Is the 4-5-1 finished?
 

I've noticed less and less temas playing the 4-5-1....and i also see teams with 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 beating the 4-5-1 even though the 4-5-1 teams have higher ratings.

Anyone else notice this?Should i get off the 4-5-1 bandwagon and go 3-5-2?

Right now the 4-5-1 seems to be about the same as always, however, I do think people who run the 4-5-1 will be in a lot of trouble next season. To run a 4-5-1 well you MUST control the midfield and limit your opponents shot opportunities. So the counter-attack strategy should just about kill the 4-5-1.

personally, if you're training defense, I'd go with 4-4-2 with 3 IMs and only 1 winger. You'll have better results with it than you will with 4-5-1 simply due to 2 strikers.

a good central and one side attack is much better than a mediocre at best central and both side attacks.

my $.02

I've been running the 4-5-1 in some league games in which I'm totally over matched. I generate massive defensive ratings, play a wing towards the middle to help with possession, and hope for a low score/event goal.

As to the future of it, yes, I think the 4-5-1 will fall to the wayside. The bandwagon is still good for this season, though, if you're evenly matched, I think a 3-5-2 is still a better option.

If I promote next season, I might be forced to stick with the 4-5-1 since I will probably be the worst offensive team in my series anyway.

If I stay in D5, I'll probably switch to a 4-4-2 temporarily, finish my defense training program and then go to a 3-5-2 the following season. Right now, just running some trials through MyBestTeam, I'd be terrible with a 3-5-2 since I don't have a second solid+ forward and the drop in defense would be greater than the gains in offense.

The 4-5-1 could still get decent results with an "Attack on the wings" strategy.

4-5-1 is a great way to lose in Hattrick.

4-4-2 is 10 times better and the 3-5-2 is 20 times better.

4-4-2 weakens the midfield substantially, so losing 10-20% possession to gain a couple of levels in offense doesn't seem worth it to me.

Personally, I LOVE seeing someone play a 4-4-2 or 3-4-3 against me because they won't have the ball often and their defense will be weaker too, unless they have Flailing Fanatics magnificent/world class/brilliant offense :(

4 midfielder formations with 3 IMs don't weaken the midfield as much as people think they do. Unless you're removing a winger with passable+ playmaking, which most people don't have, you won't even lose a full level, about .5-.7 but if you're low or just below mid level, you'll see a visual drop in midfield rating.

Unless you run 3 IM with a winger towards middle in which case it's actually a bigger 'sissy chicken shit' tactic than 3 IM in a 4 midfielder formation. winger TM with 3 IM should be a strategic tactic, not a permanent.

That's also the reason midfield will never be less emphasized, people will always refuse to play different and therefore 3-5-2 with TM winger(s) will always be around.

again, my $.02

In the same way that counter-attack would hurt the 4-5-1, as NevStar said, attack on wing will be of great help.

Biggest problem with 4-5-1 is you really need a plus-plus forward. Like the kind Ardent features. Them's 'xpensive.

Just wanted to say -Panther was right. I set up my team incorrectly and accidentally removed my best midfielder when trying to configure the team properly.

I'm really debating if I should play a 4-4-2 on Sunday to try and get my offense strong enough to put up 3 or 4 goals, which I might need just to tie the Fanatics and their insane offense.