It’s been a while since the release of FM26, and many talented tactic creators have been working hard to make tactics that can carry their teams to success. One of the most prolific FM tactic creators in recent years is GYR.
In our latest tactic, we tested GYR’s ARGUS 26 WB 3430 SUN P93 FA CC, which proved highly impressive. Here is the lowdown on the tactic and how the team performed using it:
The conditions of the test and the setup of the tactic
As is my usual practice for tactic testing, I used Everton for the test. I simmed a full season, with no transfers and using the tactic for the whole campaign.
The tactic was set up in a 3-4-3-0 formation, so it was strikerless. The formation began with a ball-playing goalkeeper, with three ball-playing centre-backs as the foundation of the team’s defensive play.
Two wing-backs operated out wide to offer the team some width. Out of position, they became normal full-backs. In the centre of the park were two attacking midfielders who, when OOP became defensive midfielders, would offer the defence some extra protection when needed.
Then came what was arguably the most crucial part of the setup: an inside-forward on the left flank who became a winger OOP, a second striker who became an attacking midfielder when OOP, and on the right flank an inside winger who also became a winger OOP.
These three players are crucial because, on paper, without a conventional striker, they offer the team’s main attacking threat. If these players operate as they should, they can cause havoc in the opposition defence, especially as they have few defensive duties.
How successful was this tactic?
The team were predicted to finish in 11th place in the Premier League table. They blew that prediction out of the water with this tactic, finishing as runners-up to eventual champions Manchester City, trailing the Citizens by just four points in the final reckoning.
One of the most impressive aspects of the season was that the team finished the campaign with the league’s best goal difference, +59. That was because their goal tally of 97 was the highest of any team in the division.
Meanwhile, a record of just 38 goals conceded was also the league’s best. With those two factors taken into consideration, it was hard to believe that the team didn’t end the season as champions.
Understandably, given that the team finished second in the table, they had the league’s second-best home and away records.
Who were the star performers using this tactic?
This tactic suited Everton, as it made use of the plethora of attacking midfielders in the Toffees’ squad. In real life, strikers Beto and Thierry Barry haven’t set the world alight, so maybe David Moyes should look at employing a similar tactic once he has the likes of Charley Alcaraz and Iliman Ndiaye available to him.
The attacking players thrived in this formation. Iliman Ndiaye finished the season as the team’s top goalscorer, scoring 17 goals and producing seven assists. The Senegalese international produced that output mostly from the second striker position.
Another player who was effective in front of goal was midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who scored 16 goals and provided 11 assists. Dewsbury-Hall played as one of the central midfielders, while Carlos Alcaraz mainly played as the second striker, which allowed him to score 15 times and produce seven assists.
Playing on the left flank, Dwight McNeil also weighed in with his fair share of attacking returns, scoring 14 goals and producing nine assists. Dewsbury-Hall’s midfield partner, James Garner, scored a highly respectable 12 goals while creating a team-high 15 goals for his teammates.
Talking of assists, this formation allowed the wing-backs not only to defend but also to go forward, with left wing-back Vitaliy Mykolenko producing 12 assists and scoring four goals. On the opposite flank, Nathan Patterson went one better in the assists stakes by creating 13 goals, but scored just twice.
Playing on the right wing, youngster Tyler Dibling enjoyed a successful campaign, scoring 11 goals and producing 12 assists. Merlin Rohl also produced a highly respectable goal contribution tally, scoring 10 goals and five assists despite starting just eight games across all competitions all season.
It seemed the formation suited the Everton squad. The most surprising thing to me about the formation was that the midfield pair of Garner and Dewsbury-Hall had so many goal involvements.
The attacking midfielders producing the numbers they did was to be expected, though, as they all have decent stats, but the formation did help them fulfil their potential.
What is our assessment of this tactic?
I have to say, I don’t often use a striker-less formation in FM. It’s never been my thing, as I love prolific strikers and seeing them chalk up big goal tallies. However, this tactic could well change my mind.
Looking at the numbers, I am now seriously considering using it on my current personal save. It is that good. For me, GYR is one of the best FM tactic creators anyway, so I knew it would be good.
However, I am not sure I have tested a tactic with the best home and away records. When you are a couple of seasons in, a tactic can dominate if you have fantastic players, but not many in the first season with a team like Everton, who are not expected to challenge at the top with their current squad.
I would highly recommend this tactic to everyone who plays FM26, especially if you are managing a team that is top-heavy with attacking midfielders and lacks great forwards.
Have you tried the ARGUS 26 WB 3430 SUN P93 FA CC by GYR? Let us know your thoughts and feelings about the tactic.
