PART 5
6. Staff?
If it is agreed that drafting and training take on a greater significance when running a HG team, it then becomes obvious that a few other changes need to be made to optimise this. Namely, staff and infrastructure.
After some contemplation, and discussing some of this with other managers, I decided that the following changes regarding staff were necessary.
1. Trainer. Get the highest level Trainer you can afford. Now, this is good advice in general, and something I have always adhered to. A HG team should consider this as an easy decision to make.
2. Nutritionist. Get the highest level Nutritionist you can afford. Level 6 and 7 have been noted on the forums consistently, as those necessary to really ensure an increase in player stamina.
3. Youth Trainer. If, like me, you will regularly be training 18 and 19 year olds, having a Youth Trainer is a luxury worth having I believe. It just gives that extra little boost to the training of my youngsters. Given their foundational importance on a HG team, I think it is a price worth paying.
4. Doctor. In my opinion, having a doctor for a HG team is better than having no doctor. Remember, you do not have the option of buying more players if a player or 2 goes down with an injury. It happens. So why not have at least a medium level doctor?
5. PR-Manager. Of the available staff, I personally believe this is the least important for a HG team...unless they are needed in a season, or playoffs, to secure a Division title.
6. Sports Psychologist. I think this is a staff member you might consider if you had money to burn and wanted that extra little edge to hopefully help you with maintaining game shape (which can be done for free with good line-up management). Important for a HG team as it is with any team.
So, understand what various staff do and how impactful they will be for your HG team.
7. Infrastructure
It should be said that while the various infrastructures available are expensive (each one costing $1 million to build out and with weekly maintenance costs), each can benefit a HG team at varying times.
1. Gym. Given the focus on training as a HG team, acquiring a gym is a great investment and will optimise the amount of training slots available for players. A HG team will find great value with this at a high level.
2. Training Court. Again, a great investment. As someone who managed non-HG teams for countless seasons, I can honestly say that Free-Throw (FT) and Stamina training were frustrating. Having to take a week away from my young studs' training to get some FT or Stamina in, was painful. The Training Court and Nutritionist help with these respectively now...so why not access them if you have the funds to do so?
Previously, as a non-HG manager, I invested plenty of weeks' training into FTs only to eventually sell those players. Now, knowing my players will be on my team indefinitely, I will benefit greatly from high FT levels across all of my players!
3. Health & Recovery Center. I have little experience with this type of infrastructure and am not sold on its importance for a HG team...yet.
4. TV & Radio Station. A great way to increase ticket sales and keep fans happy. Not sure if it's a necessity for a HG team though.
5. Merchandise Store. I think this might prove to be an important HG option for those with the cash. Merchandise is already heightened with a HG team...so, maybe it can go a step higher with this type of infrastructure?
Bring back the Fishbowl!