With the introduction of squad numbers for the 1993–94 Premier League, Robson was issued with the number 12 shirt, while the number 7 shirt that he had worn in virtually every game of his United career went to Eric Cantona instead.

All the more reason to offer the shirt on merit each match day

Absolutely. And for anyone who thinks it means nothing would anyone disagree that the 1-17 are not that the first choice at this stage?

It is a boost to those in the shirts through the pre-season slog and a challenge for those who are not.

At this risk of adding more noise to the thread...

The squad numbers are significant to a point. I've always noted that when it comes to our squad numbers, they're in line with what TS thinks his strongest (ideal) team is at that point in time - so I would put some level of importance towards them right now.

Obv the pecking order changes throughout the season through injuries and form - two years ago we had 8,9 + 10 consistently on the bench towards the end of the season, as Hill, Higham and Wood's respective form pushed them ahead of the other front rowers.

The following season Higham and Monas swapped numbers, as Higham had become the "first choice" hooker following on from his storming previous season and Mona's dip in form.

Before we signed Joel, there was a mysteriously empty hole at number 5, with Hicks being given 34. Hicks left before the start of the season, with Joel arriving and taking the conveniently vacant 5 shirt.

Bottom line - our squad numbers will tell you exactly what TS's ideal plans are (and no surprises to any of us either). Myler and Ratch are first choice halves, no more major signings, Big Roy has slipped backwards, and Penny won't get more than a few games in the cup and pre season.

Just a few examples from Man Utd where squad numbers didn't/don't matter.

Nemanja Vidić - 15
Roy Keane - 16
Paul Scholes - 18 (needed to be 22 when he came back though as Young had taken 1icon_cool.gif
Phil Neville - 12 (for the majority of his United career)
Dwight Yorke - 19

And currently

Robin van Persie - 20

Should scrap squad numbers. If you're chosen to play stand off on the day, you should wear 6 if your chosen to play loose, you wear 13. All this talk of 'its Tony's ideal team. It gives the lads not wearing 1-17 something to prove at training' I'm sorry but if no one had a number surely they'd all be fighting to play at the weekend anyway? It may even make them train harder knowing everyone has a blank shirt. Instead of them thinking to themselves 'oh well I'm number 24, I can't see me taking his shirt unless there's a miracle'.

Football is different, their 1-11 squad numbers won't usually be their first choice whereas in rugby league it typically is.

Scrap it.

Like moving on said.

Earn it...keep it.
That then is his squad number on merit.
He plays shat and then he looses it.

simples

It is the only way that the first choice starting 13 get the correct number

I wouldn't be surprised if Toby King emerges as the best centre at Warrington next season.

I was speaking about this to a sports psychologist last night who probably knows more about this than anyone on here.

He says that the squad numbers have little bearing on how players perform, especially for senior pros who have been playing for years. Apart from those who want numbers for superstitious reasons, the only people who are bothered about this is young players breaking into the squad and being given a squad number (any number) in the first place.

The thing that set me off was the comment about the confidence boost for Grix and he agreed with me that for someone like Grix, his number is irrelevant.

Looking at 1-13, it does look like our strongest team, so it's a boost now for the players who are in it as they will be thinking that if there are no injuries, they'll be playing the first game. But that's as far it goes and is no different to a manager naming any team a week before the match as the players picked would receive the same boost.

I can see 2 purposes, it makes players identifiable and sells shirts. I can't see any objection

Well as he agreed with you I suppose that's that then.

There's nothing like getting an expert to backup your argument

I don't know more but he definitely does.

Your scenario's not going to happen but if it did and Tony Smith said to them both, Stefan, you're my first choice stand off and Matty, you're my first choice full back, then it wouldn't make any difference to their performances.