Definition Of A Squad Player ?

[Julian Denny]

A lot of people refer to certain players as "squad players" almost in a derogatory way - "he's only a squad player" or "he's probably a decent squad player". So what is the definition of a squad player in this context as opposed to someone who plays in the squad ? In terms of the modern game, surely all our listed players are now "squad players". Do we still have a first team and reserves to fill in or do we just have a first team squad from which the team is picked depending on a host of circumstances? Times have changed perhaps and the old fashioned notion of a settled first eleven at a club like ours may have disappeared forever.

 

[a_devil_inside]

to me we have our first eleven, maybe two or three more players, the rest are there to fill gaps when needed. But I wouldn't play them week in week out

 

[amolbhatia50k]

A lot of people refer to certain players as "squad players" almost in a derogatory way - "he's only a squad player" or "he's probably a decent squad player". So what is the definition of a squad player in this context as opposed to someone who plays in the squad ? In terms of the modern game, surely all our listed players are now "squad players". Do we still have a first team and reserves to fill in or do we just have a first team squad from which the team is picked depending on a host of circumstances? Times have changed perhaps and the old fashioned notion of a settled first eleven at a club like ours may have disappeared forever.

i was just getting to that in another thread... bascially its too generalised a term... as i said morientes wouldnt get into our starting eleven so woudnt alot of world class players... but theyr better than the likes of fortune and phil neville who are also squad players according to the defenition...

 

[devilish]

I think that we need to reach a level when the utility players will give way to the competitive ones, those type of players who challenge the first teamers keeping them on their toes and replace them adequatly if they lose form or we are looking predictable. Ole and Teddy were those type of players during the 99 treble season and that unpredicatibly proved vital expecially in the CL Final.

I believe that SAF is leading his team to that level. Ok you can still find in the squad utility players capable only to act as covers to a specific role. Yet fortunately most of our "reserves" are now players like Miller, Djemba Djemba, Fletcher and Smith players that add something to the side and while they may not be playing week in week out they are just too good to be considered as utility players

 

[Julian Denny]

We have a lot of young players in our squad so it's going to take a little time but the ideal is to have a situation where players can come into the starting line up and perform well without weakening the team. So much so that you don't miss the players they have replaced. There's no such thing as a settled team nowadays as the Manager needs to change things around for a variety of reasons, whether it be injuries, loss of form, international absences, tactics or just resting players. Each member of the squad has to be able to come into the side and perform up to scratch. The quality of the whole squad is therefore paramount to the success of the team.

 

[kanchelskis14]

a player who is considered a squad player is usually someone who is shite. lol,joking.
it's not that complex,they are just usually not in the best 14 or so players in a squad.

 

[josh divan]

Remember the days when the commentators would say "And just look at that Utd bench!" Most people today would probably say that our best 11 players are Howard, Gazza, Rio, Wes, Micky, Ronnie, Keano, Scholesy, Giggsy, Saha and Ruud. Who is there, apart from Alan Smith, who could come off the bench and make your heart beat a bit faster? (I'm not saying that all subs need to do that -- sometimes you just want a Phil Neville to come on and close things down.)

But shouldn't the world's richest club have a few more fully-fledged star players in the squad?

 

[kanchelskis14]

Remember the days when the commentators would say "And just look at that Utd bench!" Most people today would probably say that our best 11 players are Howard, Gazza, Rio, Wes, Micky, Ronnie, Keano, Scholesy, Giggsy, Saha and Ruud. Who is there, apart from Alan Smith, who could come off the bench and make your heart beat a bit faster? (I'm not saying that all subs need to do that -- sometimes you just want a Phil Neville to come on and close things down.)

But shouldn't the world's richest club have a few more fully-fledged star players in the squad?

good point,but then you'll have to find a way of keeping them all happy.don't get me wrong,i hate seing phil neville in a united shirt more than anyone,but he knows he is shite and won't complain for being on the bench.

 

[golden_blunder]

lets give Phil Neville some credit. Alright, he's not going to change a game if we're losing but he's good at closing the opposition down, marking people and filling numerous positions. Every team needs someone like that in their squad. He had a bloody good year last season too.

 

[devilish]

Remember the days when the commentators would say "And just look at that Utd bench!" Most people today would probably say that our best 11 players are Howard, Gazza, Rio, Wes, Micky, Ronnie, Keano, Scholesy, Giggsy, Saha and Ruud. Who is there, apart from Alan Smith, who could come off the bench and make your heart beat a bit faster? (I'm not saying that all subs need to do that -- sometimes you just want a Phil Neville to come on and close things down.)

