So the 25 man squad for the first half of the season has been announced as is the new Premier League rules. No surprises really. Here’s the list:
- Mark Schwarzer,
- David Stockdale,
- John Pantsil,
- Fredrik Stoor,
- Aaron Hughes,
- Rafik Halliche,
- Chris Baird,
- Brede Hangeland,
- Carlos Salcido,
- Stephen Kelly,
- Zoltan Gera,
- Clinton Dempsey,
- Bjorn Helge Riise,
- Dickson Etuhu,
- Kagisho Dikgacoi,
- Danny Murphy,
- Jonathan Greening,
- Simon Davies,
- Damien Duff,
- Andrew Johnson,
- Diomansy Kamara,
- Moussa Dembele,
- Bobby Zamora,
- David Elm,
- Eddie Johnson.
The only thing that worries me slightly is that we only have two recognised goal keepers. And one of them is out for around two months. Pascal Zuberbühler isn’t featured in the 25 man squad at all, meaning if Schwarzer returns to the first team next week we will have a young, untested ‘keeper on the bench.
Elsewhere in the squad both Johnson and Kamara are included showing that Hughes has faith they’ll be fit and ready for the first team before Christmas, whereas Senderos is left out.
Stockdale has been tested and should continue to start. Let Schwarzer rot on the bench.
I don’t believe he should rot on the bench, but when he gets fit he should have to fight for his place in the team. Good, healthy competition.
I think he was referring to Neil Etheridge, who would be the likely backup if Stockdale is injured and can’t play.
Yes I was Colin. Stockdale is, reportedly, out for around two months which would leave us very short of keepers. Had Stockdale not been injured it would be a whole different arguement as to if and when Schwarzer should return to the starting line up.
Just a quick FYI…word is that Brian McBride will announce his retirement today. Fire have a press conference scheduled for Noon (Chicago Time)
And of course, I’ve heard it, somewhere, I think an FFC group on Facebook, that Schwarzer is NOW saying he wants to leave for Serie A or Bundesliga in January. Wonder who pissed in his Cheerios at Motspur Park?
I was surprised thats Stoor is in the squad and Briggs was left out. Stoor is dea wood and Briggs has talent!
Briggs is not named in the 25 as he is under 21. You can register as many under 21’s as you like outside. Arsenal have registered some 50 under 21’s in theirs.
Stoor is a decent, if not spectacular, squad player. If need be he could do a job for a few games for us. And it’s not as if we have too many players that warrent us having to be too selective with who we put in the squad.