Wide Center-Back FM24 Role Guide

[@swagmanerer9199]

Honestly one of the best, if not the best football manager content creators. No 20 minutes of bla bla. No clickbait. No memes. Just a good all around explanation of concepts and theory that then is shown in examples. Also can we talk about how this channel is called "The Deep Lying Playmaker", but he has yet to do a video about DPL's? I am also really happy, how this channel is a based on realistic and meaningful tactics. Sure it might not be the most optimal way to play the game, because some 12 year old hacker kid from Canada has figured out on how to abuse the game engine, but its much more refreshing.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Thank you for the kind words! Sometimes finding examples actually helps me when trying to understand the roles better; like "oh maybe the role doesn't actually do what I think it does if I can find it" kinda thing As far as the DLP video, I think that may be one of life's many great unsolved mysteries

[@VurtAddicted]

I would add: one of the very few remaining who really plays the game

[@VurtAddicted]

This is the Football Manager university. Such a relief for those who don't want to just simulate. Well done! This week I fell in love with the inverted fullback-defensive winger duo. Give it a try!

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Been working with the Defensive Winger myself... now THAT'S an underrated role haha

[@VurtAddicted]

@@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker and it's not defensive at all!

[@anders4442]

For some reason it's easier to find natural wingers for AM spots than the M spot.

[@VurtAddicted]

@@anders4442 this is for sure true in the initial database and makes no sense, but for newgans it's less of a problem. For some reason I find only left wingers though. Anyway, it's quite easy to retrain an AMW to and MW, it really takes just a few games. Even wb can be easily retrained to mw. They should substitute natural positions with natural roles. Or even better the sum of the two.

[@Manj3nkins]

Just want to point out that at 2:19 . The discrepancy between role positioning has more to do with which side the team is attacking and less to do with player roles. If the play was inverse you’d see your wide centerback tuck in to create a two man backfield if your bpd decided to join the attack. Definitely might not be as pronounced but this is just the case with the current match engine allowing for the “third” in a 3 back rest defense to be more adventurous. You can see this happen with any combination of back roles. Especially if you have a holding defensive role such as a DLp deeend or anchorman. This would even allow a centerback in a two back formation to move forward under certain circumstances. Depending on player instructions/attributes/ tactical instructions/etc. love the content partner!

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

great clarification thanks!! really helpful insight

[@saffi01]

Just stopping by to say thank you, your content is a great help in the tactic creation process and I love your no-nonsense style of explaining + providing examples one can actually work with. Keep it up and thanks for your efforts!

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

I appreciate that thank you! Glad the videos have been able to provide some benefit/help

[@Danielznho-1]

I'm still learning the game and how to create good tactics. Thanks to you, my tactics aren't awful anymore. I still have problems sometimes, but your videos help me a lot.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

That's so awesome to hear (or I guess read lol). That's been the goal withii each video, just to help out everyone a little more

[@adamfieldhouse1]

Your videos are the best out there. Please continue to do what you do

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Thank you!

[@liam8664]

Even as someone who’s been playing this game for 4 years, these videos are so informative and well explained I love watching them and learning new stuff and getting new ideas, I can’t imagine how useful these are for someone completely new to the game I love the aesthetic of the videos and basically everything else about your vids, honestly one of the best creators I’ve seen, wishing you every bit of success mate, keep the vids coming, maybe one on 3/5 back formations as I’m a sucker for them ?

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Thank you very much!! Been working on the aesthetics for the video since the beginning and I think I'm finally starting to nail down the look of these. I think I've got some more back 3/5 stuff coming in the future

[@liam8664]

@@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker I look forward to it !

[@chrisbutler83]

Could watch these videos all day

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

love to hear this!! (or I guess "read" this lol)

[@zahreel3103]

I recently discovered your channel and subscribed right away. I really love your presentation and the quality you put in your videos! Not to mention your knowledge of FM! Please, keep going! And if it's at all possible, a video about how you manage in-game would be great. During a match, what do you look for? What do you change based on what? That sort of things. I feel it's an area of expertise I sorely lack when playing FM, so a video like that would be great! Thanks.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Thank you for the kind words, and thank you for the support! I'm glad the videos have been helping out. If you'd had a chance, my videos on tactics talk about things I look for during a match and tactical changes you can make. I watch the full match and go through what my team does well (and not so well haha). They may be of some help to you while I work on more videos about in-game changes!

