Another 5 weekend league games, 4 out of 5 played 4231 drop back. I managed to win two hideously boring games, one I lost 5-3, with his keeper making 17 saves (not my finest finishing performance) and my keeper making 0 (I kid you not).
I then lost one 10-1. This guy had a great team and was so obviously head and shoulders (And the rest) better than me. Yet to the final whistle played 4231 drop back, 1 depth. Had his four forward players set to stay forward and just destroyed me on the counter.
It was nothing like real football. I had the majority of the possession but couldn't break him down. He'd win the ball, ping it to his CCAM and score.
I don't think 4231 is the problem, it's custom tactics that allows you to play in such an unrealistic way. He had a flat back six and then 4 up front 50 yards away.
This guy would have beaten me no matter what formation and tactics he played but being very good at the game he realises that the best way to play is to not try and play football and instead just exploit custom tactics.
My biggest wish is for them to get rid of custom tactics and go back to the old system where you could pick from balanced, attacking, defensive, all out attack or PTB. At least it meant that your entire team played to a style of something which resembled football.
Would love if someone did a poll (probably best if it's anonymous) to see what formation people use most. I'd imagine the 4231 variations would be roughly 80%.
Would love if someone did a poll (probably best if it's anonymous) to see what formation people use most. I'd imagine the 4231 variations would be roughly 80%.
I currently playing 4321 and it's better because it's like 41212(2) where you have midfielders but your attackers can be wide as well. People who just sit back struggle cause they have 5 players to worry about both in the middle and wide
It has made me stop playing the game as much to be honest.
4231 with all players except the striker on come back on defence. With narrow depth. You have to get through a 9 man defensive wall to try and create anything. Averaged about 5 shots a game between me and my opponents in my 7 or 8 div 3 games this week and that for me just isn't fun.
I made a thread like this 2 weeks ago and people were pissed about it.
4231 is for trash players that need all the hand holding possible bc they have no skill at the game
This. You have to be ultimate ❤️❤️❤️❤️ to use 4231. I literally have to pass around for ages to find a little gap against 4231 drop back player, who runs around cdm area with his CCAM. And as soon as this ❤️❤️❤️❤️ gets lucky autoblock, he just shoots blind driven pass from his cb right to striker, and he’s having dangerous counter.
The formation isn’t boring, it’s how people use it that makes it boring. I sometimes switch to it from 442 depending on the game and genuinely like it because the attackers are close together for 1-2 passes to make forward runs.
That 1-2 passing is the absolute worst part of that formation. Annoys the life out of me trying to stop that, if the connection isn’t in your favour you may as well just quit after the first time someone does it.
Another 5 weekend league games, 4 out of 5 played 4231 drop back. I managed to win two hideously boring games, one I lost 5-3, with his keeper making 17 saves (not my finest finishing performance) and my keeper making 0 (I kid you not).
I then lost one 10-1. This guy had a great team and was so obviously head and shoulders (And the rest) better than me. Yet to the final whistle played 4231 drop back, 1 depth. Had his four forward players set to stay forward and just destroyed me on the counter.
It was nothing like real football. I had the majority of the possession but couldn't break him down. He'd win the ball, ping it to his CCAM and score.
I don't think 4231 is the problem, it's custom tactics that allows you to play in such an unrealistic way. He had a flat back six and then 4 up front 50 yards away.
This guy would have beaten me no matter what formation and tactics he played but being very good at the game he realises that the best way to play is to not try and play football and instead just exploit custom tactics.
My biggest wish is for them to get rid of custom tactics and go back to the old system where you could pick from balanced, attacking, defensive, all out attack or PTB. At least it meant that your entire team played to a style of something which resembled football.
EA eradicated headers this year, so drop back as described is way more effective. 19 and previous versions the off balance crosses and headers were ridiculous but nerfing heading is like taking flies out of the ecosystem — too drastic — putting 6 defenders or more into the box or behind the ball is difficult for the real life pros to break down. Bayern Munich faced a team in the Pokal early stages and almost lost because the opponent did just that — drop back defend like mad, be very very physical —.
So add in the lunatic and insane way ea lets players run into other players not playing ball or hammering from behind like in hockey or the crazy nuked physicality in 20, it makes drop back and tight d formations as you described even more effective... but its not fun..
If you are half decent at defending and attacking then 41212(2) is the way to go. Have at least 1 of you cm to stay forward along with the 3 in front and it's a blast to play to play with!
Same here, im getting tired of those 4231 AI Defenders who catch wins with this, shushing at you and thinking they are great Players. Takes all fun out of the Game.
Another 5 weekend league games, 4 out of 5 played 4231 drop back. I managed to win two hideously boring games, one I lost 5-3, with his keeper making 17 saves (not my finest finishing performance) and my keeper making 0 (I kid you not).
