Park the Bus

I'm not having trouble per-se, as I have used a few ultra-defensive formations and tactics that have worked well in the past, but, just in your lot's opinion, what is the most effective all-out defensive tactic, so that you won't concede almost no matter what? Do you literally throw everyone back and play no forward or attacking midfielders, and what sort of passing do you play, etc,?

I would usually play a 5-3-1-1 formation like this:


I do play Contain and Very Rigid, with everybody in defensive duty except for my striker, who plays DLF(A). For my striker, I have him set to Run from deep (or whatever it's called), and to hold up the ball.

I also use these shouts:

Get Ball Forward

Clear Ball To Flanks

Drop Deeper

So far, this tactic has worked well for me when needed to kill off a game.

I would add 'hassle opponents' to the list of shouts from Justice. I use it against every big scary side i come up against and it really helps frustrate their wingers/forwards. Stops them getting acres of space.

Just be aware of your players aggression as it can lead to rash challenges sometimes, maybe couple it with 'stay on your feet' in the tackling section to prevent straight reds.

I rarely have discipline issues using hassle but it can lead to them if used with the wrong players

2013-05-08 22:37#98949 Justice96 : I would usually play a 5-3-1-1 formation like this:

GK
DR-DC-DC-DC-DL
DM-DM-DM
MC

ST

I do play Contain and Very Rigid, with everybody in defensive duty except for my striker, who plays DLF(A). For my striker, I have him set to Run from deep (or whatever it's called), and to hold up the ball.

I also use these shouts:

Get Ball Forward

Clear Ball To Flanks

Drop Deeper

So far, this tactic has worked well for me when needed to kill off a game.

This seems quite good, I will try it out tonight, but I wouldn't have thought to 'Get Ball Forward', surely that would make you more vulnerable?

2013-05-10 11:02#99250 ziechael : I would add 'hassle opponents' to the list of shouts from Justice. I use it against every big scary side i come up against and it really helps frustrate their wingers/forwards. Stops them getting acres of space.

Just be aware of your players aggression as it can lead to rash challenges sometimes, maybe couple it with 'stay on your feet' in the tackling section to prevent straight reds.

I rarely have discipline issues using hassle but it can lead to them if used with the wrong players

Yeah I always use those two shouts... they make a difference.
My first season with LEMANS in FM12, I was top fouler in the league, second season I added those shouts and I was around third bottom, weirdly.

When I took over as Anderlecht manager I created a fantastic counter tactic. It's not really a 'park the bus' setup but can get you fantastic results against some massively superior teams. The basic formation is a 4-1-2-2-1 formation.

GK
DR(DEF)
DC
DC
DL(DEF)
Anchor(DEF)
BWM(SUP)
DLP(SUP)
Winger(att)
Winger(att)
Poacher(ATT)

use it with a rigid - counter mentality and set tackling to aggressive. Play deep narrow and slow with a little time wasting.

Using this tactic I beat chelsea over two legs to qualify for the champions league as well as beating a strong man city team 4-0 away and also drawing 3-3 with bayern munich. Also don't forget to utilize set pieces I tend to aim near post with my cb's attacking the posts, st challenging the keeper and am lurking outside area. Past two years I've had the highest amount of goals from corners in the league. Hope this helps.

2013-05-10 18:57#99403 Toon :

2013-05-08 22:37#98949 Justice96 : I would usually play a 5-3-1-1 formation like this:

GK
DR-DC-DC-DC-DL
DM-DM-DM
MC

ST

I do play Contain and Very Rigid, with everybody in defensive duty except for my striker, who plays DLF(A). For my striker, I have him set to Run from deep (or whatever it's called), and to hold up the ball.

I also use these shouts:

Get Ball Forward

Clear Ball To Flanks

Drop Deeper

So far, this tactic has worked well for me when needed to kill off a game.

This seems quite good, I will try it out tonight, but I wouldn't have thought to 'Get Ball Forward', surely that would make you more vulnerable?

2013-05-10 11:02#99250 ziechael : I would add 'hassle opponents' to the list of shouts from Justice. I use it against every big scary side i come up against and it really helps frustrate their wingers/forwards. Stops them getting acres of space.

Just be aware of your players aggression as it can lead to rash challenges sometimes, maybe couple it with 'stay on your feet' in the tackling section to prevent straight reds.

I rarely have discipline issues using hassle but it can lead to them if used with the wrong players

Yeah I always use those two shouts... they make a difference.
My first season with LEMANS in FM12, I was top fouler in the league, second season I added those shouts and I was around third bottom, weirdly.

Well with "Get Ball Forward", you would be getting the ball to your striker, who will hold up the ball as instructed.

2013-05-11 19:59#99881 Justice96 : Well with "Get Ball Forward", you would be getting the ball to your striker, who will hold up the ball as instructed.

Is that right? I've always thought it meant play a higher line. XD

2013-05-12 10:47#100159 Toon :

2013-05-11 19:59#99881 Justice96 : Well with "Get Ball Forward", you would be getting the ball to your striker, who will hold up the ball as instructed.

Is that right? I've always thought it meant play a higher line. XD

Nope, that's what "Push Higher Up" is for