[@ianresc3615]

Like you, I love back three formations and the WCB was the best addition to the game in years. I will say this, on defend they rarely work for me, but on attack, they are almost op. They create so much chaos. That is why I usually only play with a Libero and Keeper with defend duties. Everybody else is free to attack.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

My favorite is probably the support duty; I love their movement and how they get involved in your attack. I love the idea of using it with a Libero; I need to do that more

[@FM-Dude]

Great video as usual. I had to stay away from 3-back formations this year or at least create 3-back build up plays by use of IWBs IFBs and Liberos but I think I will try one with WCBs as well. The Overlap and Underlap instructions are something I deliberately stay away though. They change a lot of "unseen" things in a tactic. If you check the individual mentality of a player on WB or FB strata after applying overlap and underlap you will notice that they increase by one step. From Balanced to Positive From Positive to Attacking etc. Likewise the more advanced wing players drop their mentality by one step unless they are Raumdeuters or Trequartistas (this needs more research on my behalf to find out what happens with other roles). So it doesn't just affect the play between a wingback and an advanced wing player but it affects how those players behave on their own. A lower mentality means less shots, less risky passes etc and that's just too many factors being affected to me. Sometimes though, if I want to keep the opposition inside their box and want to find that perfect chance, I may have to avoid my attacking wing players (very attacking mentality) to hold their horses a little and that's when these Overlap / Underlaps come in handy to drop their mentality a little. Just my two cents :) Again, great content. Thumbs up, keep it up :)

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Fantastic write up; said it better than I did haha. If I'm honest, I don't use the overlap instructions for those reasons. To many "negative" changes when it's just easier to adjust the player roles to increase or decrease the type of overlap/underlap you can get

[@10Zenil]

One of my favorite roles in back 3 defense in my Pep style 3-2-4-1 tactics. Perfect role if you want the center back to stay in position between a center back and full back to provide the width in the back 3 defense line Using the 2 WCB on support role with a central defender on cover role is an amazing setup for possession based attacking setup. Basically a wide center back operates in the half space areas of defense

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

I think the one on support is my favorite; I love his movement in the midfield and how like you say he operates in that half space

[@lukaszprotas]

Thanks! WCB was a little confusing for me. Good explanation. Great video as always!

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Glad you liked it!

[@bidzinooo]

This role seems like it’s what a libero is to the midfield, but to wingers. Seems like an interesting role that I’ll definitely explore more ‼️

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

There's no way for you to know this, but I literally had a comparison with the Libero in my initial draft haha. Instead, the comparison will have to live on through your comment lol

[@bidzinooo]

@@TheDeepLyingPlaymakergreat minds think alike 🫡🫡

[@cordypants3639]

Another way to get a WCB to underlap is to instruct the WB/W to Stay Wider in the player instructions. To get a WCB to overlap, instruct the WB/W to Sit Narrower in the player instructions.

[@drew3ism]

Great video, I never have a lot of success with back three formations so I might need to give one a go again

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

When I use a back-3, I always feel like they're a huge variance; like one team will when the title and the next one I'm sacked by November lol

[@TheAgregister]

Your videos are elite! Please keep going.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Glad you like them!

[@Sebastian-tl3kf]

Brilliant video as always mate! :)

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Thank you!

[@FMlestri]

The underlap/overlap is a great call out. When I played with WCBs in FM23, rotating the tactic to have them and the WBs underlapping and overlapping throughout the game caused havoc. More often that not, less is more

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Love that idea to change it during a match; it's such a great role to cause issues

[@1Longman_]

Great content! Keep them up man

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Appreciate it!

