So I came up with this Thor's Hammer concept, partly because the team shape looks like the hammer, but mainly because I wanted a tactic that provided a solid defence that could withstand bigger sides and then flip in an instant to a heavy hitting attacking force, blind siding the opponent.


This tactic was my first and only tactic I created myself back on FM 18. I used it to take Wigan to the Premiership. It was doing so well for me that I uploaded it to Steam Workshop and from the feedback I had on there it proved to be an overall success for most that used it. Currently I am testing this with FC Halifax in the Vanarama National League.


This tactic is a high tempo, short passing, attacking 4-4-1-1 tactic. Your players will need to fit the roles reasonably well although they don't need to be perfect (I say that as my team loosely fit and seem to be coping fine). I recommend as a minimum that the back four defenders match the player roles as close as possible in order to maintain the defensive integrity aspect of this tactic.


When developing this tactic back on FM 18, the defence were very leaky, an issue that I fully addressed and so far that water tight defensive aspect seems to have carried over well.


I think it is possible to make some minor tweaks with regards to player roles, if you require to do so in order to match up with the players you have. For example I have changed the AMC role from trequartista to advanced forward (attack), this was purely because I had a decent AMC for my Non League team, but he really did not suit the trequartista role.


Please give it a go and let me know in the comments how it's going, hopefully you see the instant success that myself and others are having so far with this one. Please leave contstructive feedback guys.


Just for those new to FM, please ensure you copy this tactic file to the following folder (Documents/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2020/tactics). Then in game, go to tactics page, use the drop down menu in the top left of the tactics page and select 'Load' and select the tactic file you downloaded.


*****UPDATE******

18/11/2019
So a little update or advice rather, I am noticing that my team are beginning to struggle a little in the scoring department against smaller teams. I believe that the reason behind this is that as my club rep increases with more and more wins under the belt, the more defensive these teams set up against me as a result (something I have read on the internet recently). To try and negate this, if come half time I am drawing, winning 1-0 or even losing (usually 1-0 as a result of a well executed counter), I switch the mentality from Attacking to Positive. In doing so my players are just showing a bit more patience when going forward, picking their passes and shots a little more wisely. I tried this in quite a few games so far and seems to really do the trick, often getting 2 to 3 goals in the second half, whilst my defence appears to remain solid. It doesn't always work but I have noticed a definite positive trend when making this half time tactical tweak.


17/11/2019
After some of you commented about the tactic file not been found in game, I have saved and uploaded the tactic again here, hopefully that does the trick. I'm not sure if tactics used in the BETA version of the game will be compatible when the full version releases. I will re-upload once full version goes live.

27/03/2020
After being away from FM for several months, I'm starting a fresh save with Derby County. I will flex the tactic and make sure it works well with any updates that have occurred since my last session. Once i'm happy I will re-upload the tactic file here so you can be sure to have the latest version. Watch this space.
Comments
ninjanevo
12 years ago
3 years ago
22
@TomDeBomb Thanks for the feedback and thanks for sticking with it through the tough times you seem to be having. Unfortunately yes the tactic is very combative, I made it that way for those games where we are clear underdogs, kick the opposition about the field some and drag their fitness down. But by all means remove the 'get stuck in'. Do try switching between attacking and positive mentality as this does seem to work for some (Personally I switch at half time to positive, others play the entire match set at positive). Are you conceding many goals? Or is it a lack of goals that are causing the draws? Also with your defenders, as mentioned in the description, I feel that the back need to match the player roles as best as possible to keep it tight at the back. The 2 WB's are crucial as well, important stats for these I believe is Pace, Acceleration, Technique, Dribbling as well as being capable tackling and marking. Next up, it is important to have fit players in the starting line up, but more importantly happy players. Always try to have a chat with them when they have done well in training, gotten any player of the month awards, man of the match etc, and also the team talk pre match and half time are important. For me, I hire an assistant manager who is decent in motivation as well as the core attributes for this job role. I let the Ass. Man do pre match talks and I take half time talks. I will tell them i'm unhappy if we are losing, drawing or winning 1-0. If i'm winning by two goals or more, I tend to stick with 'don't get complacent', although i'm not sure how effective that is.

