Beating the 460 and 451

[England Away]

FML gameworlds are in danger of being ‘tactically’ boring as manager after manager adopts the 460 tactic or its close relation, the 451. It is a good tactic on the current match engine but it is seen by too many as a short cut to success. Of course there is an argument, if you can’t beat them – join them, but people aren’t thinking creatively about tactics they are just cloning.

So rather then wait for any kind of change to the match engine, it seems to me that FML players need to have an understanding of other tactics which will overcome 460/451 teams. So I’m looking to use this thread to find tactical alternatives which will negate the success of the 460/451 and then its overuse may be stunted.

I have some thoughts of my own but I would welcome a collective effort so please chip in with ideas/solutions.

For greatest effect the 460/451 relies on short, narrow pitches and a high defensive line so that the maxed out ‘closing down’ can be sustained throughout the match. An attacking 5 or 6 man midfield aggressively defends high up the pitch creating a lot of unforced errors. This is a major part of its success but I’d speculate that it may also be its flaw.

So to look at some logical choices at overcoming the 460/451 and making its strengths become weaknesses.

Have a bigger pitch with a spread out formation to tire the opposition quickly and have them chasing shadows. This could be done with a deeper line, more width and direct passing down the flanks. I say direct because getting the ball forward would seem wise due to the amount of ‘hassling’ that the 460/451 brings. However, I think a shorter passing game which retains possession could be even more tiring and loss of shape (any thoughts on this point?).

As mentioned the 460/451 has a high line so in theory should be susceptible to through balls and a quick target man with ‘run on to the ball’ ticked. In my opinion this requires a combination of runners and suppliers. In other words, have the strikers and some midfielders forward running often but a couple hang back to supply the bullets. Having ‘counter attack’ on also seems sensible.

Your forwards should be attacking mentality to play high and ‘on the shoulder’ and also close down a lot. Although this will tire your own players the 460/451 uses dumb defenders to counteract their own high line. 460/451 defences are prone to giving the ball away.

Your defensive players though should ‘stand off’ and not close down too much. This is because the 460/451 uses direct passing. This type of passing can be inaccurate but will punish defenders running toward the ball and out of formation (to close down). So have your defenders sit back and mop up. Quite possibly having one central defender set as or to perform a sweeper role may be effective (again, thoughts welcome)?

Does anyone else have ideas to put forward?

[Ironballs]

I'd completely disagree with you really on what defenders should do against 4-6-0. When you are playing no striker the team lacks obvious out balls so you want to play a defensive line and pressing all over the pitch. Force the opposition to make mistakes and play aimless balls over the top to no one.

[England Away]

You may be right…but…

If your DC runs toward the AMC/FC (say field position is just inside your half) then I think you’re exposing yourself to a pinged through ball in behind your central defender and a potential 1 on 1. My view is that you get men behind the ball and set up a rigid line.

Maybe it is point to debate but high closing down for defences, in particular central defenders, is high risk and not something I’d advocate either in this instance or tactics generally.

[LordTC]

I like playing zany formations. I've had some success with a 2-3-2-2-1

narrow formation against the 4-6-0 in several engines (though haven't had the balls to pull the trigger on these personnel in an FM Live game).

To be clear because that sounds pretty confusing it personnel are:

1 DL
1 DR

3 DMC -> The AI is far better at getting DMCs to cover attacking midfielders properly than it is at getting DCs to.

2 MC -> the key playmakers of playing the ball down the middle.

2 AMC -> pile in to get the 3 on 2.

1 ST -> the primary scorer

The lack of DC's can make the AI do some pretty weird things when your DL, DR and DMC's get somewhat forwards, many of those weird things hurt your opponent.

Against a 4-5-1 subbing out a DMC for a central defender works reasonably well.

If they play a true DMC you can attack wide upfront which is more effective than trying to overwhelm the center when you only have a 3 on 3.