FM 08 Tactics For Beginners Part 2 - FMFormation.net - Football Manager

**hicapaul** · 12-02-08, 12:29 PM

Individual player instructions (A.K.A. getting that lazy git who you pay 90k a week to do what you want)

First thing you need to be aware of; when you set you team instruction, all of your players will play like that. As Im sure you can imagine, this doesnt really bring balance to your side, especially if you want consistansy throught the season.

First things first, be sensible!
Do you really want your DC set to all out attack? If you play an attacking formation, remember to adjust you defenders to actually do their job. Im sure you get the idea.

Running lines
As mentioned in Part 1, clicking and holding the right mouse button on a player (in the tactics screen(, can place a running line. This tells the player where to run when you have the ball, this works with the individual player instruction of forward runs. It is best to do one or the other, using both will result in your players well up the field against in the counter attack.

Mentality, creative freedom and passing
This is pretty similar to the team instructions, but remember, if you have set these things high for your team, all of your players will follow these instructions. Personally I put CB's to ultra defensive and full backs to normal for mentality, even though I set my team to attacking.
Creative freedom is good, if you have the players. Having too many players with aa high setting will result in lots of tricks and dribbles, but less simple balls being played. Try to give freedom to your best players, 2 or 3 max should do it.
Passing style is exactly the same as in team instructions, but I prefer to set DC to long ball so they arent messing about.

Tackling, closing down and marking.
If you set you team to Hard tackling, then you will get a lot of cards, its just not worth it. Leave the team on normal and set your DM/CM to hard tackling, it will disrupt the oppositions flow.
Closing down, as mentioned before, players with a high work rate will run all over the pitch and close down, lazy players will not. Again, be looking to set this high for DM/CB/MC.

The rest of the settings for individual players are mostly for tweaking, depending on how you play. Friendlies are a great way to try these other settings out.

Target Men and playmakers
Target men are those big guys (Crouch, Zigic etc) who dont have to jump very much to get a high ball. Playmakers are the guys who pull the strings in your team.
On the top of the tactics screen, there is a set to button, select the player you want to be a target man, and then select the set to button, then choose target man. After this, make sure you have set the target men in the box next to the set to button. Playing with a target man is best with long passing, then he will knock down balls to your other striker/AM (really usefull for poor teams/players)
Use the same dropdown box and put all the players you want as playmakers in there. When a player is selected as a playmaker, your team will try and get the ball to him as often as possible, so pick a hard working creative player.

I hope this has given you a little more of an insight into making your team balanced and consistant. Using individual player instructions can real add an extra bite to you side, but dont forget, they work together with team instructions and can really unbalance your side if your not careful.

In part 3, we'll look at set pieces.

Good luck!

werty17786 · 15-02-08, 11:18 AM

evgenia

Gashead · 16-02-08, 09:11 PM

I have been following you words of wisdom. I have also downloaded quite a few tactics. However I have to say that FM 08 is one of the hardest games I have played. I always start off as a lower league team which is difficult. Nothing seesm to work with a team of plodders! Any tips?

Up the Gas

**hicapaul** · 17-02-08, 09:09 AM

Patience is a virtue. Dont expect results straight away when you bring in new players/ new tactics. It takes time to get your team to adapt.
for playing in low leagues (like I do), keep it simple. Long passing to a target man, fast tempo

lpool beast · 19-02-08, 03:44 PM

very good for when your 1st startin

ionutd · 25-02-08, 09:42 AM

just one correction if I may, the target man option should be used when you're playing with 1 striker and prefferably 2 AMCs behind him. You tell him to hold up the ball; being the target man, passes go to him, he holds it and passes to on-rushing midfielders right in front of the goal. It's a very effective style of play and got me tons of goals. Straight from the game manual :P

**John10** · 25-02-08, 01:09 PM

nice one paul, hopefully this will help out some people to get there own tactics going.

dolph07 · 06-03-08, 04:50 PM

Do you think it's best to have your DC's closing down on High or lower? Can't work it out, a lot of different guides say different!

apthered · 07-03-08, 08:47 PM

nice one paul

i was wondering if you could make one about opposition instructions if you have the time
i personally put closing down often, tight marking always and show onto weaker foot for all strikers and midfielders (except DM). what is your opinion on this?

thanks, and kutgw

**hicapaul** · 10-03-08, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolph07

Do you think it's best to have your DC's closing down on High or lower? Can't work it out, a lot of different guides say different!

Well, all I can say is look at where it gets me:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...y_Sequence.jpg

tartantroosers · 10-03-08, 10:19 AM

Wow, wd you !
M
y best unbeaten sequence ever on FM 2008 is five matches with MK Dons lol

Shrewsbury08 · 13-03-08, 12:57 AM

with the lower leagues you dont want the DC's jumping in too much, especially if their stats are not that great. If you do you run the risk of having the oncomming forwards running right past and into space. i have my DC's closing down in between rarely and mixed. Coupled with easy tackling the DC's will hold back and only go for the tackles that they know they can win.

this should push the opposition out to the flanks where you can play with the settings a little for your DL & DR ie harder tackling.

dolph07 · 13-03-08, 10:29 AM

lol, that's impressive hica! i really am struggling with this game compared to that!

tottihead · 25-04-08, 02:16 PM

can't wait for part 3

Liverpool no1 · 27-04-08, 09:26 PM

Sorry for being inpatient..But where is part 3? lol