Best Tactics FM2018

[branco.joao]

What's the best tactics to play and have sucess with a underdog team?

[Spelunker]

Well that's personal choice, but assuming you mean when you're playing against a bigger team with better players (rather than just playing in the lower leagues), I tend to use one of two approaches:

1) Dominate possession. If the opposition don't have the ball it's harder for them to score.

This is best done using: Simple passes, low tempo. Perhaps adding "Work ball into the box". I usually set this up as standard, wide (to stretch play and knacker the opposition), push up (as otherwise you sit too deep to score, especially in away games). Maybe giving your creative players individual instructions of mixed passing. I also tend to use "Close down sometimes" and "Tighter" marking with this to help regain possession. It helps if your players have reasonable technical skills like passing and first touch but they don't need to be huge for this approach to work as the passes are simple ones.

2) Counter attack at speed. Think Leicester city.

Use Counter, High Tempo, Direct passing. This works best if you have some fast attacking players. Good dribbling, anticipation and work rate help (like Jamie Vardy). Again I like to harass the opposition when I don't have the ball so tight marking and closing down are useful. You can sit deeper with this approach but if you're not creating chances try pushing up a bit. "pump ball into box" can be useful later in the match if you need to score. Think about your crosses too. "Whipped" or "First Time" are worth a try if your striker(s) is/are small. I also like my wingers to hug the line. Try and get wingers with decent speed and dribbling.

Lastly think about your two other tactics. I like these to be varations on my main one. i.e.my main formation is 3-1-3-1-2 so my secondary formations have 3 man defenses too, but with different instructions such as passing, tempo, mentality, etc. That way my players will be fully trained in any tweaks I make to my instructions during the match.

This is just what works for me but other players may have different ideas.

Lastly don't forget the mental side of the game. This can make a HUGE difference and often seems to be neglected by less experienced players. So pay attention to morale, press conferences and team talks during the match. e.g. If I'm playing against a bigger team I tend to be bullish and talk up my teams chances to boost my players confidence.

Hope that's helpful

N.B. Remember with any new tactic set your training to max in "Match Tactics" until you're "fluid" in them.

[101001101]

Hi Spelunker, thats great advice above - I have been really struggling in the Vanaram North League first with Bradford PA and now with Tamworth, it seems I have a fairly decent first half of the season (mid table or so) and then all goes down hill towards the latter end.

I have 2 x strikers, one with a pace of 14 and the other 15 with half decent (for this league) composure, first touch and finishing so I played them together and tried your counter attacking suggestion - well 4 games, 18 goals later and its stopped instantly working, I am being beaten by every team regardless of position in the league again, this is what happens to me repeatedly. How do you deal with this? I can NEVER get more than 4 victories or even 4 games without a loss in a row because usually after 2-3 games where I win, the AI adapts and I start getting beat again.

I find the game frustrating because in this league it seems NOTHING works other than 4-4-2 or some variation of it.

Another annoying feature, if i watch the full game I can virtually guarantee AT LEAST a draw but as soon as I switch back to KEY highlights its L L L L L L.

I am running out of ideas how to keep on top of the tactics to keep a run going.

Any tips would be a massive help (not looking for which tactic, looking more for how to keep a run going and how do you keep tweaking things to prevent the AI constantly learning your tactic).

I find it hard to believe that after 4 games EVERY TEAM in the league learns my weakness and beats me, its a little bit scripted???

[Taipan]

Neah, the best tactics are not a personal choice, but a result of extensive testing. Search for "mr l tactics" on google, and on this website you will find extensive tests for both big teams, small teams and overall teams. Those results are accurate.

[Spelunker]

Originally posted by chilliblast:

Hi Spelunker, thats great advice above - I have been really struggling in the Vanaram North League first with Bradford PA and now with Tamworth, it seems I have a fairly decent first half of the season (mid table or so) and then all goes down hill towards the latter end.

I have 2 x strikers, one with a pace of 14 and the other 15 with half decent (for this league) composure, first touch and finishing so I played them together and tried your counter attacking suggestion - well 4 games, 18 goals later and its stopped instantly working, I am being beaten by every team regardless of position in the league again, this is what happens to me repeatedly. How do you deal with this? I can NEVER get more than 4 victories or even 4 games without a loss in a row because usually after 2-3 games where I win, the AI adapts and I start getting beat again.

I find the game frustrating because in this league it seems NOTHING works other than 4-4-2 or some variation of it.

