Assistant pre match advice.

I always disregard it. My assistant always wants my players to tackle hard on every player, mark tight and everything. I found that this handcuffs the free-flowing style that I employ. My players get so concerned with the instructions that they forget what the purpose of the game is. So I never give my players individual instructions(very rarely I will show their best striker to their weakerfoot if they are by far the best player on my opponents team).

Is this the right way to do it?

I give no individual instructions pre-match and make changes as necessary during the game based on my own judgement. Say a player seems to be getting too much space and causing us problems, "tight marking, closing down always, tackling hard" usually gets rid of that little problem

but generally, no OI's unless absolutely necessary

For me this s a massive part of the game. The assman's recommendations reflect his preferences, so you got to know what these are. But a trustworthy assman is an invaluable asset for me.

I prefer not to tinker with the Individual Player Instruction in the match....I use it only in the tactics selection....

I generally follow the advices of the Asst. with good Tac. Know. rest I prefer my own.

A good assistant manager, is one of the most under-rated "help" tools in this game I reckon.