Hello and welcome to my Football Manager 2013 guide on testing tactics. This is the third and final part of the series, so if you haven’t already, I suggest skipping back to any parts you may have missed. Part one covered formations, strategy and style. While part two covered player roles.
I know these posts have been extremely long, so lets try keeping part three as short as possible. Testing tactics is all common sense really, but you won’t succeed and find those flaws without patience. Pressing continue, continue and rushing through your save just won’t work. Remember its not just your tactic that makes the players under perform, so get everything else in order and then there will be no question marks over what is causing poor results. So with that in mind, below are some key points on what must be done before you can successfully test your tactic.
- Make sure you have great backroom staff and an excellent assistant manager. I suggest Johnny’s guide to getting good coaches.
- Set your training correctly & make sure the match preparation is appropriate, Johnny has made another good guide on training and match preparation.
- Sign the right players, your tactic won’t work if you don’t have good players. The Scouting Network can help there.
- Set your tactic well before the first Friendly of the season and make sure its set as your primary tactic, the squad need time to learn the new system.
- And finally be sure to set your opposition instructions and team talks correctly.
If all of the above is spot on and your tactic still isn’t working then chances are one of the below is effecting it. If that is the case its a waiting game, these issues will pass and you should see better results after 6-7 games.
- Too many new signings or foreign players struggling to communicate.
- Poor morale and or confidence.
- Signing too many players can result in the squad needing time to blend and learn the tactic.
Now that you have everything set up right and know what to expect, I’ll explain how you should go about testing your tactics.
There is one sure fire way of spotting errors and problems in your FM13 tactic, by watching the match engine. Don’t watch the opening games in ‘key highlights’, you have no chance of spotting any issues. Always watch the opening 3-4 competitive matches in ‘comprehensive highlight‘ mode. This way you can see every chance and as a result where play is breaking down. After the opening three or four games you can switch to ‘extended highlights‘ and I’d suggest doing this for at least half a season, by then the tactic should be perfected and you can watch in ‘key highlights’ mode if you wish.
My pet hate is people who manage three competitive matches, lose all of them and then come moaning, ‘your tactics crap’. It took more than a day to build Rome my friends, so don’t be in a rush. I would also suggest disregarding early matches against the top teams, you can’t judge your side getting thrashed by a far Superior team especially when the tactic is still been learnt. Yes there will be defensive lessons to learn from those types of defeats but don’t overhaul your system based on matches like that. Its the teams you expect to beat or that have a similar reputation to yourself, they are the ones you should concentrate on.
Always pay close attention to your player ratings. If one particular position gets quite a few low ratings, chances are its a problem with the role or how that area of the tactic blends in with the rest. Player ratings are a great way of spotting which area is causing problems, but for confirmation maybe try changing the player in that position, just to be sure it isn’t the players fault (assuming he isn’t incredible of course.) Now when I say ‘low ratings’ I mean lower than 6.7 on a consistent basis.
Whatever you do, don’t let these player ratings deceive you. Lots of gamers are wrong in assuming a central midfielder isn’t working if he keeps getting 6.9. Remember some players do a lot of the dog work and receive no credit for it, but without them the tactic may fall to pieces. Every other game my striker fails to score and doesn’t go above a 7.4 rating too often…but I win a lot of matches and the inside forwards always look very dangerous. So I sacrifice my striker because the tactic works, you should consider this when getting frustrated by what you may class as a ‘player under performing’.
The other telling sign of whether a tactic works is goals. If you keep scoring a lot of goals then great, but how many do you concede? If you win the odd game but those goals against lead to sloppy draws and losses then its time to change. This means you don’t have the balance right between attack and defence. Now this usually doesn’t represent a mistake in your philosophy and strategy but more so the formation and players roles. Your shape and player roles are probably committing too many bodies forward leaving you vulnerable at the back.
