FM Central's 4-2-3-1 Counter

To see this post on FM Central's website click this link Ryan's 4-2-3-1 Counter

At first glance of this tactics on FM15's tactic screen you may start to query why I have decided to call this tactic 4-2-3-1 Counter. If that is the case, you're right to question it, but this is where the player roles come into play.

Mentality (Control)- I believe in being a confident manager, and I believe in this tactic. Setting a controlling mentality I basically saying I'm the stronger and I will control the game. In this tactic that is exactly what I'm trying to do, I want to control the play and dictate the tempo of the game.

Team Shape (Flexible)- With this tactic being a weird shape as it is I allow my players to be flexible. Having this on you may notice that player tend to wander, but don't panic you have to believe that a player will cover any gap made on the pitch.

When you analyse the average positions you'll see how both the mentality and team shape work in this tactic.





Defenders:

RB- Set to a full back on attacking duty. The reason for these setting is to instruct the RB is I need the RB to not only defend when an opponent is on the attack against me, but I also need the RB to cover the gap that is created between the RB and RW.

LB- Again set to full back but the duty changes to support. I changed the duty to support because the LW isn't as high up the pitch as the RW. The only time I need the LB to get forward is when the LW gets forward, as you'll be able to the see the LW is set to attack duty which will mean he will look to get forward whenever possible and will need someone supporting him when he gets forward, hence the LB being set to support duty. The only player instruction I have on the RB and LB is shoot less often, I added this instruction to stop the RB and LB taking ambitions shots which I noticed was occurring too much when I started putting this tactic together.

CB's- Both set to the standard CB role on defensive duty. They're main role, like any other CB is to tackle and prevent the opposition from attacking. The questionable player instruction I have on CB is pass it short. Why would I want them to pass it short, surely I want them to get rid if this is a counter tactic? Just getting rid of the ball has never been part of my tactic philosophy, I like my players to be patient with their build up play. Once the CB get the ball off the attacker, having the pass is short instruction on I am look for them to look up and start at counter attack from the back.



Midfielders:

RW- Set as an Advanced Playmaker on attacking duty. His main role is act as the role suggest a play maker on the wing but higher up the pitch. The players instructions I have on the RW are close down more and roam from position. The later instruction you might question. Having the player set to roam from position allows him to stick to his role like solider, I would rather have him roam offer himself as a option to pass to when a player may be stuck for a pass. This is demonstrated nicely in the above, The RW tucks inside offering a pass either to wing or short into the space behind him.

LW- Set as a Wide Playmaker also on attacking duty. Similar to the RW but this LW needs to have great stamina as he'll be doing a lot work on the left wing. His main job is to control the left side of pitch with the support of the LB. The player instructions set for this player are close down more and get further forward. Both instructions are self explanatory, I wan't him to tackle when the option is there and I want him to cover the gap that will created forward when the team goes on the attack, as he'll supported nicely by the left back. The partnership between the LB and LW are crucial in making this tactic work.

CM (L)- Set as a deep lying playmaker on defensive duty. Essential he is the prop of the team, when a counter goes through the centre it comes through the DLP. Having him set to defensive duty is what makes this tactic work so well. He will offer support to rhe CB's as show in the above image but will also support the attacking player by setting himself in a gap between the defence and attack. The only player instruction set on this player is close down more, essentially I want him to get the ball and like the CB's I want him to start an attack from the gap he has place himself in.

CM (R)- Set as a roaming playmaker on support duty. Having this player on support duty is vital, this is player that I rely on when attacks come through the centre but I also rely on him when my team on the defensive. He'll stick himself on holes like the DLP but will try and remain in a position that will allow him to create something for the attackers by either passing it wide to the RW or LW or looking to keep the ball central and making using of the attacking midfielder. The players instruction put on the player are shoot less often, preventing him from shooting from long range.
This player needs to be on the ball as he will be heavily marked as you'll see in the image above and below.



Attackers:

AM- Plays as an attacking midfielder on support duty. This player acts as a focal point between the midfield and attack. His role on the pitch is to support everything in the attacking third of the pitch, getting into positions giving the option for a pass, or creating goal scoring opportunities himself by passing to the centre forward.

CF- Plays as centre forward on attacking duty. This is the player that will stay the furthest up the pitch out of all of the players. His main role, surprisingly is to score goals. I am playing FM15 wonderkid Luka Jovic in this position and so far he is on course for the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot. The player instructions on this player are only close down more, normally an instruction isn't applied to a centre forward but if I can get the ball off the opposition as high up the pitch as possible I believe that I have more chance of scoring.





Eight simple instructions to keep this tactic a solid base in all areas of the pitch.

Retain Possession- The majority of the tactics that I have created on FM15 have had this instruction. I wanted to keep possession of the ball. Most people usually link this with shorter passing as they believe playing in tika-taka style of Barcelona will simply guarantee your team possession. I believe this isn't the case. As long my player can pick a sensible pass I'm willing to let them deviate from short and long passes on the bases that the pass will keep my team in possession of the ball.

Work The Ball Into Box- Another reason why I have the shorter passing instruction off, this instruction is basically that in a different view. This instruction enables my player to be patient in build up play, working the ball into the box, frustrating the opposition whilst doing so.

Play Out of Defence- I explained this slightly in the CB players instructions. In this tactic I am looking for my players to be patient and play the ball out of the back. Playing what most football coaches would define as "simple football".

Close Down More- An instruction that is applied to a lot of the player as a player instruction. Simply I'm looking for my player to close down the ball and play a counter pressing game.

Get Stuck In- Similar to the close down more instruction. I don't want my players to back out of the tackle if the chance is there I want them to take it. Obviously I don't want them diving in like fools but like to see them getting stuck in.

Higher Tempo- I like to see a quick transition between defending and attacking therefore when the chance is given to player to launch quick counter attack I want it to be quick hence the higher tempo. I also like to see my player putting in a good shift and working hard throughout the game.

Be More Expressive- I have this selected because as I have already stated I don't want to restrict my players to a short passing style or any specific style of player. The way I see, I'm working with professional footballers and in this tactical international football. They know when they need to express themselves on a football pitch.

Any feedback on this tactic will be greatly appreciated, I have only used it with Serbia in the World Cup on FM15 so would be interested to see how it works with other teams