Another annoying feature, if i watch the full game I can virtually guarantee AT LEAST a draw but as soon as I switch back to KEY highlights its L L L L L L.

I am running out of ideas how to keep on top of the tactics to keep a run going.

Any tips would be a massive help (not looking for which tactic, looking more for how to keep a run going and how do you keep tweaking things to prevent the AI constantly learning your tactic).

I find it hard to believe that after 4 games EVERY TEAM in the league learns my weakness and beats me, its a little bit scripted???

If you're on a winning run your team can get complacent. This is even more likely with players with low mental stats, like determination, or who don't have strong personalites e.g. Determined, Professional, Resolute. This is where the mental side of the game comes in to keep your players focused and stop them getting sloppy.

Press conferences are good for this, i.e. don't get too cocky, especially if you're the favourite, instead respect the opposition.

Also team talks during the match. If I'm winning at half time the players can switch off so I tell them not to get complacent. I also critiicise any with a rating <7. This fires them up. Be assertive. Then say you believe in them. Be passionate. Also use shouts. Demand more or tell them to concentrate. "Show some Passion" can work too as it makes them get stuck into tackles.

If your team had a crap first half and are losing then give them a bollocking. Be aggressive and give them the hair dryer treatment like Fergie. Even if you're drawing tell them off, though I tend to be a tad less harsh and use Assertive. The idea is to keep them on their toes and focused.

Basiacally in my team talks during the match I like to "fire up" players then give them a morale boost, which is best done by passionately saying you believe they can do even better, etc. If you can do this there is a fair chance that a few of your players will be "inspired" or at least "Happy" which is nearly as good.

Your own stats like Man Management and Determination can also make a difference here. If the players look up to you they're more likely to listen.

Lastly once a month hold a Team meeting. Do it the day before a match. If you don't tend to do these then I suggest saving first, that way you can have a bit of an experiment to see how the players react, although the responses are fairly logical. o.k. technically this is scum saving, but it's a good way to learn how the game works and once you've learnt that you won't need to "cheat" again. The same with player talks. Players with "poor" personality types are more likely to throw a hissy fit.

N.B. Don't get too hung up on tactics. It's only half the game. The mental side, i.e managing the players is just as important. That's why I look at personality type and determination when I buy players. That said if you buy a young player who has a lowish determination you will probably see this increase rapidly if the squad are determined. Basically it rubs off on them. And make sure young players are only tutored by players with a higher determination for the same reason.

P.S. With regards to scripting. There is a certain amount of truth to this in that certain events tip the odds slightly in favour of the AI. e.g. from being 50/50 they may be 55/45. Your job as manager is to tip them back in your favour.

For instance if you are on a winning run at some point your players may become complacent, especially in matches they expect to be easy, i.e. against teams in the relegation zone. Press conferences and Team talks can counteract this.

Hope that helps your team keep good form. That's one of the biggest challenges in FM.

[101001101]

Originally posted by Spelunker:

Originally posted by chilliblast:

Hi Spelunker, thats great advice above - I have been really struggling in the Vanaram North League first with Bradford PA and now with Tamworth, it seems I have a fairly decent first half of the season (mid table or so) and then all goes down hill towards the latter end.

I have 2 x strikers, one with a pace of 14 and the other 15 with half decent (for this league) composure, first touch and finishing so I played them together and tried your counter attacking suggestion - well 4 games, 18 goals later and its stopped instantly working, I am being beaten by every team regardless of position in the league again, this is what happens to me repeatedly. How do you deal with this? I can NEVER get more than 4 victories or even 4 games without a loss in a row because usually after 2-3 games where I win, the AI adapts and I start getting beat again.

I find the game frustrating because in this league it seems NOTHING works other than 4-4-2 or some variation of it.

Another annoying feature, if i watch the full game I can virtually guarantee AT LEAST a draw but as soon as I switch back to KEY highlights its L L L L L L.

I am running out of ideas how to keep on top of the tactics to keep a run going.

Any tips would be a massive help (not looking for which tactic, looking more for how to keep a run going and how do you keep tweaking things to prevent the AI constantly learning your tactic).

I find it hard to believe that after 4 games EVERY TEAM in the league learns my weakness and beats me, its a little bit scripted???

If you're on a winning run your team can get complacent. This is even more likely with players with low mental stats, like determination, or who don't have strong personalites e.g. Determined, Professional, Resolute. This is where the mental side of the game comes in to keep your players focused and stop them getting sloppy.

