AcidBurn

I have alot of good youth players and was wondering if instead of just organising my usual 6-8 pre-season friendlys would it be a good idea to have 12 instead. That way my first team can prepare with 6 and my youth can get a few matches before they go on loan or would this just be a waste of time?

Ginger

Its a good idea I think, plus if you arrange the games at home they can be money spinners!!

isuckatfm

To be honest I don't see 6 extra games having a huge impact on their development. If you are concerned about their match fitness affecting whether or not their loan clubs select them, then move them to the reserves and arrange friendlies for them. I find my AI assistant pretty decent at giving everyone a run out to get match fitness.

copperhorse21

I think that if they are on your youth squad, keep them there for bit and schedule friendlies against other youth squads, including rivals, to make sure they get some playing time beyond the normal youth schedule. I know in Scotland, the youth leagues have breaks between matches. Maybe you could schedule a friendly during one of the off weeks too.

However, if you need them to get into your first team, forget everything I do with my own club.

Amaroq

AcidBurn, I tend to schedule about 8-10 first-team friendlies. I use half for my first-choice XI and half for my backups.

However, if I've got a huge squad, I'll schedule Reserve friendlies, or even U-18 friendlies, so that the players outside of my first choice can get some pre-season action as well.

And then, yes, I tend to loan them out as the pre-season comes to a close.

Humorously, since I've always done it that way, I can't compare-and-contrast with not doing it that way.

gunnerfan

Also a good way to experiment with different tactical ideas.