HodgysBrokenThumb
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On another thread ('This month 60 years ago') I have been comparing how the current team progressed in comparison with the team of 1958-59, having both started from very similar positions in January. (For my readers [both of them], I will finish the 58-59 season shortly) I set off intending to highlight similarities and differences, but an item in The Star today has suggested an unexpected comparison that I thought might be of more general interest. I had assumed that the players of yesteryear were worked harder, as there were no subs, and there tended to be a first eleven who played every week, and a reserve team with players who came in to the first team in case of injury, and much more rarely, suspension. By coincidence, the same number of matches has been played by both squads (42 league/6 Cup in 58-59, 46 league/2 Cup this year). To my surprise, the Star lists 9 players this year who played 40 or more games. By comparison, in 58-59 there were only 7 such players. I know the 9 this year will have in some cases played fewer minutes (substitutions), but I think that is a remarkable stat. And given that we lost just 2 of the last 24 games, they seem to have thrived on hard work. I am impressed.
