OT - CM 03/04 Roster question -- How deep?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Just wondering, figured I'd ask:

How deep a roster do you normally carry?
Since I suspect that will vary to some degree by financial situation, league, division, etc., my particular case involves English 2nd Division club in okay financial shape.

I'm turning a profit, the mgmt/ownership is very pleased, we've promoted from D3 in two years, overacheived in our 1st D2 season, met expectations in year 2, and are expected to be basically a midtable to upper midtable club this season.

Running a barely modified 4-4-2, my own instinct is to have (capable of playing 1st team without being afraid, being very afraid):

2 GK's
7 Def
6-7 MF
4 Fwd/Str

I'm starting to wonder if I'm overstocked on players, since I'm regularly fielding a reserve team that's all under contract & occasionally having problems getting everbody enough p.t. to stay match fit.

So far, no serious complaints about playing time, but like I said, I'm wondering so I thought I'd get some feedback.

[JonInMiddleGA]

On a related note:

What about use of players on loan? Do you usually utilize the max 4 in order to make the team as good as possible? Or use them sparingly to avoid becoming "better than you really are"?

[-Mojo Jojo-]

On depth, I typically keep similar depth to what you've got. Essentially I like to be 2-deep at each of the 11 positions with guys who aren't going to hurt me, and at least one backup at each (def/MF/str) who is just as good as the starters. Actually, at striker I've usually got 4 guys who are all of starting talent. I don't worry overly much about the fitness of the backups. Most guys can be thrown into the fire and not suffer too much from it.

As for loans, when in the lower divisions I would typically loan two guys at a time. I didn't do more than that because I would have a hard time finding starters who I wanted to displace, and frankly, because much of the time it didn't seem to be worth the effort. But that's just me...

[daedalus]

I think it looks good right now. If money ever becomes tight, you could probably get away with 6-6-3 so long as the "backup" defenders and midfielders are capable of playing multiple sides and you have a midfielder who can fill in at forward capably. You're likely to run into cards and/or injuries enough that you will want all those guys around. If nothing else, as you move on up and get into cups, you will run into fitness issues. Generally speaking, most seems to be okay with getting some starts and sitting out some games. I have only had the major prima donnas complain very much. (Interestingly, almost always a striker.)

For me, I occasionally used loans when I just got promoted. With a brand new promotion, I was not always able to recruit players who are capable of performing at the new level so if I did not have somebody who could step up then I will go ahead and look for a loan-in. Otherwise, I preferred to give my own homegrown guys the development time.

[daedalus]

As as aside, I have a tendency to have permanent backups that comes into nearly every game so I can have fresh legs in the second half. I usually look for versatility in these players, usually a D/M who can play multiple sides and a M/F of similar level of versatility. One of my personal in-game favourite was Wilfried Bouma who was rated a D/DM/F in 01/02. I hearted that versatility. If you can get some of these guys as part of your rotation, it really helps.

[Desnudo]

Once I get the players in place I want, I usually have 18-20 players including GK. My reserve squad is usually very small or nonexistent. Either you're on the youth squad or in the A-squad. I find that 18-20 is a good amount for having enough cover and for keeping players happy. It becomes harder to keep all the players happy as you rise levels and begin acquiring more stars.

Edit: If you're in the UEFA Cup and your league cup you'll probably want to expand that to 20-24 since those series can really wear down a small squad.

[Axxon]

As as aside, I have a tendency to have permanent backups that comes into nearly every game so I can have fresh legs in the second half. I usually look for versatility in these players, usually a D/M who can play multiple sides and a M/F of similar level of versatility. One of my personal in-game favourite was Wilfried Bouma who was rated a D/DM/F in 01/02. I hearted that versatility. If you can get some of these guys as part of your rotation, it really helps.

Let me just add something to this. You don't necessarily have to find someone showing this versatility, you may already have them.

I've been doing this a lot lately with great result. In an on line game I'm playing I turned a D L into a very succesful AM C and even played him well in L F. He was only marked for the one position though but his attributes said otherwise and when played up front he was great.

In my single player game I similarly have an older D L who is very much a steadying influence on the team. I don't use any fullbacks in my tactic but I've played him variously at left wing, left center midfield and left center back and he's played well at all these positions. I've taken to using him to give these players breaks and keeping him in the lineup.

What I'm saying is, look at your players and figure out what type of players they are and if you have a spot on the team which needs these skills, don't be afraid to try your guy there whether he's rated there or not. You may be pleasantly surprised. :)

[Chief Rum]

I probably can't give you a good answer here, since I am running a good 30+ roster right now in my Tamworth dynasty. But I think you're okay on defense and in the midfield, assuming you have a good mix of the right kinds of players (centrebacks and fullbacks for the backline, wingers and centre midfielders for the middle). If I were you, I would probably get a third goalkeeper I feel I can rely on who won't put up too much guff about playing with the reserves. It never hurts to keep an extra keeper around you have some confidence in, just in case one of your top two get hurt. And I recommend considering getting a fifth striker. The forward guys always seem so volatile to me witht heir attitude and form, and that would help you play your best players when you need them.

As for loans, it was all about winning that division to me. I would loan anyone if I thought it could get me promoted, and next year be damned (I'll figure out next year when next year comes).

CR

[JonInMiddleGA]

As for loans, it was all about winning that division to me. I would loan anyone if I thought it could get me promoted, and next year be damned (I'll figure out next year when next year comes).

That's pretty much how I handle it -- which explains why my leading goal scorer this year is a loaner ;)

[Dawgfan1980]

That's pretty much how I handle it -- which explains why my leading goal scorer this year is a loaner ;)

You should do a better job to make him part of the team, maybe then he would be more people friendly

[Eaglesfan27]

This is an interesting question. As my online CM friends could attest, I tend to overstock myself on depth ;)

I usually like to have at least 2 deep at all positions, and I'll usually carry one or two more extras (i.e. a 5th forward, an 11 midfielder, a 7 defender - I run a 3-5-2)

However, sometimes my roster gets even more bloated than that. I tend to get complaining about PT at times, but not too bad.

[Crapshoot]

That's pretty much how I handle it -- which explains why my leading goal scorer this year is a loaner ;)

same here, albeit in 4. Hardest part was getting his signature after I loaned this guy from Real Madrid for 2 years- no one else was interested in signing him (Despite being the leading goalscorer in Europe!) that I got him on a free!

[Axxon]

This is an interesting question. As my online CM friends could attest, I tend to overstock myself on depth ;)

I usually like to have at least 2 deep at all positions, and I'll usually carry one or two more extras (i.e. a 5th forward, an 11 midfielder, a 7 defender - I run a 3-5-2)

However, sometimes my roster gets even more bloated than that. I tend to get complaining about PT at times, but not too bad.

Would you consider 90 players or so excessive for a first division club? ;)

[Eaglesfan27]

Would you consider 90 players or so excessive for a first division club? ;)

Well, that was my first dynasty, I've shown just a touch more restraint this time ;)

[Axxon]

Well, that was my first dynasty, I've shown just a touch more restraint this time ;)

Uh huh, tell that to Timmy. ;)

[Eaglesfan27]

Uh huh, tell that to Timmy. ;)

I really thought he would be a key backup when I signed him. It's not my fault better backups became available ;)