Preferred moves

In the player's tab you can see his preferred moves, you can teach him new ones or delete the
unwanted ones through interaction with coaches. Do it by selecting New preferred move in the
individual training menu. For goalkeepers, the selection of moves is limited - they can perform
free kicks and avoid/practice playing with their weaker leg. Remember that you can't change
every player's moves, sometimes attempts in doing so will result in failure.

List of recommended moves for each position.

1. Central defenders

-tight marking,

-avoiding or choosing to throw himself into tackles,

-passing to teammates on better positions,

-playing straight passes,

-playing in attack more often,

-avoiding/practicing playing with their weaker leg.

2. Side defenders

-tight marking,

-avoiding or choosing to throw himself into tackles,

-passing to teammates on better positions,

-playing in attack more often,

-sticking to touchline,

-running forward with the ball,

-throw ins into penalty area,

-avoiding/improving playing with weaker leg.

3. Defensive midfielders

-tight marking,
-avoiding or choosing to throw himself into tackles,

-playing in attack more often,

-passing to teammates on better positions,

-slowing the tempo,

-avoiding/improving playing with weaker leg.

4. Central midfielders

-playing in attack more often,

-passing to teammates on better positions,

-slowing the tempo,

-long free kicks,

-more long passes,

-forced free kicks,

-long shots as often as possible,

-avoiding/improving playing with weaker leg.

5. Wingers

-playing in attack more often,

-passing to teammates on better positions,

-running forward with the ball,

-attacking wide more often,

-sticking to the touchlines,

-passing the ball to the other side,

-more long passes.

6. Attackers
-long shots as often as possible,

-stronger shooting,

-shooting near the ground more often,

-going around goalkeepers,

-trying to soot on first touch,

-Shooting from overhead kicks as often as possible,

-going around enemies by playing into a free area,

-going into the centre of the penalty area,

-improving playing with the weaker leg.

FM13 Individual Training - Improving Player Role Attributes

The individual training player role schedule is one of three eligible training schedules in
individual training. The players assigned on the player role schedule will work in groups to
improve multiple attributes. The attributes is similar to the required attributes for that specific
player role.

Assigning players to improve multiple attributes could be favorable in youth development, as

you can target to improve basic football skills, but it's also recommended for older players when
wanting to improve a set of weaknesses. For me the Individual Role assignment is the foundation
in player development, as you have the chance to improve an average player into a specialist
(within his player role), by improving his best attributes.

Before starting to improve certain attributes, it is important to know all about the specific player
attributes, and their influence on a players performance within certain match situations.

Note! A player can only be scheduled for an individual training role which corresponds to his player
position (natural, accomplished, unconvincing or so). A player with poor familiarity can not train that
particular player role training as long as he ain't working on that specific player position. For example a
player with no knowledge as a striker can be set on player role training for strikers such as poacher as
long as the new position training is striker.

The players assigned to a player role training schedule will work on all attributes with the importance of
attributes for that particular player role. This means that the player attributes below will increase better
depending on his morale and happiness.

You can read more about how the overall workload will influence the happiness and morale when
assigning a player on several training schedules here.
2.1) Goalkeepers:

A good goalkeeper could be vital for your team. His ability to communicate with the defensive
line and have command of the area in addition to pure ball handling is vital to avoid a defeat. In
Football Manager 2013 there are two different goalkeepers; the modern sweeper keeper and the
traditional goalkeeper defend.

You can read more about the key attributes for all goalkeepers in this guide to player attributes.
In regard to Football Manager tactic creation, it could be advantageous to read our article on the
two goalkeeper player roles; Sweeper keeper vs goalkeeper defend, which may help you to
choose preferred player role according to tactical setup.

Goalkeeper Defend - Player Role Training:

The Goalkeeper focuses on a simple and risk-free use of the ball. The goalkeeper will look to
play the ball away from the goal to an open player. The Goalkeeper defend training schedule will
focus on development of all the key goalkeeper attributes, which is important for all goalkeepers
in Football Manager. I tend to use this training setup for all young goalkeepers to improve
positioning, aerial ability, handling and command of area, despite their tactical player role. As I
want to improve the key attributes to a decent level before specializing it further. This schedule
will target to improve 10 player attributes divided from technical goalkeeper attributes, mental
attributes and physical attributes;

Aerial Ability
Command of area
Handling
One on Ones
Reflexes
Composure
Concentration
Decisions
Positioning
Agility

