How do you create a successful tactic on FM?

Hey guys,

I want to put together a useful guide for beginners with tactics on Football Manager and I need your help. It would be great if you could describe the steps you take until you create a successful tactic, as simple and detailed as possible.

Try to answer some the following questions if possible:

• How do you select your formation
• How many formations do you set up
• Do you build up your team around certain players
• Do you look to keep a solid defensive line as priority
• Do you care more for results or for playing style
• What attributes do you look for in players
• How important is preseason for your tactic
• How do you handle team-talks
• How do you keep your players happy

Looking forward to your replies

How do you select your formation - Usually staff recommendations
How many formations do you set up - All 3 at the start so they become familiar faster
Do you build up your team around certain players - Not really, I just look to get the best players I can in each positions, improve where needs improving
Do you look to keep a solid defensive line as priority - Depends on the players, If our strong point is attack, then I won't put much focus on defence, but then again, I'm not your guy for amazing tactics:P
Do you care more for results or for playing style - Result, but good play is always nice to see
What attributes do you look for in players - Ones relevant to their roles
How important is preseason for your tactic - Quite, gets the players used to it before it matters.

My formation has much to do with the players available. I need something that can play to my strengths. If I have a lot of good central midfielders I usually tend to make a narrow diamond in the middle with some very attacking wing backs. That way I can keep two midfielders back and bring two forward to support two strikers.

Currently I use a V midfield, 1 DM, 2 CM and 2 Wingers. The DM is set as an anchorman as he needs to provide cover for two rather slow defenders and act as a break in my opponents attacking play. I've also set my backs to auto so they aren't going forward as much.

I usually have two formations set up, but rarely use the second one. I like to tweak my tactic a little bit every now and then to see if I can get better possession or create more chances that way.

I rarely try to build up a tactic around one or two players. As I prefer to play LLM I'm of the firm belief that everyone should be for sale in every window. So if I've got one hugely influential player I will try and play to his strengths but still keep my overall strategy the same.

I like to have possession the best way to accomplish this is to find the gaps in your opponent's lines. This means I most often bring my backs forward, play my midfield askew and use wingers instead of wide midfielders. This does costs on the solidity of defence, but when you have possession the other team can't score.

Results, always results.

Regarding attributes for players I like to look at each play individually and see what their strengths are. With my current tactic I'm not looking for a ball playing DM, but rather a ball winner who can position himself well. I also play with just one striker, so he should be able to find space in between two or even three defenders. However it all comes down to the way I play at any given club.

I've only just now found out how to use the training module. As I like a bit more advanced tactics I tend to spend a lot of time on training tactics. Especially in the preseason.

How do you select your formation?
I believe the formation to be how you set up, basically where you want your players to be. Depending on what sort of players you have in your squad and who your opponent is, you select the formation which you believe will deliver the best possible line-up for the task in hand. For example, setting up with a deeper midfield than usual when facing tough opposition.

How many formations do you set up?
As many as possible. Anything could happen and you will want to be as prepared as possible for any challenge which you may face. Try to vary your formations so that they are not just images of each other with slight tweaks, this way you can vary your set-up when you wish, without the side-effect of the squad having poor knowledge of the set-up.

Do you build up your team around certain players?
I believe that a successful team does not solely rely on certain players to perform. Of course, each team will have their star players who can change a game in an instant, but to be successful, you need to have a team which is strong in each position. There are certain scenarios when you may need to build your team around certain players, however. If you become the manager of a team with little or no transfer budget, you may need to build around a certain player to meet the expectations which the board have given you. Ideally, you shouldn't have to build around certain players, but do it if you must.

Do you look to keep a solid defensive line as priority?
Yes, defending is becoming a bigger part of the game every season. With pacier, stronger attackers, comes a harder task for modern-day defenders. If you can keep your defensive line as solid as possible and concede a very small amount of goals, you can be a successful team. The best teams in the world have a very solid defensive line, and one which they can build their attacks from. The defence is where your team can begin their attacks from, so a solid defensive line should be a priority for any manager.

Do you care more for results or for playing style?
Getting good results is by far more important than having an elegant playing style. To become the best, you need to win as many games as possible, no matter how you play. If "parking the bus" can help you grind out a result, so be it. In the end, football is a competitive sport, and you can be competing for some very prestigious honours. If you get good results but you feel your playing style is unattractive, or something which you dislike, make sure your squad is strong enough to continue getting good results if you decide to try out a new playing style.

