[Zigsuk]

We have seen the sudden and unexpected decline of Man City owing to age compounded by injury, are we in the same boat? I know we have a healthy number of younger players and the likes of Dobra, Mandy, Oldaker, Berry, Sheckelford, Gordon, Horton and perhaps Colclough still (although his best years are probably behind him) are around their peak ages, however two of our main men, Grigg and Naylor are well over thirty, added to these are two more ageing important players in Banks and Grimes, whilst Madden (although hardly key on his contribution since signing) is also well over thirty, furthermore Williams and Dunkley aren't young, nor is Palmer (should we see him again). And then there is Fleck.
I know experience is important and it's always good to have the likes of one or two, such as Mike Jones who did a good job, as did Richie Humphries in Cook's first spell, but when you have four or more main men, including both your strikers the wrong side of thirty, especially when injuries mean they take longer to recover, it's a real worry.
The problem is we aren't likley to secure players of the quality of Grigg and Naylor whilst they are still at their peaks. Jack Lester was a real one off, and perhaps people suspected he was past it when we got him. Of course Jack went on to have six more seasons, three or four of them in steller form, and apart from a few occasions mainly injury free. But class 30+ year olds who retain their form and remain injury free for 2/3 more seasons are as rare as hen's teeth. You are much more likely to be landed with a dud on big money as we have seen in the past and thus far currently with Madden and Fleck, and maybe even Dunkley.

This post has been edited by Zigsuk: 28 December 2024 - 06:09 PM

[Looker-on]

Every team in World Football is getting older by the day.

[Fit as a Nelson]

I’d say we’re doing extremely well, especially with our injuries why the negativity?

This post has been edited by Fit as a Nelson: 28 December 2024 - 06:38 PM

[HaslandBlue58]

Zigsuk, on 28 December 2024 - 06:07 PM, said:

We have seen the sudden and unexpected decline of Man City owing to age compounded by injury, are we in the same boat? I know we have a healthy number of younger players and the likes of Dobra, Mandy, Oldaker, Berry, Sheckelford, Gordon, Horton and perhaps Colclough still (although his best years are probably behind him) are around their peak ages, however two of our main men, Grigg and Naylor are well over thirty, added to these are two more ageing important players in Banks and Grimes, whilst Madden (although hardly key on his contribution since signing) is also well over thirty, furthermore Williams and Dunkley aren't young, nor is Palmer (should we see him again). And then there is Fleck.
I know experience is important and it's always good to have the likes of one or two, such as Mike Jones who did a good job, as did Richie Humphries in Cook's first spell, but when you have four or more main men, including both your strikers the wrong side of thirty, especially when injuries mean they take longer to recover, it's a real worry.
The problem is we aren't likley to secure players of the quality of Grigg and Naylor whilst they are still at their peaks. Jack Lester was a real one off, and perhaps people suspected he was past it when we got him. Of course Jack went on to have six more seasons, three or four of them in steller form, and apart from a few occasions mainly injury free. But class 30+ year olds who retain their form and remain injury free for 2/3 more seasons are as rare as hen's teeth. You are much more likely to be landed with a dud on big money as we have seen in the past and thus far currently with Madden and Fleck, and maybe even Dunkley.

I would say a big denominator in your comments is the type and severity of an injury, when a young player is taken out in the style of which,for example say Kabongo T. was,age is then not relevant if they go on to miss most of a season.

[Bald magician]

Zigsuk, on 28 December 2024 - 06:07 PM, said:

We have seen the sudden and unexpected decline of Man City owing to age compounded by injury, are we in the same boat? I know we have a healthy number of younger players and the likes of Dobra, Mandy, Oldaker, Berry, Sheckelford, Gordon, Horton and perhaps Colclough still (although his best years are probably behind him) are around their peak ages, however two of our main men, Grigg and Naylor are well over thirty, added to these are two more ageing important players in Banks and Grimes, whilst Madden (although hardly key on his contribution since signing) is also well over thirty, furthermore Williams and Dunkley aren't young, nor is Palmer (should we see him again). And then there is Fleck.
I know experience is important and it's always good to have the likes of one or two, such as Mike Jones who did a good job, as did Richie Humphries in Cook's first spell, but when you have four or more main men, including both your strikers the wrong side of thirty, especially when injuries mean they take longer to recover, it's a real worry.
The problem is we aren't likley to secure players of the quality of Grigg and Naylor whilst they are still at their peaks. Jack Lester was a real one off, and perhaps people suspected he was past it when we got him. Of course Jack went on to have six more seasons, three or four of them in steller form, and apart from a few occasions mainly injury free. But class 30+ year olds who retain their form and remain injury free for 2/3 more seasons are as rare as hen's teeth. You are much more likely to be landed with a dud on big money as we have seen in the past and thus far currently with Madden and Fleck, and maybe even Dunkley.

I can?t be bothered to read a pod that is more than 2 paragraphs long. Or more an 150 words.

My reply is no. Stay off the pop

[Bonnyman]

Bald magician, on 28 December 2024 - 09:04 PM, said:

I can?t be bothered to read a pod that is more than 2 paragraphs long. Or more an 150 words.

