- Dec 8, 2005
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And this is exactly why we need to introduce B teams into the football league system. Imagine if we had the ability to retain a 23 man squad of under 23 year olds playing League 1 or Championship football, players like Bennets and Griffiths would see opportunity there to make a name for themselves and have ample opportunity to develop.
If you limit the squad size (ie only 25 players allowed) you end the stockpiling of talent whilst giving you option to develop
I cant disagree with this enough. It's bad enough that Premier League under 23's get to play in the Checkatrade Trophy. The lower leagues are not a playground for the elite to send their reserves off to muck about with the great unwashed in the name of 'experience'. Its the football equivalent of Rebecca and Edwin going off to Africa on their gap year to take pictures with smiley local kids and then bugger off back to Oxford having accomplished nothing except some boring stories to tell at brunch.
That would truly send the message to the rest of football that you mean nothing unless you are in the Premier League, it's the same arrogance that people have been accusing the super league breakaway lot of showing, just down one level.
You want a player to get experience at a football league team? Great, there's 72 to choose from, pick one.