But shouldn't the world's richest club have a few more fully-fledged star players in the squad?

To be honest if our team is fit then we would have (using your first team setup)

Carroll (N Irish international, tell me one EPL who has a better second keeper then we do)

Ricardo (Spanish international acting as our third keeper)

OShea (Irish international considered as one of the most promising defenders in Britian)

Heinze (Argentinain international and currently considered as one of the best defenders in SA)

Philip Neville(chosen regularly with England under 3 different managers)

Kleberson (Brazilian international and one the best Brazilian players during last world cup)

Djemba Djemba (Cameroonian international and once considered as one of the toughest defensive midfielders in the French league)

Fletcher (Recently lead Scotland side, Fletcher is one of the most promising midfielders in Britain)

Miller (Irish international considered natural heir to a certian Roy Keane)

Ole (Norwegian international and Manchester United legend considered as Ronaldo's backup and our 4th striker)

Forlan (Uruguayian international and a regular scorer with his country considered as Manchester United 5th striker)

Alan Smith (Leeds hero considered as our 3rd striker)

+ I am excluding those same youths who kept Bayern Munich on draw

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Remember the days when the commentators would say "And just look at that Utd bench!" Most people today would probably say that our best 11 players are Howard, Gazza, Rio, Wes, Micky, Ronnie, Keano, Scholesy, Giggsy, Saha and Ruud. Who is there, apart from Alan Smith, who could come off the bench and make your heart beat a bit faster? (I'm not saying that all subs need to do that -- sometimes you just want a Phil Neville to come on and close things down.)

But shouldn't the world's richest club have a few more fully-fledged star players in the squad?

howard,gary,rio,wes,silves,ronaldo,keane,fletcher,giggs,scholes and ruud..thats our best 11.. and on the bench we would have saha and smith both can make a big impact. Other than that we would have djemba,kleberson, miller,eagles,heinze etc... not bad i think

 

[josh divan]

All internationals, agreed, and maybe Fletcher and Miller will make it in the big time, but you don't feel excited/secure/proud when you look at that team do you? (I suppose with Forlan, Fortune and Kleberson in the team you need the 2 goalies you've picked.)

Chelsea's 2nd XI of
Cech, Babayaro, Ferreira, Huth, Carvalho, Duff, Smertin, Cole, Geremi, Mutu and Kezman (assuming Cudicini, Johnson, Terry, Gallas, Bridge, Parker, Lampard, Makelele, Robben, Gudjohnsen and Drogba were on 1st XI duty) look to have more depth.

Of course that doesn't mean Chelsea will make use of all their talent , and even with so many ofour big names missing on Sunday, it should still be close.

 

[RedPhil1957]

To be honest if our team is fit then we would have (using your first team setup)

Carroll (N Irish international, tell me one EPL who has a better second keeper then we do)

Ricardo (Spanish international acting as our third keeper)

OShea (Irish international considered as one of the most promising defenders in Britian)

Heinze (Argentinain international and currently considered as one of the best defenders in SA)

Philip Neville(chosen regularly with England under 3 different managers)

Kleberson (Brazilian international and one the best Brazilian players during last world cup)

Djemba Djemba (Cameroonian international and once considered as one of the toughest defensive midfielders in the French league)

Fletcher (Recently lead Scotland side, Fletcher is one of the most promising midfielders in Britain)

Miller (Irish international considered natural heir to a certian Roy Keane)

Ole (Norwegian international and Manchester United legend considered as Ronaldo's backup and our 4th striker)

Forlan (Uruguayian international and a regular scorer with his country considered as Manchester United 5th striker)

Alan Smith (Leeds hero considered as our 3rd striker)

+ I am excluding those same youths who kept Bayern Munich on draw

good point

 

[nealn]

Carroll (N Irish international, tell me one EPL who has a better second keeper then we do)

If Chelsea start with Cech in net and Cudicini on the bench then I'd say they do... If Chelsea start with Cudicini and have Cech on the bench then I'd say they do as well...

But you're right that we have one of the best No2's out there...

 

[RedPhil1957]

If Chelsea start with Cech in net and Cudicini on the bench then I'd say they do... If Chelsea start with Cudicini and have Cech on the bench then I'd say they do as well...

But you're right that we have one of the best No2's out there...

Cudicini has always impressed me not so keen on Cech though and would happily stick to carroll

 

[nealn]

Cudicini has always impressed me not so keen on Cech though and would happily stick to carroll

I rate Cudicini over Cech but still think Cech is a very good goalie and whichever one of those two is on the bench I feel they'll be the best bench goalie in the league...