01 Jan 2017 11:59:01
Our main problem is the age of our starting 11. Steklenberg Williams Jags Baines and Barry are all 32 or over yet start week after week. The top 6 have only 3 between them Bravo Chec and Ibrahimovic and 2 of them are keepers. This has to be adressed sooner than later.

1.) 01 Jan 2017
01 Jan 2017 12:50:57
As I drag myself to the gym this morning for my daily 30 minute walk I will reflect on how great it was when I was in my mid-thirties! But you are right rick, too many players at the end of their careers who slow the team up. A big turn over in playing staff will happen over the next few transfer windows.
Happy New Year to all especially the Ed's,
Mike.

{Ed025's Note - also to you mike mate..

2.) 01 Jan 2017
01 Jan 2017 15:50:32
My Gym is closed today. Good going if your name is your age Blue. I am 66 and just reverted to doing the shuttle sprints I did in my Teens, definitely slowed though.

3.) 01 Jan 2017
01 Jan 2017 15:50:37
Yes ricktee but we also have very young players too. Lukaku, Barkley, Del all under 23. Holgate and Galloway under 20. Davies and DCL in their teens.

We need balance. Can't have all young players. Do Barry and Jags have much left? Bit part role next season I would imagine. Which will be invaluable to the younger players. To bring them on.

4.) 01 Jan 2017
01 Jan 2017 17:50:46
NBTB mate, I had "fall outs" a couple of years ago with someposters on here by suggesting that our squad was getting too old overall. As ricktee says, we have 5 players starting over the age of 32. That is plainly too many. As he also points out, the "top" clubs have only 3 between them. Surely that shows that our squad is too old and did you see Barry hobble off the other day? Plainly too old now. He was 5 yards behind Hazard at Chelsea 2 seasons ago!

5.) 01 Jan 2017
01 Jan 2017 18:23:10
You hardly exaggerate Degsy? 5 yards off the pace? Come on, no doubt he is slower but 5 yards?

Over the past 3 or 4 seasons imho Barry probably has been our most consistent performer. Yes he's getting old. Still has been a good signing regardless.

5 players over the age of 32 yes but how many of them 5 are guaranteed starters?

Two, Williams and Baines. In centre back we also have Mori who is 25, Holgate is what 20 or something and Galloway who is the same.

It depends what way you look at it. How many players have we under 25?

More than our fair share I would suspect. You don't win anything with all young players.

Barry is a very valuable player to have. His experience is tremendous to have. One of the most experienced players ever in the premiership and you's are all making out its a bad thing.

We sold Stones and got a very sizeable amount of cash. We have Lukaku and Barkley who are also young big valuable players. Can many teams say they have that many of that type of player?

6.) 01 Jan 2017
01 Jan 2017 18:24:34
I see you replied to this thread Degsy and not the one below?

7.) 01 Jan 2017
01 Jan 2017 18:26:18
We are relying on old players in key areas of the field which sees us defend too deep and be easy to play against.
As much as it pains to say it, Carragher was right in his assessment of our play after the Hull game by showing the space between our defence and Lukaku.
Both our centre halfs defend too deep when we have the ball as they are fearful of being caught out with pace on a counter, this in turn leaves a massive gap for the opposition to drive into when we lose possession in te final third as the midfield is upfield supporting the attack.

Its no coincidence that we defend better with Holgate and Mori in a 3 with Williams, as Williams will push up as the other 2 have the legs to get back.
The same can be said about the central midfield part with Barry and Gueye in there, Gueye can't drive forward as Barry hasn't got the legs to get back and cover so they both end up sitting deep, if Davies or McCarthy was to play next to Gueye that gives our attacking players the licence to get forward, this is what the red side tend to do as they have their sitters in midfield covering their fullbacks which we don't.
I do believe it is a system that Koeman wants to use but just doesn't have the personel to do so yet.

We need to bring the age of the defence and midfield down and use the experienced players to shut up shop when needed or to cover injuries etc rather than be the regular starters week on week.

8.) 01 Jan 2017
01 Jan 2017 20:33:22
Agreed in the main bluegray87.

But isn't that currently happening? My point is these players will be gradually fazed out as others are gradually fazed in. It will be dealt with over the next couple of windows.

Also with our own youngsters, Holgate, Galloway, Davies and DCL to be introduced gradually. It's a blend that needs to fit the team as a whole.

Can't be as simple as. Aging players must be replaced with younger players.

9.) 01 Jan 2017
01 Jan 2017 21:42:34
Thats correct NBTB and why i firmly believe that we should not judge the manager until next season when he has had 2 full windows to address the mess Martinez left.

This season will be a write off and will be all about getting shut of the players he feels cannot or will not suit his style and his ideas.
Its a marathon not a sprint and we have the people in place to take us forward, but before we can do that we need to be stable and address each position one window at a time and not have a massive influx of players.

Personally i would be happy with 3 additions in this window, a centre half, a central midfielder and a second striker/ winger.

10.) 01 Jan 2017
01 Jan 2017 22:18:39
Agreed bluegray87. A striker, winger or goalkeeper are top priorities for me. Any addition would be welcome if it helps.