retired_vikiane

Ok, has anyone seen a direct effect from this? i have a cpl defenders that like to wind up oppenents, and it seems like it has worked a treat, as most teams i play receive 2-3 yellow cards, if not a cpl reds.

I'd like to tell a little story that this might tie into. Started off the campaign (Bristol City L1), and win 2 in my first 8 and drop to the bottom of the table. I switch my tactics around, and everything starts turning around and im climbing the ladder. But now im starting to pick up injuries left right and centre caused by dangerous challenges, most times resulting in yellows and reds for the other side. Ive lessened the workload in trainings, and still my players are getting injured. SO, because teams are losing to me, and maybe due to my defenders winding up the opposition, the other side seems to take up the challenge to injure as many of my players as they can. Sore losers in my opinion.

Heres the result - 13 Players out with injuries. 6 starters are out, including my ENTIRE midfield and 2 starting defenders. of those 6 starters, 2 are gone for 4-6 mos, and another 2 are 1-2 mos.
What the heck is goin on?

Stepping up - after all these injuries my side has gone on a 6 gm winning streak, without conceding. I have a bunch of reserves now playing in the starting 11, with ratings in the low to mid 7.00's, and have brought in some emergency loans and thrown them all into the mix. My backups are playing supreme football compared to the mediocre play of the first team.

Anyways, does anyone know whats up, or is this just a run of bad luck albeit good form? Funny thing is that it seems im playing against 9 man sides cuz the opposition always seem to pick up at least 1 red if not more (3 in one game once). Is this a result of my defenders winding up opposition then shutting them down? And because im in tactics forum, any training suggestions to eliminate injuries? my story flies in the face of previous theories for training, since my workloads are decreased to just below medium and all but one young gun are happy with their schedules.

retired_janellewood86

Just below medium?

There's your answer right there. Players need to be conditioned to play professional football. The average Joe in the street would get injured by most professional tackles. Even the fair ones. I think it's quite an underestimation to think that footballers are some how weaker, "feminine" cousins of rugby players. OK, they don't hit as hard for as long, but they take quite a pounding.

As a rule, I would never have less than medium training on strength. In fact, I usually sacrifice training skills for strength and aerobic training if I have a team that I know will have to be physical to survive (and in the lower leagues you certainly do).

High training on strength will cause you major problems with weights injuries, burnout etc. However, a good mix of medium strength training with some good aerobic work as well as your skill training will help condition your team.

My first team schedules are one notch shy of "heavy" overall workload, my youth schedules a few more notches shy. I've used pretty much the same schedules now in all my games (with a few skill tweeks for various players) and only once had an injury crisis. And in that crisis I discovered a few gems in my youth team who became undroppable.

Every cloud...

retired_vikiane

I agree Millie. I have my schedules set to about 4 ticks below heavy workload and players were still getting injured. And have mid to high-mid strength training for all the cb, dm, etc. So i honestly dont think it was my training schedule. But like i said, every team seems to play dirty against me and injure my players.

Anyways, not to worry, my side is unbeaten in 17 games, thx to an amazing defense, and some key reserve and youth call ups. Have 3 starters under 20, one 20 yr old on loan who's had 9 assists in as many games and contributing 2 goals, and a defense that concedes .5 goals per game. Some players arent gonna be too happy when they find themselves on the transfer list when they return in a cpl monthes.