The Tactics

Firstly, I wanted to look at the tactics we’ve used through our first 17 games of MFL action.

Initially I set up in – and recruited for – a 5-3-2, however I found this too passive and despite making some tweaks, couldn’t get it working how I wanted. 

As a result, I introduced a Gallardo/River Plate inspired 4-1-3-2 which was much more my style: positive, fast and compact. 

In the cup, due to heavy rotating, I adopted a defensive 5-2-3.

How did they get on?

The numbers paint a fairly clear picture: the 4-1-3-2 has become the best all-round system.

Even allowing for the 10-0 demolition of Scratchin Lovers inflating the attacking figures slightly, the 4-1-3-2 is still comfortably outperforming the other shapes. Across seven games it has averaged 4.21 goals per 90 whilst conceding just 0.57. More importantly, the underlying numbers back it up rather than suggesting it is built on luck. An xG of 2.47 and xGA of 0.77 show that the system is consistently creating better chances than it allows.

The narrow midfield creates consistent central progression routes, allowing the ball to move quickly from the destroyer into advanced areas without relying on wide build-up. It gives control in central areas without sacrificing attacking threat. Against weaker teams it gives you enough numbers between the lines to dominate, while against stronger sides it still provides a solid platform defensively.

The 5-3-2 has been respectable and remains a useful alternative. Three goals per game is still strong and an xGA of 0.96 suggests it is generally secure. However, it has not quite matched the balance of the 4-1-3-2. It feels more like a situational system: useful against teams with two strikers, strong wide threats, or when you want a little more defensive security away from home.

Defensively, the 5-2-3, has held up well enough, conceding only 0.5 goals per 90, but it has offered almost nothing going forward. Potentially, it could be due to the ill-fitting personnel I was using up front. An xG of just 0.32 and no goals in four matches suggests the shape leaves us too isolated in attack and struggles to progress the ball into dangerous areas. In MFL, where you cannot make in-match substitutions and need your tactical plan to create chances from the start, that is a major weakness.

Player Review

I had big hopes for Didier Cambier when I signed him for $10. Thankfully, our marauding left back is delivering. He has the highest match rating across his 8 games, averaging 8.1 whilst providing 5 assists so far.  

Whilst Nestor Zamorano ($8) isn’t blessed with pace nor physicality, what he does do is score! With 11 goals, he’s tied for top scorer with strike-partner Alfonso Escobar, but he’s played a game less (7).

An honourable mention has to go to loanee Left Midfielder, Norwegian, Gunnar Bork, whose electric pace has helped him score 10 goals in 9 games.

Providing the assists for Zamorano and Escobar has been right midfielder, Teofilo Espindola ($10). He’s also split his time as the central attacking midfielders in the 4-1-3-2 grabbed and has grabbed 7 assists in 8 games. Hopefully he can “tier break” to a 65 OVR in the second half of this season.

Progression

Player progression has been steady so far. Considering how many factors play into this, and that its my first season, I’m happy with what we’ve got.

It was good to see Zamarano tier-break, as reward for all his goals and hopefully he can continue to thrive at Madero Mayhem FC. Stefan Alexe was a new signing just before the transfer window closed and it’s good to see him making steady progress. I’ve been able to give Petter Haga some good playing time (9 games) to which he’s repaid me with 3 goals, 2 assists and a +1 overall.

The most pleasing is central defender Christian Bevilacqua. As our weakest Central Defender, he’s only played 3 games, but has still managed to progress. I’m making a conscious effort to get him to 10 games on the season if possible.

The last +1 is Walter Falcone, who was deemed surplus to requirements due to being a poor tactical fit and loaned out to another Flint team. However, since introducing the 4-1-3-2, he’d actually be welcomed back. He’s only played a handful of games but has still showed he’s got the potential to come back next season and flourish.

Transfer Business

The impending opening of a transfer window always brings a sense of excitement.

I always like to get my transfer business done early, and therefore, all deals were done the day before the window was unlatched.

Four new players were welcomed into the Agency – obviously, this was before I learned each team can only add 3 players mid-season. Lessons being learned!

Let’s meet them.

Milivoj Vuksanovic – RB – 61 OVR

Vuksanovic is a 24-year-old who I spotted who has good pace and no clear weaknesses (other than shooting) and I’m quite excited about him.

At 61 OVR he may not seem like a special capture, and he certainly doesn’t improve my starting lineup, but here’s why I signed him. In his career he’s progressed from 56 OVR, yet he’s not played a minute of football since he was 19, back in Season 8. As training is only half the development battle, I’m hoping he’s ready to explode with some regular game time, which he’ll certainly get in the second half of this season. 

