The news today that we will be reverting to 5, rather than 7, subs applies of course to all teams in our league; but the implications for us bear thinking about. Buckle has assembled a largish squad, the vast majority of whom will expect to be in or around the selected team. There's also the players from last season and the up-and-coming youngsters. Keeping them all involved is going to be hard. For the sake of argument let's say that the 16 chosen for a match will be: Bevan, Smith, Bolger, Virgo, L Brown, Zebroski, Gill, Stanley, Carayol, McGleish, Harrold, Cronin, Campbell, Lines, Anyinsah, Richards. That still leaves W Brown, Swallow, Reece, Anthony, Clough, Boateng, Kuffour, McLaggon, Powell, Jefferies, Sawyer etc. Buckle has also spoken about possibly signing one more defender. More reserve games will be part of an answer, but that will not keep people happy long term. I'm sure he will try to use a limited rotation policy. Who would have thought a few months ago this would have been an issue ?
i just read that on bbc and was going to make a thread on it http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14237653.stm i think 7 subs are better than 5 as it allows 1 or 2 youth players a chance to get on and learn experience if the team have a good winning margain. if teams cant get 7 subs then they just have 6 subs or 5 subs like they do anyway. i think this new rule will stop younger players developing.
Charlie Reece has been told he can leave the club - so that's one less to worry about! Good luck Charlie - hope you get another chance with another club somewhere.
I'm not really surprised about Charlie Reece. Against Mangotsfield he looked off the pace; and anyone who has seen any of the pre-seasons can see that Zebroski, Carayol, Anyinsah and McLaggon are a class above and would always be ahead in the pecking order. Swallow will have to be at the top of his game to get a look-in.
I think Buckle will need to rotate the squad carefully so that all the players stay motivated and match fit - something Trolls wasn't very good at doing. We'll also probably need a cup run or two so that the squad stay involved and interested.
Does it not concern you that having such a large group of individuals who've not played that much football together, may take time to gel?
They are well chosen...and the pre-season has shown that they are settling in well. 'No worries', as they say.
are you keeping an eye on the gulls pre season results. i have 10p that says the gulls will finish above the gasheads come may. does 1 goal now class matty h as the leagues top scorer. he used to score in shrewsbury but not necessarily on the pitch. i do hope he has the energy to make the january sales along with many of paul the power buckles signings.
