Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'

[GSC]

First topic message reminder :

I wouldn't be upset, if it were limited to League 2 and below, and had a quota of English players with an age cap.

[Ent]

They might be going into arbitration, Uefa could well take an our way or the highway approach.

They need to be very careful, everyone knows they don't care about money so a fine just makes a mockery of ffp.

In general I think fining is a stupid punishment.

well actually thinking about it- the fine will affect them because it will be an added loss to the accounts(not in one year spread over 3 years) which will give them less room to play with to try and comply again with the ffp in future years..

Exactly.

That's why I think it is stupid. For city and psg fair enough as they have significant private backing but for other clubs relying on revenues it just makes it even harder to comply.

I think it should be entirely footballing sanctions.

[mystiroakey]

They might be going into arbitration, Uefa could well take an our way or the highway approach.

They need to be very careful, everyone knows they don't care about money so a fine just makes a mockery of ffp.

In general I think fining is a stupid punishment.

well actually thinking about it- the fine will affect them because it will be an added loss to the accounts(not in one year spread over 3 years) which will give them less room to play with to try and comply again with the ffp in future years..

Exactly.

That's why I think it is stupid. For city and psg fair enough as they have significant private backing but for other clubs relying on revenues it just makes it even harder to comply.

I think it should be entirely footballing sanctions.

well thats the point you have to rely on revenues and real revenues not sponserships from your parent company.


but next year just wait and see what happens.

I will back the the rich psg and citeh owners get new sponsorship deals with seperate corpoartions- that have been brown paper enevolped up to sponser them- then UEFA wont be able to do diddly squat!

[Ent]

Indeed.

The whole thing needs to be taken more seriously. City have been caught out due to pure stupidity and won't be again.

Chelsea saw it coming and magically posted a £1 million profit in 2012. So despite losing £48 million last year and being over the £37 million magic number face no sanctions.

Do it right or don't bother doing it at all.

[GSC]

FFP is a PR stunt anyway. UEFA has no intention of hitting big European clubs in fear they breakaway

[Ent]

Not just the elite to be fair.

There would barely be a club competing under the original rules if implemented rigidly in their current guise.

Only arsenal from English clubs (due to compete) comply to the whole less than £37 million losses over 2 years.

[GSC]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27290060

A message reading "brutal but very funny", accompanied by a video of Reds striker Luis Suarez crying, appeared on Tottenham Twitter feed.

The offending tweet, which appeared after Liverpool threw away a three-goal lead at Selhurst Park, also said: "The biggest capitulation since Newcastle in the 90s."

Monday night's message was accompanied by a video that segued from Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard leading an inspirational team huddle after victory over Manchester City to his slip against title contenders Chelsea, an error that gifted the Blues the opening goal in their recent 2-0 win at Anfield.

That was followed by footage of Dwight Gayle's equaliser for Palace, a close-up of the 3-3 scoreline from Sky's coverage and an unrelated clip of Palace boss Tony Pulis laughing in a BBC interview.

Do Spurs really need to apologise. That video was hilarious

[Duty281]

Also the glee at Liverpool not getting over the line is very odd considering the cries of the league becoming boring with the same three sides winning it and Manchester City "buying the league" and teams with no Englishmen winning the league.

On the positive side, a team with Luis Suarez isn't winning the league.

[GSC]

I hate everyone equally

[Liam]

As a utd fan i'm not going to apologise for feeling sheer delight at what has happened to Liverpool's title challenge, even though it's not quite over yet as City are more than capable of messing up wednesday if you ask me!

Liverpool fans have loved it every time utd have been pipped to the line, especially when city beat us with the last kick of the season, when they were languishing in 7th, and now the boot is on the other foot. Hopefully utd get their transfer business in order this summer and we're back challenging for the top 4 again.

[ShahenshahG]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27290060

A message reading "brutal but very funny", accompanied by a video of Reds striker Luis Suarez crying, appeared on Tottenham Twitter feed.

The offending tweet, which appeared after Liverpool threw away a three-goal lead at Selhurst Park, also said: "The biggest capitulation since Newcastle in the 90s."

Monday night's message was accompanied by a video that segued from Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard leading an inspirational team huddle after victory over Manchester City to his slip against title contenders Chelsea, an error that gifted the Blues the opening goal in their recent 2-0 win at Anfield.

