Fm 2007 Best Tactics Work

The search for the legendary "perfect" tactic in Football Manager 2007

(FM 2007) is a storied part of the community's history, often centering on finding the game's "Diablo" equivalent—a tactic so dominant it feels like a cheat. The Quest for the "Killer Tactic"

While modern FM often revolves around high-pressing 4-2-3-1 "meta" tactics, FM 2007 stories often highlight specific legendary setups that exploit the match engine's nuances:

The "Diablo" Legend: Originally a game-breaking exploit from Championship Manager 03/04, community members often attempted to recreate its "gung-ho" attacking style in FM 2007 to achieve sensational results.

The "Rule of Two" Theory: A foundational approach popular in the 2007 community, this involved splitting the team into two distinct blocks—5 players with defensive duties and 5 with offensive ones—to maintain balance.

Minimum FuSS 4-4-2: Players have shared success stories using this specific plug-and-play 4-4-2, citing it as one of the best for consistency across long saves. Proven Tactical Blueprints

According to veteran community discussions and guides from the era, these specific setups often "worked" best:

Mourinho's 4-3-3: Replicating the classic Chelsea style with a very conservative back four, a stable midfield with only one player on an attacking slider, and maxed-out creative freedom for wingers. Attack-Heavy 4-4-2: Mentality: Attacking. Tempo: Quick.

Instructions: Wide midfielders/wingers given "farrows" (forward arrows) to push high, supported by attacking fullbacks.

Defensive Stability: For players struggling with inconsistent results, a low defensive line was noted as the most effective overall instruction to prevent being exploited by long balls. Community "Success Stories"

The 60-Goal Striker: One manager reported winning Serie A with a record of 34-3-1 using a "Rule of One" tactic set, where a regular forward scored over 60 goals in a single season by exploiting high mentality sliders.

The West Ham Giant-Killing: Using a reactive strategy (Control against defensive teams, Counter against normal, and Defend against attacking ones), one player managed to reach 2nd place with West Ham, including a famous 2-1 away win against Arsenal. Core "Work" Tips from the Era FM26 Tactics: Best Formations, Downloads & Guide

Dominating the Pitch: The Best Tactics for Football Manager 2007 Football Manager 2007

remains a cult classic, celebrated for its depth and the lack of "broken" exploit tactics like the infamous "Diablo" from previous years

. To consistently win, you need to balance tactical discipline with the specific strengths of your squad. The Winning Blueprint: Core Tactical Settings

For most top-tier and mid-table sides, a high-tempo, attacking system is the most reliable way to outwit the AI. Sports Interactive Community Forums Mentality & Tempo: mentality paired with a Quick Tempo

is generally most effective for breaking down defensive lines. Passing Style: Short Passing

to maintain possession and move the ball quickly, though more direct passing can work for counter-attacking setups. Width & Creative Freedom: to exploit the flanks, but avoid setting Creative Freedom

too high, as it can cause players to lose their tactical positions. Top Formations for FM 2007

While any sensible formation can work, these three are historically the most successful in the '07 match engine: Key Instructions 4-4-2 Short Farrows Balanced Attacking

Medium defensive line, normal pressing, fast flowing football. 4-3-3 (with 2 DMCs) Defensive Control

Use 2 DMCs and 1 AMC; great for stability while maintaining an attacking threat. Central Dominance

Uses a vital DMC to shield the back four with high creative freedom for the central MC. Advanced Tips for Tactical Mastery

Football Manager 2007 (FM07) , tactical success often hinges on mastering the "farrow" (forward arrow) system and understanding the era's unique match engine quirks. Unlike modern entries with detailed player roles, FM07 relies heavily on individual sliders and positional arrows to dictate movement. Core Strategic Principles

The "Rule of One" Mentality: For consistent results, many veteran players recommend shifting tactics based on the opponent's setup:

Control/Possession: Best against ultra-defensive teams with no arrows.

Counter-Attack: Ideal against "normal" tactics with short forward arrows.

Defensive: Essential when facing aggressive, attacking teams using long forward arrows.

Tempo and Passing: A quick tempo combined with short passing and an attacking mentality generally yields high performance, provided you don't max out creative freedom, which can lead to players losing their positional discipline.

Man-Marking: Identifying the opposition's best player—specifically their attacking midfielder (AMC)—and man-marking them out of the game is a highly effective "legacy" strategy.

Rule of One Tactic Sets - and how to implement them to perfection!