Press conferences are good for this, i.e. don't get too cocky, especially if you're the favourite, instead respect the opposition.

Also team talks during the match. If I'm winning at half time the players can switch off so I tell them not to get complacent. I also critiicise any with a rating <7. This fires them up. Be assertive. Then say you believe in them. Be passionate. Also use shouts. Demand more or tell them to concentrate. "Show some Passion" can work too as it makes them get stuck into tackles.

If your team had a crap first half and are losing then give them a bollocking. Be aggressive and give them the hair dryer treatment like Fergie. Even if you're drawing tell them off, though I tend to be a tad less harsh and use Assertive. The idea is to keep them on their toes and focused.

Basiacally in my team talks during the match I like to "fire up" players then give them a morale boost, which is best done by passionately saying you believe they can do even better, etc. If you can do this there is a fair chance that a few of your players will be "inspired" or at least "Happy" which is nearly as good.

Your own stats like Man Management and Determination can also make a difference here. If the players look up to you they're more likely to listen.

Lastly once a month hold a Team meeting. Do it the day before a match. If you don't tend to do these then I suggest saving first, that way you can have a bit of an experiment to see how the players react, although the responses are fairly logical. o.k. technically this is scum saving, but it's a good way to learn how the game works and once you've learnt that you won't need to "cheat" again. The same with player talks. Players with "poor" personality types are more likely to throw a hissy fit.

N.B. Don't get too hung up on tactics. It's only half the game. The mental side, i.e managing the players is just as important. That's why I look at personality type and determination when I buy players. That said if you buy a young player who has a lowish determination you will probably see this increase rapidly if the squad are determined. Basically it rubs off on them. And make sure young players are only tutored by players with a higher determination for the same reason.

P.S. With regards to scripting. There is a certain amount of truth to this in that certain events tip the odds slightly in favour of the AI. e.g. from being 50/50 they may be 55/45. Your job as manager is to tip them back in your favour.

For instance if you are on a winning run at some point your players may become complacent, especially in matches they expect to be easy, i.e. against teams in the relegation zone. Press conferences and Team talks can counteract this.

Hope that helps your team keep good form. That's one of the biggest challenges in FM.

Thanks very much for posting this reply, it has been a BIG help!

Can I ask one last question, how do you manage matches? do you watch purely KEY highlights or do you switch around? I find if I watch FULL (but accelerated) I am much more adept at adapting to situations in the game and get a better result even with weaker players; whereas with KEY I cannot react quickly enough and dont understand how to look at the data to get around not watching a full game?

Following Tamworth I have been playing a kind of "journeyman" series and quit Tamworth at the end of the season to go and manage in the Indian league (Indian Arrows) well I seem to have come up against a very frustrating bug, as I joined them in July and loaded up that league shortly before - the AI missed the March deadline date to register the standard squad, so here I am at the start of the season having to field a squad of grey players because I can't register the main squad!!!! they are all INE due to missing the deadline (when I wasn't manager).

Fantastic!

I also cant sign anyone because:

1. There are no players who want to come to this club

2. I can only sign players of the home nationality

3. I can only sign players under 21

4. There are no scouts available in this league and I dont have any at this club

Talk about a challenge!!!

[Spelunker]

Hi, sorry for the slow reply.

I usually just use the key highlights these days, but then I have spent plenty of time tweaking my main tactic and am fairly happy at how it works and good at spotting those games where it's less effective. I sometimes use extended highlights for big matches. However when I was developing it I would sometimes watch whole games, but on high speed. I find the over head scrolling camera or 2D are best for seeing what's going on and spotting any trends e.g. where your players are leaving gaps or being pulled out of position, etc.

Regarding your Indian league I had a similar problem once when I took over the S.African national side and so only had a very limited pool of players (those that played in other leagues). I ended up writing off that year and handing power to my Asst manager and for the matches I had to do I put them on the least highlights at highest speed just to get through them. I actually got sacked before the year was up. I wasn't too bothered as I still had my club side to mamage and got a new national mamagers job with Croatia.

Don't think there is much you can do except:
1) Start a new game (you can keep your manager profile though).
2) Do as I did and write off the first season, high speed through it and hope you don't get sacked.
3) If you have the editor you could make your own players, perhaps copying the the unregistered ones but that would be quite a faff.

[Mr. Rager]

thanks buddy it worked i am using counter attack when i am away and using domination when i am home