I then lost one 10-1. This guy had a great team and was so obviously head and shoulders (And the rest) better than me. Yet to the final whistle played 4231 drop back, 1 depth. Had his four forward players set to stay forward and just destroyed me on the counter.
It was nothing like real football. I had the majority of the possession but couldn't break him down. He'd win the ball, ping it to his CCAM and score.
I don't think 4231 is the problem, it's custom tactics that allows you to play in such an unrealistic way. He had a flat back six and then 4 up front 50 yards away.
This guy would have beaten me no matter what formation and tactics he played but being very good at the game he realises that the best way to play is to not try and play football and instead just exploit custom tactics.
My biggest wish is for them to get rid of custom tactics and go back to the old system where you could pick from balanced, attacking, defensive, all out attack or PTB. At least it meant that your entire team played to a style of something which resembled football.
EA eradicated headers this year, so drop back as described is way more effective. 19 and previous versions the off balance crosses and headers were ridiculous but nerfing heading is like taking flies out of the ecosystem — too drastic — putting 6 defenders or more into the box or behind the ball is difficult for the real life pros to break down. Bayern Munich faced a team in the Pokal early stages and almost lost because the opponent did just that — drop back defend like mad, be very very physical —.
So add in the lunatic and insane way ea lets players run into other players not playing ball or hammering from behind like in hockey or the crazy nuked physicality in 20, it makes drop back and tight d formations as you described even more effective... but its not fun..
The walking/running into players from behind and getting the ball is the worst part of this game for me.
All formations have their day, next year it may be the same or something else, either way when everyone uses it, it will be boring.
I have to say I don't really buy into the whole meta thing with formations, I can use a variety of formations and pretty much get the same overall outcome.
For some it's a psychological thing, everyone else is using it so by not using it I'm at a disadvantage. Yet for the bulk of the community if your tactics are fairly balanced you would probably have the same overall WL finish from most formations.
it's not boring because everyone's using it, it's boring because you can drop back and let the Ai do aall the defending with 6 defenders
previous years, the formations that everyone used were used because of their attackign strength, this year it's because of the OP defending,
which has made the game defensive oriented and it's the most boring thing ever
so every formation can do that for you -not only 4231
everyone who is playing drop back ,1 depth, and cdm's drop in between CB's -these are those PTB boring ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I despise -nothing to do with 4231 in particular
I play a video game to have fun. On Fifa, I have fun when Im winning. If that means playing a certain formation, I will play it.
By default, if I struggle to win when using a formation, I wont be having fun therefore I will not use it.
Therefore I will use 4231. Its the most effective formation for me.
So who is anybody to tell me to grow a pair because Im using a formation they dont like me using. Does it matter that much?
If im honest I never even notice what formation my opponent is using, im too busy looking at where my own players are. Maybe OP should do the same
Of course, but it depends how you play...
...Are you ending the game with less than 40% possession? Does your entire game plan rely on squat dancing with a cdm in the hope that your opponent walks into you? When intercepting the ball, does that impulsively make you press the through ball button to WBY? If your opponent stands still in your final 3rd, do you continue to squat dance, but make no attempt to tackle? If you are losing by a few goals, do you keep using the same tactics because you have no idea how to adapt?
If the answer is yes to the above, I question if you are really having fun? Yes we all want to win, but that has to be the most boring way to do so.
I play a video game to have fun. On Fifa, I have fun when Im winning. If that means playing a certain formation, I will play it.
By default, if I struggle to win when using a formation, I wont be having fun therefore I will not use it.
Therefore I will use 4231. Its the most effective formation for me.
So who is anybody to tell me to grow a pair because Im using a formation they dont like me using. Does it matter that much?
If im honest I never even notice what formation my opponent is using, im too busy looking at where my own players are. Maybe OP should do the same
Of course, but it depends how you play...
...Are you ending the game with less than 40% possession? Does your entire game plan rely on squat dancing with a cdm in the hope that your opponent walks into you? When intercepting the ball, does that impulsively make you press the through ball button to WBY? If your opponent stands still in your final 3rd, do you continue to squat dance, but make no attempt to tackle? If you are losing by a few goals, do you keep using the same tactics because you have no idea how to adapt?
If the answer is yes to the above, I question if you are really having fun? Yes we all want to win, but that has to be the most boring way to do so.
Again, who are you to say that if I answer yes to the above I may not be having fun? If I win, I have fun. Simple as that. (For info the answer to most of the above is no, although I do love a good squat dance with my cdms.
Basically what youre saying is 'play the way I want you to play so that I can have fun'. Well no. I wont
I play a video game to have fun. On Fifa, I have fun when Im winning. If that means playing a certain formation, I will play it.
By default, if I struggle to win when using a formation, I wont be having fun therefore I will not use it.
Therefore I will use 4231. Its the most effective formation for me.
