Poe - Comments

FM 2014 – The Tuchel System

Replicating real life formations in FM14 can often be incredibly frustrating due to the well documented limitations of the newest match engine. However, this was one of the main aspects I enjoyed about the series, and thus I have continued to do so – with varying degrees of success.

As I write these paragraphs, I have yet to even open FM14 and start to build this system, as first I want to let you know about Thomas Tuchel – the manager of Mainz in Germany. He plays a very high pressure 4-3-1-2 formation that I am a huge fan of. The formation is very simple and relies on hard work, superb positional discipline and fast attacking football that is often very easy on the eye.

The formation presses very high up the pitch, and can leave a lot of space in behind, but if our forward players are pressing in the correct manner, closing down players with an eye for a pass and letting them shift possession onto players uncomfortable with the ball (traditionally the defensive players) – we should see a lot of passes lumped forward with no real target, thus gifting us possession.

My aim through this thread is to implement this system into working for a team in the Premier League that I truly believe is suited to this style of play – Newcastle United. It also helps that I know the club inside out and know how different players play – something that will only help us moving forward.

First things first – we need our basic formation set, and I am going for this set up:



The full backs and box to box midfielders are key to this tactic – they must be able to close down and harass the opposition for 90 minutes, requiring great stamina, work rate and positioning – the same as the Defensive Forward. All 3 players in the front line are instructed to close down defenders and tackle them high up the pitch, with their movement in between the lines hopefully confusing defenders leading to CCC’s and inevitably goals. The anchorman and the two centre backs are simply told to tightly mark key goalscoring threats, in hope that the rest of the team will not be able to pick them out due to the high pressure we’re operating in the centre of the park.

With this in mind, the starting eleven which I consider my strongest will be the following:



How this will work is another question – so we must progress to the start of the season to inspect whether this tactic will reap rewards – and if not we must analyse where we are going wrong and correct this.



During pre-season, I figured the position we were weak in the most was probably defensive midfield, with only Tiote available to play the anchorman role with any degree of aptitude. For this reason I have brought in Mohamed Diame from West Ham for a fee of £3.5m. He fits the role perfectly, and could possibly provide cover in the box to box midfield slots.

Throughout pre-season I organized the maximum amount of friendlies I feel I could have whilst maintaining good squad fitness and allowing the new tactic to become fluid. We only lost twice – one to Juventus away and one to Dinamo Kiev at home. This was however before the tactic got fluid, and the result against P.S.G. is a great one for us.



A key part of this tactic is being able to identify and stop the creative forces of the opposition – we can then use the opposition instructions in an attempt to stop them playing the way they want to. Our first opponents are Norwich City, and this is the likely lineup that my scouts have predicted they will play.



I feel their biggest passing threats are Johnson and Howson, so they will be closed down and tightly marked at all times – as well as the two forward players and the wingers. Part of this tactic is defending from the front too, so I will set my team to close down the centre backs and full backs in hope that they will hoof the ball long for our defenders to pick up.



The match went well, our first half tactic of closing them down very highly up the pitch worked very well and they were forced into long ball after long ball which Coloccini and Yanga-Mbiwa easily dealt with. Both of them contested 15 aerial battles, Mbiwa won every single one and Coloccini only lost one – showing this tactic is extremely effective if your defenders are good in the air.

Meanwhile – going forward we looked excellent, the front 3 of Ben Arfa, Gouffran and Remy all grabbed a goal – while Ben Arfa set up two himself. Our shots all came from a central position which is what we are aiming for by clicking the “Exploit the middle” shout – as that is where all 3 of our attacking players are situated.



Next time we will look at what happens against top teams, as my next game is Chelsea away – a game we are not expected to win. I will show you what my plans are for dealing with this type of game and hopefully we can come away with a draw or a narrow win.

Coming up in the future:

Training – how to effectively train your players into this system, and which attributes to focus on in order to mould your players round this playing style.

Recommended players – A list/shortlist produced by myself that will highlight recommended players for this formation and strategy – for every level of play.

Tactic Download - A .tac file for you to try out in your own game.

Downloading RAW now, the one after Wrestlemania is normally a great show!

If I manage to get a full season out of Kewell I really don't know what I'll do.

I always have huge injury problems even with players that aren't notoriously injury prone.

Sunderland are absolute dross. It's annoying how we lost 3-0 to them.

I'm in no way a supporter of the Hughton sacking, just wish we'd open our eyes a bit and see everything isn't rosy because we're sitting in 9th.

Here's the record that has seen Hughton sacked:

Chris Hughton's last fourteen games: 13 points
(7 losses, 4 draws, 3 wins. 10 goals for, 20 against)

Here's the record that will see Pardew get a bonus:

Alan Pardew's last fourteen games: 13 points
(9 defeats, 1 draw, 4 wins. 9 goals for, 27 against)

I'm starting this challenge now

At what time tonight do you think I'll get sacked?

No self respecting club would have someone with the name Hakim on their ranks, that's all I'm saying.

That striker looks decent, stupid name though so you should probably sell him.

I fucking love Kewell for some reason.

I wish it was possible to sign Heskey.

The dream team of Kewell and Heskey is too much!

Wish my new computer would hurry the fuck up and arrive so I could play.

Wrestlemania was a great show

Shows the WWE can still deliver when it wants to.

Thanks, they look great

I think you'll go for one in the summer.

Someone like Diego Costa - I don't think he'd turn down Chelsea for Arsenal though.

They needed both, Ozil is by miles Arsenals best player.

Ashley set them the target of a top 10 finish this year which we've pretty much achieved so the sad thing is both the manager and the playing staff are going to get a bonus for this year /o\

Cabaye and Remy deserve the entire thing, we'd be very close to the bottom of the league without them 2.

It strangely wouldn't hurt as much losing 3-0 knowing we've absolutely went for it and been called out for being too attacking.

We're literally setting up as defensive as possible and condeding shit loads.

Tactically clueless.

It'll be something to do with his personality in the game.

Had Alvarado e/w at 33's - so made about 45 pound.

I hate the National though.

Hi guys - not normally I'm in here asking for requests but we're currently making a team for the website on FM called Susie FC. Obviously we'd like the kits to be in the sites colours. I have attached a logo that could be used as a sponsor, and also the club badge.

Sponsor Logo

Badge

Aye, I'll do all the editing tonight before I go to bed if you send it over.

George could you send that Database over to me please?

Going to put us all in the same club and lead us to glory.

Fellaini should have been sent off then Gosling got the ball for the first goal.

You should bring in Olivier Bernard. I feel he'd add something to your team.

It's more the fact he comes out before the game and says he's struggling to motivate his players.

Which is pretty much his job as transfers don't involve him.

Southampton are in the same position as us and are still performing.

We always make teams that are playing awful look brilliant.

Fed up of Pardew and his excuses too.

Anita has Fellaini all over the place here. It's hilarious.

You definitely couldn't play football with a bruised toe, it fucking kills.

We're going to make Man Utd look like world beaters again tomorrow.