New Simulator

[Rob]

Very Interesting posts you have posted UpTheIrons. It would be great to talk to you someday.

 

[Essendon BFC]

I use the same tactic as Mutt

Seems to be working pretty well for me.

Hopefully there isnt another dominating tactic like the 4-3-3 like all the top teams that use it think.

The new simulator should make the game better!

 

[Essendon BFC]

The Simulator is going to be introduced after the round of the Football mania cup so In about 3 hours it will be here!!

 

[chris boston]

I worked out who UTI is, there's several clues, but seeing as he hasn't said anything, maybe he wants to keep who he is a secret?

Anyway, he did mention he's going into div3, so he's div4 now, and uses the 4-3-3. There's a clue in the username, tactical discussion and with the images as well. Heh, detective work ...

Anyway, for a laugh, I'm going to use the 4-3-3 tonight for my 9pm GMT match to see how badly my team does with these changes and then find a way to correct it. I have 2/3 formations I want to try that have brought success on CM, but MZ is a different story.

At least Muran said the new sim won't be introduced until after the Cup games, otherwise there'd be a problem with getting the right tactics. Yeah, I could use mine now, but the opposition might use the 4-3-3 against me and it may still work. Maybe not as effective, but no one said it wouldn't still be effective at all.

 

[UpTheIrons]

Originally posted by Ash
Woah! I want to get me a bit of this advice

Mine is almost a complete opposite of Mutt's.

No. 6 helps alot with the defending, and Nos. 9 and 7 tend to drop back into midfield. I use long balls because my attack have the advantage over defense at winning the balls because of the number of them I use.

It's been working quite well recently, but I'm not too sure if it'll carry on working. However it looks very similar to some of the ones you've shown us, that you think will work.

Some great posts there UpTheIrons. What's your team name and division etc?

Ah yes, young Ashley. The advice I am afraid seems to have come slightly too late with the relegation of FC Mount. Good luck with next season by the way. Pre-season is a great time to offload your Yorkshire puddings (Geddit? ).

Your tactic is one I very much approve of, young man.

What I admired about your tactic is that it is very attacking orientated. Defensive tactics are dull. If you don't concede you don't lose. A very good outlook on a way to stay undefeated. Look at Arsenal, they have not lost domestically this season, but they're not top of the league, are they? If you don't score goals, then you don't win. Goals win you games.

Your tactic is a variation of the 1966 England world cup winning team.

I'll start at the back. Your midfield is very sparse. When without posession, you're in deep ****. If a team attacked down the left or right flank, one of your wide centre-backs would close him down, all it needs is a runner behind #4 or #3, and the player in posession to slip a through ball behind as #5 is keeping him onside as he is not paralell with the wide centre-backs, and they're one on one with your keeper.

Look at your midfield Ash. A defensive midfielder, and an attacking midfielder. Who is creating the attacks. The only thing I can see which would actually work with this tactic is the long ball strategy as you are crowding the oppositions defence, and a loose ball is most likely to go to your player. 5 attackers, outnumber their 4.

X    X    X
-------------
   X   X
   X   X  
-------------
X    X    X

Defence

You see the dark green line where your #3 and #4 are positioned? Move #5 to that dark green line. That way the opposition will find it hard to get through the back lines. Your objective is not to allow the opposition to penetrate the defence. If you have slow defenders, then move them back to the edge of your penalty area. Try and keep them as compact and tight together as you can.

Midfield

If you refer back to the Italian Metodo that I posted early hours of this morning, you will have read all about the magic square. Playing with a box (Football, not females ) is adventurous. You have your options open as you will have 3 players to pass to. You can square it, pass it North to an attacking midfieder, or a diagnol ball. Two defensive midfielders in the centre circle, and the two attacking midfielders directly above on the edge of the centre circle and borderline attackers.

Attack

Relatively simple, just move #10 and #2 to the outside of the penalty box.

_________________
   |   |____|  |
   |      .    |
   |___________|
10   '.__11__.'  2

This type of attack gives you a lot of options. #2 and #10 will make darting runs towards the goal as attackers do, and #9 and #7, you're attacking midfielders will be on hand to place balls into them as they do so.

Team strategy

The 3-4-3 is a well balanced formation. If you take a defensive approach to the game, you may lose a few goals. If you take an attacking formation, you may concede. Take the normal approach.

There is only one type of play - Short passing. This will be at it's most effective when in midfield. The 'magic square' will take advantage of this, as will your attackers.

As for aggression, go in hard. Don't be afraid to break legs. You may give a way uneseccary free-kicks and penalties, you will receive more cards, and you will also increase the risk of injury to your players, as well as the oppositions. The benefits are worth it though. You'll close players down quicker, and give the team less room to work, thus creating less chances.

Posted by Essendon BFC
Hopefully there isnt another dominating tactic like the 4-3-3 like all the top teams that use it think.

The new simulator should make the game better!

Should, but most probably won't.

As always, the introduction of a modified simulater fixes suer tactics, but also creates them. I am trying to remain one step ahead, and use this week, and next week wisely so that I can get a head start upon other teams when the new league starts out.

