I think I know what's going on

[ponzu]

I use mostly 4-5-1V because I have had good success with it (well, not recently) and because it is listed as a counter to half the formations in the table. http://forum.topeleven.com/formation...ation-use.html Is this completely outdated? What, in your opinion, is the new "best" formation?

I have heard the advice not to change the formation too frequently. This goes against the idea that each formation has an optimal counter or two. Since my opponents refuse to have the same formation, how can I use the same formation all the time? When I first started, I played the first 5 seasons or so with 4-4-2, won some, lost some, won 3 leagues in the process. Then I started losing everything, turned to the forums and found out about counters. I started countering each opponent according to the table and climbed from the 7th to 2nd. I continued adjusting my formation according to the table, or past performances (big losses) by my upcoming opponents, or common sense, and this worked for 1/2 season this time around.

I am also hearing that formation, form and quality do not matter if Nordeus decides to put you in the corner. This, currently, is closest to my own conviction.

I guess, as a group, we are undecided as to why Nordeus does this, and how to get out of the doghouse (or whether it's possible). I bought an expensive 18 yo fast trainer Nordgen ST. Tall fella: 194cm. His debut is in a few minutes. I am still 1st (tied) playing the 8th place team. I have 3 Q points on him and he has been equally cold. We'll see what happens. I have no expectations. He is playing 4-1-2-1-2 ("Narrow diamond?" I don't see it looking like a diamond. Unless you consider DMC-MC-MC-AMC as making the small diamond with two ST above; I would have called this formation something else). The traditional counter, surprise, surprise, is 4-5-1V. Or 3N-5-2V, which I may try so that the new guy has someone to show him the ropes.