Join the new world

First up an explanation: I’ll be publishing full squad lists within the next couple days. I’m sorry for the holdup, I had a problem with the program I’m using and had to work something out. But its fixed now, although it has meant I had to go back and alter a few things in the code, so I’m a bit behind in getting the squads out. They’re proving to be the most time-consuming aspect of this whole thing. Thanks for your patience o/


Below is the full list of tactics you can use as manager. Included is a code, which I’ll use to identify your choice thus saving you the need to write it out in full (More on that in a forthcoming article which will layout how to fill in a teamsheet with line-ups and tactics etc.). The code is the first two or three digits before the line-up is signified, with 'A1' being the first which designates 4-4-2.


Before we get to tactics, you have to know that each of your players is rated on five skillsets:

Goalkeeping ability [abbreviated as ‘St’ in the game]

Tackling [abbreviated as ‘Tk’ in the game]

Passing [abbreviated as ‘Ps’ in the game]

Shooting [abbreviated as ‘Sh’ in the game]

Aggression [abbreviated as ‘Ag’ in the game]

These skillsets will be based on ratings that will be anything from zero to fifteen.

The Goalkeeping skillset is only relevant for goalkeepers. Tackling is of primary importance for defenders, but its also significant for midfielders, especially defensive midfielders. Players in your squad with a high passing ability should be played in midfield; players with a high passer rating and a high shooting ability can work effectively as attacking midfielders. Shooting ability determines how good your player is at scoring goals [though the ability of your midfield to supply ball is also very important].

I’m going to include a short description of each tactic later, what it will do and under what conditions it would be useful [I’ll link back to it in a future article], but for now I’m just gonna print the list. Most are self-explanatory anyway.


CODE - FORMATION/STRATEGY

A1 - 4-4-2

A2 - 4-4-2 - Holding Midfielder

A3 - 4-4-2 - Attacking Midfielder

A4 - 4-4-2 - Diamond

A35 - 4-4-2 - Deep-lying Playmaker

A36 - 4-4-2 - Playmaker

A37 - 4-4-2 - Link Striker

A38 - 4-4-2 - Wingers

A39 - 4-4-2 - Midfield Push Up

A40 - 4-4-2 - 1 Holding Midfielder/2 Attacking Mids

B1 - 4-3-3

B2 - 4-3-3 - Holding Midfielder

B3 - 4-3-3 - Attacking Midfielder

B35 - 4-3-3 - Deep-lying Playmaker

B36 - 4-3-3 - Playmaker

B37 - 4-3-3 - Link Striker

B38 - 4-3-3 - Wingers

B39 - 4-3-3 - Midfield Push Up

C1 - 5-3-2

C2 - 5-3-2 - Holding Midfielder

C3 - 5-3-2 - Attacking Midfielder

C36 - 5-3-2 - Deep-lying Playmaker

C37 - 5-3-2 - Playmaker

C39 - 5-3-2 - Link Striker

C21 - 5-3-2 - Midfield Push Up

F1 - 4-5-1

F2 - 4-5-1 - Holding Midfielder

F3 - 4-5-1 - Attacking Midfielder

F4 - 4-5-1 - Diamond

F35 - 4-5-1 - Deep-lying Playmaker

F36 - 4-5-1 - Playmaker

F38 - 4-5-1 - Wingers

F39 - 4-5-1 - Midfield Push Up

E40 - 4-5-1 - Wingbacks

E41 - 4-5-1 - 2 Holding Mids/2 Attacking Mids

D1 - Catenaccio - 3-1-3-1-2

X1 - Total Football

K1 - Tika-taka

Q1 - Magic Rectangle

C20 - 3-5-2 - Wingbacks

V1 - 4-4-2 - 2 Holding Mids/2 Attacking Mids

T1 - 4-4-2 - Counter Attack

T2 - 4-4-2 - Counter Attack - Holding Midfielder

T36 - 4-4-2 - Counter Attack - Wingers


If you Google some of these terms you’re more than likely to get a full definition, many also have wiki articles on the main Wikpedia site.


Note: If you’d like to read more about the program I’m usng to simulate the games, click here and select the ESMS Manual option. Worth bearing in mind that there are a few differences between that version and the one I’m running, but its basically the same.


NFM