Football Manager 2007 (FM07) , successful tactics rely on mastering the classic "slider" system rather than modern role-based presets. The match engine in this era is famous for specific exploits and a heavy reliance on physical attributes like Pace and Acceleration. Core Tactical Systems in FM 2007 Tactic Type Key Instructions Description The "Diablo" Exploit AMC with forward arrows to FC

A notorious match-engine exploit where an AMC "glides" past defenders to score relentlessly. Classic 4-4-2 Mixed Passing, Wide Width

The most reliable "safe" tactic; highly dependent on morale and team talks. 4-1-3-2 (Narrow) Direct Passing, Through Balls

Dominates the center of the pitch; often used with a "Fast Striker/Target Man" combo. Mourinho 4-3-3 Conservative Back 4, Winger Freedom

Focuses on a stable midfield with maxed-out creative freedom for wingers. fm 2007 best tactics work

Mastering Football Manager 2007 (FM 2007) requires a deep understanding of the "slider" system and the specific engine quirks that made certain setups overpowered during that era. Unlike modern versions, FM07 relied heavily on manual instructions and "farrows" (forward arrows) to dictate movement.

The following guide outlines the most effective tactical frameworks and strategies that consistently deliver results in FM 2007. 1. The Power of "Tactical Theorems and Frameworks" (TT&F)

The gold standard for success in FM 2007 is the Tactical Theorems and Frameworks approach. This strategy suggests that one formation (like a 4-4-2) should have different tactical "sets" depending on the match scenario:

Attack: High tempo, high defensive line, wide width, and "often" closing down. Use this against teams playing a 4-4-2 with "short farrows" (standard away setups).

Control: A slow tempo, wide width, and medium defensive line. This is the killer tactic for breaking down defensive AI teams that sit deep and press heavily.

Counter: Defensive mentality, narrow width, and deep defensive line. Ideal when you are the underdog or facing highly aggressive home teams. 2. Best Formations That Work

While the 4-4-2 remains a classic, several other setups are notoriously "broken" or highly effective in the FM07 engine:

The Flat 4-4-2 (Overpowered): Simple but deadly. Use "Control" settings for home games against weaker teams. By using a slow tempo and wide width, you pull their compact defense out of position.

The 4-3-3 (Mourinho Style): Recreating Jose Mourinho's Chelsea 4-3-3 is highly effective. It uses a very conservative back four, one defensive midfielder (the "Makelele" role), and wingers with maxed-out creative freedom.

The 3-5-2 (High Pressure): A 3-5-2 with short passing, high pressing, and no offside trap can be unstoppable for aggressive managers. 3. Key Tactical Adjustments

Exploit the Near Post Corner: A famous "engine exploit" in FM 2007 involves your best corner taker aiming for the near post. Assign a tall striker with high heading and jumping to "Flick on at near post" for a consistent supply of goals.

Manage Creative Freedom: Don't set this too high for the whole team, or players will abandon their positions. Limit high creative freedom to your most gifted playmakers (e.g., Kaka or Rooney types).

Man-Marking Key Players: Identify the opposition's best playmaker and set a defensive midfielder to man-mark them specifically. This can neutralize even the world's best teams. 4. Player Attributes and Training

Success isn't just about the sliders; you must match the tactic to the players.

Lower Leagues: Focus on physical attributes like Pace and Heading. In FM07, a fast striker can outrun almost any defender in the lower divisions regardless of technical skill.

Training Schedules: Set up specific training regimes by adjusting sliders. Avoid overworking players, as high workloads significantly increase the risk of injuries in the FM07 engine. 5. In-Game Management

Success in FM 2007 is rarely "plug and play." You must adapt during the match:

Rule of One Tactic Sets - and how to implement them to perfection!

The most effective tactics in Football Manager 2007 focus on high-tempo, attacking systems that exploit the match engine's preference for width and direct forward runs. The "Unstoppable" 4-4-2 Attacking System

This is a classic "plug and play" style that works consistently with balanced squads. Mentality: Attacking Width: Ultra-wide to stretch the opposition Tempo: Quick

Defensive Line: Deep (if your defenders are slow) or Medium (to press) Player Instructions:

Fullbacks: Set to "Forward Runs: Often" with short forward arrows (f-arrows).

Wingers: Max out creative freedom and use long f-arrows to the goal line.

