[FM23] & [FM24] Ernst Happel Challenge - If at First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again

[SixPointer]

3 hours ago, 13th Man said:

Things are very much going in the right direction and Schiemer hasn't even had an offseason yet!  Other than the tough, late loss against Brugge, Standard Liege are flying! Improvement this season is the goal, but next it seems you can aim higher.

It’s the window today on my day off. If I can get this right we can certainly kick on and cement European football for next season. Get it wrong and could be adding more dead wood to what is already and abundance of it. 

[SixPointer]

Long day in the window today. Moving players on and trying to get together a solid list of replacements to dig into. Couple games played hopefully an update midweek but there’s a lot to get into. 

[SixPointer]

The Secret of Change Is to Focus All of Your Energy, Not on Fighting the Old, But on Building the New.....

I have spoken of a large amount of deadwood that the club has some how managed to stockpile for some time, for us to progress the playing staff needs to become a quality over quantity approach. I like to operate with a first team squad of 25 players. The view of having two players per position and three players for an added cover, with a few hot prospects dipping their toes in from time to time.

That said when I arrived, I was willing to give everyone a chance, within reason, players who simply didn’t meet my requirements for DNA, positional, or in the end performance would be moved on. Now I’m glad I took the time to allow for this process as there has been some pleasant surprises which has allowed me to zone in on the true immediate weak spots rather than focusing on a whole squad of poor players.

A new number one was on my shopping list, Muller started well but injury hampered him and then a nice bid arrived. I started to do my due diligence on a few targets, but with January being notoriously tough and costly, I have opted to avoid panic buys. Matteo had stepped up and his form gives me enough positives to see what academy graduate can do while buying me time to run the rule closely on others for the summer.

The back three has been an area of strength since I arrived, although question marks are asked of Hendry and Lafis in terms of the whole season. Lafis (32) is the only left footed CB therefore I took action to rectify that.

Lilian Brassier (26) is pacey left sided wide centre back. 3.3 million euros is a sizeable fee, but I felt it was warranted as he looks the real deal and should hold down the position for years to come. He has all the attributes to excel in our system and has a DNA score off – 75. He looks a complete player in every sense of the word and his transfer listing makes him a player bought well under his market value.

On the flanks there was cause for concern at first on the right hand side, but Gilles Dewaele’s has made it his own, at 29 though. I made a move for Filipe Cruz, 300k for the Benfica protégé. Far from the finished article but someone who should represent excellent value for money. Cafaro looked a cert for the attacking role, but he is too much of liability in defence so has been loaned out.

As for the left side its Calut who stepped up to the mantel a head of Sobol, however Calut wants to explore his options. Pera is being bled into the first team for now and I think he could be the long tern solution.

The number six is perhaps the most crucial role in the team, it’s the glue that holds everything together. While Perrin has done a great job filling in (average rating 7.04) I feel he lacks the ability to really control a game. I moved for Mohamed Kaba (24) from Club Brugge for 2.5 million euros.

He loves big matches, resolute, physical and extremely intelligent. He struggled to break into the first team but in Brugge, but I feel once he makes the step up for us there won’t be any stopping him. DNA comes in at 80 points overall and he has great traits for the role. He counts towards home grown players as well which is key in Belgium.

Haag and Cimirot are both being shown the exit door, there is a few potential youth players who im looking to train in this role which will mean business in the six is done until at least the summer.

Raskin is really starting to show his ability but nailing down a partner for him was far to difficult, especially when considering the quality of player available. In the end Amallah was sold for four million, he really didn’t settle into the style, the same could be said for Guitane who was moved on for two million.

The gap would need to be filled, so I turned my attention to the stats and picked out a pair that would help us cover a variety of roles. Mark Zabukovnik was a bargain costing only eight hundred thousand, he looks capable as a six and great RPM. His numbers in the last four years while not remarkable have been good enough to warrant a gamble. In his first game it appeared to have paid off instantly.

