Dr. Hook

Ya ok, first off this is more of a GQ question, but I'd rather ask in here; much friendlier, and generally bereft of silly responses

Being rather new to football, I am not sure how the typical development of a young player works. By this I mean, how old are player (in general terms) before they stick in the first team? In CM I see a lot of teenagers playing regularly and this seems a bit wrong.

Using the sport I really know best, NHL, you see a pattern where forwards seem to be ready around 21-23, while defenseman tend to be a couple years older than that, and goalies often mid to late 20's.

I know there are always many exceptions, but I am trying to manage my U19s and Reserves in way that makes sense for developing players properly. I assume that in football, like other sports, you don't want to ruin a youngster with too much too soon,(odd bits of talent aside). I waonder if this part of CM.

So, this was a bit long, and maybe not even coherent. But, I hope there is enough sense to get some responses

iajafer

The FIFA Competitions usually give a good indication on where players should be at any given age, the main ones being Youth, Under-21's and Senior.

Youth players should be advancing into the reserves by the time they are 18-19 years of age, Reserve players (on the way up) should be breaking into the First Team by age 21-22.

Obviously there are exceptions who may have the skill, consistency, and maturity to play first team football at a younger age, even Internationals, and Lower League Teams may be more likely to play teenagers in the first team.

Cobbler

Well, there are several high profile examples at the top level in the EPL of players playing at 16,17,18. They get rests and stuff and as far as I can gather, it is vitally important to stop them from giving interviews. Generally if they are considered good enough, they will be given a chance, but handled 'gently' so as not to over-exert them.

But, look we're not talking about the Champions League here, are we? So, in a LLM context, if they're good enough, flog the willing, gullible poofs until they die, or you can sell 'em for a tidy sum.

Taipan

There was a good little artical on Fox Sports today. It's just a round up of the PL, and someting I assume your guys must get in England. The feature was an insite into the youth development of MU & Aston Villa. Gave a good idea of how young players come through.

But in LL as the Bootmaker said, it's a case of use and abuse.

Dr. Hook

Thanks Iaj, that was what I was after. I need to rework what I am doing a bit then. I was in the habit of taking youngsters at 17 and throwing them into the reserves, but I doubted the wisdom, and now I see as a general rule I should look at 18 or 19 as a more realistic age to give them reserve team football, and up my first team expectations to 20-22 or so- with, of course, exceptions.

Now as Cobbler says, this is LLM, so I have always been tempted to use my youngsters too much; its hard to resist when the first team is bunch of rubbish, but I always wondered if I were wrecking the development of these kids.

I notice in training you'll get the message that "xx might be finding the step up to first team training too arduous" but as with msot of the coaching comments, i take them with a large pinch of salt. However, it seems that this might actually reflect some reality that a youngster is not ready to get up to the reserves or first team. I wish I knew better whether these coaches are actually saying anything substantial here . And also, it is hard to gauge because the training arrows reflect short term changes, it seems extra hard to see whether moving a youngster up is actually retarding his development. I suppose this is another are which could stand some improvement.

Dr. Hook

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Taipan:
There was a good little artical on Fox Sports today. It's just a round up of the PL, and someting I assume your guys must get in England. The feature was an insite into the youth development of MU & Aston Villa. Gave a good idea of how young players come through.

But in LL as the Bootmaker said, it's a case of use and abuse.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hiya Taips...I would have like to watched that, I reckon I can get it on FoxSports World here in the USA. But rightly said, those are sides which I would never manage, and who can afford to do it correctly. My style of LLM is always with the long view in mind, though. So I am always ready to forego short term success (insofar as it doesn't get me sacked ) in hopes of building a quality side down the road. Since I can't go and buy &lt;insert world class player name here&gt;, I figure my only real hope of making a lasting football edifice is properly developing my youngsters. Hence, my interest in the "real way its done" with less emphasis on use and abuse. Of course, to avoid a sacking I will gladly burn out a promising youngster.

Taipan

Hiya TDHM,

I'm doing basically the same thing in my game, even to the extent of managing the Reserves & U19 myself. Having an active Senior, Reserve & U19 competition does help squad rotation no end.

My reasons are financial. We are over budget, in the red, and heads have to roll. I just want to make the sure the heads I cut are not the ones I will want to help prop up the club in the comming seasons.

Kfoolmoon

Things are kind of different here- in the most stupid way imaginable, though.

Players within the ages 17-21 should be considered "talents" or "prospects for the fututre", right? Well, most of them get to the age of 29-30 and are still considered as talents :eek:. The number of players who were consedered "talents" and haven't progressed is unparalleled.

What is the cause of this, you may ask. Well, i think it's due to lack of professionalism, lack of training and lack of efficient, influential coaches.

Point is, those players are not used in the first team, because they are considered too young and inexperienced- even when they're over 25. That's the reason why football in Greece is going backwards IMHO. So, we need teams to be "generous" with their young players: that is, give them the odd first-eleven match, give them the odd "important" match, use them regularly as subs, train them with the first team.

I 'm not sure if all this is implied in CM, and if it isn't, i think it will be hard to program all those variables. Maybe it's done already, so more power to CM programmers. :thup:

turnip

Begging your pardon, Mr OFBG, but my young players most certainly are, and I have the physio bills to prove it. Glass-limbed slackers.

jcb23

If they're carp enough they're old enough, right?
It 's often a case of getting enough fit players together, and since I always start by only signing teenagers (probably 'cos it's all I can usually afford), sooner or later I end up playing them. If they play well, they stay in.

[QUOTE] This might have LLM applications, depending on where you're playing. In England an LLM team can be in as many as four cups, and you have to prioritize them according to your goals for the season, so you can try the kids in the one you care least about.[/QUOTE ]

\o/ Vans Trophy
Although, my youth/reserves/fringe team at Stevenage actually won the bloody thing once! :eek: Did someone say 03-04 is too easy?