Sweeper Keeper
The sweeper keeper is a mixture of the regular goalkeeper and the defensive role sweeper. He
will look to sweep up balls in front of and wide of the penalty area looking for counter-attacking
opportunities. He will need to be better at reading the unfolding event and have the quickness
and bravery to rush out and close down every opponents who's clean on goal.
A good example of a sweeper keeper is Victor Valdes. A sweeper keeper may be a good choice
if you play with a high defensive line. The Sweeper keeper training schedule looks to improve 14
attributes divided into the categories technical goalkeeper attributes, mental attributes and
physical attributes. The workload will be slightly increased, but this training schedule will look
to improve communication, first touch, rushing out and quickness which is not in the goalkeeper
training category.

I tend to use this training schedule for goalkeepers over the age of 18 depending on their player
role and level of important goalkeeper attributes.
Aerial Ability
Command of area
Communication
First Touch
Handling
Reflexes
Rushing Out
Composure
Concentration
Creativity
Decisions
Positioning
Acceleration
Agility
Pace
2.2) Defenders:

I will split the defense into two main areas; central defenders who has four sub-roles and
fullbacks, who has one sub-role.
No matter which player role you choose in your FM13 tactic, you want the attributes of your
central defenders to supplement each other; one tall physical strong player, and one who are
faster, more clever and has the passing ability and technique to aid the midfield. Imagine a
bulldozer who clears everything in his way and a excavator who works along (behind/in-front) of
the bulldozer to do more precise and technical work.

The main attributes for every defender, no matter player role is concentration, tackling, marking,
positioning, in addition to physical attributes such as strength and acceleration/pace.

Player Role: Central Defenders

When assigning a defender on the individual training role for central defenders, the player will
focus his attention on development of solely key player attributes for a defender in the
categories; technical attributes, mental attributes and physical attributes.

This training schedule will look to improve 9 different attributes. The central defender training
schedule is important for all defenders in Football Manager and is used often used by me as the
primary training schedule for my youth players, as this training schedule looks to improve
composure, concentration and decisions.
Heading
Marking
Tackling
Composure
Concentration
Decisions
Positioning
Jumping
Strength

Player Role: Limited Defender

The limited defender training schedule may be the most likely training schedule for youth
players, as they need to develop basic defender attributes. This training schedule look to improve
6 key attributes and has a lower workload than the more specialized training categories. Ideally
young players with low tackling, marking, strength and positioning will improve more when
assigned to this training schedule. You can look at this training schedule as a basic training
schedule. To further develop the skills of the youth player it could be advantageous to assign the
player to the ball playing defender or the sweeper training schedule, depending what's eligible, to
improve anticipation, passing and creativity, which is very important for a possession tactic.

Heading
Marking
Tackling
Positioning
Jumping
Strength

Player Role: Ball Playing Defender

The ball playing defender will look to pass through balls from defense and is regarded as the
creative force in defense. For super attacking formations it could be wise to use the ball playing
defender to one of your defenders, as the playmakers often will be pushed between the opponents
defensive line, and could be difficult to reach as they are marked out.

Training your defender as a ball playing defender could be wise from time to time, as the training
schedule focuses on both basic defender skills and more technical skills. It is one of my favorite
training schedules for defenders as it look to improve passing, composure, decisions and
concentration among other important defender attributes.

The ball playing defender requires a wide range of qualities and attributes and can take long time
to develop.
To aid his development it could be important to improve his strength and jumping, which is
natural in the central defender role training.

Heading
Marking
Passing
Tackling
Technique
Composure
Concentration
Creativity
Decisions
Positioning
Jumping
Strength

Player Role: Sweepers

The sweeper will stay behind your natural defenders and look to cover the ground behind to
sweep up trough balls, block and intercept attacking movements and shots. He will provide extra
safety in an attacking tactic and is the master of reading the play.

Assigning one of your defenders on the sweeper schedule may be very advantageous as it look to
improve quickness and anticipation. It's a good training schedule for creating supplementing
players in your central defense, as the focus is more on training technical attributes instead of
raw physic.

To complement the development of a sweeper it might be important to assign the player to other
player role training schedules for defenders such as the ball playing defender to improve
creativity and passing, but this can also be improved by selecting the libero training schedule,
which will be eligible when the players can choose the sweeper schedule. The sweeper training
schedule will look to improve 12 attributes mostly mental attributes. To improve physical
attributes such as strength for a sweeper you should choose central defender training schedule.

