Good Squad Size?

[[DTK] FiiRE]

As the title says what is a good squad size for a team? I always find myself buying waaaay to much players or any tips for squad size?

[Paul Atherton]

As a lower league manager i'm happy if i have roughly 2 players for each position on the field, then i just make up the mnumbers with youth players. If you were a premiership side you'd need a lot more depth

[[DTK] FiiRE]

Thanks anyone else got an idea?

[Cougar2010]

A lot depends on what club you are playing as and how many comps you are entering.

As a guide I usually aim for: GK*2, DL*2, DR*2, DC*3, MC*3, MR*2, ML*2 & ST*3 as an absolute minimum in a 442 system.

Moving on from there I would add another MC & another ST if I could afford it and I would also make sure some of those players could play other positions so I had a 3rd choice fullback or winger.

As you move up the leagues and can afford more players I would look to have a reserve player for each position and this could be a promising younger player or just an older backup.

[Cougar2010]

As a lower league manager i'm happy if i have roughly 2 players for each position on the field, then i just make up the mnumbers with youth players. If you were a premiership side you'd need a lot more depth

Not always.

If you are in Europe then I would tend to agree but for a midtable side you are looking at 38 league games, a max of 6 League Cup matches and a max of 6 FA Cup matches. Thats only 40-50 games a season which you can cope with a much smaller squad.

[dafuge]

I like to keep a squad size of around 25 strong players, two for each position, an extra spare goalie and couple of utility players. I try and sell any good players who don't fit into this group and use my youth team to back them up instead.

[nni]

As a lower league manager i'm happy if i have roughly 2 players for each position on the field, then i just make up the mnumbers with youth players. If you were a premiership side you'd need a lot more depth

I disagree, anything more than 25 is just overkill and will lead to unhappy players and low squad harmony. Even if you are playing in all competitions, 25 players is more than enough. If you have any emergencies you can recruit some of your more talented U21s. It helps having versatile players though.

[rougess]

I go for 2 in every position, then an extra CB, ST, and utility midfielder.

So about 25, depending on the backup player's versatility.

[TheRealMagpies]

18-21 Core Players
1-6 Prospects

[craigcwwe]

i`d say about 20 for your first team squad, and then you can play some of your youth players.

[Jirki88]

around 16 players that can considered first team, then about 20 talented youth is what I usually have... And play alot of friendlies with my reserves so the youth players get to play too.

[Rahat]

I buy 2 players for each position so i can rotate around, also it provides good depth.

[Wazaflo21]

but most of the time when I buy 2 or 3 players for the same position at least one of them normally gets upset that they are not playing, even though I am rotating them, just not as much as i am for the better player of their position.

[leedsfan88]

I sometimes try to keep my BSN/S squads to 18 players with all my outfield players being able to play in two different positions in most cases, but in jan i'll bring in any players released from irish clubs just to bolster the squad and maybe to im prove in certain areas

[deltablue]

22, though not including 'developing' players, 20-25 should be fine though.

[danG59]

Im southhampton n they get no money for anythink so my squads 15 players do u think thts not enought n what would the miniunum be?

[Basketcase]

23. 2 for each position and a third keeper.

[Cityull]

I think the key is having players play on both side on a couple of positions.

like midfielder who can pay across the board etc.

I do tend to have loads of payers and have to cut down hugely. when I see good players i make an offer and possibley and up with 3 or 4 good players in the same position

[Rushers82]

I'm just about to start a Championship campaign and have a mamoth squad of 53 players!! A few are dead wood who I will let go, but I do have a tendency to sign up a large number of youngsters released from bigger clubs who look quite promising. I'm going to loan a lot of these out this year hopefully to see them develop.

I also find it hard to release the players who come through my youth ranks, instead giving them "just one more year" to see if they can make the step up. They rarely do, though I do have three players who came all the way through my youth set-up to break into the first team squad. I would say my first team squad is probably about 25 players strong enough to compete regularly, with the rest youngsters (up to 22 years old) who I'm trying to develop (either in the reserves or by loaning out).

[William.Hua]

At least 22, that means 2 players for each position.
Be sure to have someone who can play at several positions.

[Arijit]

I have 20 players + few youths for development.
Since I buy or keep players which can play at least in two positions (either natual or acomplished) - I don't need more than this.

[RICHY-T]

I usually have 2 Goalkeepers, Four full backs (2 Left 2 Right) Four CB's, Five MC's (Two DM's Two AM's One Natural Centre) Four Wingers (Two Right Two Left) then Four Strikers! Then maybe one player who plays left right cente in midfield then one in defence.

[Taytaz]

I have 26 Atm but some are just dead wood...lucky I have them, out of 5 strikers, only 1 was not injured for one league round.

[RvN#17]

Usualy i have 20 players max.
If i have more than 20 i sell them or move them to reserve team until i sell them

[hannan300188]

23. 2 for each position and a third keeper.

Same here, also try and have players that can cover more than one position eg MRC DLC AML/ST as it means i can concentrate on bringing through youth that little bit more knowing i can play 1 of the other players in other positions if needed

[given1legend]

Im similar to Dafuge in numbers.

11 first teamers.
1 back up for each of their position who is either old or young. Keepers usually old.
2 or 3 utility players who can play defence/midfield or midfield/attack etc.

[DiscoStu94]

I like to keep a squad size of around 25 strong players, two for each position, an extra spare goalie and couple of utility players. I try and sell any good players who don't fit into this group and use my youth team to back them up instead.

I do what this man does, but with 23/24.

[stokes_83]

It depends on which competetions you are playing in. Lower league clubs playing domestically only need around 20 players. Big clubs trying to win multiple competetions need 25 and I also like to have a few 18 year olds that you can bring in if you need to.

[easternhawk2]

with a 4-4-2 formation I have

2GK, 2LB, 2RB, 4CB, 1DM, 2RM, 2LM, 4CM, 1AM, 4ST

Then i use youths here and there it thier stats are alright. With cm i try to have1 with AMC and 1 with DMC if possible with maybe forward for AM and DC for DM

[Bongo-Bongo]

I always look to have two players for each position and then have some of my brightest prospects as backup players just in case I need them, or so I can rest key players in games I should be expecting to win.

[cameronpo]

GK.Ochoa Akinfeev

DR .Alves Santon
DL. Evra Traore
DRC. Vidic Ferdinand
DLC. Sakho Bassong

AMR. Ronaldo Wijnaldum
AML. Messi Fleck
MCR. Hargreaves Schneiderlin
MCL. Anderson Vukcevic

FR. Aguero Paloschi
FL. Rooney Tevez Adriano


LOAN. Sneijder Santonocito Ljajic Assulin Petrucci Macheda

This is my Manchester United squad in 2012, I believe its of a relatively good size. 2 main players for each position altho a number of my players are versatile, my attacking midfielders are capable on either flank. This leaves me covered incase of injury.