What tactics have people used that got results? Can’t seem to get anything out of them. Gibson and Wilmot are laughable.
Can't say for certain that this would work on FM24 but the last few editions I've played I've used the same/similar tactics and gotten a lot of success. It's a 41221 that's not full fat gegenpress (I'll have to dig out the instructions at some point because I can't remember them off the top of my head). It's one I built myself, it's not one I've downloaded off the internet.
GK - Sweeper Keeper (Defensive)
RB - Full Back (Support)
CB - Centre Back (Defensive)
CB - Centre Back (Defensive)
LB - Wing Back (Support)
DM - Deep Lying Playmaker (Defensive)
RCM - Centre Midfielder (Attacking)
LCM - Box to Box Midfielder (Support)
RW - Winger (Attacking)
LW - Inside Forward (Attacking)
ST - Advanced Forward (Attacking)
The idea was to create something that was pretty balanced, straightforward and would give me different ways of attacking whilst also being solid at the back. It's all based on creating space when moving the ball forwards because if you create more space and give the defence more to think about, the likelihood of scoring increases.
You also don't want too many players with the same roles. I've always worked off the basis of no less than 3 players should have the same role (Defensive/Support/Attacking). Again, it's all about balance.
On the left side, I've gone with a Wing Back on Support role because the Inside Forward will cut inside, thus leaving space for the Wing Back to move into. But with him being on Support, he'll come back and defend, he won't stay pushed up most of the time.
On the right side, the reason why I've gone with a winger is he'll stay on the wing, rather than cut inside like the Inside Forward. This creates space in the middle for the Box to Box midfielder and the Centre Midfielder who's been given the attacking role. If I'd gone with an Inside Forward or Inverted Winger, I'd be left with too many players in the middle of the park which is then easy to defend which makes it difficult for me to score. If I can't score, I can't win.
The DM as a Deep Lying Playmaker is there to receive simple passes from the Centre Backs whose primary role is to defend. Nothing fancy, just defend well, give the ball to the DM (or full backs, or keeper) and, as long as you've got a player with the right attributes, he'll do the rest. He's also there to shield the defence, hence the Defensive role, which adds to the team being solid defensively.
You won't get a striker that bangs in about 60/70/80 goals every season like you'll probably get with traditional plug and play tactics off the internet, they're spread out across the Centre Midfielders/Wingers/Striker which shows the idea of attacking in different ways works. And I quite like the fact that the goals are spread out, if a couple of players are having an off day I know there's another couple of players who can score via open play.
Set-pieces are a mixed bag, it's the one area I've never quite figured out. To be honest, the way I look at it, set pieces are a mixed bag in real life so one season it'll feel like you're scoring every other game, the next you've only scored from a couple.
My main rules I've got for recruiting are..
1) Pace and Acceleration must be in double figures. Wingers must be at least 15. Centre Backs at least 10. Every other position at least 12. I want pace, it all helps with creating space and if you're creating the space quicker, it's harder to defend against.
2) Work Rate/Determination/Teamwork all at least 12. I want a hard working, determined side.
3) Only the Wingers should be below 6 foot, I want an athletic side that can dominate in every facet of the game.
I'm not completely set against bringing in an older player if his physical stats aren't quite there, especially if the squad is on the young side. Main position I've done this for is the Centre Midfielder (Attacking), it's probably the least physical outfield position in my setup. On FM22 (I'm still playing it now) I remember signing a near-retiring Isco for Wrexham in League 1 for half a season on a free transfer and he was absolutely amazing (and it was a former Real Madrid midfielder playing at Wrexham, Hollywood baby!)
Bit of a brain dump of information, and I might be telling you stuff that you already know, but hopefully some of it helps.