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OVERVIEW
This 4-2-3-1 tactic is inspired by Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, focusing on aggressive pressing, structured possession, and high chance creation. It was tested over a full FM26 season and produced consistent results at the highest level.
The system won the quadruple, averaging over 3 goals per game, while maintaining defensive stability. Despite an early injury setback to Robert Lewandowski during the La Liga campaign, the team recovered strongly and sustained form throughout the season.
In the league, the team recorded 34 wins, 3 draws, and just 1 defeat, highlighting both consistency and control across the campaign.
KEY PLAYER PERFORMANCE
Robert Lewandowski was the standout performer, scoring 47 goals in 49 appearances. His role as the focal point of the attack was crucial to the system’s success, particularly in breaking down compact defenses.
TACTIC
Testing Methodology
Testing was carried out using a roughly 70/30 split between holiday and manual play. The majority of league fixtures were holidayed to ensure consistency, while all cup matches and key top-four league battles were played manually.
Set pieces and training were managed in the same way I would during any of my livestream saves, with no changes made purely for testing purposes.
During testing, a small rotation of three closely related variants was used, each being a slightly tweaked version of the default tactic to account for game state and opposition. This mirrors how I naturally manage matches in long-term saves rather than relying on a single static setup. The variants are also shown in more detail in a separate video for those interested.
FINAL NOTES
I’m Josh Daly, a full-time Football Manager content creator, working with the game on a daily basis. Because this is my full-time role, I spend 12–14 hours a day on Football Manager across testing, livestream saves, tactical development, and content production.
I have 40,000+ YouTube subscribers, have worked on the FMScout YouTube channel for over two years, and currently support a community of 7,000+ Patreon members — the largest Patreon page dedicated to Football Manager content. This demonstrates the loyalty and trust people have in my work.
The tactics I share here are built and tested using the same approach I apply to my long-term saves and live content, not one-off simulations.
I’m proud of the community around my work and the level of discussion it creates, and I’m always open to constructive feedback and genuine tactical debate.
If you have any questions or tactical issues, feel free to message me on any of my socials listed above.
Discussion: Flick's PERFECT 4231 | FOR TEAMS AT ANY LEVEL! - High Goals, Possession
16 comments have been posted so far.
The issue here is about methodology, not personal attacks.
In research, testing requires a consistent environment. If you want valid results, you must replicate the same conditions multiple times. One test alone proves nothing—especially when the testing environment is deliberately altered. (his statement)
In this context, that means:
Creating a tactic, Testing it at least three times (to check repetiveness), Using the same environment each time. (excluding emulation of tactical approach)
Unfortunately, the game does not allow full environmental control (as I mentioned in a forum post), which already limits reliability.
Josh has stated that his tests are done via holiday testing, yet he is stating now that he plays matches manually in the same saves. That alone breaks consistency. This is not repeatable testing.
Like I have stated below, I watched number of his videos and there were no players profiles, stats were not included in his tactical breakdown either.
I personally tested his tactics using both holiday simulation and the live match engine. I’ve shared results before and don’t want to repeat the same data again.
This is only few I made recently.
https://fmshots.com/image/wjVg2s
https://fmshots.com/image/wjVdrj
https://fmshots.com/image/wjV7CS
https://fmshots.com/image/wjVXEt
https://fmshots.com/image/wjVP44
So when I question the results, I am questioning the process, not attacking the person.
"What accusations are you talking about... A bizzare response"
":All you lot do is abuse him at every opportunity and you're surprised that he bans you from his Discord? It's the same 5/6 of you on every post, maybe you guys should create your own Discord to discuss your hatred of him."
While I agree that some comments go too far, criticism of testing methods is not abuse. You also didn’t clarify who you were referring to, and since I’m often the first to post test results, it felt like you might be referring to me.
As for the admin comment:
“Stam said he’s within the rules, why question it?”
Some members were temporarily banned after being accused of publishing content on another website without permission. Later, the admin clarified that Josh had been given explicit permission to link to that site—even though it wasn’t mentioned in the regulations.
That clarification came after the accusations and bans, which is why the issue was questioned in the first place.
As I said, ALL posted tactics use 26.1, so always the current one, and his most recent one, this 4-2-3-1, is listed as 22.4.3! That's what @luk4sh31 already wrote, and you can easily verify it. And no, it's not a Mistake, because every tactic he uses is 22.4.3, and @luk4sh31 also did the test on this page (I think it was him) with version 26.1. Guess what? Right, absolutely not comparable in any way.
Most people post player stats so you can see them too, like GyrFM, for example. In his video, you see EVERYTHING. He shows the engine, he shows the statistics, simply everything. But Josh?? Nothing!!!
That's not proof of save scumming, which is what I asked if you had proof for so not sure what the point you're trying to make here is? I'm assuming you believe there should be a specific testing climate for tactics? If that's the case then yes I do agree with that assessment.
