Football Manager 2018: 10 Tips & Secrets The Game Doesn't Tell You

8. Mastering 4-2-3-1 Is A Good Place To Start

As already touched on, it's good to have a few different formations mastered and under your belt in Football Manager 2018, and 4-2-3-1 is always a good place to start, providing you have the squad to pull it off.

This system has been a fan favourite over the years, and it's easy to see why. It allows teams to attack both through the middle and out wide, and will serve you well defensively if the opposition put you on the back foot.

Learning how to play the formation is the most important part. Wingers and a powerful centre-forward are the key here, but it's best to set the former to inside forward roles, because that lone striker will need support.

Ideally, one central midfielder should take on a supporting role and the other act as an enforcer, set to defend, but in reality there will be times when both need to provide backup to the rearguard. Few teams are capable of bossing every opponent.

This formation is most effective when coupled with a controlling or attacking mentality, though never underestimate its merits with a counter-attacking or defensive gameplan. Encouraging your players to be more expressive is often a good move too.