Tactical Hints for Football Fanatic
Introduction
A good manager should dedicate a certain amount of time to tactical options.
Formations
Your formation plays a vital part in your team's performance. You can enhance a team by
choosing the right formation or hurt the team by selecting one that neglects the defense, the
midfield or the attack. Each one of the 11 pre-defined formations has five variations. Each one of
the variations has good and bad points. Some of them will increase your team's defensive rating
and hurt the offensive and/or midfield ratings. We can't tell you exactly which one does what
since that would give everything away. Using some common sense you'll be able to tell that some
produce more goals, some make you suffer a few more goals and so forth.
Where you place each of the players in the custom formations can have noticeable results,
so try not spread your players out too much and try to keep the left/right distribution of the
players symmetric.
Tactics
A whole book could be written about these. We'll go over them briefly, but keep in mind
that everyone has their own opinions. Such is the joy of football. This part of the game was
probably one of the most frustrating since everything can be interpreted in so many ways.
Don't take these options lightly. Poor choices could be the reason you have been losing to
weaker teams, and the right choices could be the source for those stunning upsets. We suggest
you take full advantage of the friendly games to determine the best selections. Look at your
players and make your decision, if you feel that your players have the skills to support one tactical
option then choose it.
Tackling: Hard tackling can strengthen a weak defense, but can also create a problem with
bookings and expulsion. On the other hand, having your players handle opponents with care will
avoid bookings and injuries, but you might end up overwhelmed defensively.
Marking: Here the key is the number of defenders you have available and their skill. If you
are playing 5 defenders you may want each one to stick with a specific player. Zone marking
would for instance would be useful if you're just playing 3 defenders.
Possession: The number of midfielders and their skills is what matters. If you feel that your
players can keep the ball at their feet (either due to superiority of numbers or skill) then you may
opt to play a bit more possessive.
Passing: This depends mostly on the player's talent, the other tactical choices, and partially
on the formation you have chosen. For example, if your formation is a 3-5-2 and you are playing
with Wingers (see Attack), Long Pass would be useful.
Attack:
Advantage - usually if you are playing with a single striker and have a talented
midfield.
Wingers - Two midfielders or forwards, will take the role of wingers (3-5-2, 3-3-4 or
4-2-4), opponent usually has 4 or less defenders.
Central - One or two talented forwards, needs also one of two talented midfielders to
direct traffic.
Build-Up - Works well when defense, midfield and offense are equally skilled
(recommended for 3-4-3, 4-4-2 and 5-3-2 formations).
Break-Away - Usually the best option when you are facing a much better opponent
and are only placing one or two forwards up front.
Reserved - A very conservative approach to attack. Useful in situations were you
face a much stronger opponent or are trying to obtain a draw.
All-Out - Opens the flood-gates on attack. Hurts the team defensively when they are
caught off-guard but usually works well when you have a very skillful team, especially defenders.
Shooting: Depends on the number of forwards you are fielding and their skill level.
Free Kicks/Corner Kicks: Results vary depending on the players selected.
Style:
Constant Attack - Stamina, experience and pace are the key factors.
Pace - a young and fit team will allow you to overcome other teams.
Movement - talented team required.
Possession - player's individual skills are key here as is experience.
Cautious - works best when the team is somewhat weaker.