I took over an u-11 team mid way through season 22/23, which was depleted by leavers at the end of that season (I think I had 5 players left).  After a successful recruitment drive we got the squad up to a healthy 17 players ( although a few weren't available regularly).  We've just finished mid table in season 23/24 (u-12s) however it was apparent that 5/6 of the players were carrying the rest of the squad.  Given the team ethic we've built we've had some new, stronger, players start training with us with a view to playing next season.  As things stand I can think of a pretty solid starting 11 and 3 substitutes but it will mean a few lads who have trained every week and been available  for matches this season won't get a game. I'm now thinking how to explain it to the children and their parents. 

As I understand a lot of the weaker teams we played this season are, for various reasons, planning on folding, so if we don't strengthen I can already see us getting beaten heavily each week and morale dropping to where was when I took over.  As such my message will be that we have to put out the strongest team possible each week and try and keep consistency in the team.  Everyone will be welcome to training each week but they need to understand they won't get a game just by turning up.  If they are not in our first choice XI then it is down to them to tell us who they should be ahead of in the team and prove at training how they're improving and why we should be picking them.  We have a few players who only play football at training and then in games, whereas I know two of the new lads head straight to the park after school every day for a couple of hours and just play football with their mates.  As you can imagine, natural ability aside, this creates two very different players. 

I would be interested to hear anyones thoughts on the above or if you've had to deal with similar.