Goalkeeper: The Defensive Backbone

The goalkeeper is tasked with keeping the opposition at bay and preserving clean sheets. Focus on these key attributes:

Reflexes: Quick reactions to save shots in critical moments. A goalkeeper with 18 or more in reflexes is a valuable asset.
One-on-Ones: Excellent in dealing with one-on-one situations, often becoming a match-winner by bailing your team out in tight moments.
Jumping Reach: Command the box and deal with crosses and set pieces with ease. Poor jumping reach will leave your team vulnerable in the air.
Positioning: A keeper with great positioning reduces the chances of conceding from common angles by being in the right place.
Decisions: Good decision-making helps avoid costly errors that could turn a match on its head.

Tip:
If managing a lower-league club, prioritize positioning and decisions over reflexes for a more consistent performance.

Full-backs: Covering the Flanks

Full-backs are required to cover a significant amount of ground both defensively and offensively. Prioritize these attributes:

Work Rate: Full-backs must cover a lot of ground, and a high work rate ensures they can fulfil both defensive and attacking duties.
Stamina: Maintaining intensity throughout the match is crucial for both defence and overlap attacks.
Positioning: Effective full-backs know when to push forward and when to stay back to support the team's shape.
Crossing: A good crosser can be a game-changer, especially if you're looking to supply your strikers with quality chances.
Technique/Marking/Determination: Depending on the type of full-back you're after—whether attacking, defensive, or balanced.

Tip:
For offensive full-backs, prioritize crossing and technique, but for more defensively-minded full-backs, focus on marking and positioning.

Centre-backs: The Defensive Wall

The heart of your defence, centre-backs must dominate in the air and on the ground:

Jumping Reach: Crucial for defending against crosses and set-pieces. Aerially dominant centre-backs can neutralize many threats.
Tackling: A must for clean, effective ball-winning challenges, especially when defending against strong attackers.
Composure: Keep calm under pressure and execute defensive duties confidently, even in high-stress situations.
Concentration: A momentary lapse can lead to a goal. High concentration ensures focus throughout the match.
Strength: Compete physically with opposing strikers and keep them from dominating the penalty box.

Tip:
A centre-back with both high concentration and composure is perfect for teams playing in high-press situations.

Defensive Midfielders: The Shield

The defensive midfielder shields the backline and breaks up opposition play. Key attributes include:

First Touch: Under pressure, a great first touch keeps possession and builds play.
Teamwork: The hinge between defence and attack, they need to work in sync with the whole team.
Composure: Cool under pressure, they’ll avoid turnovers and make intelligent passes.
Positioning: Whether defending or supporting attacks, good positioning ensures they’re in the right place at the right time.
Passing/Tackling: Choose based on your tactical needs. For a deep-lying playmaker, prioritize passing. For a ball-winning midfielder, tackling is key.

Tip:
If your team relies on possession football, opt for passing over tackling to keep play flowing from the back.

Central Midfielders: The Engine Room

Central midfielders dictate the tempo of the game and cover the most ground. Focus on:

Work Rate: The more work they put in, the more influential they will be across the pitch.
Stamina: Central midfielders need to maintain their intensity from start to finish.
Passing: Breaking the press and finding the right pass is essential to link up play.
Decisions: Involved in every part of the game, a midfielder's decision-making is vital.
Player Traits: Look for traits like "gets forward whenever possible" or "arrives late in the opponent’s box" to further boost their impact.

Tip:
For high-tempo, pressing teams, ensure your central midfielders have excellent work rate and stamina to drive your team's energy.

Wingers: The Creative Spark

Wingers ignite attacking play with their speed and creativity. Prioritize:

Agility: Allows wingers to change direction quickly and evade defenders.
Speed/Dribbling: Essential for one-on-one duels, creating space for crosses and shots.
Balance: Helps wingers stay on their feet under physical challenges.
Flair: Unlock defences with dazzling skills, passes, or shots.
Technique: The finishing touch for executing their creativity and skills.

Tip:
Agile wingers with high dribbling and flair can be game-changers when breaking down stubborn defences.

Attacking Midfielders: The Creative Hub

Attacking midfielders pull the strings in the final third. Focus on:

Vision: Crucial for unlocking defences with killer passes.
Flair: Combine vision with creativity to break through even the most stubborn backlines.
First Touch: Excellent control in tight spaces ensures possession isn’t lost.
Off the Ball: Movement into dangerous areas helps create space for themselves and teammates.
Technique: Precise execution of their ideas, whether it’s a shot, pass, or through-ball.

Tip:
Players with high vision and flair can single-handedly change the outcome of tight matches by providing that killer pass.

Strikers: The Focal Point

Strikers lead the line and score goals. Focus on:

Off the Ball: Intelligent movement is crucial to find space and break through defensive lines.
Composure: Helps maintain calm when finishing chances under pressure.
Determination: Strikers with high determination will bounce back from missed chances and keep going until they score.
First Touch: A clean first touch is essential for creating or finishing goal-scoring opportunities.
Finishing: The defining attribute of a top striker—finding the back of the net consistently.

Tip:
For counter-attacking systems, ensure your striker has both high off-the-ball movement and pace to exploit defensive gaps.


Try to have in all positions: Agression, Bravery, and Pysical stats (OP).


Credit:

https://www.footballmanagerblog.org/


TACTICAL STYLES:


Common Mistakes in Football Manager
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