Squad Depth

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11-22-2012
The Great Johnny

Squad Depth
An issue on TopEleven that is not very widely addressed is squad depth. Players whine about injuries, but if you have a "deep" squad, the impact of the injuries will be greatly reduced. I believe JustDoMe did a guide similar to this in the old forums, but since there's none here, I guess why not make one :) To start off, I'd like to give you my squad from two seasons ago and this season (I don't think I have a picture of last season's).

Two Seasons Ago:
http://i46.tinypic.com/6923ph.jpg

This Season:
http://i46.tinypic.com/2i28y9w.jpg

You should, or try to have at LEAST:
- 2 GK
- 5-6 defenders: DL (2)/DC (4) /DR (2); invest in multi-role defenders
- 2 of each DML/DMC/DMR
- 4-6 MC (depends on your style of play)
- 2 of each ML, AML, MR, and AMR
- 2 AMC
- 3 ST
I would suggest you don't buy wingers who can only play one position, no matter how good and young he is. He can only be placed in one spot in your formation, and is not versatile. However, if you play with a definite formation involving the winger's position, then that would be an acceptable purchase.

I'm currently down an ML, an AMC, and a DR. However, notice how I'm currently playing my DML as an ML. This doesn't hurt me if I do it occasionally to rest my ML/AML (who is my only ML). I need to address that problem, but I have a DML and another AML who can temporarily cover for the ML should he be suspended or receive a small knock. The same issue goes for my DR, but my DMR's can, again, cover for him, or I can play with 3 DC's or an assymetric formation. For my AMC, I personally do not play many formations using AMC, and in an emergency I can push any one of my MC's up.

Also, I don't believe in the idea of "starter" and "bench player". All my players are 4 stars or higher, and I have done this without buying any tokens. I apply squad rotation, and it's very good for your players.

Everyone has a different playstyle, if you prefer to have one certain formation that you push for, then I suggest buying depth players according to your formation. If you don't rotate your squad as much, or even if you do, you can poach some pretty nice 3 star players for free on the market to sit on your bench. A lot of them are multi-role and have a special ability :)

Feel free to comment and give feedback!
11-22-2012
Raykco

I have a full roster of 22 players. The only position on the field that I don't have at least 2 players to fill it, is AMC. I rotate my players according to the opposition, injuries allowing.
11-22-2012
The Great Johnny

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raykco

I have a full roster of 22 players. The only position on the field that I don't have at least 2 players to fill it, is AMC. I rotate my players according to the opposition, injuries allowing.

Based on that, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you have been pretty successful so far this season :)
11-22-2012
Aaron Ramsey Tiong

1 Attachment(s)

Attachment 56

This is my squad, I don't use wingbacks at all. Usually play a 4-5-1, with either 3 MCs and 2 AMCs, or 2 MCs and 3AMCs. If the opponent is weaker on the wings, I will move two AMCs to AML and AMR, and attack down the wings.

Sometimes, the other team will be about equal, or even stronger, so I'll move a midfielder back to DMC, and my two AMs will play either wide or central, again depending where the opponent's defence is weaker.

I agree with Johnny that multi position players are best, but I struggled to find another DL and DR that could also play DC, so ended up having to buy my no. 7 and no. 21. Right now my RB is playing every game, so I have to give him a green rest package now and then, but will rotate once no. 4 gets back. Also, only have a single striker available, so hoping my youth team can cough something up in about a week.

Like Johnny, I also do not buy tokens. I use the 5 tokens in 4 days deal, and sometimes manage to save tokens for next season after I'm done with my squad on day 1 of the season. Within the 5 star range, for me that's 80 to 84, and they're all 82 and 83, except for a couple who are 81. My goalkeeper, no. 2, and one of the DC/DMCs are 19 years old, also got a 21 or 22 year old in MC, so it's not impossible. My oldest buy was 30, another of the DC/DMCs.

Would like to analyse further, but the app's just closed for daily updating.
11-22-2012
The Great Johnny

Aaron you seem to have a pretty specialized squad for your specific formations, which is very good in its own way. The only real concern for your squad would be your lack of wingers in general (besides your defenders). You have 3 open squad spots, but no DML/DMR or ML/MR, and only 1 pair of AML/AMR. If you come up against a formation that pushes through the flanks, your DL/DR would be overwhelmed, so I would suggest buying 1 old DMR or MR and 1 old DML or ML and have them sit on the bench, just in case something comes up. They can always play out of position if the need arises, just make sure they have a full morale and decent form.
11-22-2012
Paul Brown

1 Attachment(s)

I wish i knew how to take pictures and post them on here :( i have 21 players and the only position i don't have is AMC which is fine as i play a 4-4-2 most of the time...have to admit in the league i will always play my best 11 but in the Cup as i normally play teams which are alot weaker than me thats where my fringe players come in :) Attachment 57
11-22-2012
kilkenny-rugby

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great Johnny

If you come up against a formation that pushes through the flanks, your DL/DR would be overwhelmed, so I would suggest buying 1 old DMR or MR and 1 old DML or ML and have them sit on the bench, just in case something comes up.

this is why we need in game animation so we no how or team and the opposing side are playing.
11-22-2012
July Fourth

I tend to play my subs/reserves in the starting line-up if I am playing in a simple cup tie (early stages of the cup) or if im playing in a game I consider to be a dead rubber - like champions league group stage last game and already qualified for next round or the league final fixtures and the title has been won and theres no unbeaten record still intact.

