2025-10-16, 12:17 PM - Word count:
PS Jakarta Final Tactic 4-2-3-1
In this deep dive, I will explain how the tactic came to be and the rationale behind it.
The Reason for the Tactic:
PS Jakarta started out with a 4-2-3-1 for the first match of the season, but we made the change to a 4-1-4-1 to become more stable in defense, this moved Xavier Simmons from CAM to CM and Lam from CM to DM, this increased number in defense, but offense become stagnent as 2 players are now playing in their secondary position, we slip lower and lower down the table as the season goes on with our uninspired offense, often only winning by 1 goal in most matches, unable to win away even against weaker opponent and also drawing against Adowa Accra FC at home rips away our chance to become a contender for the top spot. After many weeks of frustration, I proposed the 4-2-3-1 in hopes of turning the team around, it worked out as it reviltalize our offense and winning the final 3 matches of the season, and even got our revenge against Adowa Accra FC winning 5-3 away.
The Rationale behind the Tactic:
The main purpose of the tactic is to allow all player to play at their best position, and it naturally comes to playing a high press high line narrow tactic, because we have 2 natural inside forward, 3 midfielders and a natural inverted wingback, this gives us a huge number advantage in the middle and playing narrow helps us maximize the effect, while Leemhuis will provide the width when the middle is too congested, also with only NPC defensive units, we can't afford to play defensively, so we can only pushes up and play aggressively to hold as much possession as possible to avoid playing defense.
Centre Foward(Poacher-At) - Legend Leonidas Papadopoulos:
NPC, average all rounded player, he lacked the pace to be an advanced foward and have unimpressive finishing(12), which lead to a lot of missed chance through out the season, so I decided to put him as a poacher instead, a way more simpler role focused on only scoring, and it also create space in the midfield as he pushes high up, which benifits our team having 3 midfielders.
Left Winger(Inside Forward-At) - Lucas James:
One of the main threat of the team. He have great pace(15) and composure(15), although lacking the finishing(10), he can capitalize the space created by Papadopoulos with his pace and get some easy shots off.
Central Attacking Midfielder(Attacking Midfielder-At) - Xavier Simmons:
He lacks technical ability, but have good mental attribute like decision(13), composure(13), anticipation(14) and flair(14), he might not be a consistent performer, but may make some miracle play happen upfield and save a game.
Right Winger(Inside Forward-Su) - Robbie Schuumans:
A complete all rounder, he is used to support our attack while playing safe for Leemhuis to overlap aggressively.
Left Central Midfielder(Advanced Playmaker-Su) - Demi Perez:
Inactive player, his standout attributes are for set pieces, corners(13) and free kick(12), he is decent at playmaking, so he is better off focusing on playmaker.
Right Central Midfielder(Carrilero-Su) - Nico Lam:
The pivot of the team, he have great vision(16), passing(16) and decisions(14), and decent in defense, he act as a safety net for the team filling the space when the team is in attack, especially when Leemhuis pushes up, where he will have to fill in the space left behind, but he is also capable in playing through ball when everything is under control contributing to the offense.
Left Back(Inverted Wingback-Su) - Luc van Setten:
The fourth midfielder, he lacks the pace(7) to become a wingback, but he have great decisions(15) and teamwork(15), which make him a good choice to invert into the midfield and pairing up with Lam, and allow Perez to move further upfield to play with more freedom.
Centre Back(Ball-playing Defender) - Squall Vercetti and Pierre Houde:
NPC, helps with the high press and high line.
Right Back(Wingback-At) - George Leemhuis:
One of the main threat of the team, although inactive he have great pace(15) and crossing(13), which make him ideal to provide the width the team needed, ovelapping Schuurmans upfield when the middle is too congested to make any play.
Goalkeeper(Sweeper Keeper-Su) - Dobby Roobe:
NPC, helps with the high press and high line.