Strikers: One "Target Man" with high heading/strength and one "Pacey" striker with a free role. The Mourinho-Style 4-3-3 (Counter-Attack)

If you are an underdog or facing a stronger team, this setup provides stability while remaining lethal on the break.

Rule of One Tactic Sets - and how to implement them to perfection!

Retro Review: The "Tactic-Proof" Legend of Football Manager 2007

If you still have a save file running from 2006, you know the truth: Football Manager 2007 was the peak of the "slider era." It was a time before complex roles like Raumdeuter or Inverted Wing-Backs cluttered the screen. Back then, it was just you, a series of notches on a bar, and a dream of taking Merthyr Tydfil to the Champions League.

What makes the tactics in FM07 so iconic—and why they still "work" in our collective memory—is the sheer predictability of its engine. It was the last version where you could truly feel like a mad scientist. The Immortal 4-4-2 (Diamond)

In FM07, the Diamond 4-4-2 wasn't just a formation; it was a cheat code. With a "Target Man" (think a young Nikola Žigić) and a "Fast Striker" (a lightning-quick Jermain Defoe), the engine simply couldn't cope. You’d set your AMC to "Free Role" and watch them dismantle entire midfields. If you weren't using arrows to pull your wingers forward into the striker strata, were you even playing? The "Diablo" Hangover

While the infamous "Diablo" tactic peaked in CM 03/04, its spirit lived on in FM07 through the 2-3-2-1-2. By overloading the central corridor, you could trick the AI defenders into a state of permanent confusion. The key was the "Forward Runs" instruction—set that to 'Often' for your midfielders, and they’d ghost past the defense like prime Kaká. Why It Felt So Good

The beauty of FM07 tactics was the instant feedback. You didn't need a data hub or a heat map. If you moved the defensive line slider two notches to the right, you saw the "offside trap" fail immediately in the 2D match engine (the glorious "moving circles"). It was a game of extremes: Time Wasting: Cranked to the max at 70 minutes. Tempo: "Quick" for every home game.

Passing: "Direct" because, let’s be honest, we all wanted to be Sam Allardyce's Bolton.

FM 2007 wasn't about "fluidity" or "low blocks"—it was about finding the specific exploit that turned a 17-year-old Sherman Cárdenas or Lulinha into a Ballon d'Or winner. It was the era of the "Super Tactic," and frankly, we've been chasing that high ever since.

In Football Manager 2007, the match engine had some very specific quirks that, once exploited, could turn even an average team into a juggernaut. Unlike modern FM games where "meta" tactics change frequently, FM07 had a few famously overpowered setups that worked for almost every team. The search for the legendary "perfect" tactic in

Here are the three best tactical approaches from FM 2007 that were famously known to "work" (and break the game):

Conclusion

The best tactic for Football Manager 2007 isn't just about downloading a file and clicking "Continue." It is about respecting the meta: Pace, The AMC Arrow, and The Corner Exploit.

Whether you use the robust 4-4-2, the dominant 4-1-2-1-2, or the experimental 4-2-3-1, remember to watch the first 15 minutes of the match on "Extended" highlights. If you see your full-backs being skinned or your AMC getting 6.2 rating, tweak the tempo and closing down.

FM 2007 rewards the active manager. Set your sliders right, find the next Mokoena, and you will go unbeaten.

Good luck, Manager. Now go win the Quadruple.

Title: Optimizing Tactical Systems in Football Manager 2007: A Retrospective Analysis of High-Efficiency Formations and Instructions

Author: Synthetic Football Analytics Unit Date: April 2026

Abstract: Football Manager 2007 (FM07) is widely regarded by the simulation community as having a distinct match engine vulnerable to specific tactical exploits. This paper synthesizes community-derived “best tactics” to identify core principles: exploiting the diagonal ball, overloading the central attacking third, and using defensive closing-down traps. We present a meta-analysis of three consistently top-performing formations (4-1-3-2, 4-4-2 Diamond, and 4-2-3-1 Deep) and their critical player instructions.

1. Introduction Unlike later iterations that punish over-commitment, FM07’s engine rewards high tempo, direct passing, and aggressive closing down—provided the shape retains defensive solidity. The “best” tactics are not singular but share universal sliders.

2. Universal Key Instructions (The “Meta”)

  • Mentality: A split system—defenders on 8-10 (normal), attackers on 15-18 (attacking). Avoid “all-out attack” (20).
  • Passing: Direct (14-16) for most positions; mixed for playmakers.
  • Tempo: High (16-18) to force opposition errors.
  • Closing Down: Entire team on 16-18 except DCs (10-12). This creates a “press trap.”
  • Tackling: Hard for MCs and STs; normal for defenders.
  • Target Man: “To Feet” or “Mixed” (never “Head” despite tall strikers—engine inefficiency).