The next hunch would come from within Belgium and a tasty release clause, again Chris Scott signing to SV Ried is a kick in the teeth as he would prove ideal now, but it was compatriot Nick Batzner who arrives. 1.6 million euros for a home grown midfielder with forty six direct goal involvements in the last four season could well prove to be astute business.

There was no talking round the big Croatian hitman and at the end of the day no one is bigger than the club and the Standard Liege fans know that only too well. The fact he fetched 2.5 million from Red Star Belgrade with only 7 months remaining on his deal says it all really. 

Strikers come at a premium and it would be no different in replacing this man, but Franz has a sublime record for bringing the best out of forwards. Kulenovic, Feiertag, Ballo, Topp and lately Almasi proved his eye for them.

Almasi would have been ideal had I not moved for him in summer at SV Ried but it an allows Franz to use his methods.

Carrying on the trend of physical strikers, Jovan Milosevic joins for a modest 1.8 million with potential bonuses taking it to 3 million.

He has scored 13 goals in his first 40 games as he broke into the senior side at Vojvodina, add to that his five goals scored which made Milosevic the top scorer of 2022 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in which Serbia reached the semi-finals, where they lost to the Netherlands on penalties. He scored a goal in every game he played.

This year he slightly outscored his expected goals but I’m hoping to really ignite his senior career by deploying him in a role than has become lethal within our system. He has the pedigree to go on to become a top striker it’s about managing him right and unlocking that potential that will decide if this is another Franz special.

Edited April 13, 2023 by SixPointer

[Hootieleece]

Good work in recruitment! the Striker looks good. Might want to fix his personality possibly.

[GIMN]

Some very promising signings.  Big fan of Kaba and his high decision making, whilst Milosevic looks like the protoypical Franz striker!!

[13th Man]

Always nice when you both improve the squad and  make a profit. Might take a bit for the team to settle, but Liege is set up well to improve in the coming season.

Especially nice work with that left footed WCB. It’s hard enough to find a good WCB, much less a left footed one!

[Carambau]

The transfer dealings look sensible  I got Milosevic in my Stuttgart save too, but he did not develop as I thought during his time and mostly was loaned out or played for our 2nd team. But tbf I never gave him many chances and did not play him in his ideal position in review... I hope he turns out better for you!  

Edited April 14, 2023 by Carambau

[rich ruzzian]

The striker looks really interesting. 

[_Ben_]

What I really like about your recruitment is how well rounded your signings always are. You back everything up with statistical reasoning and they’re very often great value for money! A lot to be learned from this!

[SixPointer]

On 13/04/2023 at 14:54, Hootieleece said:

Good work in recruitment! the Striker looks good. Might want to fix his personality possibly.

Thanks. He’s still very raw but I think I can certainly improve him.

23 hours ago, GIMN said:

Some very promising signings.  Big fan of Kaba and his high decision making, whilst Milosevic looks like the protoypical Franz striker!!

Kaba looks phenomenal as the destroyer in the middle he also should be capable enough at keeping the ball ticking over!

Hopefully big Jovan can follow in the footsteps of Kulenovic, Almasi and Stipe, I do think it will take time though.

20 hours ago, 13th Man said:

Always nice when you both improve the squad and  make a profit. Might take a bit for the team to settle, but Liege is set up well to improve in the coming season.

Especially nice work with that left footed WCB. It’s hard enough to find a good WCB, much less a left footed one!

Yeah settling in will take time, I could have easily made another 5/6 signings but I need to be cautious not to turnover to quick. I still have aspirations of European football next season so I need to keep the ship steady while revamping the squad.

Brassier looks a complete player at our level and 3,3 million looks a snippet when you consider he’s worth 6-10 million already.

4 hours ago, Carambau said:

The transfer dealings look sensible  I got Milosevic in my Stuttgart save too, but he did not develop as I thought during his time and mostly was loaned out or played for our 2nd team. But tbf I never gave him many chances and did not play him in his ideal position in review... I hope he turns out better for you!  

Ohh I seen he’s due to sign for Stuttgart in real life! He seems to be heavily tipped in real life so hopefully he does the business!

2 hours ago, rich ruzzian said:

The striker looks really interesting. 