Heading
Marking
Passing
Tackling
Anticipation
Composure
Concentration
Decisions
Positioning
Acceleration
Balance
Jumping
Player Role: Libero

Like the sweeper, the libero will stay behind the natural defender and have a similar playing style
when defending. But in difference to the sweeper, the libero will look to join the attack with
forward runs and trough balls to more attacking threats. A good attacking libero will use his
creativity and finishing abilities to be a third threat in attacking, often arriving late into the
attacking area. Both the sweeper and the libero were more popular some decades ago, for
example in former Germans 5-3-2, or the Italian tactics and formations with 3 or 5 defenders.

The training schedule of the libero will look to improve 15 attributes where the anticipation,
dribbling and creativity is the most important ones and unique for the training schedule of
defender player roles. I tend to look at both the sweeper and the libero as more specialized player
roles, so if you use these player roles in your preferred tactic you should look to set your young
players to these training schedules, both to make them accustomed to their new position, but also
to improve anticipation and composure. Both training schedules, the libero and the sweeper are
great training schedules for creating supplementing players in your central defense.

To develop a good libero, it is recommended that the player has basic defensive skills, which can
be developed in the central defender schedule, but also gets assigned to the sweeper schedule to
improve composure, anticipation and acceleration. Dribbling
Heading
Marking
Passing
Tackling
Anticipation
Composure
Concentration
Creativity
Decisions
Positioning
Team Work
Acceleration
Balance
Jumping

Player Role: Full Backs

The fullbacks is something between central defenders and wingers. They will be the ones who
prevents opposition wingers to make crosses into the box and give extra width and cover in
attack. The fullbacks will require both defensive and attacking skills in additional to extremely
good stamina and work rate, as they might need to cover huge amount of ground, depending on
your preferred tactic and football philosophy.

The basic training schedule for full backs looks to improve 10 important key attributes for the
player positioning and roles. Most importantly is the player attribute anticipation, next to work
rate and positioning which is vital for a good performance from the full back. I tend to use this
player role training for my youngest players to improve the previously mentioned key attributes.
For a training schedule for older players who have decent amount of the required attributes for
fullbacks, please see the player role training wide midfielder, which look to improve off the ball
and passing, which is also important for an attacking fullback/wingback

Crossing
Marking
Tackling
Anticipation
Concentration
Positioning
Team Work
Work Rate
Acceleration
Stamina

Player Role: Wing backs

While the fullbacks often have higher ratings on basic defender attributes, and will often be
positioned deeper with less room to cover, the wing backs are often more attacking minded and
supports the attacking line with direct running and crosses from byline. Most of the wing backs
have the mentality and technical ability to play as wingers as they often possess good dribbling
and much pace. If you want to develop youth players into wing backs I recommend to start his
development at fullback role training and then improve his attacking attributes by assigning him
on the defensive winger or the inside forward schedule depending on his natural positions.

You will see that the player role training for wing backs is quite similar to the full back, with the
only difference of working more on the decisions in regard to concentration and anticipation.

Crossing
Marking
Tackling
Decisions
Positioning
Team Work
Work Rate
Acceleration
Stamina
2.3) Midfielders (Def):

The midfielders should aid both in defense and attack and need high ratings in mental attributes
and physical attributes.
You can split the midfield into defensive and attacking midfielders, since some midfielders will
have more defensive duties than other midfielders who have more attacking duties.

The defensive midfielder should have the technical skills of a central defender, while the
attacking midfielders have technical skills related to ball striking and ball control; passing,
dribbling, flair, creativity.

Player Role: Defensive Midfielders

The defensive midfielders could be regarded as central defenders with increased attributes in
strength and stamina. They are your first defenders and look to protect the defensive line and
hold on to the ball until your formation shape has recovered. The defensive midfielder should
close down often and tackle cleanly. The defensive midfielder will sit in the whole between the
defenders and midfielders. He will be an excellent choice for counter attacking midfielders, deep
lying forwards or trequartistas, who look to exploit the available space in the gap between
defenders and midfielders.

The defensive midfielder schedule can be a very advantageous schedule for midfielders with
defensive duties, as it look to improve important attributes such as physic, work rate and
decisions.
To further develop the skills of the preferred defensive midfielder, it could be recommended to
assign the player to the anchor man schedule, as it looks to improve anticipation and
concentration as well as the key attributes for the defensive midfielder.

