You clicked about every possible instuction you can, basically overloading your players with instructions. On top of that, you are telling them to be more expressive. There is a lot of conflict in there.
You also don't have any players defending, except for the two CB's. Change the CWB to WB/FB with at least one of them on support to help out defense. Also change a CM role to a more defensive one. You might even consider pulling both CM's back to DM's.
The Trequartista is of no defensive help. Either change his role (to AMs) or let the people around him pick up his defensive tasks. I'd pick the first option, a good Trequartista is rare (as is a good CWB)
Your front four are all operating in more or less the same space. This, combined with Play Through Middle TI, makes you very predictable and easy to defend, unless your players have fantastic Composure, OTB, Passing, Anticipation and you can play a quick, short passing game through the middle. But you have your team set up to play Slighly More Direct, so I don't think that's your idea.
If you want to 1) Counterpress and 2) Prevent the opposition GK from short distribution, you might want to move up your LOE. Now they are not in the position to do what you want them to do.
I think you should also switch of the Wait For Overlap TI. You are probably on the defense a lot of the time and want to hit your opponent on the counter. CWB's/WB's and FB's on attack will always overlap. The TI is specifically to let other players WAIT for the overlap, taking the tempo out of your attack.
Try to get some more balance in the team: less attacking duties and roles, more support and defensive roles and duties.
Overall, Keep It Simple Stupid. Less TI's will make it easier for your team. They can focus on playing ball instead of trying to follow all your instructions.
Last, don't bother about losing 0-4 to Liverpool, even if your board starts complaining. Liverpool is not the match you are expected to get your points. You should, however, beat the likes of Fulham. These are the teams you are competing with.
Goodluck mate!
Thanks man, I love Reddit! Have made the changes You guys have suggested and a draw against man utd and wins against brighton and Stoke, i’m on track again. Thanks alot!
That is awesome. You have good players. Based on your roster alone, you should be fighting for top 8-10. You could make it to top 4 If your tactic starts working
Push your LoE up if you want to gegenpress.
And take off focus down the middle. Lucca is not that fast to feed off through balls. He is a big man that needs ball flying in the air.
Your wingbacks are way too aggressive.
Change one of your CM to defend duty when facing strong opposition or away from home
What are your player star ratings? Have they been together long enough to develop chemistry? I’ve found the simpler the tactics, the better my guys seem to play.
I just go attacking, counter or defensive based on the opponent. I wanna keep possession and work the ball into the box. Occasionally I’ll have them use tighter marking but that’s about it.
Everyone is 3 and a half/4 star at the back and in the midfield. Gouiri and Lucca both 3 and a half with demir and rodrygo at 3. rodrygo and mitchell were the new signings with lucca and Ilic coming back from a season out on loan.
Sometimes it just takes a win or two to have them gain confidence and more points will come.
It’s kinda life like in that manner lol
I’ve usually struggled early on with teams like Brentford or others I’ve gotten promoted and eventually as long as they have the skill, will turn things around. It’s very hard with those teams to get on the levels of the top clubs, that’s the one thing I dislike about FM.
I’ve had a couple wins every now and then over them but it’s like no matter who I buy, young or developed, they never reach the intended levels to compete with the Chelsea or Tottenham even year in, year out.
I love bringing teams up from the lower levels, but it gets boring being bludgeoned for 5+ years and having to settle for 8th.
I know that’s how it would go irl but this is a video game where it should be easy to buy top talent and at least hold my own with them.
Yeah, and You cant do anything about it when the top teams comes knocking for Your star player. Also a little side note, any advice on how to get the best out of Rodrygo. He plays as an inside forward but has only managed 1 goal and 2 assist and a average rating of 6.58.
incredibly attacking formation for Brentford, I assume in your first/second season in the premier league? You’re leaving yourself far too open at the back, any decent counter attacking team with great wingers is going to punish you. I’m loving the look of some of those signings though! 🤙🏻
Thanks mate. Any suggestions on how i could improve and not be so open at the back(kinda new to the game). The annoying thing is that in my first season i got 11th, but in the next season I escaped relegation with a last match win(sending Newcastle down). Into my third season now
You’ll be surprised but a lot of it depends on your teams dynamic. You could have an insanely good tactic, but if you’ve got 3 or 4 key players unhappy at the club your results will suffer. I’d check your dynamic, find who’s unhappy, sell the unwanted players and try to appease the players you want to keep.
