[Archived] Big Fat Sam's Shopping List

[BRFC1995]

..................Robbo

Emerton Samba Givet Warnock

..................[new]

............Dunn.....[new]

....[new]...................Diouf

..................[new]*

Subs: Bunn, Nelsen, Zurab, Andrews, [new], Pedersen, [new]

*Assuming Roque goes

That's a semi-realistic view of what we need to do I think. Ideally average players like Pedersen, Dunn and Andrews would go, but we can't realistically overhaul that many in one summer. Even the number I've done is pushing it. We'd then have young players like Judge, Doran, Olsson, Gunning, Blackman etc backing up that squad.

The key to having a smaller squad (Sam talked about 18 I think) is not to have any injury prone players in it, so no more Grella type signings this summer.

Edit: Looking at that, if Givet is anywhere near £3 million then I don't see how we can justify it given the other areas that need fixing. Slot Nelsen in there and promote Zurab to first-choice sub defender. He deserves that role at least anyway.

if you shipping out everyone who is crap or injury prone or an out and out waste of wages why keep dunn. Makes no sense as he can't be relied upon and central positions are the ones where it is key to have consistency. I'd much sooner keep pedersen now he's found a decent throw and ain't injury prone,

sure sam has his eye on some experienced africans with good injury records..............as long as we steer well clear of the overpayed garbage that gets relegated i'm happy, much sooner let their wages cripple their stupid clubs

[broadsword]

Olsson cover at LB

Only my view which probably means nothing like that whatsoever will transpire.

I'd get shot of him as well!

Don't forget, Givet can play LB. According to what SA has said, we want a squad of 18 next season ... which means we won't have 2 for each position.

[JAL]

I'd get shot of him as well!

Don't forget, Givet can play LB. According to what SA has said, we want a squad of 18 next season ... which means we won't have 2 for each position.

Sam intimated at having 18 QUALITY players next season, which probably means Olsson is a squadie player, thats one of lesser quality which allows the lad to be in the squad.

[LeChuck]

Sam intimated at having 18 QUALITY players next season, which probably means Olsson is a squadie player, thats one of lesser quality which allows the lad to be in the squad.

In context he said something like he'd rather have 18 quality players than 20+ average ones (although not as blunt as that, obviously).

Whatever it was he said it exactly it definitely implied we'd be trimming down the squad, presumably to 18 established players backed up by the likes of Treacy, Judge, Doran, Olsson, Blackburn etc.

[JAL]

In context he said something like he'd rather have 18 quality players than 20+ average ones (although not as blunt as that, obviously).

Whatever it was he said it exactly it definitely implied we'd be trimming down the squad, presumably to 18 established players backed up by the likes of Treacy, Judge, Doran, Olsson, Blackburn etc.

Thats the way I understand it to be.

The 20+ was actually 24+, thats the number Sam mentioned the other week, hes obviously going to cut out some of the crud in the squad.

[Majiball]

I saw Sam today outside swallow hotel with a player i didnt recognise, he looked like a player who is out on loan but it cant be him surely. He looks quite slim in his rovers trackie, he aint BFS anymore!

Wait till you see him in his lycra training kit. LOL

I'd get shot of him as well!

Don't forget, Givet can play LB. According to what SA has said, we want a squad of 18 next season ... which means we won't have 2 for each position.

This whole idea of 18 plus kids completely scares the hell out of me, I am far from convinced. We must have a quality youth system for this and we don't.

I'm sat here trying to think of a team in the prem that hasn't spent silly money and operates with just 18, I can't. The whole idea stems from Jacks time it was his vision to have 18 backed up by the youths (which hasn't happened). Its all very well saying we can look for injury prevention but you can never account for injuries.

If this idea is to work, we will have to sort out the kids straight away (I'm afraid the only way to do it quickly is by chopping someone) and to have 18 very good and very versitile players (that will cost money).

The other thing we will have to do is get rid of a lot of players, a-lot. No RSC sale and I don't see how we can do it.

If I was Sam I'd ask for all the funds now go down tesco's and buy as many lotto tickets as possible (jackpots 50M+) and then sit down and start praying.

[Amo]

In context he said something like he'd rather have 18 quality players than 20+ average ones (although not as blunt as that, obviously).

Whatever it was he said it exactly it definitely implied we'd be trimming down the squad, presumably to 18 established players backed up by the likes of Treacy, Judge, Doran, Olsson, Blackburn etc.

Sam looking for volunteers?

You mean Blackman.

[LeChuck]

Sam looking for volunteers?

You mean Blackman.

You're right, I do mean Blackman. Force of habit.

[67splitscreen]

I agree with most of the above points regarding the reduction of players.

I was thinking about this the other day when we where told about the young lad on trail, Nicloas.