He looks like he can do everything, perhaps a complete forward in the making. I think giving him at least six months to settle before really judging him is going to be key!

1 hour ago, _Ben_ said:

What I really like about your recruitment is how well rounded your signings always are. You back everything up with statistical reasoning and they’re very often great value for money! A lot to be learned from this!

High praise indeed! But it’s yourself and @GIMN and the @MattyLewis11 and @Shrewnaldo’s of this world that gave birth to this way of transfers for me! 

[SixPointer]

January 2026

Cercle Brugge v Standard de Liège Belgian Cup

In the end we got the better of the side from the capital, it took extra time but being in the semi final is all that matters.

Both teams looked evenly matched on paper, but it was the away side that controlled the game. Their build up play and ability to create chances proved too much for Cercle who struggled to test them.

The midfield three looked better in terms of balance, Raskin set up the first and Zabu played a sublime ball over the top for Dragus to seal Cercles fate. Hopefully, his debut was a sign of things to come.

Standard de Liège v Beerschot

In the end it was convincing win against a team we really should be taking care off.

The did however race into a 1-0 lead a sign of complacency on our part.

A corner got us back on terms, before some nice combination play on the right set Maja up for his second. He sealed his hattrick from another corner. The really are lethal, and make the effort worthwhile.

Our build up structure and passing shape again was on point. What is crucial is the variation in the types of key passes in our play, building on the left and penetrating on the right.

Not to get to ahead of ourselves as Berenschot really are struggling.

Charleroi v Standard Liège

A classic in the Walloon derby!

Six goal thrillers both sides giving it their all to seal a crucial three points in the quest for European football.

I billed Giles Dewaele as a steady eddie type of right back that done the simple things well, boy how wrong was I. He laid on all three goals today, at 29 he appears to be peaking and hitting his prime and it’s so pleasing as he would have fell foul to the sword had I been ruthless from the outset.

Josh Maja is another who has hit a purple patch, he appears to have found consistency, I wish the same could be said about our midfield three which I’m still having issues getting the right blend and I’m now toying with roles as well.

Standard Liège v Lommel

Convincing result against basement boys Lommel.

Today appears to be the day that Nicolas Raskin showed his true self and what he really is capable off.

He finished of a sweeping team move and another assist for Dewaele in doing so, working the ball from the overload on the left to the 2v1 on the right to exploit the space from pulling Lommel defence apart. This is precisely what this shape is designed to do.

Maja is red hot and young Pera didn’t want to be left out on the wing back assists trail, a lovely ball from the 17 year old. Raskin the finished off a nice short throw routine, before big Bafodé headed home a back post freekick.

Our passing shape and overload/underload are unstoppable when it clicks, the issue is am not seeing it quite as often as I want to. The patterns are there which is reassuring, and patience is needed as the team adjusts to my style of play.

Edited April 15, 2023 by SixPointer

[13th Man]

Liege is continuing its climb towards Europe once more!

One question - I see from the passing maps that neither forwards seem all that involved in the build up. Is this on purpose - they’re meant more to pounce on chances and lead the breaks - or is it just a byproduct of the overload/underload wing play? 

[Rikulec]

Watching Maja score for you really makes me want to watch Sunderland Till I Die again.

[GIMN]

A fantastic month, and that opening goal for Raskin against Lommel was a thing of beauty.  The movement and interchanges executed to absolute perfection!

[SixPointer]

12 hours ago, 13th Man said:

Liege is continuing its climb towards Europe once more!

One question - I see from the passing maps that neither forwards seem all that involved in the build up. Is this on purpose - they’re meant more to pounce on chances and lead the breaks - or is it just a byproduct of the overload/underload wing play? 

still a long way to go in the running! But things are looking up!

They are both spearheads at the top of the diamonds so I do expect them to see less link to play. Especially on the right hand side as that’s the attacking (exploit side).

I think the reason the TM isn’t linking as much is Maja is still learning the role coupled with issues with role at the LCM. The RPM hasn’t been as effective here as it was in Austria and is something am working on.

