Take the point that squad sizes need to be the same for all teams. I would like to see the squad size reduced to 18 with any other players having to be under 21s. That would result in the situation where footballers actually play football, and give managers genuine team selection and system conundrums, not the current "which of my 6 international right sided midfielders shall I play this week". And most importantly it would give young players a real opportunity.
I guess squad sizes would be smaller if we didn't have transfer windows and clubs were free to buy players at anytime.
I should rephrase because I agree. I physical terms it is far easier but the game is faster the players are fitter. The ability to rotate squads is a tactical advantage. Brining in a fresh winger against a run down full back could be huge. In the 70s and 80s clubs could afford to pay the wages of a top player to sit on the bench, so you would resist making a change as the replacement was unlikely to be of the same quality. Now clubs can afford to buy the tactical advantage of player rotation. I would say my theory doesn't account for the increase number of injuries. I do wonder if maybe we are bringing players back too quickly and as a result are creating injury prone players.
Thanks KIO and that is exactly my point. By the way, number 5 was Jack Charlton and Madeley was the utility super-sub when Bates wasn't. Do you fancy a stab at the Liverpool team. I can offer - Tommy Lawrence, Chris Lawler, Tommy Smith, Ian Callaghan, Steve Heighway, Ron Yeats - think it was too early for Keegan and Dalgleish but cannot think of any others.
Surprisingly not many people remember that Ray Kennedy played for Liverpool. Although he won countless league titles and European Cups with them he is often best remembered for being part of the 1970/71 Arsenal double winning side! It also doesn't help that Alan Kennedy played Left Back for Liverpool and scored one of the most famous goals in their history! Ray Kennedy was one of my most favourite players when I was a kid and I followed his career with interest. He ended up at Swansea I think and nowadays sadly he is suffering with Parkinsons,
Pretty awful story about Ray Kennedy JWM - I remember hearing about that. Started showing signs very young which forced retirement. Horrifying illness
This is a really interesting article and apologies if you have seen this already! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30699020
Thanks, I'll have a read of that later. Carrabuh made a fair point the other day, to counter the many (nostalgic) arguments, that until the Premier League came along we simply didn't have the best footballers in the world. But it's a fine balancing act.
You could argue that the Premiership still doesn't have the best footballers in the world playing in it! Just look at La Liga and all the huge talent that plays there!
yes,many do seem reluctent to comment after viewing i agree dorset. i agree with you re squad size,but it is a sign of the times i think. the days when you could start the season with 12 or 14 players are long gone,for the reasons you yourself stated. however your right,there are negatives with huge modern squads,especaly the "not knowing my best team" problem you spoke of.at least we are helping to keep the unemployment figures down!
The Premiership doesn't have the very best, I don't think think that title will ever leave Spain because of the close links with South America. EPL is certainly 2nd on the list and probably have the bulk of the next tier. Italy used to be well ahead of this country for attracting the best. The issue with the Premier League is down to how they play the game, I'd say it is far, far more physical now than years ago. Far more emphasis on physical traits now and the players have to be so much fitter. Physicality is not just about bad tackles and playing in mud.
