Does the new tactic work?
I have changed my tactic to a 4-2-3-1 to see if that can improve my form. My first match was at home to Tromso for my second leg of the EURO Cup 4th Qualifying Round. We went into the match with a 2-1 advantage.
The match started well for us and I was really pleased that we were playing better under the new tactic. We took the lead after 15 minutes when Claudio Pizzaro smashed in from 10 yards out. We continued to dominate and we doubled our lead straight before half-time when Pizzaro played Hernanes in and the Brazilian duly slotted home. I was thrilled at half time and was especially pleased with my 4 more foward minded players as they were all playing well. The second half seen us continue to dominate but the match finsihed 2-0. I was pleased with the performance and was glad that we got through to the next round. I hope we can play like this again in the next game, which was in the league.
Man of the match as to be Pizzaro for setting up and scoring a goal.
Before my next game, the EURO cup group stages draw was made. We were drawn along with APOEL, Maccabi Hafia and Braga. I feel we should progress through this group with relative ease.
My next game was away against Gladbach and I really wanted to take my European form into the German league.
We didn’t play well the whole first half and they went in deservedly 1-0 up. I was raging at half-time and was allowed a sigh of relief when Hernanes smashed in from 20 yards from a free kick. They should have won as the had many chances in the dying stages and I was dissapointed with our performance. Gladfully, it finished 1-1. To sum it all up, my best right back is now injured for 5 months which is extremely annoying.
I am not going to change the tactic again as the confidence in the team is building slightly and I hope that after a while when they are more confident they will perform better.
It is now an international break and a 13 day rest for me after a frustrating start with Bremen. We had 3 wins (all in cup competitions though 
), 3 draws and 1 loss, which sees us in the 2nd round of the German Cup, in the group stage in the EURO Cup but 15th in the German League! I hope that after the break my players will come back and play better.
So, can I answer the question whether my new tactic works or not. My answer right now is ‘I’m not sure!’ 
If it doesn’t work after the international break I will probably go with 4-4-2.
Thank you and wish me luck!
Hey Calum. Making radical tactical changes during the season can be risky, so my advice is to make small changes gradually until the team plays how you want them to. Good luck!
Thanks for your advice Johnny. I know that changing my tactics is risky but playing with a losing formation is not great either. I have some confidence in the 4-2-3-1 tactic so I hope I don’t have to change the tactic again.
Hi Calum, if you think that 4-2-3-1 is a better formation. Give your team a few games to adapt and tweak it along the way. Sometimes its not that the formation can’t work, probably the players take longer time to adapt to the way you want them to play.
Thanks Lye. I was definetely not happy with the 4-5-1 and I have played previous games with different teams and the 4-2-3-1 worked well with them. I will give my team as much as a chance as possible to succeed with the tactic and I really hope it works
Hi Calum
Both Johnny and Lye have given some gouund comments. i would also suggest to check out the “natural position” of each player just to make sure they are in the right place in your formation. Try to keep a consistent starting eleven wherever possible. That’s my 10 cents worth
Thanks Kevin, I will check the natural positions out. Yes, I try to field a consistent team but still I am not 100% sure on who my best players are in each position so some rotation right now is needed
Hi Calum, I hope your new tactic works for you. Like the others said it can be a risky strategy, so hopefully the risk will pay off. I agree with Kevin that you should have a tactic where most of your players are in their natural positions, it will really help. Good luck with the new tactic.
Calum,decent start,hope your new tactic works for you.Life is all about taking risks so this is not different.My advice would me to mess around with your formation,not during matches are anything,but when your choosing one.Two elements are vital,see if it suit’s your team,your player’s and how the team play’s.Also you should seek advice from your asstaint.Goodluck.