Tactics Corner with Dr P Wigwam

...with Dr P Wigwam, XEFA Organiser and manager of Compit FC. Doc's a real yo-yo team, going up and down between the Prem and Champs, and he likes to be creative when creating his tactics.

Dennis Moberg: What is your tactical philosophy in FML?
Dr P Wigwam: I try to favour the beautiful game, with exciting players and nice pass and move. It never quite comes off for me, but that's my theory.

Dennis Moberg: You've been trying out some odd ideas in the past, most noteably the tactic where you didn't use any strikers - but a FR and FL. Do you like to experiment?
Dr P Wigwam: Yeah, I like to try things that most people shy away from as their not the norm. I'm hoping to put together a 3 man defence for next season, with 2 up front. we'll see. It might be suicide.

Dennis Moberg: Well, you got decent results last time! Do you feel that managers overall are to stuck with a tactical idea, and that it might hinder their teams progress in some cases?
Dr P Wigwam: It seems some guys have a tactic that they feel is right, and always get players to fit it. I find that restraining and am often looking to adapt my tactic to suit my players. I cant say it will hinder them, most of the top teams do it. It's just not my way.

Dennis Moberg: You're selling off your team right now, to build a new one. What will you be looking for mostly in the players? Different for each position or do you have a few attributes you feel are essential?
Dr P Wigwam: I'm pretty torn to be honest. I wanted to set up a decent youth academy, competing in 3 age ranges, but I feel now I've looked at the players available, that's gonna be really tough. I honestly dont know what I'm gonna do next, but I needed a fresh challenge, so I have no regrets.

Dennis Moberg: You've learnt the "Goalkeeper Distribution To" Skill. It's usually overlooked by many, do you think it's a must have to set up a proper tactic?
Dr P Wigwam: I realised that my keeper was too often just hoofing the ball straight to the opposition defence, and they were just attacking again. It was originally designed to stop that, then I tried using it to counter by getting it to my quick winger. I dunno how much difference it made, but I like to try different things.

Dennis Moberg: Alright Doc - cheers for your time!

Tactics Corner with Scott Davidson

...with Scott Davidson, manager of MK City FC, who joined the XEFA from the EEFA this season. He's currently on his way to reach his first XEFA trophy by winning the Division 1.

Dennis Moberg: What is your tactical philosophy in FML?
Scott Davidson: Its not much of a philosophy but I like to keep the centre of midfield packed with players. This season I've created 3 or 4 different formations to try and combat different situations. However, almost all of them has 3 CM's

Dennis Moberg: You've scored the most goals by far in your division - 98 so far. Is this down to you leaning towards attacking tactics, or are you simply blessed with more attacking brilliance than other teams?
Scott Davidson: This season I moved to a 5-3-2 but a very attacking version of it. I found that my 4-4-2 Diamond was ok but I never scored enough goals (I'd rather win 5-4 than 1-0). I also wanted a new formation which the bigger teams weren't used to playing so I could surprise them a little. At the start of the season some of my players were on fire so goals were easier to come by. In the last week my form has changed quite a bit so I've had to play a slightly different way

Dennis Moberg: What do you look for in your MC's, attribute-wise?
Scott Davidson: Just the usual really, Passing, Creativity, Off the Ball, First Touch for the attacking ones. As they're centre midfielders I don't usually bother with pace and acceleration which does help me pick up some bargains.

Dennis Moberg: To continue on with the MC's - do you give each on of them a special duty to perform, or are they part of different "groups" in your tactic?
Scott Davidson: To be honest my midfielders do have special duties. I have one guy who is very defensive and another who is very attacking. He's the real creative one who is supposed to make things happen. The 3rd midfielder changes round quite a bit ... I have one strong guy who is a bit defensive but is good at passing and keeping the ball moving, and I have another who is more attacking. If my form is good then I'll go for the more attacking 3rd man in midfield, however at the minute the defensive player is getting the nod!

Dennis Moberg: What tactics do you feel you get an advantage and disadvantage of with your current set-up with the 3 MC's?
Scott Davidson: I think playing 3 MC's gives you more protection, particularly when you don't have the ball. Obviously with such a narrow formation you can't play as expansive as when using wingers. I've tried to combat this by getting in two good full backs who can go forward when needed. Another disadvantage may be that constantly playing narrow could be easy to counter over time. I'm trying to build a squad which can easily go to 4-5-1 mid-game so that if I do need to play wide I can do.

Dennis Moberg: Thanks for your time Scott.

Tactics Corner with Bobby Desilets

..with Bobby Desilets, our new American friend that is one of this season's surprise packages in XEFA Division 2.

Dennis Moberg: What is your tactical philosophy in FML?
Bobby Desilets: I like to try to play an attacking 4-5-1, but really concentrate on my marking strategies based on the tactic I'm playing against. This sometimes meaning I have my outside backs man mark outside midfielders.

Dennis Moberg: You're a new side in the GW, and you've got one of the youngest teams in the whole FA, but you're still projected to finish 2nd in your league. What's your secret?
Bobby Desilets: A lot of the other teams in the division have older veterans teams, which might mean success in the short term, but they soon will need to replace those players, my goals is to grow my players and keep them in the first team for a while, or be able to sell them later for profit, which you can't do with older players, as they will retire, the players I added on from my original squad were all under 28 and class players which should start for me for 3 or more years such as Hugo, Wellington and Antonio Falvio.

Dennis Moberg: You've learnt a few Tactical Skills, which are the most important to learn do you feel?
Bobby Desilets: I actually feel that training skills are the most important, and I am level 5 in a lot of that, right now I am finishing up finance 5, because starting out the more money you get the better off you will be in order to finance your stadium later, I'm predicted to be tied for first now!! But ahead on GD.

Dennis Moberg: Yeah, I'm learning Finance 5 too right now. But I was mainly thinking about what particular Tactical Skills you think are most important?
Bobby Desilets: Oh right, since I play with only one striker, target man skills were important along with crossing instructions, and counterattack as I will change that from home and away.

Dennis Moberg: Do you have many different pre-made tactics, or just one for home games and one for away games?
Bobby Desilets: I use a 4-5-1 for most of my games, home and away, I also have a 4-3-3 to use when I am behind by a lot or down towards the end of the game, I also have a 4-4-2 I have had to use because of injuries, I have had some long term injuries to my best players this season, just starting off in the UFFA it has been tough

Dennis Moberg: Alright Bobby, cheers for the interview. Got a message for your competitiors in the Div2 before we end?
Bobby Desilets: Humph, how about your veterans will want to retire after losing to a bunch of youngsters?

Dennis Moberg: Good luck for the remainder of the season!
Bobby Desilets: Thanks dennis, you too