I tend to keep 20 players in the squad, 2 goalies, 6 defenders/ 8 midfielders or 7 defenders/7 midfielders and 4 strikers. So injuries are normally covered. Any major injuries - i.e. key squad player then thats when the medic packs come into play.
11-22-2012
The Great Johnny

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Brown

I wish i knew how to take pictures and post them on here :( i have 21 players and the only position i don't have is AMC which is fine as i play a 4-4-2 most of the time...have to admit in the league i will always play my best 11 but in the Cup as i normally play teams which are alot weaker than me thats where my fringe players come in :) Attachment 57

Well, there's a picture attached to you post, and if that's your squad, it may not be the most versatile but it is strong.
11-22-2012
The Great Johnny

Quote:

Originally Posted by July Fourth

I tend to play my subs/reserves in the starting line-up if I am playing in a simple cup tie (early stages of the cup) or if im playing in a game I consider to be a dead rubber - like champions league group stage last game and already qualified for next round or the league final fixtures and the title has been won and theres no unbeaten record still intact.

I tend to keep 20 players in the squad, 2 goalies, 6 defenders/ 8 midfielders or 7 defenders/7 midfielders and 4 strikers. So injuries are normally covered. Any major injuries - i.e. key squad player then thats when the medic packs come into play.

I hear ya, I used to play like that too when I had 3 star players, but I realized that I needed a stronger squad, so I started selling 3 stars and keeping only 4 and 5 stars. Right now I have 3 GK, 2 of them are 78 quality (5 star for me) and are OS, but they are 29 and 31,and I have a 72 quality 21 year old, so I play my 29 and 21 year old and let my 31 year old sit on the bench until one or both of them gets injured or out of form.
11-22-2012
Arik

Actually I have a very deep and highly rated squad but I rarely rotate.
I make substitution only if the player is very tired or injured.
11-22-2012
Accyrover

Yeah! I witnessed your spending in the close season, ££££££££ to burn. lol

Joined on day 19 two seasons ago now level 3

http://i48.tinypic.com/soqnb8.jpg
11-22-2012
Arik

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accyrover

Yeah! I witnessed your spending in the close season, ££££££££ to burn. lol

Joined on day 19 two seasons ago now level 3

http://i48.tinypic.com/soqnb8.jpg

lol even your GK can play as a ST with that depth :P
11-22-2012
The Great Johnny

You only have 2 MC, and a ton of DMC's, so I suppose you like to hold down the midfield and attack though the wings.
11-22-2012
Jason Andrew M.

Easiest way is choose a formation you're happy with at the start of the season then make sure your 11 reserves duplicate the positions in your XI. Job done.

Obviously if you can pick out players that can play multiple positions, then that will be a bigger advantage, especially if you're like me and your whole midfield is out injured.

This strategy is based upon me not wanting to tamper with my formation very often due to nordeus's primitive game engine. That's why i've gone with a solid 4-4-1-1 and stuck with it regardless of opposition squad rating and level.
11-22-2012
The Great Johnny

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Andrew M.

Easiest way is choose a formation you're happy with at the start of the season then make sure your 11 reserves duplicate the positions in your XI. Job done.

Obviously if you can pick out players that can play multiple positions, then that will be a bigger advantage, especially if you're like me and your whole midfield is out injured.

This strategy is based upon me not wanting to tamper with my formation very often due to nordeus's primitive game engine. That's why i've gone with a solid 4-4-1-1 and stuck with it regardless of opposition squad rating and level.

That will get you by the lower levels, but in higher levels when you play teams that modify formations, you will be at a slight disadvantage. If I played a 3-1-4-2 or a 3-1-4-1-1 on you, and we are about the same quality, my team would probably beat your formation. It's good to switch up your formations regularly!
11-22-2012
Accyrover

That's for me to know and the opposition to assume. :) The formations I play are usual counter and deploy so you need flexibility, how many formations actually play more than two MC's, outnumbering your opponents MF will usually reap the rewards, only a ban stops my MC's from being available when needed, when not let the ban run.
11-23-2012
Paul Brown

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great Johnny

Well, there's a picture attached to you post, and if that's your squad, it may not be the most versatile but it is strong.

