ra1zed said: I'm very new to FM26. This is my first ever save.
It's 2029 and I'm on the 2nd season using the set piece, some tooltips started appearing specifically saying that taking corners like we have been "leaves us open to powerful counter-attacks" or something like that. I have seen at least one instance of one our corners directly leading to an opponents goal through a "Key" moment. It left me confused, as it did not happen a single time on the first season.
The one change is that I lost Lucyo, which was an amazing set piece taker. And now I'm left with guys that are around 3-5 in that stat. But I have not changed the tactic. Expand
If it is something that happens once a season or so, then it is not much to be worried about. I will check if adding an extra stay back in attacking corners hinder too much the goal scoring ability. Thank you again for the feedback!
Testing different "pressures" on midfielders, to see how it interacts with new defensive movements from frontliners. This one uses Press Less Often with both.
Testing different "pressures" on midfielders, to see how it interacts with new defensive movements from frontliners. This one uses Press More Often with both.
Antal said: I try to stick to reality, so that in this tactic the left insiders play with their right strong foot, and the right insiders with their left strong foot, but I’m not sure that this is more effective) Expand
I did not see any study about footing in FM26. There was one for FM24 here, and another by FM-Arena. In my personal opinion, the difference is negligible, and I often train my wingbacks and wingers in the opposite side so I can always use the best players available. My rule of thumb is to not care about it for selection, but try to put the same foot as side among selected players.
ra1zed said: Used this for an entire season as a 5DN Brazilian team. In comparison to the Assistant Coach, there was a very noticeable increase in goals from corners and free kicks (Lucyo is insane at FKs) especially. Conceded goals seemed to stay the same, although my defenders are the worst part of the squad. I have uploaded the tactic used, as I am not sure if it matters too much. Expand
Thank you! I am focusing on corner defense these days, but could not find much improvement yet. Funny enough, these corner defense settings seem good in isolation, but when the team starts to score more corner goals, it starts to concede more too. Probably just a coincidence, but I will keep working on it.
A high intensity tactic that scores goals from inside the box, with most assists from the middle. Goals and assists are well distributed between all players.
Player Instructions, Opponent Instructions and Situational TacticsPlayer Instructions All: Tackle Harder GK: Pass Shorter BCB: Pass Shorter, Trigger Press More Often OCB: Shoot Less Often, Take More Risks, Pass Shorter, Trigger Press Less Often AWB: Sit Narrower, Cross From Byline and Shoot Less Often, Trigger Press More Often CHM: Roam From Position IF: Stay Wider, Trigger Press More Often SS: Move Into Channels, Trigger Press More Often
Opponent Instructions Only recommend people to use if they know what they are doing. You can read about how I use opponent instructions here.
Defensive Tactic The goal of this version is to hold a score without a noticeable cost of performance. Use when you want to concede less goals. (TODO: Test updated defensive version.) https://fm-arena.com/thread/19266-zaz-autumn-3-40/
Light Tactic The goal of this version is to preserve players, saving condition while avoiding injuries and cards, at the cost of performance. Use when you have a comfortable lead. (TODO: Test updated light version.) https://fm-arena.com/thread/19340-zaz-autumn-3-40-light/ Training and Set Pieces
You can read more about my suggested training schedules here. (TODO: Test updated set pieces.) Schedules Ideally split 3:1 between Growth and Rebalance during the season, with Rebalance used around once a month. Optionally, you can use the General during all season. Rebalance ([Resistance]): Redistributes CA among the most important attributes. Growth ([Physical]x5[Attacking]x5 for one match or [Physical]x2[Attacking]x2 for two matches): Improves secondary attributes, with focus on key attributes. General ([Physical]x2[Attacking]x2[Resistance]): Simplified version combining Growth and Rebalance, to be used during the whole season if you do not want to overthink with training.
Rest and Recovery Three Rest sessions are used after every match to trigger super-rest, and Recovery sessions are used to reduce the loss of match sharpness in days without training.
Automatic Intensity Double when full energy, and no pitch or gym training when below full condition.
Individual Focus Quickness, or Agility/Reactions for goalkeepers
Roles Not needed, but you can pick any role with highlighted Pace and Acceleration to train new positions
Set pieces and training are in the attachments. Pictures for people on consoles are below.
For youth teams, I usually do just the rebalance routine (Resistance x1), to ensure players grow Pace and Acceleration without compromising their potential attributes.
Preferred Player AttributesTop priority: Pace and Acceleration are by far the most effective attributes. Minimum requirements: 6 in Work Rate, Agility, Concentration and Stamina. These attributes hurt a lot when low, but do not improve performance significantly at higher values. Only look below if still in doubt between two players. Priority #2: Jumping Reach (especially for defenders). Secondary requirements: 10 in Balance, Dribbling (especially for flank players), Work Rate and Anticipation. Only look below if still in doubt between two players. Priority #3: Dribbling and balance.
