[Johan Cruyff's 3-4-3 Diamond (Very Fluid)]

48 minutes ago, sims3 said:

Good stuff, fluid tactic? Prem is a different beast but determined to evolve my side to play this way.

Very Fluid. I think it's crucial because it helped keep things compact. The midfield diamond moved as one, it was really fun to watch.

To answer your other question, I had almost the exact same average shape in both attack and defense. Not sure if that's good or bad, but Newcastle at least couldn't solve it. Eventually they just started trying to lob balls over the midfield and Diop had none of it, headed everything back at them.

[Johan Cruyff's 3-4-3 Diamond (Very Fluid)]

5 minutes ago, sims3 said:

What adjustments did u make I had an awesome preseason, good first game 2-0 as Blackburn v stoke but lost 3-2. Still awkward with the formation so putting it to one side until totally fluid. Not expecting miracles, with my side.

First half passing was very sloppy, nobody was above 80%, so I un-clicked Pass Into Space. Second half wasn't as fast and flowing, but possession was much more efficient. I scored 4 of the 5 in the 2nd half.

Other problem I had was the gap between CD and DLP. Holzhauser kept creeping up and leaving space. But Diop was magnificent with his anticipation, so Newcastle couldn't exploit it. A higher-quality team might take advantage.

 

[Johan Cruyff's 3-4-3 Diamond (Very Fluid)]

@Ö-zil to the Arsenal! Thank you for this, it's beautiful football. 

Would you believe I tried this with Villa, with slight adjustments, and it worked perfectly right out of the box? Smashed Newcastle 5-1 at SJP, easily my best game of the season. Newcastle could not stop my wingers, nor could they unlock my midfield, they were pathetic. Their goal was the only real chance they created in the match.

The fact that you used Nunelly to such great success must mean you can play pure wingers out wide, correct? I have two young wingers I really like (J.Leko & L.Bailey) but I'm not sure they're suited to this tactic, or if I should even try to train them to fit.

I used wingbacks on both sides and they were unplayable, Amavi on the left and Bree on the right had a goal and an assist each.