Minimal editing by only editing Youth Recruitment (sort of a cheat)

[Flowerpunkchip]

I wanted to have fun with a new game. I chose Messina, poor but quite big city on north east coast of Sicily. I've been there.

And all I changed in the editor was the youth recruitment to 20. Had the odd future star coming through but none of them wanted to stay in Seria C  (can't blame them. Did my best to keep them). But with all the sales and always trying to add 40% or 50% of next sale, I slowly made more money and improved the training youth and senior training grounds to attract better players. 

I finally made it into Seria A but will probably get relagated within a season. Loving the challenge though. And if I get sacked, I'll add a new manager and continue with Messina.

I've added more coaches for under 18s and under 20s and I've made sure that all my new coaches have high "working with youngsters". I think I read somewhere that helps the Head of Youth Development who himself has high stats for "working with youngsters". Let's see what happens in March. I'm hopeful that my next batch of kids will improve. 

(feel free to move this Admin if this isn't posted in the right place.)

[Longhorn]

I enjoyed reading your post.  As a former youth coach myself the only way I build a squad in the game is through developing young players.  I would like this aspect of the game to be strengthened if possible. 

[Flowerpunkchip]

Yes Longhorn, I'm really enjoying developing young players too. I get attached to some of them and get a little annoyed when they stab me in the back to leave and join bigger teams (part of the soap opera fun of one's save). I've started adding "one year extension after 5 games" to many of my good young players to get an extra season out of them when they are above the age of 17.

Another thing I do sometimes is when I have a boring season I just go on holiday for 2-3 months at a time. Return from my holiday (which involved me having coffee and/or playing "Join Squad" which is completely different type of game to FM17. You need contrast in life.) Holidays accelerates the 'developing young players' aspect and the speed for improving the facilities. I guess many players have done that on this forum. A season can drag on.

Well at the moment, it feels like I'll be stuck in Seria B for a few years after a pathetic relegation.... Not much money in Seria B so I have to be careful.

But loving this weird little cheat of having some good players coming through in the old port city on the north east coast of Sicily. Now I want to eat pizza.