Yesterday was the first time since 1930 that four different players had scored their first international goal for England in the same game. One of the first-time scorers in the 1930 match was an erstwhile Saddler, Eric Houghton.
OK, not actually a former player but he was a Director for several years, and was on the board when I first started supporting us, so worth mentioning, I think.
As we don’t, yet, have a thread for former Directors, this will do.
Eric played for and managed Aston Villa, where Bill Moore was his coach, before Bill came to us as manager.
If the price was right for Sawyers and there wasn’t any issues fitness wise he’s worth a punt. Something different to what we have. Looks after the ball well. Unlocks defences. Imagine him sending Barrett, Lowe, Jellis etc racing through on the break
No thanks, Hall,Lakin,Jellis,Stirk,Comley and Earing all offer something different with the added benefit they all work there socks off for the team. I really dont see where Sawyers fits into this teams style of play.
Don’t you mean the Nations League? The National League is for lower level teams not good enough for the EFL - oh, hang on, I think you might have been right first time.
Why don’t the EPL teams go f**k off to a European Super League and put their U21s in the EPL, or create a B League where 5 of the squad have to be over 30, if they really want to play against ‘men’.
I think one solution could be to limit the amount of players a PL club can have on its books (including any players they loan out).
25 players over the age of 20 should be more than enough.
Another dozen aged from 18 to 20.
That would stop them stockpiling players (Chelsea had 80 plus a few years ago) and force them to make decisions on younger players futures.
Those younger players they let go then have the opportunity to find other clubs.
Biggest plague to football is the premier league. As you say they stockpile players, you look at some players and you see 24/25 yr olds with less than 200 appearences who have had 7,8,9 loans. Stricter rules needed but wont happen as these prem clubs line the pockets of the ones in charge
I really don’t know what is insulting about playing one match per season against highly skilled young players from the top clubs.
I find the U21 matches very entertaining. The young players take the game very seriously, as do the Walsall teams they are up against. The matches are a pleasant change from seeing us up against lower division players with a lot less skill but more strength and experience.
While I would not necessarily want to see U21 teams in the league, playing one competitive match against them each year is, in my opinion, a welcome development.
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