BML

BVI aren't one of those teams that don't play games at youth level are they? (I'm not in-game to check right now) Could explain it. Assuming their senior team do call-ups (pretty sure they're at least in WC qualifiers and a Nations League) I'd assume he'd start getting called up once he's playing senior football - even if it does feel a bit late considering his undoubted talent compared to his compatriots.

I have been doing the same as Hootie with my second XI playing in the League Phase of Europe once qualified, as winning the league (and qualifying for Europe) was more important - I've only just made the switch to first XI in Europe as my 2nds are more than good enough for the league now. In order to keep squad players happy I'm always conscious of their agreed playing time (I've got nobody above Regular Starter right now) and tend to lean towards the 'you're more of a squad player' conversation option if they do kick off - most are happy to accept. Those that don't I'll try to play more, but make sure I don't officially promise anything as this can come back to bite you. When you consider I have a 32 game league season, European games (starting from 2nd qualifying round), an FA Cup, a League Cup AND a Scottish Challenge cup to play in, I manage to give nearly all players 15-20 starts a year across all comps, which seems to keep them all happy at 'Regular Starter' levels.

Disappointed you've not signed any Indian players yet! Although without your years of building the country up, they must all be pretty naff.

I'm disappointed that your BVI newgen isn't getting capped straight away by the national team (I think they're good enough to play friendlies, if not qualifiers). Even at 15 I'd have thought the AI would realise that with his attributes and personality he would make a huge difference to their team. Unless, of course, the kid thinks he can make it in Scotland?

This speaks to me; my set piece coach keeps allowing my 6'6 striker to take corners. His height is basically a cheat code at this level domestically, it's so frustrating to see him take them. Just a list of free-kick takers like we get for Pens would be sufficient! Congrats on the league title, only 10 years into Prem life is a good clip and quicker than I would have expected. It's a shame 16 y/o Brownliee missed out on the World Cup despite making the long list, hopefully he'll still be your player by the time the next one rolls around as he's obviously a massive talent.

3 and a half years too! Hopefully he'll be more amenable to your wage structure once he hits 34.

Top explanation, appreciate it, and perfectly reasoned out. RE: Potter, I know he's only 5'6 and doesn't have any 'green' attributes in his physicals, but I'd be more than happy to have him as part of a 2 with that Strength, Fitness & Work Rate even if his Tackling is a bit low.

Same, if it leaves a space on the bench so be it, however there's always a kid I can chuck on there to fill it out!

The game only counts 'red' injuries as injuries, looks like your backup has a minor 'orange' which, for these purposes, doesn't count!

The top 2 in Wales and Northern Ireland also compete in this. It's a fun little cup I've won a couple of times now and gives more games to my second XI (the early rounds are all midweek). A real long-term FM challenge would be try to get into the Scottish Hall of Fame while never managing in Scotland (spoiler: it would take forever as this cup gives very few HoF points). A big turn around for a SELL marked player getting a 1st berth.

If you have no desire to manage outside the country, I see no reason not to stay at Viking. - After all these seasons in charge it's now very much 'your' squad. - You are on an upward trajectory, especially with the Champs League money this season (and potentially next). - Everything else within the league would be a side-step, at best, seeing as you are currently the team to beat. - Plus, sticking with the narrative, dropping down the divisions to build up another team doesn't feel realistic for a not so fresh faced 29 year old. Even a change to your favoured club doesn't feel realistic at this point.

I see Rangers got their promotion. As for Fraher, I'd loan him out if he doesn't make either of your XI's, no point him sitting on the bench with IR as there's no guarantee that AssMan will bring him on. I take the view that anybody with 2* CA (Good Cymru N/S for me, so a level below my league) should be playing 'proper' games. He'll be 17 early into the new season so his age shouldn't be an issue.

Brownlie looks like a top prospect for that Libero role, given his personality and the fact I'd expect his strength to increase with age.

Rangers must be much more confident in their financial future if they're slapping down £8.5m up-front on a player.

At the risk of sending you back into your old posts/saves and wasting another hour and a half of your life... 41h, the keeper that was your 2nd XI 'keeper last season that you sold to Hull, is listed as (Unamb) in your Goalie Scorers long-list, but is clearly (M.Citizen) when you binned him off. Is that simply a typo or did his personality/ambition attribute take a massive rise in the years since he came through the YI?

That guy playing up top for Norway at the World Cup seems alright - you should put in a bid.

This triggered a memory; I briefly dated a girl from Galatz - she had nothing positive to say about the place except that it's mentioned in Dracula. It's a shame you lost over there. I'm interested in your reasoning for never backing down when talking to players. Is this just a personal character thing or have you noticed an adverse affect when doing so? I'll occasionally back down for Team Leaders with good personalities, and I can't think off the top of my head of anything negative stemming from it - in fact the opposite.

An update on this, I have checked back and the only European media interviews I have done this season were for my Champions League qualifying games. When I bombed out and dropped into the Europa, these stopped entirely, so there is likely something wrong somewhere.

Come to think of it, I don't think I've been doing them this year for my Europa games, but I'm not 100% without checking my save. Last season, when I made the Champions League League Phase I was definitely doing them but I really don't remember them this season after dropping down. I'll try and check this weekend.

It's already been answered, but dropping down the UEFA competitions still exists in the qualifying rounds even though they removed it from the new League Phase - it's why qualifying for the Champions League qualifiers is so important as a 'lesser' team as it gives you three chances at the money/rep European football brings. Losing in the third qualification round should have dropped you to the Europa Playoff Round however (it happened to me in my save this season). The fact you jumped straight to the Europa League Phase is probably some quirk of the new format I'm not aware of.

I will always remember the day that I saw a Part Exchange work in Football Manager. I thought they were a myth.

Most managers seem to sign long-term deals before working on getting themselves the sack (and the nice big pay-off that comes with it). Alledgedly I wonder if your new bumper deal will make it harder for Bayer to bring you in and if you may need to resign in order to 'grease the wheels' as it were.

Last night, I checked through the last 3 or 4 classes that have come through my intakes, (most come from a similarly small area (south-west Wales)) and not one had a family member listed in favoured personnel, so I would agree that either this is not working at all or has been set to a similar chance as generating a son (which I'm also surprised I've never seen you do, based on the number of Youth Intakes you generate in your saves).

I know you turned down the national job of Tajikistan, but would you be against international management? The Nations League has promotions!

I see you have a Brass4 and a Brass6, have any of the Brass(es?)(es?) been related? Or just a common name in the area?