Quote Originally Posted by Master Tactician View Post
4-5-1 means defensive mentality.

Stricker:
Find one with good pace (speed), heading and dribbling. You need the heading so the typical ST with much less defensive points won't help.


I dont agree abo
Midfielders:

Midfield is the key point of this formation and where your team will seek to capitalize on. You want to keep the ball and cross it forward or when defending to have a solid packed midfield.
The DM will have no arrows and must be a defensive player. He must win the ball so tackling+ marking+ heading are important. He should also be able to cross the ball.
The 2 MCs must be more attacking players. Good dribbling and passing are important skills for them. I would put 1 red arrow on 1 MC. It is important for your attacking opportunities to ask from 1 central midfielder to assist your ST and wingers. Choose the better one for this role.
The 2 wingers must have speed fitness aggression and creativity. Also, they must have good crosses to exploit the flanks. Their role is to play wide and assist your ST. You could put red arrows on them but, you could leave them with no arrows as well. Winger have defensive duties and it's not wise to leave your flanks unprotected. Therefore I would suggest to start with no arrows and put them/remove them during the game, when you want to push or stand off.

Defenders

Fullbacks must defend against opponents wingers or wide players. Therefore they must have speed and good tackling+ marking. Also, when attacking you want some assistance from them. Therefore, they must have good passing and crossing skills. You can either put red arrows or not. It depends on how attacking do you want to be.
Central defenders are your last defending barrier. They must have very good tackling, marking and heading.

I always play zonal marking, and I wouldn't change that at 4-5-1. Focus down both flanks will work just fine, normal tackling (I never use easy and I wouldn't suggest anyone to do so) with a mixed passing style (when defending you can pick short as well). I would suggest to always try to counterattack.
4-5-1 means defensive mentality.

I dont agree. I play that formation 4,5 levels.I won 4 leagues and 2 Cl.
It can be defensive but if u set it so.

The key players are not the mids but the wings.If u dont have excellent AMR-Ls dont try it.My wings score more than 50 goals and give more than 40 assists per season,while my main ST scores at about 10...

The next key is the St,u need young ,fast ,and a good scorer.
Then are the DR-Ls which must be fast and with good crossing.They are the keys when u make ur team more offensive as use red arrows to them.
The DMC is key vs 4-4-2 ,a formation with AMC and definately vs 3Mcs.

If u want to play 4-5-1 v try it with no arrows at all ,normal mentality,down both flanks,normal tackling,own half press,no offside,no counter attack.

Try to find in any game if any arrows u use make any difference..for me only the ST red makes sometimes,less the DMC blue and sometimes the red on the DR-L.

Focus on 4-5-1v ,wlile ur alternative must be a similar formation .3-5-2 V is for me...more attacking ,almost my formation vs worst opponents in the first half to score,then change to 4-5-1V to make sure that u win.

My last 3 games where vs t buyers..semi and final Cl.. Won them all and was the first time i set it with defensive mentality,counter attack,blue to DMC ,red to ST.

I will focus in that orders next season if i have better opponents and my AMR-L are getting older (5* both now and close to 6 ,)and need to replace them after next season.

Hope i helped u