As we wait not so patiently for the next instalment of FM, we continue to test different tactics in an effort to find the ones that work well on FM24.
The latest tactic we tested was the 2-4-3-1 Bam Bam Bam Bam tactic by FMTacticRoom. This was an interesting one, as at first sight it looked interesting. Let’s say it produced some mixed results.
The conditions of my save
For my test, I used Everton as the test team. I used an updated database I downloaded from the workshop.
Unfortunately, it still had the ten-point deduction for the Toffees from last season, so the results were slightly off.
How is the team set up in the formation?
At first glance, it’s an adventurous formation. However, on closer examination, it’s just a 4-2-3-1 with the wing-backs pushed up in line with the two central defensive midfielders. It is a small tweak, although minor tweaks can make a big difference if executed correctly.
The tactic begins with a sweeper keeper on defend. In front of the last line of defence are two ball-playing defenders with the duty of defend.
The next unit of the team consists of a complete wing-back on the support duties on the left and an inverted wing-back on the right, also on support duty. Sandwiched in between the pair are an anchor on defend duty and a volante on attack duty.
The three behind the lone forward are a shadow striker on attack, an attacking midfielder on support and an inverted winger on support.
At the top of the team is the lone forward, who plays as an advanced forward on attack duty.
The tactic created good relationships all over the pitch. For example, the two central defenders had a good relationship, as did the two defensive midfielders.
How did the tactic perform?
The team headed into the season predicted to finish 16th place, despite the ten-point deduction, which obviously has a significant effect on the team’s placing at the end of the campaign.
In this case, the team finished in eighth place in the table. Without the points deduction, the team would have finished just a place higher in the table, so it’s not that much of a difference. However, the team that finished in seventh place earned European football.
There were not many stats that stood out using this tactic. The best it could offer was that the team had the fourth-best home record in the league.
However, the team did perform pretty well in the cups, finishing as runners-up in the Carabao Cup and making it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Which player performed well in this formation?
Like with every tactic we test, some players performed better using this tactic than others. One of the standout performers using this tactic was advanced forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who scored 31 goals and produced three assists. His 25 league goals earned him the Premier League Golden Boot.
When it comes to goals scored, attacking midfielder Jesper Lindstrom also performed well, scoring 16 goals while also producing two assists.
Shadow striker Carlos Alcarez also contributed eight goals and one assist from his 38 starts and 13 substitute appearances.
Centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite contributed more than his fair share of goals, finding the net seven times. Back-up forward Armando Broja also scored seven times, despite making just three starts all season.
Jack Harrison was the top performer in assists, as he produced 20 goals for his teammates, as well as contributing six goals from his position as an inverted winger. His tally of 18 assists in the Premier League was the highest of any player in the English top-flight.
James Garner, who played for much of the campaign in the volante position, was also effective when it came to creating chances for his teammates, registering a highly respectable 12 assists while scoring six goals.
The wing-backs also proved to be an effective supply for their teammates, as left wing-back Vitalii Mykolenko scored nine goals, while Nathan Patterson produced seven assists on the right flank.
Our conclusion on the 2-4-3-1 Bam Bam Bam by FMTacticRoom
I am not sure what I make of this tactic. It certainly produced decent results, but not spectacular ones like some of the other tactics in our testing travels. It feels like the tactic is too close to its parent formation, the 4-2-3-1.
With so many highly effective 4-2-3-1 tactics available for FM24, I am not sure if there is any need to use this tactic. However, as it is something slightly different in its role set-ups, I may give this tactic a go on my save, as I am always looking for a fresh approach to my personal saves.
Have you ever used 2-4-3-1 Bam Bam Bam by FMTacticRoom on FM24? If you have let us know on here or via our socials
