HanziZoloman

Thanks on the reviews. Did you notice that Moore is 16 y/o and already scored 5 in 4 senior apps? I think it’s rather obvious, since mid January we miss the power in crucial positions to play our intense game. The players are fighting but have difficulties in concentration and make simple mistakes in the build up like misplaced passes or losing easy challenges in Defense. Luckily they are giving other teams a hard fight for the points. Especially the tall midfielder is almost on his own, as there is no one in sight to replace him. He won‘t become fresh anymore and one of the defenders as well. There we have problems in rotating.

That’s a nice story, maybe I need to be more clear with them. Usually I believe the game rewards pleasing above all. when I look at the last matches which we lost and some hard fought draws, I see my players having a solid game but making mistakes in crucial moments. Oftentimes we get behind early and then fight a mountain. I will follow the advice and play fresh players, especially the defence has not been rotated enough, we‘re missing numbers here and the mistakes are mainly there. I want to show you some of my youngsters, how would you suggest developing them (?): 1st the mobile DM 2nd Tom Moore who broke all records in U18 even scoring 7 goals in one match and 3rd a brave fighter who is too small for CD I am happy to hear your recommendations, it would help my game much.

Thanks that all makes sense to me. I already watch for match load but will include the others. You could guess that most of my first teamers are U21 and U18 players. Especially the 17 y/o mobile midfielder Some of them only signed new contracts with promises like „star player“. I try to keep that as low as possible but surly guys like Kalala and James Graham (the striker) remind me sooner than later to give them the game time they want. Kalala for example wants to play every match, even if he has a hit or is otherwise hampered. James Graham is out of form but insists on playing.

@Cloud9 you mentioned proper pre-season and squad rotation. Would you please explain it to me, how you do and why? Thanks

It’s February and we are fighting for Promotion with a media prediction for relegation. Loric Kalala by the way is happy and scoring. I see teams now more difficult to break and pressing us more. The matches are close but now I lose them.

What are your first checks when something that worked tactically for 6 months isn’t working anymore?

Sadly it’s another thing I am not using. But will do so now and try it. also: has anyone experience with some squad leaders complaining about the selling of a player (youth prospect). The deal gave us some financial breath (we’re deep red) but he was promising.

And check morale, talk to your players, if you lost 7 straight it’s a long way back even with tactical changes. Try to get more Defense solidity by following the advice given here. Switch from a 2-3 into a 3-2 rest Defense and plug a holding midfielder in, then look for ways to attack.

Sometimes it happens with young players after contract renewals. Saw some professionals going to fairly prof.

Cool!!

@joebailey141 I‘ll add some thoughts as well but @Cloud9 already gave some good advice. I‘d watch closely if you really achieve what you want. You mentioned a 235 build up and I wasn‘t sure if it’s a mistake and you meant 325 (?) but with a IFB(D) and two CD(D) you‘ll create a 3ATB lopsided. The DM(D) will be close maybe almost forming a back 4 in rest Defense (?) you‘ll need to check. If the DM were a HB he‘ll drop deep sometimes switching roles with a BPD who carries the ball out of Defense. Then you‘ll be able to play the WB(A) if you like. In Attack you ply on the counter, you‘ll need player who wait on the break to attack. The feeders could be the HB and the BPD. I‘d say either a WB(A) or a W(A) on the left, putting the other role on (S). Maybe a W(A) or an IW(A) on the right and of course an AF up front. Speed and dribbling on the flanks the AF should complement the play with good movement and pace as well. The SV arrives a bit later. At the moment I don’t see that attacks on the break, I imagine the IF(A) being a bit isolated and no penetration from the right wing.

Thanks again. I implemented @Rashidi latest postings about positional play into our Dialoge above. I have two 4231 now, one is to keep the ball and score (we have a lot of possession in the league) and one is to drop a bit and hit on the counter. My main concern is still the AMC role which is doing okay and largely depends on the opposition. There can be matches when AMC is not working at all, some where some good moves are included but few. The DMs are performing better, more key passes and more impact. Especially Chris Boness in SV role. And there is a mobile DM coming through (!) I adopt to the game much more and watch for weaknesses (own and opponents) and try to exploit them. This means we had a top half start since October which we hadn’t for years. Especially the young striker James Graham (see above) is doing well. Kalala missed a lot of the games due to his unhappiness but now I try to work him in the unit. I didn‘t break any promises yet. Dressing room atmosphere is high. I want to sell him because we need the money but there are no offers in sight. Just nothing.

