4-4-2 is traditionally been used with English teams for many years.. It combines a numerically strong four man defence capable of covering most defensive areas of the pitch with an equally strong midfield capable of supporting either defence or attack linked to a two strong attacking force.
4-4-2 Defensive can be a good defensive tactic, as the name implies, as it allows two central defensive midfielders to drop back thus creating a six-man defence. When used with the Team Instruction Offside Trap it usually ensures plenty of midfield possession leading to some attacking opportunities. If the opposition has pacey attackers, this tactic can be undone quite easily by simply playing long balls over the top and bypassing midfield.
4-4-2 Attacking requires a couple of quality fast wingers with good stamina and can provide some exciting and entertaining football. The tactic is more effective with attacking wingers and creative midfielders but can be just as effective using two defensive midfielders with good ball skills. A good compromise is a creative midfielder combining with a defensive midfielder. The tactic is again susceptible to long ball counters particularly when your latest attack has broken down and the wingers are still forward
4-4-2 Diamond is used when your central defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder do not possess the necessary versatility to work well within a flat midfield line. The tactic can require considerable experimentation with your midfield players to determine who works best where. Although the attacking element is increased slightly than that of the standard 4-4-2 the defensive capability is increased by the addition of the defensive midfielder playing just in front of your defence.
3-4-3 is one for the attack minded team with technically capable players, with the bonus of playing your three �star Strikers� at the same time. Versatility is a very important ingredient in this particular cocktail so dual role players are very useful. The number 8 for instance should be an Attacking Midfielder/Forward. The tactic has built in vulnerability in defence - particularly to skilful wingers and direct balls.
3-5-2 is another popular formation particularly for passing teams that have the necessary skill to retain the ball. What were two full backs in 4-4-2 become wingbacks in this position and, as this is a physically demanding role such players must possess high attributes in Pace, Stamina, Teamwork and Work Rate. Given two such players on either side of the field (they are a very rare breed) then the tactic can overcome most counters and present continual problems for the opposition.
3-5-2 Defensive is not a defensive tactic as such. The main use is within a game to counter the oppositions high long passes over the top of your midfield. It can also be used to defend a lead close to the end of a game. All you are doing is curtailing the forward run activities of the wingbacks and dropping to midfielders into the hole between midfield and defence.
3-5-2 Attacking is a formation that pushes into an attacking midfield role one central midfielder. He does not however have to be an attacking midfielder - any midfielder capable of winning the ball and distributing it quickly to his team-mates will suffice. If your remaining midfield can win the ball from the opposition and prevent them pressing your already overworked defence then you will win more than you lose with this tactic. It is very useful in short bursts within a game to confuse the enemy and grab the odd goal.
4-1-2-1-2 is a bit of an abortion in tactical terms. It is derived from 4-4-2 with the left and right midfielders occupying central positions that they then try to break out of. Why not stay out in the first place? As stated - a bit of a non-event. If your player�s can�t play 4-4-2 then they will be worse attempting this tactic.
4-2-4 is designed to score goals and nothing else. Having a four-man attack does present the opportunity to overwhelm a defence and score provided your overworked midfield can keep up the service. With only two men in the midfield you are also extremely vulnerable in that area unless you have a couple of aggressive bruisers still capable of passing in there. The attacking option is better maintained when the defence lob forward long balls either direct to the striking pair or out to a couple of exceptional wingers. If you are behind in an important game and 4-4-2 Attacking is not working then switch to this option.
4-3-3 provides not only the chance to field three star strikers but preserves some of the attacking effects of 4-2-4 while leaving an additional man in the midfield. The tactic is more successful when you have strong ball-winners in the midfield that can get the forward quickly. Recommended when you are chasing the game as an alternative to the previous 4-2-4
4-5-1 as a tactic ensures plenty of midfield possession but, unless you have the correct combination in the midfield, can considerably reduce your attacking options. Defensively as sound as any four man defence can be your task is to experiment with different midfield blend to achieve the best attacking choice without loosing possession. The solitary striker should be fast, creative and have the ability to hold the ball until support arrives.
5-3-2 is primarily a defensive tactic where the wingbacks, as usual with high Stamina ratings, from 3-5-2 drop back supporting the defence rather than further forward and in line across the pitch. Success depends on the ability of your, now three strong, midfield to acquire and distribute the ball.
5-3-2 Defensive is even more defensively minded than the standard 5-3-2 as the number 8 will be totally defensive by dropping back just in front of the defence. A good tactic for short periods to use when you are defending a lead against a better team during a game. You can increase the defensive nature of the tactic by playing Men Behind Ball but you will be subjected to a tremendous amount of pressure - and mistakes do happen.
5-3-2 Attacking pushes the central midfielder forward in support of the strikers thereby increasing your attacking ability. This does leave a hole in the midfield just in front of the defence that the opposition could exploit. Like the previous tactic an option best used for short periods during a game.
Sweeper is a tactic, primarily defensively minded, built around one man - the Sweeper, the man who plays behind three central defenders. In order to successfully use this tactic a top quality player is necessary in this position. You will also need an equally well qualified deputy in the event of injury or suspension. Dependant upon the level you are playing finding one is hard - to find two, and keep the �deputy� happy, could be extremely difficult.
4-1-3-2 is a new addition to the standard tactics within the game. It first appeared as a �hint� or �tip� from Mark Vaughan, the lead programmer at SI, and as such was hailed by some of the CM community as a �super tactic�. Like most tactics, this may be succesful in your first season, but with time the oposition will learn your teams strengths and weaknesses, enabling themselves to be better equiped to cope with this tactic. The formation is �narrow� and susceptible to the guiles of fast wily wingers, disguised as central midfielders, although in most situations a reasonable calibre defence can cope with this situation.
