Comparative squad age.

[StartingPrice]

Just flicking through NewsNow, when I came across an article dealing withe the comparative squad ages of the various EPL teams.

We have the third lowest average age squad in the whole division, at 25 years and 33 days - and, although it doesn't specifically mention it (or very much else, for that matter), I am assuming that this is including Brad and the 497 years he drags around after himself But, seriously, that would mean that we probably have the youngest squad in the EPL, barring our reserve goalie.

Is this a good thing? A bad thing? An indifferent thing? Or does it just mean that AVB is trying to drastically reduce the squad age so that he can feel as senior compared to his players as Beetroot Head and the Whinger?

Here is the article link, even though there really isn't much in it (and it has a separate page for each club, so I'm not going to attempt to post it):

http://talksport.com/football/youngest-and-oldest-premier-league-squads-revealed-13092661622

 

[whitelightwhiteheat]

Brad Friedel boosts our average squad age by about 24, so...

We have a young squad but we've got experience as well - it's really looking exciting.

 

[ultimateloner]

We have the option to sell.

 

[faymantaray]

They swapped Friedel's age for AVB's!

 

[Tottenham_God]

its ok Friedel willl be gone in Jan

 

[Ironskullll]

Average values are just meaningless. For example, the average Briton has 1.99948 arms and is 4 ft 3 1/2 inches tall.

 

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

its ok Friedel willl be gone in Jan

Do the nursing homes take in new residents in January?

 

[Lilbaz]

Average values are just meaningless. For example, the average Briton has 1.99948 arms and is 4 ft 3 1/2 inches tall.

I always new I was above average.

 

[spurs9]

Just flicking through NewsNow, when I came across an article dealing withe the comparative squad ages of the various EPL teams.

We have the third lowest average age squad in the whole division, at 25 years and 33 days - and, although it doesn't specifically mention it (or very much else, for that matter), I am assuming that this is including Brad and the 497 years he drags around after himself But, seriously, that would mean that we probably have the youngest squad in the EPL, barring our reserve goalie.

Is this a good thing? A bad thing? An indifferent thing? Or does it just mean that AVB is trying to drastically reduce the squad age so that he can feel as senior compared to his players as Beetroot Head and the Whinger?

Here is the article link, even though there really isn't much in it (and it has a separate page for each club, so I'm not going to attempt to post it):

http://talksport.com/football/youngest-and-oldest-premier-league-squads-revealed-13092661622

I imagine they are taking the average ages of the registered squads (how else would they decide who is a first team squad player and who a reserve), which is misleading, as this would be the average age of the squad over 21 years of age.

Lots of teams have players that don't need top be registered, thus not included in the stats, yet are in the first team, yet alone squad (e.g. Eriksen, Shaw, Barkley Etc).

Would be interesting to see what the average age of the players who took part in a game for each team is at the end of the season.

 

[not_tenth-again]

It probably means we're allowing ourselves the potential to sell players while still in their prime.

Or... pesimistically, we're trying to lock in quality young players now because we know soon enough the stadium costs hit the balance sheet and we'll be locked out of the high end of the transfer market. ie, this team is actually designed with the 2016 or 2017 seasons in mind

 

[Ironskullll]

I always new I was above average.

Talk of "averages" often annoys me. Likewise with percentages and ratios. I hear or see reports saying, for example that the risk of a certain outcome might have doubled for a given circumstance. It might be, say the risk of getting some sort of skin cancer from using a certain type of lotion. "DOUBLES" is the headline term used to alarm people. But what if the risk was only 1 in 10 million to start with? So it has increased by 1 in 10 million; big deal. Had the risk of some other similar outcome increased by 10% from 1 in 100,000, the overall increase on cancer figures would have been much more despite the 10% headline. 10 times more by my reckoning.

The devil is always in the detail, and that's the case here as well. The average age of a squad doesn't really say nearly enough about a squad to be of any use in making comparisons about issues such as different club's reliance on youth or development policy towards younger players. To do that, you need much more info or else at very least a much less lazy concept than averages.

 

[Lilbaz]

Talk of "averages" often annoys me. Likewise with percentages and ratios. I hear or see reports saying, for example that the risk of a certain outcome might have doubled for a given circumstance. It might be, say the risk of getting some sort of skin cancer from using a certain type of lotion. "DOUBLES" is the headline term used to alarm people. But what if the risk was only 1 in 10 million to start with? So it has increased by 1 in 10 million; big deal. Had the risk of some other similar outcome increased by 10% from 1 in 100,000, the overall increase on cancer figures would have been much more despite the 10% headline. 10 times more by my reckoning.

The devil is always in the detail, and that's the case here as well. The average age of a squad doesn't really say nearly enough about a squad to be of any use in making comparisons about issues such as different club's reliance on youth or development policy towards younger players. To do that, you need much more info or else at very least a much less lazy concept than averages.

What type of lotion? It's not KY is it? Am I going to die?

 

[Ironskullll]

What type of lotion? It's not KY is it? Am I going to die?

yes and yes but not yet

 

[Tottenham_God]

Do the nursing homes take in new residents in January?

he will join robbie savage

 

[JimmyG2]

I have a slightly emotional and irrational prejudice in favour of signing young and up and coming players.
But clearly the words 'balanced' and 'experienced' come into play.
In the summer we signed an experienced striker in Soldado 27,
and some highly promising 'youngsters' in Eriksen and Lamala who are both 21.
and Chiriches 23, and Chadli 24
Perhaps this a reaction to the Harry years
when he always seemed to go for old pros who could do a 'job'.

But we are also currently signing players who are in or approaching their prime:
Paulinho 25, Dembele and Vertonghen both 26.
Clearly as has been well documented you win 'nothing with kids'
and given that we have difficulty signing top top players in their prime
because of the financial restrictions and lack of CL.
I think we have recruited very well recently.
and as suits my gut feeling that young is good and usually cheaper
especially if they are home grown and in a sense cost nothing
I am currently well pleased with recruitment, results and even playing style.
Could be a first for many years except briefly under H.

 

[Blake Griffin]

younger is always better.

 

[punky]

Age is mainly used as a crutch to improve our morale.

If we win a game, it is extra bragging rights. We beat you AND our tab was younger.

If we lose, our it's reassurance. Don't worry, they will get older and improve. Next year, etc...

 

[SlickMongoose]

It's great.

 

[DogsOfWar]

I remember reading an article from Alex Ferguson about average age of squads and he said that he used to monitor this and when his squads started to get to 28+ he would start rebuilding to bring the age down to around 25.

It would suggest we are still a couple of years away from the full potential of this current squad.

 

[sloth]

Average values are just meaningless. For example, the average Briton has 1.99948 arms and is 4 ft 3 1/2 inches tall.

No. Britons on average have 1.99948 arms. The average Briton in fact has 2 arms.