Match Day Interaction - Individual Player Talks

Individual player talks can be the dot on the ‘I’. Use them wisely and check the assistant feedback to find out how your players react. It depends on their individual personality again. As mentioned earlier, you can use the ‘Ask Assistant’ button to select comfortably some individual talks, which is especially helpful regarding a new feature in FM 08: the individual talks to players based on their previous performances.

Pre-match talks

• Having faith. Still the most useful option at start of a match, since most players will act very favourable, especially if they have been on low morale or if you apply this to your key players before a very important match. I often had the impression that it works like adding some extra composure points to your attacking players.

• No pressure. It may help your youngsters through their first senior team performances, but also and especially new players who still have to link up with their squad, additionally it can be helpful for players during their first games if they are returning from a long injury. There are some signs it can help for players with low morale, but there are more test feedbacks needed.
• Expect a performance. Formerly a useful option for players after a series of bad performances, best combined with according media feedbacks, but now it does look rather obsolete since you will be able to give performance based feedbacks. Maybe it still can be applied for key players who did not achieve anything better then something like a 7-7-6-7-7 form. Will also need some testing.

Performance-based player talks

• Expect better. Only available after a performance below 6 in his last match, and it will be most likely only helpful if morale is not too low now. Further long-term results needed to judge how efficient this talk is.

• Pick up where you left off! This option is only available after a performance above 7 in the last match. Should be applied if the player has a good morale or better.

Most likely you should only give these performance-based talks to players with at least good morale to apply them efficiently. If possible, you should make sure that your players would go into these matches having good morale. If not, you should better stick to the ‘have faith’ talk which has proven its worth as something like a ‘killer’ talk due to the enormous morale boost it can give.

This complete area of performance-based talks needs more evaluation and long-term results, as well as observation regarding the patches; any feedback on this is especially welcome.

Half-time talks

Similar to overall team talks, take your time on these since these are the talks that can change things and make the difference.

• Angry. This will only be helpful if the player is under-performing but still has a very good morale.

• Disappointed. As above, but less harsh and again rarely morale boosting. Use both talks only for very professional, determined key players if they have good morale and are clearly performing below their standards.
• Having Faith. Just the same as in pre-match talks, this is usually the best morale boosting talk. Especially watch out for players who are behind the team morale when already winning. It can help to increase confidence and performance for the second half.
• Pleased. Can result in sustaining an already good, but not brilliant performance. Most players will react favourable.
  Delighted. The same as please for a brilliant performance. Often will result in a morale boost

• No pressure. As in pre-match, a good option if you sub in the same kind of players, be it youngsters, new players or players coming back from an injury. You can additionally confirm this during half-time, if performance during the first half was not brilliant.
• Prove a point. Only available if you are behind at half time. Similar to a killer talk for players who are far away from their standard.
  You can make the difference! The ‘Have Faith’ talk for a team being behind at half-time. Very often the best option in combination with ‘Prove a point’ and a good team talk.

Post-match talks

As for team-talks, probably the least important part and you can give some individual feedbacks, if you are up to. Look for new players and youngsters first, additionally for those with bad morale despite winning or those who played well despite losing. Check your team talk feedback frequently to find out how your players react since everyone is different and needs and individual handling.