HanziZoloman

Y is for Youth A is for A rated (elite) talent 63 is for the year of intake 1 is for the best player, I name the best three players 1-3 w is for the worst

As already mentioned by @Cloud9 a PF(A). Finishing is not that important bit for your player I‘d check on Aggression, workrate and bravery too

Yes it’s like @crusadertsar explained. It’s really fun especially if your opponent has former youth players from the own academy and you can recognise them immediately because of the numbers. I played Oxford recently and they had two strikers, both were long time servants and fan favourites of Billericay. One of them even leads the goalscorer list. Amazing. yes and it’s Billericay or nothing.

Noooooo That's the beauty/ beast side of the game. Keep my fingers crossed for you, that you can work it through with your lads. Teamtalks, teamtalks ...

sure, it looks amazing. My stadium is even named after my best striker

I already posted the tactics in the 433 thread but post them here as well, as both threads are my "home" where I learned so much to get there. I am sitting top of the league after many painful years in the EFL One. It's the YAC which means, the team is the same for many years and this years tactics changed everything. The first is a fluid counter-attacking shape which we used mainly in the first half of the season and which brought us up. I sometimes switch the roles depending on who is playing and who are the opponents. For example I like a W(A) against an IWB or an IW(A/S) against a WB. I spend a lot of time figuring out my opponents weaknesses and countering them. After we were winning a lot of games we slightly moved into a counter-pressing style of play without sacrificing our defense first approach. We put the opponents defense line under pressure with OI and the Mezzala has a crucial role. He is to stay close to the CB to tight mark him or put pressure on him. The MC can also be a BWM depending on the player, a more creative player tends to play against the weaker sides for more creativity. Also I play with TIs during the match like "be more creative", "dribble more/ less" depending on what I see. I never touch the mentality which is always balanced. I try to remain very fluid/ fluid with many supporting roles working together. I know it doesn't impact the game (much) but I found it looks exactly like I want to see my team playing. I think with a more structured approach it should work similar. We took the counter-attackinmg approach after the Burnley game in January before it was used only occasionally. I tend to prepare a lot for the matches figuring out the opponents weaknesses to counter them properly. I like playing the underdogs which is why I need to put in the work. This is the YAC I don't loan/ buy players but use my youth players only. I recently made good progress by following the advice of @Duracellio here: You can learn a lot about how to approach the opponent team and countering them properly. It needs a bit of figuring it out but is a lot of fun when it finally works. Again doing a lot of teamtalks is helpful as well. Here I learnt a lot from @Cloud9 who helped out recently by describing how he addresses players before a match with personal talks to get the morale up on superb/ excellent. I believe by doing all this I am using much of what the game is offering to the player.

I want to contribute my 433 as well. We are sitting top of the league in EFL One this year. The years before we were struggling heavily, the tactics really made a difference for us. We started the season with a fluid counter-attacking approach which shown here: Idea is to have a fluid/ very fluid shape with much (S) roles. We sit in a mid-block with an out-and-out striker waiting for the break. It is also a defense first tactic, note the balanced risk-taking with no counter-press. We sit in a mid-block, not pressing to heavy and making it hard for the opponents to penetrate into that tight woven net of supporting players. The flanks look a bit one dimensional but I mix it a bit up with playing wingers wrong/ right footed or sometimes switching into an IW(S), sometimes I put another player, mainly the Wingers or the Mezzala on attack. I tend to use just FB(S) because we lack fast WB. I have one FB whom I play on (A) occasionally. In the build up we take our time, the CB and FB positioning themselves carefully before the Keeper is playing the pass. The RPM takes up the ball and is supported by all those (S) roles around him. We progress with standard passing and a bit higher tempo forward into the final third. Usually we win the ball in the middle and then playing it fluid forward. After gaining momentum and winning a lot of games we switched into a moderate counter-press which is shown here: We usually face a back four and pick the less composed CB to press and tackle hard by the PF(A), tight marking the other by the Mezzala who is on (A) because he needs to be very close to the opponents defense line. The Wingers pressing the less composed FB and putting the other one on the outside foot. I want to have the other teams struggle in the build up. The other MC is challenging the midfielders. I need my DM to be a taller jumpy one. The second MC is not a creative one here but a more hard working one, I also play a BWM here. In the build up we take our time again but when everyone is in his place we try to pass and move it around with quick tempo, I want the opponents to chase us around and tire out. The Wingers again could easily be IW. Sometimes when the opponents play IWB I like the Winger on that side to play (A), then I put my Striker in a PF(S) role to remain fluid. Again this is a defense first, balanced approach. It is working really well for us.

