The following is an extract from an article today in Swindon advertiser quoting Flitcroft.
“You look at what Gareth has built over a length of time and he has got real men in his team. There are no projects, there are no young players, it’s a case of real men to do men’s jobs,” said Flitcroft.
“I keep saying it but League Two is a man’s world and that is what Gareth has been able to build.
“I think that Luton have tried to go with youth and projects over a couple of years but now they have just got absolute men in with experience to try to get out of this league. Notts County have done the same thing.
Now firstly I don't rate Flitcroft that highly at all, but:
It talks and makes a lot of sense? thought id put it out there.
As last year we definitely had way too many kids (even though they are very talented). Are we again over relying on kids albeit to a lesser extent. Also lesser experienced players (like Biamou) who although isn't young is inexperienced.
Very interesting, and I think if we don't get promoted this season. This is the way to go next year!
the loan signings in this window have been powder puff, kids also.We brought in a fair few with experience of getting us out of the league.
I don't just think it's the players themselves, it's the tricks, the systems played and just generally keeping it simple and playing to strengths.
Saying that though, without Doyle and Grimmer I can't think of anybody who would go over to get stuck in if it kicked off. JCH does remind me of the monk from Football Factory though when he comes on but even then he isn't a veteran like Doyle.
Average age of squads:
Wycombe: 28
Luton 24.8
Coventry 23.8
We have the second youngest squad in the league but the second biggest
Average age of squads:
Wycombe: 28
Luton 24.8
Coventry 23.8
We have the second youngest squad in the league but the second biggest
That can be a bit misleading though, as doesn't that bring in all of the academy players like Camwell, Hickman, Ponticelli, Finn, Maycock, Thompson, Sayoud.
Have looked but couldn't find an average first 11 age (and was too lazy) to see what it would be then. Wycombe's youngest player listed that isn't on loan is 21.
When you think our first choice 11 at the start of the season would probably be
Burge (25)
Grimmer (24) Willis (23) McDonald (25) Stokes (26)
Jones (20) Kelly (28) Doyle (36) Andreu? (29)
McNulty (25) Biamou (27)
That's not actually that young.
Hardly news this is a mans league. Big part of the reason it’s difficult to get out of.
Biggest wimp who’s played for us this season is the Duck. Thought he was going to start crying when Robins wouldn’t sub him. Talented player with bags of potential but frightened of getting tackled, not a good quality for a league two player as you get tackled and then some in this league. In stark contrast the DKE twins seem to love a tear up despite their stature, especially Dion from what I’ve seen of him.
I think that’s what meant by a mans league. It’s not a statement of age, it’s a statement of being tough enough to hack the physical aspect of league two.
Like you say with the kids it can come back to mentality and self confidence too, it’s always the least self confidence people that get bullied and that is something that can be a trait of youth. Certainly was for me. Not always though as in DKE’s cases but stature for them can allow them to be bullied physically even if they can take it mentally. Shame they’re not both a foot taller.A good point. your talking about mentality too. but the point Flitcroft was making is that teams have gone down route of some kids. it just doesn't usually work.
BTW Cowley got rid of JMD very sharpish. look at their team, look at most teams even wingers are big lads.
Nazon is another one Not hard working and plain lazy.
That’s interesting reading and reiterates my point that I have been going on about for the last couple of years. Too many (inadequate) academy players in a “mans league”.
That is so true. I see teams up here and their players look like man mountains next to ours.Accrington Stanley was definitely men against boys.
Just think Robins could have learned a lot from the way the other teams in top 8 and I include Lincoln how they have built their squads.
We are usually the smallest of the two teams out on pitch.
Everyone agrees with Nick once at some point.Yes totally agree with you for a once. also even the youngsters in that team have appearances close to 100.
I think its the back up, Both the DKE twins are just not good enough in this league they have shortcomings no pun intended! they both played a lot of games.
Haynes, Maycock, JP, Stevenson, Barrat, JMD, just too lightweight.
Has anyone else come across an opposition defender the same size as DKE? Even just 3 or 4 inches taller?That is so true. I see teams up here and their players look like man mountains next to ours.