 

[Bluecoaster]

Ok just to post my 2 € cents. It was just great timing they introduced it on a day when I was playing against the guy who won the Swiss top league. First match this morning I lost 2-1, although I had SC in my favor, 9-7 and possesion 60-40. So they changed it and we both played with the same tactics. I won 5-2 at home, with having some 27 to his 5 or so chances. It seems that the stamina will REALLY help my team, as I have only one started with less than 4 balls in stamina and most have 5 or 6. This will be a nice season

Btw, Chris, I'm playing with your "diamond" tactics right now...seems to work good (and it did vs 4-3-3)

Blue

 

[Alistair]

Whoa, how much MZ have you studied UpTheIrons

 

[Budge]

yeah...very very indepth posts on tactics...extremely informative...maybe a tad too much time on your hands perhaps?

 

[Rob]

Hello, UpTheIrons

Maybe you could post some contstructive tips on my tatic if you wouldn't mind. Thanks.

 

[UpTheIrons]

Originally posted by Rob
Hello, UpTheIrons

Maybe you could post some contstructive tips on my tatic if you wouldn't mind. Thanks.

Defence:

Look at your defence, Rob. Your centre-back is 2-3 yards behind your wide centre-backs. Strikers only need half a yard in the Managerzone match engine to break the offside trap. As I have strongly recommended for Ash to do the same, straighten that back line up immediately.

Midfield:

I won't deny it, Rob. Your inverted Heptagon shape in midfield, I'm not too keen on.

----------------------------
  10 _______ 3
    /       \
___/___11___\_______
   \        /
 7  \______/ 5
-----------------------------

This will add diversity to your attacks, whilst also keeping the opposition knocking the ball around as it will be hard to get past this type of midfield with the way that they are positioned. With the amount of midfielders in the centre of the park, then chances are that you will pressure the opponents into a mistake.

Attack:

With a dominant midfield, then you will certainly want a physical / pace partnership. Similar to that of Henry / Trezeguet or Saviola / Kluivert.

Your striker should be competent in heading and shooting, and your forward should be pacey and have good finishing.

Below, #26 would ideally be your striker, and #4 your forward.

_________________
   |   |____|  |
   |      .    |
   |___________|
    '.26____.'  
            4

Strategy

Mentality: You can choose any to be honest. Defensive away from home, attacking at home, and normal if you have not checked out your opposition.

Play - Short passing at home, and then counter attack away from home.

Aggression: Aggressive. I say this not because the reasons I gave to Ash, but because your midfield is so packed, it could break down chances before they begin, and you will have a numerical advantage over the opponents if you do pressure them into a mistake, as aforementioned when discussing the midfield.

For maximum effect:
Home: Attacking, short passing, normal aggression.
Away: Defensive, counter attacking, aggressive.

 

[rony31]

when was this sim introduced? cuz I was playing one of the top Canadian teams today, and I beat him 2-0 at home and then lost 4-1 away in the afternoon (he uses the 4-3-3)

 

[Essendon BFC]

My 1st match with the new simulator was against a team who uses the 4-3-3. I won 2-1 with over 60 Percent of the ball. I had 2 injuries in the 1st half and already my top striker is out injured before this match so the tactic seems to be less effective thats for sure.

 

[UpTheIrons]

I used the 4-3-3 this evening in a match against an opponent ranked 500 odd which is around 500 higher than me (not that the ranking accounts for anything), but I won 2-1.

I'm beginning to doubt the simulator change has had a major effect. I hope that this is a BETA, and one which focus' on killing the 4-3-3 is released.

 

[Essendon BFC]

It seems to still be a good tactic but not the dominant one.

I think they should have killed all High Defence tactics like the 4-3-3 out of the game instead of just making them less effective.

 

[Rami]

Hey UpTheIrons, could u help me on my tactic please? I tried messaging your MSN but no response.

Anyway, here it is...

 

[chris boston]

I dunno about the 4-3-3 meatwall being any less effective ... maybe the strikers are better at taking chances in those situations? I saw a 4-3 win from 9-8 SC of two meatwall users, both using a pushed up defence. But it may also be that they have 10 ball strikers.

 

[pramos]

Very nice topic this one

 

[myfatcat]

UpTheIrons:

Just curious as to when you're giving advice about tactics, you keep referring to "counter-attacking". Do you mean "Use wings" ?

Apart from that this threads great!

 

[chris boston]

I'd guess he means wings as well. Either than or long balls, but long balls seems to be a mixture of short passing and use wings (except the long balls don't go out to the wings all the time).

 

[myfatcat]

Anyway, after a bit of tinkering I'm trying the following in tonights friendly. Mine's at 10pm would you believe, so any advice can be taken in before then

Strikers have good ball control to receive the ball, and should have enough stamina to keep going. Trying to go more around the defense than through it
Guy playing in the whole has excellent ball control and can win the ball.
Two guys just behind to clear up anything before it gets close to the defense.

Using Wings/Offensive/Normal.

Any possible improvements?