'Old Guards' Tactic

Hi folks.

I'm currently managing Leeds United, just finished my first season and promoted to Premier League. I've come up with an idea, or a team philosophy rather, that may work for the not-so-well-off teams such as Leeds:

Fill up the ranks with the old guards i.e. players who used to play for top teams but are past their peak and are declining in their physical stats. Then you could set up a tactic that takes advantage of the players' technique & mental stats but does not rely too much on the physical stats, and play a slow-tempo game which would not tire the players so easily.

Advantages of this philosophy:
1. the old guards will be willing to play at low wages - save wage budget
2. while the physical stats decline rapidly with age, technical and mental stats don't decline as fast. That means that even at mid-late 30s, players will still be able to play a smart game, as long as the tactic isn't one that is too physically demanding
3. fans & boardroom will be happy at the capture of big-name players
4. Many old guards are 'free agents' - minimal transfer spend

Disadvantages of this philosophy:
1. Your tactical choice is limited to those that have minimal requirements for physical stats
2. You will need a large player pool so that you can rotate the squad throughout the season - this may offset the benefit of players having a low wage
3. Players may declare retirement anytime
4. No profits expected from player sales

In my last season (championship) I captured Fabio Grosso (34) Pascal Chimbonda (33) Habib Beye (34) Zanetti (35) Papa Bouba Diop (34) all on a free. Here are some quick stats:



Last season I didn't really tailor the tactic to suit the playing style of my old guards, because I still had a good balance of young/old players. But come new season, if I were to fully implement this philosophy into my squad, I will need to develop a tactic which is has low demand for physical attributes, and has emphasis on technical & mental stats.

So, any advice?

This is not advice, but I have to say, this might work. Very clever idea, I hope it works for you, and if it does, perhaps upload it here so that others can have a try?

In terms of advice all i can suggest is that coupling this with a few seasons of intense youth development and you've got yourself a winning formula. The idea of have a 'senior' senior squad is a smart one for a developing team trying to survive in the premiership... and as a Leeds fan i really hope it works for you

I'll be trying this out myself for sure, there are some class golden oldies out there!

Ps. Like you say I think the only way this works is with a slow tempo'd patient tactic, maybe throw in a youngster with lightning pace up front to take advantage of the counter attacks this type of play will inevitably result it but assuming you can soak up the pressure and not concede i can see this doing well.

Thanks for listing it, blindingly obvious once someone points it out lol.