Some or even all of the above might be common knowledge to you, if it's not, give it a try and hopefully get you on your way with your challenge.
thegooner
17 years ago
3 years ago
6
Mixed pre season drawing 4 winning 1 but my first league game away to Burton produced a 2-0 win that could easily have been 9 or 10. Like any tactic your team need to get used to it. With mine I've got it trained in all 3 slots and we are close to being accomplished, give it time and defo stick with it as the football produced is superb.
DeeJ
5 years ago
3 months ago
2
Premium
Won the SPFL first season with Rangers using this, scoring 121 goals
ninjanevo
12 years ago
3 years ago
22
@DeeJ Nice one thanks for the feedback. Did you stick with the tactic the whole season or did you make any tweaks at any point?
Hxlden
4 years ago
2 years ago
4
Does this still work?
ninjanevo
12 years ago
3 years ago
22
@Hxlden it certainly does. Give it a try and let us know how you get on
Insomniac_911
14 years ago
3 years ago
6
Started a game with Charlton and was really struggling. Tried every tactic imaginable and lost 9 on the spin. Tried this tactic and have secured the odd win but a lot of my results end up being 1-1, normally after going a goal down in the first half. As I speak I'm currently 23rd in the table, 9 points from safety and havent won in 5 games. I've used this tactic since mid November in game time and there doesnt seem to be a HUGE difference except I'm not losing every single game but I'm still leaking at least one goal every game. πŸ™„
ninjanevo
12 years ago
3 years ago
22
@Insomniac_911 What is the morale of your squad like? also are your defenders pacey or slow? Also, try switching the mentality from Attacking to Positive. Without knowing much about your squad I can't really advise too much on how to turn around. Screenshots would be handy if possible. Best of luck though.
Insomniac_911
14 years ago
3 years ago
6
@Insomniac_911 What is the morale of your squad like? also are your defenders pacey or slow? Also, try switching the mentality from Attacking to Positive. Without knowing much about your squad I can't really advise too much on how to turn around. Screenshots would be handy if possible. Best of luck though.

I'm at work right now but I'll grab screenshots later.

Morale overall isnt the greatest. Probably due to us being bottom of the league since day one lol and my centre backs are fairly strong and both have good knowledge of the position they play in the formation yet I still leak goals. Havent won in 6 with 3 draws and 3 defeats. One of those draws was after conceding 2 very late goals to Blackburn after being 2-0 up πŸ˜₯
ninjanevo
12 years ago
3 years ago
22
@Insomniac_911 I think for now it would be best to target the morale as being part of the issue. Praise players for performing well in training, team talks pre match and half time are important, have to get those right. During the game, usually 15-20 minutes before the end of each half I use the 'Demand More' shout as well. Just praise them at every opportunity to try bring that morale back up, not sure if it's a feature in this FM but in previous years you could hold team talks to address things like team performance, if this is still a thing it is worth doing when you can, another opportunity to try and raise that morale. As I've said earlier, try switching the mentality to 'Positive' instead of 'Attacking' and see how that works for you also. When it's working as it should, you should be seeing a lot of attempted shots, around 60% possession, generally more passes completed than the opposition, probably a lot of yellow cards due to the 'get stuck in' command (if your getting many red cards I would recommend switching it to 'stay on feet'. I hope you stick with it, love a good great escape story on FM lol, keep in touch here i'm more than happy to offer what advise I can to make it work for you.
Insomniac_911
14 years ago
3 years ago
6
So this is my setup;

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/tfBwT15rwuvjDaV9jRVzRPL4anRNcLdSubf4o1cQ.png

Loaned a few players here and there as funds are woeful.

