How to handle unhappy players? help!

[Methos]

When a player wants to talk to me about lack of games he is getting i get 6-7 options I could possibly say. However I forgot to make a screenshot with the options.

The first is to promise him first team football which always makes him happy. I noticed then a promise pops up and I have 2 months to fullfil it. Any tips regarding to how to handle this promise? Like as if "start him every match" or "start him every league match" "or start him when he is fit"?

Regarding other options I found out.

That if I reply player X is having the form of his life, that doesn't cut it. The player is still unhappy.

If I reply I will bring him on as a sub, the player is still unhappy.

If I reply to suck it up and be more professional, the player is still unhappy.

I haven't yet replied to start him in cup matches, so I don't know if that works out with his happiness.

It *seems* to me I can't possibly win. Either I start a worse player, or he is going to cause unrest in my squad's morale.

Has anyone had any success with other than promising the player he is going to start in the squad?

[Guest]

If you're getting to the stage where players are coming to you with complaints it's an indication that you've already made some mistakes in your decision making & if you're promising to give them more starts when you don't want to you're just delaying a major issue with the player & potentially other players in the squad.

Rather than looking at this one interaction it will be a better idea to look at how you put together a squad & your approach to match squad selection, if you want a second opinion are you willing to upload your save to a file sharing site? I'm more than happy to look at your current squad, transfer policy & team selection to see if I can offer an opinion on where you might have gone wrong.

The following thread from FM15 might provide you with some insight on how to manage a squad of players - http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/407307-Players-complaining-about-lack-of-first-team-football?highlight=player+happiness

[Methos]

delaying a major issue with the player & potentially other players in the squad.

Are you suggesting, selling them instead? I don't want to start them, I consider them backups to fill in gaps in case of injuries or suspensions.

how you put together a squad

New save. I don't buy or sell anyone. Panathinaikos currently has 26 or 27 players in the first team, without counting hot prospects or loaned out players.

your approach to match squad selection

Trying to pick the best players. Keep in mind that some players are versatile which makes the rotation even harder since I am basically rotating 15-16 players. Trying to set up strict fitness criteria in order to rotate more (like 94% or 95% fitness) which doesn't help greatly.

if you want a second opinion are you willing to upload your save to a file sharing site? I'm more than happy to look at your current squad, transfer policy & team selection to see if I can offer an opinion on where you might have gone wrong.

I am willing to upload a game. My concern is that once I start a not winning streak, and once the team's morale drops, I rage quit so I have nothing to demonstrate currently. I will have to start a new game.

[Cougar2010]

Depending on how many matches you have in a season 26/27 sounds too many for a squad IMO, especially when you have promising youngsters as well.

Uploading your save would be great if you want a better discussion. Others can then view the save in their own way and give better opinions.

[Methos]

In the uploaded save, do you want me to give in in complaints or tell them to act like professional footballers and shut up?

[Guest]

Selling a trouble making is always an option, I've just dumped a player who constantly questioned my methods & it didn't matter that his average ratings for that last 2 seasons were 7.24 & 7.86, he was more trouble than he was worth so he's now someone else's problem.

It can be difficult managing an existing squad, not much you can do during the first season other than identify trouble makers & deadwood to move on later.

If as in your case you have a large squad you have two options, have a clear starting eleven & accept that others will be unhappy, not a problem so long as you keep winning (see Mourinho) or adapt to a wider rotation policy with few key players who start more often than the rest.

Don't ditch saves, chances are you'll end up making the same mistakes & end up in a rinse/repeat cycle of rage quitting.

Edit: If you do plan to upload a save just do what you would normally do, you wouldn't upload a different tactic when seeking advice on your preferred tactical system.