Example of ideal player Pace: 18+++ Acceleration: 18+++ Work Rate: 10 Agility: 6 Concentration: 6 Stamina: 6 Anticipation: 10 Jumping Reach: 10++ Dribbling: 10+ Balance: 10+
There are two player filters in the attachments. You can use them in Recruitment > Player Database > Edit Search, loading them in the cog icon by the bottom left. One filter is to remove bad players, while the other is to show very good players (but might filter out some good outliers).
Credits to everyone in FM-Arena who did small experiments which gave hints to what might be working well in this patch. Probably there will be a better tactic inspired by this one in the next hours or days, so I am just happy to contribute.
Bradjc94 said: Any suggestions on who you would recommend in that role? Expand
There are some threads of GS scout weights and people investigating the performance of players in each position, and they should be able to give a more informed suggestion than me.
If you just want some well known name, then Palmer, Bellingham, Musiala or Foden should do the trick.
Bradjc94 said: @ZaZ Well done, should we use this or 3.59 for a team like Barcelona? Expand
They are barely the same, with a small tweak on the goalkeeper. This one had better results in the test, so I would stick to it. Too bad Barcelona does not have a good AMC, so you will have to hire someone for that position if you want peak performance.
johnconnerson said: If I'm playing with a semi-professional team with a limited training schedule, how should I adapt these optimal strategies? Or should I not bother with it until I have access to a full schedule? Expand
4 sessions are enough for either 2x Attacking + 2x Physical or 1x Resistance.
xZach said: @ZaZ Thanks for this great tactic. In terms of training, what about weeks where you have no matches? Like mid-season break in January, etc. Because all your schedules are for either 1 or 2 matches per week. Also, a lot of the times, my matches on the weekends fall on Sundays. So how to get 3 rest sessions in this case?
And what about preseason? Thanks in advance!
Attached a screenshot for better explanation. Expand
About weeks with no match, you can just add a friendly match (I usually let assistant manager control the team in friendlies). In case of matches on Sunday, just move rest day to Monday. About pre-season, you can just treat like normal and add friendlies (one or two per week, depending on the depth of your squad).
TurboHips said: Well done mate ! You’re the man constantly improving. Is it just the SK that’s different from 3.59 Expand
Thanks! The only change is SK.
ApolloCBA said: Hi Zaz is it possible to implement your training schedules on ps5? And would you be able to suggest ideal attributes for specific positions at all? Thanks for your in depth explanations they’ve been extremely helpful! Expand
Sorry, but any suggestion I do for specific positions is pure speculation, since there was not enough testing to support any hypothesis in that area. I can only tell my preference of attributes excluding pace and acceleration: GK: Reflexes, Agility, Command of Area and Aerial Reach CD: Jumping Reach, Concentration, Anticipation and Balance WB: Work Rate, Stamina, Dribbling and Agility CM: Anticipation, Stamina, Dribbling and Work Rate W: Dribbling, Agility, Balance and Anticipation AMC: Dribbling, Agility, Balance and Anticipation
Not this one. Autumn will distribute goals pretty evenly, which reduces focus on a single player, and Barcelona does not start with anyone actually good to play as AMC. This tactic is good on a collective level, but it will not help players win individual awards (they can still win, but it will not be because of the tactic).
It's 2029 and I'm on the 2nd season using the set piece, some tooltips started appearing specifically saying that taking corners like we have been "leaves us open to powerful counter-attacks" or something like that. I have seen at least one instance of one our corners directly leading to an opponents goal through a "Key" moment. It left me confused, as it did not happen a single time on the first season.
The one change is that I lost Lucyo, which was an amazing set piece taker. And now I'm left with guys that are around 3-5 in that stat. But I have not changed the tactic.
If it is something that happens once a season or so, then it is not much to be worried about. I will check if adding an extra stay back in attacking corners hinder too much the goal scoring ability. Thank you again for the feedback!
I did not see any study about footing in FM26. There was one for FM24 here, and another by FM-Arena. In my personal opinion, the difference is negligible, and I often train my wingbacks and wingers in the opposite side so I can always use the best players available. My rule of thumb is to not care about it for selection, but try to put the same foot as side among selected players.
Thanks. Instructions were added to first post.
Thank you! I am focusing on corner defense these days, but could not find much improvement yet. Funny enough, these corner defense settings seem good in isolation, but when the team starts to score more corner goals, it starts to concede more too. Probably just a coincidence, but I will keep working on it.
Sorry, but I do not.
Striker Tactic (TODO: Test updated striker version.)
https://fm-arena.com/thread/19215-zaz-autumn-3-39-st/.
A high intensity tactic that scores goals from inside the box, with most assists from the middle. Goals and assists are well distributed between all players.
