11 Jul 2025 15:40:43
Age is but a number! I've seen a few posts and replies that seem to conclude that anyone over the age of 30 shouldn't be bought, too old, on the decline etc etc. My take on it is these footballers are fitter than ever. They take better care of themselves than any generation that went before them and they have the best training and medicinal facilities to help prolong their careers. 40 is the new 30!
Here's a stat to show the importance of keeping hold of Gana for at least another season, even at the ripe old age of 35 or 36.
He is 8th on the all-time Premier League list of total tackles, currently standing at 842. The record is held by another of our players that graced Goodison Park a good few seasons ago, the evergreen Gareth Barry who managed an impressive 1028 total tackles during his top flight career. Incidentally, he was no spring chicken when we signed him either but what a great buy he turned out to be.
So, Gana needs another 186 tackles to hit the same dizzy heights as Gaz Baz and that is a possibility over the next season or two, barring any serious injuries.
The most impressive thing about this is that Barry hit his total in 653 matches, whereas Gana has played only close to 250 league games in comparison. That includes his 1 year spell at Villa.
Not too shabby for an old duffer, eh? Every team needs experienced heads on the pitch and in the dressing room, setting examples and guiding the younger players through the earlier parts of their careers. It is an essential role in my opinion.
There are only two other players in the top ten that are currently still playing. James Milner (booooo! ) sits on 908 so he has a chance to move up. That's if I'm right in him signing a new deal at Brighton? The other is a target of ours, or at least we've been linked with him for the last few windows, in Wilfred Ndidi who is on 779. He's also not as old as the other names mentioned here and, obviously, he needs a move back to the Premier League if he is to make his mark at the top of the list. Get him in, a bargain at the prices being quoted.
So, there you go, I'm bored and trying to take my mind down of this heat after a few hours kip and a long night shift. I'm i terest to hear your thoughts boys and girls, enjoy the rest of this glorious day ???.
11 Jul 2025 16:42:13
Good post mate can see your point they are indeed fitter these days Ashley Young is certainly one of those, my point is some of the pay a lot of them were on was totally outrageous when they were no where near the fitness or as good asyounger players, Doucoure and Keane spring to mind, my opinion only mate but I would prefer younger players.
11 Jul 2025 16:56:36
Not a great passer, chance creator or goalscorers, but Gana does what he's there for and that's to break up opposition attacks. And he does it fantastically. Imagine how many tackles he would have if he played Barry's 600+ prem games.
11 Jul 2025 17:20:44
BP strikes again. Class mate.
11 Jul 2025 17:29:41
GB, I agree that the wages must be right, we shouldn't be paying too much out every week for players with little to no sell on value but I think them days are gone now under our new owners, mate. Just think that some of these older players have a lot more value to the team than people think.
Dentielad, couldn't agree more mate. His all round game might not be the best but he does what he's meant to do and never hides on the pitch. He'd be smashing that record with the same amount of games as Barry. I think he will eventually break the record, or at least get very close to it. Ndidi could also get there 8f he can get a move back to the Premier league.
11 Jul 2025 17:37:03
Surly the longer your career then the higher your tackle count? Still your right players do have longer careers now. But why not given the amount of money they can earn.
11 Jul 2025 17:52:25
You could in some circumstances add 5 or 10 years to that 40 bluepotato, granted not at Prem level (for outfield) but def at goalkeeper.
11 Jul 2025 18:21:23
BN, cheers mate ?? those stats go to show that age shouldn't be a barrier. As long as they can get through games, whilst still being effective in their positions, then we shouldn't dismiss them out of hand. Obviously, there will be older players stealing a wage at most clubs as their contract runs down.
BMD, goes without saying mate, the more games played will enhance stats such as this. The impressive thing with Gana is that he has taken less than half the time it took Barry to get within touching distance of this record.
Dmblues, I think you're right there mate, can see a few oldies (over 40) still playing their trade in the years to come! As long as they don't get made to take the knee before the game! Litmus test that would be, if they can get back up then they are OK to play ?.
11 Jul 2025 22:18:35
All Teams need experience but needs a nice blend in certain positions you need at least 3 or 4 possibly 5 can't just bang youngsters in that Utd team was a freak and will never happen again. i reckon DM knows who he wants to play were. but then it's getting them to come aswell.1st time round he shopped in bargain basement went to utd and we got bought out and wasted millions on average players on massive contracts. If he had stayed i always wonder who he would of bought. now he is back we are back to bargain basement again. looking forward to see who he brings in is BAZ are marquee signing ?????.