The upcoming window will be the big test, and it'll tell us whether those in charge of it capable of evolving the model. If they can't figure that out after this season and we buy another load of kids exclusively, then we're likely to get the same again.
I’m not too worried about younger players tbh they just need to be enough of the right type to play at this level and the right ability. Some surer bets among the gambles.
I don't think that the model needs evolving to bring more experienced players in. As has been said several times, they have brought in several experienced players over their time in charge, so its not true to say that they won't sign them. I think the key thing is whether they can bring in the right experienced players for the right price. Players with more experience are going to cost more and if that blows the budget, its not worth it. The other thing is, our young players are gaining more experience all the time. Presuming they all stay, Neil will be starting his 4th season as first choice, Patterson will be starting his 3rd season as first choice (and the season before he really established himself he played 20+ times for us and 9+ for Notts), Ballard's made 122 appearances all told plus 18 International appearances, Styles has had 4 seasons where he's made 30ish or more appearances and several before that where he's played a good number (plus his international experience), Roberts has struggled for games some places but has made appearances at some big clubs, Rusyn's had at least four seasons where he's played 20+ games and has international appearances. Even Aouchiche had two seasons where he made 30+ appearances for St Etienne. Then there's players like O'Nien, Evans, and even Dack.
I'd say that experience isn't just about the number of games played, it's also about age. Neil broke into the team at a very early age and has played 150 games now? But he's still only 22. Patterson the same. Jobe and Rigg are barely out of school. Even some of our better players like Hume, Clarke and Cirkin are 21, 23 and 21 respectively. The team we put out on Sat had an average age of 20.4 years old. I'm not saying rip up the model, but a spine of experienced players (GK-CB-CM-CF) that then allows the younger players to play around them, without us necessarily relying on them every week would surely be a good approach. Sadly I think the club will double down on this approach in the summer. Gooch, Batth & Pritch have gone, Dack will leave (no tears here) and possibly Evans. Speakman will announce Dan Neil is our new club captain as he's our most experienced midfielder. I'm not saying these are bad players, but when we hit bad runs like this you need some older heads just to keep things a bit calmer on and off the pitch - players who've been through this before and can add some context to a run of defeats. We DO have some experienced players, but O9 is the only one of them to have played regularly this season. It's a huge ask (and will be on Sat assuming Ballard is out) to ask these kids to turn out week after week without a mental break and expect them to perform.
Good points mate. When we're talking about bringing players in maybe we should substitute "experienced" for "Championship ready". If we could get our injured players back ,successfully fill the striker position with a proven front man,and appoint the right man as coach,I don't think anyone could point at the model and say it isn't working. In my opinion,the reason for our current run of poor form is the changes in messages to the players coming from the revolving coach's door,exacerbated by the lengthy injury list.
I think what we're talking about here is maturity. While age usually (sometimes) brings maturity its also a character trait and some people naturally have a mature outlook while others don't. I'd also say that experience can bring maturity so the more games people play, the more experience they have, the more chance that maturity as a footballer increases. I think the key thing is that it's about bringing in the right people with the right character and mentality, regardless of age and experience, or even position. I'd hope this is the way the club would be looking at it- Saracens rugby club have made big deal about bringing in people that are the right character for the club and have been very successful that way.
The right quality / qualities signed up front last year and we wouldn’t be hearing or caring about experience. It’s that simple.
Ross Stewart in this team and things are massively different. Stating the obvious of course, but he offered us so much all over the pitch. Yes, it was the correct business decision to sell him and get the money we got - especially given his own injury situation - but that doesn't stop him being a miss. You can't easily replace what he offered, but the 4 players we brought in are nowhere near him in terms of ability. That is where the club have let us down.
TBH mate, the club want what we want, they're doing what they believe is best for us all imo. Unfortunately getting it right, in football, isn't like a normal business, if it was there wouldn't be so many who get it wrong. Look at all the disasters this season alone, Birmingham sack Eustace, Birmingham appoint/sack Rooney, Birmingham appoint/lose Mowbray, Stoke appoint/sack Neil, Blackburn sack JDT and appoint Eustace, etc etc etc. ... ... we got it wrong with Beale and will be doing everything to choose the right man. I don't see it as us and them, if I did I wouldn't be going on Saturday.
Yeah, fair point and something I've said before - the easiest thing in the world of football is to get it wrong. However I stand by my criticism of the striker recruitment. I know it's hard because everyone wants a striker and I know it's expensive but to go from a front line of Stewart & Simms to Burstow/Hemir/Mayenda/Rusyn in under a year is pretty poor.
As do I mate, as does every supporter and, I've absolutely no doubt, so do the club. How on earth can two players, with such similar history's, be so different. Amad and Burstow are both PL forwards, with clubs they've played for and who don't want to sell, and came here unproven. The difference couldn't be more pronounced but why, it's a mystery. Many supporters declared Amad a waste of a shirt at the beginning, some posts on here wrote him off. I'm staggered at how soft a 6'2" 20 year old athlete can be ... he seems to have no future in the game as things stand.
In principle I would agree, however how many goals have Rusyn, Ba, Jobe, Adil and Mundle scored this season compared to how many RS would have scored on the treatment table. His sale covered the cost of what it took to bring these players in, I loved RS and would have loved him to stay, I PMd @Smug in Boots during the summer about RS contract situation. He wanted to stay and the club wanted him to stay, but due to his injury it made financial sense for both parties that he left. I really hope I'm wrong as the lad is quality but I've got a funny feeling he will struggle to stay fit for a whole season at a time. The money we received for 3 players in the summer we bought about 8. Yes they are nowhere near ready but within 2 more years I believe at least 6 will be. If we sell Clarke I don't think we will only be buying £1 million player. A lot of people keep stating we are a selling club, we haven't sold anyone that we actually wanted to keep. When KLD first took over we had no one at the club worth selling, the fact we have had Clarke for 2.5 seasons at the end of this one and there's talk of a 20m+ price tag does that not show people we are moving in the right direction. Yes this season hasn't gone to plan but it's still a building process. The head coach has been the problem this year, and I think the biggest problem with that is the one the club want isn't available right now
Quite right, you did keep me posted with the Stewart situation and the club seem to have been perfectly fair and correct ... ... if it doesn't work for him there I'd think he'd happily cone back.
Maturity you say My good lady thinks I'm still a big kid at heart and I've been retired 6 years I agree with your comments by the way
Trouble is with some experienced players is that they have become Jaded. For example we had John O Shea as an experienced player who should have rallied the troops and used a wise head, same as Cattermole (would love someone like him right now by the way) and a few other players who could be named ended up getting us relegated. Experienced players can also bring their own problems so it is identifying the right kind of established players who will relish being integrated with a young group and can lead by example and not just turn up for another pay day (Dack). It really is all about the right balance and blend, good players with good attitudes willing to show up and support the coaches and put his heart and soul in to the club and the style we want to play, regardless of age.
Lots of people in football talking about sustainability and Peter Ridsdale of all people is the latest. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68551806 Seems like everyone will have to go this way sooner or later.