3. Top Three Formations & Their Rationale

| Formation | Key Role | Exploit | Defensive Weakness | |-----------|----------|---------|--------------------| | 4-1-3-2 | DMC (Anchor) | Central overload; long shots | Flanks vs. 4-4-2 | | 4-4-2 Diamond (wide) | AMC (Playmaker) | Through balls between CBs | No natural width in defense | | 4-2-3-1 Deep | FC (Fast poacher) | Diagonal balls from AML/R | Lone striker isolated vs. 3 CBs |

4. The “Diablo” Tactic (Notable Mention) A notorious exploit tactic (often named “Diablo”) used an arrow-pushing AMC with forward runs maxed, free role, and mentality 20. This caused an engine bug where the AMC remained unmarked. Recommendation: Effective but unrealistic; banned in online communities.

5. Player Attribute Prioritization

  • MCs: Work Rate, Determination, Passing (min 15).
  • DCs: Positioning, Jumping (heading secondary).
  • STs: Acceleration, Finishing, Composure (strength irrelevant).
  • GK: Reflexes, Agility, One-on-Ones.

6. In-Match Adjustments

  • Leading by 1 goal after 75 min → Time wasting 18, defensive line deep (6), width narrow (5).
  • Losing at half-time → Push defensive line to 14, remove “Hold Up Ball” from all players.
  • Rainy pitch → Lower passing to short (8-10), increase closing down.

7. Conclusion No single “best tactic” exists, but FM07 rewards a high-tempo, direct, hard-tackling system with a split mentality and aggressive pressing. The 4-1-3-2 with a DMC anchor and two fast strikers yields the most consistent results across match engines. Avoid “global” team instructions; instead, customize each position’s sliders.

References (Community Sources)

  • SI Games Forums – FM07 Tactics Bible (2007)
  • Sortitout.net – “The Ultimate 4-4-2 Diamond” (2008)
  • FMBritain – “Mr. Hough’s FM07 Tactic” (archived 2009)

Note: This paper is a synthetic reconstruction of community knowledge; no original empirical match data was collected.

Individual Player Instructions That Always Work

Regardless of formation, apply these role settings:

| Position | Key Instructions | | :--- | :--- | | Goalkeeper | Set distribution to "Defender collect" or "Quick throw" – never long kick. | | Full Backs | Closing down = Whole pitch. Tackling = Hard. | | Center Backs | Man marking (not zonal). Tight marking = Yes. | | Defensive Mid | Forward runs = Rare. Through balls = Often. | | Wingers | Crossing = Mixed (not often – it's inefficient in 2007). Cross from = Byline. | | Strikers | If pace >16: Forward runs = Often, Run with ball = Often, Cross ball = Rare. |

Advanced Tweaks: Making the Best Tactics Work Even Better

You have downloaded a tactic (or built one of the above). You are losing 2-0 to Bolton. What went wrong? You forgot the “Set Piece Meta.”

To make any of the above tactics work, you must edit your set pieces manually:

The 4-4-2 Tactic: "The Classic"

  • Formation: 4-4-2
  • Team Instructions:
    • Mentality: Standard
    • Work Ball into Box: Tick
    • Play Wider: Tick
    • Use Shorter Passes: Tick
  • Player Roles:
    • Strikers: Target Man (DL) and Poacher (ST)
    • Midfielders: Box-to-Box Midfielder (DL), Central Midfielder (Support), Wide Midfielder (Support), and Regista (DL)

This classic 4-4-2 tactic focuses on playing direct football, with a strong emphasis on getting the ball into the box. The target man striker holds up the ball, while the poacher looks for opportunities to score.

The Holy Trinity: FM 2007’s Best Working Tactics

After scouring old forums (RIP Sortitoutsi’s 2007 archive) and replaying 1,000+ hours, three tactics stand above the rest. They are universally referred to by the community as: The Diablo, The 4-4-2 Rock, and The 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow.

The "Save Scumming" Truth: No Tactic is Unbeatable

Even the best FM 2007 tactic will lose to the "Super Keeper" AI or a random 3-0 loss at Derby County. The engine uses a "Reaction" system. If you win 5 games in a row, the AI will likely sit ultra-deep and counter.

