Survived in the Premier League (finished just above the drop)
Low to mid block + set pieces and counters + organisation-first survival football
Shared relegation-battle template — reflects tendencies common to survival-fighting sides rather than club-by-club research
Not enough votes yet (1) to rank — shown as New for now.
Players only move where their role tag says — it's not a match replay
4-4-2
The approach shared by sides just above the drop — hold firm, then look for one set piece or one counter.
Identity
Shows where the same player moves to between in- and out-of-possession phases.
| In possession | Out of possession |
|---|---|
| GKNo Nonsense Goalkeeper | GKLine-Holding Keeper |
| FB (L)Full-Back | FB (L)Holding Full-Back |
| CB (L)No-Nonsense Centre-Back | CB (L)Covering Centre-Back |
| CB (R)No-Nonsense Centre-Back | CB (R)Covering Centre-Back |
| FB (R)Full-Back | FB (R)Holding Full-Back |
| CM (L)Wide Midfielder | CM (L)Tracking Wide Midfielder |
| CM (C)Defensive Midfielder | CM (C)Defensive Midfielder |
| CM (C)Central Midfielder | CM (C)Central Midfielder |
| CM (R)Wide Midfielder | CM (R)Tracking Wide Midfielder |
| ST 1Target Forward | ST 1Tracking Centre-Forward |
| ST 2Poacher | ST 2Centre-Forward |
Amber badges are the identity-defining instructions. We only set a value where the data gives a clear signal; where it does not, the FM default is left in place and shown faded — those are yours to adjust. Click an item to check it off.
In Possession
Out of Possession
FM26 handles one in-possession shape, one out-of-possession shape, and the switch between them. The items below fall outside that — this card carries only what the game can take.
Not enough data to generate this yet — left blank rather than filled with uncertain names.
Tap a position on the pitch and the attributes that spot needs appear right there.
Target Forward / Poacher in possession — taking the few chances that come is the whole point
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionHold Up Ball: Yes
Out of possessionTrigger Press: More Often
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: No Nonsense Goalkeeper · Out of possession: Line-Holding Keeper
Required
Preferred
In possession: Full-Back · Out of possession: Full-Back
Required
Preferred
Set by the role
Holds PositionStays Wide
Every other player instruction stays at its default — those are yours to adjust.
In possession: No-Nonsense Centre-Back · Out of possession: Covering Centre-Back
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
Out of possessionTackling: Ease Off Tackles
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: No-Nonsense Centre-Back · Out of possession: Covering Centre-Back
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
Out of possessionTackling: Ease Off Tackles
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Full-Back · Out of possession: Full-Back
Required
Preferred
Set by the role
Holds PositionStays Wide
Every other player instruction stays at its default — those are yours to adjust.
In possession: Wide Midfielder · Out of possession: Tracking Wide Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionAttacking Width: Stay Wider
Out of possessionMarking Target: Mark Position
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Defensive Midfielder · Out of possession: Defensive Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionPassing Risk: Take Fewer Risks
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Central Midfielder · Out of possession: Central Midfielder
Required
Preferred
In possession: Wide Midfielder · Out of possession: Tracking Wide Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionAttacking Width: Stay Wider
Out of possessionMarking Target: Mark Position
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
This is a well-founded starting point — the FM match engine is a separate system, so real match performance is not guaranteed.
Built from Walter Mazzarri’s Watford side of 2016–17 (Premier League), this card turns real season data into FM26 settings. Their clearest trait: they played narrow (17th of 20 for width), and they held a high defensive line (5th of 20). The settings below keep the team compact and central. On the other axes they ranked: tempo 14th, build-up 14th, pressing intensity 11th. In FM26 this becomes a 4-4-2, with team instructions and role settings listed below. Ranks are within the Premier League 2016–17 field of 20 teams, where 1st is the highest value on that axis.
How the ranks are made: League style reports · How ratings work