11 hours ago, Rikulec said:

Watching Maja score for you really makes me want to watch Sunderland Till I Die again.

I support Newcastle but I have to say Sunderland till I die was the best insight I think out of all the football shows of similar style. I think it gave the best insight.

1 hour ago, GIMN said:

A fantastic month, and that opening goal for Raskin against Lommel was a thing of beauty.  The movement and interchanges executed to absolute perfection!

It’s exactly what I what to see from this system. But it’s not quite happening as often as I would like. I’m starting to feel the anchorman is a little redundant in the system. Although Kaba does like a switch of play so it may see the birth of a DLP(D) with a more aggressive runner in front. 

[rich ruzzian]

Quote

In the end we got the better of the side from the capital

You do know Cercle Brugge is not from Brussels? Brugge is not the capital of Belgium. 

Great month, and like you suggested, i would change the rol of anchor into a dlp(d). If offcourse Kaba is ready or if you can find a player more suited. 

[Jogo Bonito]

Good work with Standard. Nice business in the transfer window too.

[SixPointer]

10 hours ago, rich ruzzian said:

You do know Cercle Brugge is not from Brussels? Brugge is not the capital of Belgium. 

Great month, and like you suggested, i would change the rol of anchor into a dlp(d). If offcourse Kaba is ready or if you can find a player more suited. 

Hahah I do know that. My bad! 12 hours is killing the brain.

role change is happening or happened in fact. I just need time to write the posts. It’s a a good tactical one on route. 

3 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said:

Good work with Standard. Nice business in the transfer window too.

Thanks my man 🤙🏻

[SixPointer]

February 2026

OH Leuven v Standard Liège - Belgian Cup

It wasnt going to be easy going up against a side bang in top form in the semi-final, coming of the back of a resounding 4-1 win against Club Brugge and a six game winning run.

When a team sets up in a wing play style it’s always a concern. Due to our narrow shape further up the pitch the wing backs can cause real problems and leave us 2v1 in wide areas. Especially against a team well known for running at defences.

A tough match was expected but, in all truth, we were poor rather than OH Leuven being excellent. Created the better chances controlled the flow of the match, just went to sleep twice.

I highlighted Jensen as a key player, in fact he’s someone who would suit our RPM problem. I flipped the system to suit and asked Raskin to do a number on him, disappointing Jensen came out on top. 5 key passes and 2 assists and player of the match.

It wasn’t all bad from our mercurial leader, Raskin. He set up Jovan for his first goal for the club on his first start which is a big positive to take into the second leg. He missed a glorious chance to put us back in front just after half time, but he smashed over.

The winning goal was poor goal on our behalf, Schoofs afforded Jensen space and lofted a ball in behind a sleeping defence. Kiyine finished at ease past Matteo who never had a great game. 

Second leg will need to be better!

Gent v Standard Liège - Jupiler League

Gent are vastly underperforming, so much so that they just sacked their manager. So, I was expecting a reaction and would need to be suitably prepared.

4-2-3-1 with attacking wingbacks tends to cause us issues, the overload out wide has caused a lot more problems in Belgium than it ever did in Austria. I’m not sure if that down to personnel issues, a higher quality of opponent or the system is being worked out.

One real positive is Gent look weak down the centre, conceding possession and allowing 34 entries from the 71 times they have allowed opposition into the attacking third. A vulnerability that we can certainly expose with our gameplan.

Former Standard academy product Balikwisha is lightening quick and while his league goalscoring form is poor he has smashed in 16 goals in 20 starts in European competitions, Hendry’s pace would be a concern so Noubi will get the nod.

A massive three points, in a match that could have easily gone either way.

The slightly rotated side came up trumps, there were a good few substandard performance but, overall, the key players performed. The pacey back three and Kaba in the anchor done well to hold off a very explosive front four.

Batzner played an excellent ball in behind for the dangerous Dennis Dragus to latch onto and lash home, The goal was against the run of play, exploiting that central weakness and going direct down the middle paid dividends.