I think it was a spot on article, last year we were totally found out in league 1 by playing a very young and inexperienced team, just got bullied out of it most weeks. We have much more experience this year, and it’s showed over most of the season. I think what Flitcroft is also saying is that it’s a really tough league to play in, and even harder to get out of. We do see posts on here which disrespect opposition teams like Accrington and FGR (pub teams etc) and generally position the league as poor (polite word instead of the usual description). It’s not like that at all, it’s a tough, competitive league where organisation and aggression often make up for any lack of quality.The following is an extract from an article today in Swindon advertiser quoting Flitcroft.
“You look at what Gareth has built over a length of time and he has got real men in his team. There are no projects, there are no young players, it’s a case of real men to do men’s jobs,” said Flitcroft.
“I keep saying it but League Two is a man’s world and that is what Gareth has been able to build.
“I think that Luton have tried to go with youth and projects over a couple of years but now they have just got absolute men in with experience to try to get out of this league. Notts County have done the same thing.
Now firstly I don't rate Flitcroft that highly at all, but:
It talks and makes a lot of sense? thought id put it out there.
As last year we definitely had way too many kids (even though they are very talented). Are we again over relying on kids albeit to a lesser extent. Also lesser experienced players (like Biamou) who although isn't young is inexperienced.
Very interesting, and I think if we don't get promoted this season. This is the way to go next year!
But really the issue with a young squad is consistency, getting the job done week in week out, and that's been a problem for years.Yet despite Wycombe and Lincoln and their marvellous 'game plan' we beat the pair of them
Or not being good enough?But really the issue with a young squad is consistency, getting the job done week in week out, and that's been a problem for years.
The following is an extract from an article today in Swindon advertiser quoting Flitcroft.
“You look at what Gareth has built over a length of time and he has got real men in his team. There are no projects, there are no young players, it’s a case of real men to do men’s jobs,” said Flitcroft.
“I keep saying it but League Two is a man’s world and that is what Gareth has been able to build.
“I think that Luton have tried to go with youth and projects over a couple of years but now they have just got absolute men in with experience to try to get out of this league. Notts County have done the same thing.
Now firstly I don't rate Flitcroft that highly at all, but:
It talks and makes a lot of sense? thought id put it out there.
As last year we definitely had way too many kids (even though they are very talented). Are we again over relying on kids albeit to a lesser extent. Also lesser experienced players (like Biamou) who although isn't young is inexperienced.
Very interesting, and I think if we don't get promoted this season. This is the way to go next year!
the loan signings in this window have been powder puff, kids also.
I hope MR learns his lessons like the other teams have including Luton, Notts County, Wycombe, Swindon, and Mansfield have.
The policy looking back now looks obvious , but also thi smay be because we have such a good academy that we just throw the kids in.
I'm afraid we need to learn these lessons and fast.
Dissapointed we havnt signed these good old pros and I don't mean the 34/35 has beens looking for last pay packet.
Dissapointed we didn't go all out for Marc Richards and Tom Pope , these are real fucking men! instead of offering derisory bids of 25k ! hoping to lure top quality proven goalscorers at this level.
Oo-er missus! LOL!!! Bit rude that!*Has anyone else come across an opposition defender the same size as DKE? Even just 3 or 4 inches taller?
I’m a bit confused about all this? Our most selected team this season youngest player is 19 and then 23. Where all these kids people are mentioning?
Burge
Grimmer Willis McDonald Stokes
Kelly Doyle
Vincenti/Shipley Jones
Biamou McNulty
Our team is full of all these older professionals and ‘who know the league’ players people want us to sign every season yet we’re still off the pace? I do like Robins as a manager and think he may turn it around but to suggest he doesn’t have experience in his squad is untrue, he’s had to play the likes of Shipley because Vincenti hasn’t been good enough, that was Robins own signing
he’s had to play the likes of Shipley because Vincenti hasn’t been good enough, that was Robins own signing
Soft boiled egg or hard boiled egg is still a boiled egg.Referees at this level are a lot more lenient and let a lot more physicality go, gos hand in hand with lack of skill level at this level.
Apart from that Rod McDonald soft foul for penalty the other day.
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