I've done some experimenting on FM and a 4-3-2-1 Works well for me, with 3 Centre Midfielders, the outer 2 staying back and the middle one running forward, and 2 Attacking Wingers who run forward, it cuts thropugh defences rather well. Another formation i've used i've called the Crazy 8, because of the shape, 2 DCs, 2 WBs, 2 MCs, 2 Wingers, 2 Strikers. It worked very well as a slightly more attacking variant of a 4-4-2.
As far as I'm concerned, wing play is the key to FM.
I am currently Valencia and Spain manager, I played a 4-2-3-1 with Valencia, with attacking wingers, and we are now by far the best on the game.
However, with Spain, I decided to play a 4-1-2-1-2, all central players, two centre mids, one holding, on attacking, two strikers, it was garbage and easily stopped, so I changed it to a 4-2-3-1, and I've just beat Holland and Brazil in the confederations cup.
My best players at Valencia have always been my wide/attacking midfielders, Buonanotte, Silva, Ribery, Obertan, Marquinhos and Wilshere have all been quality on the wings, and more often than not make the difference.
Leeds game got stupid, had the problems which think few of you guys have / had. Seem to get promoted, then it all goes seriously belly up no matter what tactic you try or what players you sign just seem to loose / draw every game.
Currently on with Barnet, got beaten by Grimsby in the play offs 1st season. Doing well at moment 2nd and seem to of found a tactic / tactics that work
Few tips which may help people :-
Load all players from places such as Poland / France / Spain / Romania / Ireland (if in lower division).
Try to get through the 1st season as come the close season and pleanty of players become available / released.
Have two tactics, I play wide 442 at home and playing more central 442 / defensive for away games. Though both are similar the slight tweaks do make world of differences.
When I next play my game I will post some decent lower division players.
I dont believe in going to Chelsea / Man United / Liverpool / Real Madrid or Barca. Dont see the point myself.
As far as I'm concerned, wing play is the key to FM.
I am currently Valencia and Spain manager, I played a 4-2-3-1 with Valencia, with attacking wingers, and we are now by far the best on the game.
However, with Spain, I decided to play a 4-1-2-1-2, all central players, two centre mids, one holding, on attacking, two strikers, it was garbage and easily stopped, so I changed it to a 4-2-3-1, and I've just beat Holland and Brazil in the confederations cup.
My best players at Valencia have always been my wide/attacking midfielders, Buonanotte, Silva, Ribery, Obertan, Marquinhos and Wilshere have all been quality on the wings, and more often than not make the difference.
I Started With Liverpool (As Per usual, then i change after about 1 season unless im doing very well) Sitting 5th In The League after 4 Games (W2 D1 L1).
The Champions League Draw put me with Villareal, Wien and Panathanikos, in that i have won 1 and drawn 1, Sitting 2nd Behind Villareal.
Out of the Carling cup after fielding the following team against Hull:
Cavalieri
Arbeloa
Skrtel
Hyypia
Dossena
El Zhar
Juninho Pernambucano (Signed for £1.1m - Promising)
Plessis
Flynn