Underdog Upwards / Relegation Battlers at the Top

Most tactics on here seem to be based around top clubs but i've never played FM like that. Even underdog tactics are tested with Liverpool!

My favorite team is Sunderland but I have always liked to try a low team and see how far i can take them.

I also don't like these tactics with stikerless formations. I know an odd team do play like that but it is not for me, i like to see my striker playing as a centre forward.

In fact the whole formation is realistic and no overloads or exploits.

With Sunderland in my first season we won the Carabao Cup, 6th in PL and FA Cup finalists (lost to Arsenal)

With AFC Telford we gained 2 consecutive promotions and were in the top half of D2.

With Barrow, just started a game but already in promotion places and won 3-0 away to Bradford in the Carabao Cup.

The emphasis of the tactic is to make everything look natural and realistic, defend in numbers and provide support in attack.

The formation is what many teams would use in real life.

TWEAKING - This is the important part, MENTALITY. you can't expect to leave it on one setting game in game out - i just don't think FM works like that anymore, you become too predicable.

Move the Mentality to suit who you are playing. At home i will mostly start with Attacking but the drop it to Positive or balanced regardless of the score.

When you want to see a game out drop it to Cautious/Defensive. Sometimes Defensive can reap more goals than Attacking.

It is just a matter of finding the right Mentality for your current opponents (it is not always obvious).