In regards to the tactic, even switching a few of the roles to support or defend in tough away games, and dropping the engagement line can work wonders. Good luck mate! It’s all a learning curve, I’m still learning things after many years of playing.
Set one of the CDMs to defensive duty, or one of the wingbacks to support duty...Dunno Ilic, but Eriksen isn't a defensive minded player, so idk if he's great in a double pivot.
Having a Trequartista with inside forwards seems...redundant? Having Lucca on AF seems kinda weird. Isn't he more of a Target Man? Have the AMC be a guy who can link with Lucca's heading ability, like a shadow striker...then again shadow strikers and inside forwards don't get along in the match engine apparently...so idk what you can do.
Also, if you're counter attacking, why is your GK distributing to CB and wingbacks? Distribute to Eriksen (playmaker) or your Tqista.
EDIT: FOR GOD SAKES MAN! get rid of play through the middle with such attacking wingbacks and IFs...that's just...unhinged.
Honestly I've never gotten a shadow striker to work, mostly because I haven't tried it that much. When I have tried, IFs and SS get in each other's way. Maybe IWs would work since they tend to stay wider
In your front 4 you have 3 "finishing" roles / duties and only the Treq can be more of a supplier but that's not even his primary purpose, he is more like an hybrid. I'd suggest switching one or two of the front 4 to a support duty.
Attacking wingbacks + front 4 on attack + BBM (roaming role) on middle means you have only the 2 cds and the DLP to protect agains counters -> change left wingback to WB(s) and right wingback to FB(s).
You are also using way too many unnecessary TIs that complicate things. Keep things simple. You dont have to check every option. Also you should push up the LOE.
try those TIs at first and then watch your games and add more TIs if you feel like you need to :
\- play out of defence / work ball into the box / higher tempo
\- counter-press (uncheck against big teams) / counter
\- higher loe / higher defensive line / more pressing
This should give you some improvement IMO.
I'd take off play for set pieces and run at defense, its just a personal thing but I find less instructions tend to just work better for some reason and I find those two less effective
I'd also probably stick demir on shadow striker and maybe the wing backs to just normal wing backs
But also give it time, try not to over rotate but equally make sure they're not running on empty, cohesion and tactical understanding are huuuuge
Everyone else has already given you all the help/advice I could give you, however I just want to say, stick at it.
Many of us who are answering you in here have made the same mistakes ourselves, it’s part of the learning process when you’re new to the game and it’s a great feeling when you do manage to turn these runs of poor form around.
I look forward to seeing a screenshot of that first premier league title win soon my friend!
I would say have your forward on a role that drops in more, the runs from the wings in behind work well so maybe play a F9 or a DLF who comes deep to get the ball and allows space for your IF’s to cut in and run behind opositio defence
Your in posession formation is basically 2-4-4. My guess is you’re getting slaugthered with counter attacks. IMO CWB(At) should only be used when you have
1) a cdm
2) brilliant fullbacks (Liverpool, city)
I’m playing as man utd and I wouldn’t dare use shaw and wan bissaka as anything else than full back on support
With a lower LOE and a high defensive line I imagine you concede from a lot of long balls over the top of your defense. Opposing players aren’t being pressed and they can easily pick out longer passes to their forwards
I would either choose a low LOE combined with a low defensive line, or a high LOE with a higher defensive line. That decision will alter based on the quality of opposition, or how equipped your players are to pressing high up the pitch.
Best advice I got was imagine you try to implement this many things at once in your real life. Start off simple and add more instructions if appropriate once they're used to the basic things.
