We are back with our tactic testing series. This time, we tested GYR Doctor Doom 433 FM26, from one of our favourite FM26 creators, GYR, which, like most of the tactics we test, produced highly interesting results.
The conditions of the test and the setup of the tactic
As always, the team I used in my tactic testing is Everton. I tested the tactic by going on holiday for a season, without any transfers. It wasn’t the only test I did. I also used it on one of my personal saves.
The tactic is a variation of a 4-3-3, but with a tweak. It starts with a ball-playing goalkeeper, which suits Everton’s Jordan Pickford perfectly, as he is good with the ball at his feet.
In front of the goalkeeper are two wing-backs, in possession and out of possession, who turn to full-backs, flanking two ball-playing centre-backs, who change to straight centre-backs out of possession.
A defensive midfielder protects the back four, and slightly further forward, another defensive midfielder, who, out of possession, is a pressing defensive midfielder. In a conventional central midfield, there sits an attacking midfielder in possession and a pressing defensive midfielder out of possession.
Out wide in attack are two wide forwards in possession and wingers out of possession. The focal point of the team’s attack is a poacher, while out of possession, they become a centre forward.
How successful was this tactic?
The team were predicted to finish 11th in the Premier League table, but, as with most tactics we test, it overachieved. The team finished in fifth place in the table, only finishing below fourth-place Chelsea, courtesy of an inferior goal difference of just one to the south west London outfit.
Unlike many tactics we test, it’s the defensive side of the team that shines. They conceded 38 goals, which was the third-best defensive record in the Premier League. At the other end of the pitch, the team scored 66 goals, which isn’t a terrible record. In fact, it’s the fifth-best attacking record in the division.
One standout stat is that the team were unbeaten at home in 19 games, with 13 victories and six draws, and were unbeaten in their last five Premier League games.
The team struggled in the FA Cup, exiting the competition at the fourth round after losing 3-2 at home to Aston Villa in extra time. There was also disappointment in the Carabao Cup, as they were eliminated with a 2-1 home defeat by Merseyside rivals Liverpool.
Who were the star performers using this tactic?
The player with the highest season average using this tactic was Carlos Alcaraz, but the Argentinian international started just once in the Premier League season. Not many players produced standout season averages.
However, forward Thierno Barry enjoyed a successful campaign, scoring 20 goals and producing four assists, with a season average rating of 6.99.
Left-winger Jack Grealish also matched Barry’s season average rating, while scoring an impressive 16 goals and producing nine assists. On the opposite wing, Iliman Ndiaye was also productive in attacking returns, scoring 10 goals and assisting 5 teammates.
Merlin Rohl played as a central midfielder for much of the season and shone, scoring seven goals and recording seven assists, earning an average season rating of 6.94.
Young winger Tyler Dibling didn’t start every game, but still enjoyed a good campaign, averaging a 7.05 rating, scoring five goals and producing 12 assists.
As always seems to be the case, defensive midfielder James Garner was highly productive when it comes to attacking returns. The former Manchester United star scored twice and produced nine assists. That assist account is likely because Garner takes a lot of set pieces.
Left-back Vitali Mykolenko has been criticised for his attacking prowess in real life of late (although he did pick up an assist in the 2-1 victory at Fulham recently). The Ukrainian international scored three goals and also produced four assists.
What is our assessment of this tactic?
Although the tactic is a variation on a 4-3-3, it does have subtle differences. The difference is that the player in central midfield becomes an attacking midfielder, pushing forward into a more advanced role, creating a more 4-2-3-1 formation.
This is a facet of the tactic I like, because many 4-2-3-1 formations leave no role for a straightforward central midfielder, as the setup usually uses two defensive midfielders and an attacking midfielder further forward.
The result of the tactic spoke for itself. Defensively, this tactic is pretty good, while it still produces good attacking numbers.
Although it’s not GYR’s best tactic for FM26, it’s one I would consider using in my future personal saves. It is undoubtedly a tactic worth trying in your personal saves.
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