Now onto another handy way of seeing where the problems are. In the match engine set the ‘match feed settings’ to the information you want from your backroom staff. I personally just tick all the ‘staff feedback’. But beware, while this is handy it can also be misleading. You need to use some common sense, like I keep getting a message claiming I should encourage my players to try a direct passing style, I have ignored that to great success all season.
Conclusion
The key to creating and testing a brilliant tactic is observation. And you can only manage this through the match engine, I could go on about certain statistics indicating change is required, but if I am honest there’s no point. I never use them, so you shouldn’t have too either. Plus, statistics can lie, especially if you’re creating a tactic that is solid and for the sole purpose of winning games.
Well that concludes my FM 2013 Guide — How to create your own tactic! Its been a marathon (more than 6300 words) but if this helps just a handful of readers I’ll be delighted. But if not, I’ll be posting my attacking tactic soon enough so you can all enjoy that. Thanks for hanging in there everybody and taking the time to read this guide. As always I look forward to your comments and questions.
Gaurav Chaddah
3 ноября, 2012 at 16:16
Great read as usual Darren, this is always something I always have struggled on. Recently I made a 4 5 1 which i tested with blackool for half a season, how long do tu advise to test a tactic for before putting it into yor proper save? And how do you go about selecting what team I test your tactic with?
Darren Smith
3 ноября, 2012 at 16:40
I usually test my tactic as I play, mainly because I am tailoring my tactic for the team I want to manage, but you can’t say a tactic is fully fool proof until you have completed a full season or minimum of half a season. As mentioned I test the tactic while I am playing the actual save I intend on playing.
Nick Sundin
3 ноября, 2012 at 18:40
Excellent signings for Newcastle btw. Since the FM12 tactic files are compatible with FM13 I just imported those, still using a combination of your 4-5-1 and Jonny’s 4-3-3
Darren Smith
3 ноября, 2012 at 18:45
Yeah TBH my new tactic is almost identical to last year. Bar the emphasis on how we attack down the right.
Nick Sundin
3 ноября, 2012 at 20:17
Yeah, I’m using Newcastle ATM and Ben Arfa is magic
Johnny Karp
3 ноября, 2012 at 21:39
Testing is essential in my view, you can’t build something good unless you pay attention to what works and what doesn’t. Losing a game to a random corner kick doesn’t mean that a tactic is bad, and winning a game thanks to a lucky cross doesn’t mean that you’ve designed the world-cup winning tactic either.
Darren Smith
3 ноября, 2012 at 21:42
I agree Johnny, I’ve tried to get that across to everyone here. Its all about filtering out each key moment in a match and understanding if it happened because of a certain setting or player role and then either keeping it or tweaking it…but you can’t do that until you filter out those games in which you were lucky or unlucky.
Michael Dalsgaard
6 ноября, 2012 at 02:02
yup, spend half a season in agony with Sunderland, wining 50% with 4 goals winning margin on avr
losing the other 50% with 4 goals on avr.
the faults been fun to fight, cause when ever my team was below 49% possesion ending the match, it was a win, if above 60% then it was a loss the remainding 11% was a toss up.
Im persistently fighting that, cause its amuseing to figure out why id lose having the ball over not having the ball, or it might be the old SAFC mentality of only wining matches we do not dominate, and not knowing what to do when we do dominate the match ;p
saltwater
4 ноября, 2012 at 11:52
Thanks for these three parts, very interesting how tactics can be manipulated. It really is just working out what works and what doesn’t. I’ve been equipped with the tools I need to improve my 4-2-2-2. Or 4-4-2. Thanks Darren!
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2012 at 12:09
No problem mate, creating tactics is more about your state of mind than anything else so I hope this helps.
Jayson
5 ноября, 2012 at 00:05
Great read this thank you. I applied a very similar way of thinking and started using a 5-3-2 formation for the first time with my Leeds team. I was always a stickler for just using 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. I started looking where the teams strength was instead and this formation suited perfectly. In watching the game closely I created a lot of good chances and soaked up the pressure when needed very well. The formation suited my team and they attacked and defended as a team. The 3 in midfield boss the game on an attacking and defending front. The only issue I have is this formation will go out the window should I get an injury too a wing back.