We need a stepping stone for a few seasons, to give time for the academy to be overhauled.

If SA feels he can complement the 18 with a few 18 -20 year olds that are picked up from other clubs, together with the three or four we have now in the squad, then it may work. A couple of loan players in there would not go a miss either.

Maybe a few youngsters that we even have to pay small fees for but much less wages than some of our current squad players, therefore killing to birds with one stone.

I know this transition is not going to happen over night, but it would be great to see a team in the Blue & White with an average age of under 25, with a nice mix of ages so we don't fall foul to having a bunch of aging players all heading for there pension books at the same time.

What I'm looking for is a blend of quality, experience, youth and pace, pretty simple really.

[RevidgeBlue]

I'm sure there's a lot of deadwood in the squad that could be culled - looking at a programme from when Sam took over I think there were something like 41 players with a squad number and realistically barely half those are good enough to make any sort of impact in the Prem.

Sam's key point about reducing the squad to 18 better class players as opposed to 24 + so so ones was that he believes his team can successfully implement an "injury prevention" programme making such a policy viable.

Errrmmm........ when does that start then?

[Bobby G]

Sam has admitted he tried to bring Beattie to the club in January. So as far as we knew Beattie wanted to join us too, so the only thing that hits me is that we didnt cough up any cash.

[nicko]

Sam has admitted he tried to bring Beattie to the club in January. So as far as we knew Beattie wanted to join us too, so the only thing that hits me is that we didnt cough up any cash.

Rovers didn't try anywhere near hard enough.

But did anyone blame them at the time?

[broadsword]

"I'm sorry Mr Sheff Utd chairman, but 11 Bukta tracksuits and a catering van is my very final offer. although I could also through in a didgeridoo signed by Vince Grella."

[philipl]

I'm sure there's a lot of deadwood in the squad that could be culled - looking at a programme from when Sam took over I think there were something like 41 players with a squad number and realistically barely half those are good enough to make any sort of impact in the Prem.

Sam's key point about reducing the squad to 18 better class players as opposed to 24 + so so ones was that he believes his team can successfully implement an "injury prevention" programme making such a policy viable.

Errrmmm........ when does that start then?

Don't tell me you missed it!

It started last week at Liverpool. The key elements are:

- Don't play your centre forward, he might get injured

- Get your two wingers to fall ill, otherwise they might get injured

- Play a few players out of position, they might get injured if they know what they are doing or where they are

- Avoid all tackles, might get injured otherwise

- Train with inflatable immobile men all week then play like them on Saturday, best way to avoid injuries. Keith Andrews was particularly good at this and will be picked to play right back for the remainder of the season as he is sure not to get injured if he continues in the same vein.

[T4E]

Rovers didn't try anywhere near hard enough.

But did anyone blame them at the time?

I did, I definitely wanted him back.

[OJRovers]

I wanted Beattie back in January, but not at the expense of RSC, think that was BS's thinking too.

[T4E]

That thinking didn't work out too well for him.

[Iceman]

Trimming a squad down to 18 is very risky, esp for a club like ours. Man United, Chelsea, ,Arsenal and Liverpool might get away with this but not us. The reason being their youth players are far more capable, because they have spent millions buying and developing these players. We were far more successful under Hughes, when there was stability and consistency in team selection. I know we have had many injuries, but we need to get rid of players who has a long history of being injured to avoid similar situations again.

[dopper69]

Honest question as I really don't know, but how big was Sam's squad at Bolton? Can't remember too many injuries for them either?

[EwoodGlory]

This striker looks canny, has Nicko suggested him yet?

[dave birch]

Grella, sorry, we've seen the best of him.

Bert, this is a biggie, I don't think he'll come back as strong as he was. Whilst he'll be worth keeping to see, I think that he'll be moved on in Jan next year if he doesn't come back to his best.

[T4E]

This striker looks canny, has Nicko suggested him yet?

Has this been mentioned anywhere else? I saw the clip on SSN yesterday, its an absolutely cracking goal he scored there. As much as it pains me to say it, Owen Coyle is growing on me,

[nicko]

Has this been mentioned anywhere else? I saw the clip on SSN yesterday, its an absolutely cracking goal he scored there. As much as it pains me to say it, Owen Coyle is growing on me,

He scores better ones than that in training every day...

Or so he says.

[Iceman]

Honest question as I really don't know, but how big was Sam's squad at Bolton? Can't remember too many injuries for them either?

I think Sam had more coaching staff, than players in his squad at Bolton.

[47er]

Sam has admitted he tried to bring Beattie to the club in January. So as far as we knew Beattie wanted to join us too, so the only thing that hits me is that we didnt cough up any cash.

Correct. Today's LT has the story--no money to buy him, sale dependent on Roque going.