FM: Managing a National Side of the Country You Play In

[Abe Sargent]

So I have the Metalurg Zp (which I call the Zaps, for short) at the top of the Ukraine High League with just four games left in the season, and I have Dinamo Kiev in the last week of the year, and they are just one point behind us in the standings.

That game is in three weeks. In two weeks, my Ukraine squad has France in World Cup Qualifiers. We are currently winning our stage by two points with France behind us.

I get a message saying that Shovkovskyi is injured for over a month. He is the starting GK for Dinamo Kiev and our starting GK for Ukraine. Is this a good thing? It makes us more likely to win the league but now I am missing our best GK for the France game.

Here's the interesting point. The second best Ukraine GK, Startsev, is mine. The France game is three days from the Dinamo Kiev game, which means he may not be back in time for our match if I start him. Do I start my GK knowing that I may not have him for the Dinamo Kiev match?

There really isn't another good Ukrainian GK. If I don't start or call up Startsev, I'm playing a much worse player.

What do I do?

Is it ethical for me to call up practically the entire Dinamo Kiev squad so that the game gets moved back?

-Anxiety

[Critch]

You could take the next three Dynamo Kiev keepers to force them to play their 5th choice in a league match?

[RPI-Fan]

If I were in your shoes I would be as realistic as possible, which would probably mean the national team comes first.

I definitely wouldn't sabotage Dynamo Kiev.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

If I were in your shoes I would be as realistic as possible, which would probably mean the national team comes first.

I definitely wouldn't sabotage Dynamo Kiev.

Ditto.

[bulletsponge]

i never even look at those things when managing in same country as im playing, i just field the best team. but your in the Ukraine so being underhanded should be expected ( not cheating, thats for the Italians)

[BreizhManu]

The best 2nds in europe play a qualifier, plus you don't need a win, focus on the league.

Cheating might be for italians but a winning cheater is remembered as a winner, not a cheater

[wbatl1]

Is it ethical? Probably not. Would you be called out in the press and football community? Probably so. But if it helps you win the league, I would do it!

[Shepp]

Look on the bright side...The GK Dynamo is already out so if your guys starts for the national team you'll both be starting second string keepers and the field should be more or less even.