The changing of the guard...

[jinkyali]

Today for me was the first real signal of the old guard within the squad over the last decade or so being cast aside; not so much dropped but much like buying a new car, you always need a younger model.

At one point today we had Galloway, Stones, Browning, Deulofeu, Barkley, Lukaku and McCarthy on the pitch; more than 60% of the team 24 or younger.

On the bench we had internationals in Osman, Gibson, Lennon and Mirallas.

The club now is more reliant on the young lads than the senior internationals, established Premiership players.

Like it or not, Martinez has placed great confidence in the youth and it seems only natural these boys are going to fill the fulcrum of our team going forward. Add in Garbutt, Funes Mori, Besic and potentially exciting kids like Dowell, Ledson, Pennington etc and we are seeing right in front of our very eyes the changing of the guard at the club right now.

These guys want it more, physically they are better and attitude wise, they are different. I see more winners in this lot than in the past. Their attitude is fantastic; never give up, want to win and pissed off when things dont go our way.

This lot are destined to lift something.

 

[Boss_Blue]

This lot are destined to lift something.

I hope so mate I really do.


@sageyefc

 

[sageyefc]

@Sapie88

 

[Huyton Layne]

If any of those experienced players on the bench were a left back or a right back they'd have started the game. Nice to have young players but 2 of the 7 are filling in due to an injury crisis with our defence.

 

[jinkyali]

If any of those experienced players on the bench were a left back or a right back they'd have started the game. Nice to have young players but 2 of the 7 are filling in due to an injury crisis with our defence.

The very fact none of them on the bench are a left back or right back underlines my point; the confidence in the kids, the academy.

 

[hibbos left peg]

i like what Martinez is trying to do, its how a football club should operate

 

[ijjysmith]

A few added bits and bobs and we're winning the lot.

Just a few issues getting them bits and bobs.

 

[Prevenger17]

I think they're all destined to turn snitch and go to greener pastures at the first opportunity.

 

[The Equaliser]

About Turn.

Quick March.

Left Right Left Right Left Right Left Right

 

[bourneblue]

About Turn.

Quick March.

Left Right Left Right Left Right Left Right

LOL !!

 

[toffeejack]

If any of those experienced players on the bench were a left back or a right back they'd have started the game. Nice to have young players but 2 of the 7 are filling in due to an injury crisis with our defence.

Could have gone out and bought short term fixes like notes liked to do with hitzlesperger etc.

 

[Lowste]

squad in the main looks healthy

 

[harry]

Today for me was the first real signal of the old guard within the squad over the last decade or so being cast aside; not so much dropped but much like buying a new car, you always need a younger model.

At one point today we had Galloway, Stones, Browning, Deulofeu, Barkley, Lukaku and McCarthy on the pitch; more than 60% of the team 24 or younger.

On the bench we had internationals in Osman, Gibson, Lennon and Mirallas.


The club now is more reliant on the young lads than the senior internationals, established Premiership players.

Like it or not, Martinez has placed great confidence in the youth and it seems only natural these boys are going to fill the fulcrum of our team going forward. Add in Garbutt, Funes Mori, Besic and potentially exciting kids like Dowell, Ledson, Pennington etc and we are seeing right in front of our very eyes the changing of the guard at the club right now.

These guys want it more, physically they are better and attitude wise, they are different. I see more winners in this lot than in the past. Their attitude is fantastic; never give up, want to win and pissed off when things dont go our way.

This lot are destined to lift something.

Remember when martinez said “it is possible to get champions league without throwing stupid amounts of money at it, it just takes time“

Look at our squad now, if we can keep adding quality and keep our squad together, i dont see why we cant challenge in a couple of seasons time.

 

[TheFinnFan]

Moris debut against Chelsea was a fine example of this too. Bobbys confidence is admirable.

 

[bluestevon]

Remember when martinez said “it is possible to get champions league without throwing stupid amounts of money at it, it just takes time“

Look at our squad now, if we can keep adding quality and keep our squad together, i dont see why we cant challenge in a couple of seasons time.

Need a quality long term replacement for barry, a solid backup striker who can score and another wide player who can create atm its all on ross with del showing glimpses.

Austin, yarms and ledsons too young and besic not good enough yet so the barry role is the hardest to fill long term

Close to having a real quality squad though, still need 25-30m invested to get what we need in