Best Football Manager 2021 Tactics Index
Your home of the best Football Manager 2021 tactics fully reviewed and rated by Darren. We manually test the best FM 2021 tactics to bring you a variety of winning formulas from plug and play to the more intricate, long terms systems.
Most websites simulate saves to rank FM21 tactics but we believe this is unrealistic and misleading. With your Assistant in control, poor training, man management and team selection can scur results so we manually test just as you would play out a normal season. This also gives us the opportunity to fully embrace the tactic and guide you toward its best use.
Each test is carried out using suitable players, familiar with the system and drilled in training from pre-season. I generally play in the Premier League but testing needs to be enjoyable so this can vary.
Best Football Manager 2021 Tactics
Our list of tactics will grow throughout the year and is in descending order by test date, so be sure to check back often.
Best FM21 Lower League Tactic: Concerto Direct Edition
- Tested when: Patch 21.2
- Tested with: Prestwich Heys (Tier 10)
- Formation: 4-2-4
- Style: Direct, pressing approach always on the front foot.
- Results: Untouchable season with Prestwich winning league & FA Vase
- Goals scored: 3.75 per game
- Conceded: 0.97 per game
- Rating:
- Full Review & Download: Click here
Summary: This FM21 lower league Tactic features attacking, pressing football and is suitable for level 10 teams up to the National League North/South and possibly the National League.
This is a direct, pressing system focussed on attacking, front to back Football in a 4-2-4 shape. Two Pressing Forwards offer a constant goal threat and act as the first line of Defence while Wingers add width crossing often as the Full Backs overlap.
My most impressive results came in the FA Trophy beating Deal 5-0, Highgate 4-0, Stockton 4-1 and West Auckland 4-2. The latter won promotion from the league above ours, in fact almost all our cup opposition played a level above us.
Best FM2021 Tactics: Concerto 2.0
- Tested when: Patch 21.1.3
- Tested with: Leicester City & Harrogate Town
- Formation: 4-2-4
- Style: Possession orientated defensively stable. Intricate attacks & set pieces
- Results: Unbeaten with Leicester all comps, 1st in L2 Harrogate Town
- Goals scored: 3.09 per game
- Conceded: 0.89 per game
- Rating:
- Full Review & Download: Click here
Summary: Concerto was designed to be an FM 2021 lower league tactic and worked well for League Two outfit, Harrogate Town. I also found success with Leicester City drawing just one game and going unbeaten in all competitions.
If you enjoy the potency of a 4-4-2 and interplay of the 4-2-3-1 Concerto 2.0 is the system for you. Unlike most overpowered, exploit tactics this is best watched in extended highlights mode and features some unique set piece plays.
One Advanced forward sits high while the second drops deep to link up play in a 4-2-4 formation. The latter acts as an AMC introducing the benefits of a 4-2-3-1 pulling Defenders out of position in a hybrid approach.
To find balance out wide AMR cuts inside, attacking the space while AML hugs the touchline and supports play. The right sided full back supports play offering defensive stability while the left Wing Back attacks, often overlapping.
Results speak for themselves as Leicester remained unbeaten drawing just once. We beat Liverpool twice at Anfield, Chelsea away 4-2 and Man city twice also.
Best FM21 Tactics: Knaps Venom & Faith 4-2-2-2
- Tested when: Patch 21.1
- Tested with: Everton & Crystal Palace
- Formation: 4-2-2-2
- Style: Attacking, pressing with high lines
- Results: Treble with Everton; Premier League, FA Cup & League Cup
- Goals scored: 3.6 per game
- Conceded: 1.31 per game
- Rating:
- Full Review & Download: Click here
Summary: An attacking, pressing system in the same old Knap style featuring balls in behind abusing the high line. You will need fast forwards and Wingers who can dribble to take full advantage but when this works it really is impressive. My front four were involved in 186 goals from 157 starts combined. You will concede and with the wrong players this system could prove inconsistent but that is where our guide comes in.
Venom & Faith is not only about balls in behind, I often enjoyed intricate play between AMR, AML and ST leading to Edward’s 20 assists. The video below offers a little taste of what you can expect including gameplay.
As suggested we won the Premier League, FA Cup & League cup all results are below. For full stats including the Crystal Palace test and download/guide click the link above.
Best FM 2021 Tactics: Knaps BEOWULF 4-4-2
- Tested when: BETA
- Tested with: Newcastle
- Formation: 4-4-2
- Style: Direct, Attacking
- Points: 2.67 per game
- Goals scored: 4.13 per game
- Conceded: 1.46 per game
- Rating:
- Full Review & Download: Click here
Summary: A direct, attacking 4-4-2 from Knap who is renowned for is overpowered tactics and use of high octane, pressing Football. This system looks to exploit the ball in behind finding two Advanced Forwards scoring plenty of goals. Owing to a high defensive line it can be found out on the break so we have recommended a second system to see games out.
Results speak for themselves, we sit top of the Premier League with Newcastle after 18 games and await a League Cup final. Beating Man Utd 6-2, Chelsea 9-3 and Arsenal 6-1 were among the highlights. BEOWULF’s potency will be numbed for FM21 full release as the BETA does have bugs but should still be a great tactic.
Try our best FM 2021 wonderkids, 500+ prospects fully rated with value buys highlighted here.