The Pro Fix: Always have three versions of your primary tactic:

  1. Standard: (As above)
  2. Control: Remove "Counter attack." Lower tempo. Short passing. (Use to break down bus parking).
  3. Overload: 4-2-4 formation. Remove DMC, add an extra ST. Long balls. Get ball forward. (Use only last 15 minutes).

The "Il Devasto": The Cult Classic

While the Diamond was the pro’s choice, the community embraced a specific downloadable tactic known famously as "Il Devasto." This tactic became legendary on the SI Games forums.

It utilized a sweeper system, a formation that was already dying in real-world football but thrived in FM 2007.

  • The System: 3-

FM 2007 Best Tactics Work: Unlocking the Match Engine

For many Football Manager veterans, FM 2007 remains a golden era — deep enough to challenge, but with a match engine that rewards tactical logic without overcomplication. If you’re searching for the best tactics that actually work in FM 2007, you’ve come to the right place. After hundreds of hours of testing, here’s what consistently delivers results.

1. The Diablo Tactic (The Legend) No discussion of FM 2007 tactics is complete without mentioning the infamous Diablo. Originally shared on the SI Games forums, this 4-1-2-1-2 formation exploited a match engine flaw: an attacking midfielder (AMC) with high long shots, creativity, and forward runs would score 40+ goals a season. To make it work:

  • Formation: 4-1-2-1-2 (narrow diamond).
  • AMC instructions: Forward runs often, long shots often, run with ball often.
  • Team mentality: Attacking, direct passing, high tempo.
  • Defensive line: High with offside trap.

Note: Some call it an exploit, but if you want results, Diablo still dominates.

2. The 4-4-2 Control Tactic For those who prefer realism, a balanced 4-4-2 is your best friend. Key instructions:

  • Wingers: Cross from byline, forward runs often.
  • Target man (left ST): Hold up ball, high strength/jumping.
  • Poacher (right ST): Run onto ball, high pace/finishing.
  • Central midfielders: One ball-winner (tackling, work rate) and one playmaker (passing, creativity).
  • Team mentality: Normal-to-attacking, mixed passing, wide width.

This tactic works best with a big man/small man strike partnership. Think Drogba + Defoe.

3. The 4-1-4-1 Counter-Attack Underdogs rejoice. This shape absorbs pressure and hits on the break: Title: Optimizing Tactical Systems in Football Manager 2007

  • DMC: Anchor man (closing down rarely, hold position).
  • Wingers: High pace, cross from deep.
  • Lone striker: Quick, good off-the-ball movement.
  • Team instructions: Defensive mentality, direct passing, narrow width, deep defensive line, quick tempo.
  • Counter-attack: YES.

You’ll concede possession but win games 1-0 or 2-1 against stronger sides.

4. The 3-5-2 Wingback System If you have strong wingbacks and three quality center-backs, this is surprisingly effective:

  • Central CB: Cover (pace, anticipation).
  • Wide CBs: Stopper (aggression, tackling).
  • Wingbacks: High stamina, crossing, work rate.
  • Three CMs: One defensive, two box-to-box.
  • Team instructions: Attacking, short passing, high closing down.

This tactic controls midfield and overloads wide areas. Just ensure your wingbacks don’t tire — keep backups ready.

Universal Tips That Make Tactics Work in FM 2007:

  • Pitch size matters: Use wide/long pitches for attacking tactics, narrow/short for defensive or diamond shapes.
  • Morale is king: A slightly weaker team with superb morale will outperform a stronger team with low morale. Praise players after wins.
  • Team talks: Assertive at home, calm away. Never throw the hairdryer unless losing badly at half-time.
  • Condition management: Rest players below 85% fitness. The match engine penalizes tired legs harshly.
  • Set pieces: Go into the set-piece creator and assign your best header to “attack near post” for corners — it’s overpowered.

What About the Patch? If you’re on the original 7.0.0 version, Diablo works best. On the final 7.0.2 patch, the 4-4-2 Control and 4-1-4-1 counter are more reliable. Always patch to 7.0.2 if possible — it fixes the worst exploits but keeps the game challenging.

Final Verdict: The best tactic in FM 2007 depends on your squad. For pure win-now power: Diablo. For long-term saves: 4-4-2 Control. For underdog glory: 4-1-4-1 Counter.