That was followed by footage of Dwight Gayle's equaliser for Palace, a close-up of the 3-3 scoreline from Sky's coverage and an unrelated clip of Palace boss Tony Pulis laughing in a BBC interview.  

Do Spurs really need to apologise. That video was hilarious

Anyone got a link?

[compelling and rich]

yeah you wont see me shedding many tears over liverpools plight

we haven't had much to cheer and at one point this season it looked like liverpool were going to win the league and we'd be stuck with moyes for at least another year. so ive been delighted with the end of this season

[GSC]

https://vine.co/v/M6MtJ3gTePl

Best thing ever

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Yeah football isn't fair dolph, these same pros lower down the leagues kick the Poopie out of youngsters and screw their team mates over for financial gain.

One of the football associations main jobs is development of the national side. The pfa can look after players.

Yeah, all the lower leagues is can be described by just kicking the hell out of players. When Defoe broke the scoring record for consecutive games down at Bournemouth he did it with 5 teeth missing and a splintered spine.

The FA's responsibility is to look after the welfare of the national game. I don't see how taking a mass amount of competition out of our leagues, reducing historic clubs to mere bases and alienating thousands of fans protects the game. Football isnt fair is a terrible attitude. Its meant to be fair. The FA is meant to make sure its a fair game. I don't see how benefits to the big clubs even further than what we already have benefits our game. What about successful countries that don't use this method? What about all the methods from abroad we havent adopted?

Its a terrible idea that only fans of the so called elite would stand by. Because those people have little care for the system and only selfish concerns. Let alone that the players currently playing are only a mild concern compared to the massive detriment to our league system, thousands of loyal fans and bundles of well run clubs. Honest clubs. I'd rather have a load of Accrington Stanley's than the Manchester United monopoly.

I'm no staunch nationalist, but our football leagues are by far the best. Our ladder from Prem to Conference is incredible compared to any of those foreign sides. But we don't win the World Cup so who cares about anything else, I want my glory!

Football protects the big clubs these days and this is just another move to do that.

[nasisillmatic]

City haven't bought the league anymore than Utd and chelsea did.........

Think the problem is Liverpool seemed to think it was a done deal a couple of weeks ago and It may have peed a few souls off......I certainly thought City were out of it as I didn't see you losing to Chelsea..

However I still think Liverpool can win the league...Never write off my club's habit of shooting itself in the foot......I can see us hitting the Villa post three times and losing a late one...

If we do win however take some consolation in the fact that people like me would much prefer Liverpool to come second rather than the vile Chelsea with it's vile Manager..

Much to be proud of Crimey regardless.....Great football with a classy Manager..

Just cut out the diving Mate..

Don't know how true that is. Every Liverpool fan I've spoken to over the last few weeks has been cautious, just like me.

It was other fans saying it was a done deal and ours to lose.

[compelling and rich]

City haven't bought the league anymore than Utd and chelsea did.........

Think the problem is Liverpool seemed to think it was a done deal a couple of weeks ago and It may have peed a few souls off......I certainly thought City were out of it as I didn't see you losing to Chelsea..

However I still think Liverpool can win the league...Never write off my club's habit of shooting itself in the foot......I can see us hitting the Villa post three times and losing a late one...

If we do win however take some consolation in the fact that people like me would much prefer Liverpool to come second rather than the vile Chelsea with it's vile Manager..

Much to be proud of Crimey regardless.....Great football with a classy Manager..

Just cut out the diving Mate..

Don't know how true that is. Every Liverpool fan I've spoken to over the last few weeks has been cautious, just like me.

It was other fans saying it was a done deal and ours to lose.

generally the liverpool fans on here are not too bad, all those numpties attacking the city coach singing were guna win the league not so much. also getting very giddy with similar songs before chelsea game

[Ent]

I'd rather be challenging than hoping one rival mucks up more than the other.

All part of the game and being a fan but schaufdenfraude is only relevant when your team isn't.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Yeah football isn't fair dolph, these same pros lower down the leagues kick the Poopie out of youngsters and screw their team mates over for financial gain.

One of the football associations main jobs is development of the national side. The pfa can look after players.

Yeah, all the lower leagues is can be described by just kicking the hell out of players. When Defoe broke the scoring record for consecutive games down at Bournemouth he did it with 5 teeth missing and a splintered spine.

