SCT 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 Attacking Possession - 17.3 Update

Background

You will often find tactics that offer the Barcelona Tiki-Taka style of play with every midfielder having over 100 passes and the team having over 70% of the ball. That's all well and good but it has an issue for mid/low level teams trying to play pleasing football and actually producing results. This tactic tries to address that and I have had success. So, I'm looking to share this with the community and develop the tactic and the theory over the course of this year's game.

This guide is a reworking of my famous iteration on FM14.
The theories and implementation are exactly the same regardless which version of Football Manager you are playing. The tactic, is timeless.

This version is an update of SCT 4-3-3 Possession for the 17.3 patch.
This version was developed live on stream. If you wish to get involved with this, please follow me on Twitch.

What you will see

As with standard Tiki-Taka tactics, you'll see high possession, high percentage pass completion, and 'sexy football'... but, what you will also see is that even teams with the less than a perfect setup will be performing well and, most importantly for people playing possession football every week, creating enough goal scoring chances to justify the style.

• High Pass completion in the Midfield (Average of 85%).
  
• High Defensive Line.
  
• Interesting use of Inverted Wing Back.
  
• RWB able to bomb forward.
  
• Low direct scoring from set plays.
  
• Football which is pleasing to look at and get results against teams of similar and lower quality.
  
• Tough time outplaying really strong teams.
  

Team Makeup

As this is a tactic for the slightly less technically gifted teams that wish to play 'good' football it is important to recognise that you DON'T have world-class players at your club that will be able to play like Barcelona and produce results like Barcelona.

But there is one thing every team can generate to be the same as Barcelona. Tactical Familiarity. I suggest that you learn ONLY this tactic at the start of the Season and Training should be all about Team Cohesion and Teamwork until your team can play this with their eyes closed.

Key Attributes and PPM's per position

Again, I know your not able to click your fingers and buy Xavi 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 asap.

GK: none
- First Touch, Composure, Rushing Out.

RWB: Get forward Whenever Possible, Sticks to (correct) Side of pitch when dibbling.
-Natural Fitness, Stamina, Pace, Acceleration, Teamwork, Work rate, Decisions, Anticipation

BPD: Likes to switch ball to opposite flank
-Composure, Passing

CD: Marks opponent tightly.
-Strength, Aggression, Jumping Reach, Bravery, Tackling

IWB: Either Foot is ideal.
-Decisions, Anticipation, Composure, Off The Ball, Teamwork, (Long Shots if at all possible)

DM: Stays back at all times. Plays no through balls (Ideal PPM's yet not essential)
-Decisions, Anticipation, Teamwork, Composure, First Touch.

APS: Comes Deep to get ball, Plays One-Twos, Tries Killer Balls Often
-Composure, First Touch, Passing, Creativity, Anticipation

APA: Moves Into Channels, Plays One-Twos, Arrives Late in Area, Tries killer balls often.
-Composure, First Touch, Passing, Creativity, Anticipation, Off the ball.

IFS: Moves into Channels, Tries Killer Balls,
-Decisions, Composure, Flair, Dribbling, Crossing, Decisions, Strength, Balance

IFA: Moves into Channels, Runs with ball often, Cuts Inside.
-Dribbling, Off the ball, Flair, Agility, Acceleration.

DLF: Tries first time shots, Plays One-Twos
-Off the ball, Finishing, Passing, Technique. Composure, Work Rate, Team Work

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

Player Instructions:

SWK: Distribute to Full Backs. Distribute quickly. Roll it out.

RWB's (Attack): Get Further Forward, Run Wide with Ball, Shoot Less Often, Dribble More

IWB: None

BPD (Cover): None

CD (Stopper): Mark Tighter, Tackle Harder

DM (Defend/Support depending on the quality of your best player): Mark Tighter, Shoot Less Often

AP (Support): None

AP (Attack): Get Further Forward

IF Left (Support): Stay Wider, Shoots Less Often.

IF Right (Attack): Shoots Less Often.

DLF: Shoots Less Often, Closes Down Less,

Tactical Tips:

If you're 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, Drop Deeper, Pass into space and More Direct Passing and Run at Defence.

Need to hold on for 10 mins? Shout CONCENTRATE MORE.

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

More than 66% possession?
Click "More Direct Passes" and "Slightly Deeper" (This means the other team isnt pressing you).

Other team hitting you on the counter? Click play "Slightly Wider".

Set Pieces:

My set pieces are set to short with strong emphasis on ball retention. So, CB stay back at all times and corners will be short to a supporting wide player. Keep it.