What’s the perfect ‘non-meta’ tactic on Football Manager? Well, AI has its own ideas.

There’s a real clamour these days for using tactics that aren’t the meta on Football Manager. This means avoiding 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 or 4-2-4 and not using vertical tiki-taka or gegenpress. Basically avoiding any of the tactics that make the game feel slightly too easy.

Going against the grain and making any wins feel more rewarding. So I thought, why don’t I ask chatGPT to do a deep research of the internet and find the best tactic that isn’t actually meta.

It’s worth remembering that generative AI like ChatGPT isn’t guaranteed to be correct. After all, the tool scrapes the internet to combine comments online, usually repeating parroted phrases that can end up being biased. Just because someone on the internet says it, that doesn’t mean it’s true.

Introducing the perfect non-meta tactic – the 3-5-2

It seems it was primarily inspired by CoffeehouseFM’s tactic. So make sure you check out their blog on their 3-5-2 gondor system. But the main compelling non-meta formation is the 3-5-2 system. This setup emphasises a solid defensive structure combined with versatile midfield roles to control the game.

Formation Breakdown

• Back Three: Two Ball-Playing Defenders (BPD) flanking a Central Defender (CD) to initiate play from the back.
• Wing-Backs: Wide players with support duties to provide width and defensive cover.
• Midfield Trio:
  • Mezzala (MEZ): Operates in the half-spaces, linking play between midfield and attack.
  • Central Midfielder on support (CM): Maintains balance, supporting both defense and attack.
  • Half-Back (HB): Drops between the central defenders to form a back four when out of possession.
• Forward Pair:
  • Deep-Lying Forward (DLF): Drops into midfield to create space and link play.
  • Advanced Forward (AF): Stretches the defence and looks to get behind the backline.

Tactical Instructions

• Mentality: Balanced – ensures stability while allowing for adaptability.
• In Possession:
  • Passing Style: Shorter passing to maintain control.
  • Tempo: Slightly higher to increase the pace of play.
  • Width: Fairly wide to utilize the wing-backs effectively.
• In Transition:
  • Counter-Press: Regain possession quickly after losing it.
  • Counter: Exploit spaces when the ball is won.
• Out of Possession:
  • Defensive Line: Standard to maintain compactness.
  • Line of Engagement: Standard to avoid overcommitting.
  • Pressing Intensity: More urgent to disrupt the opponent’s build-up.

Key Roles Explained

• Half-Back (HB): Provides defensive solidity by forming a temporary back four, aiding in buildup play.
• Mezzala (MEZ): Exploits the half-spaces, offering creativity and linking midfield to attack.
• Deep-Lying Forward (DLF): Facilitates link-up play, drawing defenders out and creating space for the Advanced Forward.

Advantages

• Defensive Stability: The Half-Back role ensures a solid defensive foundation.
• Midfield Control: A trio that balances creativity, control, and defensive duties.
• Flexibility: The formation can adapt to various in-game scenarios without major adjustments.

Considerations

• Wing-Back Stamina: Requires players with high stamina and work rate to cover the flanks effectively

Other suggested non-meta tactics:

4-1-2-1-2

• GK – Sweeper Keeper (Support)
• RB / LB – Wing-Back (Attack)
• CBs – Central Defender (Defend)
• DM – Defensive Midfielder (Defend)
• RCM – Box-to-Box Midfielder (Support)
• LCM – Deep-Lying Playmaker (Support)
• AM – Advanced Playmaker (Attack)
• ST (Left) – Deep-Lying Forward (Support)
• ST (Right) – Advanced Forward (Attack)

3-4-1-2

• GK – Sweeper Keeper (Support)
• CBs (Outer) – Wide Centre-Back (Support)
• CB (Middle) – Central Defender (Defend)
• RM / LM – Wide Midfielder (Support) (or Wing-Back on Support if deeper is preferred)
• RCM – Ball-Winning Midfielder (Support)
• LCM – Central Midfielder (Attack)
• AM – Shadow Striker (Attack)
• ST (Left) – Advanced Forward (Attack)

5-2-1-2

• GK – Goalkeeper (Defend)
• RCB / LCB – Central Defender (Defend)
• CB (Middle) – Ball-Playing Defender (Stopper)
• RWB / LWB – Wing-Back (Support)
• RCM – Ball-Winning Midfielder (Defend)
• LCM – Mezzala (Support)
• AM – Attacking Midfielder (Attack)
• ST (Left) – Target Forward (Support)
• ST (Right) – Poacher (Attack)