Perhaps the biggest moment of the match belonged to the young shot stopper at the other end. Godfroid pulled of a sublime stop in the 86th minute which secured the three points. again, the issue comes down the flank, which is becoming a real cause for concern, but the young stopper was alert at the back post to foil Balikwisha for the second time in the match.

Standard Liège v Oostende - Jupiler League

Not quite a european spot sixpointer just yet but a huge three points at stake, agasint a team with sumialr aspirations.

Three players on show for Oostende who i have a keen eye on, Matam at LWB looks a to be a well rounded player who would fit right into our system. De Winter is a ball play defender who tops the passing stats in the league and his deal at Juvenuts runs out in the summer. Rocha Santos was high on the RPM wish list but provide more expensive than Batzner.

Their left side looks a huge threat and will need to be wisley matched up agaisnt, they are struggling to find the back of the net in recent games.

A real kick in the teeth this one, losing a goal right at the death to drop two points.

We kept Matam extremely quiet which was a massive part of the gameplan, Winter was impressive and calls for more attention. Rocha Santos was disrupted constantly and couldn’t really get a foot hold in the game.

Our combination plays down the right hand side was a thing of true beauty to release Dewaele down the flank, his perfectly weighted ball to the back post left Maja with an empty net.

Pera got injured on 82 minutes and with no subs left it took us down to ten men. In the dying embers of the game a phenomenal striker after a potent counter attack allowed the visitors to snatch a vital point in the race for European football.

Deinze v Standard Liège - Jupiler League

Deinze are the draw specialists of the league and hover just about the relegation battle, three points is a must in these sorts of fixtures.

The 4-4-2 has been a favourable foe for Franz through his early days of his career. Going up against a side with a terrible goal scoring record of late and do not capitalise on final third entries all while allowing 15 goals from 80 entries into their final third.

Another big two points dropped again and from a game that we really should have coasted to three points.

Horrendous defending allowed the home side to take a shock lead, but from that point onwards they offered truly little and sat in a deep shape to try frustrating us.

Our play on the ball was fantastic, in that sense I can’t fault the boys. Passing the ball and unlocking their defence by shifting their deep block around. As you can see from the high number of key passes creating chances wasn’t an issue and the central overload paid off. Just did not take our chances.

The strikers did combine well for the goal and Dragus finally took the chance to round the keeper. But in truth the finishing left a lot to desire and with a shocking goal conceded the defence needed the front men to bail them out and they failed to do so.

Poor end to the month....

Edited April 19, 2023 by SixPointer

[GIMN]

A very frustrating month - where does that leave you in the table?

[SixPointer]

5 hours ago, GIMN said:

A very frustrating month - where does that leave you in the table?

7th at the minute! Im back on the 12 hours, but should be getting home Monday/Tuesday for a couple weeks so should ramp up again. I’m hoping to fire a little update up today. A little change of system 😎

 

[13th Man]

Frustrating draws, but seems as though the team is playing well. Do you think it’s down to individual errors? Quality? Is the side still settling after a lot of summer changes?

[karanhsingh]

Just had a brief catch up on this, fantastic work so far. Liege is a club I've always thought of managing, and seems like a great step at this stage of the challenge. The Belgian league is certainly a lot of fun, with no transfer restrictions and the championship stage at the end, along with a number of evenly matched teams towards the top. Best of luck!

[Carambau]

Did not see that coming... but i´m sure you´ll be able to pick yourself up and rise in the table soon  

[SixPointer]

On 20/04/2023 at 17:30, 13th Man said:

Frustrating draws, but seems as though the team is playing well. Do you think it’s down to individual errors? Quality? Is the side still settling after a lot of summer changes?

I think one of the main issues is our weakness down the flanks. It’s been a while since I played. Works been mental. But I did have a change of system to shore up teams playing down our sides and overloading our wing backs.

On 28/04/2023 at 09:52, karanhsingh said:

Just had a brief catch up on this, fantastic work so far. Liege is a club I've always thought of managing, and seems like a great step at this stage of the challenge. The Belgian league is certainly a lot of fun, with no transfer restrictions and the championship stage at the end, along with a number of evenly matched teams towards the top. Best of luck!

