How to create a successful tactic on Football Manager

Formation

Written by Rablador

The formation you play is without a doubt the backbone to any successful, or indeed unsuccessful, tactic. Of course, you could just roll with a basic 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 and still reap some benefits, but sometimes it’s the most original; the most abnormal formation which proves to be the most successful. However, choosing that “world-beating” formation is far from easy.

When picking your formation, it is important to remember to work with what you’ve got. Feel free to experiment with weird formations to some extent, but there really is no point in choosing a heavily defensive-minded formation if you’re lacking in defenders, or a formation which utilizes three strikers up front when you only have five in your entire squad. Of course, there is always the transfer market to further strengthen certain areas of your squad, but remember that you’re not always guaranteed to get any of your transfer targets, so choosing a formation that works with your current roster of players is the safest bet.

Next, bear in mind that your formation doesn’t have to be symmetrical. It goes without saying that sometimes, weird is best, so don’t be afraid to try out one winger and one wide-midfielder simultaneously or anything like that. Pre-season is the perfect time to try out new tactics without anything at stake whatsoever, so don’t be afraid to line up a little differently than normal. However, as obvious as this may sound, don’t go doing anything stupid – putting everyone to one side of the pitch is not a good idea!

If you do choose to have multiple tactics at your disposal for one team, try to set each one to a formation that will match your situation when using them. For example, if you’re looking for a defensive tactic to use against much better teams, perhaps going for 5 (or at least 4) at the back is the correct choice. The same goes for an all out attack formation; just because you only play with one striker normally shouldn’t mean you have to here - when in desperate search of goals you’re going to need to attack in numbers, regardless of your usual style of play.

Finally, and this is an important one, we probably all have (or at least will obtain as the save goes on) a favourite tactic, complete with a formation integral to its success. However, there is no “wonder-tactic” to cheat FM that is guaranteed to win you every game, and as such your preferred formation is unlikely to be successful wherever you go. Therefore, you have to be prepared to change formation when things just aren’t working out – if your tactic of choice just isn’t winning you games, change is adamant. At the end of the day, all good things must come to an end, and if saying goodbye to your formation that won you the league at your old club is necessary, you must be willing to do what is required of you.

Hopefully, you can take these factors into account when creating your formation for your tactic, and I wish you the best of success, wherever your tactic takes you.