[@akkermanrik]

In the heart of our defense, there lies a guardian who blends strength with elegance-a wide center-back who dances along the touchline with the grace of a seasoned performer. His presence is a symphony of resilience and artistry, where each stride whispers tales of unwavering dedication and strategic brilliance. As the game unfolds, he becomes the silent poet of the backline, his movements a carefully crafted verse that speaks of protection and ambition. When the ball is at his feet, he transforms the pitch into a canvas, painting sweeping diagonals and pinpoint passes that ignite the flames of our attack. His vision stretches beyond the immediate, foreseeing plays that others can only dream of. In moments of peril, he stands tall, a beacon of composure and strength. He is the knight of our fortress, repelling advances with a blend of sheer willpower and technical prowess. His tackles are timed to perfection, each interception a declaration of his commitment to our cause. Yet, it is his ability to venture forward, to merge defense with attack, that sets him apart. With the elegance of a ballet dancer, he glides up the flank, linking play and creating opportunities, a wide center-back who redefines his role with every touch. In the tapestry of our team, he is the thread that binds, a figure of romance and strength, whose every move speaks of a deep, unspoken love for the beautiful game.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

For the record, i always love reading these. Don't stop writing them! And can you add a somber addendum, detailing how I yell at the WCB for getting too far forward and leaving the flank exposed? Even though he's only following my tactical instructions?

[@akkermanrik]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoy reading these, and I definitely won't stop writing them. However, I must confess, there's a somber side to my admiration for our wide center-back. Despite his brilliance and my tactical instructions, I often find myself yelling at him for venturing too far forward, leaving the flank exposed. It's a paradox of frustration and respect, knowing he's only following the plan yet wishing he could be in two places at once. The game, like life, is beautifully imperfect, and our wide center-back epitomizes that delicate balance.

[@tomdreler6528]

What a genuine Beauty, full of dedication and passion ❤

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

@@akkermanrik just brilliant

[@mustermannfm]

So damn good 🔥

[@juniorlimma8100]

great video man!

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Glad you liked it!

[@meesterpitta]

I love the wide centre back though I sometimes feel like my tactics work better with BPD or CDs in the wide roles with the simple instruction to stay wider, mostly when the team isn't as good, which makes sense. For me the best system to utilise a WCB is in a 3-1-4-2 where it can interact really well with the wing backs and it creates a really strong shape that is both good in direct counter attacks but also gives a lot of passing options for slow, patient build up. The only disadvantage is that against teams that prefer to sit back it sometimes lacks power to break teams down.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

What strikers do you like to use for the front two?

[@meesterpitta]

@@TheDeepLyingPlaymakermostly prefer a TF on support, I think target men are very good this year and either a pressing forward or advanced forward on attack.

[@howtofake209]

Imho, "Wait for Overlap" team instruction isn't good choice if you have only wingbacks on your flanks and wants your WCB's to overlap wingbacks. The only thing I believe this instruction does is increasing of wingbacks mentality (you can check this by switching instruction on/off). Increased wingbacks mentality will force them to be more agressive and they will rarely wait before WCB run forward to find them with the ball. Instead they will look mostly forward and run with the ball agressively down the flank. The only way I found to make WCB's regularly overlaps is set my WB to Support duty with Sit Narrower and Cuts Inside options, Wide attacking width and Focus Play Down the flanks TIs. With WCB's on Attack and suitable traits it works great for me. Opponents defence goes mad when my WCB's constantly run to the byline and make dangerous passes/crosses. Inspired by Chris Wilder's Sheffield Utd of course :)

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Fantastic description/addition/correction to my video!! Thank you for taking the time to write it out

[@luismao5153]

As someone who loves back-3 formations and have experimented with the WCB across many saves and tactics, I can say that no matter the duty, the WCB acts more and more like a Libero, pushing to the edge of the box instead of overlapping and underlapping in the wider areas. In my experience, the only way for them to overlap (e.g. Kyle Walker, Ben White, Cesar Azpli, etc.) and act as a winger to transition the formation into a back-4 is for them to dribble on their own, so that the rest of the team can shift across and adjust their positions accordingly. There needs to be more aggressive off the ball movement from the WCB in the wider areas. That's why for the next FM, I would like to see a hybrid IFB/WCB that aggressively overlaps (a wide full back, idk) without the add-ons of player traits.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Love these tips/corrections!! Thank you for sharing

[@anders4442]

I was about to ask if you'd agree that the WCB can be considered a wide Libero.

