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Having seen a request for training to be upgraded, and basically ridiculed by all those who replied, I'd like to put forward a suggestion of my own.
Once the scout reports on the opposition standard formation (ideally on the day after the match) it should be possible to play a training match between your reserves and first team in which you can try out your formation shape against the opposition formation shape (based on your Scout's/AssMan's interpretation of it). The better the tactical knowledge of your scout and AssMan, the better the chance of them being able to perfectly mirror the scouted tactic. If they both had 20 for tactics, then the tactical profile would be Mourinhoesque in detail, and it would allow you to play an almost perfect replica (although against weaker players). The worse the combined tactical knowledge, the more generic the tactic.
Unlike friendly matches, these matches would default tackling to easy (to reduce the chance of injury) and could be stopped at any time during the game. It would enable you to gain a feel of the opposition formation, its strengths and weaknesses, prior to the match and prepare accordingly. I would happily play 20-30 minute games to see what I (c)should adjust prior to the real game.
Taken from 2005, so bits of it will undoubtedly be out of date by now:
Quote:
The first thing that needs to be done is telling players what their roles are. Example: I like to bring Julien Escude into Newcastle. Now, he's a DC, but I want him as a left back. In the contract negotiations, I should be able to tell him that (which would also have a bearing on his willingness to sign for me). When it comes to training, my assistant would then know that I want Escude to be treated as a left back. (this would also need to be changeable with time, like the squad status is now. After 3 months at left back I may decide that DC was better for him afterall).
Then we need a better representation of how he's coming along. So every week, FM should generate a training match between your 1st and 2nd XI, fully watchable, just like a real match.
The players chosen to play would be based on their squad status and set position. So, using my example again, Julien Escude, though a DC, will be chosen ahead of Celstine Babayaro at left back, because Escude is set to being a Key player at left back. Babayaro is a squad rotation left back.
Escude would play left back in my 1st XI, and Babayaro would play in my 2nd XI - allowing me to judge their performances.
Now there would be a few ways to watch this training match.
1. exactly as a real match - allowing you to make subs and changes for both teams (or let your assistant do it for one or both).
2. As a highlights package. Every week your assistant would put together a highlight package of any player who plays exceedingly well, or exceedingly badly. So if Escude at left back was making lots of Key tackles, and maybe even getting an assist, then your assistant would show you the relevant highlights. Similarily, if your striker was continuously being tackled, getting caught on the ball, and hitting chance after chance off target, then your assistant would supply you with those highlights as well.
Then it would need to be expanded to cover other areas of training (if the player wants it). Set piece training could be an hour long match of set-piece after set-piece - allowing you to watch all 60 minutes or again as an assistant highlights package.
We'd also need much better text reports about each area of training:
Aerobic: Julien Escude has been a revelation for us. His overall condition is perfect and his stamina in perticular stands out.
Strength: Michael Owen is having problems with this side of his game. While getting into good positions often, he is unable to make the most of them as he is shrugged off the ball too easily.
On top of all this it is also essential to link tactics to training.
Expanded Training Module/Training Matches 
Linear Mode
