Hey guys, following on from Johnny’s analysis of Jake’s FM 2013 tactic, its my turn to dissect and deliberate. But first lets re-cap the testing process
The testing procedure is quite simple: I will install the tactic and use it through pre-season plus six league matches with Spurs. Then I’ll watch each match closely, see what happens and come up with the best review I am capable of. I will also keep track of various statistics in order to be able to compare the essential numbers between this and other tactics that have been or will be analysed. It will be more or less like a benchmarking tool for FM 2013 tactics.
The first FM 2013 tactic that I tested is Declan’s 4-3-3 tactic, a high pressure based system named «Beating beautiful Football«.
Formation
The formation is a simple 4-3-3, its in the player roles where things get interesting. The two outer strikers are defensive forwards with support duty. So they will harras the opposition backline while not in possession, the central striker has the same role but due to an attack duty, he tends to stay forward while the other two drop deep to pick up the ball. The BWM is vital, he tends to run midfield and get possession back while the BBM’s do everything from attack to defend to even acting as wide midfielders when possession makes its way out to the wings.
Team Instructions
A balanced philosophy is used to offer that bit of freedom due to a lack of width. The players are instructed to attack which suits the idea of pressing more and using a high defensive line. Tempo is extremely quick to get the ball moving when possession is won back and the passing style is direct to hit the forwards from back to front in one foul swoop. Please note that while the FB’s seem neutral due to an automatic duty, they actually default to attacking duty because of the attacking strategy.
Average Positions
The average positions tell a few tales. Number one the tactic is very narrow, true while defending but the full backs bomb forward to create width while attacking. It also shows five players in a block and then the rest attacking, this is ideal as a general rule and the BWM rarely gets involved in the attacking phase of play. But what really matters here, is the two strikers either side of your main ST, these guys drop very deep and either pick up the ball to run or get the nod on during more direct attacks.
Defending
This tactic is designed to press very high up the pitch and attempt to stop the opponents before they can get into more dangerous areas. In all honesty it doesn’t work completely, but as you can see above the three ST’s are primed and ready to press any of the opposition back four. In addition the two Box to Box Midfielder’s in MCR and MCL will follow possession, so if the opposition midfield have the ball, they’ll move forward, if the full backs progress forward they’ll move to the wings…these guys are your bit of insurance in a narrow tactic.
I have noticed the back four keep a straight line while the Ball Winning Midfielder just sits in front of them chasing down the opposition when they get into your half. The only down side is your full backs attacking duty can lead to them getting stuck up field and as a result caught short on the counter.
Attacking
Going forward can be very effective with the two supporting DF’s dropping deep to pick up the ball. The screenshot above shows my Ball winning midfielder playing the ball to a supporting forward who has dropped into the hole. Both box to box midfielders advance up the pitch and the full back offers width.
Another dimension is the long ball, all three forwards can bring the ball down with plenty of support around them to lay off a pass. I also like the interchanges and integrate play between the three forwards. All three take it in turns dropping deeper depending on where possession is and this can pull the opposition defenders out of position. The match highlight below shows that.
In a completely different manner, I have seen the ball launched forward from a CB for Adebayor to nod onto Defoe who could then manufacturer a shot on goal.
Results
Some convincing results but also a few scrapes and one heavy loss. This tactic provides a mixed bag really, in general it provides good form, but when against the likes of Chelsea I felt over powered and helpless (though that could be the players I used als0). On the other hand it performs very nicely against lesser sides. I think the real difference is in a proper target man like forward while the other must be able to dribble and attack from deep.
Statistics
Goals scored: 12 (2 per game)
Goals conceded: 6 (1 per game)
Shots on target for: 5.83 per game
Shots on target against: 3.67 per game
Clear cut chances for: 1.83 per game
Clear cut chances against: 2.5 per game
Half chances for: 2.83 per game
Half chances against: 1.33 per game
Ball possession average: 52%
I was surprised to see this tactic concede an average of 2.5 chances per game and 2.83 half chances. That could be worrying but it didn’t show in the match engine bar against Chelsea. For such a direct system it held possession well at an average of 52% and saw me score an average of two goals for every one I’d concede.
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Reasonable results.
Attacking link up play.
FB’s offer plenty of width going forward (as shown below.)
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Can be overpowered against better opposition if you don’t have a Stoke like lineup.
You can be caught short out wide if the opposition full back and winger gang up on your full back
Full backs get drawn into tackle high up which is dangerous (see image below.)
Suggested Tweaks
Set pieces need some attention, maybe set aim to near post and assign best header to attack near post with other CB challenging keeper. The full backs might be best with a support duty to avoid been caught down the wings on the counter, at least when playing very strong opposition. I’d also adjust the tempo down a few notches, the team try and rush play too much which leads to giving possession away in a sloppy fashion.
FM 2013 Tactic Download
Download the 4-3-3 FM 2013 tactic by clicking on the image below:
After downloading the tactic follow these simple steps to install it in FM 2013:
1. Put the downloaded file into this folder: Documents>Sports Interactive>Football Manager 2013>tactics
2. Start your game and go to your team’s tactics screen.
3. Click on the little arrow located to the right of your starting tactic name, move your mouse cursor over “archived tactics” and select this tactic from the menu.