Darren Smith
5 ноября, 2012 at 08:53
Thanks Jayson, the 5-3-2 can be very solid but as you said, its very tough on the wing backs, they either get knackered before 70 minutes or can throw everything out the window with a poor run of injuries.
John
6 ноября, 2012 at 12:28
Hi Darren. Wonderful guide, thanks a lot. I’ve always had a problem with being to quick to change something that doesn’t appear to work. Therefore if you were to get the feeling your midfielders roles weren’t working how many games would you try it for before trying a different combination? Thanks
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2012 at 19:09
To be honest John it depends on a number of different things, make sure it could only be the tactic at fault first off, then maybe give it two to three matches before changing.
Michael Dalsgaard
6 ноября, 2012 at 19:26
Been adding some of this into consideration of my allready posession dominant 4-2-3-1
Issue funny enough was the lag of finishing up front and then the weak clearance from mid to deff.
1st SAFC season i ended relegation with 78 goals scored and 90 conceded.
So i looked it over abit and restartet another test season this time using the same base i already build (can’t complain of 78 goals in 1 season), moved the attacking midfielder back down as a defensive midfielder and put his role alot more defensive minded, tho increasing the wingers attack mind a tiny wee bit.
Currently looks to be doing the trick with current season being a mere 36 goals half way in and 10 goals conceded.
100% wins at home and 50% wins away (im lazy enough to use the same tactic both parts of games).
20 games left will see how it goes with SAFC, havent purchased anything apart from mathew bates on a free (injury strucken).
Michael Dalsgaard
6 ноября, 2012 at 19:28
fileding a 4-1-2-2-1 atm
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2012 at 19:42
I think the problem with your other formation was that the opposition could sit everyone behind the ball and then hit you on the counter, with some many bodies going forward you are liable for that. Having more players behind the ball moving on as a unit is easier to attack with.
Rudson Nunes
26 ноября, 2012 at 21:04
I spent choke with Milan I only tied one and lost 2 games 4-2-3-1 formation (with AMC)
I played about 6-7 games many weaknesses. I was pissed and switched tactics. As incredible as it seems now use 3-2-5 with 3 strikers, now the team ta starting to play the ball barely thin Suffer the goal shit is that the attackers are and downswing and ended with four players injured in victory against Fiorentina. (this tactic is not all blue bar)
Darren Smith
26 ноября, 2012 at 21:49
Sorry I can’t understand what you are trying to say in the comment.
Rudson Nunes
26 ноября, 2012 at 23:37
Sorry. I do not speak English, use google translator.
I was using a 4-5-1 tactic, not getting good result in 6 games.
resolvir change and used 3-2-5, 3 defenders, 2 Midfielder, 1 advanced midfield right and one on the left, 3 more attackers.
Now the team has begun to understand and ta starting to play really well.
I used some of your tips so I can create my tactic, and put robinho as the star of the team, with the Milan game.
Darren Smith
27 ноября, 2012 at 11:41
I think I understand it now, hope your team keep playing well.
Arian Poshka
26 декабря, 2012 at 01:34
Hey Darren,
Thank you for this guide, it really helped. I read some of your posts in FM 2011 and I used your tactic for FM 2013 and it was very solid. This is like the «perfect» guide, even though the AI has certainly changed over the past few years. As you said, it’s all about finding a balance between attack and defense. I wanted to ask you what do you think of the infamous «Il Devasto 4-2-2-2» tactic? Is it a «cheat» tactic that defeats the AI or is it pure brilliance that any team in the world could use to achieve glory? Thank you.
