FM2006 Tactics

[StrikerCW]

What kind of tactics do you guys use? I did well with de Graaphschap (sp) in Dutch first division and got promoted my 2nd season. So for the first 1/4 of the third season I am in 3rd place doing great, then all of the sudden now I am at February haven't won a game in 10 matches and lost 3 out of last 4 by 3-0 or more.

What do you guys do? I guess after a season or so they AI just figures you out and it is impossible to win anything at all? Has anyone else found this? Not only have I gone down to 13th place in risk of religation :( but I have also gone from national reputation to local reputation, which is important to me (as I will probably never get back up again because I went from obscure to National by promotion, knowing this game) as I want to move to England eventually.

I dunno this sucks is all I h ave to say. Just trying to get some views from people on here not from the SI board, as that worked for a couple of seasons now it is nothing. Hopefully we can get something going on here. Maybe, doubtful.

[NorthGoalGang]

I'm using a variation of a 4-1-3-2, customized to the strengths of my players. It's really a better way than tactics that you get off the net to get success in the game. Of course, if your players suck like mine do, then you're screwed either way.

[DaeHaMinGuk]

----------------Buffon----------------------

Zambrotta---Chivu----Natali----Grosso



------------Vieira------De Rossi


Mancini----------------------------C. Ronaldo


------------Trezeguet----Ibrahimovic


I am Juve and use that formation. I have Vieira and De Rossi as CM, Mancini as AMR and Ronaldo as AML.

I usually wins most matches by a 3-0 or so margin.

Ibrahimovic and Del Piero (who I have to use as a sub since his stamina sucks) average over a goal a game each.

[MRod]

I use one of the default tactics: the 4-4-2 Diamond version 2.
To use it, just be sure you have a great back line.

I think that your specific player tactics are much more important this year
than last.

[StrikerCW]

So does anyone else experiance the second season slump if you don't change tactics?

[odg78]

So does anyone else experiance the second season slump if you don't change tactics?
--Yeah, if you don't change your tactics the computer teams will come up with ways to counter it.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

So does anyone else experiance the second season slump if you don't change tactics?

The AI in this iteration has taken a big leap forward from previous versions. I worked with some of the guys involved and know how the match engine operates, so beware. Your tactics will be cracked and if you try to use any of the so-called super tactics around, the AI will deploy some rather devious countermeasures to shift the balance of power. Of particular note is the inclusion of the team talk function and the influence that it has, particularly in terms of how players react in the period after half-time and also in terms of how your squad responds. The easiest way to counter all of this is to tweak your tactics whenever you notice a difference. Despite knowing how everything works, it's still screwed me over at times, so have fun. :p

[StrikerCW]

The AI in this iteration has taken a big leap forward from previous versions. I worked with some of the guys involved and know how the match engine operates, so beware. Your tactics will be cracked and if you try to use any of the so-called super tactics around, the AI will deploy some rather devious countermeasures to shift the balance of power. Of particular note is the inclusion of the team talk function and the influence that it has, particularly in terms of how players react in the period after half-time and also in terms of how your squad responds. The easiest way to counter all of this is to tweak your tactics whenever you notice a difference. Despite knowing how everything works, it's still screwed me over at times, so have fun. :p
I have a question to submit for your opinion oh great TDB.

You think you can use, for instance, a 442 for quite a few seasons just tweaking and still have success? I mean, like our beloved Man Utd until the 2000's. With them using mostly a 442 just changing to adjust to players. Or is a total rehaul required?

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Tweaking tends to delay/prevent the crack and if done correctly, then it should work. However, it all depends on what the exact problem you are having is. What is going wrong with your side? Is it not playing well at all, being screwed by a clinical opposition/super keeper or getting hit in the second half?

[Cannon]

I have a question to submit for your opinion oh great TDB.

