By: Tom Mallows
A perennial question I know, but one that has gathered momentum after the latest round of matches.
The ‘Sky four’ play their reserves, anyone below 8th in the Premier league play the reserves, in fact everyone bar Spurs seems to play a weakened line up.
Crowds are sparse, interest is low and teams seem to stumble by accident more than anything else.
If they suddenly appear at the steps of Wembley then they will gladly snaffle up the prize, but they often have to feign interest (badly in some cases).
Why has it comes to this? Simple answer: money.
The big clubs see it as a distraction because they prefer the cash prizes on offer in the Champions League and the Premier League.
The lower clubs, who feel the spectre of relegation on their shoulder, would rather go out early so they can focus on the bid for survival and guarantee the Premier league TV money.
So if this is a competition that nobody wants we have two options – make it a valid competition again or scrap it.
How do we make it valid? Well one option is to offer a Champions League play off place available for the winners. Controversial I know but it would soon get those senior Arsenal players turning up! Sadly I can’t see it ever going ahead.
Why not offer more prize money? Again hard to raise without sufficient TV and sponsorship interest in the competition.
I guess English football is once again paying the price for having so many professional clubs. When they competed on a (relatively) level playing field all these competitions were sustainable. But as money entered the game it filtered its way to the very top, sat there in great numbers but became limited in its scope. Therefore money has now constricted the market – if it don’t pay then clubs aren’t interested.
I genuinely think the League Cup’s days are numbered, perhaps replaced by an expanded FA Cup. I then predict Leagues One and Two will follow leaving us with a Premier League 1+2 and a expanded Championship underneath. That’s as far as the money will spread.
You heard it here first.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
League finally acts to reel in clubs
It may have taken a two year transfer window ban for one of the big four Premiersip teams but finally measures have been introduced to curb one of the more controversial aspects of modern Premier League football.
From next season a quota system will be introduced, meaning clubs will have to submit a list of 25 players, at least eight of which need to be ‘home-grown’.
What’s home grown you may ask? Well in this case it’s any player who has been registered for at least three seasons at an English or Welsh club between the ages of 16 and 21. Then any player on top of the squad limit of 25 has to be 21 or under.
I have to admit I feel it is about time these measures were introduced. The size of some Premier League squads is ridiculous as clubs stockpile players, both young and old, to try and safe guard against failure - especially since the advent of the transfer measure.
While it won’t prevent clubs signing 16 year olds from abroad (without tapping up, of course!) it should at least encourage youth development and see young British players given their chance. Given the amount of money piled into academies at the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, who have two of the largest squads in the Premier league , we have seen precious little come from it.
Part of this surely must be because there are just too many players. Youngsters barely get a look into the first team which surely stunts their development. I know you can argue if they’re good enough they will play, but sometimes players need match time to develop, rather than endless training sessions and reserve matches.
It should also give the sides a more, er, ‘English’ feel. Liverpool, for example, have the highest percentage of expatriate players – a staggering 90%. Regardless of the talent in the Reds ranks, that percentage is too high for an English club. Boss Rafa Benitez is, unsurprisingly, dis-pleased at the speed of which proposals are being introduced as that will mean urgent squad trimming at Anfield.
I understand the success and global appeal for the Premier League means the clubs have every right to harvest the world’s best talent but surely the academies principal responsibility is to bring through young domestic based players?
It will be interesting to see the movements amongst the Premier League elite over the coming year and, in the long term, whether it will benefit young players or simply reduce the quality of the league overall.
From next season a quota system will be introduced, meaning clubs will have to submit a list of 25 players, at least eight of which need to be ‘home-grown’.
What’s home grown you may ask? Well in this case it’s any player who has been registered for at least three seasons at an English or Welsh club between the ages of 16 and 21. Then any player on top of the squad limit of 25 has to be 21 or under.
I have to admit I feel it is about time these measures were introduced. The size of some Premier League squads is ridiculous as clubs stockpile players, both young and old, to try and safe guard against failure - especially since the advent of the transfer measure.
While it won’t prevent clubs signing 16 year olds from abroad (without tapping up, of course!) it should at least encourage youth development and see young British players given their chance. Given the amount of money piled into academies at the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, who have two of the largest squads in the Premier league , we have seen precious little come from it.
Part of this surely must be because there are just too many players. Youngsters barely get a look into the first team which surely stunts their development. I know you can argue if they’re good enough they will play, but sometimes players need match time to develop, rather than endless training sessions and reserve matches.
It should also give the sides a more, er, ‘English’ feel. Liverpool, for example, have the highest percentage of expatriate players – a staggering 90%. Regardless of the talent in the Reds ranks, that percentage is too high for an English club. Boss Rafa Benitez is, unsurprisingly, dis-pleased at the speed of which proposals are being introduced as that will mean urgent squad trimming at Anfield.
I understand the success and global appeal for the Premier League means the clubs have every right to harvest the world’s best talent but surely the academies principal responsibility is to bring through young domestic based players?
It will be interesting to see the movements amongst the Premier League elite over the coming year and, in the long term, whether it will benefit young players or simply reduce the quality of the league overall.
Friday, September 4, 2009
International soccer games
There are a couple of very interesting international soccer friendlies on the go this evening including our own Bafana Bafana.
Some tricky match ups - here are my predictions.
England vs Slovenia
I don't think you can look beyond England here. They have it all in their favour and even though I don't like backing the Poms in anything I have put a few bucks down on them winning 2-0 and 3-0.
Germany vs. South Africa
This is one of those bets you place with your heart not your head but I am quite bullish on the chances for the South African boys. World Sports Betting is giving 4.5/1 for a draw and 10/1 on a South African win and I thought that neither of those are a bad bet to take.
I've then spread a few bucks around on the following "Correct score" bets:
2-0 (Germany) - 5/1
1-1 - 10/1
1-2 (In favour of South Africa) - 28/1
Holland vs Japan
I am indifferent on both these teams at the moment and maybe for a cheap and nasty punt I would put some money on Japan but nothing really jumps out at me
South Korea vs Australia
Australia being quoted at 2/1 to win seems like a pretty safe bet here.
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