So the 14 player thing is only when you are going for a cup win??
the Cup draw is coming from the avg of your 14 best quality players.
Read this
http://forum.topeleven.com/tutorials...w-win-cup.html

Also, what type of players should I be looking at in the next season??? 18 year old's around 65% as a level 2 manager??
At lv2, the 5* fast trainers have the value of 3 M' (at least) according to this
http://forum.topeleven.com/tutorials...-chris-18.html
But I don't know your budget or what else from extra sources you can have (farming or buying).

I suggest - if you like the game - to sign it to fb.
The game is safe, just be careful because your fb image (if you have and use fb) will be visible from other TE players.
A good idea is to start a new profile with another fb account just for the game.
Then you 'll be free to share/post what ever silly thing from the game -
like you player became a 6* or that you promote to the next Cup round without your (life) friends look at you weird