Developing Youth (primarily Youth Intake) to Fit Your Tactics?

[MonagHusker]

On my last Youth Intake my club produced a fee decent prospects, unfortunately, most don't play a position my tactics currently utilize.

I could sell them or make tactical adjustments, but let's say I keep them?

1) Changing positions/roles? Best ways to go about it?

2) Do you focus on what attributes a player has and where it fits best based on your current game tactics?

3) How to ensure the player plays at his new position or role in games you don't manage?

4) How long does it typically take before they are comfortable or you start seeing results?

5) Are there downsides to it?


If this has been discussed, please let me know and if possible point me in the right direction.

As always, thanks in advance for any comments!

 

[Bigpapa42]

The preferred formation and tactical approach of your Head of Youth Development plays a role here. If they like a 3-back system, don't expect to get a lot of fullbacks. If they use a narrow formation, don't expect a lot of wingers. So not only do you want a HoYD with a strong positive personality (this impacts the newgens), high Youth and Scouting ratings, but preferably one who matches your playing style. You might still get random new players with weird positions but it becomes less likely.

1. Train them for the new position and when possible, play them there. You need to do both for them to become effective at the new position quickly.

2. Both. I consider where they best fit and how they can be developed. Its not just about being able to play the position, but having the required (or preferred) skills. I might look at an attacking player but if they lack key mental skills (Positioning, Composure, etc), I might reconsider. Because those skills will improve as the player develops, but will they develop enough that they won't be a defensive liability?

3. Make sure your youth and reserve sides use the same tactic. If that isn't working, you can try using them as a sub on occasion, using them in cup matches... Definitely as much as possible in friendlies.

4. Depends heavily on the player and their Versatility (which is hidden). I've had a player go from no rating at all at a position, to yellow, to the first stage of green within a few months but that was a first teamer who was playing there every match.

5. Not really. I mean, in the more extreme retraining situations, you might into issues where the striker being made into a central defender lacks some attributes you want in a DC, and even with good potential, those skills with a low starting point may not improve to the point where they are okay but not great. Less extremes examples, not so much. Becoming Natural at more than one position uses CA (I believe), but not tons and it does make them more versatile.

 

[MonagHusker]

H

The preferred formation and tactical approach of your Head of Youth Development plays a role here. If they like a 3-back system, don't expect to get a lot of fullbacks. If they use a narrow formation, don't expect a lot of wingers. So not only do you want a HoYD with a strong positive personality (this impacts the newgens), high Youth and Scouting ratings, but preferably one who matches your playing style. You might still get random new players with weird positions but it becomes less likely.

1. Train them for the new position and when possible, play them there. You need to do both for them to become effective at the new position quickly.

2. Both. I consider where they best fit and how they can be developed. Its not just about being able to play the position, but having the required (or preferred) skills. I might look at an attacking player but if they lack key mental skills (Positioning, Composure, etc), I might reconsider. Because those skills will improve as the player develops, but will they develop enough that they won't be a defensive liability?

3. Make sure your youth and reserve sides use the same tactic. If that isn't working, you can try using them as a sub on occasion, using them in cup matches... Definitely as much as possible in friendlies.

4. Depends heavily on the player and their Versatility (which is hidden). I've had a player go from no rating at all at a position, to yellow, to the first stage of green within a few months but that was a first teamer who was playing there every match.

5. Not really. I mean, in the more extreme retraining situations, you might into issues where the striker being made into a central defender lacks some attributes you want in a DC, and even with good potential, those skills with a low starting point may not improve to the point where they are okay but not great. Less extremes examples, not so much. Becoming Natural at more than one position uses CA (I believe), but not tons and it does make them more versatile.

Thanks so much!

Really great reply and very helpful. I didn't even consider the HoYD preferences in terms of what players I might be seeing. The game is just so deep. I can get into tactics, or training, or transfers, etc.etc.

 

[Bigpapa42]

No problem. It is indeed a very deep game and there are always things to learn. Developing youth is one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of the game.

When it comes to retraining, one fun dynamic is that you can create some unique player-types, which don't occur very often - or even at all - within the game otherwise. You want a fairly defensive fullback? Retrain a reasonably skilled central defender. Want a super defensive DM? Again, retrain a central defender. Need a creative, dribbly striker? Retrain a well rounded attacking winger or attacking mid. There are tons of options. It actually creates a use for some of those less useful, middle-potential prospects who wouldn't likely see the pitch otherwise. Some of them will be situational specialists rather than players you want to start on a regular basis, but that depth is still useful.