FM 2013 Tactic Review: Karl’s 5-3-2

Hey guys, I have tested another FM 2013 tactic. I think we’ve found something special today but before the review 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.

Today’s FM 2013 tactic review is on Karl’s 5-3-2 tactic, a defensively solid system including deadly counter attacking capabilities.

Formation

The formation is a 5-3-2, or 3-5-2 depending on how you see it. Built around a solid back three, the two wing backs offer cover down the wings as well as a major threat going forward. Your three MC’s will work hard all over the pitch, following play to either support your front two or form a protective wall in front of your back three. You then have one deep lying forward to support, connecting midfield to attack and a poacher to sit on the opposition shoulder, waiting for those through balls. This formation may seem too defensive, but its far from that.

Team Instructions

With such a defensive shape the fluid philosophy will offer some freedom to move on the break. Due to the many intricate patterns this formation can produce, a short passing style makes for some pretty movement and nice play. The defensive side of this tactic is solid and that’s aided by the deep defensive line, this helps create a real wall in your own half. Then when the ball is won back, you can attack down the wings at great pace due to the width and tempo settings. Your advanced playmaker will link up play and seeking out the DLF connects midfield to attack.

Average Positions

To look at the average positions you’d think this was a very narrow tactic, but in truth its not. The positions shown above represent the players while defending, the average amount of possession tends to lye with your opponents and that one stat is what makes this so effective.

The two outer CB’s cover for the wing backs, rushing out wide when needed so while it may seem as though attacks in behind and down the wing will hurt, they are actually very well covered. Another important fact is the DLF sits much deeper than the poacher, as shown in the screenshot above.

Defending

This tactic is designed to form a wall between your opposition and the goal. No matter what the scenario, you will be well covered. As shown above the three CB’s always hold a line, the two wing backs race back to help as do the three MC’s. This tactic offers a real team effort defensively. No matter where the ball is, it feels like your opponents get doubled up on.

Out wide your wing back is the first to be hit, if he’s beaten your outer CB can cover. In the centre there are three MC’s to beat, once past them theirs still three CB’s and the wing backs that have enough freedom to go narrow when needed. Look at the screenshot above, the wing backs have both the wide midfielders covered, the two MC’s are well outnumbered by my three and then Andy Carroll is left with the daunting task of beating three DC’s

Fact of the matter is, this works because the 5-3-2 reacts far quicker than any other tactic in defence, this FM13 tactic piles bodies back  far better than any I’ve seen.

Attacking

Its all well and good been solid at the back, but if you have little going forward there’s no hope. Luckily that isn’t the case. Look at the screenshot above, this is a scenario I found my Spurs side in countless times. Again, the wing backs are vital and great attacking skills really make the difference, at times they act as wingers pushing further forward than even the most attacking MC.

The three central midfielders sit outside the box ready to slow any opposition counter attack in its tracks. While the two forwards tend to wait on the last defenders shoulder for any loose balls or through passes. The goal below highlights that and also shows off some of the intricate passing you can achieve.

Results

Probably the best results you could hope for bar one, the Sunderland game was a little bizarre. None of the players seemed up for it and this one result offers my only concern. If your forwards aren’t on song then this can come undone. However, we destroyed the rest and even limited Chelsea to one shot on target and zero clear cut chances, away from home!

Statistics

Goals scored: 15 (2.5 per game)

Goals conceded: 0 (nil per game)

Shots on target for: 8.5 per game

Shots on target against: 1.67 per game

Clear cut chances for: 1.67 per game

Clear cut chances against: 0.17 per game

Half chances for: 3.17 per game

Half chances against: 0.5 per game

Ball possession average: 48.33%

Now for my favorite part, the average match stats. This really does tell a story, let me point out the proof in the pudding, that this is an outstanding defensively sound tactic. During my six games, Spurs conceded an average of zero goals, that’s right, not a single goal conceded including a match away to Chelsea.

To cap that off our opposition couldn’t even manage an average of 2 shots on target nor 2 half chances and the clear cut chances were almost none existent from the opposition end, clear cut chances averaged a merely 0.17 per match.

Sure the average possession is a little underwhelming at 48.33% but I think this just adds to the power of the tactic. Its much easier to launch a counter attack and score, as opposed to hammering at a brick wall of 10 men camped in their own half. This theory is proven by the average of 2.5 goals per game and 3.17 half chances. This tactics quality is proven in the FM13 Tactics Index table, this is used to compare the stats from all our reviews and Karl’s 5-3-2 makes for some happy reading.

+

Excellent results.

Amazing defensive displays.

Outer CB’s cover the WB’s while opposition counter (as shown below.)

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Can struggle to break through sides that camp out in their own half.

May struggle for goals if both your strikers aren’t in form.

Suggested Tweaks

I really don’t feel right suggesting tweaks for this, its such an amazing tactic and making adjustments may detriment the way it works defensively. However, if you know your opponent will camp out in their half and build a wall between you and their goal, try changing the automatic MC to something more creative and attacking, maybe a box to box midfielder, it may also be worth pushing the defensive line up for those types of matches also.

FM 2013 Tactic Download

Download the 5-3-2 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, more importantly I hope this inspires you to continue my testing and I’m looking forward to your comments. Due to an excessive amount of tactics posted for review we will not be taking further entries for the time being, at least until we have dwindled down the backlog.