Team v Squad and Identity

[Old_pie]

Since the Bros arrived our squad has improved immensely, possibly only marred by some of the injuries this season. And they have imposed a footbally style that is defining our footballing identity and have allowed that style to evolve as we adapt.

But in my years of supporting the club the successful squads have been a team; a fairly closely knit set of players that have striven for and enjoyed success as a group.

I look at ever changing names in our squad and wonder how much of a team is there. Players who bond and work together for the club. I can barely keep track of who is in, who has gone. I can probably recite the 1960 team better than the current squad.

So whilst we seem to be able to sell a player for a profit and bring in one or two replacements with no major hiccups to the results is there the risk that we are just seen as a club to come to so that skills can be honed and showboated? Is our approach going to fall off the rails because there isn't a Notts County team, but merely a squad of players that will come and go?

[BigFatPie]

Thats football nowadays isnt it, regardless of the ethos of the club. I think the days of 13/14 players each putting in 40+ league appearances are in the past.

Theres no dressing it up though, Ill be gutted if Jatta goes, just feels like a step too far for this season.

[MAD_MAGPIE]

It?s the modern game really although we have had a few under the Reedz Bros who have chalked up five years such as JOB, Rawlinson, Slocombe and Chicksen. They stuck with us during the national league years. Also Matt Palmer could be in a possible contender to join the five year club as he will reach four years in the summer.

Mainly players typically have two or three years and move on. Crowley is a good example of this kind of player as someone of his talent should be a club legend somewhere at his age but he?s moved around every year or two or gone out on loan. The same goes for managers. Anyone who lasts over three seasons is usually at a top premier league club and there are just over ten who have been at their respective clubs over three years. There are the occasional odd exception like Simon Weaver at Harrogate and there is only one other manager in league two Andy Woodman and Bromley who has been there over three years.

I?d sooner the club do it the way they are where it?s a springboard for them and us to rise up the leagues. Whereas in the past we would have players coming in and going out who were has been?s or never going to be?s and those who would play for a few games and disappear and nearly all would end up dropping down the leagues so the club would drop down as well.

[kill_the_drum]

Since the Bros arrived our squad has improved immensely, possibly only marred by some of the injuries this season. And they have imposed a footbally style that is defining our footballing identity and have allowed that style to evolve as we adapt.

But in my years of supporting the club the successful squads have been a team; a fairly closely knit set of players that have striven for and enjoyed success as a group.

I look at ever changing names in our squad and wonder how much of a team is there. Players who bond and work together for the club. I can barely keep track of who is in, who has gone. I can probably recite the 1960 team better than the current squad.

So whilst we seem to be able to sell a player for a profit and bring in one or two replacements with no major hiccups to the results is there the risk that we are just seen as a club to come to so that skills can be honed and showboated? Is our approach going to fall off the rails because there isn't a Notts County team, but merely a squad of players that will come and go?

That is the modern game. I don?t think our churn rate will look dissimilar to any other club.
Players are offered 2-3 year contracts so that is normally the extent of their stay unless it suits both parties to sign a new contract or someone buys them.
The only difference between now and pre Reedtz brothers is we are now buying players who are improving and attract attention. Pre Reedtz we were buying players that declined so a 3 year contract meant we were stuck with them for 3 years.

[DaveSmithRules]

The last classic 'teams' I can remember were from the Warnock era. Even in our successful years since under Allardyce, Cotterill and it was more of a squad game with several options for places. And I think a major factor in that was the 1995 Bosman ruling. Obviously that also coincided with a greater influx of money into the game as a whole too, which means it's always going to be hard to keep your best players when their contracts are expiring.

I do, however, think we'd have had a more settled first XI this season were it not for injuries. Although in patches like over Xmas with so many fixtures it's also important to rest some players too.

[Old_pie]

And I think a major factor in that was the 1995 Bosman ruling.

Ah yes, forgot about that. Encouraging greedy agents to keep players moving on. ok, the old system was a bit feudal.

[frenchmagpie]

ok, the old system was a bit feudal.

It was but it's a bit sad that it's gone. Posters on the bedroom wall for years of players who had A team. I still think back to the greats and you could name their team but that isn't the case now.

[Med Pie]

Since the Bros arrived our squad has improved immensely, possibly only marred by some of the injuries this season. And they have imposed a footbally style that is defining our footballing identity and have allowed that style to evolve as we adapt.

But in my years of supporting the club the successful squads have been a team; a fairly closely knit set of players that have striven for and enjoyed success as a group.

I look at ever changing names in our squad and wonder how much of a team is there. Players who bond and work together for the club. I can barely keep track of who is in, who has gone. I can probably recite the 1960 team better than the current squad.

So whilst we seem to be able to sell a player for a profit and bring in one or two replacements with no major hiccups to the results is there the risk that we are just seen as a club to come to so that skills can be honed and showboated? Is our approach going to fall off the rails because there isn't a Notts County team, but merely a squad of players that will come and go?

I agree totally with this, I used to have a rucksack to go to school with on which I had painted the Notts line-up, so reliable was it that the team sheet would have the same names on it.

[Old_pie]

I agree totally with this, I used to have a rucksack to go to school with on which I had painted the Notts line-up, so reliable was it that the team sheet would have the same names on it.

I've moaned about it elsewhere but my brand new Notts County calendar has Crowley for January so I may as well rip that out. Feb and Mar with Goldie and Sam should be safe. April's Cedwyn has gone. Then Matt Palmer, Jodi and Alex, they should still be here. But will Jatta be in August? Curtis, Platt and Grant should be ok then will Nick be here in December?

In retrospect I preferred last years Spitfire calendar.