My reply is no. Stay off the pop

Why bother answering then

[Wooden Spoon]

Zigsuk, on 28 December 2024 - 06:07 PM, said:

We have seen the sudden and unexpected decline of Man City owing to age compounded by injury, are we in the same boat? I know we have a healthy number of younger players and the likes of Dobra, Mandy, Oldaker, Berry, Sheckelford, Gordon, Horton and perhaps Colclough still (although his best years are probably behind him) are around their peak ages, however two of our main men, Grigg and Naylor are well over thirty, added to these are two more ageing important players in Banks and Grimes, whilst Madden (although hardly key on his contribution since signing) is also well over thirty, furthermore Williams and Dunkley aren't young, nor is Palmer (should we see him again). And then there is Fleck.
I know experience is important and it's always good to have the likes of one or two, such as Mike Jones who did a good job, as did Richie Humphries in Cook's first spell, but when you have four or more main men, including both your strikers the wrong side of thirty, especially when injuries mean they take longer to recover, it's a real worry.
The problem is we aren't likley to secure players of the quality of Grigg and Naylor whilst they are still at their peaks. Jack Lester was a real one off, and perhaps people suspected he was past it when we got him. Of course Jack went on to have six more seasons, three or four of them in steller form, and apart from a few occasions mainly injury free. But class 30+ year olds who retain their form and remain injury free for 2/3 more seasons are as rare as hen's teeth. You are much more likely to be landed with a dud on big money as we have seen in the past and thus far currently with Madden and Fleck, and maybe even Dunkley.

As with Jack and the Chief you often find a player can step down a level and extend his career by an extra season or two.


We?ve had a few injuries very similar in nature - three with calf injuries? I?m wondering if there?s been a change in training or perhaps the training pith is harder etc

[Brookie]

I think Man City is more down to mental fatigue, the alarm bells must have been ringing when Rodri complained about too many games pre-season

[Toddhopper.]

Cook brought in Drummond, Gordon, Metcalfe, Markanday, Araujo, Daley-Campbell, Tanton & Thompson to give us a lower age profile for this season. We already had Dobra, Berry, Hobson, Mandeville, Horton, Oldaker, Colclough & Sheckleford under 30 so I don't think age is too much of a concern at this point. Injuries seem to be hitting young & old alike.

[Zigsuk]

Toddhopper., on 29 December 2024 - 10:16 AM, said:

Cook brought in Drummond, Gordon, Metcalfe, Markanday, Araujo, Daley-Campbell, Tanton & Thompson to give us a lower age profile for this season. We already had Dobra, Berry, Hobson, Mandeville, Horton, Oldaker, Colclough & Sheckleford under 30 so I don't think age is too much of a concern at this point. Injuries seem to be hitting young & old alike.

Yes I agree but the aging players such as Grigg and Naylor are key players for us, as arguably are Grimes and Banks, and in theory although not so far in practice, Madden

[LondonBlue]

Personally do think we have an issue with aging star players.

[Osborne again]

LondonBlue, on 29 December 2024 - 10:50 AM, said:

Personally do think we have an issue with aging star players.

Liverpool are about to splash the cash on a 33 year old centre back and a 32 year old striker to keep them at the club for another couple of seasons at least and I can't blame them. Any team needs a mix of experience and youth, and as others have said, it's not as though it's all the older players who are injured so we can't put it down to ageing muscles etc.
Madden is rumoured to be back in early January, along with Fleck and Jacobs, so hopefully, better times ahead.
Let's hope for three points today, with a Drummond goal or two, if he plays, that is.

[Blue roan lily]

Zigsuk, on 28 December 2024 - 06:07 PM, said:

We have seen the sudden and unexpected decline of Man City owing to age compounded by injury, are we in the same boat? I know we have a healthy number of younger players and the likes of Dobra, Mandy, Oldaker, Berry, Sheckelford, Gordon, Horton and perhaps Colclough still (although his best years are probably behind him) are around their peak ages, however two of our main men, Grigg and Naylor are well over thirty, added to these are two more ageing important players in Banks and Grimes, whilst Madden (although hardly key on his contribution since signing) is also well over thirty, furthermore Williams and Dunkley aren't young, nor is Palmer (should we see him again). And then there is Fleck.
I know experience is important and it's always good to have the likes of one or two, such as Mike Jones who did a good job, as did Richie Humphries in Cook's first spell, but when you have four or more main men, including both your strikers the wrong side of thirty, especially when injuries mean they take longer to recover, it's a real worry.
The problem is we aren't likley to secure players of the quality of Grigg and Naylor whilst they are still at their peaks. Jack Lester was a real one off, and perhaps people suspected he was past it when we got him. Of course Jack went on to have six more seasons, three or four of them in steller form, and apart from a few occasions mainly injury free. But class 30+ year olds who retain their form and remain injury free for 2/3 more seasons are as rare as hen's teeth. You are much more likely to be landed with a dud on big money as we have seen in the past and thus far currently with Madden and Fleck, and maybe even Dunkley.

Your threads are becoming very tiresome
Always seems to be a side swipe at the team and management
Of the 3 you list at the end for goodness sake, Madden got injured, Dunkley was playing well before injury and Fleck was probably not fit when he arrived
Sick of your negativity

[stainlessstephen]

I'm all for having some older players because experience is invaluable, but only with the right balance of younger players

[Fit as a Nelson]

Blue roan lily, on 29 December 2024 - 05:34 PM, said:

Your threads are becoming very tiresome
Always seems to be a side swipe at the team and management
Of the 3 you list at the end for goodness sake, Madden got injured, Dunkley was playing well before injury and Fleck was probably not fit when he arrived
Sick of your negativity

Finally others are starting to call it out.

[Zigsuk]

Fit as a Nelson, on 29 December 2024 - 06:03 PM, said:

Finally others are starting to call it out.

So long as it turns you on I will keep posting.