On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[Sandperson]

Doesn't that then get us into Bosman territory and restriction of working practices etc? I'm guessing it's more complicated that just UEFA or FIFA making a ruling. I would also like to see a progression of jobs for the national mamnger like they do in france so you work your way through the teams to the top job.

[Annasfield]

I do feel quite queasy. If I hold on long enough I met get redundancy.

[Jah Lush]

Yeah haven't Liverpool a big squad. Fecking ridiculous.

Liverpool's ridiculously large squad

[matthew123]

Well England tried that with McClaren and look what happened. I think you want the best talent for the job - people want success today. Was the success of France in 1998 and 2000 because of this system or in spite of it? You could argue since 2000 France have underperformed with this promotion from within when you consider they've had some truly world class players in their team like Zidane and Henry. Managers like Capello and Hiddink are far better being parachuted in than allowing likes of McClaren or Stuart Pearce to work their way through the system.

If Spain can get away with it why can't they do the same in the Premiership, stop Managers moving mid-season between Clubs. How much did that bugger up Pompey last season when Harry Redknapp was allowed to down tools and join Spurs?

[mockney piers]

I recall Alan Hansen saying they won the league on season with a squad of 16. I can't see Europe having a say on squad sizes, just who can or can't be in them.

I tend to agree it can only be a good thing but at the very least it must be UEFA wide. I suppose the main fear is that it will cause homegrown talent to have even less opportunity in the bigger teams than they do now. Restricting ratio of imports would be desirable but I suspect unenforceable employmentwise

[matthew123]

UEFA are able to control Champions League squads (both squad size and minimum home grown players) - that same model would be good for the domestic game. Of course this won't stop the big boys having the best players in the world, but it should stop a build up of quality surplus which are being denied to 'lesser' clubs. If and when we have a restriction of squad then the division between big 4 and the rest should be narrowed. With any long term injuries squads could only be reinforced with home grown / home nation u18 players - so players of tomorrow from this country can still come through.

[ratty]

OMFG Pompey boards are full of Redknapp Returning to manage at Fratton rumours and sightings of him today at Fratton Park.

I think I might just have to give up football!

  Quote

[matthew123]

Yes that would make sense the new money bag owners (assuming they've now taken control) would obviously want someone in charge who can deliver moderate success - and of course Harry Redknapp has a proven track record at Fratton Park and would almost certainly walk out on Spurs for the right price. I'd say it's more of a rumour, brace yourself for his imminent return!

[SimonM]

I see Sky are now claiming Chelsea have put in a last ditch bid of ?73.5 million for Kaka...That's, like, three times what West Ham are going to pay Sheffield United over three years....

[mockney piers]

Oi!!!

And silly money, I'd boycott my club for such frivolity in the face of global downturn when the fans are the ones suffering.

Luckily my club is near bankruptcy so no worries there then.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

MP said: Restricting ratio of imports would be desirable but I suspect unenforceable employmentwise

Cricket teams seem to manage it with no problems. Max of two overseas players per team.

[mockney piers]

I suspect because no EU countries have decent cricket players. It is unenforceable in cricket, it just makes no difference there.

[JetSetWilly]

Atila Reincarnate Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Sandperson Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > God you are tedious. My actions aren't

> > unacceptable. I chant for a player. I chant

> > Argentina. I will now chant it louder than ever

> in

> > the hope that you hear it and your head

> explodes

> > in indignation. That is the only way I can see

> > this boring, protracted and pointless

> conversation

> > ending.

> >

> > I can only now imagine you wrapped in a Union

> Flag

> > growling at passersby who look vaguely foreign

> and

> > muttering about two world wars and one world

> > cup....maybe with a Staffie in tow.

>

> Chant long and loud dear boy, which will only

> serve to perpetuate my view of you sad Man Ure

> mob. My apparel is bespoke and comes from Gieves &

> Hawkes, shoes mand made by Lobb, and I have a

> labrador at my counrty retreat in the better part

> of Kent. Sorry to disappoint old fella, but

> clearly your perception of me is decidedly

> erroneous. Cheerio.

damn, and there was me thinking you were another stavros flatley

[david_carnell]

PGC - I'm afraid Mockers is probably correct. If there was a string of Dutch or French Shane Warne's out there the English clubs would field teams of them. But because there are not, you are able to limit the number of non-EEC players.

The Premiership could do that. Only two non-EU players for example. It would stop the poaching of young talent from Brazil/Argentina et al at 16 only to sit on the reserves bench for years and then be carted off back home when you don't make it.

Squad limitations seem a sensible suggestion. It keeps costs down, increases the chance of youth team players making a breakthrough in a workload heavy season and stops needless transfers a la Sidwell/Johnson et al to Chelsea where talent wastes away. The only downside I forsee is that Premiership teams would be more reluctant to farm out young players on long term loans to lower division clubs in case of urgent recall. But it seems a small price to pay.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Kaka for ?73 mill, it's obscene. How can any right minded indidvidual feel comfortable with this. Plus they say he will be paid ?10 mill a year after tax. I never cease to be amazed at how far detached the world of football is from reality. THis can't be right and is morally and ethically wrong. At a time when the world is in financial meltdown, it can't be right. Climbs down from soapbox having got this off his chest.

[matthew123]

Everton rolling it back 25 years with next season's home shirt which again is made by Le Coq Sportif

 

[Sandperson]

Is this spot the cock?

I'm off to Wales for a week (don't ask). I hope you won't miss me too much ;)

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Duncan Ferguson never looked like that in an Everton shirt:-$

[Annasfield]

You'd think they'd at least get lasses with big knockers to advertise it. Seriously though, that is a horrible kit.

(The one on the far left looks like an Evertonian that works at Les Rouges at Anfield)

[Sandperson]

Annasfield Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> You'd think they'd at least get lasses with big

> knockers to advertise it.

I like you more and more every day. :))

[Sharon_H]

The one with the dark hair looks as though she's had a Chang too many,belly wise that is. ;-)

[Sandperson]

Sharon_H Wrote:

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> The one with the dark hair looks as though she's

> had a Chang too many,belly wise that is. ;-)

That's Howard Kendall, he's 63 years old, he's allowed to enjoy himself a bit you know! ;)

[Sharon_H]

Howard abstained from alcohol, didn't he?

[Annasfield]

Miaow Sharon_H. Ha ha.

Sandperson - be careful, fraternizing with the enemy and all..... I have to scrub myself when I get home from work now due to my new association with all things MUFC. Bleughhhh. Thank god I goosed my knee last year and no longer play for our netball team. Sports kit with the logo on is just so wrong.

[Ted Max]

Jan Koller waiting to be unveiled as Moyes' latest signing? (far right)