The FA's responsibility is to look after the welfare of the national game. I don't see how taking a mass amount of competition out of our leagues, reducing historic clubs to mere bases and alienating thousands of fans protects the game. Football isnt fair is a terrible attitude. Its meant to be fair. The FA is meant to make sure its a fair game. I don't see how benefits to the big clubs even further than what we already have benefits our game. What about successful countries that don't use this method? What about all the methods from abroad we havent adopted?

Its a terrible idea that only fans of the so called elite would stand by. Because those people have little care for the system and only selfish concerns. Let alone that the players currently playing are only a mild concern compared to the massive detriment to our league system, thousands of loyal fans and bundles of well run clubs. Honest clubs. I'd rather have a load of Accrington Stanley's than the Manchester United monopoly.

I'm no staunch nationalist, but our football leagues are by far the best. Our ladder from Prem to Conference is incredible compared to any of those foreign sides. But we don't win the World Cup so who cares about anything else, I want my glory!

Football protects the big clubs these days and this is just another move to do that.

Its an absolute ludicrous suggestion, would probably actually lead to less participation in the game, less fans going to the games, and would probably hinder our national team

As I've said coaching is where we need to be looking at. Not destroying the football league

[GSC]

Liverpools starting defense last night cost about 50m. As much as criticism is aimed at Mourinho for parking the bus, Rodgers failed equally in achieving balance.

[Ent]

Yeah football isn't fair dolph, these same pros lower down the leagues kick the Poopie out of youngsters and screw their team mates over for financial gain.

One of the football associations main jobs is development of the national side. The pfa can look after players.

Yeah, all the lower leagues is can be described by just kicking the hell out of players. When Defoe broke the scoring record for consecutive games down at Bournemouth he did it with 5 teeth missing and a splintered spine.

The FA's responsibility is to look after the welfare of the national game. I don't see how taking a mass amount of competition out of our leagues, reducing historic clubs to mere bases and alienating thousands of fans protects the game. Football isnt fair is a terrible attitude. Its meant to be fair. The FA is meant to make sure its a fair game. I don't see how benefits to the big clubs even further than what we already have benefits our game. What about successful countries that don't use this method? What about all the methods from abroad we havent adopted?

Its a terrible idea that only fans of the so called elite would stand by. Because those people have little care for the system and only selfish concerns. Let alone that the players currently playing are only a mild concern compared to the massive detriment to our league system, thousands of loyal fans and bundles of well run clubs. Honest clubs. I'd rather have a load of Accrington Stanley's than the Manchester United monopoly.

I'm no staunch nationalist, but our football leagues are by far the best. Our ladder from Prem to Conference is incredible compared to any of those foreign sides. But we don't win the World Cup so who cares about anything else, I want my glory!

Football protects the big clubs these days and this is just another move to do that.

Football isn't fair, that is a fact and a reality - there is no point in living in a fantasy land.

You made a point sticking up for the rights of professionals in the lower leagues, stating that it wouldn't be fair. They aren't fair to each other so tough. The secret footballer (dave kitson) tells many stories of old pros kicking or badly advising younger players so they don't take up their place in the team/the wage bill. In one particularly horrible tale he recounts how he screwed an entire squad out of the full wages they were due whilst ensuring he (as captain and having squandered millions) got all of what he was owed.

The point of the professional game is to have the likes of Manchester United. There are plenty of non league and amateur clubs with great pedigree to be followed.

Having a handful of b teams limited to the championship would do nothing detrimental to the football league structure.

The football league ladder here is unique due to the dense population and relatively low land mass, other European leagues have strong regional competitions.

[mystiroakey]

Liverpools starting defense last night cost about 50m. As much as criticism is aimed at Mourinho for parking the bus, Rodgers failed equally in achieving balance.

Palaces whole squad is worth  less  

[The Fourth Lion]

Superb by Mourinho. When are Liverpool at their most dangerous? The first thirty minutes of games; that is, generally, when they tear teams apart.

Not allowed to do that today, though, even against a very weakened Chelsea side. Liverpool didn't get a clear chance all game, and one costly, costly error gave Chelsea what they needed.

That and frustration, as Liverpool rapidly ran out of ideas and invention.

Back in City's hands now - another title won on goal difference?

If City win the Premiership they won't care if it's by goal difference. They'll take that.

