Player usage? Big issue or not?

By WS10
January 6 2006

Is the number of players used by Paul Merson concerning you? We've done some research that might put your mind at rest. We usually use around 32 a season anyway....

1997-1998	25
1998-1999	31
1999-2000	35
2000-2001	31
2001-2002	36
2002-2003	29
2003-2004	37
Average	32
Under Paul Merson.....
2004-2005	39
2005-2006 04.01.06	34

The number of players used by Paul Merson since he took over is causing concern amongst some fans. But fear not, we have some facts and stats to help you....

Between Jan Sorenson and Colin Lee the average number of players used per season was 32. This doesn't include having youngsters like Alfie Carter and Dion Scott or foreigners like Gilbert Bos sat in the stands not playing. We're talking first team appearances.

Now Merse has been hammered by some fans for using so many players. Looking at those stats they might be right, but when you consider

1) He now works with the Transfer Window and it's constraints

2) The number of  first team debuts given to young players

3) The changes to the loan system

If you consider the above points then these stats are given a different context Walsall has always been a club where players are coming and going. Especially foreigners and young professionals. 

It is hard to explain why we've used more players than most League One Clubs. You could argue that the injury problems mean we've had to use more loans,  youth team players and short term measures than we would have liked. 

We're interested in hearing what you read in to this. An inexperienced manager chopping and changing? Are we victims of injury  circumstances?  Can we explain the extra usage as young debutants? Or does it matter how many players we use anyway?

Add your views to this story by posting us a message in the box below.