FM 2014 TACTIC: Defending CORNER

Introduction:

It is one of the hardest part of FM throughout the game series as far as I can remember. This tactic is not a guarantee for keeping clean sheets from corners but more helping your chances. On the other hand this tactic is great to counter attack the opposition. Also you will find that this tactic spreads out the player more than the standard settings which reduce the risk of the ball bouncing into the goal because it's too crowdy.

Instructions & Requirements:

• Mark Far/Near post: Both post needs to be marked, it is important roles but in my opinion any player who are somewhat tall and okay in the air can mark these post. Don't wast your best aerial players for these role! Also as they don't really move a lot it doesn't matter if they have terrible seped stats
• Mark Six Yard Box: For this role you do not need a speedy player, however it is important that the player is competent in the air. Usually a slow Central defender
• Mark Tall Player: This role is the most important. For this role you chose your best defender. This role require he has good Air, Speed, Concentration and Marking stats. Also it's very important he is tall, 1,85 m tall or more.
• Man Mark: Someone with good aerial and defending stats. Especially important is obviously marking.
• Edge of Area: No need to waste a player with good aerial stats for this role. go for the best passer you have, speed and technical stats are a plus. This player is the one that that collects balls heading out and starts counters.
• Stay Forward: Very important role. He needs very good speed and attacking stats. Usually this is a role for a speedy striker.
• Go Back: Three of your player will have this role. It is for all the players left over that didn't get any other role, observe that this does not mean they are the worst in the air, or slowest just that they weren't cut out for the other roles.

Does it work?

At the end it all comes down to the result and Yes, I am confident that it works. Using this tactic I haven't even needed to set Match Training at "Def. Set Piece" and still I get good result. Mostly I'm proud of the number of counter attacks this defending corner tactic provides. Down below is the result from the previous 30 Matches (it's for that long I've been using this defending tactic).

Just to be clear, don't expect miracles. The best way to keep clean sheets on corners is still to have good players and set Match Training to "Def. Set Piece". With that said I don't wan't you to underestimate the benefit from a working corner tactic either.

FM 2014 PLAYER TO SIGN: Aaron Leya Iseka

Name: Aaron Leya Iseka

Nationality: Belgium/DR Congo
Contract: Anderlecht
Age: 16
Value: 8,5k£
Salary: 50£/week
Position: ST

Summary: Another Belgian talent on the making. He is the younger brother of Michy Batshuayi who is already a recognized striker in FM and IRL (though I failed to find out why their last names differ, anyone who knows why please write in the comment section, I'd like to know). Aaron is only 16 at start of the game and you should view him as a future investment rather than a competent striker. His determination attribute is at maximum 20, this almost guarantees he will fulfill his potential. He is good in the air and can certainly be a target man, but looking through his development he could equally play as a complete or advanced striker, in my save he is even leathal as a Deep Lying Forward so don't get hung up about his aerial stats. This lad will in the future guaranty goals for every team, top class. The downside is, he isn't going to be world class. He will definitely be a good and even classy striker, but not enough to be a "world class" player. Still he is so cheap and he doesn't ask for much for a salary.
Recommendation: 9/10

FM 2014 PLAYER TO SIGN: Hiroshi Ibusuki

Name: Hiroshi Ibusuki

Nationality: Japan
Contract: Valencia CF
Age: 22
Value: 350k£
Salary: 2000£/week
Position: ST

Summary: I'll admit, he isn't looking like a world class player at the age of 22. Hiroshi Ibusuki is one of the footballers that comes through huge academies (in this case Valencia's) but they aren't good enough for the first team, but they are still too good to just release. He is far from useless, in fact using him as a Target Man (like in my Modern 4-4-2 Tactic) can get the better of him. He is steady developing into a leathal striker. I would describe him as a very effective striker and gives good service for teammates with headers. He isn't a speedy striker so don't waste time if you need a striker to round goalie, Hiroshi plays best as Target Man. To be fair he isn't any way near world class. He will develop to a good striker eventually and I'm sure he will please the midtable teams or lower. For English teams (maybe others aswell) work permit might be a problem. Otherwise he is cheap both transfer and salary-wise. Cannot give him more than a 6 out of ten
Recommendation: 6/10

Note, I had a better screenshot of him when he was at his best at age 29, problem was that I had forgot to turn the language to English (as I play in Swedish). Two FM years has passed on since then and in this screenshot he has lost a little bit of  his aerial, just wanted to notify.