[Creation of "II" team in Germany - Will players still improve if there are no "league" fixtures?]

Hey everyone,

I have recently started managing in Germany. I asked the board to create a II team, but the new team is not registered into any leagues and I cannot see them having an fixtures. In terms of youth development, what should I do? Do I put my youngsters into the U19s or send them to the II team, which would be better?

Thanks. 

[What are some leagues that you love to scout?]

Hello everyone, 

I am currently playing two saves. One on the lower leagues of england and one where I try to get Super Deport back to its former glory. I recently got promoted with Depor, trying to survive our first season back in the top flight. I mainly relied on free transfers - from withing La Liga - in this first season to try to build a solid squad that will help me survive. Thing is, I now have about 10 million pounds and 80 k per week in the budget and I can begin scouting for next season. 

I wanted to know which leagues have been the best for you to send scouts to. I personally have always loved sending scouts to Portugal. Their newgens are always incredible. Another one of my favorites is Sweden, I will never forget Erick Sorensson of FM14 fame, that guy scored so so many for me, probably my favorite newgen ever. 

 

[Adapting a tactic after promotion]

57 minutes ago, Experienced Defender said:

The back-line looks okay. Where I would consider slight tweaking is the attack and midfield.

In attack, I would swap the duties between the strikers - DLF on support and PF on attack. This has nothing to do with being "more conservative" and is more about linking up play better. I would also look to have the support-duty striker (the DLF following the previous suggestion) in front of the DLP and the attacking one in front of the BBM. And the last change I personally would look to make is changing the wide MF next to the BBM into WM on support (instead of IW). So basically something like this:

DLFsu    PFat

IWsu      DLPde    BBM      WMsu 

I personally never play gegenpress even with top teams, let alone underdogs, simply because I prefer more sensible tactical styles. But given that the ME is not perfect, I would not dare to claim that a gegenpress-based tactic (or something similarly aggressive and gung-ho) cannot work even for an underdog team. Stranger things have happened in this game, obviously 

Joking aside, it's hard to tell you which exact style of football you should look to implement as a newcomer to the EPL, but common sense would definitely suggest something less adventurous and more conservative, albeit not ultra-defensive (because such approach could be even more counter-productive).

Essentially - and this is something I often recommend - you can start on the Balanced mentality and either no instructions at all or just a couple of basic instructions (for example: shorter passing and/or distribute to CBs and FBs). The other potential instructions (tweaks) would be added (in case of need) based on your observations during matches.

Keep it simple, at least initially.

Thanks so much for your response. 

Just a couple of things I want to ask you. 

1. What's the rationale in changing the wide player to WM? I haven't used that role very much. Who would you say plays that role irl? Maybe a James Word Prowse? Whilshere under Wenger when he kinda played 442? What sets him apart from a regular winger? 

2. In real life I like more compact football, more defensive. I had to go gung ho cause I had promised the board I would get promoted, and the squad was miles better than other champ teams. 

What I am afraid, and has happened to me is that I go defensive and end up loosing a ton of games 1 nil, cause I can't create anything going forward. 

How would you set up a good outlet for attacks while maintaining some defensive power? 

Also, I forgot to mention. My team is very athletic both wingbacks are super pacey and strong. So are both St. 

3. Do you have any tips for set pieces? I have done well with the normal set pieces but I feel that was due to my team being better than the oposition.

[Adapting a tactic after promotion]

Hello everyone,

I am currently doing a bit of a journeyman save on FM 20. After getting promotions with Wycombe (to the championship), and then with Blackburn (to the Prem) I got sacked twice because, what worked for me in the league below just would not cut it in the league above.

I just got West Brom promoted back to the prem, after finishing second. I played a quite attacking 442, with high pressing and quick transitions. My team was on balanced and I used most of the "base" gegenpress instructions (i usually dont like pass into space).

My team would set up something like this:

               PF (S)          DLF(A)

IW (S)       BBM          DLP (D)    IW(S)

WB (S)     CD (D)         BPD (D)    WB (S)

                    SK (A)

A few things to point out, of that 11, there are a few spots that I would say are crucial:

• DLP (D). I have Sam Field playing in there and, for my money, he has been incredible. I would like to keep that role, if possible.
• BBM. I have Rakeeem Harper, I feel he is a "mini vieira" or pretty similar to what prime abou diaby was like, he got the most assists last season and is incredible breaking down lines.
• The left IW is Celina (previously at Swansea). His overall play is good, but not great, but his set piece taking has single handily won me matches.

I am asking for a bit of advice since I have struggled a bit to adapt to higher leagues before. How would you turn this set up more conservative? Would you just go for it?

Regarding signings, I am tempted to have a go with most of the same lads and just see if they can keep me up. With Blackburn I tried to bring in new faces and I feel most of the new signings underperformed and ended up going back to the "old guard".

Any advice is welcomed. Thanks.

[Posession + a low block?]

