Current Squad

Isn't it that you can count u-21's as homegrown, but foreign u-21's are exempt?

 

Don't think Perez and Haidara count either this season as U-21, so that makes 13 + HBA, Jonas and Obertan with a max of 17 allowed.
Dummett will probably be in the squad so he'll count as a HGP.
Not that much scope for manoeuvre.

 

I'm not sure to be honest. but I'm 99% sure Krul counts as Homegrown due to the fact he was in our academy. I'm basing everything else off that

 

Krul is definitely home grown, so is not classed as one of the foreign quota.

 

You would have to feel some sympathy for Pardew, he has to pick a team to win a local derby from that lot

 

All U-21 players don't have to be registered

You must have a minimum of 8 home-grown players in your squad (3 years at a club in the UK before 21st bday I think is the rule but it might have changed). If these numbers can't be made then gaps must be left in the squad.

Maximum squad size is 25, but if a team only has 6 HG players then they can only register 23 etcetc.

I think that's how it works

 

World class players tend to play for world class teams. We aren't, or even close.

We are a upper middle Premiership club and can expect to attract goodish premiership players. If we did get anyone world class, they would no doubt insist on being sold.

 

Even average clubs have one in some cases

 

Sissoko is a CM/CDM, not a CAM OP. He should be playing in deep positions and making runs.

 

Not on what we've seen here though Tash. He looked like a lost little lamb in the middle, and his lack of workrate was quickly exposed. Looked much better on the right. That said now he has picked up the pace, understands what is required workrate wise, maybe worth another go in the middle. Who do you drop though? We need a playmaker, no way he is intelligent enough to play that role. That means putting him alongside. If we don't sign a playmaker, any combination from Anita, Tiote, Sissoko, Abeid, Colback, Bigi is going to lack guile for me. All tidy short passing midfielders or drivers, not one has that x factor to pick passes and teams apart. Means relying heavily on SDJ, Cabella. I'm not sure we are entirely functional at present. Grenier would knit it all together.

 

Pardew does seem aware that our strength now doesn't involve a deep-lying playmaker. He has made noises about new way of playing and I think we're going to see a constant counter-attacking game. To do that well you need defensive solidity - with a "Back 6" able to link it to a "front 4" quickly and attack at pace, which we should be able to do with Cabella, Sissoko, Gouff, Aarons and <gulp> Obertan. I do worry this is a bit "football manager" and if the defence is exposed - and it's not strong enough right now - you can end up sitting back and conceding!

But I like the idea and it will be interesting to see. I play the exact same way on football manager!

 

Hmmm. Trying to think of an average club that purchased or kept a world class player. Examples ?

 

I agree and he should also be bowling

 

I agree

Moyes is the not606 equivalent of Christian gross.

 

Says Iain Dowie

 

Wrong again Moyes you hapless whelp.

I'm the special one

Mourinho advisor

unfortunately he doesn't always listen

 

Newcastle United - Alan Shearer.

 

Just to chip in, anyone who thinks that Sissoko is a CM/CDM, against the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, is an idiot.

 

He's not a rw either Roland I've seen him play CDM he ran the game

He plays right side of three upfront for France not as a wing back

Roland I worry you may be a victim of pardew my son.

 

Fair point. A somewhat special case in because of the boyhood connection and more importantly because KK managed to convince everyone that we were an important club but fair point nonetheless.

I suppose you might toss in Matt Le Tissier in there as well.

Any examples in the last 20 years ?