Discover 5 crucial tips to dominate Football Manager 2024. Enhance your tactics, morale, and set-pieces for more victories.
Master FM24 with these essential tactics, morale boosters, and set-piece strategies
As an ardent Football Manager aficionado, I’m always on the lookout for strategies to elevate my game and lead my team to more victories. In this detailed blog post, I’ll be sharing five vital tips to help you enhance your FM24 experience and secure those crucial wins.
1. Deep Dive into Your Tactics
One of the keys to winning more games in Football Manager 2024 is having a meticulously crafted and optimised tactic. While tweaking team instructions or player roles is a good start, delving deeper into your tactic’s performance can reveal hidden weaknesses and opportunities for improvement.
Begin by utilising the Analysis feature on the tactics screen. This tool provides a visual representation of your team’s coverage across the pitch, highlighting well-covered areas in green and under-covered areas in red or orange.
Identifying these problematic zones allows you to make targeted adjustments, whether it’s altering player roles or making significant changes to your tactical shape. For instance, if you notice your left side is vulnerable, consider switching your left-back to a more defensive role or adding a box-to-box midfielder for additional support in that area.
Cross-referencing this data with the Team Analyst Report, which details where your team concedes goals and the sources of those chances, is also invaluable. This comprehensive analysis helps tailor your tactical tweaks to address specific weaknesses directly.
Remember, it’s crucial to look beyond the surface of your tactics and uncover the underlying patterns that impact your team’s performance. This in-depth analysis can be the difference between a successful season and a disappointing one.
2. Master Your Set-Piece Routines
Another essential aspect of winning more games in FM24 is the strategic use of set-pieces, which have been significantly revamped in this year’s edition.
In previous versions, setting up a few basic corner and free-kick routines and then ignoring them was often enough. However, in FM24, taking the time to craft and manage a variety of set-piece routines can provide a considerable advantage over your opponents.
Navigate to the Tactics screen and select the Set Pieces tab. Here, you can create multiple corner and free-kick routines, each with unique setups and usage frequencies.
By diversifying your set-piece options, you make it much harder for opponents to defend against you. For example, if an opposing team has a tall centre-back, create a routine targeting the near post where they are likely stationed. Alternatively, set up a short corner routine to catch the defence off guard.
The beauty of this system is that once you’ve created your set-piece routines, you can save them and load them into any future saves, eliminating the need to start from scratch with each new game.
Set-pieces can be a crucial source of goals in Football Manager, and by optimising your routines, you can give your team a significant edge over the competition.
3. Manage Player Morale Efficiently
In Football Manager, player morale and happiness significantly impact their on-field performance. Therefore, managing your squad’s dynamics and personalities is crucial.
Boost player morale by using the Praise Player function, especially before important matches. Individual praise for conduct or recent performances can noticeably improve morale and, consequently, their on-field output.
Regularly engage with your players through team meetings and individual conversations. If a player’s morale dips, speak with them, address their concerns, and offer support and encouragement.
Conversely, if a player is consistently underperforming, don’t hesitate to criticise their training performances or match displays. This can motivate them to improve and signal to the rest of the squad that subpar performances are unacceptable.
Maintaining a positive and supportive environment for your players ensures they perform at their best, giving you the best chance to secure more wins in your FM24 save.
READ MORE: How to Play Entertaining Football & Keep the Board Happy
4. Leverage Effective Opposition Instructions
Another crucial element of winning more games in Football Manager 2024 is the strategic use of Opposition Instructions. This feature allows you to tailor your approach to specific opponents, nullifying their strengths and exploiting their weaknesses.
When facing an unfamiliar opponent, rely on your assistant manager’s recommendations. These instructions usually suggest ways to target the opposition’s key players or disrupt their preferred style of play.
For familiar opponents, like those in your league or cup competitions, analyse their squad and tactics in detail. This enables you to create a more tailored set of opposition instructions, giving your team a significant advantage.
For instance, if you’re facing a team with a dangerous winger, instruct your full-back to "Tightly Mark" that player, limiting their influence. Alternatively, if the opposition relies heavily on long balls, instruct your defenders to "Crowd Out" the target man, making it harder for them to win aerial duels.
By carefully considering your opposition and implementing effective instructions, you give your team the best possible chance of securing victory.
5. Utilise In-Game Shouts Effectively
One often overlooked aspect of winning more games in Football Manager 2024 is the strategic use of in-game Shouts (which, by the way, won't be in Football Manager 2025 anymore). These tactical instructions can provide a valuable boost to your team’s performance at critical moments during a match.
Some key shouts I use include:
- Praise: Use this when your team is comfortably ahead (e.g., 2-0 or more) to boost morale and encourage maintaining high performance.
- Demand More: Use this when the game is level or if you’re trailing to spur your players on and increase their intensity.
- Encourage: Useful when your team is struggling, as it lifts their spirits and motivates them to push forward.
Note that the effectiveness of these shouts varies, and it’s essential to use them judiciously. Overusing certain shouts, like Berate or Fire Up, can negatively impact your players’ morale and performance.
Mastering the use of in-game shouts provides your team with necessary boosts and adjustments to secure crucial victories, especially in tight or challenging matches.
READ ALSO: How to Make a Comeback in Football Manager
Conclusion
Implementing these five essential tips can significantly improve your chances of winning more games in Football Manager 2024. From thoroughly analysing your tactic and optimising set-piece routines to effectively managing player morale and utilising opposition instructions, each strategy offers a valuable edge over your opponents.
Winning in FM24 isn’t just about having the best players or the most expensive squad; it’s about understanding the game’s nuances and making the right tactical and managerial decisions at the right time. Incorporate these tips into your gameplay, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving greater success and dominating the virtual football world.
Keep these strategies in mind, and you’ll find yourself climbing the ranks, lifting trophies, and cementing your legacy as a Football Manager legend. Happy managing!