So who is anybody to tell me to grow a pair because Im using a formation they dont like me using. Does it matter that much?
If im honest I never even notice what formation my opponent is using, im too busy looking at where my own players are. Maybe OP should do the same
Of course, but it depends how you play...
...Are you ending the game with less than 40% possession? Does your entire game plan rely on squat dancing with a cdm in the hope that your opponent walks into you? When intercepting the ball, does that impulsively make you press the through ball button to WBY? If your opponent stands still in your final 3rd, do you continue to squat dance, but make no attempt to tackle? If you are losing by a few goals, do you keep using the same tactics because you have no idea how to adapt?
If the answer is yes to the above, I question if you are really having fun? Yes we all want to win, but that has to be the most boring way to do so.
Again, who are you to say that if I answer yes to the above I may not be having fun? If I win, I have fun. Simple as that. (For info the answer to most of the above is no, although I do love a good squat dance with my cdms.
Basically what youre saying is 'play the way I want you to play so that I can have fun'. Well no. I wont
Not at all, and I'm not trying to argue with you... you've stated that for the most part you don't play that way. All I'm saying is that I question if someone is truly having fun if they play that way... yes they may get wins, but fun? Really? Don't confuse fun and winning as the same thing, because they aren't.
I've lost hard fought games where we were almost equally matched and had fun. Playing a game that relies on one tactic, and spamming that one tactic until it works may be efficient, but fun, no way! I've played people that have had less than 30% possession and beaten them by several goals, and yet they continue to play the way I just described... Is that fun, or stupidity?
I dunno what you can do for a formation. Possession and passing is what probably needs nerfed. It combined with 4231 really makes it a boring combo and to easy. Maybe we need manual offense to offset it.
I play a video game to have fun. On Fifa, I have fun when Im winning. If that means playing a certain formation, I will play it.
By default, if I struggle to win when using a formation, I wont be having fun therefore I will not use it.
Therefore I will use 4231. Its the most effective formation for me.
So who is anybody to tell me to grow a pair because Im using a formation they dont like me using. Does it matter that much?
If im honest I never even notice what formation my opponent is using, im too busy looking at where my own players are. Maybe OP should do the same
Of course, but it depends how you play...
...Are you ending the game with less than 40% possession? Does your entire game plan rely on squat dancing with a cdm in the hope that your opponent walks into you? When intercepting the ball, does that impulsively make you press the through ball button to WBY? If your opponent stands still in your final 3rd, do you continue to squat dance, but make no attempt to tackle? If you are losing by a few goals, do you keep using the same tactics because you have no idea how to adapt?
If the answer is yes to the above, I question if you are really having fun? Yes we all want to win, but that has to be the most boring way to do so.
Again, who are you to say that if I answer yes to the above I may not be having fun? If I win, I have fun. Simple as that. (For info the answer to most of the above is no, although I do love a good squat dance with my cdms.
Basically what youre saying is 'play the way I want you to play so that I can have fun'. Well no. I wont
Not at all, and I'm not trying to argue with you... you've stated that for the most part you don't play that way. All I'm saying is that I question if someone is truly having fun if they play that way... yes they may get wins, but fun? Really? Don't confuse fun and winning as the same thing, because they aren't.
I've lost hard fought games where we were almost equally matched and had fun. Playing a game that relies on one tactic, and spamming that one tactic until it works may be efficient, but fun, no way! I've played people that have had less than 30% possession and beaten them by several goals, and yet they continue to play the way I just described... Is that fun, or stupidity?
Dont wanna argue either mate. Can gaurantee though you wont find many people on here that say the game is boring when they are winning...unless we're talking SBs 🤣
If someone loses by several goals but continues to play that way im sure it isnt fun. But anyone losing by that amount would struggle with any formation.
My main point is that...people complain that playing against 4231 is 'boring'. Basically what they are saying is 'I struggle to play against it therefore I dont like it'. Because I can gaurantee if it was an easy formation to beat but everyone still played it, nobody would complain that its boring, and thats fact.
So if it is the case that people find it boring, find a way to make it less boring. The honus is not on the opponent to change how they play, its for the person complaining to find a way to counter
Rated E For Everyone.
Comments
I then lost one 10-1. This guy had a great team and was so obviously head and shoulders (And the rest) better than me. Yet to the final whistle played 4231 drop back, 1 depth. Had his four forward players set to stay forward and just destroyed me on the counter.
It was nothing like real football. I had the majority of the possession but couldn't break him down. He'd win the ball, ping it to his CCAM and score.
I don't think 4231 is the problem, it's custom tactics that allows you to play in such an unrealistic way. He had a flat back six and then 4 up front 50 yards away.
This guy would have beaten me no matter what formation and tactics he played but being very good at the game he realises that the best way to play is to not try and play football and instead just exploit custom tactics.
