Development Squad... What's the point?

[Albion 4ever]

What is the opinion of others on this?

Sounds like a fantastic idea, picking up players who may develop later, or not quite good enough for Premier League.

But what is the point of having it when we only have 4 fit defenders, we cannot trust one of defenders them to sit of the bench? Yes it was a big game, but having Harley on the bench was an even bigger waste of time as I cannot imagine a situation when he would have come on before any of the other substitutes.

I think Ben Sampayo is 20 years old now. If he is not good enough by now then get rid, if not, give him a chance!

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Agree with this.

 

[ees complicated no?]

Agree.

 

[Albion 4ever]

They had a game yesterday, so even if it was considered, it wasn't an option...

GP must have known that El-Abd, Bridge and Painter were all struggling to be fit or already ruled out, so that argument does not hold up.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Get along to the Gaymex on Monday evening and find out for yourself.

 

[Don Tmatter]

"I think Ben Sampayo is 20 years old now. If he is not good enough by now then get rid, if not, give him a chance!"

Absolutely spot on, this is the third season him & Anton Rodgers have been with us, but apart from cup ties against lower/non league sides, they've not featured in a squad.
They're gonna be some players when they finally develop

 

[Londoner]

So you think an academy is instant...............maybe you cant afford a replacement, maybe he is very nearly ready, no point moaning about the youth/young players not getting games, its the MANAGER who has to make those decisions, bump this thread in 12 months

 

[trueblue]

I think Ben Sampayo is 20 years old now. If he is not good enough by now then get rid, if not, give him a chance!

So you really think a player can't improve beyond the age of 20?

 

[Ernest]

COULDN'T understand WHY Grant Hall wasn't in the SQUAD

 

[Albion 4ever]

So you really think a player can't improve beyond the age of 20?

No... But to improve he will need to play!

 

[AZ Gull]

Poyet moaned like heck before the start of last season when the league reduced the number of subs to 5, saying that players like Forster-Caskey would never get a look in. This season we are back to 7 subs, but, aside from the Swindon game, the only development squad players named on the bench have been Agdestein a handful of times and Barker once.

We now have a consistent style of football throughout all sides at the club, so that players can learn a way of playing and step up if required. We are into the third full season of the development squad concept, and yet apparently don't have a defender who is good enough to be named on the bench for a first-team game? It is unfortunate to have 3 defenders out simultaneously (Bridge, El-Abd and Painter), but hardly unexpected given the likelihood of injury and suspension. Which must also beg the question, why did Poyet completely eliminate the versatile Vincelot from his squad this season? Surely Vincelot is still required if the DS players aren't yet up to scratch? Very odd.

 

[goldstone]

Poyet moaned like heck before the start of last season when the league reduced the number of subs to 5, saying that players like Forster-Caskey would never get a look in. This season we are back to 7 subs, but, aside from the Swindon game, the only development squad players named on the bench have been Agdestein a handful of times and Barker once.

We now have a consistent style of football throughout all sides at the club, so that players can learn a way of playing and step up if required. We are into the third full season of the development squad concept, and yet apparently don't have a defender who is good enough to be named on the bench for a first-team game? It is unfortunate to have 3 defenders out simultaneously (Bridge, El-Abd and Painter), but hardly unexpected given the likelihood of injury and suspension. Which must also beg the question, why did Poyet completely eliminate the versatile Vincelot from his squad this season? Surely Vincelot is still required if the DS players aren't yet up to scratch? Very odd.

A very good post. Vincelot would have been just what we needed on the bench today. Gus makes some very very strange decisions. Too many, in my opinion.

 

[Ali_rrr]

A very good post. Vincelot would have been just what we needed on the bench today. Gus makes some very very strange decisions. Too many, in my opinion.

Like consistently playing 3 defensive midfielders which clearly doesn't work...

 

[trueblue]

No... But to improve he will need to play!

He does play. In the development squad - which is a better environment for learning than the first team where he'd be slated on here after the slightest mistake and written off as not good enough.

 

[trueblue]

No... But to improve he will need to play!

He does play. In the development squad - which is a better environment for learning than the first team where he'd be slated on here after the slightest mistake and written off as not good enough.

 

[Zebedee]

A very good post. Vincelot would have been just what we needed on the bench today. Gus makes some very very strange decisions. Too many, in my opinion.

Or at least too many to be classed a very good manager.

 

[trueblue]

why did Poyet completely eliminate the versatile Vincelot from his squad this season? Surely Vincelot is still required if the DS players aren't yet up to scratch? Very odd.

Maybe because he's trying to cut the wage bill to free up funds to bring in a striker and stop everyone moaning?

 

[Pole in Goal]

Maybe because he's trying to cut the wage bill to free up funds to bring in a striker and stop everyone moaning?

Then where is he?

 

[Zebedee]

Maybe because he's trying to cut the wage bill to free up funds to bring in a striker and stop everyone moaning?

This won't happen all the while Gus is our manager. Anyone who thinks that he really wanted to get a striker in but couldn't because of a funding problem is a numpty. I've no doubt at all that Gus didn't think we needed one and that's why we are where we are up front - toothless.

 

[BensGrandad]

I think Ben Sampayo is 20 years old now. If he is not good enough by now then get rid, if not, give him a chance!

You obviously haven't seen the DS squad play because if you had you would realize that none of them are anywhere near good enough for what we need NOW but maybe in a couple of years. In hindsight which is great, the big mistake is letting Vincelot go out on loan as he is so versatile and would have been ideal for a situation like today.