[Albion] The oldies transfer targets.

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Perhaps if we sign more older players, we'll need to be sure that they can do 2,000+ minutes per season.

I guess there's no certainty with injuries when you get players well into their 30s. But old, young or middle, we've had a horrific run with injuries this season, we've had I think 3 who have stayed fit, but apart from that, the whole squad dynamic is that we've got a lot of players of all ages who have played not that many minutes

 

[Clive Walker]

There was a suggestion last year - before the Villa snapped him up - that Ross Barkley could be a good shout; he'd done well at Luton, even they were relegated.
Hasn't played all that much for Everton, and they only (allegedly) paid £5M for him anyway, so might be worth a punt.

He’s played precisely 0 (zero) minutes for Everton this season

 

[Hugo Rune]

I guess there's no certainty with injuries when you get players well into their 30s. But old, young or middle, we've had a horrific run with injuries this season, we've had I think 3 who have stayed fit, but apart from that, the whole squad dynamic is that we've got a lot of players of all ages who have played not that many minutes

Indeed.

We need to work out how to get these sorts of stats. The consistency of selection in their defence is incredible:

 

[GT49er]

He’s played precisely 0 (zero) minutes for Everton this season

Should be fresh and rested for next season then - and that's knocked a bit off the price too!

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Indeed.

We need to work out how to get these sorts of stats. The consistency of selection in their defence is incredible:

View attachment 201207

And they have a pretty similar spread of ages to us. A few oldie talismans, but quite a few youngsters.

I think the answer to how we do it revolves around our relationship with lady luck. Maybe some sort of pact with the devil might be necessary

 

[Motogull]

Indeed.

We need to work out how to get these sorts of stats. The consistency of selection in their defence is incredible:

I imagine that Palace are similar. They have the most predictable starting 11 of any EPL club. I guess their plan is a small squad is a cheap squad, don't overtrain, don't exert yourself during the game then counter attack like your life depends on it. 11 players knowing what they are all doing with basic tactics is a surefire grinding out drab results winner.

 

[singing4seagulls]

I’m not sure I see the value in signing past-it players. Lallana and Milner combined have had 6 seasons with us, probably costing us something in the region of 20m in wages. I reckon that in that time they’ve played fewer minutes than some of our more resilient first teamers do in a season.

I'm not so sure. They cost a lot for what we see in terms of minutes on the pitch, but they clearly do add value elsewhere. I make my case your honour:

Acting as assistants and inspiring performances
Earlier inthe season, we'd been beaten 4-2 by Chelsea. Next game was spurs and by half time we were 0-2 down.

It was a halftime talk from Milner that spurred Rutter and the team on to win the game 3-2. Rutter ran at everything and did that amazing stretched chip to Welbeck.

We won the next game against Newcastle.

That win galvanised the team, brought them together and also to buy into the new manager's messaging.

Rutter ever since then has run after every ball like a labrador. I don't know how much that talk from Milner is worth, but has probably added £15m of value onto Rutter.

Inspiring young players and keeping them in line
Milner also shepherds young players in training and keeps them grounded. Remember Hinshelwood talking about Milner calling him out on wearing a snood? That only works because of the deep respect as it's James bloody Milner.

Imagine the levels he sets in training?

Inspiring young people to come to us?
Less certain, but you're a young player looking what team to join. There's a few clubs with a path to play, young exciting players, new manager and facilities.

But one club has number of your absolute idols who will be playing and training alongside you. When you visit the facilities you chat to a legend of the game and you realise you'll become mates and have lunches together.

Milner has won the FA cup with Liverpool and City, won the league multiple times for both teams, won the champions league, a bunch of other cups, and who two seasons ago played 40 games for Liverpool (so clearly isn't completely past it).

If I was a young player I'd give anything to be in his vicinity, as questions, hear stories etc. It also provides validation - Milner wouldn't come and then stay here unless it was good.

I can see it's a big way to outcompete our competition in the signing of talented young players.

Game management
If you look at previous seasons, where Lallana and Milner would come on is in the latter parts of the game, when we're a goal up and need to see it out.

How many games have we thrown away this season? Our game management has been our undoing countless times and a steady pair of hands, from players who know what it takes to win cups and trophies, would have no doubt given us a few more points.

Those extra points are the fine margins that mean European places in such a competitive league.

Resilience - a club philosophy
At the start of the season, with a new manager, uncertainty, it's been Lallana, Milner etc. who keep the squad together, give the players stability and resilience.

Remember how they stepped up massively when Potter and all the assistant managers f***ed off mid-season? What would we have done without them?!

In our model where the club always seeks resilience top to bottom, to ensure we can cope with players coming and going, staff being poached all the time, manager changes etc. I think the club will continue make sure it's got some of these aspirational leaders with steady hands around.