The Higher Tempo Press
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Tactics testing: 42112A Blaulicious by Delicious Story
We are back with another tactic testing today, with a tactic from one of our favourite tactic creators, Delicious Story. This time, it’s a tactic called the 42112A Blaulicious, which is an Asymmetric 42112. It’s the sort of tactic that is slightly different and, more importantly, produces solid results. The tactics conditions We did an […]
What FM23 favourites have earned transfers in the summer of 2023?
We all love to sign a bargain on Football Manager, and there are so many players that we will look to sign in each save. In the FM23 edition of the game, like everybody, I had favourites who, for the most part, were bargain buys. However, as is the case a lot of the time, […]
Guide to FM Abbreviations and Roles: Central Defensive Edition
We are back with our latest article, which discusses the FM abbreviations and role explanations in the Central Defensive area. It was an area I missed previously when I did the other positions on the pitch. Here are the FM central defensive abbreviations and roles: CD (Central defender can be used on defend, stopper and […]
Tactic testing: Everton reimagined by David N
The latest tactic testing is slightly different, as this time around, I am not testing somebody else tactic but one that I have adapted from the 4141 Static-X- Focus Striker by Delicious Story, which remains one of my favourite FM 23 tactics. Thanks to the creator for the inspiration. I took the tactic and basically […]
Tactic testing: DDaRkNeSs 3-2-2-2-1 by DaRkNeSs
We are back with our tactic testing, and this week’s tactic to get our treatment is DDaRkNeSs 3-2-2-2-1 by DaRkNeSs. The formation is slightly unusual, which is why I wanted to test it out and see if it was successful. It produced some interesting results to say the least. Read on to find out how […]
Guide to FM Abbreviations and Roles: Midfield Edition
Today we continue our series on FM abbreviations and the roles that the particular positions play in the game. This time we look at the abbreviations and roles of the players that occupy the centre of the park, the midfielders. CM (Central Midfielder can be used on Defend, Support, Attack and Automatic duties) The Central […]
Tactics Testing: Stevie G 433 WB by FMaddictzone
The latest tactic we tested is Stevie G 433 WB by FMaddictzone. I felt like I was committing an act of treason by using a tactic based on Steven Gerrard’s time coaching Rangers while managing Everton because of his legendary status at Liverpool. However, I thought it would be an interesting one to try, as […]
Tactic testing: GYR-THOR FM23
This week’s tactic test involves a tactic from one of the best and most prolific creators of FM tactics, in my opinion, GYR. The tactic is GYR-THOR FM23, which gave us a very creditable result. To find out just how creditable the result was, please read on. The tactics conditions We did this test with […]
Guide to FM Abbreviations and Roles: Defensive Midfield Edition
Following on from the first of our short series, where we talked about the FM abbreviations and roles of goalkeepers and defenders, we are back to look at the Defensive Midfield abbreviations and how their roles work. Here is a guide to the Defensive Midfield abbreviations, roles and some examples of players ideal for the […]
Guide to FM Abbreviations and Roles: Goalkeeper and Full-back Edition
If you are a seasoned Football Manager player, then you are likely highly familiar with the abbreviations for the player roles and how that particular player operates on the pitch. However, newcomers to the game may not be as familiar with these roles. This article could also prove helpful to those experienced players who don’t […]
Tactics testing: Crazy 3-2-3-2 (ME friendly) by RDF
We are back with our last tactic test, this time testing the 3-2-3-2 (ME Friendly) by prolific FM tactic creator RDF, whose work we have enjoyed in the past. Read on to discover if this tactic was as good as some of the creator’s previous work. The conditions of the test We tested this tactic […]
Tactics testing: Odd 433 by Franklyfm84
This week’s tactic we tested is Odd 433 by Franklyfm84. The tactic first caught my eye on Twitter because of its name, as I have been looking for slightly different tactics and formations to test for these pieces and in my personal save. The conditions of the test As always, I tested with the Everton […]
Tactics testing: 343 Re-Positive Suplex to the fire by Delicious Story
Hey everyone, we are back with another tactic test on FM23. We have returned to one of our favourite tactic creators for our latest tactic testing in Delicious Story for their 343 Re-Positive Suplex to the Fire tactic. To find out how this tactic performed, its strengths and its weaknesses, please read on, as it […]
Initial Shootout: A Trivia Game For Football Geniuses (and FM Fans)
I have to say that when the powers that be at the Higher Tempo Press asked me to review a new game called Initial Shootout, I wasn’t keen. In fact, it took a lot of persuading on their part for me to do it. I am strictly a one-game-at-a-time sort of guy. I am a […]
Why is 3-4-3 such a popular formation in Football Manager?
