We are back with our latest article, a tactic test with a twist, which we will get to later on in the article. The tactic we tested was 2-3-2-2-1 positive. Goals galore by Kaiser Pope 3rd.
Did it bring success or not? Read on to find out more
The conditions of the test
Usually, I don’t need to include conditions for the test section in my tactics testing articles. However, this one I do, as I was using an updated database.
I started the game with Everton, as I always do in my tactic-testing articles, making no signings or interfering with the team at all. However, the database had been adjusted to reflect a ten-point deduction for Everton due to PSR breaches.
As many of you know, that deduction has now been reduced to a six-point deduction. However, I left the ten-point deduction on to see the result. To really test the tactic.
How is the tactic set up?
As the title states, the formation is a 2-3-2-2-1 with a positive mentality. It starts with a goalkeeper, a sweeper keeper, and support duty. In front of the last line of defence are a central defender and a ball-playing defender who are both on defend duty.
Protecting the back is a half-back, on defend, the only player other than the centre-backs in the team who has a defend duty. The half-back is flanked by complete wing-backs on either side, the left wing-back on attack and the right on support.
In the centre of the park are a deep-lying playmaker and an advanced playmaker, who are both on support duty.
The attack consisted of two wingers on support duty, with an advanced forward spearheading the attack.
The tactic screen shows that many players build decent partnerships over the season. However, they were arguably not as strong as I am accustomed to seeing while using other tactics.
How did the tactic perform?
This one falls into the ‘solid’ category by the standards of other tactics we tested. The team finished 12th place in the Premier League table, a respectable finish considering the ten-point deduction.
Without the points deduction, the team would have finished ninth place, which is a decent result for a team predicted to finish 16th place, with a points deduction.
The word inconsistent springs to mind when looking at the table, as we won 16 games, drew seven, and lost 15 times.
The tactic really didn’t live up to its name when it came to goals, as the team scored a bog-standard 53 and conceded 50. Statistically, nothing really stood out.
In the cups, the team made it to the FA Cup semi-final, but they lost 2-1 to Leicester. Meanwhile, we exited the Carabao Cup 3-2 in the second round against Morecambe.
Who were the best performers using this tactic?
The attacking positive nature of this tactic obviously led to the more attack-minded players thriving. As is usually the case with Everton on FM24, striker Domonic Calvert Lewin was the star performer.
The England international’s season-average rating was 7.22. In 41 appearances, he scored 33 goals and provided four assists.
Calvert-Lewin was the only player in the squad to get over a 7-season-average rating. Central midfielder James Garner came the closest to breaking the seven barrier, with a score of 6.99.
The wingers were the next most prolific players in the team when it came to goals. Arnaut Danjuma scored ten goals, while Dwight McNeil scored seven times on the opposite flank.
The only other player with a notable goal tally was central midfielder James Garner, who found the net five times.
Right wing-back Nathan Patterson was the most creative regarding assists, getting nine. Garner was next highest with seven.
The two wingers Danjuma and McNeil, who produced six assists apiece, were the only players who produced five assists or more during the campaign.
What is my conclusion?
As I stated earlier, I am afraid 2-3-2-2-1 positive. Goals galore didn’t live up to its name, as 53 is one of the lowest goal tallies during our tactic testing.
There wasn’t a big group of players scoring or producing loads of goals. It seems to be set up for only the advanced forward to thrive. He did well, but Calvert-Lewin tends to score that number of goals using most tactics.
I felt Everton had the players to really do well using this tactic. Although 12th was a respectable finish, it didn’t blow me away and wasn’t a massively overachieving tactic.
Judging by the test, I am not sure I would use this tactic regularly. However, it may well get better results with a different team, so feel free to give it a shot.
Have you ever used 2-3-2-2-1 positive. Goals galore by Kaiser Pope 3rd? If you have let us know your thoughts via our socials
