FM 2018 SCT Attacking Possession v1.0

This year marks 10 years of Scholes Can’t Tackle for Football Manager.

Every season I diligently apply the playstyle and concepts to the new match engine to get the best “bang for buck”. Constantly testing and making allowances for the changes in the match engine and the availability of the correct player types as that has changed dramatically over the years. It is this system I enjoy building the most as it is the most defensively secure, realistic, balanced and aesthetically pleasing system and my favorite way to play Football Manager.

This years iteration is the most defensively stable version yet. Once familiar and with correct player types the only goals conceded should be from individual errors or set plays. It is almost the perfect plug and play system and is suitable for all levels of football and should you overachieving very quickly.

I hope you enjoy using the tactic. It really is a labour of love.

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What to expect from SCT 2018

• Possession based tactic with enough risk/reward to play on any occasion and at all levels of football.
  
• Gives room for all types of Passes from creative players and not limit them to forced short passes.
  
• Strangles opponents in Centre Midfield with Tight Marking.
  
• Protection from 4-4-2 and Direct playing systems with a Defensive midfield screen. - Massively reduced threat from “Clear Ball to Flanks” opponents taking advantage of out of position Wing Backs.
  
• Pressures Opponents Full backs into errors with the ball high up the pitch.
  
• A forward line that can fit any type of player and can be altered to suit your side.
  
• Unpredictable movement by forward line making it hard to mark.
  

This whole system is designed to remain defensively sound, have enough possession to achievement dominance and have incisive attacking play creating high quality chances in high % conversion zones and to fit all clubs based on current squad and player trends.

• High Pass completion in the Midfield (Average of 85%).
  
• Perfect possession ratio of between 55% and 60% (any more is too much and risks counter attacks).
  
• Defensively sound. Main danger is from Individual errors, Long Shots of quality and Set Pieces.
  
• Football which is pleasing to look at and get results against teams of similar and lower quality.
  
• Tough time outplaying really strong teams.
  

More info in the video below.

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Team Makeup

It is very role dependent however, the primary skills for most of the roles are good ratings on Composure, Concentration, Technique, First Touch, Teamwork, Passing and Decisions. A high rating for your league on these attributes will favor you greatly.

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PPM’s and Attributes for each role.

I know you're not able to click your fingers and buy Toni Kroos for your team but 'try' to get players who fit the roles with at least one of the required PPM's in each position and have them learn the missing ones as soon as possible if they are able. I have also included the ingame architype showing you exactly the type of players you should be imagining for each position.

SWK: none
(Stats)- First Touch, Composure, Rushing Out.
Architype: Ederson, Manuel Neuer, Marc-André ter Stegen, Victor Valdez

WB: Get forward Whenever Possible, Sticks to (correct) Side of pitch when dribbling.
-Natural Fitness, Stamina, Pace, Acceleration, Teamwork, Work rate.
Architype: Djibril Sidibé, Hector Bellerín, Cafu, Patrice Evra

BPD: Likes to Switch Ball To Opposite Flank, Bring Ball out of Defence
-Composure, Passing, Concentration, Decisions
Archetype: Gerard Piqué, Laurent Blanc, Rio Ferdinand

CD: Marks opponent tightly.
-Strength, Aggression, Jumping Reach, Bravery, Tackling, Balance, Positioning
Architype: Nemanja Vidic, Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos

DM: Stays back at all times. Plays no through balls (Ideal PPM's yet not essential)
-Decisions, Anticipation, Teamwork, Composure, First Touch, Positioning, Passing.
Architype: Sergio Busquets, Michael Carrick, Nemanja Matic

APS: Comes Deep to get ball, Plays One-Twos, Tries Killer Balls Often
-Composure, First Touch, Passing, Creativity, Anticipation, Vision
Architype: Xavi, Paul Scholes, Toni Kroos

MEZZ: Moves Into Channels, Plays One-Twos, Arrives Late in Area, Tries killer balls often.
-Composure, First Touch, Passing, Creativity, Anticipation, Off the ball, Work Rate, Vision
Architype: Andrés Iniesta, Deli Ali, Frank Lampard

RMD or IF (A): Cuts Inside from Wing. Moves Into Channels, Likes to Beat Offside Trap.
-Acceleration, Composure, Concentration, Off The Ball, Anticipation, Finishing
Architype: Jose Callejón, Juan Mata, Thomas Múller

IFS or WG(S): Moves into Channels, Runs with ball often, Cuts Inside with Ball.
-Dribbling, Off the ball, Flair, Agility, Acceleration, Anticipation
Archetype: Antoine Griezmann, Arjen Robben, Dries Mertens.

CFS or DLF(S): Plays with Back to Goal, Plays One-Twos, Tries Killer Balls Often Moves Into Channels, Comes Deep To Get Ball
-Balance, Agility, Off The Ball, Passing, Dribbling, Teamwork, Anticipation
Architype: Robert Lewandowski, Paulo Dybala, Diego Costa

Remember, the above list is the IDEAL and you should aim for one or two of the PPM's at 'weaker' teams.

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Tactical Tips:

If your looking to hold onto a Lead or counter a powerful team. Don't change the formation or roles unless needed but switch Strategy to Attack, Slightly Deeper, Pass into space and More Direct Passing.

To play out the last minutes in a bit more safety hit More Disciplined. Nothing more.

If you find yourself having 'too much' possession and struggling to score, have the team Express Themselves more.

If the other team is camping on their 18 yard line blocking shot after shot, SLOW DOWN the play. Draw them out of position and make one good chance.

Less than 55% possession? Click "Retain Possession".

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Set Pieces:

This is the first year I have gone about adding Set Pieces to the system and I am very happy with the results. If yoiu follow the player Archetypes and are using the correct players you should expect to see a decent amount of goals. Very pleased with how this turned out.

Tested with Napoli