Marking
Tackling
Decisions
Positioning
Team Work
Work Rate
Acceleration
Stamina
Strength

Player role: Anchor Man

Similar to the defensive midfielder in regard to important player attributes is the anchor man,
who also plays in the gap between the defenders and midfielders. His aim is to win the ball,
intercept attacking moves and read the game and supplying the more creative midfielders and
players in the attacking line with short simple passes. The anchor man training schedule looks to
improve 9 important attributes, where the mental attributes anticipation, decisions and
positioning might be the most notable.

When developing your young players I would recommend you to assign the target to defensive
midfielder training schedule first, and then change it to anchor man or box to box player role
training to improve anticipation (A), passing and first touch (BBM).

Heading
Marking
Tackling
Anticipation
Concentration
Decisions
Positioning
Work Rate
Strength

Player role: Ball Winning Midfielder

The ball winning midfielder is a pretty basic training schedule. The player role ball winning
midfielder looks to improve 6 key attributes for midfielders such as team work, work rate and
tackling. I often use this training schedule for my young defensive midfielders to improve those
key attributes more quickly. The focus intensity can be set to high.

The Ball winning midfielder will be part of the central midfield and look to win the ball and
close down opposition targets quickly. He will tackle hard and be very aggressive in the aim to
retain possession. Since this player role demands higher mental attributes, young players should
be developed in the defensive midfielder schedule until they get the maturity to focus
development on the mental attributes required for this player role.

To develop a good ball winning midfielder, it could be important to assign the player to the
central midfielder schedule, to improve his decisions, first touch and positioning.

Marking
Tackling
Team Work
Work Rate
Stamina
Strength

Player role: Central Midfielder

The central midfielder role is maybe the most natural role in English football. The central
midfielder could be regarded as an allround player role who can both defend, support and attack.
The central midfielder will be able to cover a lot of ground in regard to the average position
screen and is a good player role to use if your player lacks anticipation, strength, stamina and/or
concentration. Depending on which duty you choose the central midfielder role is an
advantageous training schedule for your players, as it look to improve 10 important attributes for
all midfielders, solely technical and mental attributes though.

The training schedule central midfielder focuses on the four important attributes; first touch,
creativity, off the ball and work rate in additional to decisions. The central midfielder training
schedule could be regarded as the basic role training for young midfielders as it develops
important attributes for midfielders and improves many of the mental attributes important for
other player roles.

First Touch
Long Shots
Marking
Passing
Tackling
Creativity
Decisions
Off the ball
Positioning
Team Work
Work Rate

Player role: Box to Box Midfielder

The box to box midfielder will provide depth in both attacking and defending. As you've
probably seen from the Earn It attacking Tactic this kind of player role can cause much trouble
for the opposition team and give you the defensive stability needed in your tactic. The box to box
midfielder will require high ratings in both technical, mental and physical attributes. He should
support his teammates all over the pitch and could be seen as a caretaker, as he needs above
average skills in every attributes category but most importantly the stamina, determination and
work rate to cover the whole pitch.
The box to box training schedule could be a great schedule if you have physical midfielders who
lacks technical attributes, or you look to improve mental attributes. I regard the box to box
midfielder player role as a kind of a specialized player role as it will require time to develop
players with good attributes in every category, so you better start early on to develop your
players to fit this player role. The player may be above 25 years to fully understand this role and
perform at his best.

The box to box midfielder training schedule looks to improve 16(!) attributes so it may be
advantageous to split up the training for this player role for the youngest players in your squad.
To develop a good box to box midfielder it's recommended to assign the player on the
defensive midfielder schedule first, to improve his work rate, stamina and strength in additional
to acceleration and positioning. Then you can choose to assign the player to attacking midfielder
to improve his creativity, first touch and flair depending on his level of player attributes required
for this player role.

Dribbling
Finishing
First Touch
Heading
Long Shots
Marking
Passing
Technique
Anticipation
Decisions
Off the ball
Positioning
Work rate
Acceleration
Stamina
Strength

Player Role: Deep-lying Playmaker

The deep-lying playmaker is divided into two different player positioning. The defensive
midfielder deep-lying playmaker will look to position himself between the central defenders and
the central midfielders and use his vision and defensive abilities to launch attacks from deep. The
other type of deep-lying playmaker will operate in the central midfield and look to drop deeper
and dictate tempo of passing by using his anticipation, creativity, decisions and positioning to
launch accurate passes and through balls to the more attacking players in front.

