Really don't like the "full Strength" rule. There is so much pressure on Managers. They can't often risk playing youth players. If they are safe in promotion position, midtable with nothing to play for etc. Perfect time to blood in and try youth players who might be a risk. Even if players are looking as good in training as Jacob, Josh and Lewis must have been. Who is to judge our club, or any club and team selection. If we selected Jacob, Josh and Lewis in the same starting line up, back a Season or so ago. Maybe even Maddison at the start of this season. Would we then get punished? Team selection should be down to the Manager. Not the FA, or whoever. I understand the sentiment. It's just not on. Also, as you say, the home grown rule can't work with this. Because it will make it harder for your home grown players to be given a chance.
"For any league match played on or after the fourth Thursday in March any team sheet for a league game should include at least 10 outfield players who featured on the team sheet for the league match before." That's a really odd way to phrase it, and actually surprisingly strict. So given 2 goalkeepers will usually be in the matchday squad, 10 out of 16 players have to have been in the squad for the last game. Pinto, Hoolahan, Stiepermann, Trybull, Jarvis, Thompson & Edwards were all left out of our squad against Wolves. There'd be some surprise perhaps, but nobody would think Farke had lost the plot if all 7 of them were in the next squad, and that's without trying to blood the likes of Phillips, Fonkeu, Abrahams, etc. And we don't even have a particularly large squad!
I totally understand the Rovers' frustration. But, the Terriers did did earn the position they were in to be able to rest their players and not risk injury. We'll see how it works out.
OMG. Arsenal have been outplayed. With a "strong" side, and have conceded 2 goals in just over a minute. 3-0 away win, down to 3-2!! From an easy "just see it out" game, to "oh sh*t...we need to start playing!"
EFL clubs have tonight agreed that permanent transfers in the summer window will cease on Thursday August 9 (2018) at 5pm which brings the EFL into line with the change made at Premier League level last September. It's about time. Read more: http://www.wimbledon.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=522244#ixzz57sAGyEQQ
"Although having been under-fire from fans for much of the last two seasons, McCarthy believes the club is in good shape going forwards" Priceless quote from McCarthy, with attendances struggling to reach 12,000, a growing sense of unrest among an increasing number of fans at his style of football played and rapidly approaching 20 years of stagnation in the second tier of English football ! The comments section that follows is a more honest reflection of where they are as a club. https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/33233/
McCarthy is the symptom, but surely Marcus Evans is the real problem? Under any manager, their current squad will not win promotion. The squad needs investment which just isn't coming from Evans. Their situation is a sobering one, give it five years without our academy producing significant talent we can sell, and that's the exact situation we'll be in. Just with Smith not Evans.
Thank heavens the FA have no other, more pressing issues to address. Twats. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43174407
I'd be happy to see this loan made into a permanent move http://readsouthampton.com/2018/02/25/reed-open-summer-move-away-southampton/
I'm not so sure, He's an OK right back and an OK midfielder, but I don't think he is close to first choice in midfield with current resources, so to have him next season as such, is conceding that we are going to be worse. OK he is young enough to keep getting better, but inspite of him seemingly having the right attitude I think he's too small to be the defensive mid, and not creative enough to be further forward. Bah!
He certainly has improved in his time with us, both at CM and WB. His work rate and commitment are excellent. If Leitner and Tettey stay, Reed offers decent back-up in both positions and could be an option if the fee and wages are reasonable. At WB, he's better defensively than Pinto and at 23 will continue to improve. It may also depend on McLean, Godfrey and Thompson, as well as how close Phillips and Mourgos are to first team selection.
Trouble is if he leaves Southampton it'll be because he's not going to get regular football with them, so why would he come to us just to be back up. I agree with the general's view, although I don't think size is an issue.
Fair point, but Reed has had a lot of playing time this year. Given his ability to play CM/DM as well as FB/WB, he could continue to compete for those positions in the same way. No player is guaranteed a place and he'd have to compete against Trybull, Tettey, Thompson, and Godfrey at DM and Vrancic, Stiepermann, McLean and possibly Leitner at CM.