Thanks bud!

I’ve not had an awful lot of game time since the switch to Belgium, it’s laying season in the North Sea which makes me a busy man! But hopefully I can get some game time in this week. I’ve got a write up to do but considering making it brief in order to get the season finished this week!

On 28/04/2023 at 11:20, Carambau said:

Did not see that coming... but i´m sure you´ll be able to pick yourself up and rise in the table soon  

I’ll try get a quick write up out. I have been considering a deep dive on my system switch but I feel i need to kick the save on again 

[_Ben_]

5 hours ago, SixPointer said:

I have been considering a deep dive on my system switch but I feel i need to kick the save on again 

You've been in a great groove of late - well, before work kicked back in anyway! I look forward to reading what comes next.

[SixPointer]

13 minutes ago, _Ben_ said:

You've been in a great groove of late - well, before work kicked back in anyway! I look forward to reading what comes next.

Im hoping to get something nailed down this week. Will take me a few days to capture it as it’s 12 hours so I have like an hour a day to pick away at it. 

[SixPointer]

The New Times Are Dawning

A hugely disappointing collapse against title chasing Genk.

The scouts warned us off their threat down the flanks, something that has been a real weakness. This would be the case yet again as the winning goal comes down our left hand side, the RWB has a free reign to attack down the whole flank and you can see the number of wide key passes from Genk particularly down their right and our left side, they had the plan to exploit us and done just that.

In Austria teams didn’t really get the better of us down the flanks, whether that was down to having two very complete wing backs in Ilenic and Ndiaye or the fact Belgian teams are better anyway it brought about time for change.

I need a plan to combat the wide threats of teams while not losing sight of my current principles, I still want to attack/transition fast, but not hoof ball, progressive line breaking passes yes. Overloads and positional play are something I’ve practiced for many FM's now and its key to how I play the game this will against be necessary. Of course, pressing has been a huge factor in Franz’s success so expect to see more of the same in that respect.

A new system in a new country seems a logical step but it can’t deviate to much from what has led us here in the first place, but it also has to offer something different. A tactical post is my plan next hopefully I’m afforded the time to do it justice.

[Hootieleece]

A Belgian version of "Franz" Ball it will be. Will watch with interest from Lancashire.

[SixPointer]

22 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

A Belgian version of "Franz" Ball it will be. Will watch with interest from Lancashire.

It’s certainly looking similar to what I done with Odd in Norway. I’m hoping to have the update done by the end of play Saturday 

[13th Man]

On 01/05/2023 at 22:11, SixPointer said:

down the flanks, something that has been a real weakness.

I honestly had more success protecting the flank using a flat 3 rather than with a DM. The DM always seemed to stay too central while the CAR, CM(d) or even a MEZ(s) covered the flank much more effectively if in a flat midfield 3

Edited May 4, 2023 by 13th Man

[lfds89]

I'm very loyal to 4 at the back and I haven't messed around much with 3 CB formations, but do you really need the DM?

If they are playing 4-2-3-1, you have 3+3 vs 3+1. These are just numbers but seems like you could use that player somewhere else on the pitch to give you a bigger advantage.

I agree with @13th Man, flat midfield 3 would push your CMs to the side.

Do you have any OIs in place? Maybe a trigger press on their wingbacks could help.

[SixPointer]

8 hours ago, 13th Man said:

I honestly had more success protecting the flank using a flat 3 rather than with a DM. The DM always seemed to stay too central while the CAR, CM(d) or even a MEZ(s) covered the flank much more effectively if in a flat midfield 3

It’s certainly an idea but I’ve opted for a 2 man midfield  hopefully all will be revealed soon.

58 minutes ago, lfds89 said:

I'm very loyal to 4 at the back and I haven't messed around much with 3 CB formations, but do you really need the DM?

If they are playing 4-2-3-1, you have 3+3 vs 3+1. These are just numbers but seems like you could use that player somewhere else on the pitch to give you a bigger advantage.

