Guide to Reach Excellence. Part 1

Our newly appointed Writing Crew member, Ramzinho has written a 8 part guide on how to reach excellence with FM08. It's a very in depth guide and most enjoyable read for all those who may be strugling or just starting out with thier FM game.A must read for everyone. You can discuss or ask any questions you may have about this article in our forums Here

First Of all i have to say that some of the guides i will present here are not totally mine. some other people introduced it but i have added the 12 seasons of fm's experience to them. Despite you they may be similar to another topics but the application and the use of it is totally different.

(1) Getting Started with Fm

People who buy FM are always looking for a challenge and most of them head directly to lower league teams where they love to drive their home team to the higher league and to win major trophies. that's very good and shows the spirit of challenge all FM gamers have, But it's not the quite right step.

In real life those clubs won't do very good with the current players and Unfortunately you will not have enough budget to get good players and Even if you managed too.. You will not be able to attract that mold of players.

So i advice every FM player to start with a team in the Highest league.. Now you pick any team in the premier league you prefer, if you like a challenge you can use the Mid table teams to build you reputation and play until the regens start to appear...Then you can move to your lower league teams and you will be to strengthen your squad with young, talented players without too much budget.


(2) How to choose your tactic upon your current players, Team and League.

Many Of us Like to try their own tactics on their team without doing much thinking or even using the default tactics built-in FM but that's Not the reason we buy the game lads, We r supposed to be creative and Efficient with our teams to make the difference that satisfy us as managers.

Here is a guide on choosing the right formation based on the terms of players, Team and League.

(A)Let's Talk about your squad

You have to take your time to know you squad. who are the players and where do they perform the best. Always use a pen and a paper to do this cause you will not be so familiar with the squad abilities when you take control of your team.

Write down your team players and their positions right beside that. and start reading coach reports to know where they play best and also know each player's ranking among his team members playing in same place. Then place these info beside each player...

Now you know Who Play Where... But can he do it?

Well It depends on your team, your opponents and your players..

Each Position in soccer needs specific skills let's now know the Requirements of each position on the field. I will ignore GK because his abilities are limited and you should have a good one anyway. Now Field Positions.

Defender Center: A central defender must have good Skills at the following:
Marking, Tackling, Heading, Anticipation, Decisions,Strength, Bravery and concentration.

Full Backs: A Full Back must have good Skills at the following:
Tackling, Dribbling, Acceleration, Crossing (Agility and Corners: Optional)

Defensive Midfielder: A Defensive Midfielder must have good Skills at the following:
Tackling, Passing, Bravery, Work Rate, Strength, Determination and Positioning.(Long Shots Optional)

Attacking Midfielder Central: A Central Attacking Mid must have good Skills at the following:
Creativity, Passing, Long Shots, Team Work, Decisions, Flair and Dribbling (First touch: Optional)

Attacking Midfielder R/L: A Winger must have good Skills at the following:
Acceleration, Dribbling, Crossing, Creativity, Flair and Pace

Strikers: A Striker must have good Skills at the following:
Finishing, Composure, First Touch, Off The Ball, Anticipation, Technique and Aggression

Now We know each position's requirements, Take further time to know your players and write down each player's points of strength and weakness.

(B)Tactical Design

If you are an EPL, SPL or Calccio player Then you must Think 4-4-2

The 4-4-2 is supposed to be the hardest formation ever made on the history of football. it requires many duties from all the players even the strikers.

*Defensive State
The Striker starts all the work applying pressure on the Opponent's central defenders while the wingers join the DMC to make a defensive line at the middle of the pitch.

When your opponent go on wing playing your Winger applies pressure on their FB and you DMC tends to play on the attacked side to cover the Wingers back. While your AMC step back to secure the other side of the pitch.

Your Full Backs are supposed to meet the opponents wingers and your wingers help them to prevent the over lap between the Opponent Full back and winger

And if the Attack is going from the middle You DCs work As marker men to mark The opponents strikers while your Full Back Secure The Flanks From opponents Wingers and your DMC Applies pressure on the opponent's AMC.

**Attacking State if you go wing play your wingers and full backs will try to invade the opponents' flanks and apply cross balls to the strikers and your AMC.

IF you play From The Midfield. Your full backs will not be so involved in the game as your AMC and wingers along with your DMC and strikers will try to play the ball in order to find a gap for a winning assist through your opponent back Line.

***So now you know what the players do in the pitch and how they think. You should Be able to decide what formation will you use.. It's mainly depending on your players abilities and the strength of the league you are playing in.

EX: If you have 3 good DCs and 2WBs 1 MC 2 AMR/L 1AMC and 1 ST build your tactic upon that and play 3-2-1-3-1 Don't target players to serve a tactic you know or u have...

Use your players to build up your tactic.. That's the way it's meant to be done.