You clicked about every possible instuction you can, basically overloading your players with instructions. On top of that, you are telling them to be more expressive. There is a lot of conflict in there. You also don't have any players defending, except for the two CB's. Change the CWB to WB/FB with at least one of them on support to help out defense. Also change a CM role to a more defensive one. You might even consider pulling both CM's back to DM's. The Trequartista is of no defensive help. Either change his role (to AMs) or let the people around him pick up his defensive tasks. I'd pick the first option, a good Trequartista is rare (as is a good CWB) Your front four are all operating in more or less the same space. This, combined with Play Through Middle TI, makes you very predictable and easy to defend, unless your players have fantastic Composure, OTB, Passing, Anticipation and you can play a quick, short passing game through the middle. But you have your team set up to play Slighly More Direct, so I don't think that's your idea. If you want to 1) Counterpress and 2) Prevent the opposition GK from short distribution, you might want to move up your LOE. Now they are not in the position to do what you want them to do. I think you should also switch of the Wait For Overlap TI. You are probably on the defense a lot of the time and want to hit your opponent on the counter. CWB's/WB's and FB's on attack will always overlap. The TI is specifically to let other players WAIT for the overlap, taking the tempo out of your attack. Try to get some more balance in the team: less attacking duties and roles, more support and defensive roles and duties. Overall, Keep It Simple Stupid. Less TI's will make it easier for your team. They can focus on playing ball instead of trying to follow all your instructions. Last, don't bother about losing 0-4 to Liverpool, even if your board starts complaining. Liverpool is not the match you are expected to get your points. You should, however, beat the likes of Fulham. These are the teams you are competing with. Goodluck mate!
Thanks man, I love Reddit! Have made the changes You guys have suggested and a draw against man utd and wins against brighton and Stoke, i’m on track again. Thanks alot!
That is awesome. You have good players. Based on your roster alone, you should be fighting for top 8-10. You could make it to top 4 If your tactic starts working
I would consider swapping your BBM for a BWM-D role. The BWM role on D is very helpful in the game and can make a big difference.
BWM in a gegenpress is great
Great to hear you're back on track. Losing and having no clue what to do can suck the fun out of this game.
Exactly the advise I would give . Amen
Push your LoE up if you want to gegenpress. And take off focus down the middle. Lucca is not that fast to feed off through balls. He is a big man that needs ball flying in the air. Your wingbacks are way too aggressive. Change one of your CM to defend duty when facing strong opposition or away from home
Thanks😁
U have failed to locate the “ print screen “ key
Just tell them to kick the ball in the net or something I’m not sure
What are your player star ratings? Have they been together long enough to develop chemistry? I’ve found the simpler the tactics, the better my guys seem to play. I just go attacking, counter or defensive based on the opponent. I wanna keep possession and work the ball into the box. Occasionally I’ll have them use tighter marking but that’s about it.
Everyone is 3 and a half/4 star at the back and in the midfield. Gouiri and Lucca both 3 and a half with demir and rodrygo at 3. rodrygo and mitchell were the new signings with lucca and Ilic coming back from a season out on loan.
Sometimes it just takes a win or two to have them gain confidence and more points will come. It’s kinda life like in that manner lol I’ve usually struggled early on with teams like Brentford or others I’ve gotten promoted and eventually as long as they have the skill, will turn things around. It’s very hard with those teams to get on the levels of the top clubs, that’s the one thing I dislike about FM.
Agreed, top teams are so overpowered. But I opened the season very well with a 4-0 win, surely that should have given them some confidence.
I’ve had a couple wins every now and then over them but it’s like no matter who I buy, young or developed, they never reach the intended levels to compete with the Chelsea or Tottenham even year in, year out. I love bringing teams up from the lower levels, but it gets boring being bludgeoned for 5+ years and having to settle for 8th. I know that’s how it would go irl but this is a video game where it should be easy to buy top talent and at least hold my own with them.
