Yet another FM question...
 

I have a full reserve squad of backup players that I'd like to see in the reserve lineup but for whatever reason, my Assistant Manager is bringing in several kids from my U18 squad for reserve games. Veterans are either on the bench or don't dress.

I tried to assign positions to certain players but that didn't seem to make any difference.

Short of taking full control of the reserve team, how can I ensure my backups are in the lineup?

I've had the same problem, and have tried numerous different strategies, but none have worked, so I'd like to hear some feedback as well.

I'm for running your own reserve games. :D

Have you tried ticking the use current match tactics under the manager options? I haven't had time to try it myself but it may force the use of your pre-assigned players.

Yeah, I set what lineup I wanted to see, clicked use current match tactics, but they still keep bringing up my U18's and let my guys trying to come back from injury rot on the bench.

I've since taken to managing my reserves as well, oddly satisfying, I almost like those games more than the first team matches.

Ok. I'll give managing reserves a shot. At least it'll give me a place to experiment with tactics, something I'm horrible at.

I'm more of a 'motivational' manager. ;)

I always run my own reserves and youth squads.

as asinine as this may sound, the handling of the reserve squad by the assistant manager is something that I'd like to see improved for the 2007 version. It always pisses me off to see my 3rd keeper, who's almost good enough to be one the first team for spot duty, ride the pine and stay "severely lacking in match fitness" for weeks on end and not be prepared to play when I finally need him to come with the first team when both my first team keepers get injured in back to back weeks. I mean "come on idiot assman, play the 25yo backup before you play a 17yo no talent ass clown!!!!".

rant over :)

FM

Ok. I changed control of my reserve and under-18 teams to a coach with a better man-management rating than my Assistant Manager and now my backups are playing regularly.

Hmm...

Not sure what man management would have to do with that.

I always thought that it meant they are good at picking the starting XI???

From what I'm aware of, man management is the ability to handle players on an individual basis. I would think that the scouting abilities would have a larger impact on what kind of starting XI is put together.

I've always had man management as my top quality for my asst managers. Well, that and ability with youngsters.

I always go for Determination, Discipline and Motivation for my assistant manager, and make sure he isn't too bad at working with youngsters.

Whether that works or not is anybody's guess, not sure how to measure it.