Darren Smith
26 декабря, 2012 at 08:30
I have never heard of that tactic before, but to be fair I never look for tactics actively as I only use my own. TBH I don’t think there are any cheat tactics as such, its just finding a way of beating your opponent and as long as the gamer doesn’t reload or use some form of tools the rest of us don’t have then they aren’t cheating.
Cameron Moulton
2 января, 2013 at 16:37
Darren this is a wonderful guide I’m quiet new to FM so I started with searching the web for tactics that will work for my team but like you said nothing is more rewarding then creating your own winning tactic and they always work best for you set of players, my first working FM tactic all thanks to you
Darren Smith
2 января, 2013 at 18:34
Thanks for the kind words Cameron, makes the work worthwhile to know people can gain something from these guides. I hope you can now enjoy your own tactics mate, it is much more rewarding.
Philip Sanderson
19 января, 2013 at 13:40
Darren
An excellant guide, I have taken your advice and have developed a 4-2-3-1 tactic with a counter and rigid style for my team York City. It is currently working ok I have won 2 (away 1-0 and 2-0) and drawn 1 (home 0-0). My current debate is that away from home the style is working well though I am not sure to move to balanced during the game to mix it up. At home though I am thinking of moving to attack and either rigid or balanced, but not sure. Though I may give it another few more matches — I may not win another one lol.
Anyway a good documented guide, it gave me the confidence to try my own tactic.
Darren Smith
19 января, 2013 at 13:44
Thanks I’m glad this has helped…since writing it the latest patch seems to have made the AI a little smarter and tweaks are needed to suit the opponent, but its all test and trial really.
Chu H
10 июня, 2013 at 12:00
Hello Darren,
I got sent to this link by Johnny Karp. I have developed two tactics. The first is an attacking and defensive 4-2-3-1 and an attacking 4-3-3. Going forward and creating chances and good ball movement is the order of the day, where I tend to have problems is with the defense. Sometimes they ball watch and literally escort the opposing striker to the box and allow him score. They say offence sells seats but defence wins games, how can I tweak my tactic to ensure a sturdier defense? With the 4-2-3-1 there’s an anchor man and a deep lying playmaker with good passing and tacking so not only do they protect the defence but when they win possession they can get the ball up front more effectively, would focusing more play on the wingers help so the middle is not under so much pressure all the time? Will making the CBs more agressive and allow them room to roam make them more physical as oppose to insisting they stay in one position help? I really could use your input because I just read this piece, not only was it well written but you’ve given me a million and one things to think about. Thanks again for your time and I look forward to your input.
PS the two Center backs (one is a covering defender and the other is a stopper). Should there be a need to change that match up due to injuries, suspension, loss of form or international duty I usually use two stoppers with good ratings for teamwork.
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2013 at 12:06
As you can see by this three part guide creating tactics isn’t about quick answers. I don’t know your tactic and a coupe of minor details isn’t enough for me to make recommendations, without testing I couldn’t really answer your questions. I suggest using this guide and part three to find the answers yourself, as I would be making logical guess’ which I’m sure you can do.
Chu H
10 июня, 2013 at 12:43
Thanks for the prompt reply and I’ve read the three articles (very well written as well as insightful) and will be making a few changes.
Chu H
10 июня, 2013 at 15:17
Again another masterclass and you have no idea how quickly I want to put what you’ve written to good use. I do have two questions though:
1. Would you class blooding in a youth play from the academy or reserves a new signing?
2. How many player(s) should a team look to sign per season so the issues of communication, learning a tactic and/or adapting to a different playing style/culture are not issues?
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2013 at 18:47
Blooding in a young player is different to a new signing, while he still needs time to adjust he will need no where near as long as a new player altogether. And its not about how many players a team sign, that is irrelevant, its how many play in the starting lineup and are tossed into the team too early. Its all about trial and error with that.
0mariano
26 августа, 2013 at 15:13
Darren, thanks a lot for this amazing and helpful guide!
Darren Smith
26 августа, 2013 at 15:24
No problem, I’m glad this helped.