Fundamental Football Manager - Making that basic 442

FFM is back. The challenge for me nowadays, as some of you may have observed is finding time to play the game and to contribute on the forums. Its getting much harder with work stuff getting in the way, and thankfully my SAP implementation is done, dusted and getting an award..

Understanding what works and what doesn't

While there is a lot of information on the forums, the challenge for most is making that 442 work. While I have managed to do it in FM08, making it do the same for FML is another matter; Playing against the AI is so much more easier for me.

- Defending

When setting up the backline you need to take into account what their roles are and more importantly what you're up against. In an attacking 442 you'd typically have the fullbacks on mixed FWR, mixed TTB..all you need to do to make a defensive adjustment is to remove FWR and TTB. This allows your fullbacks to stay closer to the defensive line and to support the DCs.

When you're faced with a formation that has a solo striker, and has perhaps 2 wingers. You DO not want your fullbacks to go on attacking sprees. Containing the opposing force is key in keeping a tight backline. And to do that remove your FWR.

TTB is another instruction that can create problems, while its good to have it for attacking sides, it can prove counter productive. It affects possession. So if you want good buildup play from the back make sure your fullbacks are not on TTB. If you see them hoofing the ball up, its usually down to not having good passing options. So make sure you have good anchors in midfield.

What about closing down? Set to own area as far as possible. This does not give up cheap space on the flanks for the AI to exploit. Defensive lines? These are perhaps the easiest to set up and the hardest to understand. Dlines affect closing down and how you defend. The higher it is, the more attacking your set up and the more vital it is that your attacking force is closing down heavy.

*Central defenders get pulled out and this allows the AM to play a simple pass to the striker who scores...is a typical scenario. The problem is not the DC it lies in your instructions. The 442 can be adjusted very simply with a short farrow into a central DM position. Once that is done that problem disappears.

This brings us to the midfield. Having set up your back four the job now is to set up the central midfield.

-Midfield

There are 2 ways you can do this and it depends on what you have at your disposal. If you have a very good defensive minded MC, he is going to become a very good passing outlet, and it seems to happen automatically whether you like it or not. One MC is on mixed FWR and another should be on FWR often. This allows a bit of tick tock passing. If you want to be more adventurous, set to high tempo and passing of 1. This will see some quick one touch passing in your midfield to bring the ball up.

If you want your wingers to become Ronaldo..they need the right attributes. OTB is very important. So set them to FWR often and RWB, often. Cross ball - depends on you. I usually have one on mixed and another on none. There is a huge difference and I will let you lot figure that out, it will be very surprising and delightful.

What about creative freedom? Well if your CF is low, your players will typically hold their shape. And if your fullbacks are on no TTB be prepared for a lot of possession. The play is usually more disciplined and structured. If you want to be more flamboyant and risky then start setting CF to normal for the central midfielders..keep the defensive one on low and set high on the wingers. You should see more movement into space now.

- The attack

Plenty of debate here I'm sure. Personally I prefer the solo striker with low CF and a deeper striker(farrowed or barrowed) with more CF, FWR often. So that he can be the go to guy when goals are needed.