Free Agents/Midfielders

[Rams4Justice]

Does it?
I'd like to think a bit of both, but as regards the academy players...I guess they're maybe just not ready yet, although I think Max Lowe might be first choice if he could ever stay fit.

P.S. That's just a long list of players who might be praised for their longevity...they didn't necessarily get better towards the end of their careers.

Most players in their 30's tire and lose their edge and not good as they once was when they were younger but not those player's.

[Rams4Justice]

"Maybe they just not ready yet" or our recruitment has been poor.

[ramAnag]

Most players in their 30's tire and lose their edge and not good as they once was when they were younger but not those player's.

Sorry, there isn't one of those players who remained as good (or got better, as you claimed) with age.
To take the three examples we're all most familiar with...do you honestly think Beckham was as good at LA Galaxy as at Man.Utd, that Terry is as good at Villa as he was a decade ago at Chelsea or that Giggs was as dynamic once he began to lose his pace?
There's a reason why they step down a league and lose their international status.

[Rams4Justice]

Sorry, there isn't one of those players who remained as good (or got better, as you claimed) with age.
To take the three examples we're all most familiar with...do you honestly think Beckham was as good at LA Galaxy as at Man.Utd, that Terry is as good at Villa as he was a decade ago at Chelsea or that Giggs was as dynamic once he began to lose his pace?
There's a reason why they step down a league and lose their international status.

Beckham was good wherever he went Man Utd, AC Milan, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy & PSG. His play never died even in his 30's. Terry early doors for him yet to decide on if he will be good at Villa or not but before he left Chelsea he was as good as he had ever been right to the end. Giggs played till he was in his 40's still as creative as ever until the end when Man Utd wore out he knew his time was up he bowed out in style. Wayne Rooney was given a choice to play on for England because his form for Everton lately has been good but he chose not to and retired himself from International duty but if he continues his form he could change his mind and come back to the England squad if he get's asked again.

[ramAnag]

Beckham was good wherever he went Man Utd, AC Milan, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy & PSG. His play never died even in his 30's. Terry early doors for him yet to decide on if he will be good at Villa or not but before he left Chelsea he was as good as he had ever been right to the end. Giggs played till he was in his 40's still as creative as ever until the end when Man Utd wore out he knew his time was up he bowed out in style. Wayne Rooney was given a choice to play on for England because his form for Everton lately has been good but he chose not to and retired himself from International duty but if he continues his form he could change his mind and come back to the England squad if he get's asked again.

Have it your own way. Human beings tend to develop, peak and decline. Professional sportsmen are no exception...it all just tends to happen a little more quickly.

[Rams4Justice]

Have it your own way. Human beings tend to develop, peak and decline. Professional sportsmen are no exception...it all just tends to happen a little more quickly.

That they do just each individual is different they either good in their later years or they aren't, depends on how good their fitness levels are and how they feel physically and keep mostly injury free most of their careers.

[ramAnag]

That they do just each individual is different they either good in their later years or they aren't, depends on how good their fitness levels are and how they feel physically and keep mostly injury free most of their careers.

Remaining 'good' and getting 'better' are very different things. As I said a while ago...not disputing their long and illustrious playing careers.

[Rams4Justice]

Remaining 'good' and getting 'better' are very different things. As I said a while ago...not disputing their long and illustrious playing careers.

If you are a player who can put on a full performance week in and week out throughout their entire playing career they have done well for themselves. If you are player who puts on a performance week in and week out in their early career and just rides out later in the latter stages that's fine, depends on the individual like I said "depends on how good their fitness levels are and how they feel physically and keep mostly injury free most of their careers".

[macstheman]

Still pondering!!

[Manofpride]

Beckham was good wherever he went Man Utd, AC Milan, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy & PSG. His play never died even in his 30's. Terry early doors for him yet to decide on if he will be good at Villa or not but before he left Chelsea he was as good as he had ever been right to the end. Giggs played till he was in his 40's still as creative as ever until the end when Man Utd wore out he knew his time was up he bowed out in style. Wayne Rooney was given a choice to play on for England because his form for Everton lately has been good but he chose not to and retired himself from International duty but if he continues his form he could change his mind and come back to the England squad if he get's asked again.

R4J, I disagree on this.
Ask any manager in the entire football league that if he could pick any players from those you mentioned in post 9 above, would he prefer them in their early twenties or at the ages of 30+ I know what they'd all say! oh and Commons was not cult hero at Derby more like Judas. To try and put his name along side cult heroes like Bloomer, Mackay Hector Saunders McFarland Todd George Stimac etc is just talking daft!