Bare Bones

[Mar]

If you take a look at the following website you can see the number of injuries each team has (aswell as predicted return dates). You will see that Sunderland top the list with 8 whilst Bolton have 5 injuries.

http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_ ... _table.php

Sunderland managed to fill the bench with 7 players on Saturday and yet we could only muster up 4 substitutes. Surely we can fill the bench with more players than the four that we have listed. How come we're only fielding four?

[seanworth]

Lee off to Asia

Robinson suspended

Holden failed late fitness

feeble excuses maybe

[bettyrasta]

That calf-muscle strain of JLS must be a bad one.

[TANGODANCER]

Lee off to Asia

Robinson suspended

Holden failed late fitness

feeble excuses maybe

Add Steinsson to that list (two of them defenders) and normally we wouldn't be badly covered if they were all available. Holden was most missed in midfiled and, although Alonso didn't do badly, he's not Robinson class. Both Alonso and Moreno need a bit of time. Was surprising our bench was bereft of at least one defender. That alone must have made our defence a bit card-cautious, playing against the synchronised divers club. Holden was stated mid-week to be doubtful due to a thigh knock.

[Choppers]

Defender wise, we've been operating (imho) with Steinsson as first choice right back, Ricketts as cover for right back AND centre back AND left back for a while.

Ricketts making right back his own (at times) gives us the problem, because he's so versatile across the back.

[Mar]

Despite all of these injuries though, surely we must have enough in the squad to be able to field more substitutes. Why not the likes of Adam Blakeman, Rhys Bennett, Ryan Stayte an Joe Riley from the youth/reserve team squads. Surely a bench with at least one out an out defender would've provided some more cover (even if they're not entirely ready).

I was shocked when Megson did it. I figured it was a ploy for him to go and sign new players to show the backroom how short on squad players we were. I would've thought Coyle would've adopted a different approach.

Maybe its just a case of having a tight knit team where all the first teamers travel to the game (IIRC I saw Holden on the bench despite not being eligible due to injury) and theres no room on the coach.

[Choppers]

Holden was there, sat with the players!

[wonka]

That calf-muscle strain of JLS must be a bad one.

What *is* going on with JLoyd Samuel??

Is he currently injured, or has he become persona non grata?

If he is fit, it would have made sense to have him on the bench yesterday.

He's not one of the better defenders at the club, but I'd always thought his attitude was fine, and still worthy of a squad place.

[Choppers]

Might be imaginging it, but didn't someone suggest he was a bit of a "billy big bollocks"?

[Prufrock]

Just not good enough. First choice left back and our most expensive LB ahead of him, plus Ricketts and Gardner can play there.

[Athers]

I've just realised we didn't even register Riga as a player in our 25.

http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headl ... 20,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[chaddy_bwfc]

what happens with the 25man squad when it comes to january? obviously AOB isn't part of our 25man squad anymore, but can he remove other players from the squad, like JOB that is probably never going to play for us again.

[seanworth]

what happens with the 25man squad when it comes to january? obviously AOB isn't part of our 25man squad anymore, but can he remove other players from the squad, like JOB that is probably never going to play for us again.

From reports of others the 25 man rule doesn't apply during January. He then has to make up a new list at the end of the month which will apply for the remainder of the season.

[truewhite15]

what happens with the 25man squad when it comes to january? obviously AOB isn't part of our 25man squad anymore, but can he remove other players from the squad, like JOB that is probably never going to play for us again.

The 25 man squad can be adjusted at the end of January. At this very moment, I.E. today, we can't voluntarily take players out of the squad until the end of January; they are only removed from our squad when sold. But players that we buy that are over the age of 21 can be added into any gaps in the 25 man squad at any time.

Seanworth - the 25 squad rules DOES still apply during January.

[seanworth]

what happens with the 25man squad when it comes to january? obviously AOB isn't part of our 25man squad anymore, but can he remove other players from the squad, like JOB that is probably never going to play for us again.

The 25 man squad can be adjusted at the end of January. At this very moment, I.E. today, we can't voluntarily take players out of the squad until the end of January; they are only removed from our squad when sold. But players that we buy that are over the age of 21 can be added into any gaps in the 25 man squad at any time.

Seanworth - the 25 squad rules DOES still apply during January.

it might still apply but clubs can make unlimited changes during that month. In effect I really don't see how it is really effective during the month of January. Also players can be played in the FA cup without even being on the 25man squad.

[chaddy_bwfc]

what happens with the 25man squad when it comes to january? obviously AOB isn't part of our 25man squad anymore, but can he remove other players from the squad, like JOB that is probably never going to play for us again.

The 25 man squad can be adjusted at the end of January. At this very moment, I.E. today, we can't voluntarily take players out of the squad until the end of January; they are only removed from our squad when sold. But players that we buy that are over the age of 21 can be added into any gaps in the 25 man squad at any time.

Seanworth - the 25 squad rules DOES still apply during January.

it might still apply but clubs can make unlimited changes during that month. In effect I really don't see how it is really effective during the month of January. Also players can be played in the FA cup without even being on the 25man squad.

thanks for clearing that up for me. I'm hoping we can bring in a couple of defenders and a winger on loan because if rodrigo gets injured while Lee is away then I do not want Petrov on that right wing, and what's worse is playing Elmander there when klasnic comes off the bench.

[boltonboris]

Elmander was absolutely superb there. I have no problem with him filling in on the wing, with Davies and Klasnic up front

[Prufrock]

Aye same, his best performances since November have come after he's been shifted out there.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I've just realised we didn't even register Riga as a player in our 25.

http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headl ... 20,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

...or 24, as it seems to be...?