Welcome back everyone. We’re taking a break from the action of the blog league to take a look at what tactics are being employed by each of the teams and have a closer look at some of the key performers in each team.

AIK – Matt

Matt has probably pulled a decent side from the hat, but not a lot of depth on the face of what we have seen so far.

Tactically Matt has chosen a 2-3-3-2 formation which is focused on splitting the pitch into two basic core elements of defence and attack. It should allow you to overload the front with AM’s or FW’s but the match engine will still recognise a healthy bucket of defensive bodies.

As ever, it’s a Direct style to get up the pitch quickly and efficiently but you need the personal up top to be able to manage that style. Matt has conceded 4 goals per game, so perhaps having nothing in the middle is a problem?

As the stats go, Simpson has 9 goal involvements (7 goals / 2 assists) as does Johansson (4 goals / 5 assists). Asper has the highest average rating (8.00) but this is likely due to facing so much action. Outfield defensive ratings have been poor, perhaps that is the area Matt needs to bolster in the transfer window.

AaB – Phil

Phil has drawn what is a mix of capability and culpability in getting AaB. As you’ve seen mentioned in the blog so far, Phil has employed the Ajax tactic.

Soren Andersen is the pinnacle of his focus and, on paper, has some strong supporting acts in Gronkjaer and Hojer in terms of ability to play the position. There’s some belief that players with arrows need to be able to play both positions for the best outcome.

Also, whilst Direct is the preferred style in CM9798, is it wise to miss 4 of your players out of the process and rely on one up top Direct?

Unsurprisingly, Andersen has the most goal involvements, 11 (8 goals / 3 assists) followed by Baelum with 7 (2 goals / 5 assists).

Brann – Dave

Being honest, Dave is not happy with his luck in the draw, and who can blame him. Brann have been woeful. That said, do they have the personal to deliver on the formational ask? Dave has tried 4-2-3-1 and has now settled on the old trusty 2-3-1-2-2.

It’s Direct, its fast, it has plenty of balance. Tommy pulling the strings seems right. But Mjelde has come across as a bit of a fraud.

Mjelde tops Dave’s goal involvements with 5 (3 goals / 2 assists). Top rated is Lovvik with a 9.00 from 1 game in the cup. Moen, Paldan and Bahus have all faired well in ratings – it seems the midfield need to pick their game up.

Brondby – Ross

Ross has settled on the same formation as Matt, 2-3-3-2. Same story, except on a passing style basis. But is it fairing any better? Ross is conceding 1 less goal per game at 3 and is 3 points better off.

Rasmussen leads the goal involvements for Ross with 12 (8 goals / 4 assists) followed by Sand with 11 (7 goals / 4 assists). Average ratings across Ross’s side are mostly 7+, so maybe something will click soon.

FC Kobenhaven – Me

I have settled on a 3-3-2-2 Direct style. I had started with 3-3-3-1 but the goals were in short supply. It should give me good balance across the park, maybe a little less protected at the back.

So far we’ve scored 14 and conceded 14 so quite balanced and we’ve only lost once. We need more output up top to turn this into a success.

Top of the goal involvements is Cliffort with 16 (11 goals / 5 assists) followed by Jonsson with 10 (6 goals / 4 assists). As average ratings go, you’d expect Cliffort to be top with an 8.10 and the only player below 7 is Zarp in goal.

IFK Gothenburg – Deano

Deano has depth. He has ability. Tactically, a similar story to me, with some tweaks. It’s 1-3-1-3-2 Direct with Lucic employed as a sweeper. I like a sweeper, old fashioned. Up there with player managers.

Deano has been an early pace setter and has scored 17 and only conceded 5, the best defence in the league by some way.

Topping the goal involvements is Ekstrom with a whopping 22 (13 goals / 9 assists) followed by Bye Andersen with 14 (8 goals / 6 assists). Overall average ratings generally pushing for 8.00 with three players averaging an 8.00 in Ekstrom, Bye Andersen and Petterson.

Malmo – Zak

Zak drew what all felt was the short straw. Limited tactical flex in positions. It seemed like one hell of an ask. Zak as an unconventional and offset 3-2-1-2-2 making the most of his squads attributes.

Scoring 14, conceding 11 and losing just once, it is going well so far.

Topping the goal involvements is Gudmundsson with 19 (12 goals / 7 assists) jointly with Kindvall on 19 (12 goals / 7 assists). Zak’s side are averaging pretty much an 8.00 which proves just how well they are fitting into this shape.

OB – Nick

Nick has followed in Deano’s steps finally after some trial and error and has placed his faith for his last two games on a 1-3-1-3-2 and it has yielded 8 goals. It’s Direct and has plenty of support in and around the attack. Its another 50/50 split of attack and defence.

Topping the goal involvements it is Erik Bo Andersen with 7 (3 goals / 4 assists) followed by Miti after only 2 games (5 goals / 0 assists).

Rosenborg – Nath

Nath has employed a standard 2-3-1-2-2 similar to Dave and it has thus far been efficient as he tops the league with 19 goals scored. As ever it is high risk high reward as we see 15 goals conceded.

Rushfeldt tops the goal involvements with 21 (15 goals / 6 assists) followed by Sorenson with 14 (8 goals / 6 assists). Similar to Zak, average ratings pushing for the 8.00’s so a strong reasoning that the personnel fit the design.

Stromsgodset – Rob

Rob has employed a 3-2-3-2 which is very well balanced between defence and attack. He has employed backwards arrows across his midfield and defence together which seems a bit apprehensive. That said he’s scored 19 goals.

Topping the goal involvements, and this may shock Rob, is Flo with 17 (8 goals / 9 assists) followed by Kihlberg with 16 (10 goals / 6 assists). Average ratings are in the high 7’s with Kihlberg managing an 8.88 so far.

Hopefully that gives you a good idea of the approaches our managers are taking. If you have any questions, comments or even tips for our bloggers, please send us your comments.

See you next time!