63 replies to this topic

[Pompey_Dan]

WARNING: READ THIS THREAD FULLY BEFORE DOWNLOADING. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE FOUND V4 INCOMPATIBLE WITH ANYTHING LESS THAN THE LATEST VERSION OF EXCEL, THIS IS DUE TO THE USE OF ACTIVEX CONTROLS AND MACROS. FOLLOWING THESE OBSERVATIONS I CREATED A V4.1 PROTOTYPE WHICH APPEARS LATER IN THE THREAD - YOU MAY FIND THE PROTOTYPE MORE SUITABLE FOR YOUR USE?

It started as a few improvements to version 3 but ended up more like an overhaul... so I proudly present v4 of my Training Schedule Calculator.

If you're not already familiar with my work, I started working on a calculator to help develop individual player schedules with FM10. After a bit of trial and error, and with the changes in FM11, I released v3 of my tool here on FMFb last year and I got a fair bit of feedback, both positive and suggestions for improvements (thanks to everyone who took the trouble to post! )

You can review the original post here: http://www.footballm...-for-fm11-beta/

I'm pleased to say all of the most popular suggestions have found their way onto version 4 of the calculator, these include:

• Highlighting those key [trainable] attributes for each position/duty
  
• Schedules now created for goalkeeper training
  
• Suggested individual focus training [a feature that can be switched on/off]

In addition to this I hope that v4 has an easier to use interface with a selection of buttons and slide bars.


WHY A TRAINING CALCULATOR?

I strongly believe that the best way to train your first team players and develop your young talent is to do so using tailor-made schedules. Each position and duty on the pitch require a player to have different essential attributes and so I believe the correct training schedule should take into account the on pitch position and measure the individual player against the required essential attributes. Typically FM managers create a set of "one size fits all" training schedules for each general pitch position - e.g. fullbacks or central midfielders. The problem with this generic approach is that it ignores the fact that two players in the same or similar positions may have different attribute scores and therefore different strengths, weaknesses and training needs.

Using this calculator you will be able to create individual schedules for each of your first team players - I hope to release a "youth" version eventually. Each schedule you create will take into account the individual player's strengths and weaknesses in accordance with the chosen position/duty.

At times the schedule may seem counter-intuitive but the game dictates which attributes are key to each position and this calculator follows these definitions religiously, I have not used any "artistic" licence in deciding which attributes are important!


HOW TO USE IT

You can upload the calculator using the link at the bottom of this OP, but you will need Excel 2007 to run the calculator and you MUST enable macro's.

The calculator should look like the screenshot under the title of this thread, it also helps to have FM open on windowed mode as you will be to-ing and fro-ing between it and the calculator.

First up, the "control panel". You have a tick box which enables you to flip the calculator between goalkeeper or out-field player training. Under this is another tick box which determines whether you want the calculator to return a suggested area for individual training.

A note about Individual Focus training: if you set this feature on active then the calculator will both suggest an area for individual training and then adjust that attribute out of the schedule. Therefore, if you don't want to employ Individual Focus (or not use the one the calculator suggests) then switch the feature off and regenerate the schedule for better results.

Next, you will need to input a few details about your player. The information you'll be required to enter is the position and duty for which you want to train the player, their age and the intensity of their training regime (I suggest you start with medium). NB: Age and intensity are controlled by the slide bars to the right of the field.

Ok, once you've done this you can start entering the attribute scores into the relevant fields. If you don't want to enter all of the players attribute scores then those relevant to the position & duty selected will be highlighted. However, if you intend on comparing schedules for a few different positions, using the same player, then I strongly suggest you take the time to enter all of the scores (if you want the schedules to be accurate that is!)

You'll notice there are two reset buttons, one sets all the attribute scores at 1 the other at 10.

Once you're happy that you've entered all the relevant info then hit the "GET" button...

After a few moments the calculator will return a suggested schedule (together with individual focus if you have switched on this feature). The schedule is illustrated as a horizontal bar graph, with the number of "notches" or "clicks" to move the FM training slider along for each discipline when creating the training schedule in your game.

So there we go, I'm sure the tool could be developed further (I still have a few ideas myself!) but really I need your help and feedback to make this the indispensable tool I believe it can be! Please post your thoughts, feedback and suggestions in this thread and you will help develop later release's of the calculator.

