza Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 Cheers Guys - food for thought and I will experiment with both your ideas and suggestions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarltonBanks Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 10 minutes ago, permanentquandary said: The only advantage of playing a 4231 over a standard 4411 or flat 451 is the ability to use inside forwards or raumdeuters. If you don't have talented players for these tasks or don't want to use these roles I think using ML and MR slots is far superior defensively. The 4231 formation is very attacking as a formation - these players in the AM slots are after all in their defensive positions without the ball - and that's not very defensive. Unless you think your side is one of the better ones in the league I think it best to avoid this formation and go with a more conservative (yet surprisingly flexible) 4-5-1. The other thing to be mindful of when playing a formation with 1 striker is that this striker's responsibilities are greater and more varied than those of each striker in a 2 striker formation. In a 4-4-2, each of the strikers' roles are distinct and very distinguishable from each other. One is a link who holds up the ball. The other bangs them in. In a 4-2-3-1, those roles must be combined into a single striker. So if you don't have the sort of quality for that combination, IMO it's better to go with a 2 striker formation or use a x-x-1-1 formation where the AMC provides that link and alternative goalscoring outlet that you get in the 4-4-2. Why would an AMC work as a link in a 4-4-1-1 but not a 4-3-2-1? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazza Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 18 minutes ago, CarltonBanks said: Why would an AMC work as a link in a 4-4-1-1 but not a 4-3-2-1? You mean 4231 not 4321? As I suspect in 4231 the AMC is the central role? Whereas in 4321 there is no AMC, could be wrong? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overmars Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I think an AMC in a 4-2-3-1 does do an excellent job of facilitating, thus allowing the lone striker to focus more on being the goalscorer. There are many other ways to set it up, but I find it easiest to find good goal scoring forwards and good creative AMCs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarltonBanks Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 8 hours ago, Kazza said: You mean 4231 not 4321? As I suspect in 4231 the AMC is the central role? Whereas in 4321 there is no AMC, could be wrong? Mistyped, meant a 4-2-3-1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
permanentquandary Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 On 10/27/2016 at 02:39, CarltonBanks said: Mistyped, meant a 4-2-3-1 Didn't say it doesn't work. But if you're not going to be dominating the game, you're shooting yourself in the foot by using a 4231. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.