I'm surprised by the number of people here saying they'd take very old (in football terms) players who have been great in the past. Some people seem to think "surely [insert famous old player's name] wouldn't fall into the picking up the last paycheck catagory and I can't imagine him playing badly." How many players did we think that about when they signed for us over the last few seasons? Who knows, maybe Rio (for example) would play well for us. But our experience over the last few seasons says that it's a very bad idea to gamble on it. I really have no interest in those kinds of deals anymore. Just ask yourself how many players of this sort have been used by the other clubs that have managed to get promoted and stay up or establish themselves. I'm scared at the moment about whether or not our owners have learned from their past mistakes but the proof will soon be in the pudding. I actually don't mind one or two older players but there are different kinds of older players. Some of them would put in a shift, others would not. We need younger players who still want to make something of their career.
I've not actually seen anyone on here saying that this is the way we should be going. With the exception of a few misguided souls who want Lumpard to come over, I've not seen any posts clamouring for the golden oldies. Of all the players over the age of, say 32, that have recently been mentioned on this site, the only one I would have loved us to go for is David Villa, but he's clearly more interested in the payday hence his move to NY FC. Shame, cos he's a very 'english' kind of player for a Spanisher.....
I haven't forgotten, but age isn't the only factor at play! Some younger players came and didn't care, and some older players have come and do care. Think of Hill, Dunne etc against Granero and M'bia. Age isn't everything. There's nothing wrong with signing one 33 year old if their mentality and ability is appropriate - as long as we don't sign four players like that.
Well over the past few seasons Derry, Dunne, Nelsen to name but three have put in a shift and performed well for us. I share your concerns about Rio, also his Twitter persona doesn't augur well for the future. I would be inclined to trust Redknapp's judgement on this, he has been talking rather s lot about the right sort of player and he will be hoisted on his own petard if he makes the wrong choices.
Well you accuse me of that. I want a Newcastle like restriction where they don't pay money for anyone over 27 and an arsenal like one where 30 something's only get 1 year extensions. Park had a great attitude and look what happened to him, same goes for Nelsen.
Yeah, it's strange that. Why did we get rid of HH? Too old? He wasn't the oldest in the team but he was certainly one of the best at the time. Of course age isn't everything. My point is, we're gambling when we go for players who come down to us from great heights. Clint Hill, Derry, Nelson etc. didn't come from such great heights and aren't looking for a last paycheck. They had respect for us upon signing and saw it as a new project in their career. I don't know how much passion Lampard and Rio would have playing for us.
I think enough examples have been thrown up here, that proves it attitude and application, not age that is important. But as Flyer points out, its the average age thats important, ie balance. At the moment, I would say the average age of our squad is too old. So depending on the numbers of senior players moved on, we cant afford too many older players. Possibly only 1 considering the above.
HH is one that I wanted to keep but then it was Hughes... For every HH or hill, Theresa dozen SWPs, Young's etc out there, players who will never move on and are quite happy to sit out their contract or players that are permanently injured like AJ or Zamora. The trouble is, when we have 15 of them, 10 of those players aren't going to be very good for us. We need a younger squad with 2-4 HH or hill type players. I met HH and asked about his contract and he told me he didn't have one, I wished him well and told him I hope he got another year. How's that for ironic.
Age no concern for me ... if they can play and earn their money from our club then surely that's the primary consideration? Ideally yes we should be Southampton? but we aren't and we need a leg up to gain that stability to push on and become a top London club whereupon we produce young players ... IMO we aren't anywhere near that stage yet .. so we have to buy and no time at the moment for chance I fully expect a a mix a much better one than we had
I hate the android keyboard, mind you, shed still be able to control the ball better than SWP and be fitter than young.
Only because it was your main point. If you'd meant to say "I want players with the right attitude, irrespective of age" then pointing out that others on the board are saying we should look at "very old (in football terms) players who have been great in the past" but are now "looking for that last paycheck" may not have been the best way to phrase it....
Its not just about age, its about the attitude. Whilst I'm sure Lampard and R Ferdinand are model pro's both will feel that they've taken a step down purely for the money and will also think themselves bigger than the club. I can't see either trying to become as ingrained as Barton has this season. Dunne has shown how to make that downward step but he has been the exception when compared to the likes of Bosingwa etc For that reason we should pass on them - if of course, they are actually offered to us. Conversely I can see Austin becoming a true Rangers legend, on his way up and part of an actual 'team'.
Agree Austin has the minerals without doubt but no sue about the skill yet ... Next season will prove me wrong i hope
True Dave but his one task is to stick the ball in the net and thus far has proven to be able to do that. I also think he's the sort of bloke who realises where he's come from and but for this he would still be bricklaying. There's a sense of respect about him which I like.
He was texting my brother right throughout the playoff final. He was extremely anxious for us to win and I'm not surprised by that. He always seemed like a genuine chap.