I learn't how to do as i sent this message ha ha....i love playing 4-4-2 so i have enough cover for all positions altho i will replace my 4* MC in time but need to get tokens first as i have about 9
11-23-2012
Paul Brown

1 Attachment(s)

[QUOTE=Accyrover;1065]Yeah! I witnessed your spending in the close season, ££££££££ to burn. lol

Joined on day 19 two seasons ago now level 3

you say money to burn ha ha Attachment 71
11-23-2012
The Great Johnny

I'm on Lv. 12 and I spend about that much....aha are your players all on steroids?
11-23-2012
Paul Brown

steroids nope just there manager :) I won't spend now as i will need to save lots of tokens for next season as i know I'm going up even after 3 games :)
11-23-2012
The Great Johnny

This season I'm level 12, I've spent 281M on players since the beginning of the season, and my net loss is -168M. I have just about 100M left, and the squad I have is the second squad on the first post, team value is 612M :)
11-23-2012
Abi Maingame

Great Johny, you must have a great team, spending 281M!
My players aren't on steroids, but their manager's on coffee...occasionally..
11-23-2012
The Great Johnny

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Brown

Joined on day 19 two seasons ago now level 3

you say money to burn ha ha Attachment 71

But look at that kind of spending up there! ^

Transfers in: 617M
11-23-2012
July Fourth

I have only spent $143million on players this season 4 transfers in, Last season made a $140million profit, Like running club as a business. There is over $400million in the bank, however my next stadium expansion costs $111million.

With my squad theres plenty of room to change formations if must, 4-4-2 is the norm, but could play 4-5-1, 5-4-1, 5-3-2, 4-3-3, 3-5-2, 3-4-3, 4-1-4-1, 4-1-3-2...etc.
11-23-2012
Paul Brown

1 Attachment(s)

Attachment 76

Not bad for 2 home games
11-23-2012
Accyrover

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Brown

Attachment 76

Not bad for 2 home games

Edited.......
11-23-2012
Paul Brown

Im Level 17 thats what you earn in the higher leagues
11-23-2012
Paul Brown

1 Attachment(s)

Attachment 77

that's my scout list
11-23-2012
Aaron Ramsey Tiong

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great Johnny

Aaron you seem to have a pretty specialized squad for your specific formations, which is very good in its own way. The only real concern for your squad would be your lack of wingers in general (besides your defenders). You have 3 open squad spots, but no DML/DMR or ML/MR, and only 1 pair of AML/AMR. If you come up against a formation that pushes through the flanks, your DL/DR would be overwhelmed, so I would suggest buying 1 old DMR or MR and 1 old DML or ML and have them sit on the bench, just in case something comes up. They can always play out of position if the need arises, just make sure they have a full morale and decent form.

I'm level 13 this season, so far I've had no problems. Last season, I won the league and CL, in both competitions I had to put up with a team who got his friends to watch my matches, supporting the team against me. I guess I could extend the squad a little bit, to deal with wing plays as you say, but I'd be aiming for wide midfielders, not wingbacks. Based on the squad I posted, how would you suggest I go about making that addition next season?

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great Johnny

This season I'm level 12, I've spent 281M on players since the beginning of the season, and my net loss is -168M. I have just about 100M left, and the squad I have is the second squad on the first post, team value is 612M :)

A level higher, I spent 463M, but also got 425M from selling my squad from last season, only my goalkeeper remains. Net profit is 23.9M at the end of day 6, and I currently have 108M, but I expect that to increase as CL and cup rewards increase. Team value only 584M, though.
11-23-2012
Accyrover

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Brown

Attachment 77

that's my scout list

I;ll delete the above in that case. lol
11-24-2012
The Great Johnny

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron Ramsey Tiong

I'm level 13 this season, so far I've had no problems. Last season, I won the league and CL, in both competitions I had to put up with a team who got his friends to watch my matches, supporting the team against me. I guess I could extend the squad a little bit, to deal with wing plays as you say, but I'd be aiming for wide midfielders, not wingbacks. Based on the squad I posted, how would you suggest I go about making that addition next season?

I'd say supplement your ML/MR, they can play decently as DML/DMR and your DL/DR can play as DML/DMR too so you can play a guy off position occasionally.
11-24-2012
Aaron Ramsey Tiong

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great Johnny

I'd say supplement your ML/MR, they can play decently as DML/DMR and your DL/DR can play as DML/DMR too so you can play a guy off position occasionally.

I'd rather not play anyone out of position. Every time I see MCs on the market, they only have the one position, though. If I have a ML/AML or ML/DML, it's still kinda worth only one position, as only one of those positions will be filled in a match. I'll try it out if I can get a central mid who can also play wide, I guess.