3-4-2-1 is a variation of 3-4-3 formation. Just like 3-4-3 formation, 3-4-2-1 formation is an offensive football formation. 3-4-2-1 formation use 2 Centre Forwards instead of strikers in order to reinforce your midfield area. In defense both of your CF can be functioned as RM, LM or AM .
In this article we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of 3-4-2-1 formation, and after that we will try to assign the best attacking and defending position to maximize its advantages and minimize disadvantages .
In this article, i will use some terminologies that already explained in previous article entitled "Stone Wall" (http://www.gameolosophy.com/Games/Sports/Total-Club-Manager/Stone-Wall.1396 ).
Strength Vs weakness
Before we start talk about strength and weakness of 3-4-2-1 formation, an overview of this formation will be showed below .
-------- ST --------
---- CF------CF ----
------------------
- LM---CM--CM---RM -
------------------
------------------
----- CD--CD--CD ---
------------------
-------- GK --------
Strength :
Just like 3-4-3 formation, 3-4-2-1 formation have alot of striker, so its have very good offensive capabilities. Not like 4-3-3 formation 3-4-2-1 formation has winger to guard your side line and support your strikers. 3-4-2-1 formation have equal capabilities in midfield battle compare to 4-4-2 formation .
Weakness :
Because 3-4-2-1 formation only have 3 defenders its rather weak in defend. To help your defenders, all of your midfielder have to be active in defense, and because of that they will spend alot of energy .
Defending and attacking position
Defending position A :
------------------
------------------
-------- ST --------
- CF------------CF -
----- CM----CM -----
- LM-----CD-----RM -
---- CD--GK---CD ---
You can use defending position A againts formatrion that have good capabilities in midfield battle but have lack of strikers, such as 4-4-2, 3-5-2, 4-5-2 or 3-6-1. Both of your CM are functioned as DM and both of your wingers are functioned as wing back. All of you midfielder will guard enemy's second striker and wait for rebound ball in your yellow area .
Both of your CF will replace your wingers, they can launch counter attack from the side line or from the centre line .
Defending position B :
------------------
------------------
-------- ST --------
----- CF----CF -----
- LM------------RM -
----- CM-CD-CM -----
-- CD----GK----CD --
You can use defending position A againts formatrion that have good offensive capabilities but have lack of defenders, such as 3-4-3, 3-4-2-1, or 3-4-1-2. Both of your CF will replace your centre midfielders, and together with your wingers they will mark enemy's second line. Both of your CM will replace your left and right CD. And your left and right CD will play as LB and RB, they will prevent enemy's crossing .
Attacking position :
- CF-----ST-----CF -
---- CM------CM ----
- LM------------RM -
-------- CD --------
---- CD------CD ----
------------------
------------------
------------------
-------- GK --------
Using above attacking position, you will have at leats 5 men in enemy red area. Both of your LM and RM can be functioned as second offensive line. Choose player with pull wide right playing style for your right CF and pull wide left for your left CF. Player with Target man and penalty box playing style is the best selection for your ST .
If you still cant penetrate enemy defense and your LM and RM have good stamina you can also choose this attacking position :
- LM-----ST-----RM -
----- CF-----CF ----
- CM------------CM -
-------- CD --------
---- CD------CD ----
------------------
------------------
------------------
-------- GK --------
I hope this article will help you to become a succesfull manager in FIFA MANAGER 2006. For more information about FIFA Manager 2006 please visit http://pcgames-philosophy.blogspot.com/, If you want to read the most up to date football news, gossip and match preview please visit http://happy-football.blogspot.com/
