How to attack amazing defenses?

[ZeekLTK]

I'm playing a III team in the cup this week... he puts up these ratings:

Midfield: inadequate (high)
Right Defence: brilliant (very high)
Central Defence: titanic (very high)
Left Defence: supernatural (very low)
Right Attack: poor (very low)
Central Attack: passable (low)
Left Attack: passable (low)

Oddly enough he just plays normal, no CA or anything.

My defense can easily handle his attack, but I doubt my offense can break that defense.

If I run my normal formation I can get a brilliant rating on AIM but my actual attack rating will be somewhere in the formidable or excellent range (for central attack, my wings are crap). I'd also lose midfield, but it would be close (I'd estimate 45-55)... I'd have around weak (very high) or so with a 3-4-3.

If I ran a 5-2-3 (I need 3 strikers, for training) then [according to HT Ratings Calc] I would get at least a brilliant CA (maybe even magnificent) but would drop my midfield to poor and I'd lose possession 30-70. I would have a slightly reduced central attack (high passable or low solid) but my defense would be superior to his attack (central would be at least excellent and the wings would both be solid).

I could also run CA out of the 3-4-3 where I'd get a weak (very high) midfield [and lose midfield about 45-55 possession], but according to HT Ratings I'd only have a passable CA skill in that formation.

So... what is the best tactic to use against him? Should I use the 3-4-3 and try to just force my way down the middle with a formdiable central attack + brilliant AIM vs his titanic central defense... or should I try to surprise him with a 5-2-3 brilliant CA... or would a 3-4-3 passable CA with close possession be the best bet?

Just looking for some input, thanks.

*oh yeah, I am also using a divine set piece player in the game, so would "play creatively" help?

[fcsg]

Play creatively doesn't increase the number of SP chances, so it probably wouldn't help unless you have some specialities to take advantage of.

I'd probably risk the 5-2-3, you've got nothing to lose. I wouldn't CA with the 3-4-3 though, you should make sure that he does not score at all if you go CA. Otherwise, play it normal.

[ZeekLTK]

How much does attack rating factor into CA?

Basically.... what would help more? Boosting my attack with offensive IMs, or boosting my defense with defensive IMs?

Keep in mind I am using the same 2 IMs no matter what, I'm just wondering if I should play them offensive or defensive... or just leave them on normal?

[AAGunner3]

tough one. Think you need to max midfield and central attack and hope for the best. Especially since you have crap wingers (you said). Put an IM in the wing slot and play him to middle.

[CharlesS]

What flank attacks can you pull if you maximize midfield? What midfield?

Basically, remember that if you dominate chances, you *will* score some, and similarly their offense will score against you if you play the 5-2-3 and give them all the chances.

Take a look at 66781800

[ZeekLTK]

I can't win midfield. The closest I can get is about weak (very high) maybe inadequate (very low). I am expecting him to get at least inadequate (high) if not higher...

That example isn't really relevant though. That is outstanding vs disastrous. Like I said, I expect him to get inadequate (high)... with a 5-2-3 I will probably get poor (low). Much less of a gap there. With a 5-2-3 I only expect to lose, at worst, 30-70 on possession... not 2-98.

[Stogey23]

Sometimes in Hattrick you to accept that you are about 95% likely to lose. This is one of those times. PIC. :D

Also, if he is wise at all, he will stack his center D even more than it is now...

[MLS SupaStr3]

I'd say play creatively.

[kuhnscoot]

I have a similar situation against a strong D trainer in a few weeks, but mine's an easier fix for me.
This is the guys' last ratings
Midfield: inadequate (high)
Right Defence: passable (very low)
Central Defence: magnificent (low)
Left Defence: solid (high)
Right Attack: weak (high)
Central Attack: passable (very low)
Left Attack: wretched (very high)

As you can see, he's got a stacked CD, but fairly weak attack.
Here are my ratings
Midfield: inadequate (low)
Right Defence: solid (very high)
Central Defence: solid (low)
Left Defence: solid (very low)
Right Attack: passable (very low)
Central Attack: passable (low)
Left Attack: passable (very low)

fairly well rounded, all I'll really need to do is make sure I have a good attack on the wings and my teams form does not fall. My D should stop his offense, and as long as I can convert one down his weakest wing I'll be in good shape.

[ZeekLTK]

Sometimes in Hattrick you to accept that you are about 95% likely to lose. This is one of those times. PIC. :D

Also, if he is wise at all, he will stack his center D even more than it is now...

Oh I'm going to PIC (my TS is walking on clouds and I want to keep it as high as possible going into a big away league match this week), that's why I can't win midfield. If I really wanted to I could MOTS and probably get about 55-60%, but with his defense I don't think it would be enough.

I think I am going to try the 5-2-3 CA.

MatchID: 80864370 if anyone wants to watch in two days to see if it works or crashes and burns.

[ZeekLTK]

Well I went with the 5-2-3. It nearly worked, I lost 1-3 and had this in the report:

*Vikings's counterattacks created a good chance for Peter Sedstad on the right, but he could only look on with dismay as his strike rebounded off the crossbar.

*Vikings's defense sent a ball soaring up the middle on a beautiful counterattack, but Vlad Kaplan's finish was met by the reaching hands of the keeper.

If I score on my CAs I would have won. It would have been tied 3-3 and I would have won on PKs because I had a divine, formidable, and two solid set piece takers as well as a titanic keeper. So close!!! BAH!! :(

Here were ratings:

Norge Vikings
Player rating and team formation
Team Attitude: Play it Cool
Tactic: Counter-attacks
Tactic skill: formidable

Midfield: poor (very low)
Right Defence: excellent (very low)
Central Defence: excellent (very low)
Left Defence: passable (very high)
Right Attack: poor (very low)
Central Attack: solid (very low)
Left Attack: wretched (very high)

Dark Shadows
Player rating and team formation
Team Attitude: (Hidden)
Tactic: Normal
Tactic skill: (no tactic)

Midfield: inadequate (very high)
Right Defence: brilliant (high)
Central Defence: magnificent (very high)
Left Defence: outstanding (very high)
Right Attack: passable (low)
Central Attack: passable (high)
Left Attack: wretched (very high)


He also switched it up on me. The past 3 games his right attack was his worst and the left was good... so I stacked my left defense and he changed it on me. :(