No matter which you choose, remember — tactics alone don’t win titles. Man management, transfers, and squad rotation complete the puzzle. But with these blueprints, you’ll be lifting the Champions League in no time.

Have you found a tactic that works better? Share your experiences below.

Football Manager 2007 (FM07), the most effective tactics often exploit specific flaws in the match engine, such as the AI's struggle to track late-running midfielders or the sheer dominance of pace and power. 1. The Legendary "Diablo" Tactic

While famous from CM 03/04, variations of the Diablo tactic remained powerful in FM07. It typically utilizes a 4-1-2-1-2 (Diamond) or a 4-4-2 with a crucial tweak:

The Key Instruction: Give your central attacking midfielder (AMC) or a central midfielder (MC) a long forward run (arrow) into the box.

Why it works: The match engine often fails to assign a marker to this runner, allowing them to arrive late and unmarked for dozens of goals per season .

Team Instructions: High tempo, short passing, and a "Gung-ho" mentality . 2. The Target Man 4-4-2

FM07 was an era where physical attributes like Pace, Acceleration, and Strength were king. A classic 4-4-2 with a "Big Man/Small Man" partnership was devastatingly effective:

Target Man: Set a tall striker with high strength and heading to "Target Man."

Fast Striker: Pair them with a "Poacher" with 18+ Pace to run onto flick-ons.

Wingers: Set to "Hugging Touchline" with "Cross Often" to feed the Target Man . 3. The "Slider Apathy" (Dual Mentality)

Popularized by the tactical community at the time (notably the TT&F IV guides), this approach focuses on Team Shape:

The System: Use a high defensive line to keep the team compact .

Mentality Split: Give your defensive unit (GK, Back 4, DM) a more defensive mentality, while giving your front five an attacking one. This ensures you always have five players defending and five attacking, outperforming the AI's more rigid systems . 4. Tactical Tips for Success

Set Pieces: Always set your best header to "Attack Near Post" and your corner taker to "Aim for Near Post." This was a notorious "goal mine" in early FM versions.

Player Attributes: Prioritize Physicals over Technicals. A winger with 20 Pace and 10 Crossing will often perform better than one with 10 Pace and 20 Crossing.

Training: Ensure your day-to-day training regime is set correctly to maintain high fitness levels, as the FM07 engine is punishing on tired squads . DOMINATE with this 4-4-2 tactic in FM26

Classic wingers in this 4-4-2 formation are expected. One type aims to reach the touchline and deliver crosses into the box. YouTube·Trequinho TT&F IV: New Strategies and Theories for '07

Football Manager 2007 , the most effective tactics often rely on finding a balance between team-wide sliders and individual player arrows to exploit the match engine's mechanics

. While many players find success with the classic flat 4-4-2, the real "killers" often involve specific tweaks to tempo and creative freedom. Effective Formations The Flat 4-4-2

: Still widely considered the most reliable "safe" formation. For best results, use long forward arrows on wingers to push them into attacking positions and backwards arrows on fullbacks to maintain defensive stability. The Mourinho 4-3-3

: This involves a conservative back four and a stable midfield where only one player has an attacking slider. Maxing out creative freedom for your wingers in this setup can be devastating. The "Rule of Two" Setup

: This strategy divides your team into two distinct blocks—5 players on defensive duty (low mentality, tight marking) and 5 on offensive duty (pressing often, higher mentality). Key Tactical Settings Tempo & Passing quick tempo combined with short passing

and an attacking mentality is generally the most successful baseline. Creative Freedom

: Be cautious here; setting this too high for all players can lead to chaotic positioning. Reserve high creative freedom only for your top 1-3 playmakers with high flair and creativity. Defensive Line

: Your defensive line depth should correspond to your defenders' speed—the slower they are, the deeper you should set the line to avoid being caught on the break. The "Target Man"

: If you have a tall, physical forward, setting them as a target man is a highly effective way to hold up play and bring others into the game. Managing the AI Reacting to Mentality

: Against defensive AI tactics (like the narrow 3-3-2-1-1), use a wide formation with a high percentage of forward runs to overload the box. Adaptive Strategies

: Use a "Control" tactic (no arrows) against defensive opponents, and switch to a "Counter" tactic (short arrows) against teams playing a standard setup. For more in-depth strategies, the Tactical Theorems and Frameworks '07

guide on the Sports Interactive Community forums remains the gold standard for understanding FM07 mechanics. for one of these formations? FM 07 help - Tactics, Training & Strategies Discussion