I hope you enjoyed this analysis and I’m looking forward to your comments. If you want to submit your tactic for analysis please do so using the form below:
[easy_contact_forms fid=3]
saltwater
23 февраля, 2013 at 12:23
A really good looking tactic which seems to the job well. Out of interest how did Bale perform in the role and position you gave him in the screenshot?
I do think with the right side with high work rate and a lot of strength this could work a treat.
Darren Smith
23 февраля, 2013 at 12:30
Bale did reasonably well actually, when he was on form he was untouchable, but when he had a mediocre performance you barely saw him. I think the types of players you use are vital here and work rate is a must.
Gaurav Chaddah
23 февраля, 2013 at 14:50
Nice bit of analysis their Darren, Declan’s tactic is something I very much admire and think is very unique, from when I have used it, it has done thr trick and when it used with the right players it can really work well like Declan proved when he tested it with Stoke.
Darren Smith
23 февраля, 2013 at 16:02
Thanks Gaurav, while testing it was obvious this is a good tactic, but it can also be tough to get working if you don’t understand the players required, I wanted to show that in the review.
Jagginman
23 февраля, 2013 at 18:21
It says the account has not been validated so I cannot download it?
Johnny Karp
23 февраля, 2013 at 18:40
You should have received an email with a link to validate your forum account.
marius
23 февраля, 2013 at 20:20
Nice and great tactic. Declan tactic in my opinion is tiki taka tactic, this is my thoughts about total football. I like to use this tactic, and if i remember it was a similar tactic in fm 12 with Barcelona and V Constanta
By the way the dowload link doesn’t work.
Darren Smith
23 февраля, 2013 at 20:27
I’m not sure what the problem is, the download link works perfectly fine for me…could you try again and let me know why it doesn’t work (ie what the problem is)
Richard
23 февраля, 2013 at 20:30
These games are different to the ones played for the first tactic, so Its difficult to compare just how well the tactic is playing.
Otherwise I think this is a good idea
Darren Smith
23 февраля, 2013 at 20:33
The only difference is I played Chelsea away where as Johnny played United at home, and that was only due to fixtures rescheduling from the Europa League. But TBH I don’t see hardly any difference, the difference in those two fixtures (in terms of difficulty) is so small that its impossible to think you can’t compare the tactics.
marius
23 февраля, 2013 at 20:34
Yes, i fix the problem. I log in my account and i downloaded.
Thank you, I try to play this tactic.
Nick Sundin
24 февраля, 2013 at 22:15
These reviews need to be more comprehensive than 6 games with one team. It would be better to play half a season with a top, middle and bottom team.
Darren Smith
24 февраля, 2013 at 22:36
And how do you suppose we find the time for that, it just isn’t realistic. This is the only way of making sure we can post regularly. Remember we profile every day as well as maintain three sites. Besides, I think this report points out the positives, negatives and adjustments needed, you don’t need more than 6 games to see where a tactic does and doesn’t work, any further analysis would be team and player specific anyway.
Nick Sundin
25 февраля, 2013 at 17:47
True, I suppose there is fm-base for more detailed reviews
Darren Smith
25 февраля, 2013 at 18:45
Hmmm, can’t help but see that as a back handed comment, but if you don’t appreciate the work we do then maybe FM-Base is more suited to what you need, no skin off my back.
Nick Sundin
26 февраля, 2013 at 10:45
Not at all, I love this site, but like everyone I’m inclined to shop around a bit. That site doesn’t do half as good reports on players as here
Darren Smith
26 февраля, 2013 at 11:47
Fair enough Nick, I don’t expect anyone to come to FMS exclusively, there’s lots out there to be seen. Just your comment seemed like there was rude intent, though judging by your response since I guess it read differently to what you intended, which happens from time to time so fair enough.
Johnny Karp
26 февраля, 2013 at 10:58
Playing more games with a tactic doesn’t necessarily mean you will find out more about it, chances are you will find the exact same flaws and strong points that you can notice by playing just six or seven or ten games.
Apart from that, I guess you don’t realize why your comment was not very polite (to say the least) towards Darren but I won’t bother to explain.
Eoin Cowen
28 февраля, 2013 at 22:10
Hi Johnny, are u going to be doing more of these?
Darren Smith
1 марта, 2013 at 11:41
It’s myself, Darren, who wrote this. But we have plans to do one of these reviews every week, Johnny should have one for this weekend I believe.
Johnny Karp
2 марта, 2013 at 14:42
There will be another one today. Yours is on my list for the following weeks I believe.
waycool
30 августа, 2013 at 02:39
looks good but in prates it just don’t work lost 15 matches draw 5 won 3 can not get this to work at all .
Darren Smith
30 августа, 2013 at 11:57
Thats a shame, worked well for me…note you must have the appropriate players for the role and pressing style, otherwise you are wasting your time with this one.