If you offered that to Brendan Rodgers right now, he'd snatch your hand off.

[Duty281]

Superb by Mourinho. When are Liverpool at their most dangerous? The first thirty minutes of games; that is, generally, when they tear teams apart.

Not allowed to do that today, though, even against a very weakened Chelsea side. Liverpool didn't get a clear chance all game, and one costly, costly error gave Chelsea what they needed.

That and frustration, as Liverpool rapidly ran out of ideas and invention.

Back in City's hands now - another title won on goal difference?

If City win the Premiership they won't care if it's by goal difference.  They'll take that.

If you offered that to Brendan Rodgers right now, he'd snatch your hand off.

It will probably be an outright win on points now, not goal difference.

[Duty281]

Having a handful of b teams limited to the championship would do nothing detrimental to the football league structure.

Don't talk rubbish, of course it would be detrimental.

[TopoftheChops]

Liverpools starting defense last night cost about 50m. As much as criticism is aimed at Mourinho for parking the bus, Rodgers failed equally in achieving balance.

Palaces whole squad is worth  less  

We released Damien Delaney who has turned out to be one of your best players this year.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

http://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/304533/donations-still-coming-in-for-the-air-banner.../#0

Oh f*cking dear

[The Fourth Lion]

Yeah football isn't fair dolph, these same pros lower down the leagues kick the Poopie out of youngsters and screw their team mates over for financial gain.

One of the football associations main jobs is development of the national side. The pfa can look after players.

Yeah, all the lower leagues is can be described by just kicking the hell out of players. When Defoe broke the scoring record for consecutive games down at Bournemouth he did it with 5 teeth missing and a splintered spine.

The FA's responsibility is to look after the welfare of the national game. I don't see how taking a mass amount of competition out of our leagues, reducing historic clubs to mere bases and alienating thousands of fans protects the game. Football isnt fair is a terrible attitude. Its meant to be fair. The FA is meant to make sure its a fair game. I don't see how benefits to the big clubs even further than what we already have benefits our game. What about successful countries that don't use this method? What about all the methods from abroad we havent adopted?

Its a terrible idea that only fans of the so called elite would stand by. Because those people have little care for the system and only selfish concerns. Let alone that the players currently playing are only a mild concern compared to the massive detriment to our league system, thousands of loyal fans and bundles of well run clubs. Honest clubs. I'd rather have a load of Accrington Stanley's than the Manchester United monopoly.

I'm no staunch nationalist, but our football leagues are by far the best. Our ladder from Prem to Conference is incredible compared to any of those foreign sides. But we don't win the World Cup so who cares about anything else, I want my glory!

Football protects the big clubs these days and this is just another move to do that.

Football isn't fair, that is a fact and a reality - there is no point in living in a fantasy land.

You made a point sticking up for the rights of professionals in the lower leagues, stating that it wouldn't be fair. They aren't fair to each other so tough. The secret footballer (dave kitson) tells many stories of old pros kicking or badly advising younger players so they don't take up their place in the team/the wage bill. In one particularly horrible tale he recounts how he screwed an entire squad out of the full wages they were due whilst ensuring he (as captain and having squandered millions) got all of what he was owed.

The point of the professional game is to have the likes of Manchester United. There are plenty of non league and amateur clubs with great pedigree to be followed.

Having a handful of b teams limited to the championship would do nothing detrimental to the football league structure.

The football league ladder here is unique due to the dense population and relatively low land mass, other European leagues have strong regional competitions.

The way I read your post above, ENT, is that you suggest the interests of the elite should be paramount, or to put it another way, that market forces should be the sole determining factor in how our league is run.  The rich will survive and the rest will either have to find a way to live with it as best they can or go to the wall.  

Whilst I would agree with your basic tenet that life isn't fair, I disagree that football should follow suit.  Football is a sport that has a system under the control of humans rather than fate and that can - and should - be made as fair to all as humanly possible.

The Football League was founded in 1888 when the game was still almost (but not quite) entirely amateur and let's not forget that originally, there was only one division of twelve clubs, eleven of which have survived to this day.  That's not bad going over the course of  126 years.   The system has evolved and expanded and become the wonderful thing we have today.... a structure that gives everybody hope and aspiration.   That's fair.... and it is organised by humans who make it so.

