This is an extract from the guide I posted on the DEPL message on facebook. However, it is now easier for everybody to access since I am posting it on my blog.
A New Manager's guide to success on DEPL
By: Ashjau (DEPL Moderator)
Since a lot of people have been asking me for help since the beginning of the league, and since most people are new, I decided to write a little guide to help all of you out. I will be covering the following aspects of OFM and give you some tips from my experience from the last league.
1: Formation
2: Tactics
3: Training Players, Player Levels, Fatigue and Morale
4: Training Camps and Secret Training
5: Finance and Transfers
6: Tactics
7: OFM Tactics
8: Season Tickets
9: Staff
10: DEPL, Disciplinary Committee, Suggestions
1: Formation Guide:
There are currently 12 types of formations available for managers to use, and every formation may have a varied types, like A or B. Every formation differs from one another, and you can use any formation you choose fit for that particular match up. I will go through each formation one by one. Please do remember though that these are my personal opinions, and your views on these formations might differ.
a: 3-2-5
3-2-5 is basically a very offensive formation, for teams with forwards who are on average better than their midfielders. In other situations, you may find yourself with a midfield of lower rated players than another team with a very good midfield. In this case, if you need to just supply the ball to the forward line, and keep on attacking instead of moving the ball around in the midfield, this formation can be very useful. You can use it well with the long ball tactic in most cases.
b: 3-3-4
3-3-4 is also a very offensive formation. It is very similar to the 3-2-5 in one sense, but adds an extra player into the middle, and so reduces the number of players on the front lines. The same situation can apply to 3-3-4 like how it applied to 3-2-5. However, be warned that these formations can be easily broken with players who have good midfielders. In that case, you would have to depend on your tactics and advanced tactics as well.
c: 3-5-2
3-5-2 is a very effective defensive formation. Very similar to the 4-5-1 formation, but instead of 4 defenders, you have 3 and 2 forwards. 3-5-2 can also be employed very effectively as an offensive formation. The tactics you would want to apply to this formation depends on you, but last league, I have used this tactic about 2 times against Real Madrid, used by Abu who had a way better team than mine. I won all encounters with nice scores. However, note that it's not just the formation which played an important role here, but your tactics and advanced tactics do a lot. A good manager can easily break the most defensive formations.
d: 4-2-4
Very similar to 3-2-5, however, you have more defenders here. I have seen this formation employed by Sajeeu in the last league, and he has used it quite effectively against some teams with the long ball tactic. However, again, your advanced tactics and the tactics of your opponent also plays a big role in the deciding factor.
e: 4-3-3
Possibly the most offensive formation among all the available ones. Usually, the best teams can have good results by using this one. I highly recommend them to use it. However, for teams who are weaker, don't use this one against big teams if you are unsure about tactics which can 100% beat the opponent. In most cases, big teams can beat teams using 4-3-3 who are weaker pretty easily. However, if you are using it against a team on the same level as you, its a pretty good formation to use, and with the passing game or play wide tactics, you have a pretty good chance of winning.
f: 4-4-2
To me, 4-4-2 is the most balanced formation, where there is a good amount of defenders, midfielders and forwards. You can probably use almost all tactics with this formation because there is a good balance here. However, tactics should vary with opponents since you never know what their advanced tactics would be like. Very good to use against teams who are too defensive, like the 4-5-1 formation. Again, that is only if you know what you are doing. I recommend trying this formation for offensive, defensive and balanced situations.