While the 4231 seems to be the king of Football Manager tactics, the 343 and its many variants are quite an intriguing formation to use. The 343 in Football Manager has gained popularity among players due to its balance between attack and defence, a factor we have discussed extensively in our tactic articles. Here are […]
Tactic testing: 3421 Extreme Volts XXIV
For today’s post, we are back-testing another FM23 tactic. After the success of 4231 Extreme Volts by Delicious Story, we thought we would test another tactic from the same creator in the 3421 Extreme Volts XXIV. Fair to say we didn’t seem to get the same results with this one as its sister tactic. However, […]
The best Assistant Managers in FM23
There are many important members of staff in FM23 that can have a big impact on the success or failure of your team. However, arguably the most important is your Assistant Manager. They are the member of staff who you can give major responsibilities, such as training and media work. If, like me, you don’t […]
When Is FM 24 released and what new features do we want to see
It is that time of the year when the big European football campaigns are over, and most of us have played the latest edition of Football Manager to death. Even if we are still enjoying FM23, which we are, we will all be looking forward to FM24 and what changes the latest instalment of the […]
Tactic testing: Erlings Dream Vs 3. By thedudemeister
We are back with our latest tactic test, and this is one of the most entertaining tactics we have tested so far. If you are looking for a tactic that produces goals, goals and more goals, then this tactic could be right up your street. The tactic in question is Erlings Dream Vs 3. by […]
The best directors of football in FM23
In Football Manager, the Director of Football is not a crucial role in achieving success. In real life, they typically hire the manager, in the game, you can hire or fire them. However, you cannot do everything yourself, so you can rely on the Director of Football to make your life easier. One way this […]
Tactics testing: 4141 Static-X Focus Striker by Delicious Story
After the massive success achieved by using 4231 Extreme Volts XIX in testing, we thought we would test another tactic created by the same creator Delicious Story in the shape of the 4141 Static-X Focus Striker. Having not been familiar with Delicious Story’s work before using Extreme Volts, it is fair to say they are […]
4-2-3-1 Extreme Volts XIX by DeliciousStory: A tactic we love
I am back with another tactic testing article or in this case a rare ‘tactic we love article’. Usually, I aim to give a bit of variety to the formations tested, trying to avoid doing the same formation on too many occasions, i.e., not just testing 4-2-31s or 3-5-2s. However, the 4-2-3-1 Extreme Volts XIX […]
Why is 3-5-2 such a popular FM formation?
In recent years the most popular FM formation has been the 4-2-3-1, which many have used to great effect to dominate the game. We have previously looked at the 4-2-3-1 formation and why it is so popular. However, there is another formation that has proven nearly as effective in FM 23 and that is the […]
FM tactics testing: Joseph 3-5-2AMC by JosephVy
Our journey through FM23 tactics continues today as we review the Joseph 3-5-2 by JosephVy. I have to say, before I stumbled across this tactic on sortitoutsi.net, I had never used a tactic by JosephVy, but after the results, I got from this tactic, I will be sure to check out more of their tactics […]
Best Free Agents FM23
It is nice to have a decent transfer budget in FM, but sometimes as a boss, you enter a club with a very small budget where you need to bring in players that can improve your team cheaply. That is where an excellent free signing can be a great solution. Here are some of the […]
The Best FM 23 Wonderkids
We all love Football Manager, and one of the game’s best aspects is picking up that gem of a young player and developing him into a true world superstar. These players can sometimes come straight into your team and make an impact, depending on your starting club. Alternatively, they may be loaned out and come […]
Tactics testing: 433 Napoli Perfecto by RDF
We are back with another tactic test, and it’s from a familiar creator in RDF, who seems to have a knack for producing very effective tactics that can get the best out of any team. That is vital for Everton, who I use for my tactic tests as if it works for the Toffees, it […]
Tactics testing: The Legendary Phoenix FM 23
Our latest tactic that we have tested out is a striker-less tactic, which in all honesty, in the past, I have not usually been a big fan of. I always thought of it as slightly cautious or defensive. That was maybe my tactical ignorance coming to the fore. However, in recent years I have found […]
Top five Brazilian wonderkids in FM 23
When it comes to Football Manager, there is nothing better than nurturing a wonderkid from a promising teenager to a world star. Wonderkids are vastly available in the game, and there is one country that seems to produce more than its fair share of talented young players, that country is Brazil. There are just too […]
How Many Football Managers Use FM & How Effective Is It?
There is no doubt that the Football Manager franchise is the biggest and most realistic game of its genre. Sports Interactive strives to bring even more realism to its star product every year. In fact, FM is so realistic that some professional football managers have used the game as a resource tool or even played […]
Football Manager and Champ Man wonderkids: What happened after FM fame? Part two
Last week we wrote the first article in our series on Football Manager wonderkids and what happened to them in their real-life careers. However, we have barely scratched the surface of the wonderkids that have given us so much joy over the decades. Here is the second instalment: Julius Aghahowa The Nigerian attacker is a […]
Tactics testing: The hybrid 4-1-2-3 Joepep by Joshua Nugent
When it comes to tactics, I must have used thousands in FM in the decades I have played the game in its various guises. I recently asked for unconventional formations on Twitter and tested a few, one of which I recently reviewed in the 443 Proxy. However, one of the most unconventional tactics I have […]
Football Manager and Champ Man wonderkids: What happened after FM fame? Part One
Over the years, Football Manager and its predecessor Championship Manager have introduced us to top young players who have become household names. This article will look at some of our favourite wonderkids from the two games’ history. Here is part one of our FM wonderkid journey: Freddy Adu The Ghanaian/USA forward is quite simply a […]
The Unconventional Ones: The Proxy 433 by Football Manager Addict
I recently put out a Tweet looking for unconventional FM tactics that have proven successful. On my travels, though, I stumbled across a thread by Football Manager Addict, who was doing a series entitled “African Adventure”. Shout out to him, and check him out on Twitter. Hey guys, I am looking for weird and wacky […]
Who is this new guy running the Higher Tempo Press?