You think you can use, for instance, a 442 for quite a few seasons just tweaking and still have success? I mean, like our beloved Man Utd until the 2000's. With them using mostly a 442 just changing to adjust to players. Or is a total rehaul required?
Yes you can use the same basic formation for many seasons. You will have to tweak and can expect the AI to take reasonable steps to counter your method of attack and exploit holes in your defense. However, tweaking and rotation of several styles of the same basic formation works fine.

[StrikerCW]

Well, the team I was using until I got extremely mad at the damn game was just getting slammed 5-1 6-0 etc.

I am going to try a game with real madrid :D to see how the tactics actually work with good players. Just doing some testing now.

[NorthGoalGang]

What also works for me sometimes is switching formations during the game. 4-1-3-2 is my base formation, but if I'm up by a goal or two late against a quality side, I'll switch to a defensive 5-4-1 and substitute a defender/DM for an attacking player. So far, it seems to confuse my opponents enough to help me finish out matches.

[minorthreat]

I agree with everyone who's suggested rotating tactics. I've been playing a 4-2-3-1 at home and a 4-1-3-2 away for three seasons now, and there are few signs of cracking.

[StrikerCW]

Sorry, if I sound like a lost puppy, but let me just make sure so I did cause myself more frustration.

TOTAL formation changes, not just a little lessing the width and upping tempo etc. But position changes too, correct?

[Cannon]

I agree with everyone who's suggested rotating tactics. I've been playing a 4-2-3-1 at home and a 4-1-3-2 away for three seasons now, and there are few signs of cracking.
It depends. I was trying to make the point that you can also just rotate between different tweaks of the same basic formation. I've played it both ways and found that either one works pretty well...if you know how to tweak your tactic without screwing it up and taking the other side's characteristics in mind. I would advise against doing serious formation changes on a constant basis. It is counterproductive.

My last game I had three different versions of a 4-4-2 diamond. One for home, one for away, and one for outclassed (I'm usually lower league so the cup runs can put you out of your depth in terms of quality of player. Think league two vs a Chelsea team well on its way to 100+ points in the Prem). I then just make minor tweaks to adjust to player changes and the strengths and weaknesses of the other team. Can't say they were ever cracked and progress up the league was straightforward. Only time I ever went away from the basic formation was when injuries left me without suitable players like when I lost all of my forwards except one old weak guy or when I lost every FB to injury/bans.

[minorthreat]

It depends. I was trying to make the point that you can also just rotate between different tweaks of the same basic formation. I've played it both ways and found that either one works pretty well...if you know how to tweak your tactic without screwing it up and taking the other side's characteristics in mind. I would advise against doing serious formation changes on a constant basis. It is counterproductive.True. Using totally different formations home and away can just confuse your players, and I'm sure that would be the case if I was, say, Sporting Gijon (I can get away with it since I'm playing as Valencia).

[NorthGoalGang]

Just to clarify, when I switch from 4-1-3-2 to 5-4-1, I only do it for 10-15 minutes at a time, not for whole matches. It just screws up the opposition enough to get me out of the match. God knows it screws my team up when the other team changes up.

I reallly need to develop a defensive 4-2-2 for road/"overmatched" matches. Anyone use backarrows on their midfielders? What 4-4-2 works best in a defensive posture?

[PirateJohn]

I've been using the same tactics with Boston United that I used with CM 01/02 and they seem to be working well. It's a 3-5-2 star formation with two D-mids, two wings, and one attacking center mid. I get really good midfield possession and with good defenders I can really close down the central attack well.

Its weakness is defending on the wings, but if you have good wingers and good outer defenders, they can usually adapt well.

Thus far, I have played three matches with Boston United. My objective was to battle bravely against relegation, but I won my first two matches including a 4-0 destruction, and only lost 1-0 away at promotion candidate Stockport.

[StrikerCW]

Have you guys gotten the new patch yet? If so, how does it affect your tactics?

I have not gotten it because I downloaded the game and the download patch is having some problems are some reason (great way to spread the game in America SI, but oh well).

[Teso Dos Bichos]

It almost destroyed my 'perfect' league season. :(