Different formations

ManagerZone allows many different and flexible formations. Your team will try hard to play football, even with some of the more ridiculous or obscure formations.

When you face a Manager who is using strange tactics, a few minutes spent scouting will allow you to counter their tactics and inflict a greater defeat.

1, 2 or 3 strikers? There are pros and cons for each.

If you have 1 striker, be sure to have a rule in case they (or another player) are sent off. A lone striker could have more opportunities, but will also have more attention from the defenders.

2 strikers add more pressure to the opposition defense. 3 strikers add even more pressure, although they may be better positioned as wingers, depending on your tactic.

3 or 4 central defenders? There are pros and cons for each. 

3 central defenders was the default in the old Simulator. Defenders now work better together, but the middle defender may still find themselves isolated at times. 3 defenders does mean you have more players available in midfield or attack.

4 defenders should mean you can cover the fullback positions, as well as having a strong central partnership. It does depend on your players, as well as your opponents tactics.

Below are some example tactics with a few words to explain the thought behind that tactic.

Tactic 1:

Wings

Key players: Number 36 is an average central striker (decent Shooting, Heading, Stamina, Speed, lower Intelligence, Ball Control and Passing) Number 4 and 5 are average wingers (decent Intelligence, Passing, Stamina, Speed, good aerial passing, lower Ball Control and Passing)

The idea is that the wide wingers will create plenty of chances for the central striker, 36.

The 3 central midfielders will break up opposition attacks; number 42 has good passing and intelligence and should be able to pass to the wingers with enough accuracy. The two fullbacks are set to counter any opposition wingers, and can support the central defenders against a 3-man attack.

The aggressive positioning of the wingers means they will be a key part of the attacking plan for the team, but passes to them may be intercepted more often.

Your goalkeeper should always the best player you can find or train.

This tactic can also be played with 4 and 5 playing less wide, in that case they will cross the ball less and cut inside more, also dependent  on the opposition formation.

Tactic 2:

Wings

Key players: Same as tactic 1, but number 44 is now used as a link man to the midfield and will provide support to the central striker, creating space.

The two central midfielders have more work to do and could therefore tire sooner. The wide wingers are in a good position to receive passes, but have further to run with the ball. Speed will be more important to them than in tactic 1.

The link man, number 44, provides an option for an earlier ground pass. Number 44 needs good passing and intelligence to create opportunities for the central striker.

This tactic can also be played with 4 and 5 playing less wide, in that case they will cross the ball less and cut inside more, also dependent  on the opposition formation.

Tactic 3:

Short passing

Key players: The midfielders. They need accurate passing to move the ball safely. 51 and 15 are in good positions to intercept passes played to deeper wingers (for example against tactic 1 and 2)

Two central strikers are deployed, with 36 in a slightly deeper role. The defenders are pushed forward to apply early pressure on the opposition forwards.

Using the space on the pitch is possible with the new Simulator.

Tactic 4:

Long Ball

Key players: The central defender. They need accurate passing to move the ball up to the strikers safely. The central midfielders are deployed defensively, to help win the ball from the opposition midfield.

The three front strikers have good ball control, to help control the long passes, as well as good shooting and intelligence.

Number 7 is expected to score the most, with the two supporting strikers creating space, or scoring goals if number 7 feels they are in a better position and passes backwards or sideways to them.

Tactic 5:

Short passing

Key players: The central midfield. They need accurate passing to move the ball safely. Positioned this closely, they should have a better chance to pass safely, but will not use the full width of the pitch, resulting in congestion in the central midfield area.

A central striker, supported by a link man will look to score the teams goals.

Tactic 6:

Short passing

Key players: The central midfield and the support striker (44). With short passing, there will be a lot of passes exchanged between the defensive and central midfielders. They need accurate passing to move the ball safely.

Positioned this closely, they should have a better chance to pass safely, but will not use the full width of the pitch, resulting in congestion in the central midfield area.

This formation will be vulnerable to wider tactics (wings or short passing with wider midfielders)

The two striker, supported by a link man will look to score the teams goals from a wider angle than a single central striker. The link striker will also have opportunities to shoot from distance as the two strikers also create space.