I agree with @13th Man, flat midfield 3 would push your CMs to the side.

Do you have any OIs in place? Maybe a trigger press on their wingbacks could help.

The DM is the man to be sacrificed, but it was where to gain the advantage while no making it a disadvantage that took the time to plan. I’ve ended up settling on a system that I sort of set out at the start with maybe a small change.

I always use OI’s every match but I use them to tailor to the opponent rather than to the overall system.

I’m hoping to have my next match analysis with the new system out by Saturday night. 

[karanhsingh]

13 hours ago, 13th Man said:

I honestly had more success protecting the flank using a flat 3 rather than with a DM. The DM always seemed to stay too central while the CAR, CM(d) or even a MEZ(s) covered the flank much more effectively if in a flat midfield 3

Interesting, may try this out given i am having similar issues 

[haier_fm]

Will take me a long time to get up to date, but its interesting to see you struggle against sides who attack down the wings. I found this to be an issue with all 3ATB formations I have tried.

I dig your role flexibility in the middle and final third - I find its a good indicator of how well your principles of play are organised. Especially if you're achieving your tactical goals against sides of different calibre. While the results aren't there yet, but from what I gather (now, I could be wrong here), you've only joined Liege fairly recently. So such form is to be expected while you get all the necessary personnel on and off the pitch. 

[13th Man]

16 hours ago, SixPointer said:

It’s certainly an idea but I’ve opted for a 2 man midfield  hopefully all will be revealed soon.

Looking forward to it!

[SixPointer]

11 hours ago, haier_fm said:

Will take me a long time to get up to date, but its interesting to see you struggle against sides who attack down the wings. I found this to be an issue with all 3ATB formations I have tried.

I think if you have hard working players it’s a real bonus in terms of defending the flanks as players help out more in the 2V1’s. I didn’t see it as a problem in Austria but in Belgium it’s became clear early on that teams are getting the better of us. 

[Jogo Bonito]

I've got a flat three midfield at Stuttgart and concede an absolute bundle of goals (2nd worst in the league so far). It may help, but many other factors will also contribute to the overall success or failure of the defensive solidity. I'm sure you will find the right solutions though.

[GIMN]

On 02/05/2023 at 10:40, Hootieleece said:

A Belgian version of "Franz" Ball it will be.

"Francois-ball"

On 02/05/2023 at 06:11, SixPointer said:

A new system in a new country seems a logical step but it can’t deviate to much from what has led us here in the first place, but it also has to offer something different. A tactical post is my plan next hopefully I’m afforded the time to do it justice.

Looking forward to seeing how the approach evolves.

[SixPointer]

On 06/05/2023 at 16:29, GIMN said:

"Francois-ball"

Looking forward to seeing how the approach evolves.

if I ever get round on finishing off the post!

[SixPointer]

Trois est le nombre magique

Three is the magic number indeed. Now a cup semi-final second leg in which you trail 2-1 isn’t really the time to be tinkering, testing, or tweaking your system, however I couldn’t stand back any longer and watch us get destroyed down the flanks much longer.

Over the course of the month, I plan to show certain parts of the system but for this one it’s about zoning in on the main issue, those issues down our sides.

A rare clean sheet and another cup final to look forward to, three in a row and three in four seasons not a bad record.

9 minutes is all it took for us to take control of the match, the first goal highlighted some nice positional interchanges on our right hand side and a well taken finish. The second was more of the usual, back post corner headed home and put us in the driving seat of the tie.

Two things to highlight first, the vast amount of key passes we made, and the areas they came from. It’s a great spread across the attacking third, from varied players and all different types of passes, this is vital in providing fluidity and unpredictability in our attacking lay which in turn keeps our opponents guessing.

The second thing to highlight is the defensive actions, again very well spread, but crucially the wide areas and half spaces are the densest areas out with the usual six yard box. Deeper on the left side due to a defensive duty and higher on the right due to an attacking duty, this is a trend I’ll be monitoring to make sure I have the balance of the system correct.

The two men in the spotlight.

