3-1-4-2 vs 4-1-4-1 Which is better?

[sher8853]

3-1-4-2
---ST---ST---
--------------
ML-MC--MC-MR (ML and MR with red arrows)
------DMC-----
---DC-DC-DC---
-------GK------

4-1-4-1
------ST------
--------------
ML-MC--MC-MR (ML and MR with red arrows)
------DMC-----
DL-DC---DC-DR
-------GK------


What is the strength and weakness of both formation? Which is better?
I think 4-1-4-1 is good, but even with Ml and MR with red arrows, i dont think it has enough attack power. Or does it?

[Aaron Ramsey Tiong]

Agreed that 4-1-4-1 has low attack power, but 3-1-4-2 is very exposed down the wings if the wide midfielders are on red arrows.

[sher8853]

Agreed that 4-1-4-1 has low attack power, but 3-1-4-2 is very exposed down the wings if the wide midfielders are on red arrows.

Does it mean if i use 3-1-4-2, my wings shouldn't have arrows?
If my opponent has AML/AMR, should i use 4-1-4-1 (wingers with red arrow) instead?

[Aaron Ramsey Tiong]

Does it mean if i use 3-1-4-2, my wings shouldn't have arrows?
If my opponent has AML/AMR, should i use 4-1-4-1 (wingers with red arrow) instead?

Yeah, I think that's right for both.

[Kyoshiro Trọng]

I use 3-2-3-2. this formation good.
ST --- ST
AML---------AMR
MC
DMC - DMC
DL----DC -----DR

You could try do it

[sher8853]

I use 3-2-3-2. this formation good.
ST --- ST
AML---------AMR
MC
DMC - DMC
DL----DC -----DR

You could try do it

I wanted to do something similar, but i don't have any AML/AMR

[Accyrover]

Does it mean if i use 3-1-4-2, my wings shouldn't have arrows?
If my opponent has AML/AMR, should i use 4-1-4-1 (wingers with red arrow) instead?

Before sorting your own formation first counter your opponent, if he uses AML & AMR you need to block them with two DM players this can be either DML/DMR or 2 x DMC as with zonal marking one square around each player is covered, to be covered correctly each of your opponents Attackers and MF players need to have two of your players able to move into his square.

If he plays with 1xSriker and two AM players you need 5 players to cover in addition you need to have the same number of MF players as him, preferable one more but that number can be made up from your own MFP and AMP, what's left is your attack double marking every player is not always possible, if you have to leave one single marked try to put a better quality player closest to him.

[sher8853]

Before sorting your own formation first counter your opponent, if he uses AML & AMR you need to block them with two DM players this can be either DML/DMR or 2 x DMC as with zonal marking one square around each player is covered, to be covered correctly each of your opponents Attackers and MF players need to have two of your players able to move into his square.

If he plays with 1xSriker and two AM players you need 5 players to cover in addition you need to have the same number of MF players as him, preferable one more but that number can be made up from your own MFP and AMP, what's left is your attack double marking every player is not always possible, if you have to leave one single marked try to put a better quality player closest to him.

So if he uses AML and AMR, and a ST, my formation to defend it is this?
---ST---ST---
--------------
ML---MC---MR
--DMC--DMC--
DL----DC----DR
------GK------

If i change an ST for AMC, it would be Maple leaf formation right?

Another thing which i get confused alot is the orders of the formation.
When to use attacking/short passing etc and what each of this affects the gameplay, short passing=more possession? Example.

[Accyrover]

So if he uses AML and AMR, and a ST, my formation to defend it is this?
---ST---ST---
--------------
ML---MC---MR
--DMC--DMC--
DL----DC----DR
------GK------

If i change an ST for AMC, it would be Maple leaf formation right?

Another thing which i get confused alot is the orders of the formation.
When to use attacking/short passing etc and what each of this affects the gameplay, short passing=more possession? Example.

Sort of to the first part.
The Maple Leaf has two variants.
The most common.

-------------DC--DC--DC
-----DMR-------------------DML
-------------MC------MC
----AMR---------------------AML
------------------ST

Or a more asymmetric version.
---DR-------DC--------DL
-------DMC------DMC
MR----------MC
------------AMC-------AML
-------------ST

In any of these formations the key is you will inmost cases outnumber the opposition in MF therefore maximizing possession.

If your opponent is stronger go defensive with counter and vice versa if weaker, evenly matched normal should do fine, no O/S, no Counter

Only use O/S if your defenders and DM are faster than his ST and AMP.

Your MR could also be a AMR or DMR depending on your opponents strengths or you AML a ML/AML It makes the system more defensive with the ML/AML or attacking with MR/AMR

To learn more about orders read this, then read it again, and again, probably the best 1 hour you will spend on this site.

http://oldforum.topeleven.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=7683