***The Official Football Manager Thread***

[Bruins]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

I've been playing with a setup like this:



Control; Flexible; Shorter Passing; Play Out Of Defense

GK is asked to "Distribute To Centre Backs" and "Take Short Kicks"
WBs are asked to "Stay Wider" and "Run Wide With Ball"
CM(s) is asked to "Move Into Channels"
CM(a) is asked to "Roam From Position" and "Move Into Channels"
DLF is asked to "Roam From Position" and "Move Into Channels"

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

I've been playing with a setup like this:



Control; Flexible; Shorter Passing; Play Out Of Defense

GK is asked to "Distribute To Centre Backs" and "Take Short Kicks"
WBs are asked to "Stay Wider" and "Run Wide With Ball"
CM(s) is asked to "Move Into Channels"
CM(a) is asked to "Roam From Position" and "Move Into Channels"
DLF is asked to "Roam From Position" and "Move Into Channels"

Nice! On my drive to work this morning after playing a quick few matches (addicted) I was thinking about I might try something near this setup. Specifically, someone deep in front of my back three who holds their position while allowing six players to move forward in attack.

I've been switching between 5-3-2 and 5-2-3 (flat in midfield), but something like this, 5-1-2-2, might be just what I need.

I'm having success with Rangers (top of the league after ten matches, reached final of leage cup) but I'm not consistent at all.

[Zac]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

I've been using a straight 3-4-3 this entire save.



I've destroying Scotland and the champions league until the semi finals every year. At which point I always lose to Real Madrid or Juve.

I hold a normal line, on balanced with normal temp and mixed passing, pass into space, look for overlap and get stuck in. Pretty simple in that regard. Using control with very fluid, so my CB's push up into attack a lot and my mids drop back into the back like a lot. Everyone just goes with the flow of the current possession. I've also been experimenting with the back line. Changing them between CD and BPD to see if it really makes a difference. I haven't been able to see any.

Everyone is set to roam from possession and to move into channels. More risky passes from back line and mids. Cross from deep for wides. And all three up top are set to shoot more. Oddly the only one who ever scores in the top three is the AF. The other two just feed him the ball. No matter who is playing in those roles.

And don't be fooled by Wilshere and Reus, they are in their mid 30's and just play as backups.

I've been trying to leave Scotland/Celtic for two seasons now, but every time I apply for a job and say I have interest in the media, they hire someone else. Its very annoying. Winning the title over and over is getting boring. I need a new challenge.

[Zac]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

**** me!? **** you!




At first I thought I messed up and had his asking value at $0, but its unspecified. I've never seen this tactic by the AI before.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

Yeah, the AI WILL unsettle your players.

[Zac]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

Yeah, the AI WILL unsettle your players.

Yeah I've seen them lowball before to do that. But a no money offer? That is just dirty.

[Kobalt]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

Has anyone had success in holding possession and also scoring more than one goal a game using three at the back? Trying to really commit to three central defenders in my new Rangers save, and while my defense has been absurdly solid, I don't hold possession as much as I'd like (especially against lesser opponents), and I'm not scoring often.

I'm going to try switching to more of a 5-3-2, as it seems I really need three in the midfield to help hold possession and win the midfield battle.

This is what I use with San Marino, fairly narrow with short passing



Manually instructed both wide players to man mark the opposing wingers (or fullbacks when CPU uses 3 strikers)

I might qualify for the Euros



Thanks to these two games against Croatia.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

Yeah I've seen them lowball before to do that. But a no money offer? That is just dirty.

Is he in your plans or transfer listed? I let guys that are valued around that amount go on frees all the time. It's better than paying their salary. They're usually at least 30 yrs old though.

[Zac]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

Is he in your plans or transfer listed? I let guys that are valued around that amount go on frees all the time. It's better than paying their salary. They're usually at least 30 yrs old though.

Key player, plays every game almost. Not listed, no transfer fee set on his status page either. His contract ends at the end of the season though. But still. He didn't get too upset I rejected and he accepted a new contract, so its all good. Just odd to see a no money offer for a 24 year old key player with value.

[NoDakHusker]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

Is he in your plans or transfer listed? I let guys that are valued around that amount go on frees all the time. It's better than paying their salary. They're usually at least 30 yrs old though.

I don't know what's wrong with me, but I read "Is he in your plans" as "Is he in your pants" and was really confused for a minute.

Carry on.

[gopher_guy]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

That feeling when

• you ask the board for more money and raise your season expectations
• all your summer signings are turning out to be flops
• your 24 goal striker has gone the first 11 games of the season without scoring a goal
• and with each passing disappointing result you're telling yourself "there's still PLENTY of time to right this ship..."

[Suntan Superman]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***



My 3 at the back tactic. Very Fluid and everyone in support makes the no traditional midfielders moot.

[Suntan Superman]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

Not often I get a first these days, but for the first time ever, my Europa League Quarter Final match got switched around. Originally, I was drawn as the home team vs Roma, we were set to play 4/9/2026, but our DBU Pokalen draw against OB scheduled us on 4/8/2026, so we got moved to 4/22/2026. Meaning that the first leg will be played at Olimpico instead of Ceres Park.

EDIT: they're both named Leg 2

[Velocityy]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

I'm into year 2 in League 2 with my created South Coast team (started in Vanarama South). Once again predicted to finish last by the media (the jerks) after finishing 21st last year. My team is playing GREAT and is sitting firmly mid table in 13th with a real shot to challenge for the top 10 with 13 games to go. I went out and got the best CB I've had stats wise in the January window (and probably overpaid a bit for him at 375k, but had more than enough money in the transfer budget). He hasn't played GREAT yet, but I'm looking for a consistently solid performer which I haven't had.

Surprisingly my attacking style has really worked, and the scoring is coming from all over the field. I'm getting to a point though where I know I need to improve but my lower skill rated guys all average 7.10's and I don't know if I want to cut them loose.

It's great to outplay your expectations though. We're also opening our new stadium at the end of the year!

[Suntan Superman]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***



8 games to go and we've secured the title.

Also, that's a few zeros.