Squad Numbers

[SCIAG]

Also, I don't agree with every player in the squad getting a number - I doubt we will sell may Hyam 45 shirts this season, so why not give them a lower number shirt when they break into the squad instead of lumbering them with a high number now that could be demotivating as it suggests they are way down the pecking, which may be true bit it isn't very motivating know that.

I suspect simply being awarded a squad number could be motivating.

I doubt Hyam is under any illusions that he's about to be picked ahead of Ferdinand. Having said that, we have fitness doubts over all the centre backs ahead of him, so he might be quietly confident of getting a spot on the bench in the coming weeks.

[Nameless]

'Ok lads, here's the numbers for you (reads out numbers).

And you 4 over there, although you have contracts I don't really rate you so you can't have a number. Now go clean the bogs'

Great motivation !

[Ian Royal]

Forbes has been rambling some bonkers cack recently, but I think he's exceled himself there.

[Nameless]

Anyone seen the numbers the cricketers get given ? Broad is 638 and Root is 655 and they hardly seem to be suffering a numerically induced crisis of confidence.....

[RoyallyFcuked]

As much as it doesn't matter I don't like Hector taking the 8 shirt.

Yeah its a stupid number for a centre back, should have been left for a new signing.

Does Hector fancy himself as a defensive midfielder now or something?

[Nameless]

8 = H alphabetically

I suspect it's symbolic in some way

[RoyallyFcuked]

8 = H alphabetically

I suspect it's symbolic in some way

Well, its still stupid.

[ForzaRoyals]

Didn't Ady Williams always wear the number 8 for us? F*ck off newbie etc etc.

[Nameless]

Didn't Ady Williams always wear the number 8 for us? F*ck off newbie etc etc.

I think Adie's claim to fame was he wore every shirt for us....

[Ian Royal]

I blame Norwood for having 6, that's a centreback number.

I wish the numbers were still associated properly with positions, but let's face it... how many of our squad will even remember pre-compulsory squad numbers though? It started in 1999... Hector was 7. Give it another 5 - 10 years and most of the numbers will have no association with position with most players.


I feel old.

[Nameless]

If you want numbers to be associated with positions you'll have to force everyone to play 2-3-5 again.

Never really understood how on earth that worked to be honest.....

[Ian Royal]

If you want numbers to be associated with positions you'll have to force everyone to play 2-3-5 again.

Never really understood how on earth that worked to be honest.....

Cleary the only era of football that counts is the one when I first started going.

[Nameless]

So presumably you'd be a strict 442 man

1
2. 5 6. 3
7. 4. 10. 11
8. 9

5 is the rock hard ball winning centre half with 6 being a little more cultured
4 is a little guy, dirty bas#^rd
10 is the long haired elegant ball player
8 is the one everyone forgets
9 leads the line

[SCIAG]

I blame Norwood for having 6, that's a centreback number.

It's not Norwood's fault. Ferdinand took the #4, then Morrison left, then Norwood arrived and claimed Morrison's old shirt.

If we had just waited for Morrison to leave before signing Ferdinand, we wouldn't be in this mess

[JC]

Anyone seen the numbers the cricketers get given ? Broad is 638 and Root is 655 and they hardly seem to be suffering a numerically induced crisis of confidence.....

Cricket numbers are totally different. Each player is given a number which reflects the chronological order in which they first appeared. So Broad was the 638th player to play for England in Test Matches. There is a different sequence of numbers for ODI's and T20 games so Broad is 197 for ODI's and 18 for T20

[genome]

This thread is depressing.

[Nameless]

Anyone seen the numbers the cricketers get given ? Broad is 638 and Root is 655 and they hardly seem to be suffering a numerically induced crisis of confidence.....

Cricket numbers are totally different. Each player is given a number which reflects the chronological order in which they first appeared. So Broad was the 638th player to play for England in Test Matches. There is a different sequence of numbers for ODI's and T20 games so Broad is 197 for ODI's and 18 for T20

Indeed.
It was a light hearted comment.
What about rugby then ? For years Leicester players got letters instead of numbers ! Imagine being told you were 'the big letter G', or being criticised for not being an orthodox H.

[Hoop Blah]

So presumably you'd be a strict 442 man

1
2. 5 6. 3
7. 4. 10. 11
8. 9

5 is the rock hard ball winning centre half with 6 being a little more cultured
4 is a little guy, dirty bas#^rd
10 is the long haired elegant ball player
8 is the one everyone forgets
9 leads the line

IMO 4 and 6 are interchangeable as centre half or central midfielders, with 4 being more usually the midfielder but frequently the other way (e.g. McPherson or Wdowczyk a 4 and Parkinson or Gunnarsson a 6). Similar for 8 and 10 really, with 10 usually being a centre forward, especially over the last 15 years or so, but previously the creative midfielder (a Hoddle or Zico) alongside the terrier wearing the 4.

[Ian Royal]

So presumably you'd be a strict 442 man

1
2. 5 6. 3
7. 4. 10. 11
8. 9

5 is the rock hard ball winning centre half with 6 being a little more cultured
4 is a little guy, dirty bas#^rd
10 is the long haired elegant ball player
8 is the one everyone forgets
9 leads the line

No no no no.
4-4-2
.............1
2......5.......6......3
7.......4....8.......11
..........9..10

But
3-5-2
..............1
........5....4....6
2.........................3
.......7....8....11
..........9....10

or
4-5-1
..............1
2.......5......6......3
.........4......8
7..........10.......11
..............9

are also just about acceptable.

4 is defensive/holding midfield/sweeper, 10 is secondary attack, 8 is box to box midfielder. Unless you are Adie Williams in which case 1 through 14 are centreback, or at a push goalkeeper.

[Forbury Lion]

Forbes has been rambling some bonkers cack recently, but I think he's exceled himself there.

No, I just think it's better motivation to say, for example "the number 14 shirt is up for grabs, prove yourself and it's yours" rather than "What number do you want between 40 and 50, decide amongst yourselves"