Thanks everyone and GL

DOWNLOAD HERE:  Pompey_Dan\'s Training Calculator (v4.0).rar (557K)
Number of downloads: 5915

[ireland]

hello i downloaded the new version but not working, I state that I have a mac, but I do not understand the previous version worked can help me? thanks in advance

[Pompey_Dan]

ireland, on 07 March 2011 - 08:55 PM, said:

hello i downloaded the new version but not working, I state that I have a mac, but I do not understand the previous version worked can help me? thanks in advance

Sorry mate, but this version won't work on Mac Excel since it uses activeX controls (these aren't supported on Mac Excel )

[ireland]

I regret not being able to use for many years now I'm looking for a program like this and now because of you (genius) I can not play with sigh ... thanks anyway ... sorry for my English

[Terrylg]

HI, I had just started using the older version, but have changed to new version. I have a player on Limited Defender defend, who on old version needed 15 Tactics, but now on now version says he only needs 8. His stats haven't changed since original schedule, so has your thinking on requirements? Just realised that Individual training has lessened the relevant catagory.

I really like the new look version, but feel you may be limiting your users. The reason I say this is because I used old version on Open Office, which is free and now can only be used on Excel, because of macros. So I had to download trial version, as there is no way I can afford full version.

I will give you some feedback at end of first season, but i play really slowly, so don't hold your breath.

But all in all brilliant little program, as I feel personalised positional training is the way to go rather then a generic training schedule. I had been using Rekluse's positional training, but feel this may be better, hopefully.

Edited by Terrylg, 08 March 2011 - 09:04 PM.

[kerlonmoura]

Looks amazing mate, I am going to use it and will give you feedback.

[Pompey_Dan]

Terrylg, on 08 March 2011 - 12:25 PM, said:

HI, I had just started using the older version, but have changed to new version. I have a player on Limited Defender defend, who on old version needed 15 Tactics, but now on now version says he only needs 8. His stats haven't changed since original schedule, so has your thinking on requirements? Just realised that Individual training has lessened the relevant catagory.

I really like the new look version, but feel you may be limiting your users. The reason I say this is because I used old version on Open Office, which is free and now can only be used on Excel, because of macros. So I had to download trial version, as there is no way I can afford full version.

I will give you some feedback at end of first season, but i play really slowly, so don't hold your breath.

But all in all brilliant little program, as I feel personalised positional training is the way to go rather then a generic training schedule. I had been using Rekluse's positional training, but feel this may be better, hopefully.

You know what Terry, your post really said something to me. V4 started out as a way to incorporate IF training and include GK's then, before I knew where I was, I had added the activeX controls and macros.

What you've left me wondering is did I lose my focus on the core tool I set out to provide and get distracted by all the "whistles and bells"?

So, getting back to basics, I'd be interested to know what people think of this idea:

Simple spreadsheet enabling the user to enter attribute scores for multiple players before selecting to see a particular schedule (creates a more permanent record that can be altered later) - I can also look into the use of genie scout to import CSV data.

Here's a very basic layout to illustrate implementation (with no more macros of course!)...

 Screen shot 2011-03-10 at 21.54.04.png (287.85K)
Number of downloads: 430

The attributes get entered in the blue area (multiple rows), the red area represents a drop down list of the players entered which is used to view a schedule which then appears in the yellow area.

Thoughts?

[liam_p]

Hello Pompey_Dan,

I have just finished testing version 3 or your calculator and was about to post the results of 6 months training when I realised you had released version 4.
Would my results still be of use to you or are they now out of date?

[Pompey_Dan]

liam_p, on 10 March 2011 - 11:25 PM, said:

Hello Pompey_Dan,

I have just finished testing version 3 or your calculator and was about to post the results of 6 months training when I realised you had released version 4.
Would my results still be of use to you or are they now out of date?

There still be of use in determinoing where I go with this liam, just post in here... thanks for taking the time out to test it mate

[erwalker]

Pompey_Dan,
the use of ActiveX controls causes compatibility problems with earlier versions of Excel, such as 2003.

An error message is generated stating "Uninitialized ActiveX controls will not be opened in this version of Excel".

Continuing with opening the calculator in Excel 2003 result in a spreadsheet that does not allow the following:

- selecting Goalkeeper Training
- deselecting Use Individual Focus
- selecting roles or duties
- adjusting age using arrows
- adjusting intensity
- adjusting attributes using arrows
- selecting "Get Training Schedule", "Set to 1", or "Set to 10"

Your previous version worked in Excel 2003 (PC version)

[liam_p]

Thank you for your positive response.

I have attatched the results of my 6 months training using version 3.0 of your calculator.