What attributes do you look for in players?
Teamwork, Work Rate and Determination are three very important attributes for any player. A player who has high grades in these attributes will be committed to the cause and will help out the team enormously, especially if you mix these players with younger, less experienced players. Another important attribute are Stamina and Natural Fitness, as you want your players as fit as possible. If your style of football is technically demanding, make sure to look at the Technique attribute. A high grade in this will ensure that a player will be very precise with whatever he does, whether that is passing, controlling the ball, shooting, tackling, or even heading.

How important is preseason for your tactic?
Pre-season is very important for your tactic(s). You should always make sure that you are keeping a high focus on your tactic(s) during pre-season to ensure that your players are fully familiar with your style of play when the start of the season comes along. Pre-season is also a good way to see how a new tactic of yours works in a match situation, when you have nothing on the line. Make sure to look at every aspect of your tactic in pre-season to ensure that it can be a successful one for you during the competitive season.

How do you select your formation: I tend to analyse my team's strengths and weaknesses; if we have a strong attack but a poor defense I will go for a more attack-minded formation, and vise versa. However, I always have one preferred formation for each FM game and will use wherever possible. For FM13, I most often used a 4-2-3-1 wide, with a defensive deep-lying-playmaker, a supporting ball-winning midfielder, two inside forwards and an attacking midfielder, all building up to the poacher up front.

How many formations do you set up: Usually only one, with slight tweaks for certain types of game (switch one striker to two for games where I need goals, 5 at the back for defensive games etc). If I set up more than one formation, I tend to only use one of them.

Do you build up your team around certain players: yes, especially if I have a good striker, where I will look to utilise good support play and inside forwards. If I have at least one good midfielder, I try to give them an excellent partnership to improve their play.

Do you look to keep a solid defensive line as priority: Not particularly, I have sometimes been known to experiment with 3 at the back formations (even once trying out just one CB and two defensive wingbacks, to mixed success). However, I like to have one midfielder who will track back and help out defensively when neccessary.

Do you care more for results or for playing style: Results, as I only look out for key highlights and am quite happy to win ugly and scrappily.

What attributes do you look for in players: That depends on what role I'm looking to play each player in; for full backs I like to look for fast, agile defenders with good tackling, passing, crossing and stamina. For CBs and GKs, I look for the obvious attributes (tackling, heading, marking etc for CBS; handling, reflexes, one-on-ones etc for GKs). If I'm using a deep lying playmaker, I look for a good passer of the ball who can also tackle; for ball winning midfielders I look for an often aggressive but workhorse midfielder with good defensive attributes. I like my wingers/inside forwards to be quick, skillful and with good crossing; my attacking midfielder to be an excellent passer who can also finish and my poacher to have good finishing, off the ball and acceleration.

How important is preseason for your tactic: I read this as "possession" last time so I guess I better give it another go. But, in short, the answer's very. I like to schedule as many pre-season games as time allows me (so long as I have a big enough squad), and in these games it's a good idea to give all your senior players some game time. However, if it's clear to you that your tactic just isn't gelling with all your players, pre-season gives you enough time to slightly alter and tweak your tactic, and once you get the right blend, the friendlies will start looking a lot more healthy.

Hopefully my ramblings will actually help someone out!

Before I go ahead with this, I have to tell you that I am someone who hates changing tactics. If teams don't start countering my tactic, I don't change my favourite tactic for years together. One thing to remember is, irrespective of what tactic is your #1 choice, to have 3 tactics in total available to you. The familiarity with the tactic plays a big role in matches.

How do you select your formation?
- It really depends on what team I am managing. If I am managing a big team (or a team I am familiar with, on FM or/and real life), I know what formation fits them well. Even then, I spend a lot of time checking out various combinations of tactic, making sure my best players are playing in their best positions. With that said, Formation > Players. If there's just one odd player who doesn't fit my formation, he will be shipped out.
- In lower-league management and teams I am not familar with, I play one rigid formation, damage control. Of course, if I sign the right players and start dominating the league, I allow the players to be more expressive and play a more positive game. The players I buy depends on the formation. Unless the most unbelievable deal is available on the market, I will not budge from my formation.

How many formations do you set up?
- Atleast 3. I have three very varied formations that I keep store: one defensive, one balanced and one attacking. Along with this, I keep around 3-4 formations saved that are very similar to these 3 tactics, with slight changes (Inside Forwards changed to Wingers).

