Cutting Players - Never done it before!

[Scolari7]

I have been running my team for 2 years, and we haven't had much success thus far. I have always had good players in the team, and have gradually added more, and many have improved. I have 11 or 12 players that are clearly my strongest. there are a couple of strong players i'm about to sign up, one can play on both wings and up front, the other is a centre half or left back. I see an oppotunity to progress the team overall in the coming season.

My problem is that i think its going to be extremely hard for 2 of my players to get any game time next season (we are just coming to the end of our summer league, and they have only been in the team when struggling for numbers as we only have a 15 man squad and some players have been away on holiday, or with school, etc.).

One of these players is a right back, who has been tried in other positions but this is clearly his best, unfortunately i have 2 stronger players in his position. The others best position is left midfield or wing back, or left back as a last resort. Again, i have 2 left backs, one of whom is more naturally a wing back and can play left midfield, both are stronger players. And I have one of my best players at left midfield, along with the new player, giving me 4 options on the wings.

Although there is nothing wrong with the attitude of the players, i really can't see where they will be able to get in next season. It wouldn't be too difficult to sign stronger players to fill out the squad either, but i feel terrible cutting them from the team, and will feel equally as bad each time they turn up and don't get any minutes on the pitch.

What should i do?

[Jerzy]

Hard situation. If you liked cutting players, you'd be an *******. But it is hard. What have you told parents in the past about what you're trying to do with the team? Was this always a select team?

You need to be honest with players and parents. if you haven't had this kind of conversation before, you might want to add the players, but explain to your two weak players that they'll find playing time a little harder to come by.

If the kids have been good players, good kids, you owe them more than an explanation, but a chance to fight for PT. Who knows how they'll respond, they may surprise you.

[Scolari7]

Previously i have just signed up friends of players when they've turned up to training with them, if there was a position going and they showed a good attitude and could kick a ball they were signed up. This is generally where all my players have come from without advertising for trials or anything. coincidentally the 2 new players are also friends with some of the team, but i plan to advertise for one or 2 more to add a bit of competition in one or 2 positions where it is lacking.

unfortunately the 2 players in question play in the most competitive areas of the pitch. As they are Under 15s next season so only have 2 seasons left, i want the team to be more consistent to enhance the oppotunities for trials for my players as it could be the last chance they will ever have. With squad about to be at its strongest since the team was set up, i feel the players will have a hard time of it, although they played a fair amount of time last season.

Was thinking of telling them if they can find another club where they may get more game time then it would be best for them to move clubs. And if not then they can sign on again but may need to be prepared for less game time.

[Val]

I agree with Jerzy. Tell the kids as much as you can about your plans, where they fit in, and what they have to do to improve. My weakest player is one I'm going to try to convert into a keeper: she has great hands and is fearless coming out of the box and charging the ball. I've told her parents that I'll give this experiment a couple of seasons to work, but that they should be prepared that she may not be on the team in a couple of seasons if her play doesn't improve. If these kids have been loyal to you, I think you owe them loyalty as well, since we are talking youth soccer here.

[Scolari7]

Just an update on this. Both the players had only been with me for one season. After informing the players of their positions, and why they may struggle to get in the team one of them decided to leave. The other said he still wanted to sign up and so i gave him a registration form. Having not heard from him for weeks and following an encouraging start to the season in which we were very narrowly beaten by 2 of the favourites for the league (this after scoring went into double figures against us last time we played both teams!) his form was returned to me at training. His parent called me as training was started asking if we had training and why his son wasn't told. Texts were sent to inform him of the first training and friendly match we had after i'd give him the form, and i heard nothing from him. I like to have a bit of give and take, i won't run round after people if they don't seem interested. However, i simply told him i was unaware of his sons continued interest in playing for us as i hadn't heard anything from him, to which he replied he has lost the form and asked for another. I didnt have any i could give him, but he turned up to training with the form 10 minutes later!

My problem is this, i've found it hard to rotate the players i already have and feel it will now be even harder for him to get in the team. I have used 4 other players down the left side of the pitch. However, i felt obligated to accept his form from him despite over a months worth of apparently not being interested.