What to do with a youngster like this

Ive never been good at youth development, but this time due to the Solihull game Ive got going I need to take every opportunity I have to get the most out of any talents that might come through the ranks.

My AM and coach says he has potential to be a good/leading star of Blue Square Premier, but how do I get it out of him?

Basically, I would like to know how you would treat this guy - both when it comes to matching him and how you would train him. Oh and what position I should specialise him in...

Send him to any of your affilated clubs so he can gain experience and develops himself.

I do so when i have a youth players like this.

uhm.. that reminded me, I should ask the board for a feeder club... oops.

But - one thing about feeder clubs, would the match experience he gets there weigh up for worse training facilities and non-specific training?

Don't bother with feeder clubs if you're Solihull Moors in the Blue Square Premier, you'll be sending them to non-league inactives and nothing will happen for his development, plus their training facilities are even worse than yours.

Get him to be tutored by your best AMC and AMR and then send him out on loan to a club a year later, this may have to be one in the same league as you.

hmm i think that might be the best solution. If I could get him linked with any player, but I cant - sadly enough.

What about training then?

Get him tied down on a contract so he can do more training, I use Tugs training which is good for youth and senior.

Have high ball control and attacking.

I would specialise him as a amc

Yeah, I just got him on a 3 year p/t contract - so when gets 17 I can pressure him more in training. I know Tugs is good (used it before), but I feel I need to do something on my own for once in that area. I managed most part of the game, but training has been the dark side for me since CM3.

My problem is that even though I know what areas (tactics, defending, attacking, etc) affects, I really dont know what attributes I should try to up to get the most out of this guy. And how much/hard can I train him without risking his progression?

Have high ball control and attacking.

I would specialise him as a amc

Mm, might be the way to go - what attributes (apart from those affected by bc and att) do you think I should get up? Remember, we aint talking about Premier League exactly:D

You want probably all your players to have good work rate, teamwork, and pace at the non-league level. As an AMC, you can either try to make him a playmaker or a scoring midfielder. If playmaker, you want to stress his attacking attributes, while as a scorer you may want to focus on finishing. Basically, like this:

Playmaker AMC: Aerobic, Tactics, Attacking are most important (probably in that order)

Shooting AMC: Aerobic, Tactics, Shooting (in that order)

Make the next-hardest trained attribute Ball Control for either of them.

The tactics training will improve his overall play at that level anyhow, affecting how hard he works, how he gels with the team, and his decision-making. This augments very well with passing and creativity if you choose to make him a playmaker. It also goes hand-in-hand with finishing and long shots if you choose to develop a shooter, as he will work better with teammates to find openings and make smarter runs. Pace is a must at that level anyhow, as even someone who couldn't kick a ball two feet who has blistering pace is an asset in the lower leagues.

Sorry for not getting back on this. Right after I posted last time, he was promoted to senior-footie. Problem was that it was only part-time, and I couldnt afford getting him a full-time contract. Then when I could, he was out for 5 months with injury. Now he is back on track and is training with his own schedule, looking like the playmaker schedule you posted.

I am gonna post back after a year to show if he has progressed or not:)

Now Lodge has been on the Playmaker schedule for a year. During that year he has also played 16 matches from start and came in as sub in 27. No signs of jadedness and happy with schedule.

Attributes raised:

Decisions: 2

Positioning: 2

Corners: 1

Crossing: 1

Dribbling: 1

First Touch: 1

Heading: 1

Long Shots: 1

Long Throws: 1

Marking: 1

Passing: 1

Tackling: 1

Anticipation: 1

Bravery: 1

Composure: 1

Concentration: 1

Influence: 1

Off the ball: 1

Stamina: 1

Strength: 1

Apart from corners and crossing, he is raising more in the stats needed in centre of pitch, which was the aim. Im puzzled by the corners/crossing though, since he aint training much on it - not played as winger either. If SI havent changed things around though..

Stats decreasing:

Flair: 1

Seems to be on right track - thanks guys.

Now I need to do the same about my new DC that came through - potential to be a good League 2 player they say. Fun that it is possible to get a talent through even with a club like this.