The deep-lying playmaker training schedule looks to improve 8 important attributes, solely
technical and mental attributes. The training schedule can be a perfect option for midfielders who
has high ratings in technique and physic from before, as you can target to improve composure,
creativity, decisions and positioning.

Often the perfect player for the deep-lying playmaker role lacks defensive skills, so it could be
important to let your younger players work on the attributes from the defensive midfielder
schedule as well as the ball winning midfielder schedule, to improve tackling, work rate and
strength. Later on you can target more attacking skills such as flair, technique and first touch by
assigning the players to attacking midfielder training schedule. By taking it one step at the time
you let your player become well rounded and gain the knowledge and experience to fulfill the
deep-lying player role later on, as this role works best for more mature players.

Passing
Tackling
Technique
Composure
Creativity
Decisions
Positioning
Teamwork

2.4) Midfielders (Att):

I have decided to split the midfielders into defensive and attacking midfielders. The attacking
midfielders should have higher technical attributes focusing more on ball control, creativity and
movement with and without the ball towards the opponents defensive line.
To get by their marker they need dribbling, flair and decisions and maybe finishing as they can
come in situations where they are clean on goal or need to finish attacking situations. There are
three key player roles in this section.

Player Role: Advanced Playmaker

The advanced playmaker might be looked as the attacking version of the deep lying playmaker
as the player role looks to drop into the holes between midfielder and defensive lines to exploit
the gaps and spaces to make himself available to launch accurate passes, crosses and through
balls to the forwards. In your tactical setup you can use the advanced playmaker in three
different player positions such as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder or even as an winger.
All the different types of advanced playmaker roles has in common that they look to move into
the final third by using their excellent creativity and decision to give depth in attacking
situations.

Similarly as the deep lying playmaker it will take time to reach the level of maturity and
experience to let your players perform better in this role. The advanced playmaker training
schedule looks to improve 7 key attributes for attacking creative players, solely attributes in the
mental and technical attribute category. This training category looks to improve the key attribute
flair and creativity, two attributes which influence each others.

To develop an advanced playmaker I tend to look at the development in two parts. First I assign
the player to the box to box midfielder training schedule to improve anticipation, positioning
among many important technical attributes. Later on the trequartista training schedule might be
advantageous as it improves agility, off the ball, passing and composure. Depending on the level
of the player attributes and their skills, I then choose the advanced playmaker to increase his best
attributes.

First Touch
Passing
Technique
Creativity
Decisions
Flair
Teamwork

Player role: Attacking Midfielder

The main difference between the previously mentioned advanced playmaker training schedule
and the attacking midfielder training schedule is the change of looking to improve work rate
instead of team work. The attacking midfielder is only available in the AMC postion for your
tactic creation and will look to be positioned higher than the advanced playmaker and have a
higher mentality as the trequartista. While the trequartista looks to drop back, the attacking
midfielder looks to run forward often with the ball and craft out chances for his team mates and
himself.

A good attacking midfielder will require excellent technical and mental skills to provide the extra
needed supplement in the box. Key attributes for this player role will be dribbling, off the ball,
flair and quickness to use his technical skills such as passing and finishing. Even though it is
very similar to the advanced playmaker schedule, I highly recommend to use the attacking
midfielder schedule for your young players to develop basic attacking attributes.

To develop a good Attacking Midfielder it is recommended to find a suitable schedule which

improves the players acceleration, dribbling and off the ball, such as assigning the player to the
inside forward training category or even the central midfielder schedule to improve first touch,
decisions and passing.

First Touch
Passing
Technique
Creativity
Decisions
Flair
Work Rate

Player role: Trequartista

Similar to the advanced playmaker is the player role of the trequartista which also aims to drop
into the hole between the defenders and midfielders of the opposition teams formation. He will
solely look to position himself in the best available position by always looking for space to
exploit when you retain possession. As I see it, the Trequartista is some where between an
advanced playmaker and an attacking midfielder in regard to the training schedule as many of
the same player attributes is covered on all three training areas.

The trequartista training schedule looks to improve 10 important attributes for attacking
midfielders and players who contributes in build up play by creating chances. The training
schedule focus on the important attribute finishing and composure which is vital for players in
the final third.

Normally when I wish to develop a player into an trequartista I look firstly to set the player on
poacher training area as this will look to improve vital finishing attributes as well as quickness,
composure and anticipation. Later on I let the player swap between deep lying forward schedule
and the trequartista schedule as the roles could be compared.