Some additional information:
Football Manager gives my training facilities a rating of 2 dull stars i.e. not gold ones;
Genie Scout gives me a 3 on training facilities, I believe it is out of 20;
Strength = 3 stars;
Aerobic = 3 stars;
Tactics = 3.5 stars;
Ball Control = 3.5 stars;
Defending = 3.5 stars;
Attacking = 3.5 stars;
Shooting = 3 stars;
At the end of the training period my team's reputation was 1991, I can't remember what it was when I started the training but I have a good feeling it was about 1600. If there are any other variables that may affect training that I have not included then please do ask for them.

Attached File(s)

•  Attributes.jpg (253.86K)
  Number of downloads: 439

Edited by liam_p, 11 March 2011 - 10:22 AM.

[Pompey_Dan]

Okay, following on from the comments concerning the compatibility and usability of v4 (thank you, ) I've created a v4.1 prototype...

The prototype uses NO macro's and has the added advantage of being able to enter ALL of your players attributes before selecting each individually from a DDL.


 Pompey_Dan\'s Training Calculator (v4.1 Prototype).rar (58.1K)
Number of downloads: 1264


Please let me know your thoughts, is this better than the "whistle and bells" of v4?

(I also hope that this version may allow users to import data from Genie Scout, thereby saving time consuming data entry... more news to come).

[liam_p]

I personally prefer the layout of version 4.1.

However I have found a few what I think are errors.

The 'PLAYER NAME' drop down list is empty when I enter names into the desingated area; If I type the players name in the calculator works fine and the drop down list then works.
There isn't a drop down list for the individual focus; once again typing YES or NO works.

Are the formulas for calculating the training the same?

By the way this is great work that you are doing, not only does your training work but the fact you care about the interface is impressive

EDIT: There is also no option for changing the intensity of the training schedule

Edited by liam_p, 12 March 2011 - 09:38 PM.

[Virus8me]

How do you go about importing data in v4.1 from genie scout?

[artlan]

This looks to be like a great tool, especially for a manager like me who tries to develop his own young players into superstars. Thanks Pompey_Dan!!!

I downloaded version 4.0 and 4.1 and in both of these version it seems like the tactics category is always very high, is it supposed to be like that?

Also, with the training sliders, there are only 23 and the spreadsheet often shows me numbers above that, like 24 and 25....is this a bug?

Looking forward to using it

[Terrylg]

Yes I much prefer this layout too. You can just keep one whole record of team instead of individual training sheets.
Something you may want to look at is when I enter some players I get all training as n/a. i.e. Matej Delac entered him as Goalkeeper Defend with individual training. If I lose the individual training then I get results. Another was Nicolas Anelka.
No results to show as yet as have just started a new game with new patch and have not been too well of late (Bronchitis).
I have also set up some positional schedules for players not in my plans, so it will be interesting to see how they proceed.
Thanks again for all your time and effort in this.

Pompey_Dan, on 12 March 2011 - 05:40 PM, said:

Okay, following on from the comments concerning the compatibility and usability of v4 (thank you, ) I've created a v4.1 prototype...

The prototype uses NO macro's and has the added advantage of being able to enter ALL of your players attributes before selecting each individually from a DDL.


Pompey_Dan\'s Training Calculator (v4.1 Prototype).rar


Please let me know your thoughts, is this better than the "whistle and bells" of v4?

(I also hope that this version may allow users to import data from Genie Scout, thereby saving time consuming data entry... more news to come).

[TheSupremeNTM]

Your calculator is great and I'm using the 4.0 version. I have one suggestion: it would be very convenient if we could import the player stats into the calculator from a text file like it's done on this website http://www.thoor.se/jonas/fm2011/

[Chelios]

Using the 4.0 version.

It's awesome, thanks.

[max_gunner]

I prefer the layout of version 4.1, so I don't need to keep separate sheets per player. maybe you could allow more rows to be added, I have a full squad of about 60 players (including U18s and reserves), and currently your sheet only allows 50, but otherwise it's great!

I found the same errors as liam_p.

I also found another one, try plugging in a player who is for example a target man support who is 34 years old and when you type YES on individual focus (LONG SHOTS in this case), the Shooting schedule drops to zero. Normally, I think you put your minimum at 6 in this case right? (or 7 in version 4.0 for medium intensity). It probably has something to do with the age adjustment, because it only does this when player is old i.e. over 30.

Do you use the same age coefficients for goalkeepers as outfield players in your calculations, I only ask because I believe goalkeepers have a different peak age range from outfield players so 31 year old GKs are still at peak while outfield players could be declining at this point.

Great work! Keep it up mate! Cheers!

[delpiano]

how can i put easily oll the players into the sheet???i mean without doing ut manually