We moan a fair amount on this board about the signing or potential signing of players in their 30's but I wonder if we are getting too hung up on this issue. People are generally living longer these days and is it not logical that with our improving health and advances in medical and sports sciences that there would not be a trickle down effect enabling our sports men and women to compete for longer than in previous years. The number of players now competing in the Premier League well into their mid to late 30's is increasing with even 1 or 2 breaching 40. It puzzles me therefore that we complain at the prospect of signing a 32 year old! who may well have a number of years left in the tank. Players like Crouch and Parker could be exactly what we need to get promoted and still have a year or two left in them to help us stay up. The whole Dads Army thing was pushed a little bit too much for my liking last year especially considering our younger players were equally as disappointing (Hoilett, Adel, Granero, Diakite, Mbia etc) if not even more so. Personally I think it's all about balance and we definitely need a few older heads as well as youth and yes we do need a midfielder or two as the likes of Barton, Granero, Diakite, Mbia are likely to be leaving us. If we got Parker, Crouch and Townsend in addition to Simpson I'd be pretty well chuffed.
Agree, 32 is not actually that old these days for footballers. They keep themselves in pretty good shape now and can last much longer. As has been said above, a mixture of youth and experience is KEY to success in the championship. I dont know too many teams who have gone up without the older heads alongside the younger ones. Young players provide the skill, pace etc. The older ones provide experience and maintain a good worth ethic throughout the team consistently. Signing Parker for example would be a great signing imo for that reason. Look what Nolan did for West Ham in the championship. And crouch, again would be a good signing in my book.
The current squad are youngsters compared to:- Our very own "Gentleman Jim" Langley, who retired from playing aged 42. please log in to view this image Also:- Paul Scholes 38 Ryan Giggs 39 Kevin Phillips 39 Brad Friedel 42 Radek Cerny 39 Mark Schwarzer 40
In my opinion, it was the quality and commitment rather than their age of the new arrivals which let us down. I agree that we need a blend of ages/experience, though.
The lack of commitment is down to the old players sealing their last contract, they don't need to give their all as they can coast for the rest of their career. A small rule change would stop this dead, the clubs should be allowed to cancel one contract without penalty each summer but the EU wouldn't have it.
There's a UKIP voter in there somewhere Flyer. Players contracts should state they have to achieve certain performance levels. If they don't, they get sacked for not performing. Then it's their own fault, not the fault of the EU or any other organisation.
The EU already ruined football with the Bosman ruling. The fact is this applies in the US so the bigger the contract is, the more likely the player is to have it cancelled so it keeps salaries in check. Its a fact EU would never accept this just like theyd never accept a salary cap. Its got nothing to do with politics. I dont vote because all politicians are crooks.
