This squad is changing

[Withdean Wanderer]

*awaits 'no shit sherlock comments*

I was just looking at the squad from the beginning of the season and it got me thinking!

Some observations:

Kuipers - still here, as he has been since MA
Watto - Gone
Mayo - 10th year here
Cullip -GONE
Blackwell - GONE
Nicolas - been here 1 season
Knight - 3rd season
Rodger - GONE
Hart - here for years
Currie - GONE
Oatway & Chippy - here since MA
Butters - 4th season, 3rd in the team
Jones - GONE
Molango - still here just i belive, for a season.
Virgs - GONE
Piercy - GONE
Mcphee - here, but not having much of an impact. only had one real season
Beck - GONE (little impact)
Hammond - just beginning to establish himself, been here a while
Budd - GONE (no impact)
Hinsh - here, 4th season
Harding - GONE (scum)
El-abd - 3rd season
Roberts GONE
Robinson - still here, 3rdseason although he hasn't had much of a chance yet
Reid - 2nd season
May- GONE
Jarrett - second year, not established

ok i admit that lots of these have been injuries, but look how many have 'GONE'.
Coming in we've had
McCammon
Dodd
Kazim Richards
Breach & Elphick (youth teams)

and now we're looking at these foreign trialists. Who remembers the time that FDM was our only foreigner? Not that i have a problem with a few nationalities in the squad!

And also, we've been saying for the last few seasons 'this is the same team we've had since Div 3'. Well no, it isn't actually. FDM, OGH, Chippy, Kerry and Charlie are the only ones left in the squad from that team. And of the starting eleven in Cardiff, only 5 ( i think) remain. I think those 5, and in particular Mayo should be credited on how they've served the club over the years. People like Harding should look up to them, commited pro's .

I just thought it's interesting how this squad has changed so quickly. When i return from my hols at the end of August, i could well be watching a completely new Albion side, which is a first while i've been watching.

Also, is it worrying that our squad is currently so thin? Look at the outs compared to ins!

So there you go, just a few thoughts.
Make of them what you wish.

Either way, we've still got a bloody interesting season ahead, whoever turns out at Derby!

 

[London Irish]

Agreed - it's smooth, evolutionary change rather than panicky, headless chicken stuff

Having 5 first-choicers from our Lincoln-Barnet-Halifax days is still an eye-opening stat though.

 

[Stinky Kat]

We need a goalkeeper and more strength in defence and midfield. THERE IS STILL TIME, BUT as usual we are leaving it bloody late.

 

[dougdeep]

We need four players now Adam has gone.

 

[Brixtaan]

Excellent post WW,sobering but the trimmed sleek new squad excites me.Bring on the cheapo foreigners too,give em 20 mins here and there,it doesn't matter, we've got the bones of the team in place.

 

[craigo]

I went to the lewes V brighton friendly and spoke to g.hart and he diddnt seem very keen on staying at the albion

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

I can't believe Hart would want to leave us unless he wasn't getting first team football like at the beginning of last year. However he won his place back and started 99% of the games until the end of the season.?

As regards new players, it's been discussed before but i think a back-up keeper and the left side HAVE to be a priority!

 

[Eggmundo]

I have last seasons team poster on my wall and their is a white sticker over everyone who's left.....Looks white to say the least!

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

And how could I forget Dave Lee?

 

[hans kraay fan club]

And also, we've been saying for the last few seasons 'this is the same team we've had since Div 3'. Well no, it isn't actually. FDM, OGH, Chippy, Kerry and Charlie are the only ones left in the squad from that team. And of the starting eleven in Cardiff, only 5 ( i think) remain. I think those 5, and in particular Mayo should be credited on how they've served the club over the years. People like Harding should look up to them, commited pro's .


[/B]

Could you enlighten us on how Mayo's 'loyalty' has been tested during those 10 years. How many times have Celtic, Leeds, Sheffield United, etc made approaches for him?

Less than one, I would think.

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Re: Re: This squad is changing

Could you enlighten us on how Mayo's 'loyalty' has been tested during those 10 years. How many times have Celtic, Leeds, Sheffield United, etc made approaches for him?

Less than one, I would think.

A valid point, and admittedly if he was good enough to win U21 international honours the situation probably would be different.

However, has he wanted to leave? Has he ever refused to sign a new contract?

Mayo gives 100% every time he plays, regardless whether anyone rates him or not. He's commited, and gone from the bottom of Div 3 to Championship football with us. 10 years service shows loyalty imho.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

I'm not really knocking the guy. I don't rate him but I'm not one of the cocks who jeers at any of our own players at a game.

My point is just that, who among us would not happily, stay in a job for ten years if all you had to do was kick a ball around for 2 or 3 hours a day a pocket a couple of grand a week.

I wouldn't refuse a contract either.

The sad sad truth is that I am a bitter failed left back, still clinging the the vain [and totally false] belief that if only I hadn't played shit in my first Brighton Boys game, it could all have been so different......