The FA and the Football League often come in for criticism.  Some of that is justified and some is just the manking and whingeing of those who are disadvantaged by rules that don't suit them in any given situation (although they're quick to take advantage of the very same rules when it DOES suit them).   But when push comes to shove, the FA and FL actually do a pretty good job in difficult circumstances... in my opinion.

Football only isn't fair if we make it so, and pandering to the selfishness of the elite who care nothing for the game save for their own narrow interests is what wouldn't be fair . If the Manchester Uniteds of this world and all their ilk were given their way, then very soon we would have that situation.   That is something that all of us who genuinely love the game should do all we can to avoid becoming a reality.

Football in England isn't all about Manchester United, you know.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Add into that Al Fayed has blamed Fulham's relegation on getting rid of the Michael Jackson statue and today has just been lolz

[westisbest]

Nobody giving us a chance tomorrow. Just how we like it.
Obviously not surprising. These are the games we tend to surprise people in though.
Like at Anfield earlier in the season.
Could have a big say.
 
We're safe, pressure all on City, could be a bit nervous, make some silly mistakes.
 
Or they could just batter us.
 
Think we will get something.

[mystiroakey]

Yes west be positive. It's what the Pl is all about. Smaller clubs fighting like Vietnamese soldiers against all odds and for nothing but pride.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Yeah football isn't fair dolph, these same pros lower down the leagues kick the Poopie out of youngsters and screw their team mates over for financial gain.

One of the football associations main jobs is development of the national side. The pfa can look after players.

Yeah, all the lower leagues is can be described by just kicking the hell out of players. When Defoe broke the scoring record for consecutive games down at Bournemouth he did it with 5 teeth missing and a splintered spine.

The FA's responsibility is to look after the welfare of the national game. I don't see how taking a mass amount of competition out of our leagues, reducing historic clubs to mere bases and alienating thousands of fans protects the game. Football isnt fair is a terrible attitude. Its meant to be fair. The FA is meant to make sure its a fair game. I don't see how benefits to the big clubs even further than what we already have benefits our game. What about successful countries that don't use this method? What about all the methods from abroad we havent adopted?

Its a terrible idea that only fans of the so called elite would stand by. Because those people have little care for the system and only selfish concerns. Let alone that the players currently playing are only a mild concern compared to the massive detriment to our league system, thousands of loyal fans and bundles of well run clubs. Honest clubs. I'd rather have a load of Accrington Stanley's than the Manchester United monopoly.

I'm no staunch nationalist, but our football leagues are by far the best. Our ladder from Prem to Conference is incredible compared to any of those foreign sides. But we don't win the World Cup so who cares about anything else, I want my glory!

Football protects the big clubs these days and this is just another move to do that.

Football isn't fair, that is a fact and a reality - there is no point in living in a fantasy land.

You made a point sticking up for the rights of professionals in the lower leagues, stating that it wouldn't be fair. They aren't fair to each other so tough. The secret footballer (dave kitson) tells many stories of old pros kicking or badly advising younger players so they don't take up their place in the team/the wage bill. In one particularly horrible tale he recounts how he screwed an entire squad out of the full wages they were due whilst ensuring he (as captain and having squandered millions) got all of what he was owed.

The point of the professional game is to have the likes of Manchester United. There are plenty of non league and amateur clubs with great pedigree to be followed.

Having a handful of b teams limited to the championship would do nothing detrimental to the football league structure.

The football league ladder here is unique due to the dense population and relatively low land mass, other European leagues have strong regional competitions.

Football is meant to consistently try to be fair. It is a sport. Competition in sport is meant to be fair. There is no football in this country if we are to just protect the elite. You bemoan the lower standards of the Premier League yet suggest we start a system that panders only to the big clubs. You don't know what you want, really, do you?

Oh the secret footballer, a man who has admitted to lying to make his stories more unique. A man telling overly elaborate interesting stories because the standard ones are not interesting.

The point of the professional game is not to have the likes of Manchester United. That much is certainly true. Do you know who is interested in a league of Manchester United B vs Manchester City B? Those sides. Its self interest. It isnt what professional sport is about.

Not only does this not have any evidence of being the key structure point to international success, it is also not beneficial to our national game. So there is nothing to guarantee it being good for our national team and damages our national game. Sounds like a winner to me.

