http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36725310 I hope you supporters of Premier League supporters are proud of the selfish, bullying attitude displayed by the Premier League towards the Football League by ruining the integrity of a competition and expecting clubs in League 1 and League 2 to bend over backwards to accommodate Premier League clubs and their attitude of buying ready made foreign players Apparently if Premier League clubs are unwilling to give English youth players a chance (with some exceptions such as Southampton), that's our problem. Personally, I don't see it as such. Insult me all you like, I don't care. I am absolutely livid that this has gone through.
Sounds like a great idea imo. What have lower league teams ever done for the game? Do these youth teams have age restrictions in this competition? Wouldn't want to see PL teams tale advantage and play older reserve team players instead.
The age restriction is 23, plus 3 over-aged players... Which may or may not include the goalkeeper, I'm not sure.
Do one. These players would be plying their trade in the lower league through the loan system anyway which lower league clubs have been riding off for too long IMO. Talented players rotting away in multi million pound academies has long been a problem in English football and this seems to be the first sign of dealing with that. .
Problem is, the youth setups including in this are packed full with various nationalities, not just British. However, it could theoretically help clubs with the homegrown rule. I suppose foreign players could also opt to play for England if they wanted.
I really don't see how lower league team are being exploited or bullied as the OP claims. Finally we are seeing some sort of reform. Let's face it, the national team has been shocking for many a year. When the Spanish and German football federations saw their own national teams decline they saw to it that their own reform began at grassroots level too and that has reaped rewards for the national team and their domestic leagues. Yes, it took years and money but there you go, I doubt the FA is short a few bob. I've thought for a long time that players in England don't play against a high enough standard at a young enough age unless they are exceptionally talented. Hopefully pitting these academies v league 1/2 teams will allow for player progression like that of Dele Alli who cut his teeth against similar opposition. We'll never know for sure but I'd wager Alli would be nowhere near the likes of City or Chelsea's first team if he joined their academies at an early age.
I wouldn't have thought it would've bothered you too much, Lapras. When we won the JPT your lot were ridiculing it as the Paint Pot Trophy. Of course, you were too busy going bust while still in the Premier League...still a record achievement. How times have changed!
It'll give some of the countries best youth some genuine game time against yard dogs from the lower leagues. It'll also increase attendances, the profile of the competition and no doubt its TV air time, what's not to like?
I thought United and spurs had turned down the invitation...not that I am trying get to spoil a good (if factually inaccurate ) rant
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are understood to have declined the offer, while several other clubs are yet to make a final decision. Manchester United and Liverpool are still thought to be weighing up their options, but the pair are believed to be leaning in favour of not participating, while Manchester City have made a decision but are not prepared to make it public.
Increase attendances? You've not been following this story have you? Most fans in League 1 and 2 are against it, there's a boycott movement going on which I and many others have signed up for, and plenty of people I've spoken to state that they will not go to any match in which their club plays an academy. I for one will NEVER go to such a game, even the final. There won't be any increase in TV airtime, except on stuff like Liverpool TV and Man U TV and stuff like that. Fair play to Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs. It's the principle of the matter, I don't particularly care about the competition tbh. The loan system is something that is mutually beneficial... This is not. It's a way for clubs in Premier League to maintain their dominant position and League 1 and League 2 clubs have to make room for them. What if a Premier League academy gets to the final? It's depriving a League 1 or League 2 team the opportunity to play at Wembley, in favour of Man City or whoever's little primadonas, most of whom I bet won't be English anyway. The reason why talented players are rotting away at academies is because such clubs hoover up talent, signing dozens of kids, both here and from abroad, in case some of them make it. If the Premier League want to have their youth system built on foundations of sand, let them but we shouldn't have to make room to accommodate them. The removal of geographical restrictions of the catchment areas of academies just gives them the liscense to continue this practice. Also it's simplistic is hell to say England suck because there aren't enough players (youth or otherwise_ playing each week. Most of the first division were English back in the 80s.... I don't recall to many world cup victories then either.
Principally I'm against the idea as I think it's unfair to lower league clubs as PL says denying them games at Wembley. Something does have to be done though as the under age leagues are **** really. I'd like to see an English player quota in the PL personally. Also I can't help but laugh at the thought of our kids knocking Pompey out of a cup competition
I really think it would help. I think we produce plenty of talented players but no enough are playing week in week out and are missing out on (imo) the most important years of their development.
We will never amount to anything while coaches pick plyers based on their name and who they play for rather than their form. *cough* Wilshere *cough* Sterling *cough* Sturridge *cough* And you realise, we'll be playing kids as well.
Do you think you'll still field your kids if you're playing us at Fratton? Can't see that happening. Maybe 2 or 3, not a team full. I bet the police are hoping we don't play each other anyway, though aren't the groups regionalised so could happen?
