Psst! Listen Up Football League Suits — Rafa Benitez Has a Lovely New Idea to Make Your Leagues So Much Better (For Him Anyway)
By: Nick | March 20th, 2007
Having barely recovered from the shock news that the Football League might be willing to consider shoot-outs to decide matches - traditional fans’ faint hearts were under threat again today by the in no way selfish opinion of Rafa Benitez, that Premiership reserve teams should compete in the Championship et al. Breath people… breath.
I’m not sure about this one. I understand what he means with his assertion that reserve team football may not be the best method for the big clubs to develop raw young talent. But when did the Football League become the playthings of the big clubs? It can’t help but seem just a tad bit disrespectful to the clubs themselves, as well as the long time hard working fan who might not give a rat’s arse about Liverpool B.
Many Football League clubs are the heart and soul of ordinary British towns. Several of them were founder members of the English game. Their League positions should never be taken for granted. They were around long before Rafa arrived in the Premiership, and will exist for a long time after he leaves. This concept simply has to be a non-starter.
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Comments
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On the one hand he has a point since teams like Liverpool and Chelsea have stockpiled young talent on their reserve teams and we rarely get to see them play. On the other hand it is just further proof that some people would like nothing more than to kill league football and its traditions.
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United States
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It’s not new, Mourinho brought this up months ago.
Posted from
United States -
They do it in Spain. The teams are not eligible for promotion, it doesn’t hurt the promotion/relegation system. I would rather see the Chelsea or Liverpool reserves play and come to my town than Leeds current squad. It would bring more money in. Plus with the state of the English teams youth system, it may actually help develop talent. I think it is a good idea. The MLS is another opportunity area - it would give youth teams a year round schedule and expose the clubs to the US market - make them use some US kids, etc. Not an idea to be dismissed as disrespectful is all….
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United States
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