One of the most downloaded Lower League tactics for Football Manager 2017, brought to you by SE7EN.
Today I'm sharing with you an awesome Lower League tactic that will for sure get your club promoted from the lower tiers. Steam user SE7EN is the creator of this LL tactic, so all props to him.SE7EN's Lower League 4-3-3 Wide tactic was one FM16’s most downloaded tactics. After a few weeks of testing, he is delighted to announce, that we now have the new working version for Football Manager 2017.
He has used this tactic with two different saves so far.
- Gainsborough Trinity in the Vanarama National League North. Predicted to finish bottom of the league, finished 1st by 1 point.
- Stockport Country in the Vanarama National League North. 1st season: predicted to finish 14th, finished 1st by 7 points. The second season: predicted to finish 10th, finished 1st by 3 points.
Also, make sure you download his Lower League shortlist where you can find over 60 players all good enough to play in the Vanarama National League North/South.
Screenshots of the tactic
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Windows users, download and move tactic to:
[C:\Users\USERNAME\Documents\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2017\tactics]
If tactics folder is not there, create one with this name only. Other names will not recognise the files inside the game.
Mac users, download and move tactic to:
[Macintosh HD\users\USERNAME\Documents\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2017\tactics]
If tactics folder is not there, create one with this name only. Other names will not recognise the files inside the game.
Once in your Football Manager 2017 save game:
[Tactics > Tactic (Dropdown Menu) > Manage Tactics > Select Tactic > Import > Set as starting tactic]
SE7EN'S GUIDE TO MANAGING IN THE LOWER LEAGUE
1) Pre-Season
General Training = Balanced/Normal Intensity Level
Main Focus = Match Tactics
In pre-season arrange around 6 - 8 friendlies to get the team as fluid as possible with the tactic. Only train one tactic, DO NOT have other tactics trained at the same time, else it will take ages for your team to become fluid.
Once the tactic is entirely fluid, I usually train back up 4-4-2 tactic as well.
When the tactic becomes fully fluid in the familiarity box, you can change your Main Focus to whatever your Scout suggests. You can get your scout to suggest what focus to choose from by assigning them to report on the next opposition.
2) Team Talks / Opposition Instructions
I always use either a Passionate, Assertive and sometimes even the Aggressive option in my teams' talks.
Before the match, I always go for an either a Passionate or Assertive message of encouragement. I find against the smaller teams telling the team "We're favourites here so go and impress me" or something similar works well. Against the big teams, I find telling them "Don't' let the media's recent praise affect you, go out and play your natural game" or something similar works well.
However at half time if we're losing and playing poorly I'll always use the aggressive option. Many times I've been losing at half time and I use the "Aggressive - Show me something else in the second half" option, and I come back to draw or win has been crazy.
I don't assign any opposition instructions at the beginning or during the match. If you go to the tactics screen, you will notice that I've already assigned each playing position with additional individual duties.
During the game, I will, however, use the team talk option. Usually, go for a "Passionate - Encouragement" if we're playing well or drawing. If we are losing ill go for an "Assertive or Aggressive - Demand More".
3) Buying players on cheap wages
When you approach to sign a player, the player will set a list of things they require like team status, etc. Even though the majority of players on my shortlist will ask for a Key Player status, you can still bring that down to Youngster, and they will accept. Sometimes however if they do reject your approach, add the option "Allow the player to treat the club as a stepping stone", and they will then accept.
The following day you will get a mail where you can offer the player a Non-Contract. The first thing you need to do is "Remove and exclude negotiations" on both Goal Bonus and Clean Sheets rewards. The only thing that is important is Appearance fee and Non-Appearance Fee.
For example, if the player requests a Non-Appearance fee of £90 then bring Appearance fee down to £100. Keep suggesting the same offer to the player until the box goes orange. This means you have only one more chance to offer. Bring the Appearance Fee back down to £100 one last time and click on the Non-Negotiable button so the icon goes red. Offer the players, and he will accept, works every time.
