You dont need 22 players, you just need 1st team and subs, with players that can play more than one position. I recently off loaded 4 players to take me down to this as i just wasnt using them (i had 22 players roughly the same quality). Its all about using your injury packs right. I only use them if i really need the player. Some say the more you use the more injuries you get but tbh in 10 months i havent noticed this (ive noticed a time period each season where i get alot of injuries though). Its also easier to train/maintain a smaller squad and still be competitive, just dont go daft and sell down to 11 players and **** subs as suspensions will end up hitting u hard