After seasons of speculation after the now pretty old tactics attack on wing, attack in middle and so on were introduced we finally got our new tactical choice. Play creatively took the community by storm at the beginning of the season. The SE-optimized teams whom had been waiting for something like this to happen for many seasons jumped off their seats - finally! The world is ours!

But was it what we all expected? It was pretty much everything we expected at first, this would weaken the defence and increase your potentials for special events - it really sounds like a “spot-on” idea at first glance, in theory if you wish. But then, after trying the new tactic a couple of games, first with the b-squad, cup and friendlies it was time. The new A-side would try the tactic in a game which should have been won by more than one goal if the tactic actually would have worked. I can’t really argue that my team is one of the teams that actually is “SE-optimized”, but all my forwards (3-4-3) got a speciality, mainly heading or being unpredictable. At the moment of the game I believe I had three midfielders as well with a special ability.

However the SE goals didn’t come in the first try, neither did they (or it!) come the next game or the game after that one. What the hell? Went back a couple of games to the “normal” tactic and there they were again, the SE goals. They were not as many as I would have wished for, but it was a normal delivery I’ve seen for many seasons from the guys. But, the downsides of the creative order was still there, I DID lose defence, and almost ended up losing a game because of it. Of course there are many factors that has to be put in context here, maybe my choice of team, positions - the normal scouting wasn’t the best, but still.

I’m very sceptical, mainly cause of my own (short and not even near the amount one would need to draw a conclusion I might add, but this really needs to be discussed!) experience with this new tactic. I don’t know what the general opinion is about it in the community, but the guys I’ve talked with that has actually tried the tactic seem to agree. Of course there will always be exceptions, but I don’t believe I’m one of them.

I’m still thrilled with the fact that we DID get a new tactical choice, but I believe that this one needs a lot of work and evaluation, at least evaluation. The word is yours.