My biggest wish is for them to get rid of custom tactics and go back to the old system where you could pick from balanced, attacking, defensive, all out attack or PTB. At least it meant that your entire team played to a style of something which resembled football.
95%
4231 is for trash players that need all the hand holding possible bc they have no skill at the game
I’m glad to say I’m using none at the moment
Funny me neither
4231 with all players except the striker on come back on defence. With narrow depth. You have to get through a 9 man defensive wall to try and create anything. Averaged about 5 shots a game between me and my opponents in my 7 or 8 div 3 games this week and that for me just isn't fun.
This. You have to be ultimate ❤️❤️❤️❤️ to use 4231. I literally have to pass around for ages to find a little gap against 4231 drop back player, who runs around cdm area with his CCAM. And as soon as this ❤️❤️❤️❤️ gets lucky autoblock, he just shoots blind driven pass from his cb right to striker, and he’s having dangerous counter.
That 1-2 passing is the absolute worst part of that formation. Annoys the life out of me trying to stop that, if the connection isn’t in your favour you may as well just quit after the first time someone does it.
Doesn't 4231 (2) allow for wingers to be used from the start?
Doesn’t work the same though, the CAMs sit in tighter so they can do those ridiculous 1-2 passes
Thanks for explaining
EA eradicated headers this year, so drop back as described is way more effective. 19 and previous versions the off balance crosses and headers were ridiculous but nerfing heading is like taking flies out of the ecosystem — too drastic — putting 6 defenders or more into the box or behind the ball is difficult for the real life pros to break down. Bayern Munich faced a team in the Pokal early stages and almost lost because the opponent did just that — drop back defend like mad, be very very physical —.
So add in the lunatic and insane way ea lets players run into other players not playing ball or hammering from behind like in hockey or the crazy nuked physicality in 20, it makes drop back and tight d formations as you described even more effective... but its not fun..
The walking/running into players from behind and getting the ball is the worst part of this game for me.
By default, if I struggle to win when using a formation, I wont be having fun therefore I will not use it.
Therefore I will use 4231. Its the most effective formation for me.
So who is anybody to tell me to grow a pair because Im using a formation they dont like me using. Does it matter that much?
If im honest I never even notice what formation my opponent is using, im too busy looking at where my own players are. Maybe OP should do the same
so every formation can do that for you -not only 4231
everyone who is playing drop back ,1 depth, and cdm's drop in between CB's -these are those PTB boring ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I despise -nothing to do with 4231 in particular
you can do that with any 2 CDM formation
Big man, Little man combo up front. Two box to box midfielders, with two pacey wingers.
One striker set as target man and the other false 9, works a dream.
One CDM set to stay back and the other on balanced.
Fullbacks, balanced
Defensive tactics:
Press after possession loss
Depth 4
Width 5
Attacking:
Long ball
Width 8
Players in box 7
Corners 8
Thanks, helpful insight. Much appreciated.
Of course, but it depends how you play...
...Are you ending the game with less than 40% possession? Does your entire game plan rely on squat dancing with a cdm in the hope that your opponent walks into you? When intercepting the ball, does that impulsively make you press the through ball button to WBY? If your opponent stands still in your final 3rd, do you continue to squat dance, but make no attempt to tackle? If you are losing by a few goals, do you keep using the same tactics because you have no idea how to adapt?
If the answer is yes to the above, I question if you are really having fun? Yes we all want to win, but that has to be the most boring way to do so.
Again, who are you to say that if I answer yes to the above I may not be having fun? If I win, I have fun. Simple as that. (For info the answer to most of the above is no, although I do love a good squat dance with my cdms.
Basically what youre saying is 'play the way I want you to play so that I can have fun'. Well no. I wont
Not at all, and I'm not trying to argue with you... you've stated that for the most part you don't play that way. All I'm saying is that I question if someone is truly having fun if they play that way... yes they may get wins, but fun? Really? Don't confuse fun and winning as the same thing, because they aren't.
I've lost hard fought games where we were almost equally matched and had fun. Playing a game that relies on one tactic, and spamming that one tactic until it works may be efficient, but fun, no way! I've played people that have had less than 30% possession and beaten them by several goals, and yet they continue to play the way I just described... Is that fun, or stupidity?
Dont wanna argue either mate. Can gaurantee though you wont find many people on here that say the game is boring when they are winning...unless we're talking SBs 🤣
If someone loses by several goals but continues to play that way im sure it isnt fun. But anyone losing by that amount would struggle with any formation.
My main point is that...people complain that playing against 4231 is 'boring'. Basically what they are saying is 'I struggle to play against it therefore I dont like it'. Because I can gaurantee if it was an easy formation to beat but everyone still played it, nobody would complain that its boring, and thats fact.
So if it is the case that people find it boring, find a way to make it less boring. The honus is not on the opponent to change how they play, its for the person complaining to find a way to counter