Every team buys success as that is how football works. Most clubs do not bankrupt the club and **** it over for the next 10years+ by buying that success though.
Our implosion was not just down to spending a lot and it's far too simplistic to think it was. Regardless, our spending did not rob the dignity of other clubs by relegating the first team to nothing more than training opposition for our kids.
It was mainly down to spending a lot on wages and not having the infrastructure in place, something that, you know, the money spent on wages could've gone towards and meant the financial security of the club long term. By paying these players those wages you got them over similar sized/bigger clubs with better infrastructure, hence being more successful on the pitch, hence winning an FA Cup. Can't be bothered with the debate about the JPT or whatever its called now. I agree that u23 sides shouldn't be in it, but I also think that teams should have the option to put a B team in the league system.
Because it benefits everyone (if implemented in the correct way), not seen one person be able to come up with an argument otherwise. Perhaps you may be the first?
Each B team deprives an actual club with a history and a fanbase from the football league, so it's not benefiting them. As a result, it's depriving teams presently in the league from home fixture against a club that actually brings fans because B teams don't get huge support and for some clubs, away fans make up a sizeable income stream. Who would someone like Accrington or Morecombe play in the league at home... Portsmouth/Plymouth/Bristol/Bradford who bring 1000+ fans or Everton B who bring about 70? So it's not benefiting them. The benefit for the Premier League clubs is obvious, but why should getting minutes against competitive components for all the countless players they've hoarded be the responsibility of football league clubs? And what exactly is this elusive benefit to these lower league clubs?
"Each B team deprives an actual club with a history and a fanbase from the football league, so it's not benefiting them" Only if the B team earns its way into the football league. I am not suggesting that they kick out a load of League 2 clubs to make way for B teams. The B teams would start as low down as there is space. Think AFC Wimbledon/FC United when they started out. If they make it to the football league and earn promotion then they take the place of a team that got relegated, just like happens now if we were to start a NOT606 FC. "As a result, it's depriving teams presently in the league from home fixture against a club that actually brings fans because B teams don't get huge support and for some clubs, away fans make up a sizeable income stream" This you probably have a point with, but as there is no system in place with B teams then that could be something that is addressed by the "A" team paying some sort of fee to the league that their B team is in. As I say the beauty of it is that there is no system in place so the FA could look at places like Spain/Germany/France and take the stuff that works from there when implementing the system. On the flipside as well I am sure that if, say Saints B were at home against a Morecambe and the first team were away then there would be decent support from Saints fans who don't go to away games, all home revenue could be split with the away team when a B team is at home is a possibility. "The benefit for the Premier League clubs is obvious, but why should getting minutes against competitive components for all the countless players they've hoarded be the responsibility of football league clubs? And what exactly is this elusive benefit to these lower league clubs?" As mentioned above they would get some financial benefit. Also it allows many of these "hoarded" players to showcase themselves in a competitive environment, whilst still being able to train/be coached in the top facilities. How many players never realise their potential because they haven't had an opportunity to play regular competitive football because there is only the loan system available? For every player who gets a loan move there are probably dozens who don't for numerous reasons. The B teams would solely exist to nurture the talent in the club. If that B team was for a top club then the chances of the player making it there are slim, but if a League 2 club had footage of them playing week in week out at a competitive level then they could make a better judgement on the player. It would stop players falling out of football altogether because they haven't had the opportunity to reach their potential.
just started watching but as nobody has posted the teamsheet: Very strong team and its great to see Hesketh back. its live in the usual places.
