So is it youth or experience ?

[Guernsey Tom]

So here we are getting close to half way through the season, which began with an emphasis on local "talent" and youth, it seems to me now that forum users are calling for more experience and our playing squad is now made up of less young local talent. Does this mean that the emphasis has now changed from those pre season ideals? (posted for discussion not as a personal opinion or criticism)

[Pagey]

I personally think its a combination of both.

 

Pick a team, see where any weakness is and bring in some experience.

 

Its a fine balance

[michael]

The oddity to me is that if i recall correctly,Yorath was a firm advocate of 'youth' when he was director of football, but now as manager ,he seems (rightly) to recognise that you need some experience and quality.

 

Maybe consistency of policy is needed-ironically-our most inexperienced youthful side was the one that secured three points in the Hendon (at harrow ) game.

 

Frankly, i do not know the answer,and i guess we will all have varying opinions-and probably conclude the 'middle road' of a blend.

 

It is noticeable to me that apart from long term injuries to a couple, the younger players-wilson,stubbs etc don't seem to get so many injuries that the likes of McKimm,Jackson,Saunders kept on picking up in the past

 

 

[Broadstairs Dave]

IMO Every team needs a backbone, Keeper, Centre half and Centre forward usually, the rest of the team can then be a mix of young players who usually shake off injuries quickly and then more experienced players,so middle of the road is good with an eye to the future. Yesterday Carshaulton also had a coach on the pitch in the goal who told everyone else what to do,gave them an edge.

[BlueGate Alan]

I will say that we still play a lot of local talent, Mullin, Morris, Gregory, Wheatley, Pratt, Quain, Takaloo all got frequent run outs, and at least half of them are still under 20.

 

Even the players like Healey, Shittu, Ohakam and Erskine who have all come in recently I believe are in their early 20's.

 

Add to that the likes of Wilson, Stubbs, Young and Peters and you can still see the emphasis is still on youth, albeit not all local.

 

Apologies to any players I may have missed out.

[Andy .]

has Shittu signed or is he on loan ? .

[michael]

Indeed-has anyone 'signed' as such.

 

My recollection is

 

Erksine-one month loan

 

O'Hakam- loan/ non contract/signed till end of season - i have'nt got a clue.

 

Savage-as above-i have'nt a clue

 

Healey-as above-i have'nt got a clue

 

Shittu-as above-i have'nt a clue

 

My best guess is that OHakam,savage,healy and Shittu are all 'non contract-whilst TY has a look at them;so equally-they could leave at any time.

 

Is'nt Tako's 'time up' as well.

 

If anyone can add to the above with facts-it would be of interest.

 

(thats alot of strikers all of a sudden is'nt it )

[TonyM]

IMO,we are a team almost there,we need a centre back most of all,like MM has been saying for years,DONT CONCEAD THE NIL,next we need a midfield player who can put his foot on the ball that will give Wilson who is one of our best players to show his skills at going forward and not defending all the time.

[michael]

Possibly a left full back ?

[TonyM]

Yes if we can afford it???.Another post said about Jay,but can we pay him

[Andy .]

hate to say it but Protheroe would be ideal for us , at the back or in mid but would cost to much , I think he is at Welling now but would relish the chance to be our knight in shining hair spray and save the club and demand double the wages next yr .

[TonyM]

GOOD call there mate.

[blueblood]

when "Roberto" is fit, ( though not his favoured position, he proved solid earlier in the season) can play left back and Ryan Peters right back. Both should be back for the 20th?

I looked at the team we put out yesterday and saw youth.

Maybe it is a compliment to how far they have come in this first 1/2 of the season that they are (by some) not readily still recognised as youth. It would be interesting to work out the average age of the team on the pitch Saturday.

Sometimes I despair of supporters, I heard one saying Roberto was as bad as Darren Anderton, and should be let go. I apologise for calling him a F*ck**g I***t. How many possible career ending tackles does a player after endure and survive.

MM, Youth is still a policy, we have always known youth is not the total answer, where would the Club be this season without our youth, considering the financial plight.

Sometimes I am sure keys are tapped just for something to do, not for something to say.

I would love to see Jay back, to play that role "Cookie" was talking about Saturday, a "Billie Edwards" style sweeper role?

[vic pain lives!]

why not go the whole hog and play him in goal? im sure if he was to be lured back here mr yorath wouldnt waste him anywhere in the defence.