Cost: $4

Endre Brenden – LWB – 65 OVR

Endre is not only a talented wingback, but he’s also a good warning about the dangers of mixing MFL and whisky.

Whilst browsing the Marketplace, I saw an uncommon player pack on the marketplace for a little cheaper than the others, so obviously, I bought it! And now we have Brenden!

Naturally I’m happy with him, he’s a talent. However, if there was one position I didn’t need a 65 OVR in, it’s on the left of my defence.

Cost: $23 for the pack

Abdalla Al Harbi – ST – 67 OVR

Al Harbi is a player who goes slightly against my recruitment strategy, although he does match the following criteria: 

From this point on, I decided I would only spend real money on players aged 24 or under, unless they were:

• Clearly undervalued
• A perfect tactical fit and likely to hold their value for at least two seasons
• Difficult to replace through loans

What my current strikers lack is pace.

If there’s something Al Harbi has its electric pace! And added to his insane physicality, he’s going to cause A LOT of problems in Flint! 

At 30, he’s had a long career, including seasons where he scored 45 and 38 goals.

Better still, he was a bargain, who should terrorise defences for a few seasons to come.

Cost: $5

Gerhard Zander – CM – 66 OVR

If there was one player who epitomised Marcelo Gallardo’s 4-1-3-2 at River Plate, it was Exequiel Palacios.

Palacios was the engine of that system – constantly finding space between the lines, driving forward with intent, and linking midfield to attack with a blend of intelligence, technical quality and aggression. He wasn’t just a playmaker; he was a disruptor, a player who forced opponents onto the back foot and created chaos in controlled moments.

That profile is exactly what I’ve been looking to recreate.

After extensive scouting, I believe I’ve found it in Gerhard Zander.

The 24-year-old German arrives rated 66 overall and already shows the key attributes needed for this role: strong ball carrying, sharp passing, and the physicality to compete against the toughest midfields Flint has to offer. There’s also clear upward trajectory — newly minted this season, he’s already picked up minutes in Ice and cup competitions, with early progression to match.

Zander isn’t just another midfield addition. He’s a statement signing – the player designed to bring this system to life.

If everything clicks, he won’t just fit into the 4-1-3-2.

He’ll define it.

Cost: $15

Transfers Out

So, I signed 4 new players but could only register 3…

You may have gathered by now that the odd-man out in this situation was Endre Brenden. Luckily, there’s not a shortage of people wanting a 65 OVR defender. He joins Lovebyen Storm in Spark, where he’ll be challenging for a playoff spot and hopefully can contribute and develop.

Two more players had to be cut from the 25-man squad to allow for the new additions.

Fredrick Green was a 62 OVR striker who Trequinho was kind enough to loan me for free, but with the addition of Al Harbi, he’s no longer needed. In his time with The Mayhem, he scored 1 goal in 6 appearances and developed +1 overall. His loan has been terminated.

The second players to be cut from the squad is Claudio Puente, 51 OVR Right Midfielder who I simply couldn’t find any game time for. I still believe he has a bright future though, and he can play in a few different positions, so he may find his way back in next season. In the meantime, the manager I bought Al Harbi from, kindly offered to take Puente and a couple of other prospects onto a couple of his teams who have spare slots. This way they still train with clubs (at a higher level) and stand a better chance of progressing.

The final departure from the squad is Right Wingback Mahjoub Hamzaoui. He played well in 8 games, averaging 7.5 match rating and contributing 1 assist for us. However, the arrival of Vuksanovic mean the was free to join fellow Flint team, Torrente Terrors, managed by FM Tahiti.

Closing Thoughts: Built for the Long Season (and Beyond)

What this window has ultimately given us is something that could be far more valuable than just a handful of new faces – it has given us balance.

For the first time this season, we’re much less reliant on fixed starting XI to carry us through.

Instead, we now have two fully functional lineups, each capable of executing the same tactical approach without a significant drop in quality or cohesion.

It means we can rotate with intent rather than necessity. Minutes can be shared across the squad, allowing younger and developing players to grow within the system, rather than being thrown into it. At the same time, it protects our key players from the physical toll that comes with matches arriving day after day.

This could be the difference over the second half of the season. Not in one-off performances, but in consistency and in avoiding the dips, staying competitive across every fixture, and in giving ourselves the platform to push when it matters most.

The tactical identity remains the same. The ambition remains the same. But now, we have the depth and structure to sustain both.

After the match engine updates it seems fine margins could decide matches more than ever, that might just be enough to keep the pressure on Atlantis.

Release the Mayhem.