Hey guys, we are back with another tactic testing for FM24. This time we put 100% Attack by Josh Daly to the test. The tactic creator makes some big claims in his original post. We want to see if the tactic lives up to the hype.
The conditions of the test
For this test, we decided to attempt to bring some elusive silverware to Tottenham, whose players seem to fit into the formation and the tactic. As usual, I simmed a whole campaign without making any changes or transfers.
How was the tactic set up?
The tactical style is custom TikiTaka, and the mentality is positive, which is not surprising considering the tactic’s name.
Anyway, the formation is set up in a 4-1-3-2 shape, which is very much geared to use attack as the best form of defence.
At the base of the team is a sweeper keeper on defend duties. In front of the stopper are two ball-playing defenders on defend, flanked by two full-backs on attack duty.
One of the most crucial players of the team, in the defensive midfield role an anchor sits in front of the backline. He is vital, as he is one of only three players in the team with the defend duty.
Then to the attacking players. On one flank is an inverted winger, on the other an inside forward, with an attacking midfielder sandwiched in between. All three are on support duty.
At the very front of the team are two advanced forwards, who are supposed to lead the attack and score those all-important goals. Ironically, Spurs are not blessed with many out-and-out central forwards but have many wide players who can play up front.
How did the tactic perform?
The tactic produced good results overall. The team was predicted to finish seventh place but instead finished as Premier League runners-up, 11 points behind eventual winners Liverpool, who lost just once all season in the English top-flight.
There was no great surprise in the fact that the tactic was excellent in attack. The team scored a league-high 94 goals compared to the champion’s 77.
The defensive records made a difference, though, as Spurs let in 48, while the Reds conceded just 22 in the Premier League.
We lost just four league games all season, but it was ten draws that really cost us a shot at winning the title.
What stood out from the stats was that we had the joint-best home record in the top flight. The team won 16 of its 19 home matches, drawing two and losing just once. North London rivals Arsenal were the other team with a nearly identical record on home soil.
Only two teams, Liverpool and Newcastle, had better away records over the campaign. However, according to the actual figures, the away record was highly inconsistent.
In the cup competitions, we cured Tottenham’s phobia of silverware by winning the League Cup, which, of course, was the last trophy they won in real life, which came in 2008. Unfortunately, London rivals Chelsea knocked us out of the FA Cup in the third-round stage.
Who were the players that performed best using this tactic?
This tactic was never going to produce big numbers for defensive players. It was always going to be the attacking stars who shined brightest using this tactic.
Brazilian international Richarlison, playing as an inverted winger, contributed the most goals, scoring 18 goals and producing 11 assists.
I used auto-pick to choose the team initially. If I were picking the team, I would have played the former Everton star as a central forward, as he had played there previously with the Toffees.
All Spurs forwards could have interchanged in his formation. However, the proof of his success was in his impressive numbers.
One player who surprised me with his high numbers was Brennan Johnson. The Welsh youngster played most of the season as an advanced forward, scoring a team-high 21 goals and also producing eight assists.
I was surprised to see Johnson do so well centrally because I always viewed him as a winger or inside forward who cuts inside rather than a focal point of the attack. However, he thrived in his relatively new central role.
Johnson was partnered in attack by South Korean star Heung-Min Son, who scored 19 goals and produced seven assists. Son spent much of last season as Spurs’ central forward but previously had played as played on the flank for much of his career.
Versatile Swedish international Dejan Kulusevski was also consistent when it came to scoring and creating goals, scoring 14 goals and creating 13 assists from his attacking midfield role.
The last of Tottenham’s five starting attacking players, James Maddison, who was playing as an inside forward, certainly didn’t disappoint when it came to goals and assists. The former Leicester star scored a respectable 12 goals and a team-high 16 assists.
On loan forward Timo Werner was a bit-part player, starting 16 games but also making 18 substitute appearances. Considering his lack of game time, his record of 13 goals and one assist over the campaign was impressive.
Another player who deserves a mention when it comes to creating goals is attacking right-back Pedro Porro, who put all his creativity to good use by picking up 12 assists and scoring three goals. Only Kulusevski picked up a higher season average than Porro’s 7.20.
Other full-backs Emerson Royal and Destiny Udogie also picked up five assists over the campaign.
What is my verdict on this tactic?
Josh Daly is a renowned tactic creator who is highly prolific when it comes to creating winning tactics. Although I didn’t win the title with Tottenham, the season was a success.
The tactic overachieved, and if I had managed the team manually, I may well have made the changes needed in those ten draws to turn them into wins and won the title.
I love this tactic, as it’s the one I currently use with my Everton team on my personal save. It’s pure entertainment, bringing back the enjoyment of watching your team play.
This is a must-try tactic for anybody who manages a mid-high team. It may well work with underdog teams, but I haven’t tested it yet.
If anybody out there tests it with a smaller team, I would appreciate it if you let me know the results. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to test it with a smaller team.
Have you used Josh Daly’s 100% Attack? If so, please share your thoughts on the tactic on our social media.
