[vincentvalentine]

This has been bugging me for a couple of days now at the moment. Should I have a plan B that completely different from my main style?

What made me think of this was first reading an article on Zonalmarking.net regarding about Spain continue to dominate possession but need more penetration.

Its about how Spain have struggled against big teams and problems they had against England. Ill sum it up as much as I can, Spains selection against England was a problem it had two wide players (Iniesta & Silva two wide players who like to come into the centre of the pitch) which floods centre pitch this will show you better



After a while Del Bosque changed tactics moved Silva to a false 9 role, Villa went to his usual role on left and Iniesta moved to the right but still have the same problems. Zonalmarking then suggest two alternate plans:
1st Creating width, using of Pedro or other natural wingers



2nd Fabregas (False "10" Role)


Now has Del Bosque in theory has 3 plans to go with.

The point Im trying to make is Barcelona & Spain are best teams in world but we all know that in football it will come to an end totaalvoetbal, Brazil 1970, Catenaccio were all amazing styles in football at some point but all came to end. Barcelona against Real Madrid recently, Guardiola changed his formation to 4-4-1-1ish 0ff-diamond to help gain control of the game and win.

Question is how important is a plan B or "Adaptability" in the modern game? Is necessary in FM (read the spoiler)

Spoiler

Currently im playing as Chelsea Pld21 Won20 Drn1 Lst0 For44 Ag5 yes good so far I know I have managed a sort of "Never say Die" spirit within this team which is a surprise to me but still not happy.

So far my highest scoring game is 3-0 vs West Brom, Newcastle, Leicester

My Tactics
My style (Team Instructions are the same throughout)is based on Possession not Barcelona style and I have 3 aims
1) 60% possession minimum
2) Stong Defence
3) Make it look easy (rarely do)

My Formations are
4-5-1/4-3-3
4-1-2-1-2/4-2-3-1 (like Dunga's Brazil Formation) used against teams playing with 3 central mids and help to retain possession
3-4-1-2 used when against 2 FWDS

My last game against Utd I manage 2-2 luckily after that I can feel a blip in form coming, morale has dropped injuries coming in so I have been thinking should have a plan thats is completely different from my main style a sort of "You score 2 we score 5" style tactic?

[Xulu]

A Plan B (and C) is vital to any side.

Manchester United 07/08. Ronaldo/Rooney/Tevez. Then and now, that is a hell of a strike force. But when facing a tough opponent in Europe, Tevez would be dropped for Park to ensure more defensive solidity.

Chelsea post-Special-One. Until the purchase of Mata, Chelsea never had a truly creative player. Against some sides, physicality and industriousness was valued. Against others those creators were sorely missed.

Spurs 11/12. Van der Vaart is an incredibly gifted AMC playmaker who on his day can dazzle and awe. But against certain opposition instructions he is lifeless and dull. Enter the less creative but more robust and direct Defoe, and those problems are solved.


Those are three examples of many. The point being, you always need to have a second option to look for. All of Spain's 1-0 KO Round goals came after a substitution that changed the tactical plan. That is quite a track record.

[vincentvalentine]

Xulu, on 12 December 2011 - 05:13 AM, said:

A Plan B (and C) is vital to any side.

Manchester United 07/08. Ronaldo/Rooney/Tevez. Then and now, that is a hell of a strike force. But when facing a tough opponent in Europe, Tevez would be dropped for Park to ensure more defensive solidity.

Chelsea post-Special-One. Until the purchase of Mata, Chelsea never had a truly creative player. Against some sides, physicality and industriousness was valued. Against others those creators were sorely missed.

Spurs 11/12. Van der Vaart is an incredibly gifted AMC playmaker who on his day can dazzle and awe. But against certain opposition instructions he is lifeless and dull. Enter the less creative but more robust and direct Defoe, and those problems are solved.


Those are three examples of many. The point being, you always need to have a second option to look for. All of Spain's 1-0 KO Round goals came after a substitution that changed the tactical plan. That is quite a track record.

How about teams such as Arsenal & Barcelona who just seem to one way of playing should they have an alternate way of playing for example when Barcelona stuggle against A.C Milans narrowness should have go more direct down the flanks to stretch Milans defence.

[Maverick]

Exactly, they should go for more width in my opinion, but can still have the 3 centre mids to control the game.

[vincentvalentine]

Whats the best way on FM because you can only learn 3 tactics (I personally would like to learn more then 3) because I remember from Tactical Theorems the amount of different formations Fergie used same on Zonalmarking with the top 20 sides it talks about the different formations Fergie used during 2006-2009. This season SAF has used a 4-4-2, 4-2-2-2 also 4-2-3-1 but there is also been talk of when Hernandez plays the style of the formation is more rigid, however when Welbeck starts the front four are more fluid.

So whats the best way to set up your Plan A, Plan B and Plan C?

[Xulu]

vincentvalentine, on 12 December 2011 - 01:57 PM, said:

How about teams such as Arsenal & Barcelona who just seem to one way of playing should they have an alternate way of playing for example when Barcelona stuggle against A.C Milans narrowness should have go more direct down the flanks to stretch Milans defence.

Barca and Arsenal, with varying success, do have a Plan B. For Barca it was Ibra, but now Pique will lumber forward and play as the CB. In addition, Barca are very flexible with their formations and tactics yet still play the same way - as best evidenced in the most recent Clasico where Barca changed to a 4-4-1-1 shape and dominated RM. For Arsenal it is a twin striker approach, where a midfielder is taken out for an ST.

The trick is to play close to your normal gameplan, but be adaptable in it.

[vincentvalentine]

Xulu, on 12 December 2011 - 05:06 PM, said:

Barca and Arsenal, with varying success, do have a Plan B. For Barca it was Ibra, but now Pique will lumber forward and play as the CB. In addition, Barca are very flexible with their formations and tactics yet still play the same way - as best evidenced in the most recent Clasico where Barca changed to a 4-4-1-1 shape and dominated RM. For Arsenal it is a twin striker approach, where a midfielder is taken out for an ST.

The trick is to play close to your normal gameplan, but be adaptable in it.

Sounds like proactive and reactive management. Proactive managers such as Fergie or Mourinho plan for each match in advance (well some) while managers such as Guardiola react during the game