Defense against AIM

[John_Harkes_6]

I am playing an opponent in a rather important match this week who uses a 3-4-3 AIM and also plays a lot of players "Towards the middle"

Here is the match ID from our last battle: 36872150

He will be missing two of his kep players (Shockley and Whitfield). I have PICed two straight and sit with a TS of satisfied so I plan to MOTS the match and run a 4-5-1 out there to win midfield.

My questions to the grand sages of BS HT:

- should I play my two outside backs "Towards the Middle" since that seems to be his attacking method of chocie?

- Any other formation adjustments? Play wingers offensive or towards the middle or normal?

[AAGunner3]

I am playing an opponent in a rather important match this week who uses a 3-4-3 AIM and also plays a lot of players "Towards the middle"

Here is the match ID from our last battle: 36872150

He will be missing two of his kep players (Shockley and Whitfield). I have PICed two straight and sit with a TS of satisfied so I plan to MOTS the match and run a 4-5-1 out there to win midfield.

My questions to the grand sages of BS HT:

- should I play my two outside backs "Towards the Middle" since that seems to be his attacking method of chocie?

- Any other formation adjustments? Play wingers offensive or towards the middle or normal?

It's always a gamble - This time, if you stack the middle, he might play with offensive wingers, etc... that said...

I've typically used two CDs against a 3-4-3 AIM. I'm considering throwing in 3 CDs in the future, likely with at least one of them toward the wing. I prefer doing this than playing AIM because if I don't play AIM, my winger(s) get full effect on his weakened wings.

So, consider playing with your WBs toward the middle. Don't rule out a third CD and abandon a wing if you think it's worth the gamble (ie. he always abandons that side).

Got any Defensive IM's? They should be decent help against AIM too.

AAGunner3
MongrelFC 221913
USA V.188

[John_Harkes_6]

It's always a gamble - This time, if you stack the middle, he might play with offensive wingers, etc... that said...

I've typically used two CDs against a 3-4-3 AIM. I'm considering throwing in 3 CDs in the future, likely with at least one of them toward the wing. I prefer doing this than playing AIM because if I don't play AIM, my winger(s) get full effect on his weakened wings.

So, consider playing with your WBs toward the middle. Don't rule out a third CD and abandon a wing if you think it's worth the gamble (ie. he always abandons that side).

Got any Defensive IM's? They should be decent help against AIM too.

AAGunner3
MongrelFC 221913
USA V.188

Shouldn't say this as I will jinx myself but the guy is pretty predictable (now with the lose of two players maybe he does shake it up a bit).

I am a defense trainer so my usual formation is a 5-4-1 but my midfield is not strong enough to generate many chances in most games - therefore my thought process of going with 5 mids in this game while MOTSing it.

[Kevin in Louisiana]

Wingers offensive. Also consider playing a wingback offensive--if you go 5-4-1, I'd play both wingbacks offensive. He's going to be extremely vulnerable down the wings--I wouldn't actually use the AOW tactic since this would compromise your central defense, but I would look to maximize my wing chances.

If I were in your shoes I would probably go 5-4-1 with all 4 wingers and wingbacks offensive. Your central defense should be good enough even if the opposition wins the midfield.

As for PIC/normal/MOTS, it depends. I'm amazed at how competitive your series is--I thought mine was close with 3 teams tied for the lead on 17 points, but your is just as competitive and maybe even more so. There are a lot of good teams there; I'd consider MOTS'ing this one only if you're going to be okay with PIC'ing until the last week.