Matches build up interaction.

Being well prepared for an important match and having your squad at the top of their morale and form for this match can be a key in achieving your goals of the season and have massive impact on your results.

Advance planning

If you are facing key games, you should start looking at your preparation very early, at least seven days ahead if you want to achieve the best results. Of course nobody can always take everything into account for every single game, but looking at the calendar at times and setting your eyes on these dates can improve your performance massively.

If you are for instance facing a top match in seven days and know that you may need some rotation players or even key players who are currently in a bad mood, you should consider to give them a morale-boosting reserve match on Wednesday, if possible. A better morale may make up for any loss in condition, and you can rest them for a day after the match. If you are a perfectionist and very slow (or luxurious…) player, you may lead this reserve match and take your players off at a peak but early enough to recover easily. Also you should consider giving them a media interaction to increase their morale. Since it is not always possible to give them anytime, you may already have looked ahead and saved it for this occasion.

If you are playing a fierce rival, you may also make a comment on your next opponent about three days before the match. The best-proven comment is to ‘expect a good rivalry’ as this will often take away pressure from your own players and occasionally build up pressure for the opposition.

Dangerman

Finally you will receive your scout report and have the option to comment on the opposition dangerman. This was heavily bugged in FM 07 and you had to do it three days in advance to see an effect, but finally it does work now. But beware, it is a gamble, otherwise the game may get too easy. You should always watch out first at the form and personality of these players. If they are model professionals, driven or highly determined players, better stay away from commenting on them if they are not in a crisis. Players in a crisis and with less determined characters are more prone to buckle under the pressure then those who are on top of their form. I once tried it with Klose while he was playing for Man U, and he said thank you with a brace…so be warned.

Pre-match media

Finally, after so many preliminaries, the most important part: The media pre-match interaction. Now you can make up for anything you missed before or finally blow it. Choose your options wisely and remember that being over-confident rarely is rewarded in the game. To make things clear: good pre-match comments will not win a game for you. But giving the wrong comments can have catastrophic effects and giving the right comments can boost your morale strongly.

• We are in a good form and can win this. The option to go with if your team is having a good run, if your odds are looking good and if your players are determined and can handle pressure.

• They can cause us problems. If your form and odds are less brilliant, if you are additionally playing away and if your players suffer from a lack of self-believe, this option will cause less pressure and you will see your squad being more relaxed.
• Just want a good performance. If you really do not see many chances to get away with a result or a point. Takes the pressure off your players and most likely will result in a good morale despite taking a loss. Don’t underestimate your team though, it may also lose motivation, if you do so.
• You can see your team winning anyway. If you are at the very top, dominating the league from first to last and you intend to play an out-of-form relegation candidate, you can make some fun out of it and raise your profile as arrogant genius. Maybe you will get an award, but as you can guess, this option is rarely of any use, if ever. A comment by crazy gra which I found too good to leave it out: This special option is great if you want everyone without a sense of humour to hate you, especially those named Rafa or Roman.
• No comment. Only advisable if your morale already is superb across the board.

Check how your players react. Every one is different. The more ambitious your players are, the more you can stay on the positive side.

Nice tip for cup mismatches: I often stir up my squad by being “never confident about these games”. Half of your key players will want to go out and prove you wrong.