Re: 2015 Squad Numbers : Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:02 pm  

Struggling to think of something I give less of a poop about. I imagine some players may have an issue with it but I'd imagine if you gave them the option of playing every game in a season they'd wear whatever number you wanted.

Re: 2015 Squad Numbers : Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:40 pm  

garyhulsefan wrote:

I'd certainly have Ben Evans in over Woody on last season's form, possibly England for Asotasi as well although big Roy did buck his ideas up in the business end.

did he?

Re: 2015 Squad Numbers : Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:45 pm  

Fantastic Mr Catpiss wrote:

i always picture robson wearing 12

With the introduction of squad numbers for the 1993–94 Premier League, Robson was issued with the number 12 shirt, while the number 7 shirt that he had worn in virtually every game of his United career went to Eric Cantona instead.

Re: 2015 Squad Numbers : Fri Dec 05, 2014 9:01 pm  

All the more reason to offer the shirt on merit each match day

Re: 2015 Squad Numbers : Mon Dec 08, 2014 9:50 am  

Wire Yed wrote:

I guess it's a confidence boost for the guys saying if everyone is fit and on form the first 17 are the guys we see as the best.

For the younsters just getting the first team number is a huge confidence boost.

Absolutely. And for anyone who thinks it means nothing would anyone disagree that the 1-17 are not that the first choice at this stage?

It is a boost to those in the shirts through the pre-season slog and a challenge for those who are not.

Re: 2015 Squad Numbers : Mon Dec 08, 2014 5:46 pm  

At this risk of adding more noise to the thread...

The squad numbers are significant to a point. I've always noted that when it comes to our squad numbers, they're in line with what TS thinks his strongest (ideal) team is at that point in time - so I would put some level of importance towards them right now.

Obv the pecking order changes throughout the season through injuries and form - two years ago we had 8,9 + 10 consistently on the bench towards the end of the season, as Hill, Higham and Wood's respective form pushed them ahead of the other front rowers.

The following season Higham and Monas swapped numbers, as Higham had become the "first choice" hooker following on from his storming previous season and Mona's dip in form.

Before we signed Joel, there was a mysteriously empty hole at number 5, with Hicks being given 34. Hicks left before the start of the season, with Joel arriving and taking the conveniently vacant 5 shirt.

Bottom line - our squad numbers will tell you exactly what TS's ideal plans are (and no surprises to any of us either). Myler and Ratch are first choice halves, no more major signings, Big Roy has slipped backwards, and Penny won't get more than a few games in the cup and pre season.

Re: 2015 Squad Numbers : Tue Dec 09, 2014 7:18 pm  

Just a few examples from Man Utd where squad numbers didn't/don't matter.

Nemanja Vidić - 15
Roy Keane - 16
Paul Scholes - 18 (needed to be 22 when he came back though as Young had taken 18)
Phil Neville - 12 (for the majority of his United career)
Dwight Yorke - 19

And currently

Robin van Persie - 20

Re: 2015 Squad Numbers : Tue Dec 09, 2014 10:46 pm  

Should scrap squad numbers. If you're chosen to play stand off on the day, you should wear 6 if your chosen to play loose, you wear 13. All this talk of 'its Tony's ideal team. It gives the lads not wearing 1-17 something to prove at training' I'm sorry but if no one had a number surely they'd all be fighting to play at the weekend anyway? It may even make them train harder knowing everyone has a blank shirt. Instead of them thinking to themselves 'oh well I'm number 24, I can't see me taking his shirt unless there's a miracle'.

Re: 2015 Squad Numbers : Tue Dec 09, 2014 10:48 pm  

Football is different, their 1-11 squad numbers won't usually be their first choice whereas in rugby league it typically is.

Re: 2015 Squad Numbers : Tue Dec 09, 2014 11:02 pm  

Scrap it.

Like moving on said.

Earn it...keep it.
That then is his squad number on merit.
He plays shat and then he looses it.

simples

It is the only way that the first choice starting 13 get the correct number