Just do it one by one as explained here. I first tried to imagine the pathways of the opponent players, like imagining how the playmaker moves, the winger, how the FB defend. Then checking the players on weaknesses. Next is figuring out how to attack. You can post it here with an example and your ideas and we’ll help I try and contribute how I approach a typical League match (EFL One) step by step. I have not played the match yet, we will see how it goes. In the next match we will play FC Burnley at home. They sit 21st in the table while we are 4th (Billericay). We had some hard times playing those pressure soaking, deep sitting relegation candidates and they are clearly not the teams we like to play. My defenders are not that fast and we are vulnerable to the counter. Our playing style itself is a fluid counter-attacking approach, I am expecting a tough match and a draw which is fine for me. I adopted the step-by-step approach which is wonderfully explained by @Duracellio above. 1) I check the scouting report: Regarding our scout FC Burnley will play as expected. They most likely will chose a cautious risktaking-style with counter attacks. Their manager prefers attacking on the wings (wingplay). They seem to play a very simple football. Two No-nonsense FB protect their flanks and won't contribute much to the offense. They rely heavily on the speed of their wingers. I check the wingers then: Westwood is extremely fast (15) and agile (17-19) and is therefor a threat to watch carefully. He can also cross (12) the ball to the two striker. His weaknesses are, he has right foot only (we can think about trapping him on the wrong foot) , his bravery is low (5-8) but he is strong and has balance, we will not bully him around but we can impress him with a nice, strong tackle. My FB is extremely aggressive and very brave, this will be a challenge for Westwood. Westwood also does not like to work hard (7). Maybe we can put him off by taking the fun out of him. Hulme on the left side is trickier. He is also extremely fast (15) and agile (12-15) but also has strong balance (16-19) and is a brave guy (18-20). We will not impress him as easy as is right counterpart. He has his strong foot on the left. Their wingers definitely pose a threat to my slow FB. His weaknesses are his slow intelligence, composure and concentration but he likes to work hard (15). Maybe we can press him. If we press very high a long ball down the flanks could definitely lead to a goal. Particularly as they attack with two strikers. Let's have a look on them. Again, it does not suit my team. The Strikers are fast above all Olayinka (16) . He is the small fast dribbler, Greenhough is a bigger, jumpy one but he can dribble and run as well. At this point I am a bit worried. The apparently easy match against Burnley could easily lead into a defeat. The defend in two banks of four, soak the pressure and hit me down the flanks. Two capeable guys up front are waiting for their chance to come. Johnson, the B2B will move from DM into AM offering a passing option for Westwood and Haley will offer one for Hulme, he will also cover the center a bit more. Greenhough will drop deep into AM and help out on the left. Olayinka will be the main threat up front. Greenhough has longshots (9) which is not crazy but sometime enough. How can I nullify their strengths? I am not sure why Burnley is so low in the table, they have a good run-and-go system. I will now check on their midfielders and CBs. Johnson is a very capeable B2B player, he has everything, natural fitness, stamina, work rate and all the technical attributes as well. Haley is a brave and reliable passer (16) who can also challenge and tackle. The defensive line is solid but all defenders are not very composed. Espescially their left FB (7) and the CB (9). Strategy: Option one is giving them time to build up and compress the space for their fast runners, hitting them on the counter with the fluid counter-attacking style we used to play. Option two is pressing their defenders heavily, not giving them any time with the ball. I'd like to play Option two but in a 433 I only have three players pressing