Fulham have recalled Ryan Williams from his loan from us. Not surprising really, he joined us to get games and he hasn't played in any of the 4 games he's been here. I wouldn't be surprised if Newcastle do the same with richardson. What is the point in signing a young promising player and don't even bother playing him? http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/sport/2013/march/5/ryan_williams.aspx
Yeah I was excited when we signed them and thought it was good that we signed them as we needed more players and then we don't play them, mainly Williams as I feel he would have done well.
Did he sign these lads just to cover further injuries? or having had them in training did he feel they have nothing to offer? Recent gamed have been very tight and at a crucial stage of the season, was he simply scared to risk putting them on?
It does seem like a complete waste of two loans And a waste of those players time. Must be enjoyable coming from a premier league club, just to sit on the bench in div2 eh? There is a limit to the amount of loans allowed isn't there?
you can't field anymore than 5 loan players in the same team but I don't think there's a limit to how many you can have in a season. Portsmouth would have gone out of business 2 years ago otherwise.
You raised two points nicely their for me OTiC. 1. With Weston injured and Cody having left, MA had every opportunity to allow the player a start. 2. If MA was scared of putting them on at this crucial stage it comes back to my youth v experience thread and thoughts once again. and people wonder why I am cynical! I suppose we best get used to this hoof ball because there is no yoof ball on the horizon. (sorry I'll get my coat - lol)
Mind you brb, isn't our team young enough? (oh gees, I'm opening up a can of worms aren't I?) I know we have some golden oldies in Barrett, Nelson, Burton and Frampton. But these are the only players over 30, and surely an experienced 'spine' is no bad thing. We then have numerous players 'in their prime' between 25 and 29. Like Gregory, Lee, Keds and Legge. 24 or younger that are regular are Fish, Martin, Whelpdale & Weston. Of real youngsters there's Davies, Dack and Allen all 'fringe' at the moment. And German is just 21. I reckon that is a pretty well balanced team for youth and experience. Like you, I'm a bit peeved we've let go of Jack & Connor, (and not played the premier youngsters) but all in all it's not like our team is over the hill. Do I duck for cover now?
Well said indeed! Wheldale will be pleased you've knocked a couple of years off his age and Weston has just six days left to meet your criteria. I should also say that Fish and Martin are 24 so the under bit is slightly misleading.
Surely the obvious answer is it turned out they aren't good enough. I know they both had potential and played a bit when they were younger but they won't be the first promising youngster to go off the boil and they won't be the last!
I love the 'fringe' wording to lower the average age. Also German has not long joined on a one month loan so yes that helps you find the desperate measure to bring the age criteria down further. Did we not have an average age of 22 for the first team starting line up against Rotherham (0-0) and Hereford (5-4 - alwaysright don't say a word - lol) last season. Yes we failed to gain promotion but the foundations were built for this season imho. Emphasis on the word 'were'. I can remember pre-season everyone saying we only needed ONE or two changes. But while we are on the topic of the three real young players you mention, which one's did MA bring in out of Davies, Dack and Allen < cough >
According to soccerbase, Whelps is 24 (born 27 Jan 89). And "24 and under" is what I said. Not "under 24" (can't find that whistle icon thingy...) oops, just seen those 4 are all 24, so yeah "or under" is misleading... Anyway, not meaning to get pedantic about it all. Just think our squad is not too old. But brb is right, it was younger and MA certainly seems to favour experience over youth. Lets hope it's the correct policy. Oh and brb, I wasn't trying to lower the average age at all. Not even sure what that age is. But just pointing out that we have numerous players in each age bracket, and the youngest ones are indeed fringe players.
I know it's nothing to do with what players we put out there, but I just had a peek at the ages of Vale's team that played Bradford at the weekend. Only one was under 25, Jen Myrie-Williams who is 24. Most of the others are 26 & 27. Then there's Darren Purse, 53 and Lee Hughes 49 Although Hughes was only sub and they did have a 21-y-o came on (Sam Morsey).