"Have you seen my test tables?"
Can't say that I have tbh. What works for you might not work for others and vice versa so don't see the point. It's about how you manage on the game.
"I think you just randomly went through the comments section and start making accusation yourself."
What accusations are you talking about and why are you suddenly so defensive? I'm extremely confused as to your stance here. I can only assume you're in reference to "Making such allegations without proof could constitute libel, though I'm fairly certain that's not your intention." The key word here being COULD, which is absolutely 100% factually correct. Look up the definition if you don't believe me. I also stated that I don't think that's what you're doing so where's the accusation? A bizarre response.
"It looks also that you didn't read the rule which apply when you posting a tactics."
Stam the site admin commented that he is within the rules. Why would I question the site admin?
Consider taking a step back and taking a breath here. I'm not attacking you here, which is what I believe you think I'm doing. Read my post again and you'll see that.
He is not ripping any one off, on his YouTube channel and his patron he gives everyone tips on how to get results. Recently he released a video on instructions that works in Fm 26
Getting 100+ points with Barcelona and Madrid is easy, I have gotten 100 points in at least 3 test in laliga.
Some of his tactics, like the Brighton and Nottingham forest might look unrealistic but he understands the game more than us.
And im pretty sure he gives his patron members special help.
"Testing was carried out using a roughly 70/30 split between holiday and manual play. The majority of league fixtures were holidayed to ensure consistency, while all cup matches and key top-four league battles were played manually" - what consistency when you interfere with the testing environment when you want.
Have you seen my test tables?
I think you just randomly went through the comments section and start making accusation yourself.
It looks also that you didn't read the rule which apply when you posting a tactics.
"The way he is testing his tactics means you can always create the “best tactic ever.” All you have to do is wait until the game reaches a point where results matter, then save and reload the game until you win. That is not testing — it’s cheating."
Do you have proof of this? And before you say it, no his tactics not working for you is not proof of what is a very serious allegation for a full-time tactics content creator. Making such allegations without proof could constitute libel, though I'm fairly certain that's not your intention.
The fact of the matter is that Josh isn't breaking any FM Scout rules by posting his tactics here. If people wish to support him without certain criteria being met then that is their decision to make. Similar to how some people like FM26 and some people hate it.
No one here has been forced to click on this tactic at any point, we have all made a conscious decision to open this page and post a comment. However, people need to be aware of the fact that by doing so and making a comment that they are agreeing to abide by the FM Scout rules and there are comments by certain individuals on these tactics that don't.
One comment I do agree with that I've seen recently is this one.
"FULL TRANSPARENCY is needed, especially when he's giving names to his tactics to drive traffic to this site. It's not beneficial for josh nor is it for veteran players, or new players who are using these tactics and being sacked by Christmas."
This would be beneficial for everyone involved
The way he is testing his tactics means you can always create the “best tactic ever.” All you have to do is wait until the game reaches a point where results matter, then save and reload the game until you win. That is not testing — it’s cheating.
Maybe this is a common practice, but I see things differently.
I guess you’re angry with me because I didn’t share your optimism about your tactics.
Even though you spend many hours playing this game, that doesn’t change the fact that you manipulate the results to make your tactics look better. Playing important matches live can lead to different outcomes compared to simulating them, because you can actively influence the result by changing underperforming players, adjusting tactics, or making other in-game decisions. Using different tactical variations within the same save while claiming the main tactic is “meta” makes your testing unreliable. I’m not sure how others test their tactics, but I’ve already seen some creators make changes and not rely solely on holiday testing.
It’s obviously easier to “sell” a tactic that wins multiple cups than one that only wins the league.
You also have a bad habit of using certain keywords to sell your tactics, which triggers older members of this community because it feels childish. I’m saying this as someone in his 40s who can draw conclusions based on long experience with this game. We all know how random it can be.
I’m not saying all your tactics are bad. My issue is with the quality of the content. I’ve watched your videos, and in many cases it feels like you’re just selling something. That may be working now and bringing you viewers, but it won’t last forever. You keep creating tactics on a daily basis, and even the people using them don’t have enough time to properly judge whether they’re good or bad.
You may achieve something in this community one day, but people will always remember you as the guy who labeled his tactics in exaggerated “wonder” ways. Is that really how you want to be remembered?
Eventually, the younger audience that follows your content will grow up and won’t need your advice anymore. I understand why you want to capitalize while demand is high, but constantly telling people how great your content is misses the point of what we’re arguing about.
but some very pleasing progress on the info part
Finally we are getting somewhere. I was right that you don't holiday the whole season as from my own experience is hard to win quadrupoles cups when simulating only.
At least you came out and say that you play some matches to. That makes more sense now.