their back four. If I'd chose this option, the three up front should be fast and hard working. It's tricky and I am not sure how to approach that game. There is one advantage: Burnley played during the week, while Billericay didn't. Their players should be tired. Maybe I combine both approaches, maybe we come out of the box with heavy pressing, giving their tired or second choice squad players little time and a tough challenge but also taking the risk of a counter. After scoring a goal we play the match out in fluid counter-attacks. To counter their threats we will press and tackle the backline with our three attackers and the Mezzala, while the other midfielders will mainly stay centrally to chase longballs. I am thinking about a BWM or a Carrilero and a DM. The FB need to be close to the Wingers, to engage them immediately and strong. I am not sure about putting the wingers on the wrong foot or push them wide. I think I'll trap them inside and see how it's going. Ok now I have a plan. I will move on to the match and see who's playing. Ok during the week one of my best players has taken a virus and will not be available for the match. That happens. My team consists of hard working, brave machines, who can run 90 minutes. They are aggressive and mostly brave. I want to tackle the backline which means that I will play a fast, aggressive PF(S) rather than the AF. I will sub him later to finish them off on the counter. At least that's the plan. I want them to be tired and slow in the head. 2) Matchday: There are some changes in their starting set up. Westwood is playing up front, we remember him being fast but lazy and he can be impressed with a hard tackle. Olayinka is the smaller but faster striker. He plays as the DLF which takes away his speed a bit. He can pass the ball but his decision making isn't that good (9). This suits us taking the risk with counter-attacks. On the flanks are their 2nd suits Wright and Greenfield who are both similar but a bit less good than their first choice options. I am now encouraged to take the risk and press their backline. Greenfield can cross the ball and I will trap him inside, wright isn't a good crosser, I will trap him outside. 3) Setting opposition instructions to counter their threats: We can see, the wingers are tackled immediately to make use of their low bravery and to take the fun out of them. Westwood as well. Olayinka is also tackled hard (maybe I take it off) but also never being marked. I want my defenders to stay close together and not being pulled out of position, offering gaps. The strong midfielders are left blank, my men have just to win the long balls. I will take care of this with roles/ duties selection. The Backline is being pressed. I will press the quicker one, Fisher and tight mark the slower Brown. Darling is pulled away from fisher. Both is to limitate Fishers options and to force him to just hoof the ball forward. Wright (here we have the winger playing a FB role) is being pressed as well (composure 8). I anticipate them attacking both wings equally. 4) finding the roles and TIs for the match. Ok here we go. We have three to four players up front doing as needed, Graham pressing Fisher (RCB) and Kilman marking Brown (LCB). The Wingers are either fast and aggressive (Young) or fast, aggressive and can anticipate well (Stutter). They should do a good job. I leave my best attacking players (Kalala and Moore) on the bench and will sub them later in the game. I chose my most aggressive, fast setup. Kalala usually fills the second MC with a playmaking role which is not needed now, counter-press will be my playmaker and I need the aggressive Beadle and the towering Myers to win the second balls. Usually I'd chose a different BWM but he's ill and my left FB will play BWM. He is not good at passing and I will PI (shorter passing). The DM has no PIs (usually hold position but I want him to challenge the other MC). TIs are suiting the approach, higher defense line, high pressing. When we build up we will take time and lure them out (play out of defence and slow pace down). remember we expect Burnley to be a bit sore which is why we pass it