- Are you playing Rags-to-Riches Career starting at lowest tier, lowest stats possible? Semi-Pro Club? In game at the Training>Rest screen, where you can set your automated Training intensity level based on player condition, at the "Excellent" condition in upper right of screen, set that to "Double Intensity." You will also want to ensure all of your players in the Club are set for automated training intensity. You will want to back off this intensity somewhere around halfway through a season, especially if you get into multiple Cup competitions to the point that Double Intensity practices are wearing down your players.
- "Work into the Box" will be an often recommended Tactics change from your Assistant Coach. Judgement call whether to accept or ignore that change, depending on whether you want Long Shot development being worked on (more "Direct" play) but if you're up against a tough opponent, it may be best to accept that change. On rare occasions, your Assistant Coach may recommend "Play for Set Pieces" also, depending on situation. I often like taking this because there are other Attributes then getting worked into players as result, but I do not have this on for the core Tactic (situational dependent only, and sometimes if victory is assured I switch to Set Pieces).
- There is so much more intense training required for these "Complete" type Positions, that you want to monitor progress before starting any player to train into a new Natural Position. For example, do not start training the new position unless "Fluid" in their main Natural Position for this Tactic. While the player trains in the new position, they "unlearn" familiarity with the old Natural position, but you want them to start at a high level so they're viable for matches in either position during the long time it takes to learn the new position to a Natural level of proficiency.
- Facing a tough opponent? As high as 3-4 league tiers above you? In those extreme imbalanced matches, or even if within the same league yet facing the league's #1 club, you may have to increase Defenses, but don't take your Coaches advice in the meeting to completely undo the Attacking formation, start with this instead. 1)Goalie to GK>SK>Defend instead of Support, 2)DR/DL CWBs could be switched to FB>Defend instead (keeps them back toward your own goal). These changes do not require you to change from an Attack Mentality. Frankly, reducing Mentality down to Positive, Balanced, or even Defensive often result in worse results against tough clubs, than simply facing them head-on with the same Attacking Mentality. One of the reasons is that you will notice the Familiarity bar greatly lowers once you come out of Attacking Mentality. So you're basically tying one hand behind your back even before you turn Defensive.