3rd in the league — Champions League qualification from one of the smallest squad budgets
Pragmatic low block + set-piece specialism + direct counters
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Players only move where their role tag says — it's not a match replay
4-3-3
Holds firm, then breaks fast the instant the ball is won.
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)Wing-Back | FB (R)Holding Full-Back |
| DMDefensive Midfielder | DMDefensive Midfielder |
| CM (L)Central Midfielder | CM (L)Tracking Wide Midfielder |
| CM (R)Channel Midfielder | CM (R)Central Midfielder |
| AM (L)Wide Forward | AM (L)Tracking Wide Midfielder |
| STChannel Forward | STTracking Centre-Forward |
| AM (R)Inside Forward | AM (R)Tracking Wide Midfielder |
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 an appearance ranking — these players embodied the system’s roles.
Tap a position on the pitch and the attributes that spot needs appear right there.
Channel forward in possession
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionAttacking Width: Move Into Channels
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: Wing-Back · Out of possession: Full-Back
Required
Preferred
Set by the role
In possessionGets Further ForwardStays Wide
Out of possessionHolds PositionStays Wide
Every other player instruction stays at its default — those are yours to adjust.
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: Tracking Wide Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
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: Channel Midfielder · Out of possession: Central Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionAttacking Width: Move Into Channels
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Wide Forward · 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: Inside Forward · Out of possession: Tracking Wide Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionDribbling Direction: Cut Inside With BallAttacking Width: Sit Narrower
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.
This card models Nuno Espírito Santo’s Nottingham Forest in the 2024–25 Premier League. They finished 3rd. Their clearest trait: they defended deep (20th of 20 for line height), and they built up less than most (18th of 20). The settings below keep the defence compact and deep, inviting the opponent forward. On the other axes they ranked: pressing intensity 16th, tempo 14th, width 13th. In FM26 this becomes a 4-3-3, with team instructions and role settings listed below. Ranks are within the Premier League 2024–25 field of 20 teams, where 1st is the highest value on that axis.
How the ranks are made: League style reports · How ratings work