a bit faster. This should work out at least in my head. Let's see what's happening. Note 1: One has to be very attentive, shortly into the match Olayinka (remember I never mark him) was changed into AF and Westwood switches with Greenhough, the first playing Winger and the latter DLF. I didn't noticed until Olayinka "found his scoring touch again". I immediately changed Olayinka to be tackled hard and Greenhough never to mark. For Westwood everything stays the same, put on the left foot and tackled hard. 24th minute 2:1 Note 2: After a while one can see the roles and fitness of the opponents team. It's as guessed Haley, Westwood and Greenhough already have half hearts, the FB as well. My players all show green hearts. We dominate the game, Burnley only had 3 attempts while we have already 12. Billericay have 70 % possession but only 2 of the 12 attempts were on goal. Halftime All goals are scored with corners. Dressing room. We dominate the ball but we need to make it count. I will tell them to do better. "things are going well but I know you're capable of doing better". I will talk individually and tell my Attackers that they can do better and that I have faith in them. That's all. I think we have a good chance, I will continue to press for the 3rd goal. I don't want to take the foot off the gas pedal. Note 3: Burnley did a sub in halftime. the exhausted Greenhaugh stayed on the bench, Westwood moved into DLF and Greenfield took the right wing. He is a fast crosser, I immediately put him on the left foot and tackle him hard. My left FB is actually playing a strong game (he's 2nd choice). Note 4: Another change, Olayinka switches into DLF and the fast but lazy Westwood into AF. I don't need to counter that, everything is fine but our accuracy. Burnley is struggling heavily. 59th minute 2:1 Note 5: They sub Wright who is half dead and Clark (LFB) comes on the pitch. A fresh FB, his composure is even lower (6) which means I will press him immediately as well. We want to finish them. In my head I am thinking about dialing it down and switch into our fluid counter-attacking but we have them ready now for the last punch. I think I am deciding it in the next ten minutes. 66th minute 2:1 Note 6: They switched their CB and immediately got more control of the game (7 shots/ 4 on target). It's getting dangerous. I need to switch my mezzala and I will take the fluid counter-attack now. I will dial the tempo down to standard and will prepare to see out the match. We need to be careful, both FB and the DM already received yellow cards. 70th minute 2:1 Noooooo! 2:2 Westwood again after a corner. They are taking the game to us and switching some positions. I need to be on my toes. Remember a draw has been the target. I could try and press them again or see the match out. We have been the better team most of the game. 78th minute 2:2 Gooooal! 3:2 Another corner and Kalala scores from close distance. I switched to pressing already and will hold our foot on the gas pedal. 82nd minute 3:2 Overtime: Collins my right FB is really tired and I see him losing his man over and over but they are still attacking down my left flank with Westwood. I take my time now, slowly passing and wasting time. "Well done lads, that was a good win for us." Wow it was the expected tough match. Westwood found himself alone in front of my keeper but missed his shot, it was offside anyways but close. Did it work out? We were clearly the better team but Burnley were close behind. None of the goals were from counter-pressing situations but our high possession and the many attempts show that we did as expected. I took the risk with their counter attacks and it was a close gamble. Maybe we were lucky maybe our positive form and excellent dressing room atmosphere gave the edge. We take the three points anyway as it is 2 points more then anticipated. I hope this can help how to prepare for a match. I am not very good at tactical aspects of the game and still learning much from this community. But somehow it pays off, we're sitting 3rd now with the same team which played only mediocre in the last year, failing to finish in top half as demanded.

