what on earth should i say to my players at half time?

I've never really understood the team talk part of the game, and personally think its just a silly addition.

Anyway my players never seem to listen to me when i'm losing.

When we were 1-0 up away i told the players 'don't let your performance drop'. Result 4-1 with a player sent of after they had scored four.

At home against one of the teams in the relegation spots. I'm 2-0 up at half time, looking comfortable would be an understatement. Completely dominated them. Team talk i tell the team i'm 'pleased'. 2nd half - my team fall apart & they score two, finishes a draw.

I don't have a clue what i'm doing wrong and its infuriating me because i feel the only way i have a shot of winning is if i'm not winning at half time.

Anyone got any ideas?

Cheers

When I'm up by 1, I always 'Encourage' my players. I don't lose many games from 'Encouraging' them.

When I'm up by 2, I usually don't say anything, and it's works half the time:p. I would only go 'Pleased' if I'm up by at least 4.

Wolfsong's guide to team talks help me to decide what to say to my players at half time.

Seems to work most of the time for me and helps a lot when 1-0 or 2-0 up at half time.

Read up on the link jshtylr posted, that really helped me.

hello, new player here. i wasnt sure what to say myself but that looks really helpful. thanks!

hello, new player here. i wasnt sure what to say myself but that looks really helpful. thanks!

Welcome to the forums.

Good luck!

what you want to say is ARE YOU PAYING TO MUCH FOR YOUR CAR INSURANCE?

you need to use your brains a bit?

every player reacts diffrent to the comments. so 1 player might like you saying "dont drop" "and another might like "encourage"

once you know your players then speak to the ones who like the same as a team & use the indavidual talks on the others

up by 1 goal: encourage

up by 2 goals: don't let performance drop (unless you own the other team, then you could go for pleased)

up by 3+ goals: pleased

game tied: encourage or disappointing, depending on opposition

not saying anything is an option I usually don't like, unless I am speechless with what they have just done.

I have gone very very successful with those team instructions and I keep getting good results after them, often getting positive player feedback regarding my teamtalk

I don't use individual instructions, unless e.g. a player has a 5 at halftime and I don#t want to change him. I do use them after the game though.

i don't say anything at half time, i don't praise my guys for half a job well done. They will get praised at full time. Only talking to they get at half time is a rolicking if we are losing

Telling your players not to let their performance drop seems to be a sure-fire way of making sure their performance drops.

Telling your players not to let their performance drop seems to be a sure-fire way of making sure their performance drops.

agreeeeeeed (10)

If I'm 1-0 up at half time at home I tell them "Don't let your performance drop!" or "Don't get careless!"

If I'm 1-0 up away I "encourage"

2-0 at home I say nothing as an overall team talk but tell the players with rating 8 or above "Pleased" individually, and for those rated 6 "I have faith". This never prompts a bad reaction at home (for me).

2-0 up away I would say "Pleased" as a team talk and for any players on a low rating "I have faith".

3-0 at home I would say "Don't let your performance drop!" to the whole team, especially if we're playing a rival. You may get a few "Angered" reactions, but IMO this is a better reaction than "Didn't seem to be listening" for "pleased", isn't it? - Normally in these instances I will end the match 4 or 5 up and the whole team will be rated 8 and above, so it must be working.

Just a few examples of what I do, and what works for me. But be aware that squad personality plays a big part in team talk reaction! My current squad personality is "Very Determined" and I can get away with shouting at them a lot, the lads love being kept on their toes.

As a final note - never end the match with a negative team talk. Always say "Pleased/Delighted/Sensational/Fantastic" for wins; for a well-fought or unlucky draw "Pleased or sympathise" and for Defeats, no matter how hard it is to swallow, "Sympathise/Good effort".