It's no. 2. Walkovers are not affected by the change. This feature will only be used when none or just one starter is set. If the number of players dressed (in the roster) is lower than the walkover minimum, the game will still be a walkover.
This is surprising. I was convinced until yesterday that "Empty Lineup / Let Coach Decide" was an intentional feature, with a number of advantages:
- managers must trade- off optimum substitutions vs control over who plays at what position
- managers must trade-off optimum minutes in game vs better control over weekly minutes
- managers can study how the BB-code compares players - useful both for newcomers and for experts
What are the downsides?
- enables a casual managing style with empty lineup in all competitive games
- favours managers who skip the training dimension of the game
But are these real problems? Casual players are a significant - although silent - component of the user base. And training is not a competitive strategy, it is an alternative way of playing the game, which actually makes it more interesting in the long term. Those who claim that training and player development should be the optimum approach for short-term competitiveness cannot possibly be serious. Please look to the real world.
So in sum I do not agree at all that "Empty Lineup / Let Coach Decide" should be punished. This would make the game poorer.
From the Guide:Substitution Pattern
The coach will sometimes use his own judgment to decide what the proper balance is between starters, backups, reserves, and even players on the bench but not in the depth chart at all. You can set the balance between how much coaches use their own judgment or defer to yours with the substitutions box. You can use entirely your judgment (Strictly Follow Depth Chart), entirely the coach's judgment (Let Coach Decide), a mix between the two (Coach Picks from Depth Chart), or you can use your depth chart strictly until the 4th quarter, then tell the coach to try and win the game however he thinks is best (Depth Chart until 4th).
No where does it say anything about blank lineups leading to the best rotation. This is not a newbie assist or casual assist. This only helps coaches that have learned the nuances of the game and that in fact know that blank lineups are ideal. I spent 8 seasons not knowing that BL was the ultimate strategy, until this season where I saw a former CUP WINNER having awesome rotations that I had never noticed before.
So no, this is just a powergamer strategy...not a normal user strategy. Maybe, you haven't spent enough time playing in low leagues?