Finishing
First Touch
Passing
Technique
Anticipation
Composure
Creativity
Flair
Off the ball
Agility

2.5) Wingers:

The wingers could be regarded as your attacking force from wide positions. A good winger are
usually technically strong, a player who can beat his marker not only by pace and acceleration
but also with dribbling and creativity. A winger can give you more options wide as he hugs the
touchline and stretches the opposition defensive line, but you can also choose wingers who cuts
inside and become a real threat with their direct running between the defenders. A winger who
cuts inside (often referred to as an inside forward), may cause more problems than a winger who
hugs the touchline. If you like to play with a basic 4-4-2 formation, the defensive winger might
be a good choice, as he supports your team both in attack and in defense. These players needs
more stamina, work rate and defensive technical attributes, but can also be a real threat in the
attacking third as they arrives late wide and being a focal point for crosses from wide.

Player Role: Defensive Wingers

A defensive winger can be regarded as a higher positioned ball winning midfielder, which main
aim is to press the opponents full backs and win the ball high up. When he does he will hold onto
the ball until the team shape recovers and either drive to the byline to make quick crosses into the
box or cross from deep. The defensive winger might as well use through balls when the
opportunity arises.

The defensive winger training schedule can be a good training schedule for wing backs and
perhaps wingers, as the training schedule focuses on decisions, dribbling, stamina and technique.
In additional it focus on pace which is not covered in the wing back or full back schedule. If you
think about all the speedy wingers and inside forwards this position will need to handle,
acceleration and pace will be even more important.

To develop a player into a defensive winger I would first assign the player to the defensive
winger schedule and then let him work on more attacking attributes in the wide midfielder
training schedule or even the winger schedule if eligible. I would do this to look to improve off
the ball, balance (W) and anticipation (WM).

Crossing
Dribbling
Marking
Tackling
Technique
Decisions
Team Work
Work Rate
Pace
Stamina

Player role: Wide Midfielder

The wide midfielder looks to support both midfield, forwards and defense from the flank when
required to. The wide midfielder often lacks the technical skills required for the wingers, but will
rely more of his work rate and team work to get into attacking position. As I see it, the wide
midfielder is a good choice for basic formations such as the 4-4-2, 4-5-1 or variants of the old-
school English formations. Depending on the duty, the wide midfielder will either look to play
quick crosses into the final third or play angled through balls onto the forwards.

The training schedule looks to improve 9 attributes mostly mental and technical attributes. The
training schedule looks to improve two important attributes for midfielders; decision and
anticipation, in additional to team work and work rate. This training schedule is only eligible if
your player is familiar with the MR/L position. This means that in order to let a wing back work
on this schedule you'll need to assign the player to the midfielder (right/left) option. You can
read more about the individual training new position here.

To develop a young player into a wide midfielder I would look to assign the player on the wing
back training schedule, if eligible and then the winger training schedule to improve positioning
(WB) and quickness (acceleration and pace) and balance (W). It would also be advantageous to
let the target improve marking and technique from the defensive winger schedule.

Crossing
Passing
Tackling
Anticipation
Decisions
Off the ball
Team Work
Work Rate
Stamina
2.5.3) Wingers

The traditional winger can play in two positions, as a regular MR/L or as an AMR/L. The winger
will look to run forward often and dribble down the flanks to cause panic in the defensive line.
He will try to beat his marker on the outside and aims to hug the touchline to get the space
required to get the ball. As soon as he gets it and depending on his duty he will look to beat his
marker to cross early from deep (Support) or run at the defenders with the aim of distributing the
ball either by through balls, crosses in the final third. a great winger will have extremely good
quickness and has the ability to shoot from wide. The traditional winger will look to exploit the
space behind the opposition teams defensive line and aims to get to the byline.

The winger training schedule looks to improve 10 important attributes for his player role, where
acceleration, pace, balance and off the ball is the most important ones in my point of view. All
the attributes in this training schedule looks to make the player able to run past opponents,
beating his marker with dribbling abilities and run into open spaces.

Crossing
Dribbling
Technique
Decisions
Flair
Off the ball
Acceleration
Agility
Balance
Pace

2.5.4) Inside Forwards

The inside forward is one of my favorite player roles in Football Manager. His positioning is
wide but he aims to cut inside and run directly onto the opposition defenders, which opens up
space for the wingbacks to move into and help the striker to get the required space, as the
opposition marker will have to decide if they shall follow the movement of the inside forward or
let him make through balls or make long shots. The inside forward can be looked as a second or
third striker and is the natural choice for 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations. since he aims to cut inside
he will need that the strongest foot is the opposite of the flank he's positioned in.

