Struggling - 5212

[Jaydenoren]

Joined a new team mid season in Sheffield Wednesday and have yet to have a game where we remotely play well.

The squad isn't good and is poorly imbalanced.

 

 

Here's the tactic:

 

Due to an excess of centre backs and all my full backs wanting to get forward I feel forced to play 5 at the back. Which would be fine since I used a 3-5-2 in my previous job which was a direct and defensively solid long ball tactic. However the board wants me to play direct and attacking football and due to most of my forwards being more small and quick I switched to a 3-4-1-2. However in most of my games I've shown nothing of note in terms of going forward and have been quite vulnerable defensively.

 

 

Can someone just give me any ideas for what direction I should take with this squad? Because quite frankly I'm at a lost as to what to do.

 

Edited August 6, 2022 by Jaydenoren

[robot_9x3]

Hi,
I have played around with a three at the back here when trying to recreate Mourinhos Roma.
It's not a 5-2-1-2 but a 5-2-2-1 with that I discovered with 3 at the back I don't need a classic holder in midfield like you have with the CM-De. Also I have all my three attackers really attacking.
I also did not push the Wingbacks forward instead having them involved in the build up, with a support duty, once in the attacking third they will still maraud forward anyway.
That could help you with your attacking and not being dependend on luck to get forward because your defense and midfield have an easy out option with the wingbacks.
The Wingbacks being more conservative will also help in defence.

Something I have found valuable but that could be down to the quality of players, is pushing the Defensiveline forward. Especially when you cbs are fast if I understood you right. that could help keeping the opposition away from goal.
The update I never posted included the Central defender being a cover duty which worked decently well and you already have that.

Something which would be nice to help you is knowing:

Where you concede from?
From the Graphs you are just under a constant siege and one attack will come through eventually. Maybe try "Get stuck in" to have more pressure and more balls won back?

How are you losing the ball?
So is there a pattern you notice with long balls or something else which is not only down to player quality

And why don't you get the ball back with 7 Man with defensive responsibilities?
Are players just missing tackles? Dn't they com in for the tackles? With Fast CBs maybe opt for man marking so your always there or there about.

With a team that subpar are you expecting too much?
Is the time just striving to not go down? E.G players really not up for the task?