Description

Way back when this version came out I told myself that I'd start uploading more stuff. To date, I haven't delivered on this promise, at all, but I shall begin today. And not just because Steam won't let me play FM either.

My first gift to you all (maybe) comes in the form of my training schedules. I've been using them since I got the game, and they've done pretty well for me, so hopefully they'll be useful for some of you too.

What You Get:

There are three sets of schedules attached at the bottom of this post - one for senior players, one for youths, and - as an extra special treat for LLM'ers - a set of part time schedules that I've created recently.

They each contain the same schedules, divided by role to develop the key stats your players need to play their position effectively. In each set you will find the following schedules:

Click to expand: GK: Pretty straightforward really. A schedule high in GK training as well as tactics, with a good deal of physical training (aerobic more than physical), and a bit of other stuff thrown in to try and maintain (or possibly even improve) other useful stats, such as first touch.

CB: Again pretty obvious. I was considering splitting these up into 'ball playing CB' and 'orthodox CB', but as I don't often use ball playing CB's I left it. A 'ball playing CB' could be created if demand was sufficient (providing I get the use of FM back).

FB/WB: Again, this could concievably be divided into 'defensive FB's' and 'wing backs', but to be honest I'd just use the CB training for defensive full backs. Not that I ever use them - this is more Maicon than John O'Shea. Again, I could make a dedicated 'defensive FB' schedule if desired.

DM/Ball Winner: Here's where we start getting more specific - it's still pretty obvious though, don't worry. A schedule designed for your shit kickers, anchor men and general midfield hardmen. Think Daniele De Rossi, Anthony Annan or Francesco Bolzoni.

Deep Playmaker: A schedule for those midfielders who sit deep and dictate play, but also do a bit of defensive work. Good examples of players suited to this schedule are Andrea Pirlo and Michael Carrick.

Box to Box CM: As B2B midfielders are required to contribute offensively and defensively, this schedule is pretty balanced in terms of technical training. As you may expect, there is a fair amount of physical training involved as well. This is the most rounded schedule in the set, sort of my equivalent of 'general' training. Michael Essien and Sandro say hi for this one.

AMC: Designed for all attack minded central midfielders, not just those playing the AMC spot, this schedule focuses on developing all the technical skills you'd expect from your playmakers - passing, first touch etc. It's also the schedule I'd suggest for goalscoring midfiellders like Frank Lampard and Marek Hamsik.

Wingers: The first of two schedules for your wide men, this focuses on the traditional winger. You know, that bloke who stands on the edge of the pitch and bangs in crosses all game. Yeah, David Beckham, that's him. Most of the focus is on the attacking threat, but with some thought given to the defensive responsibilities they will probably have to fulfil. If they can't shoot or run, but can cross, I'd definitely have them on this one.

Inside Forwards: The modern wide man - think Messi, Ronaldo and Nani. This schedule looks to create a player that can run at defenders, as well as move intelligently off the ball and finish any chances that come his way. If you have a winger who can't cross, but can dribble and shoot, they belong here.

Big Striker: I could've made this into three schedules, but I've just done the two for now (a 'complete striker' schedule could be made if people want it). This schedule is for your targetmen and big, powerful strikers, whether they're Peter Crouch, Dimitar Berbatov, or Gonzalo Higuain. The aim is to develop strong players who can hold the ball up and play in teammates, as well as threaten both in the air and on the ground.

Little Striker: A schedule designed for the smaller, quicker, more technically proficient striker - Pato, Defoe and so on. The focus is on speed, movement, ball skills and good finishing. Whilst someone like Wayne Rooney could concievably be placed in either schedule, I'd probably put him in this one, unless you were specifically hoping to develop his targetman skills.

Some of the files may have slightly different names across sets, but it should be pretty clear which one is which, as they changes aren't much more extreme than 'box to box CM' becoming 'B2B'.

In previous years I've made 'pace' & 'strength' versions of some of those schedules, but with the introduction of individual focus training I'd say that's a better bet. If you have a player who's really lacking in one of those areas (or any other that they're going to need to do their job, for that matter), I'd suggest using a personalised schedule, possibly including IFT where relevant.

Intensity:

None of the schedules reach 'heavy' intensity - they should all be at the highest click of medium, though it is likely that some players will still find this too high. If so, tell them to shut up. I've not had any significant problems with players getting injured in training, so they should be fine. You're the boss, not those pansies.

Where do they go?:

Unpack the .rar file using Winrar and put them in the following folder:

my documents > sports interactive > football manager 2011 > schedules

Then, in game, go to: training > manage schedules > import and select them from there.

Feedback can be found at the forum link below. Please add your own.