Here's my latest results. A couple of random wins here and there but as you can see, only 3 clean sheets in the last few months.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/oe48oiQq56Zef2qvZZMJqUxWmvb6UlQZBe0TMKWm.png

Used the morale advice before playing Hull. Literally tried everything from team meetings to individual chats to give players a boost which seemed to work, then next game against QPR I think I had 2 shots on target all game and done nothing but give away possession. I really want to stick with these tactics as theres proof there that it works, but I dunno. Finding it hard to gain confidence with it at the moment.

Edit; Just lost to Cardiff who have lost 9 in a row. Think I'll give up. πŸ˜‚πŸ™„
thegooner
17 years ago
3 years ago
6
Take into account Charlton don't have the strongest squad in the championship. The 1st season is really using the existing squad and working with what you have.
Have you got the tactic trained in all 3 slots? Something I've noticed in all recent versions is even when the tactic is fluid check your starting players individually. I have 2 or 3 still showing as accomplished with position only. I found that increasing there individual training and getting them into the right group for training helps massively.
The season prediction and club overall star rating also have an impact. Hope these help a bit
thegooner
17 years ago
3 years ago
6
OK looking at your line up may I suggest 2 tweaks in midfield. Change the left mc to Box to Bix and add get further forward. The right mc change to CM defend and add tackle harder. This should give you more cover in central midfield and more control.
Insomniac_911
14 years ago
3 years ago
6
Yeah, I like a challenge so I thought I'd go one of the weaker teams who just went up, but certainly didnt expect the drubbing that was to come.

I'll try your advice with the midfielders and get back to you. Theres 6 games left of the season and I'm 8 points from safety. If I stay up from that I'll retire πŸ˜‚

Also by having it trained in all 3 slots do you mean having match tactics trained in all 3 training slots for each day? If so I have that training set for one slot every day..πŸ€”
thegooner
17 years ago
3 years ago
6
Yeah, I like a challenge so I thought I'd go one of the weaker teams who just went up, but certainly didnt expect the drubbing that was to come.

I'll try your advice with the midfielders and get back to you. Theres 6 games left of the season and I'm 8 points from safety. If I stay up from that I'll retire πŸ˜‚

Also by having it trained in all 3 slots do you mean having match tactics trained in all 3 training slots for each day? If so I have that training set for one slot every day..πŸ€”

On the tactic screen you have 3 slots to put tactics in put the same one in all 3 and it helps train up the tactic quicker.
Insomniac_911
14 years ago
3 years ago
6
Ahh yeah I've done that.
ninjanevo
12 years ago
3 years ago
22
@Insomniac_911 Also, with the GK role, try switching it from Sweeper Keeper to the other role available, since your GK doesn't seem to fit very well with the current role. May or may not help shut up shop a bit better for you but i reckon it's definitely worth a try. If you decide to drop this tactic, I'd just like to say thank you for giving it go and thanks for your feedback it is genuinely appreciated.
Insomniac_911
14 years ago
3 years ago
6
Sort of gave up in the last few games, relegation was already confirmed after Barnsley in 21st place won to seal their safety. I'll stick with it in League One though and see how it goes.
thegooner
17 years ago
3 years ago
6
Sort of gave up in the last few games, relegation was already confirmed after Barnsley in 21st place won to seal their safety. I'll stick with it in League One though and see how it goes.

Bad luck on relegation mate, have a think over things regards training etc also try 6 pre season friendlies (should get you fluid in the tactic). You will probs be one of the favs to go up. Hopefully a better season lies ahead.
DeeJ
5 years ago
3 months ago
2
Premium
@DeeJ Nice one thanks for the feedback. Did you stick with the tactic the whole season or did you make any tweaks at any point?


Sorry for the delayed reply, I stuck the whole season, main tweaks were moving the right and left mid forward to wingers in games against weaker opposition and if I fell behind.
davidb30
13 years ago
4 years ago
1
Did you ever try it with 2 up top instead of an attacking midfielder? did it have much of an impact?
Eivind Maarstig
6 years ago
1 year ago
16
Not working for me on my Aston Villa save.

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