Formation Help!

I have been playing FM2011 since its release last year and really enjoy it like the next guy, i have been quite successful with any team i have played with but find it difficult sometimes to keep consistent with formation, i find myself changing tactics alot, (not every game but maybe once or twice every 12-18 months during seasons)

I am not a big fan of downloading tacitcs that other people of made although i know there is proberly some excellent ones out there, I have tried loads and the one i have more succes with is the traditional 4-4-2 although it can cause problems when playing against your chelsea's, barcelona's and madrids as they play unconventional tactics which can rip apart a 4-4-2.

Dont get me wrong, i dont mind losing games to better teams but sometimes i feel i have not been in the game for 90mins, may as well have not turned up sometimes.

I really dont want to change 4-4-2 so i am lookinmg for anybodys help with hints and tips of the below points and then i will create my own 4-4-2 to trial them to see if i can make a solid and competitve 4-4-2

How to utilise wingers to the maximum? How to have a solid back 4? What strikers are best for scoring the goals?

Does anyone have the same problems trying to be successful with a good balanced squad of players with a 4-4-2?

Appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks

There is no satisfying answer to that I'm afraid. You can deploy your players in roles they're most likely to perform best their attributes considered.

For example, you could utilize defensive wingers if they are balanced in defense and offense and have decent pace, stamina, crossing and tackling; or utilize wide midfielders if they are basically slow.

Every decision you take should be related to your players skills, condition, morale and their blending with the rest of the team.

Defenders in a 4-4-2 you can't change too much about them.
A usually safe option is to play both DC as plain defend, especially if you're unsure about their effectiveness pushing a bit forward to stop the opposition's moves before they get too deep. Check their attributes and try different roles and watch which attributes become highlighted for each role.
As a rule of thumb you need tall and strong DC at least 10 pace, decent positioning and marking/tackling... at times first touch and passing can prove disastrous for your team, so always make sure those are at least 9-10 as well.

For your full backs, it depends on the opposition wingers. If they're fast and will likely dribble past your backs a lot, then keep them behind and you might ask your wingers to help them out.

In the central midfield I believe you need at least one great defensive mid. Combo him with a more creative player.

Up front I'd try pairing a fast poacher with either a trequartista or a another role with support duty.

In the end it comes down to keeping your team happy and spotting the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition to make the right decisions. And of course luck will play its role too.

Good luck with getting the results you want mate!

I find that it also depends on the league you play in to whether your formation works. I play mainly in england and find in the premier league various 4-5-1 formations are more affective but in the lower leagues 4-4-2 is more effective. One thing I have noticed is that changing formation when on a losing streak doesnt really help the matter. Best thing to do is try to continue your own style of football rather than changing to suit your opposition

Thanks Stam, Bigrich, I will keep on going wth what i an doing, i proberly just need to strengthen a little more.