[@jonpaul3868]

4k.ish to the 10k my man

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Been really happy with how the community has been growing here! If you (or anyone else) happen to read this, thank you so much for the support!!

[@martincvikl5321]

could you make a video on inverted full back and how it compares to wcb?

[@luismao5153]

Yesesesesssss

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Hmm you're right I think I need to do something on the IFB at some point. Thanks for the suggestion!!

[@apple-on5pq]

the ballplaying defender will do the same if you are playing with a wider width

[@Ram-tw5vl]

These videos are incredible, For my save I have a player who has textbook raumdeuter stats, and I want to see how much more I can maximise. So can you please make a raumdeuter video?

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

That's a great suggestion! I don't think I've got the RAM in the upcoming but maybe I can get started to work on something for it

[@kafka4924]

Very helpful! Can you also make some guides for set-piece instructions if you're willing to?

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

I definitely need to dive into set pieces some more; especially with the new stuff they added for FM24. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@thatissomeBS]

Something to not is that you can get wide center backs in a back four as well. If you have a back four, but if you form a back three of any combination of CD, HB, and IFB, the outside two will automatically act as wide center backs in attack. So if you have two IFB-L-Su-BPD-IFB, the Libero will step forward, and the IFB-BPD-IFB will form a back three with the IFBs acting as WCB in attack. Also, if you have two no-nonsense CBs, with a HB dropping in, the NCBs will still act like WCB in attack, which is definitely something to consider.

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

great additions, thanks!! And thanks for the role choices; I've been loving the NCB so any excuse to start using them more is fine by me! I'll have to try the HB/NCB combo

[@DiogoGaming2]

Can you make a video on player instructions and how they influence the outcome of player role actions

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

I've been working on some stuff to better show in depth what exactly the results of player instructions do

[@DiogoGaming2]

@@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker Nice, looking forward to that, I love your videos and the way you explain things simply and showing them with purpose in game content. I'm a football analyst and I play FM since like 2015 but I don't play it all the time, so some things just pass by me, and your videos really help me understand how the match engine logic works. Love your content, keep it coming.

[@hungotuan4431]

The Bastoni role 😂

[@fulvioloconte3597]

Thoughts on WCB on a 433/4231 with a HB and/or IFB?

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

If I'm not mistaken, I don't think you can use the WCB with a back four. And the Half Back will function more like a traditional defensive midfielder when using the WCB in a back-3 formation

[@benjaminngopwaamos6878]

Is the Libero a WCB in a back four?

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Hmm, I would consider them similar I think. Libero is more central than the WCB, but yea they both have the same basic philosophy

[@benjaminngopwaamos6878]

@@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker That's what I thought. The major difference would be the willingness of the WCB to occupy the flanks.

[@joshuaadams7439]

Its too late bro, Walker already played in the euros final

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

🤣🤣💀💀

[@herryvaliant7689]

".... And my ball..... Playing defender".😂😂😂😂

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Sometimes it's the pauses and stresses that are important when speaking lol

[@herryvaliant7689]

@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker i love your contents, bro. Really insightful. I like how you explain the basics so we can built our own tactics with the knowledge of these roles. Far better than those who left their tactic in the description to download. Buying players and getting wonderkids are boring. Building tactics and in-game management are far more enjoyable

[@RexOedipus.]

How about a bit of nonsense with a CD on cover?

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

that could work too!

[@Know_Clu]

Was absolutely loving your videos until you decided to spell 'centre' wrong , sorry mate have to unsubscribe now 😂

[@rakasatria7193]

This isn't an airport, no need to announce the depature

[@ClassyCricket1]

this has to be a joke🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

[@tiagosacramento4855]

It is ofc​@@ClassyCricket1

[@TheDeepLyingPlaymaker]

Sometimes it's our differences that can bring us together. Also, for the record, FM spells it Wide "Center" Back and No-Nonsense "Centre" Back and that makes it really confusing when typing out the names if you're not careful haha

[@Naren25]

😄