Hi Lynne,
Thank you for your reply.
I will wait until this current season finishes and will look to go in a x-2-1 or x-2-2 at the very beginning of the next season - I'm assuming it's best to move leagues on day 1/47?
I've bought 3 players already, 2 any side midfields and a STR (C) - all mid to late 20's - do you think this is okay? Not sure what age I should be aiming for but curious to know if younger players train better? So my aim at this stage could be to sign another 12 players and by the time I hopefully climb to a x-1-1 I can sign another 5 new players to train whilst having a reasonably assembled squad.
I'm happy to stick with a full programme of friendlies and maybe play in the bottom FL mainly for gelling and experience.
I really appreciate your advice and look forward to building a squad that will hopefully compete with some of the tops managers in 4-5 seasons 
Many thanks
Jimbo
I think you might have some reading to do? We could spoon feed you but learning is part of the fun (or maybe we just like pain ;-) and there's plenty of reading available on the forum.
If you didn't know, I will tell you you'll get 8 seasons out of all three of your signings. The striker looks a decent buy while the other two? OK they are all-rsiders - but you'll have to work at it to get their stamina up to the high 90s which is the least you will need if you want to compete. And, generally, all-rounders do not tend to perform as well as players dedicated to one position (but two GKs (some, not me, prefer three) two LBs, two RBs, one CB, two MFL and two MFR plus two MFCs and three central strikers would give you 16 and a flexible squad so long as you intend playing 4- 5-1).
If the early sub thing ever gets fixed/neutralised then all-siders might regain some usefulness but in the squad I've suggested and with current circumstances, I'd say they are not worthwhile. That'd leave you 4 to leave until later. Just my thoughts as of now (and others might have other ideas and hopefully they'll post them). Looking at my squad won't help because I have doing this a long while and sometime just fancy trying something different (which is what I'm working towards).
Get the right players and the right squad (and be prepared for weaker opponents to beat you purely because they get lucky guessing your tactics).
Last point: Private leagues --- the whole gelling thing is a mystery to most but having at least one in which to practice is a good idea even if you lose all your games. Whether you will get any gelling or not, maybe someone else can explain that to you. Also look for a 16 team competition as you will get 30 games for your 500 credits as opposed to the 14 from an 8 team league. You WILL get benefits from playing your best team in Friendlies so using them for experimenting or to rest players can backfire.
Lets now see what other have to offer. ;-)
