Alright lads, let's dive into the 4231, the regular version with the three CAMs. We're going to break down the setup, the depth, the player roles, and then we'll get into some gameplay, the pros, and the cons. Let's get it!
Tactics and Player Roles
So, let's get into the tactics, lads. We're using Balanced for the attacking style. I don't think any of the other options are better. The only time I'd consider Short Passing is if you struggle with calling players short, if you're not keen on using the bumpers to bring players closer to you. If you're fine with calling players short, doing player locks, and that high-level stuff, then Balanced is perfect.
For Depth, we're going with 70. It's not as high as 95, which you can get away with, and I have used it, but for this formation, I prefer 70.
Now, let's talk about the player roles, lads.
- Goalkeeper: Sweeper Keeper. Use whatever role your goalkeeper has.
- Center Backs: Leave them on Defender. Don't mess with them. They're the best in the game mainly because they stay in the center back area. Defending is already a pain, so don't put them on Stopper or Ball Playing Defender. They also get mad stamina drain when you put them on other roles, whereas Defender doesn't.
- Fullbacks: Both on Fallback Balanced. We want them to show some feet for building up. When you have them on Defend, they sit a little bit deep. If you're struggling defensively or want to shut up shop later in the game, Defend might be for you. But for the most part, Balanced is the way to go. When someone's using the 42-3-1, the fullbacks do mark those wingers quite tightly, so it's not as easy for them to get the ball, turn, and go.
- CDMs: Both on Deep Lying Playmaker and Build Up. They're going to make their way up the pitch, but they're not going to go too crazy. They do come back when you're defending, which is important. You want them in that defensive area. They are CDMs, but they're going to help a lot with the buildup. For me, the way I play the 4231, as well as formations with two CDMs, I really do love Deep Lying Playmaker on Build Up because they just get involved more. When you use this setting, you can't use someone like a Vieira who is a bit heavier on the ball. You want to be using players like Pedri, Yaya Toure, or that new Ruud Gullit. Players that can do it all: attack, defend, shoot, score, pass. You want them to have a good array of passing playstyles, defensive playstyles, and shooting playstyles. If you can, having a right-footer on the right-hand side and a left-footer on the left-hand side will help you out a lot.
- Center CAM: Playmaker and Balanced. You want this player to be holding down this part of the pitch because no one else is really going to get into these zones. Basically, this CAM is going to link your attack to your defense and defense to attack and so on. I recommend this player be your best passer of the ball. If you're using a slower CAM, then you probably put them in the center mid position because pace doesn't matter too much in the center CAM position.
- Right CAM: Playmaker and Balanced. They are going to be getting involved with the play. The attacking play you can change this to like Roaming, but they go too far across onto the left-hand side, which I'm not too much of a fan of. I really want this right CAM to be holding down the right-hand side of the pitch.
- Left CAM: Shadow Striker and Attack. I have tried both CAMs on Shadow Striker, and it is really good when you're losing, but it is really, really, really attacking. When you've got one on Shadow Striker and one on Playmaker, you do get a good balance, lads. I recommend treating this player like a striker and your right CAM like a winger. You want to have pace, as always, is always important, but being able to shoot, score, and finish is again very important.
- Striker: Advanced Forward and Attack. No support this time around because it's the single striker. I want them to be staying central. I don't want them to be going too far wide. I just want them to be staying in this middle area. You just want someone, to be honest, I would always say get someone faster than Luis Suarez because you are going to get opportunities to have breakaways, and if they're not too fast, they are going to struggle.
Gameplay: Pros and Cons
So, diving into the gameplay, lads. We did score a variety of goals with this formation, which is a benefit to having the two CDMs on Build Up. You are going to get goals from those CDM positions.
- Pros:
- Having two CDMs mirrors the 4213, which we know is super effective. Formations that have two CDMs this year just give you that level of security that without it, you definitely notice it.
- I like to use the CDMs more in the buildup. If you want to have just out-and-out CDMs, I would recommend turning Build Up off and using Deep Lying Playmaker on Defend or Hold in Defend.
- The 4231 is far, far better at buildup than the 4213. You're going to have a lot more passing options in midfield. You're going to have options to actually play football and build up.
- Cons:
- Sometimes, not too often, it can lack a little bit of width because the CAMs do tend to tuck in, especially on Balanced. However, when they come inside, it drags the opposition's fullback in, so because you've got the fullback on Balanced, you're going to be able to trigger a run from your fullback to get down that line and really expose them.
- One of the negatives about the formation is obviously the one striker. If you break away too fast, you can find your striker is very, very isolated.
- You do find the fullbacks get a little bit tired, especially if they don't have Relentless.
Team Selection
Let's talk about the team and the sorts of players you'd want to use in each position.
- Center Backs: I will always recommend lengthy center backs because you'll just get that catch-up speed. It is really, really effective.
- Fullbacks: If you don't have subs and they get tired, I would probably look at replacing them.
- CDMs: If you can have someone that is lengthy like a Yaya Toure or a Gullit, that's going to be perfect. Then, if you can combine that with someone like a Pedri that is a bit more technical, a bit more nimble on the ball, I think that's the best combo for this. Someone that's a bit of an enforcer, a bit of a bruiser is really good, and then someone that's a bit more technical, a bit of a dribbler.
- Center CAM: You want them to have the best passing in your team. Pace is not too important, but you want them to have lots of passing playstyles. From the three CAMs, Incisive Pass is really, really, really, really important just because without Incisive, the through balls just don't hit the same. Any combination of tiki-taka, pinged, all those passing playstyles are really good.
- Striker: I would always have a player to swap in for this. Be looking for meta playstyles like Finesse and Low Driven. They're the top two for this position, as well as bags of pace. But if they've not got lots of playstyles, like Luis Suarez, having someone that's lengthy is really going to help you negate the fact that they are a little bit slower.
That is the 4231. It's definitely an S-tier formation for me. It goes toe-to-toe well with the 4213. If you're looking to play nicer football, you're going to have a bit more fun in the game. I definitely recommend you give this one a go.