9 replies to this topic

[Sheriff Skacel]

Buying lots of younger players and having them pad out your reserve squad or go out on loan. I started to think about this after the debut of McClean at Sunderland. I remember him coming off the bench and putting some cracking balls into the box. When I thought about that in comparison to FM I realised that I had no players to bridge the youth team to first team gap. All my players who were too old for the youth team were out on loan.

So I've decided to take a different approach. I'm gonna sign younger players (21 and under) specifically for the reserves, as well as specifically for loaning out. Sure it may hurt their progress being in the reserves but I haven't tested that myth in a while. I just want to have some options in times of slump or injury. I should be able to go into my reserves, see who is playing well and be able to give them a chance in the first team.

Everyone probably thinks they do this (signing youngsters and loaning them out), and I thought I did it too, but when I actually think about it I could accommodate so many more youth players. If you spread all your deals out to 48 months, focus on players under 21 and under 2m then you could pack your reserves will quality players who can either step into the first team at any time or be loaned out.

So this topic is just me saying, join me in buying youth players in bulk and proceeding to make actual use of my reserve squad and loans. It sounds tedious and simple but if you actually take a step back you'll see that we are all missing a trick.

If you want inspiration then take a look at Benfica and Udinese on wiki. Both have about 30 players out on loan and both have been hugely successful in selling players. But remember, success doesn't have to come in 20m+ moves, success can come in profit.

So this is what has me back on track on FM for the next few days. It involves scouting, buying players and nurturing youth. Three things I love.

[Nando]

I sort of did this unintentionally with Notts County, I have a massive reserve squad of 43 players, with 22 of them out on loan. I also have five good prospects in the U18s. The part that I don't do is promoting these youngsters, most of them will be sold when they hit 24/25.

[Michael]

Unless I need to buy a first team player, I only spend money on brining in youth players. I have 2 who are so good, that at 17 and 18, they're keeping much more experienced players out of the sides and are doing a bloody good job at it.

If I had FM open I'd be able to tell you how many players I have out on loan, if I recall it's around the 15-20 mark, yet I still have enough players at the club that my U20's are topping their league and qualified from the European U19's tournament top from their group with 5 played and 5 won so far with 1 group match left.

Note: No real reserve league in Italy, so my U20's is my main focus.

[Jackk!]

I inherited a massive squad at Juventus, and I'm trying to whittle it down as they're mostly shite.

Can't say I've come across many youngsters who can be bought for under £2m that'll do a good job, did sign a kid called Emmanuel Bassey from West Ham for £5m, who will be world class.

[Sheriff Skacel]

Due to join;

Adryan - 900k
Marius Alexe - 250k
Carlos Fierro - 2.5m
Muhammed Demirci - 1.3m

[Jackk!]

I've got Carlos Fierro coming next season, still only 10.5m in 2016/17. Not too shabby

[Michael]

Good one to bring in is a player called Nadir Minotti from Atalanta, with the right exposure to game time and training, he'll easily slot into any mid to top prem teams. Also you should push the boat out for Verratti (like £3m in the first season I think), if you ever wanted a player to bridge the gap from U20s to First Team, he's your man.

[Game]

I just loan them with a recall clause and they get the playing time whilst I can bring them back to the club if I need them. Makes more sense than building a reserve team with players who'll become unhappy at not getting first-team opportunities.

[kazz]

Who you managing Skacel? I already do this to an extent, but I'm gonna make more of a conscious effort now to bridge the gap between first team and reserve squad.

Edited by kazz, 12 February 2012 - 02:14 PM.

[Sheriff Skacel]

kazz, on 12 February 2012 - 02:14 PM, said:

Who you managing Skacel? I already do this to an extent, but I'm gonna make more of a conscious effort now to bridge the gap between first team and reserve squad.

Ajax, had a play on in the editor and made the Ajax reserve team play in the Jupiler. Basically just want to have a wee filler game in my time away from Uni. Playing a sick formation to boot;