Tactics question

[The_herd]

My wife tells me she's playing the best team in her series this week and asked for some advice, so I decide to check out the matchup and was surprised by the tactic used by the team she will be playing against.

In his cup match yesterday and in most of his previous matches he ran a 3-4-3 with no wingers. One winger plays as a forward, the other as an extra middie, and one central defender plays as a middie.

Other than the obvious attack on the wings tactic, does anyone have any other suggestions for going at this formation? Her TS is POE and she tied this team last year in the last match of the season by setting her wingers to offensive. I'm wondering is she should play one of her defenders toward the middle also?

Here' the team's info

F.C. Durden (71620)

[daedalus]

I would say to NOT go with Attack on Wings tactic. That weakens your central defense which will get thrashed by his central attack.

He's playing with 1 winger generally set toward middle (except for the one game set to offensive against Slew). Not quite the same as no wingers, that's why he's still able to put up solid to excellent left attack. Two things of note, though:

1) His right-side defense is always the weakest since he plays his worst defender on the naked side.

In my opinion, the best way to handle this is to put her best passing inner midfileder in the left-side inner midfielder slot and play him offensive as well as putting her best winger on the left wing next to him on offensive. That gives offense a chance to take advantage of that weakened right-side.

2) His right-side offense is always the weakest since that's where he's pulling the winger to become a forward.

Tough to say the exact way to handle this without knowing the personnel but how I've handled this in the past has been play go with an asymmetric backline. My extra inner midfielder, in this case, would be coming from the left-wingback position to give me 2 centrebacks to deal with the central offense. If she is really concerned with the left-side defense, she can also play the left-side centreback on "toward wing" instruction to provide extra protection for the naked left-side.

NOTE: These are just my opinions. Experts may handle these situations differently so, y'know, take the $0.02 however you will.

[robbgmaier]

he's playing a no training formation, 4 IMs?

[The_herd]

Heh, thanks for the help Daedalus, I'll have to set her lineup for her most likely, since I'm sure 90% of it is going to fly over head. She has never watched a soccer match in her life and is fairly new to hattrick.

Its good advice, she has some excellent strikers so she has been most successful in the past by just trying to outscore her opponent. But I think the best chance for a win will be by getting proper matchups.

What do think of going counter-attack as a tactic?

[daedalus]

Yeah, definitely. Might as well try to take advantage of any possible openings your opponent leaves.

Counter-Attacking can work if you KNOW you're going to lose midfield/possession play anyway and you have the passing on the defensive line to generate some opportunities. Just remember that you'll lose an automatic 10% of your midfield for employing the tactic so, if you're going to be a fair bit behind in possession anyway, this might REALLY hurt.

If you're going to be losing possession by a lot, pressing is a possible option. Try to get the best defenders on the field. Powerful is a big bonus. The best thing for those games is to have good set piecers on the field with header specialists and hope for some event goals while preventing anything else.

[The_herd]

Update on her match, for those interested.

She just took a 2-0 lead, with a couple goals from her strikers.

I'm actually quite jealous, she has 3 solid strikers, one excellent (only 18yo), and 1 passable, oldest one is 19. She's only had the team less than a season so far.

[The_herd]

Dola

One goal on the weak left side. The other up the middle.

[The_herd]

4-2 win for the North Dakota Flying Buffalo. She put up a 67 NSI. Not too bad for a team that isn't even a full season old yet.

[sterlingice]

Originally posted by The_herd
4-2 win for the North Dakota Flying Buffalo. She put up a 67 NSI. Not too bad for a team that isn't even a full season old yet.

That's just sick.

SI

[daedalus]

I agree. I rather resent her team's success. I've been playing for far longer and, well, my team's gone nowhere (dammit!). :D

[The_herd]

How the hell do you think I feel. I have to live in the same house. Underneath the pride I have for her team I am grossly jealous of her team's success.

[Vince]

67 NSI? Jeez...

[Vince]

Dola - Ok, so I came up with a strategy question of my own...

