Mark Pawelek
New Member
During Fergie's reign, I think there were generally 4 kinds of squad player:
We rarely need to make punts any more because the youth ranks and scouting setup are better. We may now have a dozen or more youth good enough to one day play for the first team as regulars, reserves, or rotators. I hope some of them will be ready when the veterans I want to sign are ready to hang up their boots.
- Punts - bought for low prices, often about £5m. Many punts didn't work out. Some punts were huge successes and became starters. Failures stayed for about a season, if that, then left.
- Stalwarts - not quite good enough to start matches when everyone is fit but they often saw action. Players like: John O'Shea, Fletcher. They were genuine reserves and essential.
- Rejects - players found lacking, and likely leaving in the first available transfer window.
- Rotation players. Would not start in the strongest 11 but often played. Like Ole.
We rarely need to make punts any more because the youth ranks and scouting setup are better. We may now have a dozen or more youth good enough to one day play for the first team as regulars, reserves, or rotators. I hope some of them will be ready when the veterans I want to sign are ready to hang up their boots.