I have lost back to back playoff finals and FA Trophys? Is this to do with the doesnt enjoy big matches trait?

[KodjiaMaster]

How much of an impact does this attribute have on players in cup finals as my side seem to bottle it in playoff and cup finals!

[Travis Bickle]

Potentially. 

But how did you lose the finals? What were the scores, possession %, goals like? How did you approach the game in the press conferences? In training? How was overall morale? There's a lot of factors to consider. 

[KodjiaMaster]

40 minutes ago, Travis Bickle said:

Potentially. 

But how did you lose the finals? What were the scores, possession %, goals like? How did you approach the game in the press conferences? In training? How was overall morale? There's a lot of factors to consider. 

Well we lost 3-2. The morale was good and we edged the game in stats. We went 2 down in 15 minutes but then my centre mid scored two goals in two minutes in stoppage time of the first half. We then conceded in the 85th minute. It could do with fitness perhaps as we had good cup runs and must have played 60+ matches that season which was crazy. Perhaps more rest days after matches may help for the late minutes?

[HUNT3R]

10 minutes ago, KodjiaMaster said:

We then conceded in the 85th minute.

Ok, so this happened in 1 of the 2 finals. Were you favourites to win the match? Or were you underdogs and the favourites pushed for the win? If that was the case, wasn't it a tactical 'win' for the other team instead?

We don't know what happened in the other final.

While a player won't play to his 'full' ability in the bigger matches, having that trait, it doesn't necessarily mean a) they'll play badly at all or b) that they'll switch off at the end.

You'd need to really look at the matches overall and try to see a pattern. Something in common. Otherwise, there may not have been something in common at all. Either way, you need to analyse more.

[KodjiaMaster]

2 minutes ago, HUNT3R said:

Ok, so this happened in 1 of the 2 finals. Were you favourites to win the match? Or were you underdogs and the favourites pushed for the win? If that was the case, wasn't it a tactical 'win' for the other team instead?

We don't know what happened in the other final.

While a player won't play to his 'full' ability in the bigger matches, having that trait, it doesn't necessarily mean a) they'll play badly at all or b) that they'll switch off at the end.

You'd need to really look at the matches overall and try to see a pattern. Something in common. Otherwise, there may not have been something in common at all. Either way, you need to analyse more.

We were narrow favourites yes. We always seem to concede in the last ten minutes of matches when dominating. Perhaps it is to do with concentration. I will definitely do some more research. Thanks for the help!

[themadsheep2001]

Do you have the opposition formation radar up during game? I have it, and you can see when the opposition switches mentality, might be also worth watching if you're getting caught out by suddenly aggressive play?

[HUNT3R]

7 minutes ago, KodjiaMaster said:

Perhaps it is to do with concentration

It could. Also pay attention to Body Language as there may be players switching off.

I'd stress though - that late goal happened in one match. There's no clear sign of any pattern (which is what you're doing by trying to look at important matches trait) if you're only looking at this one game. What happened in the other one? Does it happen in general? ARE your players' Concentration low and ARE they often complacent or uninterested? 

Have a look at what happened, then trace back and look at the context and then draw a conclusion. For example, IF late goals are common, then you can look into who you played, if there was a mistake or a tactical change etc and then you can conclude that it was x. It's easier if there's a pattern, but it may be that in one final a defender switched off and in the other it was a tactical change. Or it could have been a match-up problem - fielding a fullback with average tackling against an amazing dribbler who just caused havoc all match.

[KodjiaMaster]

39 minutes ago, themadsheep2001 said:

Do you have the opposition formation radar up during game? I have it, and you can see when the opposition switches mentality, might be also worth watching if you're getting caught out by suddenly aggressive play?

No. That is a good idea. I will add as I can react to their changes

[KodjiaMaster]

38 minutes ago, HUNT3R said:

It could. Also pay attention to Body Language as there may be players switching off.

I'd stress though - that late goal happened in one match. There's no clear sign of any pattern (which is what you're doing by trying to look at important matches trait) if you're only looking at this one game. What happened in the other one? Does it happen in general? ARE your players' Concentration low and ARE they often complacent or uninterested? 

Have a look at what happened, then trace back and look at the context and then draw a conclusion. For example, IF late goals are common, then you can look into who you played, if there was a mistake or a tactical change etc and then you can conclude that it was x. It's easier if there's a pattern, but it may be that in one final a defender switched off and in the other it was a tactical change. Or it could have been a match-up problem - fielding a fullback with average tackling against an amazing dribbler who just caused havoc all match.

It is a relatively frequent occurrence particularly between 80 - 90 minutes. I may have found the root of the problem. The height of my defenders. Not just that but heading in general. One is 5"11 but I signed him for his pure tackling ability and physicals. What happens often late on is the opposition goes for over the top balls and my defenders seem to miss the headers and their striker is through. I may need to look at a new defender who is 6"3 + just to provide cover at the back. The FA Trophy was a bonus to be fair. I am managing Guiseley in 2025 and they were in the 7th tier when I took over. We took on promoted National League side Yeovil and were crushed so that was not a particular shock. However, my team often dominate and get 20-30 shots and my system seems to be perfect away from home but perhaps is too passive when playing at home. We are the 6-4 favourites to go up!

[HUNT3R]

1 minute ago, KodjiaMaster said:

The height of my defenders. Not just that but heading in general. One is 5"11 but I signed him for his pure tackling ability and physicals. What happens often late on is the opposition goes for over the top balls and my defenders seem to miss the headers and their striker is through.

That may not be height/jumping reach but poor Concentration as you've touched on. I'd say Anticipation if it's in general, but you mention it's late, so Concentration is the more likely culprit. And also keep Body Language under watch too.

[Travis Bickle]

@HUNT3R had a good suggestion. Pay attention to body language.

I got to the CL final with my Marseille side after outperforming everyone, and lost 1-0 to Liverpool barely creating a chance. To be fair, we were on paper a far inferior team, but I wasn't expecting such a bad performance given how we'd played in every other game.

A number of seasons later, when I made the final vs Man City, I was a lot more focused. I trained defensive set pieces, I unticked "tackles harder" knowing my players were prone to fouls, I only picked players with high morale, and in-match anyone who "looked nervous" I demanded more from them with shout. I started the game more cautiously and when it was clear that Mourinho managed City were not going to go all out against me I started playing more attacking. When they scored from a set piece I went a lot more attacking and won 2-1. My happiest FM memory to date. 

My point is, when the stakes are high, you have to pay close attention to all aspects of the match.