@skills great team you‘d build over the years. My players are not that far away from you but I guess you take a lot of risks tactically. Congratulations for going up with this bunch. I had one spell of Championship Football with a team coming up from EFL Two, back to back promotions, but went down and never came back. I wish you the best of luck

@skills and @XaW how the hell are you doing this. It’s crazy amazing congratulations @Padders I am so happy you‘re here and you are doing an unbelievable job.

After doing it game by game, I am getting into that „world“ and it pays off. I am now fighting for Promotion with the same team and players. That’s great work, thank you

@Padders tons of respect! but my Guy Earl is looking young compared to you

@BennosGames0299 there’s a good one on Ajax on dictate the game. Very inspiring

I don’t know if it’s that but, you could try to play a HB dropping between the two CB. Two WB(D/S) going up the flanks. The second DM(S) with hold position or a DLP(S), incutting wide players like IW(S) or IF(S) and a striker. lots of support duties to create a fluid shape? Could be worth a try

@HaylingZar great update again. Maybe I start giving them again here. Follow your stuff

Wonderful update. I like how you write it down. Strong year and full of hope. I‘ll keep my fingers crossed.

At least that’s for sure PS @Cloud9 the team and personal talks are paying off ..

Thanks first for all the help! I have the best Training Facilitys in the league (good) and the best coaches for my youngsters. Really much emphasis has been put into that part of the game. Sadly my youth facilities has been downgraded twice and at the moment I am full red financially. No one wants my players except for an Apple. I am really looking forward to your updates, it will be interesting as always. At the moment my approach is a balanced, no counter pressing one. If we continue like now, I will post it in the Defense First topic of yours but: my offensive players develop much better than the Defense players. Which is why I put more defensive schedules in. PS yes, lower league and Youth Academy Challenge. our facilities are Championship or PL standards

plus: I don't want to make any mistakes with this one:

I have another question which I best address here: I am struggling in developing strong CB and would like to know your advise @Cloud9 how to do that with those three guys: Lorne McPhee has impressive physicals for his age and promising technicals. I guess I need to develop his passing and ball control to get a decent BPD (?) I guess I could address this with individual training and particular training schedules during the week (?) Next on the list is Ross Stewart. The american is still 18 y/o but does not like to work hard. The fickle personality implements that his is fairly ambitious at least. Drop him (?) Last one is the iconic name Sky Cover which is beautiful for a defender. He could be a brilliant NCB with high aggression and bravery but I guess I missed a bit to properly "design" him. He is not getting further forward than his 2 stars. In our build from the back approach he is struggling with passing but is constantly found as an option (OTB 10).

Despite posting nothing at the moment, because I am struggling heavily in EFL One to get things going, I am still on it in the year 2067. I stand the test of time ...

Would you give some examples how you get the morale up to super /perfect with all player?

@AzevedoVCD I how it feels, the game can be very difficult at times, it is for me. People like @Cloud9 provide much help. You want to defend in a midblock and then score with fluid counter-attacks? You can check on the tactical presets in the game. They provide you with an image of what is needed tactically. it is helpful to design squad views with the attributes you need for your kind of game. f/e I want to transform my team into a bunch of dirty machines. I have a squad view with Determination, Work Rate, Aggression & Bravery to have an overview who is a machine and who is not. this can be good first steps to go. 1) take a f/e fluid counter-attack preset 2) squad view of the preferred playing style

At the moment it’s the same with me but the pros get it running. It’s just FM „fun“

The best is always learning from mistakes. Right now I am going through the instructions piece by piece with the YAC Billericay in EFL One against Swansea. This is just that kind of piece which was missing here. You’ve created something beautiful. The best part: It’s not some big shot or easy to big shot team but a relegation candidate trying to hit above weight. I am a fan Did not work out for me in this match: Much was similar to your plans against Porto. We did some things right and were in control of the match most of the time. They had a two strikers a tall, slow one and a fast small one which made it tricky. Should I trap them wide or inside. I decided to put their best crosser on the inside and their medium to bad crossers wide. This one worked fine, the tall striker was out of the game except for his goal The fast and small one I decided to never tight mark because I expected him to run around a lot and I didn’t want him to disrupt my solid Defense line. He was out of the game for the first 45 Minutes. In the preferred 433 I decided to drop the DM as a HB to help in the build up against the two striker pressing which looked really nice. The other two were supposed to escape the two opponent CM which looked edging throughout the match. In the 2nd half the pacy striker ran behind our Defense for an assist and a goal. Just the classic through ball and score. I slept, I didn’t notice a change. Especially as we were in control of the game in 1st half and in front 1:0. Their defenders were rather small and no good jumpers. I tried to exploit that with high crosses towards my big and jumpy striker. A corner gave the 1 nill but no further goals came but a lot of chances. When I switched my right winger from a left into a right footer we had even better chances for a 2nd goal. XG: 1.15 Billericay : 1.30 Swansea Shots/ on target: 10/4 : 8/4 Possession: 65% : 35% This is another one, Possession: We expected them to play tiki taka but had the ball most of the time playing it beautifully out from the back. We did no mistakes here, had the ball a lot with patience. The passing map looks wonderful. After all: We looked good a lot of the time but failed in the end due to a mistake I cannot clearly spot.