g: 4-5-1
I have to talk more about this formation since a lot of people use it. Is it a defensive formation? Yes, it is, but I think that it is more of an offensive formation than a defensive one because there are 5 midfielders ready to attack. Can be used with several tactics, and can have very good results. Last league, I barely used it since I never did really play defensively, but this league, I have used it once, in the match against Manchester United. It was an easy win of 6-1. However, do note that even Samih used the 4-5-1 in the match against me, so it does actually depend on your advanced tactics if you are going to win. Works very well against formations which are too offensive like the 4-3-3 or 4-2-4 since your midfield would dominate. However, there are many managers who know how to counter the 4-5-1 with 4-3-3 tactic, and by all means it is not that hard if you have a good squad. Works best if you have good midfielders, and if you decide to play defensively. Many have asked me how to break a 4-5-1 tactic. I won't tell you :P
h: 5-2-3
I have never really used this formation before. However, it comes to me as more of a defensive formation rather than one very offensive. However, I think it can work very well if you are planning on counter-attacking or long balls, since most of what you are doing would be defending and trying to send the ball to your forwards. Suggested for weaker teams. However, of all the times I have seen managers use this formation with bad tactics, they have suffered terrible defeats. So use it wisely at the best moment.
i: 5-3-2
Read up on my 5-2-3 formation. This is just another version where, you basically have added more midfielders. However, I have to note that this is one of the most defensive formations in OFM at your disposal. You can use it very effectively against teams you have no hope of winning against. However, I would recommend 3-5-2 or 4-5-1 as better defensive formations. Where you have no hope though, try with good tactics, you can actually pull off pretty good upsets.
j: 5-4-1
A way better formation than 5-3-2, and can work as well as the 4-5-1 in my experience. I have seen people successfully use this against the most offensive formations. Also, this is amongst the best defensive formations on OFM I have farby seen. However, again, you should only use it with the best tactics. Then you can use it in the best way possible. Also, trying this one against people who play too defensively also sometimes work very well.
k: 6-3-1
All I have to say is, when you run out of ideas, have lost all hope, and fear your opponent to the extent you're gonna wet yourself and have nightmares, then you use this. Officially THE most defensive formation there is while 4-3-3 is the most offensive one.
l: 3-4-3
I forgot about this formation, should have been "c" but nevermind that. I think this is the most offensive formation after 4-3-3. However, in return for losing one defender, you add in a midfielder. Can be used effectively with the same tactic you use with 4-3-3, but with some changes to the advanced tactics if you want. Can be used against defensive tactics just like 4-3-3, but you still will find it hard to beat people who are playing way too defensively. But not that it is impossible, it is very much possible.
8 Comment using IntenseDebate:
thnkyou! :D
waiting for the tactics part nw!
:P
This is great. Thank you for this information. It really helped much.
Can you write about the tactics as well?
I know, nobody want to share the details about the tactics, cause it is an important aspect of the game and most of the people gain it with experience, still you can give us some hint.
I am new to OFM, and I am great fun of football. But here I need a professional help :)
still waiting for the tactics...
could you please tell us at least if you're gonna write it.. thanks..
How do i beat a 4-5-1 ?
How do i beat a 4-4-2, PAssing Game ?
please answer
Joao Barata, you can beat a 4-4-2 passing game, with a 4-3-3 play wide or a 4-5-1 shoot on sight. If you're not comfortable with those two, then try 3-4-3 play wide with the same tactics you might use for the 4-3-3. When playing all these 3 formations, just make sure you play more aggressively and offensively with high pressing. That's how I beat 4-4-2 passing games.
Also Anonymous, there are many ways to beat 4-5-1s. Most people use Shoot on Sight as the tactic to go with it. You can use
a) 4-5-1 Shoot on Sight with very offensive and aggressive tactics.
b)3-4-3 play wide with the same tactics as a.
c) 3-5-2 with the same tactics as a.
d) 4-5-1 with very low to moderately low defensive tactics. For example, you can set the bars like this.
--o----------
-----o-------
------o------
It's a suggestion remember. If I knew more about your team, I could have given a better opinion.
Hey,I'm Arsenal(Home), and I'm vs Man City(Away), and they play 4-5-1 Shoot on Site (Man-to-Man, No offside trap).
I have players like Aguero (97), Van Persie (95), And a good midfield (around (91 overall), and defence 91 as well. How can I coounter my opponent's tactics?
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