Squad size

Looking at that just adds to the fact that I think our resources are over stretched, you say we have 18 key squad members where as I bet we had around 22-23 under Parkinson i.e pro's with senior experience who could step in when there were injuries. For me Seedorf isn't good enough to be counted so I'd say 17 and Miller is a young loanee, also Jones is a walking sick note and has probably played no more than Devine and Robinson in the young players section. All of a sudden you are talking 15 seniors and that's me including another young loanee in O'Brian. As for the youngsters I agree about the likely hood of youngsters making it, which is why it's daft to have so many drawing a wage, using up valuable resources when only a couple are more than likely to make it.

The numbers just don't stack up to a successful way of running a club on a budget, I don't have a problem with us been on a budget I'm not one of these fans who expected the owners to come in and chuck loads at it. But we need to be sensible with our spending as proven in 2011, it feels very similar.

 

I completely agree. The "old" 22 man squad of a first XI and one replacement for every position doesn't work for a club who is positioning themselves to develop young players because any youngster requires at least 2 senior players who play in their position to be injured before they'll get a chance.

I could be sold on a good strong 18 and a load of dev players but that 18 has to be full of versatile and experienced players and I don't see that with the core of our current squad.

 

By my count we have 8 CM's competing for two places.

The two O'Briens being our latest signings and Hopkins current preferred two.

Then the failure of the Wright/Akpan partnership.

Colville looked bright enough for the few games he had.

Payne done well, far and away our classiest player but not sure where he fits in the system now, as we're in batten down the hatches mode.

Then Reeves and Devine who for differing reasons haven't featured.

Anyhow, we have far too many, should be a solid five tops.

 

I really don't care how many 'squad' members we have - Be that 25, or 55 !
(The larger being a financial strain, obviously.)
What matters most to me is the quality of the likely 18 or so regulars around the 1st eleven. Also add to that - Each position covered by at least one quality player per position, within a system that suits. And this is where it's been a monumental screw up ............... We lack both.

Either a dozen players who can't operate together, or a mixed bunch .... 25+ who still can't play together !!

 

That for me is the crux of our problem at the moment, it looks like the defensive part of the team is best suited to playing as a flat 4 behind a solid 4 in midfield whereas the attacking side of the team is best suited to a more fluid approach and with our central midfield absolutely decimated through injury, we don't currently have any way of stitching the 2 halves together.

 

the ginger wizard dropped him when more senior players came back to the squad.. it’s a shame really as you would like to have thought that one player that had come through the club would be in a great place to help another develop but he dropped him like a stone. must have shattered the poor lads confidence and doesn’t seem like he’s recovered from it.

 

I would refute that.

Look at Portsmouth's squad.

 

I was on honeymoon for the whole of August
When he first got his chance.
I understand he played well but has offered nothing since in his few chances. Headed for a non league career I'm afraid.

 

I get your point, Jon - but too early to claim, imo. Wait until Winter arrives, and let's then see how many have sick notes, and how Portsmouth cope with that. I don' think any Club (at our level) could complete a season without a 'glitch' or two.

Sunderland have a sizeable squad, but it is 'feared' that four of Saturdays starters won't make it tonight against Peterborough. Schitt happens.

 

can't argue with that

 

Wow so dropping young Danny for far more experienced players that got us to a Wembley play off final was one of the few mistakes (if it can be proved to be a mistake after a handful of games) the ginger wizard made that season, your a hard man to please @brisbanebantams.

 

there's a bite.

 

I had you down as better than that .

 

don't worry, was just a joke - i stand by my original point though. if someone is playing well, give them the shirt until either (a) a loss of form or (b) the player coming back earns it by outshining them in training over the week. poor lad must have wondered what else he had to do to get a game.

 

Out of the 8 you list, we only currently have 2 that aren't injured. I hope those 2 are in your solid five or we really are well and truely screwed.

 

I can see your point but the fact that the ginger wizard got us to Wembley justifies any team selection he made during the season.