I have heard this term used many times, but what exactly is a squad player? Do we have any? If so who? Can you please give me examples of squad players in different teams? Thanks.
Tbh I was being facecious. I would consider a squad player as some on who would never be a player you want to see start but are glad they're there when needed. Having looked at our squad I would be happy to see any combination of those players start posibly with the exception of Becchio. Ruddy Martin Bassong Turner Olsson Fer Johnson Snoddy Hoolahan Pilkington van Wolfswinkle Or Bunn Whittaker R.Bennett Ayala Garrido Fox Tettey E.Bennett Howson Redmond Hooper I'd be happy to see either of those team or more likely a mix playing and I reckon unlike last year we will see more rotation, I also think we'll see 2 upfront sometimes. However I'd say no we don't really have any "squad players"
I think what's reassuring about that post Bath is that either line-up there would boss the championship should the worst happen! To me, the squad players are the rotation options who might not necessarily offer everything the first choice player does, but you don't feel worried they're on the pitch. For example I think Olsson will be first choice LB, but if Garrido starts I won't be concerned, whilst I would have been if Tierney was. At CB, last season Turner-Bassong was the first choice pairing, but if Martin or Bennett were there through rotation or injury, I wouldn't be unduly worried. To me a squad player is a slightly weaker player who, so long as there's perhaps no more than 2 or 3 in the team at once, and they aren't all in key positions, you don't feel the overall quality of the starting XI has been too greatly compromised.
The original concept is defunct in the present system. At the start of the season we name a SQUAD of 25 players, ergo they are all squad players.
For me it would be Butterfield, Ayala and Fox. They are players who could come in for the odd game but you wouldn't expect to be first choice.
There was a lot of talk about "squad players" earlier this summer when people were naming players who were looking for clubs. The general idea seemed to be that they were players who would maybe represent an improvement on what we already had, but not good enough to be first or even second choice starters. I remember posting that we needed to stop thinking in those terms. We need to aim at a 25 man squad ALL of whom could be selected for any game without detriment to performance on the pitch. So the ideas of a first choice best eleven and down the pecking order squad players are both redundant and outdated. We shouldn't think in those terms any longer.
The term "squad player" is certainly a recent interpretation of all players. Most managers have a 1st 11,they would play 9 times out of 10. You then have a 2nd 11,which used to be known as "reserve team" That concept has now gone,and with it the opportunity afforded for all players to have a game at least once a week. So the term "squad player" IMO should read "reserve team" Most players if they are honest must know if they are 1st or 2nd choice.
For me Elliott Bennett is the epitome of a squad player for us. If everyone is fit he'll never be in the starting line-up, but he'll be on the bench ready to come on and can be utilised in a few different roles - on either wing or even filling in at full-back.
I propose the following definition suited to our status and longer term aspirations: "Squad player": player earmarked for tranfer out or release in the next transfer window. I.E. a player who is not up to the standard required for inclusion in our PL rotation squad.
To illustrate my proposed definition, if we had RvW, Hooper and Quagliarella, none of those would be squad players since we would not be looking to upgrade them and all three would feature regularly as the players are rotated. I myself would not regard Becchio as a squad player either, though some might.
I would say Becchio is definitely a squad player myself, and I don't necessarily agree with your description, particularly the part about "earmarked for transfer out or release in the next transfer window".
In my opinion, our 'squad players' at the moment are: Fox Ayala Nash Butterfield Although I have to say I'm not certain on the actual definition of a 'squad player'.
Paulo Ferreira at Chelsea, reliable and always performed when called upon. True professional, never complained and thus, hugely respected. Won everything at club level, including the Champions League & UEFA Cup at Porto.
