The squad numbers I have no problem with, but the referral to players by a number and not “ACM” for example, is what gets me.
And from the replies so far it appears to be an entirely arbitrary system causing confusion. That’s not a criticism on...
The only numbers I bother about were those of the finest midfield we ever had. 4, 6, 8.
The rest is code shared by those who Know About Football. Or Inverted Swines as I call them.