We are back today with another tactic testing, as we tested out Peregrine Falcon 3-4-3 by Lucas Gills. This was an interesting tactic, as it was set up slightly differently from the ones we have successfully used or tested on FM26. The tactic produced an interesting result.
The conditions of the test and the setup of the tactic
We now have a proven scenario for these tests. It involves using the tactic for an entire season, making no transfers, and spending the time on holiday. As with all my tactic testing, I am using Everton because of my familiarity with the team.
While the title states it is a 3-4-3 tactic, it’s set up in more of a 3-4-2-1. On first glance, it doesn’t look like much of a difference, but it can be a massive change in how a team plays.
This tactic begins with a ball-playing goalkeeper. In front of the last line of defence are three ball-playing centre-backs in possession, while out of possession, the two wider centre-backs become stopping wide-centre-backs, while the other is a centre-back.
The next line sees two-backs out-wide in possession, while they become pressing wing-backs out of opposition. Sandwiched between the two wide players are a pair of box-to-box midfielders in possession, while they become defensive midfielders out of possession.
Two second strikers who operate as splitting outlet attacking midfielders while out of possession behind a deep-lying forward in possession, while out is a centre forward.
Looking at the formation, I wasn’t sure it would suit the Everton squad. However, it produced pleasantly surprising results. The mentality of very attacking allowed players to flood forward and cause the opposition defensive issues.
How successful was this tactic?
The team were predicted to finish in 10th place in the Premier League table. However, it overachieved, finishing in fifth place and securing a European spot, either in the Champions League or the Europa League, depending on the European coefficient.
Unsurprisingly, the team had both the fifth-best home and away record. One of the strengths of using this tactic was the attacking output, as the team scored the fourth-most goals in the Premier League, finding the net 80 times.
At the other end of the pitch, the team’s sixth-best defensive record in the league wasn’t terrible. However, many would argue it should be better.
Unfortunately, the team ran out of steam at the end of the season, losing three of their final five league games. This run cost the team a higher position in the final reckoning in the English top-flight.
The team suffered a 4-1 defeat at arch-rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final, and an embarrassing penalty-kick defeat against League One Leyton Orient in the third round of the EFL Cup.
Who were the star performers using this tactic?
In terms of attacking returns, it is not surprising that the team’s front three, Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Grealish and Carlos Alcaraz, were the star performers.
Ndiaye scored an impressive 21 goals while producing eight assists. Alcaraz was just one goal behind the Senegal international, while also producing two more assists.
Grealish was also highly effective from his second striker position, scoring ten goals and 11 assists. Loan star Tyrique George also scored eight goals and five assists from one of the second striker roles.
One notable goalscorer using the tactic was centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who scored six times, while left wing-back Vitaly Mykolenko scored five times. The Ukrainian full-back also produced ten assists. He also produced the highest average season rating of any regular in the team, scoring an impressive rating of 7.24.
Defensive midfielder James Garner also produced a respectable number of assists, creating ten goals. However, the player with the highest assists in the team was right wing-back Nathan Patterson, who created 12 goals for his teammates.
What is our assessment of this tactic?
I have to admit, when I saw this tactic, I wasn’t expecting it to produce such positive results. The main reason for my scepticism was that I have tried tactics like this in the past, and unless it has exactly the right personnel, it doesn’t usually work out.
However, despite my scepticism, it worked really well. The key to making the tactic work is having wing-backs who can attack and play in the second striker role.
I will no doubt use this tactic in my personal saves in the near future, although I do still prefer my formations and tactics that utilise wingers.
Have you used Peregrine Falcon 3-4-3 by Lucas Gills on FM26? If you have, let us know your thoughts on the tactic here or via our socials.
