With the recent cancellation of FM25, we decided to return to doing tactic testing on FM24, as we could be playing the game for a good while to come.
The tactic we tested was GYR- Jack of Diamonds FM24, of course by prolific tactic creator GYR, and to be fair, it didn’t fail to disappoint.
How is the tactic set up?
I tested this tactic with Everton, using an updated database from the FM25 workshop on Steam. Unfortunately, removing the ten-point deduction from last season was difficult, so the team started at the bottom of the table.
The tactic uses an attacking mentality and is set up like an old-school diamond formation in midfield, hence the name.
It starts with a sweeper keeper on support, two full-backs on attack duty, flanking two ball-playing defenders, and a defensive midfield on support in front of the backline. However, they are the defence’s most prominent protector despite the support duty.
In front of the single-pivot defensive midfielder are a box-to-box midfielder and a mezzala, both on support duty. Aiding the attack is an advanced playmaker on attack.
Finally, up front, there is a pressing forward and an advanced forward, who are both on attack duty. This configuration proved to be highly effective.
The formation is definitely designed to attack, not just because of the obvious use of two strikers but also because only the centre-backs have defence as their duty.
Sometimes, tactics worked best due to the understanding of certain players. In this formation, the two centre-backs had a great understanding. In midfield, the defensive midfielder also had a good relationship with both of the central midfielders in front of them, with lovely green lines connecting the midfield trio.
How did the tactic perform?
Even with the ten-point deduction, the team was predicted to finish 16th place in the table. The team achieved a respectable sixth-place finish, but it is important to note that without the points deduction, they would have finished as runners-up in the table.
The team’s attacking performance was particularly impressive, as it scored a league-high 92 goals during the season. As expected from an attack-minded tactic, the defensive record wasn’t great, though. The team’s attacking efforts negated the poor record at the back.
However, arguably, the best facet of this tactic was the home results it produced. Everton finished the season with the best home record in the league, winning 15 of their 19 home matches in the English top flight and suffering just two defeats.
Unfortunately, the team seemed to run out of steam towards the end of the season, as they won two, lost two and drew one of their final five matches of the campaign.
In the cups, the team reached the final of the Carabao Cup, only to lose to Newcastle. They also suffered a fifth-round FA Cup defeat to champions Manchester City.
Who were the top performers using this tactic?
This tactic brought out the best in some players, who don’t always shine in our tactic testing with Everton.
However, unsurprisingly, the player with the best average season rating was forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who picked up a rating of 7.47. He scored 37 goals and also produced 15 assists.
The second highest, with a season average score of 7.33, was left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko, who produced an incredible 17 assists over the season, as well as scoring twice.
Calvert-Lewin’s strike partner, Beto, also enjoyed a strong campaign, scoring 23 goals and producing six assists to receive a season-average rating of 7.23.
Another player who shined in his role as a defensive midfielder was James Garner. Surprisingly, from his supposedly defensive position, he scored nine goals and produced ten assists, picking up an average season rating of 7.16.
Like his teammate on the other flank, right-back Nathan Patterson was highly effective at picking up assists. The Scottish international produced eight assists despite just 18 of his 40 appearances being starts.
Advanced playmaker Jesper Lindstrom also enjoyed a productive season, scoring 19 goals and producing six assists from 46 appearances.
The two central midfielders also produced decent numbers, as Abdoulaye Doucoure scored six goals and produced five assists, while Idrissa Gueye scored five goals and produced seven assists.
Back-up central midfielder Tim Iroegbunam also enjoyed a decent campaign, scoring three goals and providing five assists despite starting only 14 games.
Special mention should be made for veteran full-back Seamus Coleman, who played 34 games and produced six highly respectable assists. It seems he shared the right-back role with Patterson.
What is our conclusion on this tactic?
If anybody has read any of my articles about tactics, you will know that I love wingers. I don’t usually like winger-less tactics. However, this one could make me a convert.
I like the tactic’s attacking nature, and it looks to have performed superbly in testing. Getting Everton sixth place is a decent achievement (well, second, without the unfair ten-point deduction).
This is definitely a tactic that I will be using on my personal save, as I am close to reaching 50 years on the save. I believe this tactic could be successful using most teams.
Have you used the GYR- Jack of Diamonds FM24? If you have, let us know your experience of using via our socials.
