Does anyone know if we are likely to return to some sort of reserves league now the hierachy at the club has changed?
I would think it's unlikely spurfectionist. Since the reserves were scrapped the club have been organising a fair few friendlies against other Premier League and Championship XI's for all the fringe players and those returning from injury to get some game time. It seems slightly more organised than the chaotic sham that was the reserve league where teams could find themselves going weeks without a game
Plans are well advanced for a re-launch of the reserve league, but as an under 21 league. It is hoped and expected to be set up in time for the 2013/2014 season. Apparantly it is intended to playe these games at weekends. Until then, expect us to continue playing Spurs xi friendlies at the training ground.
ah ok, cool. Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware we were playing that many friendlies to be honest. I thought it might be useful if we had a reserve team playing the same formation/style as the firsts then rotating players would become easier, and they'd be match sharp. But if they're playing friendlies most weeks then that is fine. An U21 league is a good idea imo.
What I don't understand is why they can't just organise a reserve league for players of all ages decently. An Under-21 league is all well and good for bringing our younger players up to match fitness but what about the likes of Bentley, Gomes, Jenas etc... who if they don't go out on loan will have absolutely no game time? I know they aren't first team, but should a few injuries pop up suddenly we'd need them to get up to speed mightily quick.
I think that issue is one of the reasons why this re-launch hasn't been ready for the start of this season Spurf, as they can't agree the number of over aged players they want to allow to play.
It seems that whlst the main intention is to offer more game time opportunities to young talent, they (the PL), are aware they need to allow older players who are not gettig game time, or players returning from injury, the opportunity also to play in the league. As I say, this still seems to be a stumbling block, as to how many of these players can be allowed at any one time.
Then you have to ask, why impose the under 21 rule in the first place, why not provide the structure and let the clubs decide who should play. If they hadn't messed up the Football Combination in the first place the FA would not have this problem.
I think a quota of five over 21's in a squad would work pretty well. In this day and age, those over 21 but below 23 have either made it at the club or are going out on loan so it leaves enough space to allow those in the middle of their careers to play. A lot of our under 21's also tend to go out on loan to get games, though with the change of management do you think this will stay the case Spurcat?
I asume by 'messed up' you are referring to the decision to drastically reduce the number of games in the reserve league a few years ago ?? It was a decision taken on the advice of David Pleat who was hired by the PL to see how best to move the reserve league forward. Pleat felt quite strongly that young players were being 'flogged' in the reserve league by playing every week and reccommended a reduction in fixtures which the PL then implemented. I think it's reasonable to say the reserve league has never recovered from this change in policy.
I was referring to the introduction of the PL reserve league in the first place, which replaced the old Combination. Again surely it's up to each club to decide what is best for it's players. They could issue 'guidelines' on what they believe is 'best' for young players and let the clubs decide. The lessons are out there, they just have to look at Ajax & Barca for example.
I would like a reserve league/u21 to be competitive and something where the players actually want to try and win, rather than just being there to get a bit of fitness and have a kick about. There are some fantastic "reserves" in the premierleague and no doubt some great up and coming talent. These are games that people (myself included) would want to watch if there was a "end goal" rather than just some sort of token trophy. I think an U21 quota is needed, you don't want a mid-table prem team dropping in half their 1st team squad because they've got a chance of winning the reserves. I don't think its really that feasible though. First off you'd have opposition from the football league as you are basically going up against them with "Premier league 2".
In an ideal world the league would realize a reserve league would be a chance for fans who couldn't afford to go to regular games in addition to players who didn't play on the first team. Regular season, standings, etc. Every fan would want their reserve team to come out on top.
What a fantastic idea, a pukka reserve league. Could any one imagine telling Balliotelli, Berbatov, Drogba or Tevez that they were playing in the reserves? It might just stop the money bags teams buying up all the top players to stop competitors getting them and then leaving them on the bench.
Yes, but the same would apply for players like Bentley who're convinced that they're the best thing since bread in its entirety. A reserve league in itself could end up just causing divisions within the squad, so its best just to stick with Tottenham XI games to maintain match fitness and bed in youngsters.
