Tactics in the championship

Hi guys,

I'm having trouble with tactics this year, I've read countless guides tactical changes for this years game, not much makes sense to me, the team mentality is to do with the attacking phase but counts towards the defensive shape? then the team shape the more fluid you are the more defensive you are apart from when you have player roles that changes this? I presume i have all of this wrong which is why I cannot get a tactic to work for me in terms of performance.

I'm currently playing with a Preston side in my second season still in the championship. I had a good season in my first year but the tactic wasn't how I wanted to play. With the players I had (very few wide players, alot of strikers) I wanted to play with at least 2 upfront. Playing and attacking style. I understand I'm not going to play the greatest or like some of the great attacking teams of the past with the players I have, but I think we can still play attacking football and get decent results.

What I have found is whatever formation I have used and players I can use I find myself either letting goals in from all angles with the opposition seemingly being able to score whenever they like no matter the opposition, while we struggle to fashion decent chances and end up with 12 shots and only 1 on goal.

Or we don't let as many goals in but only have 1 or 2 shots and have no attacking threat at all.

So i decided to change things and go back to square one which hasn't worked and I would like your help.

So I am currently playing: (appologies no screenshots)

GK(d)

Wb(A) BPD(d) CD(d) Wb(s)

DLP(d)
BBM(s) AP(A)

IF(A)
DLF/T(S/A)
AF/P(A)

Team Instructions: Pass shorter, Retain Possession and pass out of defense

Team mentality: Control Team Shape: flexible

No other player Instructions apart from the ones for the roles they already have.

I know playing like this will leave me exposed down my right with no one in front of the defender to protect and help defend. I'm ok with conceding a goal or two but we are terrible going forward as well as having a leaky defense.

I get the majority of possession with good passing stats as well.

I've tried minor changes, different TI changing the mentality the shape, and different formations but I keep coming up with the same problems.

So If anyone could help me helping stopping from leaking goals from all over and being able to attack I would be very grateful.

If you need any more information ill be happy to give it to you.

Hi im no master but ive found success in the championship using a 4 1 2 3. Have the keeper distribute short to full backs and playing with two full backs set to attack two central defenders set to defend. An anchor man in front of them set to defend. In the midfield a box to box midfielder partnered with an advanced playmaker. Both wideman acting as inside forwards and then up front either a complete forward or advanced forward based on their ability.

I play with a slightly higher defensive line and try to retajn possession without using the actual retain possession instruction. So every player instructed to pass shorter play out of defence work ball into box and run at defence higher tempo and close down more. I switch between roam from position and stick to position based on strength of team im playing with and my opposition. If your the underdog tell them to stick to position. If they roam they may be picked off and thats when goals are conceded but this approach gets me a lot of clean sheets and victories.

Playing fluid with a contain mentality usually works best

Ive played with leeds Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday in championship and this approach worked with them all. Hope this is helpful