The inside forward training schedule looks to improve 8 attributes, mostly mental and technical
attributes. It looks to improve passing, dribbling and flair in additional to quickness.

To develop a good Inside Forward you may want to assign the player on the poacher schedule,
to improve finishing, composure and anticipation. Then the player can be assigned to the winger
schedule to improve dribbling, balance and quickness. The winger training schedule actually
covers most of the important parts of the player role training for inside forward, but it's always
favorable to let the player become accustomed to his preferred tactical role.

Dribbling
Passing
Decisions
Flair
Off the ball
Teamwork
Acceleration
Pace
2.6) Forwards and Strikers:

Forwards and strikers are the players who should have the skills to push the opponents defensive
line further back and exploit the gaps between the opponent players. A forward or strikers main
attributes are the composure, finishing, anticipation and technique. All forwards needs high
attributes in technical attributes, mental attributes and physical attributes, depending on your
tactic and use of the preferred player role.

Player role: Defensive Forwards

The defensive forward could be an important role for formations with two or more strikers. The
defensive forward will look to put extensive pressure on the opposition teams defensive line and
let them have little time on the ball. He will look to win the ball high up the pitch. With support
duty he will stay deeper and put pressure on the defensive midfielder. The defensive forward
works best in a 4-4-2 or a basic 4-3-3 and is a real team player creating chances for others rather
for himself.

The defensive forward training schedule has lower workload than the others as it look to improve
6 attributes where tackling, work rate and strength is the most important ones. The training
schedule focuses on much physical attributes and defensive attributes similar to the ball winning
midfielder, since he aims to put pressure on the opponents defensive line and chase down the
opponent with possession or loose ball.

To develop a good defensive forward it may be favorable to start off training by assigning the
player to the Advanced forward training schedule, to improve the mental attributes anticipation,
composure and finishing in addition to work rate and off the ball. Then when decent I would
switch training to specialize him in the preferred role; defensive forward. See also the training
schedule deep lying forward if you like to improve passing, decision and creativity.
Marking
Tackling
Teamwork
Work Rate
Stamina
Strength

Player role: Deep-Lying Forwards

The deep-lying forward is the perfect choice when you wish to link your attack to midfield. He
will aim to drop deeper and use the available space to hold up the ball to get the team mates to
recover to their natural attacking position. He will look to fashion out chances for others by
spreading passes wide, backwards, in front of him to supply his strike partner (support duty) or
also create chances for himself by using his creativity and movement with the ball to finish off
attacks. The player role is often used in 4-4-2 formations where one of the forwards goes deep to
hold the ball similar to Wayne Rooney.

The individual training schedule Deep-lying Forward looks to improve 6 attributes solely mental
and technical attributes. Most importantly it looks to improve creativity, first touch and passing.
To develop a good Deep-lying forward it's recommended to assign the player to the Advanced
forward schedule, to improve the mental attributes anticipation, composure and work rate. Later
on you can change to poacher to improve basic finishing skills. You can even look at the
trequartista schedule, as it covers many of the same important attributes.

First Touch
Passing
Technique
Creativity
Decisions
Off the ball

2.6.3) Target Man

The Target man is the attacking force with his physical attributes; strength and heading. He will
look to create space for his team mates by using his physic to disrupt the opposition teams
defensive line. The training schedule focus on attributes to make the player exceptional in aerial
situations and to hold onto ball. He will rely on his strength and height to support his strike
partner or supporting midfielder. Often the player role target man is a great choice in a 4-5-1
formation as his presence can make an average team into a good.

The target man training schedule looks to improve 6 attributes, mostly mental and physical
attributes. A good target man should need good strength, work rate, height and positioning. To
develop a good target man it could be recommended to assign the player on the defensive
forward schedule, to improve his tackling and work rate, but it may be favorable to look at the
complete forward schedule as well, as it targets almost every important player attribute for
strikers.

