Our bench

This is something that's bugged me for a little while, but why do we need three defenders on the bench when they're all fit?

Yesterday we had no strikers and the bench looked seriously weak to change the game I thought. Although Faye, McShane and Rosie are all very good players, there is just no need to have three defenders on the bench when we've got 5 in the starting line up already, especially when there are 4 centre backs in the 11, and we've got someone like Fryatt whose just been out on loan and scored goals sat in the stands.

 

The three defenders you mention are in and around our first XI. Fryatt isn't

 

You could argue that Elmo & Figueroa are attacking defenders, in that they are more likely to get forward than defend (esp Elmo [] ) so we only have 3 defenders on the pitch (Chester Bruce and Davies).

 

Then why did we end his loan?
He never will be 'in and around our first XI - nor will Gedo - if they don't get game time.

 

What difference does that make? Surely you pick the 7 most appropriate substitutes rather than the 7 next best players? What if Jakupovic is ripping it up in the reserves, do we add him to the bench instead of Koren?

Elmo yeah you could, but even then he's reasonably comfortable playing right back, but Figueroa is a defender, either left back or centre half. There's also Brady on the bench who can play at the back.

All I'm saying is that I can't understand the need for such a defensive bench when we've got options in the stands.

 

Fair point about the number of defenders.
I wondered about recalling Fryatt, too. Maybe we wanted Wednesday to pay more for him and they wouldn't.

 

Fryatt's loan ended didn't it?

 

It just shows you how the other strikers in the squad are not rated, basically.

There'll be a push in Jan to get Prossie, Fryatt & McLean off on permanents I would have thought.

And Gedo, I don't think, has ever really been fancied. One for the chairman, that one.

 

We're trying to get rid of Prossie and McLean definitely. Apparently McLean is nowhere near the positive influence in the changing room we think he is.

 

Are you saying the players think he's a ****?

 

What strikers have we got besides the four who don't seem to be in favour?
Sagbo and Graham (on loan)
Semi strikers: Brady, Koren, Aluko, Boyd?

 

I don't know what the players think, but he's wanted out of the club because of the influence he has on other players, particularly when he's not playing himself. Well that and his ability/wage anyway.

 

I can see it, actually.

He's done well to be able to say he's been a Premier League player. Now time to re-find his level.