Do you build up your team around certain players?
- As a big club, everyone is replaceable, especially when regens/newgens come into the game. There is no player that can give you guaranteed success, so if doesn't fit the way you play, throw him out. Sell him for some decent money.
- When playing with a lower league team, I make sure I check out who is the best player in every position. Don't trust scout reports in the lower divisions. If there are players that can play at a higher level but still seem loyal enough to stick by the team, I might build around them, as long as they meet the initial condition of fitting into my system/formation. Sometimes you are forced into a situation when you have to build the team around a player, when you have no money for transfers that will benefit your side.

Do you look to keep a solid defensive line as priority?
- Absolutely. It is all about building from the back. The centre-backs and the goalkeeper are the core of my team. Forget passing the ball from the back. I want them to be no nonsense defenders, and not make mistakes.

Do you care more for results or for playing style?
- Results, first and foremost. Even if the board wants me to play attacking football, I won't have a job if I don't give the board some results. Once the results start coming, it is acceptable to shift to a more attractive style of play.

What attributes do you look for in players?
- Teamwork, Determination, Work Rate.
- In lower leagues, Stamina and Acceleration, along with Fitness.

How important is preseason for your tactic?

Niko:

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Pre-season is very important for your tactic(s). You should always make sure that you are keeping a high focus on your tactic(s) during pre-season to ensure that your players are fully familiar with your style of play when the start of the season comes along. Pre-season is also a good way to see how a new tactic of yours works in a match situation, when you have nothing on the line. Make sure to look at every aspect of your tactic in pre-season to ensure that it can be a successful one for you during the competitive season.

How do you select your formation

I select my formation depending on the type, strength and quality of players I have. Usually play with a lone striker and attacking wingers, an attacking midfielder, a deep lying play-maker and either a ball winning midfielder or defensive midfielder/anchorman. I tend to change the shape of my formation more often away from home.

How many formations do you set up

Usually two, sometimes three if the season starts off badly.

Do you build up your team around certain players

Yes. A good strong target man and skilful play-maker as well as a fast winger or two.

Do you look to keep a solid defensive line as priority

Yes. Particularly not to get caught in space by opponents with players with pace. Good pressing to win turnover ball and retain possession usually keeps opposing attacking players at bay.

Do you care more for results or for playing style

Neither. I prefer a balance between the two.

What attributes do you look for in players

Good attributes in passing, tackling, technical, determination, pace, team work, work rate and strength.

How important is preseason for your tactic

Reasonably. I train them hard during pre-season then bring it down to average by the time the season starts.

Let's take this a step further. I'll give you all the factors we need to talk about. You'll tell me which one(s) you're confident you could write about for the needs of our tactics guide. Remember we're after a very simple way of explaining what makes a tactic successful and what to do.

• player skills (keep your player attributes in mind when setting player roles)
  _Man_u_barmy_army_
• philosophy (choose your playing style wisely)
  wellsy1498
• formation (settle on one that doesn't require you to make drastic changes to your roster)
  Rablador
• team instructions (make sure there are no tactical conflicts, e.g. using high defensive line and offside trap at the same time)
  RandydeB
• morale (good morale is crucial to a player’s performance, how to keep it high)
  Justice
• training (to keep your players match fit)
  Arvind
• trust in manager (what to do for players to like you and listen to you)
  AaronHJFT96
• familiarity (how comfortable the team is with a formation and how to increase it fast)
  Pauker
• player roles (use players in their natural positions)
  Bert
• team-talks (what to say in pre-match, at half-time and post-match to get best reaction)
  AaronHJFT96, l3nnart
• team chemistry (how to get players get along)
  Justice
• set-pieces (very important especially for corners)
  tbendis
• sideline shouts (are the players really listening, what to say to them)
  Neal
• opposition instructions (what to do against fast players, explain what each option does)
  Pauker
• player condition (manage wisely during matches by adjusting closing down and pressure)
  Arvind

Now it's when you declare interest to write about specific factors. Let's try to be quick and efficient with this guide. You have until Sunday to write your part, so make your choice knowing that. Write in simple words anyone can understand and keep the steps bite-sized. We'll have time to revamp and enrich the guide once FM14 is out.

I'm delighted to announce the guide has been published and became an instant hit around the scene.

How to create a successful tactic on Football Manager

I want to thank everyone who contributed to this guide, especially Justice.

We should be producing more guides