Best Tactics On FM, Explained

Storyline / Purpose

• The video is a “holiday special” for Football Manager 26, focused on showcasing and explaining several top-performing FM26 tactics and why they work.
• The creator uses FM Arena as a reference point, citing tactic database testing (intended to isolate tactic effectiveness in a “tactic vs. tactic” environment).
• They then apply the tactics in real save examples with Arsenal and Wolves.

Gameplay Highlights (Tactics and What They Aim to Do)

1) “Diabolic” — strikerless 5-2-3 / 4-3-4 (labeled “best tactic on FM Arena”)

Core Idea

• In possession: extremely aggressive and direct, with narrow attacking shapes and heavy use of inside/central roles.
• Out of possession: a surprisingly very deep defensive line that still presses/steps up when the ball is approached—creating a “front press” while the rest of the defense drops into a deep block.

Key Tactical Behaviors Mentioned

• High press combined with a lower defensive line
  • Defends in two parts: front press + deep “back seven”
• Counter-press “press more often” and frequent pressure triggers
• Discourages long shots
  • Encourages dribbling, low crosses, and working the ball through the box/flanks
• Short-play progression that sends the ball to space (via center-backs into space), then attacks with runners from advanced midfield/inside roles

Simulated Results (with Arsenal)

• 94 points, won the league by 5
• 120 goals scored (2nd best in league) and 34 conceded
• Won Champions League + FA Cup (treble in the opening season)
• Dominant player: Bukayo Saka
  • Inside forward off the right: 36 PL goals + 25 assists

Example Attacking Pattern

• Against a high-pressure opponent (PSG scenario):
  • Arsenal presses so many players that Declan Rice becomes a runner into space
• A key finish is made by an overlapping center back (example given: Pierro Henappy)
  • The other overlapping center back stays back (example given: Ben White)

Outcomes vs. Different Styles

• Versus low blocks: still creates chances behind the line via over-the-top balls (example run: Martin Ødegaard)
• Defensively: vulnerability to turnovers/counterattacks; some goals correlate with the deep line
• Against top teams (Manchester City example):
  • the deep block stays disciplined
  • but can still be exploited by high-quality through balls/space

Risk Acknowledged + Possible Tweaks

• Main danger: conceding behind the deep line if opponents have runners (e.g., “channel forward” type threats)
• Possible improvements for weaker teams:
  • Lower tempo
  • Add time wasting
  • Use player instructions to reduce turnovers (especially from poor players)

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2) “Argus 26” — best non–back five tactic (uses strikers)

Core Idea

• Similar “FM Arena-style” offensive principles to Diabolic:
  • high tempo, direct play, narrow attacking, low crosses, encouraged dribbling, etc.
• Structured around only two center backs.

In Possession / Attacking Shape

• Roles include:
  • attacking midfielder
  • channel midfielder
  • defensive midfielders
  • inside forwards
  • a shadow striker

Out of Possession / Defensive Shape

• Flat back four
  • Defensive midfielders drop deeper
• Defensive midfielders take on a more defensive posture (step-back behavior)
• Result: a similar defensive concept overall, but without the full back-five “shell”

Simulated Results (with Wolves)

• Wolves finish 4th in the league
  • (and the 7th in the simulator reference is mentioned later—overall it performs strongly)
• Scoring: around 93 goals (cited for Wolves)
• Defensive issues are noted relative to elite teams (more conceded than the Diabolic example)

Why It’s Effective (As Claimed)

• The creator emphasizes that strikerless formations seemed especially good vs high lines,
  • but Argus still performs well by shaping midfield drops and pressing intensity.

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3) “343 Invert Tide” — best tactic with a striker

Core Idea

• Presented as the “best with a striker” option: a more “normal-feeling” system (compared to strikerless),
  • but still featuring:
    • high press
    • lower defensive line
    • counter-press more often
    • invite crosses

In Possession

• Built around 3-4-3 with:
  • wing backs
  • inside forwards
  • a channel forward
  • target center forward (the striker)
  • box-to-box / defensive mid roles
  • three ball-playing center backs
• Offense remains direct, higher, narrow, and uses the same general progression themes.

Simulation Result (with Wolves)

• Wolves finish 7th
  • noted as 5 points fewer than the previous tactic
• Leading scorer example:
  • Jürgen Strand Larsen, tying for most goals (described as the league’s top scorer)

Why a Striker Still Matters

• Striker-inclusive systems unlock striker goal-scoring opportunities, demonstrated by this player’s output.

Example Goal Mechanism

• Wing-back/advanced wide supply leads to an end-line cross/return
• The striker arrives to poach using:
  • physical presence
  • off-ball timing
  • finishing
  • first touch

Arsenal Usage

• Arsenal wins the league again using this tactic
• Key contributors shift:
  • Declan Rice leads in key passes
  • Yuri Timber leads in assists
  • the striker becomes top scorer
  • Bukayo Saka doesn’t produce as expected (hurt/injured and/or not a starter per the AI lineup described)

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Key Strategies / Tips the Creator Emphasizes

• Deep defensive lines can work when paired with intense pressure (they aren’t automatically “bad” in FM).
• The most important learning is about moving players forward/backward correctly between:
  • in possession
  • out of possession
• Avoid thinking only in terms of roles—FM tactics depend heavily on where players are positioned as the match state changes.
• Offensive principles repeated across top tactics:
  • High tempo
  • More direct passing
  • Narrow width
  • Low crosses
  • Encouraged dribbling
  • Short-play build-up into space while discouraging bad long shots
• For weaker teams or higher turnover risk:
  • consider lowering tempo
  • add time wasting
  • set instructions to reduce risky turnovers

Gamers / Sources Featured

• Zealand (mentioned as “Zealand” in the video; used as a question prompt)
• FM Arena (website/community source for tactic testing and rankings)

Clubs / Players Referenced in Simulation Examples

• Arsenal: Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Ben White, Martin Ødegaard, Martinelli
  • plus named roles including Pierro Henappy as an example
• Wolves: Jürgen Strand Larsen
• Opponents used in match examples:
  • PSG
  • Manchester City
• Other named contributors:
  • Yuri Timber
  • Suba Mendy (mentioned in defensive-shape discussion)