The above question was asked of me on Twitter recently by two of our followers, so I wanted to let everybody know who I am and talk more about my long Football Manager journey. What’s the new guy’s experience with Football Manager? Firstly, I am David, I have played Football Manager since its predecessor Championship […]
Our favourite tactics: The PERFECT 4231 Plug n Play
In the next few weeks and months, we will look at the tactics we have enjoyed using in our FM saves. The first one we will look at is The PERFECT 4231 Plug n Play by RDF, who will feature heavily in our tactic pages, as for us, he is one of the best tactic […]
Why you should sell your 30-year-old players
As Football Manager players, we have all been there, haven’t we, one of your star players is getting older and creeping towards the dreaded 30 years of age. Do we hold on to the player and hope he can defy logic, or do we cash in? At what stage do I sell players? This is […]
Is It True That Everton Have Never Been Relegated?
For some reason there is a myth that Everton have never been relegated, that is not true, they have been relegated twice in their history, although, never in the Premier League era. Being one of the founder members and having not been relegated since the 1950’s is probably the reason the myth has propegated. Despite […]
Top 6 popular football leagues & betting markets
Football, commonly referred to as soccer in the US, is one of the most beloved sports worldwide, with millions of viewers tuning in each week to watch games. Not only does it provide entertainment for spectators, but it also presents betting fans with an opportunity to win some prizes through various football betting markets available. […]
Lionel Messi: One Last Treble – 3
First Season Failure! As we approach the end of January in the opening season of this ambitious task, Barcelona sit 5 points behind league leaders Real Sociedad. Not an impossible task, but a difficult mountain to climb. In the Champions League, the extreme challenge of Liverpool in the second round, following a double defeat to […]
Lionel Messi: One Last Treble – 2
As we continue our voyage to provide Leo Messi with his third treble, it becomes clear just how significant a task this could be, particularly in Europe. The group stage for the Champions League drew us with Slavia Prague, Ajax and Paris Saint Germain. Whilst finishing top spot would clearly be a tough ask, Barcelona […]
Lionel Messi: One Last Treble – 1
You don’t need me to tell you how good Lionel Messi is or was, what he has achieved and how brilliantly he did it. But we live in the waning world of Messi, one where he continues to exert his brilliance and magnificence, but in a Barcelona team acting as a mere shadow of what […]
Know Your Role: Segundo Volante
The Segundo Volante literally means (as per Google Translate), “Second Steering Wheel” or “Second Balance”. The idea being that a Segundo Volante is utilised as the second player in a double pivot, alongside a regista or a deep-lying midfielder – where the other midfielder controls the tempo, the Segundo Volante imposes that tempo on the […]
Know Your Role: Sweeper Keeper
Like any position on the pitch, it’s not enough to just stick a good goalkeeper between the sticks – they need to fit your tactical style. Personally, I like to play with a high line, at a high tempo, although this can leave a lot of space in behind. And that’s why I always use […]
Play Like: Benitez’s Valencia
This series takes you through how to evoke the memories of classic teams over the years, recreating their tactics in Football Manager to (hopefully) win games and (definitely) have fun in the process. Club sides, international teams, league winners, cup winners and just all-round entertainers, the series will focus on the most notable tactical styles […]
Know Your Role: Supporting Target Man
Football Manager is a game with two distinct schools of tactical setups. You either create a tactic but tweak it to fit your players, or you create a tactic and shoehorn your players in (or indeed purchase new ones to fit the system). So, to help out, here is a handy guide to what sort […]
Play Like: Guardiola’s Bayern Munich
This series takes you through how to evoke the memories of classic teams over the years, recreating their tactics in Football Manager to (hopefully) win games and (definitely) have fun in the process. Club sides, international teams, league winners, cup winners and just all-round entertainers, the series will focus on the most notable tactical styles […]
Know Your Role: Ball -Winning Midfielder
The ball-winning midfielder, particularly with the defend duty, is perhaps one of the easiest players to identify for your team. However, making sure you get the right balance of tough tackling and hyper-aggression, all within the right system, is key to advancing your midfield on Football Manager. With the defend duty, the ball-winning midfielder is […]
Play Like: Del Bosque’s Spain
This series takes you through how to evoke the memories of classic teams over the years, recreating their tactics in Football Manager to (hopefully) win games and (definitely) have fun in the process. Club sides, international teams, league winners, cup winners and just all-round entertainers, the series will focus on the most notable tactical styles […]
Know Your Role: Ball Playing Defender
In the modern game, man attacking moves are deemed to start from the back – whether in a counter attacking move or simply as part of a free-flowing attack. As a result, most possession-based teams will struggle to execute such football without the use of a ball-playing defender (BPD). This is a centre back tasked […]