Depends. How many did the likes of Ian Wright have when he went to Arsenal? Or Vardy when he moved to Fleetwood at 24 or 25. Marc Roberts stepping up to us at 24. If you mean professional league football. Would rather judge each player on ability instead of age, previous clubs, number of league appearances.
Unless like Marc Roberts they come late via none league I'd say about 150. Say someone like Hourihane or Winnall. There are of course exceptions. Sent from my iPad using Barnsley FC BBS Fans Forum
Don't you think these are indicators of a player's ability? Good players generally get signed by better clubs and they are selected to play. I wouldn't be signing a 25 year old with 50 career appearances because it would suggest he is either injury prone and/or never been rated by his manager(s). It also means that the player has missed out on key development in his early twenties.
You're probably right about plenty of players. But also it may not apply to plenty of players. Just like whether we sign them from premiership or non league. No hard and fast rule, so will depend on each one.
I agree in part but when the player has made the majority of his first team starts with us then it's significantly less of a risk than taking a punt on another premier league bit part player who we have no history with.
I dont think it matters one jot, to me its about opportunity, as a lot of players are missed & slip under the radar. I think, its when that opportunity comes, at what ever age, the player steps up & takes it, plus I think its a grave mistake to pre judge a player without seeing him over a period of time.
If a player is 25 and has been a professional for seven years that's long enough to judge him. If he's only played 50 games in that time then there is a reason for that. It won't be a positive one.
I still maintain, its wrong to prejudge before you see. I am pleased we did not write players off such as Roberts & Macdonald off because of their lack of league games, but hey ho, its all about opinions.
With premier league clubs signing loads and loads of youth players these days it's how football can be. Look at Chelsea and how many players they have out on loan each season. It's ridiculous really how they're trying to stockpile young players. If a player is judged to have potential by a premier league club so that they keep him but then loan him out every 6 months, he's never really going to get a decent run going at a team unless he breaks into the team of his parent club. 50 games by the age of 25 doesn't look the most promising thing ever but you definitely need to judge players on what you've seen of them (their ability and attitude).
Mawson was 21 when we signed him and had just played 45 league games for Wycombe, so I'm not sure that's a good example.
Unfortunately we don't have the whip hand. We are going to be building a totally untested team. Just the way it is at B.F.C.