When Barnsley are forced to play in a lower league, when all their youth products just vacuum into the nearest "B" side, we aren't to care because the national team may win a couple more games? Or we could have the idea where teams identities no longer exist and they keep the name and the ground, but Tranmere become "Liverpool youth select". Sounds enthralling for the paying fan who has watched Tranmere since 1965 through everything and anything. But thats ok cos the Manchester United fans who can't accept long term processes will get more elitist fun.

I find the depressing gap of the rich getting richer at the top hard enough to swallow. But now they can just take spots from other leagues too? Woop de doo.

Sky Sports...what have you done to this game

[Liam]

Agree, that the B teams idea is just terrible for football in general, and that's coming from a utd fan. The whole point of the loan system is for these youngsters to go and get game time, whilst also being the possibility of helping lower league teams improve as well as themselves. Bonkers idea and I hope its objected by nearly everyone in football and is scrapped.

[GSC]

Tbh I don't see great harm if its like Spain's system.

[CFCNick]

Yeah football isn't fair dolph, these same pros lower down the leagues kick the Poopie out of youngsters and screw their team mates over for financial gain.

One of the football associations main jobs is development of the national side. The pfa can look after players.

Yeah, all the lower leagues is can be described by just kicking the hell out of players. When Defoe broke the scoring record for consecutive games down at Bournemouth he did it with 5 teeth missing and a splintered spine.

The FA's responsibility is to look after the welfare of the national game. I don't see how taking a mass amount of competition out of our leagues, reducing historic clubs to mere bases and alienating thousands of fans protects the game. Football isnt fair is a terrible attitude. Its meant to be fair. The FA is meant to make sure its a fair game. I don't see how benefits to the big clubs even further than what we already have benefits our game. What about successful countries that don't use this method? What about all the methods from abroad we havent adopted?

Its a terrible idea that only fans of the so called elite would stand by. Because those people have little care for the system and only selfish concerns. Let alone that the players currently playing are only a mild concern compared to the massive detriment to our league system, thousands of loyal fans and bundles of well run clubs. Honest clubs. I'd rather have a load of Accrington Stanley's than the Manchester United monopoly.

I'm no staunch nationalist, but our football leagues are by far the best. Our ladder from Prem to Conference is incredible compared to any of those foreign sides. But we don't win the World Cup so who cares about anything else, I want my glory!

Football protects the big clubs these days and this is just another move to do that.

Football isn't fair, that is a fact and a reality - there is no point in living in a fantasy land.

You made a point sticking up for the rights of professionals in the lower leagues, stating that it wouldn't be fair. They aren't fair to each other so tough. The secret footballer (dave kitson) tells many stories of old pros kicking or badly advising younger players so they don't take up their place in the team/the wage bill. In one particularly horrible tale he recounts how he screwed an entire squad out of the full wages they were due whilst ensuring he (as captain and having squandered millions) got all of what he was owed.

The point of the professional game is to have the likes of Manchester United. There are plenty of non league and amateur clubs with great pedigree to be followed.

Having a handful of b teams limited to the championship would do nothing detrimental to the football league structure.

The football league ladder here is unique due to the dense population and relatively low land mass, other European leagues have strong regional competitions.

Football is meant to consistently try to be fair. It is a sport. Competition in sport is meant to be fair. There is no football in this country if we are to just protect the elite. You bemoan the lower standards of the Premier League yet suggest we start a system that panders only to the big clubs. You don't know what you want, really, do you?

Oh the secret footballer, a man who has admitted to lying to make his stories more unique. A man telling overly elaborate interesting stories because the standard ones are not interesting.

The point of the professional game is not to have the likes of Manchester United. That much is certainly true. Do you know who is interested in a league of Manchester United B vs Manchester City B? Those sides. Its self interest. It isnt what professional sport is about.

Not only does this not have any evidence of being the key structure point to international success, it is also not beneficial to our national game. So there is nothing to guarantee it being good for our national team and damages our national game. Sounds like a winner to me.

When Barnsley are forced to play in a lower league, when all their youth products just vacuum into the nearest "B" side, we aren't to care because the national team may win a couple more games? Or we could have the idea where teams identities no longer exist and they keep the name and the ground, but Tranmere become "Liverpool youth select". Sounds enthralling for the paying fan who has watched Tranmere since 1965 through everything and anything. But thats ok cos the Manchester United fans who can't accept long term processes will get more elitist fun.

