Quote Originally Posted by Master Tactician View Post
Very good post. Clears out many misconceptions.

I'll diverse my opinion on only 2 things:

1a) DCs: I really like to have good attack on them just for the good passing, I always favor Physical- Defending skills but no more than 2 (I would never let to go to a 4 points difference though). A concept borrowed from Arsenal 2001-2004 where the 4 defenders where not defenders before they play at 1st team. And it proved wise since they're passing was more than superior. I like when teams start passing through the defense and as for now, I can say it works in Top11(+ short passing) since I have too much ball possession, more than 85% of successful passing and sometimes I get goals from my DCs. I'm still very open to criticism for this one though.

1b) DCs: When the opponent plays with 10 and I want to make use of the extra man (or when I need desperately 1 goal) and when I play with 3 at back (or 5) I use red arrow on the central DC. That's a concept I borrowed from real football tactics and I can say it worked 3 out of 4 times in Top11. If it really works and it's not just a coincidence then it will be a very very very strong counter, therefore guys, check it out, try it, it's worth the risk if it really works in general. (It's also strong related with 1a)

2) DML/DMR: Against AMR/AML in some cases I use 2DML/DMR + DMC. Last 2 seasons I play with no fullbacks. When I wanted to defend against AML/AMR I played a 3-6-1. 3DCs+ DML,DMC,DMR+ 3MCs+ 1ST. It worked against much stronger opponent in 4 out of 4 games. If I remember well I had blue arrows on DML/DMR.
In fact I think that choosing between fullbacks vs DML/DMR when countering AML/AMR is a trade off between ball possession and defending that favors the use of DML/DMR. I'm still open to any criticism for this one as well.
Maybe it depends from the tactic.If you're trying to put red arrow of some DC,there is an option to score,but there is an option to fail.It depends from the opponent's tactic.If he plays with counter attack,only your DMC will help you in that case.DML/DMR with blue arrow...hm I never tried but I agree it helps against aml/amr.At least there is a logic.This defensive formation 3-6-1 I use very often,but instead one of this MC,I use AMC.Playing defensive with counter attack.If he doesn't have AML/AMR,I play with red arrows on my DML/DMR with mixed passes.If he has AML/AMR,I'll try your way with blue arrow to check is there really effect.Then I'll try counter-attack thru the middle.