What is your favorite method of countering the classic 4-4-2 w/ short passing?

[pcmacdaniel]

4-4-2 is the most balanced formation in top eleven. That being the case, there are many different order/arrow combinations that can be used. With that being the case, I recommend looking at your opponent's stats to develop an idea about what his orders and/or arrows are. Sometimes you can get lucky and their will be a tell, telegraphing the oppositions gameplan.

For example, if their ML and MR don't score many goals, but their MC's do score a bunch, your opponent is probably passing through the middle and/or has up arrows on the MC's. If your opponent is focusing on attacking the middle, I'd recommend going with a 4-1-2-1-2 ND, since you'll have more bodies in the central midfield, so your opponent won't be able to attack and defend the central midfield at the same time, so the 4-1-2-1-2 ND should overrun the middle, especially if the MC's in the 4-4-2 are motivated.

[Stephen Lam]

4-4-2 is the most balanced formation in top eleven. That being the case, there are many different order/arrow combinations that can be used. With that being the case, I recommend looking at your opponent's stats to develop an idea about what his orders and/or arrows are. Sometimes you can get lucky and their will be a tell, telegraphing the oppositions gameplan.

For example, if their ML and MR don't score many goals, but their MC's do score a bunch, your opponent is probably passing through the middle and/or has up arrows on the MC's. If your opponent is focusing on attacking the middle, I'd recommend going with a 4-1-2-1-2 ND, since you'll have more bodies in the central midfield, so your opponent won't be able to attack and defend the central midfield at the same time, so the 4-1-2-1-2 ND should overrun the middle, especially if the MC's in the 4-4-2 are motivated.

Cool. I don't really have a good AMC right now so the narrow diamond is a bit hard, but I can try something similar for narrow attacks.

What do you recommend if they attack wide?

[pcmacdaniel]

Cool. I don't really have a good AMC right now so the narrow diamond is a bit hard, but I can try something similar for narrow attacks.

What do you recommend if they attack wide?

As Nik mentioned, there are several different options for playing against 4-4-2. It's not a guaranteed win, but you should have a slight advantage.

if you're stronger, mirroring isn't a bad idea as madflo suggested above. Since if your both playing the same tactic, he has no advantage.

Personally, I like the Christmas Tree (4-3w-2n-1) or 4-3w-1-2 when the opponent is passing down the flanks. Since he isn't trying to attack my middle, one MC (down arrow) should work fine. A DMC instead of MC, should do the trick as well.