Squad average age

[leetufc]

Been thinking about how young our squad looks this season and was wondering what other people thought about it

GK - Olejnik 24 Rice 25

Def - Oastler 21, Leadbitter 20, Nicholson 30, LRT 21, Robertson 24, Saah 24, Ellis 22, Palmer 19

Mid - Stevens 24, Macklin 19, Morris 24, Halpin 20, O'Kane 21, Mansell 28, McPhee 28, Lathrope 21

Att - Kee 20, Howe 24, Yeoman 19, Spear 19 (i think, not sure on this one)

I know some of the positions of players are up for interpretation, but that's how i see them. Also didn't include Atieno as he hasn't signed yet, although he would raise the age slightly.
By my calculations the average age of the squad just over 22.5, which by anyone's standards is extremely low. Is anyone concerned by this or prefers a youthful nature to the team?

Personally I am actually quite happy about it. Although slightly worried we may lack some experience to guide the youngsters, I would hope Nico and Manse, maybe even McPhee, can step up to that job this season. We also have several players, who despite their young age, we should consider experienced (Olejnik, Saah, Morris, Robbo). I am looking foward to seeing how this group blends and gets on this season. Hopefully we can do well, and if we can retain most of these players for a few years, maybe be able to build a team which can develop and become better. I definitely think there are the makings of a good squad there, and hopefully one which will improve with age, some of whom i believe have the potential to play at a higher level (O'Kane, Kee, Ellis) if they have the right attitude and training.

[bc-gull]

We have a good bit of experience in the right place on the pitch, like mansell in the middle of the park, I prefer a younger team but you kinda need that experience to drive the team, I think that might be something we may miss this coming season, although that is what the loan market is for.

[Fonda]

You won't win anything with kids...

[Colorado Gull]

You won't win anything with kids...

.....ahh the famous words of Alan Hansen!

[leetufc]

You won't win anything with kids...

I was anticipating somebody saying this!

[Colorado Gull]

In my eyes it's got nothing to do about the age but to do with Football Experience. Most of the players that we have got have had a good amount of Footballing experience (apart from some obvious ones.) So I'm not worried about a young side!

[stefano]

Age is only a date on a calendar. I have been their age but they can only hope they will get to mine!

[Bigman]

While I'm generally in favour of a youthful side with plenty of pace, exuberance and enthusiasm, I think a core of experience can be very helpful - someone to gee the players up if they're getting down or tell them off if they're doing something wrong, like Branston did last year. If Manse moves to the middle I think he's perfectly suited to this role, but am also hoping that Saah is as mature as Ling keeps suggesting as I think it can help when the person doing this has most of the game in front of him and can see it all.

As mentioned, most of these players have plenty of game experience (I believe 11 of the above have played in a Wembley/OT final) so there's little worry of them freezing on the pitch. I also think that young players have an extra incentive to do well - a good season for us and they could be earning themselves a big money move up the leagues, whereas a seasoned veteran may have less to prove.

So all in all, I'm pretty happy with the balance.

[Richinns]

Wow - did not realise we were that young as a 'collective'. My only worry is if we get on a losing streak than a young inexperienced team will find it harder to halt the 'slide'.

However a young and fit team often can be better in the long hard winter months and the little niggles will be less which is important for a team with such a small squad.

I guess Ling can always bring experience in through the loan system if and when it is needed.

[bobby93]

nothing to be concerned about, we've had low average ages for a while, particularly since buckle took over.

[Awayday]

I am more thankful we have a team, at one point I thought I would have to start taking my boots to games just to make up the numbers. It would have meant SG taking his boots as well, but that would have increased the average age from 22.5 to 41 PMSL (I am so going to get bitch slapped for that one).