Reserves

[spyinthesky]

Whats the point of Reserve team nowadays?

 

The standard Saints Res play at is poor and the team seems to be filled by youngsters in any event

 

Apart from the 18 or so squad, the rest could go out on loan to save wages/get experience, with an early recall if necessary

[Stu Man Do]

Only one problem with the loan idea ... someone has to actually want to take them on. he like of Pulis, Moleneux et al won't get games at championship level and other League 1 and 2 teams probably won't want them on their books.

[david in sweden]

Whats the point of Reserve team nowadays?

 

The standard Saints Res play at is poor and the team seems to be filled by youngsters in any event

Apart from the 18 or so squad, the rest could go out on loan to save wages/get experience, with an early recall if necessary

 

 

Youngsters do grow up, (well some of them do.).and they can't go from Academy to first team in a season...even if your name is Walcott or Bale ! Loaning out is not a negative thing; Lallana had been loaned several times before his debut.

Many get great reviews at Academy level, the majority don't make the grade to "senior" football, and the lower leagues are scattered with former youth players, some of whom are late developers but most have found their level.

 

We have a good /very good record with young players who make it through to first team. Dodd, Bridge, Oakley,Surman, DMG, Dex. Lallana all started as teenagers (though not all Academy) and made their way up...not forgetting the two in the former paragraph. If we get bad injuries problems,(as happened a year or two back) then we need ready-made replacements.

Players like Bart, Mills, Gobern, James, Antonio, Aaron Martin have all spent time on the bench and look to have a future, others like Lancashire and Paterson didn't look quite so secure...even after their excellent performances at youth level.

 

We need the "extra bodies" as cover. Perry, Thomas and Wotton may seem " past their prime " to some people, but it is they who will start at Wembley on the 28th - as we have FOUR ? cup-tied players amongst the first team regulars.

 

YES we need Reserves, some are the stars of the future, other the journeymen who help them develop and are ready to step in when the call comes. Thank goodness we have them.

Edited 10 March, 2010 by david in sweden

[Saint_clark]

FWIW, the reserves are joint top of the league with Swindon. Our youngsters must be doing something right. It certainly can't do any harm.

[SNSUN]

Without the reserve team, would we have given Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain his debut vs Huddersfield? I doubt it.

 

Reserve matches keep up the fitness of the older warriors too. Lee Holmes was getting his fitness back in the reserve team, and it worked for him. Loans are a good move for players, but only with a recall clause. We've needed our full squad this season, especially with all the cup tied players, having Thomas, Perry, Holmes and Wotton willing to step in when necessary has been important - and we still have one more game to go where we'll need them, perhaps the biggest of our season...

[david in sweden]

Without the reserve team, would we have given Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain his debut vs Huddersfield? I doubt it.

 

Reserve matches keep up the fitness of the older warriors too. Lee Holmes was getting his fitness back in the reserve team, and it worked for him. Loans are a good move for players, but only with a recall clause. We've needed our full squad this season, especially with all the cup tied players, having Thomas, Perry, Holmes and Wotton willing to step in when necessary has been important - and we still have one more game to go where we'll need them, perhaps the biggest of our season...

 

Those who " come through the system ", or an experienced pro.has saved the day many times in the past. Season 65-66, despite getting promotion we tried out 7 players in the no.9 shirt, most successful was reserve CF Norman Dean who weighed in with 11 goals in 18 starts. Though not classy enough for Div.1 (we bought Ron Davies instead) Norman's contribution included a hat-trick in the 5-2 thrashing we gave Pompey at FP. ( A club record).

Mick Channons debut app. that same season was enough to earn a draw (v. an excellent Bristol City side) and help the points tally.

 

Bob McCarthy solved our RB problems for several seasons (early 70's) as did Tony Byrne who got more Irish caps than he did first team apps. at one time -and always marked George Best out of the game when we played Man.U .

Likewise Paul Bennett filled the CH spot well after John McGraths departure.

Paul Gilchrist and Bobby Stokes were on hand to fill valuable places in the mid 70's... and who can forget Tony Funnells phenomenol run in 1978 when he scored twice coming off the bench v. C.Palace..and proceeded to score 5 more in 10 starts to help get us promoted back upto Div.1.

 

In the late 1980's Micky Adams played in several positions and never let the side down withoout ever being a regular. Nicky Banger scored in 3 successive games (Norwich, Liverpool and Man.U) coming off the bench in 1993, and helped keep us up.

Such performances are usually invaluable.

 

Upto date, what a good job we have Wayne Thomas and Chris Perry available for Wembley, as neither of them would expect to be first choice CH nowadays and I think David Connolly still has an important role to fill when he's 100% fit again.

 

NO - sorry, we really need Reserves and many a legend has been made on the strength of such situations.

Edited 11 March, 2010 by david in sweden

[david in sweden]

FWIW, the reserves are joint top of the league with Swindon. Our youngsters must be doing something right. It certainly can't do any harm.

 

young reserve sides can expect the occasional thrashing from higher league sides giving their (pro's /returning injured players) an outing. (Plymouth 0-7)

 

Saints have done that a few times over the years and first teamers on the way back from a lay-off have scored 3 or 4 to get some form back.

 

Of course we must have reserves, I really don't see the rational about having 17-20 players and expecting them to play the entire season. Our season will end up being close to 60 matches..even without the prospect of play-offs.

 

you can't expect a 17 man squad to play the entire season without injuries /suspensions /loss of form.

 

(Recently HRedknapp said he couldn't find a place for Russian (Pav) in his high-scoring start side..but now that Defoe is out as they have a few injuries, he's glad he's got an in-form striker to call upon.)

Edited 12 March, 2010 by david in sweden