Hello friends and welcome to this special post about my Wrexham tactic. This is the very first time I’ve done this so I hope there is suitable information. In my pre season report I received a request from Jack to post my tactic so here it is for everyone to view.
The version is called Wrexham 1.3 and is structured around focus passing down the left flank. Before I go any further credit for the development of this tactic goes to our wonderful site host Mr. Johnny Karp and Mr. Darren Smith over at All That is Football Manager even though they may not realize it but their tactical genius certainly provided the foundation.
Aside from Johnny and Darren I’d like to acknowledge the current Tottenham team whom I watched one Sunday and realized how they made use of Gareth Bale down the left flank to good effect not only in creating but also scoring goals.
The first step I took was to print a copy of the squad team sheet (Figure1) and concluded, though not all shown here that my best players were on the left side of the field. Darren Lough is also a LB but I couldn’t get him in the screen shot. The third column from the left is the dribbling attribute and the second from the right is the off ball or run with ball and so that sparked my interest and began circling the attributes whilst watching the Spurs game.
Figure 1
I already knew I wanted to field a 4-4-2 formation (Figure B) so I set up the team using just the standard roles that come with the game.
Figure B
Player Roles
It must be noted that not every single attack happens down the left flank and there are still a lot of chances created by Gilmour and now Hammond my Deep Lying Playmakers and the right side chips in with some help to now and again.
The team instructions look like this. Nothing special and I very rarely change except that I may go counter or defensive near the end of the match if I’m winning.
You may notice that I have the closing down set as «stand off more» which draws in the opposition and results in more long range efforts. My two central defenders are very defensive so they don’t get caught out that often. Even though I haven’t set instructions to counter attack we still do and usually down the left flank!
The front two men are both set as Poachers but the left one usually Ismael Fofana (or Baheng) is set as the target man to run onto the ball due to his pace and acceleration. The mentality is also set to normal so he drops back as well – picks up the ball and dribbles going past defenders or sometimes finds that through pass to his partner on the right side whose mentality is set slightly more attacking.
So pretty much everything is set to normal as seen below and my corner kicks are set to attack far post. I have the left centre back at the far post and the right centre back lurks outside the area as his long shots attribute is 15. One of the strikers challenges the keeper.This works pretty well but if you do use this tactic I would suggest reviewing player attributes to see the best positions for your players on set pieces.
I find that the DL ML and STL seem to work in good harmony and create lots of good opportunities that are a joy to watch. Aynway that’s about it and the tactic is available for download thanks to Johnny. You can download the file by clicking on the image below:
One final note is I made this tactic for my players so it may not work as well on your own team. In any event you can always start the way I did which is print the team sheet, circle the higher number attributes and go from there!
Thanks for reading and good luck!!
Darren Smith
8 января, 2011 at 12:58
First of all thanks for the kind words Kevin. I wouldn’t say i’m a tactical genius, just play the game far too much lol :) You have changed and tweaked your tactics very well indeed. Printing off the attributes table is a very good idea and the time taken to make this tactic shows you deserve all the great results you get. Thanks for sharing this and I’ve taken note of a few things that I may add to my tactics. The ‘standing off’ instruction is something I’ve never considered but may test it to see if it suits my side. Well done and thanks for this mate. :)
Kevin
9 января, 2011 at 09:57
Hi Darren
Just being honest that’s all. Haapy thoughthat you may try some of my ideas :)
Zola
8 января, 2011 at 13:21
I enjoy your post.Good work.
Kevin
9 января, 2011 at 09:58
Zola
Thanks for the comment
Sears
8 января, 2011 at 21:15
Thanks Kevin!
Kevin
9 января, 2011 at 09:59
Cheers Sears!
Johnny Karp
8 января, 2011 at 21:34
Hats off to Mr. Kevin Mayo, great post! :)
Kevin
9 января, 2011 at 09:59
Hi Johnny
Thanks a lot, glad you liked it.
SteveS
9 января, 2011 at 03:34
Hi Kevin, nice job on presenting those tactics. Hard to believe that was your first time:) You’re a natural! Just one stupid question, how do you print the team sheet?? I can’t find a print function. (I’m still on FM 2010 though!)
Kevin
9 января, 2011 at 10:09
Hi SteveS
Appreciate your kind words. Unless you’ve changed the skin there’s a drop down menu «FM» button near the continue button. The print function is in that list of items which also includes game preferences amongst other things.
There are two or three ways to print but the way I do is print as «web page» which then will save as an Internet Explorer icon on your deasktop or wherever you want to save it. From there simply click on the IE icon you created and there you will see the team sheet. Then print it :)
Hope this helps.
Mark
26 марта, 2011 at 18:59
does this work on 11.3 patch and what Match prep, Opposistion instructions and pitch size do u use many thanks again. Mark
Dan
15 июня, 2011 at 23:26
Tactics worked a treat on FM 2011 :) won me my first match in league 2.
Dan
15 июня, 2011 at 23:35
2 on the bounce now :)
kevin
16 июня, 2011 at 13:32
Hi Dan
Glad it’s working for you so far. Though check out my latest Cambridge post in the stories section as I’ve changed things slightly. Good luck though!
Daniel
28 июля, 2011 at 12:10
will this work on 11.3 patch and in league 2 mate?
kevin
28 июля, 2011 at 14:40
Hi Daniel
Yes it should work fine with 11.3 and League 2. I’m still using it in my Cambridge save. Make sure you have good players with speed and stamina down the left side of the field.
Good luck!!
Daniel
29 июля, 2011 at 12:26
awsome mate, if i have the players is it capable of promotion, because first game i got dominated by lincoln 2-0? what do you do in certain situations. Eg the startegy you use when your 1-0 down or 1-0 up
cheers
kevin
29 июля, 2011 at 19:55
Hi Daniel
To be honest i’m not much of a tactician, all I can say it worked for the players I had. Perhaps you are already part way through a season and therefore your players may need time to adjust.
The only in games tweaks I make are either one level up or one level below of the standard philosophy depending on the score. Sorry i’m at work so don’t have the game in front of me.