Going in hard on an opposition Centre Back

What is the reason for this?

My Assistant Manager usually loves me doing this. Is it to try and make them 'In danger of losing disiciple', so they give away a pen or get sent off?

Don't know the reason but in my short lived Liverpool Sammy Lee's assistant instructions were to go in hard on every single opposition outfield player every match.

i think theres too many "going in hard" instructions in too many games. i always remove those instructions for most opp players, and in friendlys i remove it from all players

Sammy Lee's hidden stats indicates he has a preference for hard tackling - the advice you get from assistants are just that; their preferred way of approaching the game.

It can be useful to put hard tackling on central defenders who are "short tempered" or "volatile" in hope that they'll lose their discipline in the heat of the battle. Uruguay's Lugano springs to mind. You can check the player's motivation during match to see if he's getting wound up.

If a player is lacking bravery, going in hard can make them hesitate to challenge for the ball subsequently.

In-game if a DC gets 'nervous', I go in hard and have a very good chance of winning the ball and having a goal scoring opportunity.

I have an excellent assman and do follow his advice re. marking, closing down and weaker foot, but with hard tackling I ignore his advice and consider the oppo player and the referee.

I tend to reserve going in hard for opposition team members who are playing with confidence or having a good game. Equally, players playing nevously get closed down to force mistakes, no point going in hard if they've already **** their load.

I reserve going in hard on defenders with low bravery as think it gives you a better chance of winning the odd ball high up the pitch and getting a run for goal.

Equally, players playing nevously get closed down to force mistakes, no point going in hard if they've already **** their load.

Oh there is. It's shocking how many opposition players I get sent off or carried off on a stretcher (thankfully they're only pixels!)

Is there any point in going in hard on someone like John Terry or Essien though?

My assistant seems to think it is a great idea, but I'm just imagining my young lads getting absolutely crunched. I only go in hard on people like Arteta. Technical players that are a bit slow or not too good at dribbling. I'm not going hard on a nutcase like Walter Samuel and I'm not going hard on tricky winger cos they'll just skip over the challenge (unless they are VERY low on bravey).

I also go hard on people like Torres who have a 99% chance of picking up a knock.

I'm very liberal with going in hard. In terms of having my own players going in hard, and targetting specific opposition players. But I do find it baffling how many assistants recommend going in hard on just about everyone and their grandmas. I think having it set to go in hard on a central defender can be very silly too if your forwards are poor tacklers, as I imagine that could lead to some needless bookings. I also think it's silly to go in hard on a centre back, as almost never dwell on the ball, as being in the centre they'll always have plenty of passing options, and also their instructions would usually be to punt it long if under pressure. I'd recommend the opposition instruction of always closing centre backs down, particularly if they have a poor touch, as I find that's the most effective way to regain possession high up the field as opposed to going in hard on them.