There defensive actions were nothing short exceptional. Tackle ratios of 100% with both players winning 3/3, Four interceptions for Gilles and three for Sobol, the left back showed more presence in the air winning 50% of his duals four out of eight. Attacking wise, both showed aggression with double figures for crossing, but it was the Belgian with a better completion however Sobol setup the goal from the corner.

Both played blinders, both in attack and most importantly in defence, and stood out in the new shape. They covered the most ground offered a threat in the final third and defended their flank at all costs.

Sobol steps in to intercept the pass into the wide midfielder, in the opponents 4-2-3-1 shape. Not only than he burst forward and lays the ball on for a shot at goal. Excellent postioning, reading of the game to win it back but then gets right on the offensive instantly. Sobol also made some good recovery runs to stop adavancing wide men, aided at times by the wide forward Dragus, who helped double up in wide areas, on more than one occasion.

This other side its Dewaele reading the play, blocking the ball down the line in behind him. he sticks to his task of man marking the wide midfielder and cuts out the pass and recycles play perfectly. In the clip above its clear to see Maja is willing to track back as well and close down the LWB.

Moving to a flat front three is the first step in this mini-series of my tactical update. I plan on zoning in increasingly as each game of the month goes by, this should allow me to get the updates out while working 12 hours shifts.

The decision to move to a 343 isn’t a first, anyone who knows my Odd days know I made a similar shift, what a like already is the fluidity and variations I can throw into the play. More to follow...

Edited May 8, 2023 by SixPointer

[Hootieleece]

What are the roles of the Front three? especially the wide players since they seem to track back.

Even though more Strikers are tracking back since the new Update dropped. (I think they just decided every Striker Role is Roberto Firmino playing it)

[karanhsingh]

Wow, would love to see how this tactic is set up!

[SixPointer]

15 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

What are the roles of the Front three? especially the wide players since they seem to track back.

Even though more Strikers are tracking back since the new Update dropped. (I think they just decided every Striker Role is Roberto Firmino playing it)

AF CF DLF is the spread of the front three. I don’t think it’s just down to the roles. There is more that meets the eyes which I will cover In the next post.

3 hours ago, karanhsingh said:

Wow, would love to see how this tactic is set up!

All in good time. I’m trying to show it in little segments, I don’t have huge amount of time on my hands right now so I’m breaking it down. 

[13th Man]

Ooo, this is a teaser!  Looking forward to seeing the next write up.

[SixPointer]

1 hour ago, 13th Man said:

Ooo, this is a teaser!  Looking forward to seeing the next write up.

Going to go game by game for the month viewing the changes 😉

[Jogo Bonito]

That's a very interesting/unusual/wacky formation idea. You don't find an issue with the big space between the defensive midfield and attacking line?

[Hootieleece]

16 minutes ago, Jogo Bonito said:

That's a very interesting/unusual/wacky formation idea. You don't find an issue with the big space between the defensive midfield and attacking line?

I have been finding the DM strata players are covering more ground this year than previously. They seem to act more like MC's.

This might be why the out of the box 4-2-3-1 Wide now has DM's instaed of MC's.

[karanhsingh]

5 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

I have been finding the DM strata players are covering more ground this year than previously. They seem to act more like MC's.

This might be why the out of the box 4-2-3-1 Wide now has DM's instaed of MC's.

Definitely true, especially volantes

[SixPointer]

8 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said:

That's a very interesting/unusual/wacky formation idea. You don't find an issue with the big space between the defensive midfield and attacking line?

I have the roles balanced so players fill the gaps in the right areas and moments. I do like the gap as well because it offers a channel to operate it in. Players can utilise the space.

8 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

I have been finding the DM strata players are covering more ground this year than previously. They seem to act more like MC's.

This might be why the out of the box 4-2-3-1 Wide now has DM's instaed of MC's.

DM’s got re worked for this year and your on the money that’s why the defaults sit in a pivot.

3 hours ago, karanhsingh said:

Definitely true, especially volantes

That is at least one of the roles used. But I have a few different partnerships that I use depending on opponents.