He did sign one but is constantly unhappy. Any advice? He wants to move to a bigger club but doesn’t get any offers. Play him or not? I told him he can leave but I won‘t offer him out.

FM24

Thanks @Cloud9 and @bosque the discussion helped me as well.

Come on, that’s not necessary. Let’s stay friendly here. Think this topic is through and we can all move on.

It’s a bit funny yes but the forum provides so much help especially for beginners. Sometimes I feel it’s all against me but it’s just a game and I like it.

I struggle to bring my AP into play, any experience to share here? Thanks

Hey @Rashidi thanks for all input. My HB has dictate tempo, which is a nice touch as he should initiate the counters. Now I am a team which is recognised as a thread and many will look to play on the counter against my team. I have difficulty against those sitting back. Anything you write about how to make rest attack useful here? maybe even including an AP in AM position and make him work?

This one is an excellent example for a 3-2 Rest Defence with a 4231 shape. Billericay (the blues) came in a poor state of form (23rd) and faced Hull City a decent mid-table team. I decided to switch from the usual box build up (explained above) with two CD/ WB and DM into a 3-2 rest defence. I did this because many teams played Wingers against us which is exactly our weakness (see above). I tried the description from above with a HB (Myers) and a BPD (Grainger), Melia is the CB and on the far left there is the IFB. Jones plays WB(A) and Churchus is DM(S). Just look at it, it's beautiful. We won the ball on the right side, Grainger brings Jones into play who then starts to run with the ball. If he loses the ball, Myers and Grainger are not far away to put pressure on the opponent, also the AP is close (30), Churchus can pick up one of the midfielders easily and Melia covers the center threat. Sometimes the BPD Grainger moves forward with the ball and Myers drops back. This time (TI pass into space) Jones plays the ball into the space of the IW(A) (29) who then crosses and the striker (9) finished it for a 5:1 after 6 winless attempts. Edit: The next match was a 3:0 win against the mentioned box shape build up, crushed over the wings. AH, thanks @Rashidi

When I look at your set up it seems you are trying to keep the ball and move the opponent around to create chances. The TF(A) attracts the ball much and players will try and find him maybe too early in the build up, long balls and crosses. The DLF(A) will move back taking a CD with him and creating space for the IF. The PF(A) could be a good option too, but is not creating the space as the DLF does. Beto suits that role well, on support duty the PF drops a bit deeper which could help. The poacher stays quiet and waits for chances to come from the players around him who are moving the ball finding holes in the opponent defence. the AF will do it for himself, that’s maybe not what you want. bit you‘re 5th with Crystal Palace, that’s already very good, seems you are doing most things right.

You could try a DLP(A) and hold shape to underline the possession approach. But I‘d try AF or Poacher and the IF on support.

@Ghost77 I am no tactics expert but learning a lot at the moment. Check on the latest thread by @Rashidi here. i‘d say that you are vulnerable when transitioning back into defence. You could easily have just the two CD covering. The FB(S) could be up front committed and the SV as well, the DM(S) could be too slow to track back (he really needs to be fast and high working in that setup), the WB(S) is up front for sure. Then it’s all open to pass into. You could try and play an IFB(D) behind the W(A) and an HB instead of the DM(S). He could drop into the position of the WB(S) or a DM(D) to hold position could do it. Up front you have a Poacher which is possibly better in a possession based shape and an AF could provide more in a mid-block, attacking the space more with his ability and working more compared to the poacher who is just sitting and waiting. With that in mind the WB(S) could be on (A) which gives you more punch in attacking the space in front of the mid block.

I love it

Well I know exactly what you mean, I don’t get any fast ones for years in my Youth Challenge plus through coming DM are dwarfs.