I've got my first home Cup match Wednesday, and I was wondering how to attack it. I'd REALLY like to get a second one just for the added revenue, but I need to PIC this one. The team I'm playing is in Condors' series (I think he's one of us, is he not?) and puts up a Weak midfield away. However, I have to think that is a high Weak (or that his Wingers REALLY SUCK at PM), as his IMs are 3.5 stars (repositioned), 3 stars (defensive) and 2.5 stars (normal).

Because of form troubles and low team spirit, my midfield will probably be a weak as well. I've got two high solid middies, one low solid, one solid PM Wing (offensive) and one Passable PM Wing towards the middle. However, my starting keeper and #2 defender just got injured in the last match, weakening my defense considerably. Here are my projected ratings and his:

Vandals (me)
Midfield - Weak
Right D - Passable/Solid
Central D - Passable
Left D - Inadequate
Right Attack - Formidable
Central Attack - Excellent
Left Attack - Passable

Huntsville FC (Him)
Midfield - Weak
Right D - Outstanding
Central D - Outstanding
Left D - Excellent
Right Attack - Passable
Central Attack - Passable
Left Attack - Excellent

I've staggered my defense and offense to exploit his weaknesses, but do you think a 3-5-2 normal (what I'm doing now) is my best bet? I've been toying with the idea of a 4-4-2 CA, but I don't think my D is strong enough (I think my team is Passable at CA). I've also considered Attacking on the Wings, as I'd (hopefully) get more shots at that Excellent Left D, and I'm not too worried about his Central Attack. Thoughts?

EDIT - to fix my projected defense ratings.

[daedalus]

Originally posted by Vince
However, I have to think that is a high Weak (or that his Wingers REALLY SUCK at PM), as his IMs are 3.5 stars (repositioned), 3 stars (defensive) and 2.5 stars (normal).This is one of the reasons people will make the silly sweeping statement that "stars are evil". Remember, an inner midfielder can get his stars through his defense or through his passing as well. Just because his defensive midfielder receives a 3-star grade doesn't automatically tell you that he's a passable/solid/excellent/formidable or whatever rating. It could be any of those with some help (or lack of) from his secondaries. Base his midfield strength on his midfield grades over several games, keeping in mind the venue of the game, and keep track of who's playing in the game.

Remember the possible repercussions of tactics, if you're going to use them. If you Attack on Wing, your central defense will open up a bit. Will they hold against his central attack? If you play with plans to Counter-Attack and your midfield beats his, you've done nothing except give away some possessions. I don't know how well your team is set for pressing but if you have good defense, high stamina and maybe a few Powerful players, then that's an option if you think his offense may open a hole in your defense.

Also, with defense as good as his, you may have to look to get through by ways of events. If you have a choice of two players who may be closely match, get the Header specialist in there and hope he connects with either a good Winger or Set Piece taker. If you have a Quick winger or forward and he doesn't play a Quick defender, get him in there and pray for a good dice roll. Events are your friends against a defense like this.

[daedalus]

Originally posted by The_herd
4-2 win for the North Dakota Flying Buffalo. She put up a 67 NSI. Not too bad for a team that isn't even a full season old yet.By the way, I just realized that I forgot to congratulate. Please pass along a congratulation on the win.

PS - Resentment included. :D

[Vince]

Thanks, Daed. I didn't really consider the possibility of high secondaries contributing to star ratings.

I don't think a 4-4-2 CA is in the cards for me...my CA ability isn't strong enough, and I don't think that a PIC and poor TS will drop my midfield that low anyways, if he sticks with his normal Cup midfield. Still considering attack on wings though...you think it's worth it with only one weak wing D? I like my chances with a Formidable Attack against an only Excellent Defense...but that Passable attack against his Outstanding D on the other side is less than stellar. His only Passable attack in the center doesn't worry me too much, even though my D is hurting because of the injuries...or should it worry me more?