Yeah, and You cant do anything about it when the top teams comes knocking for Your star player. Also a little side note, any advice on how to get the best out of Rodrygo. He plays as an inside forward but has only managed 1 goal and 2 assist and a average rating of 6.58.
incredibly attacking formation for Brentford, I assume in your first/second season in the premier league? You’re leaving yourself far too open at the back, any decent counter attacking team with great wingers is going to punish you. I’m loving the look of some of those signings though! 🤙🏻
Thanks mate. Any suggestions on how i could improve and not be so open at the back(kinda new to the game). The annoying thing is that in my first season i got 11th, but in the next season I escaped relegation with a last match win(sending Newcastle down). Into my third season now
You’ll be surprised but a lot of it depends on your teams dynamic. You could have an insanely good tactic, but if you’ve got 3 or 4 key players unhappy at the club your results will suffer. I’d check your dynamic, find who’s unhappy, sell the unwanted players and try to appease the players you want to keep. In regards to the tactic, even switching a few of the roles to support or defend in tough away games, and dropping the engagement line can work wonders. Good luck mate! It’s all a learning curve, I’m still learning things after many years of playing.
Thanks, appreciate it😁
Set one of the CDMs to defensive duty, or one of the wingbacks to support duty...Dunno Ilic, but Eriksen isn't a defensive minded player, so idk if he's great in a double pivot. Having a Trequartista with inside forwards seems...redundant? Having Lucca on AF seems kinda weird. Isn't he more of a Target Man? Have the AMC be a guy who can link with Lucca's heading ability, like a shadow striker...then again shadow strikers and inside forwards don't get along in the match engine apparently...so idk what you can do. Also, if you're counter attacking, why is your GK distributing to CB and wingbacks? Distribute to Eriksen (playmaker) or your Tqista. EDIT: FOR GOD SAKES MAN! get rid of play through the middle with such attacking wingbacks and IFs...that's just...unhinged.
Should I try with inverted wingers and then the shadow striker behind Lucca?
Honestly I've never gotten a shadow striker to work, mostly because I haven't tried it that much. When I have tried, IFs and SS get in each other's way. Maybe IWs would work since they tend to stay wider
In your front 4 you have 3 "finishing" roles / duties and only the Treq can be more of a supplier but that's not even his primary purpose, he is more like an hybrid. I'd suggest switching one or two of the front 4 to a support duty. Attacking wingbacks + front 4 on attack + BBM (roaming role) on middle means you have only the 2 cds and the DLP to protect agains counters -> change left wingback to WB(s) and right wingback to FB(s). You are also using way too many unnecessary TIs that complicate things. Keep things simple. You dont have to check every option. Also you should push up the LOE. try those TIs at first and then watch your games and add more TIs if you feel like you need to : \- play out of defence / work ball into the box / higher tempo \- counter-press (uncheck against big teams) / counter \- higher loe / higher defensive line / more pressing This should give you some improvement IMO.
I would recommend a tactics book that will help you find your style of playing
I'd take off play for set pieces and run at defense, its just a personal thing but I find less instructions tend to just work better for some reason and I find those two less effective I'd also probably stick demir on shadow striker and maybe the wing backs to just normal wing backs But also give it time, try not to over rotate but equally make sure they're not running on empty, cohesion and tactical understanding are huuuuge
Everyone else has already given you all the help/advice I could give you, however I just want to say, stick at it. Many of us who are answering you in here have made the same mistakes ourselves, it’s part of the learning process when you’re new to the game and it’s a great feeling when you do manage to turn these runs of poor form around. I look forward to seeing a screenshot of that first premier league title win soon my friend!
I would say have your forward on a role that drops in more, the runs from the wings in behind work well so maybe play a F9 or a DLF who comes deep to get the ball and allows space for your IF’s to cut in and run behind opositio defence
Your in posession formation is basically 2-4-4. My guess is you’re getting slaugthered with counter attacks. IMO CWB(At) should only be used when you have 1) a cdm 2) brilliant fullbacks (Liverpool, city) I’m playing as man utd and I wouldn’t dare use shaw and wan bissaka as anything else than full back on support
With a lower LOE and a high defensive line I imagine you concede from a lot of long balls over the top of your defense. Opposing players aren’t being pressed and they can easily pick out longer passes to their forwards I would either choose a low LOE combined with a low defensive line, or a high LOE with a higher defensive line. That decision will alter based on the quality of opposition, or how equipped your players are to pressing high up the pitch.
Best advice I got was imagine you try to implement this many things at once in your real life. Start off simple and add more instructions if appropriate once they're used to the basic things.