95% fitness...

[scooterSB]

My general rule of thumb is, and has been sine the old FM days, is to never start at player who is bellow 95% fitness.

Obviously there are exceptions, usually due to fixture congestion or large numbers of injuries/suspensions in the squad.

Does anyone else operate on this rule?

[dave byrd]

I do. Always have done.

[Bonzo1]

Generally my squads aren't that big so I just pick a whoever is fit-ish(85%+) and try and make the best first 11 I can. Unless the player is injury prone then I only play them when they are 100%

[vlobben]

I rarely have the luxury of only using players above 95% fitness. I try to only select players above 90% though.

[Lawlore]

I use 90% as the bar, although homegrown rules sometimes force my hand.

[dave byrd]

I'm fortunate in that in the 5 years i've been at my club i've managed to assemble a squad with 2 players for every position (plus an extra goalie) so have the luxury of being able to 'rest' anyone that isn't at least 95% fit.

[MisterX]

Mostly, the players with highest fitness plays. Mostly around 98% or something.

[Neil Brock]

Use 92% myself, but if it's a quality player I'll occasionally make exceptions.

[SeanNUFC]

I rarely have the luxury of only using players above 95% fitness. I try to only select players above 90% though.

Same here.

[sjm]

Use 92% myself, but if it's a quality player I'll occasionally make exceptions.

Same here.

[RocheBag]

I use 95% for most players, and 90% for that one star who I can't usually afford to sit (if my team has one)

[Cadijk van Kaarhandel]

Match fit and 92% unless we've a big game a few days after.

[johnhughthom]

When players are between 90-92% they will be described as 'Tired', the actual number depends on the player. I look for tired players, rather than a set percentage.

[fmFutbolManager]

Generally over 90% for me. But also make sure their match fitness is high enough, usually 85%+

[scott MUFC]

92% unless emergerances, 95% for midfield and strikers, usualy will stretch to 93 or 94% if i want that player playing.

[Mr_Whippy]

Nope. I play them 'til they die.

[Katarian]

It really depends on the situation. I like to rotate my squad quite a lot, but that isn't always possible and due to lack of numbers in some areas, for whatever reason, some of my players get played to death no matter what their fitness is.

[20leGend99]

I used to use the 95%+ rule but in the last few editions of the game have started to go with 91%+ as my players don't seem to stay as fit as before.

[jayahr]

Never below 93% for me, if possible. At times I do however give players a break when they have 93-95% if there are multiple players in that range and fit and good backups.

Of course there are always exceptional situations of congenstions and/or injury crisis which will make me allow for exceptions.

[hluraven]

I've always used 90% as my cut off for a regular game. Maybe I would start someone in the high 80s if it was a key game and star player.

[KDR]

90% for me, too - though I'll sometimes risk someone between 85-90% if the replacement is also at that level, then switch them at half-time/once they drop past 75% in the 2nd half.

[QWERTYOP]

No. I operate a "winner stays on" policy. If you play well, you play on. Until you can't.

[NobleZarkon]

90% for me.

[thomit]

95% if possible.

[Mattias333]

Always wondered what everyones opinion on this is.

Sometimes I see the AI playing players on 81% from the start and I think god i'd never do that! I get tetchy playing someone on blooming 89%, and only do so if I have no choice or hes a special player.

Wonder if they'll ever bring late fitness tests into FM?

[scott MUFC]

I just Played Fellaini at 89%, because it was Everton and he has just come back from injury.

he survived the encounter.

[Furai]

95% is the general rule for me. I feel uncomfortable playing a player less than that. If it is a star player I may let them play if it is an important match.

[Matt_no_7]

Never under 90% for me, no exceptions.

[30.Beast]

Anyone under 95% I have a think about and see if there's a better option, BUT, I make decisions based on these criteria;

1) What role is the player expected to perform? A ball winning midfielder/an attacking wing back, or do I just want him to sit infront of the defence?

2) The fixture. It's more important for me to have a key player at 89% in a big match than it is against inferior opposition

[deanpr]

I use around 91% and 90% if pushed but very rarely below

[FootballersWith]

My number is 94% for some reason. Not sure why.

[Gazza88]

96%

Any less and we are on a run then I look at natural fitness. Of a player is high then he can play. If he's low then I either limit what he does or make sure I've got a replacement on the bench.

As soon as a player is mid 70% during a game he gets subbed. I never go with a sub goalkeeper and make sure I have every other position covered even if it means shuffling my team around.

[themodelcitizen]

I never go with a sub goalkeeper and make sure I have every other position covered even if it means shuffling my team around.

I used to do this until my keeper went down early on against my flatmate in a network game and he pumped me 7-1 once I had an outfielder in goal. Didn't live that one down and it changed my policy, permanently. Although the chances of it happening AGAIN seem pretty remote.

[scooterSB]

96%

I never go with a sub goalkeeper and make sure I have every other position covered even if it means shuffling my team around.

wow risky stuff.

[SpartyOn]

I always use a sub goalkeeper. My FM11 memory of watching Daniel Van Buyten flail his arms helplessly as the tying goal whizzed past him from 40 yards out is forever burned into my brain.

[Gazza88]

Perhaps not true that I NEVER play a sub goalkeeper. I do in pre season friendlies or if I've got one hell of an injury crisis.

If my keeper gets injured during a game I put my fastest defender in as a sweeper keeper and a high defensive line with loan ball tactics and he just smashes everything that comes through 100 yards up the pitch. Not 100% effective but I find I either draw or nick a win. When I lose its usually because my strikers don't have as good aerial attributes and long balls keep coming back to me.