..........GK..........
DF...DF...DF...DF
.........DMF.........
MF......MF......MF
......CF..|...........
...........\/.CF......
...with the centre MF having a long arrow pushing in between the CF's, sometimes. Also, against a side that is playing uber-defensive, pushing the DMF up into a regular MF position can help. But be careful, this guy should just about your main defender...
The wide backs are an integral part of your attack. They should run forward to join the attack, and should just about be your main providers of crosses. However, your wide MF's need to be able to dribble around a defender or two -> cross. Therefore, your wide MF's need excellent dribbling, pace, acceleration and passing. And I generally don't have arrows pushing them up the field, unless I am struggling to break a side down through the middle, in which case push 'em up and spread the defence...
Now, you may think these crosses would be finished by one of your two CF's? Well, you'd be wrong, the trick is to have the centre MF to have
fantastic pace and strength (so that he can be there, for atleast the deflections), and above average vision, acceleration, finishing, decision making and off-the ball, and he will score thousands in a season from this.
The DMF needs to be rock solid in defence, ie excellent tackling, high aggression, teamwork and work-rate (in fact, you should be looking to fill your team with players who all have extremely high work rate), and if he can play a good long ball, then you beauty, you're in business! He doesn't need to be fast, unless you make him an important part of your attack.
Don't man-mark, just use zonal (unless you have hopeless defenders. In which case, go off and buy Jean Dika...) defending. Always have pressing on, in some form or another. Off-side trap is up to you. I have always hated it, in every video football game I have ever played. EVER.
Sometimes, you have to make your wide MF's man-mark in order to slow down your opponent, especially if that's where all their attacks are flowing from. But in doing so, you will stymy your attacking actions down the wing.
In which case, it's probably a good idea to tell your players to press through the middle, and tell you middle MF and atleast one of your CF's to hold up the ball.
Speaking of you CF's, the one who is behind the other should be your killer player. The one who is up the field a little bit should just about always be holding up the ball. He is your 'target' man. He needs to be strong, have good vision, positioning, heading and passing. It also helps if has decent finishing of course
Your other CF needs to be uber-fast, and needs killer dribbling, pace and finishing. He shouldn't score to many in the air. That's not his job.
That's a wrap for now people. Any more questions? PM me, or ask in this thread...