I find the depressing gap of the rich getting richer at the top hard enough to swallow. But now they can just take spots from other leagues too? Woop de doo.

Sky Sports...what have you done to this game

Who cares? Tranmere and Barnsley are never going to win anything anyway.

[Duty281]

The fans of Tranmere and Barnsley, perhaps?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Some sort of wink, whistle, sunglasses smiley face is definitely implied.

The other implications would be where do these teams start? How many are there? Why do certain clubs get B teams?

Now, if you were to put together an England Academy side. One squad. Put someone like Glenn Hoddle in charge of it then I think the harm could be minimised, theres a chance for some talented English players to work together in a style we want to implement and adds a competitive edge. No major club would run it, there would likely be a positive reaction from fans and possibly a local gate who are interested in watching the club.

[Ent]

The aim of professional sport is to win and pursue excellence - hence professional status as opposed to amateur.

Life isn't fair and neither is football, there is no strive to make it fair - some teams have more money than others and it has always been the case. We've no salary cap or fair recruitment system etc

No problem at all with b teams, would likely bring more interest, tv coverage and money to lower division football if that's the worry.

16-20 year olds would learn so much playing in a competitive league in stadiums with proper crowds against real competitive teams.

The lower teams youth team wouldn't get hoovered up any more than they are now.

Great idea in my opinion, just needs implemented properly.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Professional sport is about much more than winning.

Football should be continuously aiming to be fair. Money is a different issue, but basic fairness is evident.

The existence of Scarborough or Luton is far more important to me than Arsenal B. I don't actually think it would bring more TV coverage either, nor interest. I think you underestimate the lower league fan. In fact, you insult them.

Its an appalling idea for anyone who has a care for the traditions of sport and its influence outside the win or lose mentality.

[NickisBHAFC]

If they even think about changing the system, every fan in the country should boycot every match.

[Duty281]

Why would there be proper crowds? Who'd be interested in seeing Chelsea 'B' v Aston Villa 'B'?

Football would be in the bin.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Who on earth would be interested in watching a team full of players not good enough for the first team?

[GSC]

Lets not pretend lower league teams all draw sell out crowds. A Man Utd B would likely have more interest than most

[Duty281]

Nearly 3,000 people attended the Southern Premier League (that's Level 7, three below the Football League for any prawn-sandwich-munching-glory-hunters reading who don't think football existed before 1992) Play-Off Final yesterday.

I suppose we should elbow Chesham and St. Albans out of the way for money, yes? And screw tradition whilst we're at it?

Won't be that many years from now, one thinks, until there will be no relegation from the Premier League whatsoever.

[Fernando]

I would like to add that the ground was closed on safety advice so we could of had more if ground was bigger. There was still a fairly large cue outside the ground at KO and we have to delay for 15 mins to squeeze as much as we could in to make some money.

[GSC]

And the average game?

[Ent]

Why would there be proper crowds? Who'd be interested in seeing Chelsea 'B' v Aston Villa 'B'?

Football would be in the bin.

You do realise once established it would be the likes of united/city/arsenal B vs Barnsley et al.

It's a great idea to have b teams, it is all about implementing it properly.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

And the average game?

The lowest average attendance for a league two side this season is Accrington with 1,605


The lowest average attendance in the conference this season is Hyde with 689.


The average attendance for Utd reserves in the last season of the reserve league was 483

But obviously more people will flock to see Utd's B team

[Ent]

Anyway what is up with united side tonight?

Also the most blatant penalty of te season not given there.

[GSC]

Attendances would be up in a proper season given marketing etc

[Duty281]

Why would there be proper crowds? Who'd be interested in seeing Chelsea 'B' v Aston Villa 'B'?

Football would be in the bin.

You do realise once established it would be the likes of united/city/arsenal B vs Barnsley et al.

It's a great idea to have b teams, it is all about implementing it properly.

You do realise that, after a couple of years, the likes of United 'B' and Chelsea 'B' will hit the ceiling (the highest that they're allowed to ascend to is League 1) and they will be playing 46 glorified friendly matches?

It's a terrible, elitist idea, that would ruin the Football League.

[Duty281]

Attendances would be up in a proper season given marketing etc

Yeah...come and see the United reserve team....will have people flocking in droves.

[Sponsored content]