Nolan and Barton better not go

I don't mind where players come from to be honest, but I always believe that there should be an English spine through the side. After all, we're an English team. English players were born and bred here, and they're definitely the ones who can relate to the fans the best.

I always thought of us as quite an English team, and I've always been proud of it. However, that all seems to be suddenly changing - especially if the likes of Nolan and Barton leave (hypothetically speaking).

If they leave, and we bring in new foreign players, we'll go from being a team with one of the highest numbers of starting English players, to one of the lowest.

If we get a new winger, new CM and new striker from abroad, the only English players in our starting 11 will be S Taylor and Simpson. That's almost as bad as bloody Arsenal.

Would this bother you, or do you personally not give a ****?

Oh and I'm basing this on a hypothetical situation of Barton and Nolan both leaving. Barton might, but I highly doubt Nolan will. Either way, it's just what I've heard in rumours and so on.

 

First Carroll, now Barton, Nolan and Enrique. We're losing the heart of our team and we could end up repeating our 2007-2009 years!!

 

Personally don't care anymore where our players come from but like you would still like a spine of English (Britishness).... problem is we are being quoted £10M+ for a 17 year old striker who has only player in Championship (Wickham) yet we could get Gamerio or gervinho for that price, here lies the problem

 

This. Harps, Nolan and Barton are our spine.

 

I've just noticed there that Ameobi is listed as English on our squad list on Wikipedia. Mind you, he's probably considered a British citizen now, so that could be why.

 

Yes and no...Having an English team is a bonus, having a successful (relatively speaking) is most important.

The English players have been something which, in the past season or two, is what I've really loved about our team. Realistically we could have 10 first team UK players without being OVERLY weakened.

Obviously it'd be great to maintain this, but nothing in this world is free, and for the possibility of winning a trophy and returning to consistent European nights at SJP, would you not be willing to sacrifice a few along the way?

 

Wouldn't be that bothered if Nolan went to be honest. Barton is a different case(probably been our best player this season) & on the players from aboard thing.. couldn't care less if it bought trophies & results.

 

Personally I'm quite proud that we have the most English squad in the league and I dont want this to change.

 

I'd sacrifice a few, but to be honest, if we ended up with only one or two English/British players within an entirely foreign team, I'd be slightly disappointed.

 

I have a feeling it will change after this transfer window. We'll end up with more French players than Arsenal.

 

Yeah, but English football ATM is a shambles. The best English players will cost loads, but I still want to keep our Captain. Nolan's got a place in all of our hearts for the Halloween result.

 

Or Ivorians (is that the correct plurality of being from Ivory Coast?)

 

Well, that and the fact he is English, with a load of U21 caps to his name. I'd imagine he's been considered a British citizen since childhood, surprised you thought otherwise!

Regarding English players we've still got Harper, Forster, Simpson, both Taylors, Williamson, Smith, Guthrie, Gosling, Ameobi, Ranger and Best, with Ferguson British (for now!), its not as if the loss of Barton (which will be next year if it does happen) throws that off hugely. Either way Joeys been playing right wing all year, he's not exactly part of 'the spine' anyway.

 

We have already given to 2 young British prospects new contracts so I think they are being fairly sensible.

 

I remember when we just had British players before the invasion of the Continental players and it was more 'in your face' type of football than we get now. Maybe not so much silky skills but a lot more honest endeavour.

 

I can see one of them going now, we have too many good centre mids, Tiote will definitely start, Ben Arfa in behind the striker, only space for one more with is Cabaye probably...

 

That's why England will never win the world cup. Lack of technical ability & the dreadful ''hoofball'' and ''big, strong & powerful'' mentality.

 

Plus the fact that the in your face, honest endeavour, two footers agogo style was often just to substitute for the lack of any decent ability. Problem is you can have both, as Makelele, Essien, Busquets et al have had and actually won things because of it. We've got 'good honest' English professionals who are frankly rubbish at both!

 

Need to have a coming together, silky skills and players not knocked off the ball so easily.

 

This. Example.. Gareth Barry !