Player Instructions, Opponent Instructions and Situational Tactics Player Instructions
All: Tackle Harder
GK: Pass Shorter
BCB: Pass Shorter, Trigger Press More Often
OCB: Shoot Less Often, Take More Risks, Pass Shorter, Trigger Press Less Often
AWB: Sit Narrower, Cross From Byline and Shoot Less Often, Trigger Press More Often
CHM: Roam From Position
IF: Stay Wider, Trigger Press More Often
SS: Move Into Channels, Trigger Press More Often
Opponent Instructions
Only recommend people to use if they know what they are doing. You can read about how I use opponent instructions here.
Defensive Tactic
The goal of this version is to hold a score without a noticeable cost of performance. Use when you want to concede less goals. (TODO: Test updated defensive version.)
https://fm-arena.com/thread/19266-zaz-autumn-3-40/
Light Tactic
The goal of this version is to preserve players, saving condition while avoiding injuries and cards, at the cost of performance. Use when you have a comfortable lead. (TODO: Test updated light version.)
https://fm-arena.com/thread/19340-zaz-autumn-3-40-light/
Training and Set Pieces You can read more about my suggested training schedules here. (TODO: Test updated set pieces.)
Schedules
Ideally split 3:1 between Growth and Rebalance during the season, with Rebalance used around once a month. Optionally, you can use the General during all season.
Rebalance ([Resistance]): Redistributes CA among the most important attributes.
Growth ([Physical]x5[Attacking]x5 for one match or [Physical]x2[Attacking]x2 for two matches): Improves secondary attributes, with focus on key attributes.
General ([Physical]x2[Attacking]x2[Resistance]): Simplified version combining Growth and Rebalance, to be used during the whole season if you do not want to overthink with training.
Rest and Recovery
Three Rest sessions are used after every match to trigger super-rest, and Recovery sessions are used to reduce the loss of match sharpness in days without training.
Automatic Intensity
Double when full energy, and no pitch or gym training when below full condition.
Individual Focus
Quickness, or Agility/Reactions for goalkeepers
Roles
Not needed, but you can pick any role with highlighted Pace and Acceleration to train new positions
Set pieces and training are in the attachments. Pictures for people on consoles are below.
For youth teams, I usually do just the rebalance routine (Resistance x1), to ensure players grow Pace and Acceleration without compromising their potential attributes.
Preferred Player Attributes Top priority: Pace and Acceleration are by far the most effective attributes.
Minimum requirements: 6 in Work Rate, Agility, Concentration and Stamina. These attributes hurt a lot when low, but do not improve performance significantly at higher values.
Only look below if still in doubt between two players.
Priority #2: Jumping Reach (especially for defenders).
Secondary requirements: 10 in Balance, Dribbling (especially for flank players), Work Rate and Anticipation.
Only look below if still in doubt between two players.
Priority #3: Dribbling and balance.
Example of ideal player
Pace: 18+++
Acceleration: 18+++
Work Rate: 10
Agility: 6
Concentration: 6
Stamina: 6
Anticipation: 10
Jumping Reach: 10++
Dribbling: 10+
Balance: 10+
There are two player filters in the attachments. You can use them in Recruitment > Player Database > Edit Search, loading them in the cog icon by the bottom left. One filter is to remove bad players, while the other is to show very good players (but might filter out some good outliers).
Credits to everyone in FM-Arena who did small experiments which gave hints to what might be working well in this patch. Probably there will be a better tactic inspired by this one in the next hours or days, so I am just happy to contribute.
There are some threads of GS scout weights and people investigating the performance of players in each position, and they should be able to give a more informed suggestion than me.
If you just want some well known name, then Palmer, Bellingham, Musiala or Foden should do the trick.
They are barely the same, with a small tweak on the goalkeeper. This one had better results in the test, so I would stick to it. Too bad Barcelona does not have a good AMC, so you will have to hire someone for that position if you want peak performance.
4 sessions are enough for either 2x Attacking + 2x Physical or 1x Resistance.
One of my favorite teams of all time was Arsenal 2003/04, the Invincibles. Bergkamp was my favorite player of that team.
And what about preseason? Thanks in advance!
Attached a screenshot for better explanation.
About weeks with no match, you can just add a friendly match (I usually let assistant manager control the team in friendlies). In case of matches on Sunday, just move rest day to Monday. About pre-season, you can just treat like normal and add friendlies (one or two per week, depending on the depth of your squad).
Thanks! The only change is SK.
ApolloCBA said: Hi Zaz is it possible to implement your training schedules on ps5? And would you be able to suggest ideal attributes for specific positions at all? Thanks for your in depth explanations they’ve been extremely helpful!
Sorry, but any suggestion I do for specific positions is pure speculation, since there was not enough testing to support any hypothesis in that area. I can only tell my preference of attributes excluding pace and acceleration:
GK: Reflexes, Agility, Command of Area and Aerial Reach
CD: Jumping Reach, Concentration, Anticipation and Balance
WB: Work Rate, Stamina, Dribbling and Agility
CM: Anticipation, Stamina, Dribbling and Work Rate
W: Dribbling, Agility, Balance and Anticipation
AMC: Dribbling, Agility, Balance and Anticipation