22 minutes ago, Experienced Defender said:

Because of the right flank - WB on attack duty with an AP in MCR. 

 

WB on support instead of attack  (if you are asking about this specific defense-related issue). 

Or you want to know how the whole setup can/should be changed to suit a possession style? And do you want patient or progressive possession?

I would love to know your take on the whole formation. Id rather be patient than progressive.

 

[Posession + a low block?]

3 minutes ago, Experienced Defender said:

That setup is neither possession-oriented nor defensively sound

Im curious: why is It not defensively sound? What changes would you suggest to improve It?

[Posession + a low block?]

Hello everyone,
I have been unable to play the Game for a while. I mostly play in the lower levels of England where I use a very Direct 442 (I love using TM). I recently got a different computer (I cant access my regular save) and I am triying out a new save with a different philosophy.

I want to play a posession based style with either a 532 or a 433. But, the thing is, I dont really like to use a high defensive línea, nor a lot of pressing (at least not high pressing).

 

Could I sit deep and eventually try to keep a lot of the ball after winning It? Or is It imperative to be very agressive with pressing?

 

Also another thing I have a bit of a problem is recreating the Giroud role at Arsenal. I want to have a player that acts as the main point of the attack but more of an enabler (kind of like a center in basketball, where he screens a lot and gets other players good looks).

I tought about setting up something like this:

                          Dlf (s)

If/iw (a).                                    W (s)

 

          Cm (s) or BBM.    AP(s)

                       Dm or hb.

Wb (s).      Bpd (d).     Bpd (d)  Wb(a)

Are there any changes you guys would recommend?  I am unsure about how to set Up the midfield 3. Also I dont really know what to do with the right wing spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Let´s talk Target Man.]

57 minutes ago, Jpastore said:

Could I use a TM(a) in  a short passing tactic as a hold up player to bounce passes of. I don't want to use a DLF as i still want him to lead the line and always be in the box when crosses come in. 

It is one of the hardest things to pull of with a TM. Its kind of the Giroud role on Arsenal. I would still use DLF (s), I feel they get into the box a lot anyway. 

[Defensive tactics are useless]

1 hour ago, Robson 07 said:

Here's an 'out of possession' screenshot from FM19.  That tactic played on Cautious Mentality.

Not a lot should happen until the opposition gets to the halfway line.  My striker is not going to hold them up much on his own and definitely not clicking 'prevent short GK distribution'.

However by the time the opposition is engaged the tactic becomes very disruptive.  Hassling, tackling hard and leaving them no space.  When ball is won get up the pitch quickly, runners from that midfield strata.

Note if you just sit back and then look to absorb pressure and not disrupt opponent's possession then you ask for trouble in this game.

 

 

Great contribution. Very smart insight. 

[Let´s talk Target Man.]

The "Target Man" role is one of my favorite in all of football (be it Football Manager or real life football). I have had quite a bit of success utilizing a TM in various iterations of FM, I will never forget Callum Brittum (that was legit his name) a Welsh tower that won me the EuroCup with Blackburn. I just wanted to open up this thread for two reasons: I want to hear how do you set up your tactics to get the most of your TM and what players (be it real or regens) have been good for you. 

[Wingers and Full Backs are dumb]

This is my opinion (and I don think it always aplly) but... I tend to see way more production from wingers (or inverted wingers) when playing them on midfield rather than on the attacking midfield. I guess it has to do with space, since they are coming from behind they have more space (which is helpful to exploit pace and also helps finishing and crossing for guys who arent really elite). 

[FM20 - South America Thread]

If anyone has any questions about where to manage I can give some advice. I would suggest going with my boyhood club Newell´s Old Boys. We are currently having a good season IRL but because of the "promedios" (look it up if you dont know what it is) we are in danger of loosing the division. We are one of the best producers of talent in the world (Messi, Batistuta, Poch, Samuel, Martino, Maxi Rodriguez, Heinze, Bernardi, Scocco) and there are some great youngsters coming up the ranks. 

Bonus: not only you can coach the living legend that is Maxi Rodriguez (you can also coach both his cousins who are first team players). 

[FM 20 Tycoon takeover thread]

This post is usually quality. Thanks to @Ross Ingersoll for getting it started. I used some of the saves on previous FMs. I dont have much to add now, just wanted to give a thanks and say Im looking forward to see what tycoons get posted. 

[[FM20] Teams To Manage]

On 02/09/2019 at 17:56, Falahk said:

Had a good run with them on fm11:

 

 

Should be a proper challenge now, compared to back then

Damn, that starting eleven seems so much fun. I cant believe a front 3 of sturridge, elmander and chu won the PL. 

[The Art of Counter Attacking]

Cleon, great thread. I have got a question for you. What would change if the mentality changed from flexible to more rigid ones? Would it only influence the defensive side of the tactc or also the counter atacking side?

If I need to close a game down, would you change to Contain for the time wasting? Which striker role is better to throw him the ball so he holds it up and wins fouls or gives the defense some breath when you have a lead?