FM 08 Tactics for Beginners Part 1 - FMFormation.net - Football Manager

**hicapaul** · 06-02-08, 05:23 PM

Tactics: the downfall of even the best players.

Here is a simple guide to get you making your own great tactics. i've made this because there are many, many people who struggle with this part of the game, I hope this guide will make things more easy to understand.

Getting started
Your formation will have the biggest effect on the rest of your tactics, so pick wisely (I personally stick with 4 at the back). Give your team a chance! There is absolutly no point in playing for great strikers up front if you have no cover behind them (Mr. Keegan take note). Try and have a solid bank in midfield (either 4 or 3 players). this will create chances when attacking, and give cover when defending. Target men are great if you have a hard working player, but make sure he has enough support when he gets the ball. If you have a small transfer budget and cant get the cover for the positions you need, stick to something simple.

The "running lines"
On the formation screen, if you press and hold right mouse button, you can tell you player where to run when you have the ball. Be careful though, you do need to adjust the individual player instructions (see below) if you give a player a running line, otherwise your full backs will be pushing right up and leving miles of space for the opposition.

Passing and Tempo
Yes, they are connected! Basic rule of thumb: Direct/long passing with fast tempo. Short passing with slow build-up. You can use other combinations depending on your players, and how confident you feel, but as a starter, they will be fine. Mentality also has an effect here. If you players are hitting long balls up to you strikers, and you have put a high tempo, and all out attack, you players will shoot almost as soon as they get the ball, from anywhere (I once watched Luca Toni recieve the ball about 50 yards out and nearly hit the corner flag!). So take it steady.

Width
Does what it says on the tin. The higher you set it, the wider you team will play. best applied with hard working MC/DM, due to leaving a LOT of space on wide pitches.

Closing down, defensive line, tackling
Hard working players will follow your orders to the letter, lazy players will not. Too much closing down will tire your players more quickly.
If you play high up the pitch, make sure you've selected play off side, or you'll get some idiot defender lagging behind and playing opposition players onside. Hard tackling can rough up opposition players, and get you a lot of cards. This is best set in the individual players instructions.

Target men and playmakers
Target men, they are big, they are ugly, but they can really make a difference. When looking for one, the most important attributes are: heading, strengh, bravery and work rate. The "target man supply" doesnt really matter, if you stick to "mixed" most balls are to head anyway.

Set Pieces
REALLY REALLY IMPORTANT. If you click on the "view" tab above your line-up, and select any of the boxes at the bottom, you can tell your players what to do at all set pieces. Tip: get a great header on the near post, he'll make the differece between drawing a game and winning, with his goals.

So that should give you a more clear idea of how to set up your tactics. This is just a basic guide, the best way to learn is to experement. And please remember, your players need time to gel, so dont expect a new tactic to win everything straight away.

In part 2, I'll cover individual player instructions.

Good luck!

I hope this

leachy-boi91 · 07-02-08, 04:22 AM

oo very nice guide
:P

mirjalovic · 07-02-08, 05:15 AM

yeah thanks mate!

**T.H** · 07-02-08, 06:05 AM

Top Effort Paul, will have a better look when I start my game!

Thanks!!!!

OneRepublic · 07-02-08, 09:04 AM

Very Nice Guide Paul Cant Wait 4 The Next Instalment lol

Robert Luke Bishop · 11-02-08, 04:21 PM

Cheers mate, real helpful.
I've only been playing FM for a couple weeks now. I AM FULLY ADDICTED! I start the first session off real well but by mid-session I end up just losing all the time and I get the sack. You don't have anymore good tips for beginners do you?

FMacd · 08-03-08, 06:14 PM

Nice Guide

drakeyboy88 · 07-04-08, 02:27 AM

Very Handy

**John10** · 07-04-08, 08:30 AM

2 word posts are not allowed guys, you could expand a bit more on what you said, its not that hard is it

dlyn1907 · 12-05-08, 02:00 PM

thanks mate i ve been working so hard to make my own tacticks thank you so much its been very useful

Darthkeyhole · 27-05-08, 06:33 PM

Thats a great guide, I have always struggled on with not changing my tactics - just using default which I feel I am missing out on a big part of the game so this has helped me a lot - nice one !

**chrisashmore** · 30-06-08, 04:01 PM

Awsome Guide Mate :) KIU