My second questions is, perhaps, a bit less stupid, and it's 2 questions kind of rolled into one. I've read time and time again that individual training (not additional focus), should be set to the role I want them to play. Unfortunately, I get an inbox message from my assistant at least once a week that says something along the lines of "so and so isn't happy with their individual training. They feel they aren't/won't improve, etc etc etc." It's typically a list of 4 or 5 guys, and when I go take a look at the training, they don't have full role ability for whatever role they play, so there is room for improvement, and their training is set accordingly. On top of this, I also get complaints about "lack of first team soccer." This is something that's more likely to happen to me with my lower league stuff, as with amateurs, I don't have to pay them, and my squads get...well, ridiculous. Obviously, I can cut down on my squad, release them on frees, etc etc, but I ran a test case. I ran with one group of 16 guys (11+6 subs), and I was running subs so they were getting pretty decent time on the field, maybe 20-30 minutes a match, every other match or so, and they STILL complained. So my question is this...
When the players complain, whether it be about training or play time, how seriously do I take something like that? It's extremely annoying to get those "So and so wants to talk about personal matters" every few days, mostly because, no matter what I say, or how much time I give them on the field, if they aren't starting, they aren't happy, and really, if you're a central defender on the bench with half the ability of my starting central defender, I really don't wanna play you, you know?
Sorry for rambling. Any help is extremely....extremely appreciated. Like I said, I love this game, but I'd love to build my own tactics, and I'm flat out leaving my training to my assistant at this point because I'm scared they're going to leave if they don't like training, and I'm playing players in my starting 11 that...really shouldn't be played in my starting 11 because they like to throw fits every goddamn week. Okay, maybe I'm a little frustrated.
Different people have different approaches to this aspect of the game, but here is my advice:
First, don't be scared of your players. For one thing, they aren't real. For another, putting your foot down is sometimes necessary, both in real life and in Football Manager.
It's important to know what kind of role they were promised when they signed their contract. If they were told they'd be a key player or a first-teamer, then yes they're likely to get frustrated when they start every game as a substitute -- even if they are obviously worse than the guys starting ahead of them. There are some players, on the other hand, who will get upset they aren't starting even when their designated role is rotation or backup. Others will carry on for the good of the team no matter what role they were promised. It has a lot to do with the players' hidden attributes like professionalism.
I would recommend telling it like it is with the malcontents, especially if they signed on for a back-up/rotational role. Some will back down and respect you for it; others will get upset and demand to be transferred or loaned out. If it comes to that I usually try to make it happen just because a back-up player isn't worth the hassle and potential disruption to the team, though do note that with some players you can be firm about their contractual obligations and they'll back down. If you really fear losing the player, it probably means he's valuable enough to your team that he may just have a point in carping about playing time, and you might consider relenting.
Quickfire Questions and Answers Thread (Tactic and Training Questions Only)
in Tactics, Training & Strategies Discussion
Posted
Different people have different approaches to this aspect of the game, but here is my advice:
First, don't be scared of your players. For one thing, they aren't real. For another, putting your foot down is sometimes necessary, both in real life and in Football Manager.
It's important to know what kind of role they were promised when they signed their contract. If they were told they'd be a key player or a first-teamer, then yes they're likely to get frustrated when they start every game as a substitute -- even if they are obviously worse than the guys starting ahead of them. There are some players, on the other hand, who will get upset they aren't starting even when their designated role is rotation or backup. Others will carry on for the good of the team no matter what role they were promised. It has a lot to do with the players' hidden attributes like professionalism.
I would recommend telling it like it is with the malcontents, especially if they signed on for a back-up/rotational role. Some will back down and respect you for it; others will get upset and demand to be transferred or loaned out. If it comes to that I usually try to make it happen just because a back-up player isn't worth the hassle and potential disruption to the team, though do note that with some players you can be firm about their contractual obligations and they'll back down. If you really fear losing the player, it probably means he's valuable enough to your team that he may just have a point in carping about playing time, and you might consider relenting.
Anyway, just my 2 cents.