First Touch
Heading
Teamwork
Work Rate
Jumping
Strength

Player role: Complete Forward

The complete forward can be an advantageous player role for any tactic and formation. The
complete forward is one of the more complex player role. He can act as a poacher, target man or
a deep-lying forward depending on the different match situations. The well rounded complete
forward will require good finishing, good strength and physic and great technical attributes such
as the creativity, movement and vision similar to the deep-lying forward. He will be the
spearhead in the attack crafting out chances for himself as well as for others. With a support duty
he will look to drop into available space and run at defense, make long shots or even make
through balls to wingers and attacking midfielders who runs behind the defensive line. A
complete forwards should solely do his own thing without tactical limitations.

The complete forward training schedule looks to improve as many as 19(!) attributes in all the
different categories; technical, mental and physical. The workload is very heavy, but for a striker
or attacking midfielder with low levels attributes it may be an advantageous training schedule.
Most importantly it looks to improve anticipation, composure, quickness and strength.

To develop a good Complete forward, according to his required attributes, you could focus
training in three different training role schedules to lower the workload and maximize the
development. To develop his physic and defensive qualities, you can assign the player to the
player role training Defensive Forward to improve strength, work rate and stamina. Further it
may be favorable to assign him to advanced forward training schedule to improve crossing,
dribbling and off the ball among other. Lastly you should look at the Trequartista training
schedule to improve technical attributes and creativity and flair, and/or the poacher training
schedule.

Dribbling
Finishing
First Touch
Heading
Long Shots
Passing
Technique
Anticipation
Composure
Creativity
Decisions
Off the ball
Teamwork
Acceleration
Agility
Balance
Jumping
Pace
Strength

2.6.5) Advanced Forward

The advanced forward will be the focal point in attack and will look to be the spearhead. He will
aim to create chances and goals for himself but also hunt down misplaced passes or clearances
from deep. He will look to win possession high up similar to the defensive forward, but he will
stay higher up the pitch. He will support his team mates with simple passes with the aim to get it
back quickly. The advanced forward may also look to run /hunt down possession on the flanks
and cross the ball from byline. The advanced forward will look to roam more than the poacher
and try to pass and make more through balls than the poacher. An advanced forward will also use
more of his creativity to aid his team mates rather than looking for a goal for himself.

The advanced forward training schedule looks to improve 10 attributes mostly technical and
mental attributes. It looks to improve dribbling, off the ball and flair, but most importantly
anticipation and work rate. The advanced forward should be very smart. His anticipation and
creativity can be two important attributes to look to improve in additional to off the ball. The
training schedule as it is is very good, but you can look to assign the player you wish to develop
as advanced forward in the poacher training schedule from time to time, to improve quickness
and balance. Further on it may be favorable to assign him to trequartista training schedule to
improve flair, creativity, passing and technique. The training schedule will focus of some of the
most important parts of the poacher role training with the main difference in crossing and
heading.

Crossing
Dribbling
Finishing
Heading
Anticipation
Composure
Flair
Off the ball
Work Rate
Pace

2.6.6) Poacher

The poacher is perhaps one of the declining player roles in the modern football. The player role
poacher looks to use his energy and attention to the final third. He will almost never hunt down
the ball to retain possession but wait to get the ball sitting on the opposition defenders shoulder
waiting for the right moment to run into available space behind the defensive line. The poacher
can be looked as a very smart player with good vision inside the box. The primarily focus for the
poacher is to create goals and sniff out opportunities in and around the penalty area. The player
role works best with two or more strikers and can be compared to how Ole Gunnar Solskjær
played for Manchester United.
The poacher training schedule looks to improve 10 vital attributes for creating goals. Most
importantly, as I see it, is that it aims to develop finishing, anticipation and composure, in
additional to quickness, which is important as he is always positioned closely to the last
opponent aiming to run off his marker.

When you wish to develop a poacher I would spend most of the time working on quickness and
finishing. The player role training schedule of the poacher is very good as it is, but it may be
favorable to let him work on the complete forward training schedule.

Dribbling
Finishing
First Touch
Anticipation
Composure
Off the ball
Acceleration
Agility
Balance
Pace

Note! Training your players may be focused on improving his lowest / weakest attributes according to
his natural player role, or further improving his best skills. Sometimes it could be wise to assign a player
on a different player role than he normally plays in your tactic, to develop multiple skills and attributes,
but to increase his performances on the pitch and maximize his familiarity for the specific player role in
your preferred Football Manager tactic it is important to let the players spend as much time as possible
for his player role.

Important!
A professional player will tend do be more determined when assigned to individual training. Players with
higher attributes in "Determination" will tend to improve more as they have the desire to improve and
can also stand out higher training intensity before getting unhappy.