The no-nonsense full-back might not be the player role in FM20 that get’s many plaudits but it is one that can be a complete gamechanger. I find it often will be overlooked for more attractive roles like the Anchorman or even Targetman. Here at Dictate the Game there are a few of us that worship at the altar of hoofball. You can hear us wax lyrical about it on the podcast quite often. Some of us are more inspired by…
This instalment of the Red Star Alliance series continues my current obsession with all things Sam Allardyce and outlines my FM Interpretation of a “greatest hits” (pun intended) album from his time at Bolton. These tactics were developed in conjunction with Big Sam’s Fantastic Four data metrics for my Red Star Wrexham save. Recreating IRL tactics is my preferred approach to FM. I watched Bolton matches from their most successful period (2003-2007) where they competed in Europe and made Cup Finals….
Whether you call it Hoofball, Longball, Kick and Rush or Route One, as a tactical approach it has had a long history in Football. Sticking it in the mixer might be something you would expect to see more in the lower leagues than in the Premiership or the Champions League but teams like Bolton, Stoke and Wimbledon all claimed plenty of scalps. There’s no reason you can’t play like Big Sam and Pulisball your way to the top in…