retired_Tobo

When do you rest players from training?

For example, this is what I done, please tell me if this was correct or not.

What I done was rest 4 key players from training on the Friday because I had a match the night before in the UEFA Cup which I was winning 3-0 from the first leg and I was at home, so I put out virtually my second sting team. I left out Michael Owen, Darren Bent, Jorge Andrande and Gareth Barry from my Villa squad, then I gave them the Friday off training as I had a big game on the Sunday against Spurs which I lost 1-0. I don't think I can blame giving the players a rest but what is your honest opinion?

Should I always play my best team?

Should I give players over 30 or very young, but great players a rest when I can?

When is the best time to give players a rest or a rest from training?

Thanks in advance.

retired_adriana6

I don't think you ever need to rest them completely from training, but you could have a schedule set up which has low strength and aerobic training and concentrates more on the technical side.

retired_kellyk

Honestly I have never sent anyone to "rest" the game. All I need is move them into the reserves till the get back match fitness

retired_kotterkey

I very rearly rest players unles they arent match fit or are struggling with a injury i maybe give them one day off but it seems easier to just not play them, maybe when there has been more tweaking to the training in game by SI then resting players will become more important but at the moment it seems easier to just drop them from your squad

retired_management team

these are good questions because I always haveplayers that need rest by midseason. I usually do not play my best team against lower league teams in cup games, even though it may be dangerous.

It is good to rotate the team occasionally though. I often give some rest to the key players that have played in more than 20 consecutive games either by substituting them early in games we have a 2 goal advantage, or leaving them on the bench, and playing them only if things go wrong. I try to do this only one player at a time, so that I do not decrease the strength of the team too much.

About rest from training - I have never analyzed its effect. I only used this once or twice when the team has one rest day between the games. It would be very interesting to see others' experiences!

retired_janabnana

If I have a huge gaming coming up I might. Done if before Cup Finals, because I figure I don't want to risk some key players getting injured in training - and if I have no games to play either, I know I'll have a healthy squad for a really important match.