Looking ahead to the next Africa cup of nations, as things stand it will leave us seriously under strength. I think it is important that any team strengthening in the summer does not include any African internationals. I,m sure Bruce will have this in mind and will be scouting the Americas, Europe, as well as home.
We do seem to target a country or area when we get players in. First Ireland then T & T and after that we went South American. The African lads are the most talented, the best yet, but over reliance on one set isn't (as the OP puts it) a good idea. If we keep Sully and Mensah then I wouldn't get any more than one other African player, which would see us lose a good chunk of top players all at once during the ANC.
I can see us definitely losing the 3.. Ghana lads(if they all stay)and Elmo;I'm not sure about Sess as Benin may have to qualify but I stand to be corrected on this.I think we need cover if4/5 are away for a month bit our leaders will have thought of that.
We need to keep increasing the number and quality of squad players i.e. guys who can do a top class job in the first team. It's about season by season improvement through investment and (wouldn't it be nice) quality homegrown players. For sure we need players like the African contingent but their absence when on ANC duty must be an opportunity for other quality players to shine and not be the reason why we struggle. Its a big ask and lets hope the Club are up to it.
also there are 2 anc in two years, so to fill the squad with 25 top players there needs to be a fair few players leaving in the summer so unfortunaterly some of the lads on the fringes may have their dream dashed to make way for more experienced players, its a shame but a harsh fact in top flight football. im sure everyone would like to see the youth given a chance,, but to play them for a whole month may have a big impact on the season outcome (maybe), so is it patience over sucess? shame we couldn't help out the monkeyhangers and use them as a breeding ground for our prospects (reserves are just not the same as a league game). but like many have said bruce will have this covered
The African players we have are all top class players who should be first team regulars and most are, which will be a problem when the ANC comes round. SB loves Mensah and to be honest I rate him when he plays but, he doesn't play enough for me so I'd cut the losses on him. Also think Muntari will go back although he has said he would like to stay, that leaves Sessignon, Gyan and possibly Elmo. Given that they are in positions which SB should be looking at to improve then if we do lose them the effects shouldn't be that bad. Another point to this will be injuries, if we have 4 or 5 players out (which is a nailed on cert at SAFC) then losing another 3 possibly 4 to ANC will leave us with a squad of 17 maybe less fit players another reason to bin this stupid 25 man squad rule.
