Another point of squad size: bates says we've 30 players, he's correct, but 4 of those are youth players, 2 of which haven't played for us and 2 of which are very much on the fringe. Of course, we're all expecting Charlie Taylor and Zac Thompson to make a big impact next season, but the Turner twins have hardly shown themselves. But bates includes these in the squad. We've another 5 coming in from the academy. After sales and releases we'll have 15 players in the squad, plus the 5 new academy graduates we have signed, so we'll have a 20 man squad. So that's 3 spots for new players to come in. This is actually bates idea. It's pathetic but it's what we're going to have to put up with. Asking too much of unproven youth players without the necessary quality to back them up. Keep in mind 2 of the players are long term injuries, but that doesn't stop them taking up wages and certainly won't stop bates using it as an excuse.
From Bates' point of view, definitely, but certainly not from Warnock's. Warnock will make sure he's allowed to bring in the 6,8,10 or however many players he thinks he needs. And if he doesn't, he'll walk, simple as that really. So Bates knows he needs to give Warnock a bit of room to build the squad.
Nunez will fit in brilliantly at somewhere like Donny, and I think he will be a great player if someone builds a team around him. Can see him going there for nothing. Billy will sit on his fat backside and take his paycheck. "I'm fighting for my place" AOB will sit back, "who's going to want me at my age and why would I want to put in the effort at some ****-arse club at my age, when I can sit back, do nowt, and get paid for the rest of the year?" Paul Rachubka - will go somewhere for nothing, and gladly get away from LUFC Paul Connolly - only 28, needs to prove himself and will try his best to engineer a good move. Probably to Barnsley or Huddersfield or one of the Sheffield clubs.
I was wrong. We've room for 1 player to come in on bates squad size ideal. I missed out the injured Rogers and Somma when counting. I guarantee the squad size is going to be bates primary excuse for vetoing signings.
Then Warnock will probably walk. I don't think even Bates is that stupid. If Warnock clears the **** we've accumulated, which lowers the wage bill, he'll allow Warnock to bring more bodies in to replace them. Bates cares primarily about money, not how many players are in the squad - as long as the wage bill isn't over his limits, I don't see why he'd care if there's 11 players or 33.
We had what 27 players this year? and by the end of the season with injuries and suspensions we struggled to pick a side at times...very risky reducing the numbers further..but also could be a genius idea...only time will tell
Looks like we won't even have that. Taylor and Thompson, by far the most qualified of our youngsters, are already being touted for loans. None of the seven promoted to professional contracts will come close to playing for us. Strength in depth is going to be an issue here.
