Should we play the kids on merit? (1 Viewer)

[shmmeee]

So everyone seems to agree that out midfield was the problem with Bell, Baker and McSheffrey all putting in poor performances on Saturday. I think part of the problem is that all 3 are probably best at the point of the diamond, but with no Gunnar and no Deegan we have to play them in the middle.

I think we should give Thomas and Bigirimana the chance in the middle on merit. Sure they're young (although I'm not sure this equates to lightweight - Cameron is probably our strongest player and is only a year or so older), but they will be keen to impress and will only get better with games. Plus both have shown real quality, arguably above that shown by the likes of Baker. More importantly from my POV they seem to actually want to play for the club, unlike the senior pros on Saturday.

So, should we go with this midfield until Deegan is fit:

Clingan
Thomas Bigirimana
GM/DB/CB (whoever is on form)

 

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[magic82ball]

The best two players on the park in SKy Blue on Saturday were Bigirimana and Christie so yes, we would be in trouble without them

 

[Nick]

If the kids play better than the first teamers then yes play them

 

[PVA]

I would like to see a midfield of...

Clingan

Biggie - Bell

McSheff


Until Deegs is fit. As promising as the kids are, with the position we are in we can't afford to have two of Bell/Baker/Sheff on the bench.

 

[pusbccfc]

Bigi on my texaco team on 600k could be a good player to have on there!

 

[Covstu]

well at the moment our options are limited, given a few injuries and we certainly will have no choice! My concern would be that they cannot last the whole season and would be a big ask for them to play every game (or near to every game).

 

[oldskyblue58]

all players should be picked on merit

 

[skyblueinBaku]

If any of the kids is the best option we have for a particular position, then they should play.

 

[Otis]

Well sort of agree, but at the same time I do think it would be very wrong to overload the team with youngsters no matter how good they are.

You can't have an entire team of youngsters. You need more experienced strong minded and older players around them. Football is not only about ability. It is also about mental strength, experience and knowledge of the game.

I would reckon that you wouldn't want many more than 4 youngsters in the same 11 at the same time. For every Nathan Cameron you need a Martin Cranie. For every Birigimana you need a Clingan.

Blood the kids by all means but that has to be tempered somewhat and used in conjunction with experience.

 

[oldskyblue58]

Think that folk assume picked on merit means that they are picked because they individually play well. Not what I would say as picked on merit - it is just one of the merits of a player. Others maybe fitness, experience, how the player fits in with others etc. Age should not be a barrier to a young or older player - if their inclusion improves the team then they are picked on merit

 

[tisza]

Well sort of agree, but at the same time I do think it would be very wrong to overload the team with youngsters no matter how good they are.

You can't have an entire team of youngsters. You need more experienced strong minded and older players around them. Football is not only about ability. It is also about mental strength, experience and knowledge of the game.

I'm not convinced that some of our "senior" players are that strong-minded!
I don't think we'd lose too much from Baker being replaced by a youngster. Bell & McSheff have to step up or their places should be considered up for grabs as well.

 

[Otis]

Agreed; You need some older experienced players around you but not all older players have the mental strength.

In our side i would say we need the likes of Cranie, Clingan and Keogh as a backbone for starters.

 

[Waldorf]

I seem to remember someone saying, "You can't win anything with kids". Think it was a certain A Hansen about Man Utd. They won the Prem easily if I remember.

If they're good enough, they're old enough. (I think someone else said that)

 

[Otis]

Yes of course. But would a team of 17 and 18 year old kids be able to close a game out at 1-0 up with 15 minutes to go? Would a team of kids have the mettle and mental strength to come back from a couple of goals behind or withstand provocation from opposition players? How many times have we heard about a young player's naivety? I remember young Jordan Clarke getting sucked in and duped by Robbie Savage at Derby and he got sent off for it.

Yes talented kids are great, but they need a level head or two around them.

 

[Yorkshire SB]

From my point of view, if they're good enough then they're old enough. Can they close a game in? Bigiramana has the greatest level of composure I've seen from a Coventry player in years..of course he can close a game in, very intelligent player. As for our midfield problem, we seem to all be waiting for the return of Deegan, which for me is based of precious all. Why do we all seem to think he is the solution to the problem. In the games I've seen him, he's looked no better, no obvious quality just a good work rate. I don't think this is enough.
I don't think we have a lot to lose by playing the younger players, so give them a chance, that diamond can work with bigi, thomas, clingan and one other, personally despite his performance at the weekend I would like to see McSheffrey in there as he is a Coventry boy, and if the going gets tough this season I would hope we can rely on him.

At the back I think we need to sacrifice the football playing centre backs. I know it's nice to watch but we're simply too small, both Keogh and Cranie are capable and can knock a ball about but I'd like to see McPake in that side, adding a bit of steel and aggression to that back four.

 

[searmh]

i would play the youngsters the carling cup is not really important a good start to the league is and playing the youth seeing what they can do and preserving the first team is much more important

 

[blueflint]

give them the chance to show they can cut the mustard and if they can brill

 

[Pigeon]

If your good enough then your old enough. All players should be picked on merit and not down to age or favoritism