I think this is the most realistic option given the conerns raised in other posts. I don't like loaning players to clubs in lower leagues lease the style is completley different, bad habits can be picked up and sometimes your player has his head turned and leaves for first team football Regional comps with sponsorship and prize money to boost competitiveness could be a great idea.
Very good article Luv! It is a tough set-up. I agree with Ze Liver in that we're in a bit of a catch 22 situation atm. Also any changes limiting foreign players which could reduce the quality of the football, and thus coverage and money, with not be accepeted as its all about the money. The success of the Premier League counters than of our national team. It's up to the FA to make changes, but they've got an eye on the Sky money too.
As I've thought about it the Next Gen option seems logical to me, just expand it so that there are more games. All other options will take such a crazy overhaul of the current systems.
i agree with the above, the fa seem to me to have a great aversion to breaking the tradition of 92 league clubs when in fact the majority are weak and small and could do with the benefit of having another say 10-15 B clubs bringing stars and extra revenue to their seasons. I think its one big reason why england is always behind in developing players overall compared to other countries. I'd like us to go buy up a failed club or say tranmere, respect but transform them into more than they could ever expect to be by being out b team.... honestly which is beeter... aldershot/ mk dons or other such hard experiences or having LFC b team to go to. Hell most LFC fans if given a choice might turn up to a midweek B team game.
To think, just 14 years ago, we were playing in a higher league than citeh, perhaps we should have made them our feeder club.
I think you have to be very clear about the reason why you want a B team playing in a lower division. If you want competitive football for your youth then perhaps there is more to be gained by the Spanish regional league idea. Added to that, what would be wrong with beefing-up the reserves fixtures so that all Premiership reserve sides compete with each other. This would give the whole squad a maore competitive environment. Next Gen is a very good start point. But didn't I read that UEFA want to scrap it in favour of a CL youth competition limited to those clubs qualifying for the CL?
Not everyone has a reserve team, certainly not a worthwhile reserve team. Plus, I'm sure we use it as a youth team, if the other big clubs do the same then whats the point? I don't like the idea of 'B teams' in the lower leagues. Too disrespectful and damaging to the lower teams IMO
One thing that occurred to me is the ruling on players transferring from the B team to the 'A' team. I'm not sure on the ruling in Spain, but players often make the odd appearance for the A team towards the end of the season, or even continually swap between the two. Would this be allowed in England? Surely there'd have to be a formal declaration of the transfer, which would have to take place during the window (when going from B to A)?
From what i've seen of Pep, his level of coaching is more than enough For our young stars. A Liverpool B would give us no benefit if the kids don't get a chance at the top later. The thing is, once say Tello, or Cuenca impress at Barça's B level, they spend the next year on the bench at Barça's A team. They get regular sub appearances, occasional starting spots, and they are given a vote of confidence by the manager. If they play poorly they go back to the B team to develop further. If they play well they slowly take the place of the older player. Here we don't even give them a chance at all. Sterling scores 5 in a match? "Oh I suppose you can sit on the bench next game and then it's back to the youth squad for you!" Suso impresses all season? Not one sub appearance. Morgan bangs in goals for fun? He's not getting even 10 minutes per season. Pacheco stuns the international scene at a FIFA tournament? Off you go on loan. How can they show their worth to the senior squad without playing for it? Surely it doesn't hurt to bench Downing for ONCE and let a young player get over the mental stumbling block of a debut. If we start giving them minutes, they will perform. They will make mistakes. It's a steep learning curve. But it's the only way they will develop into player. Remember San José? Mikel excelled at our youth level, never got a chance and left to play. Now he's one of the best young defenders in Spain.
We currently have to name a squad list. This is a maximum of twenty-five players but under 21s don't need to be registered. Surely it would be covered by this...?
Can't find anything to back that up Dave, hope it's not true as it was a good last season and will probably get better.
Can't see the clubs involved favouring this move. Surely there will be some sort of structural terms of reference for the NextGen tournament where any changes have to be voted for and have a ratio requirement for change built in?
Now I know I'm getting older and generally more decrepit but in the back of my mind I seem to remeber some comment from UEFA on a CL Youth competition to replace Next Gen. Perhaps I was just dreaming - again!!
Going back to OP - I think allowing the bigger clubs into the Football League will benefit the national game. As mentioned previously, the system needs a revolution else we'll be stuck in our ways forever.
