Thursday, August 14, 2003

IT'S FOOTIE TIME! PART 3

Roster limit? Yes. My point is that the super rich clubs can keep themselves at the top and bring in player rotation because their squads are so big. But, didn't clubs used to have large squads? Yes, in the days of the maximum wage, clubs would carry 30 or 40 pros. It seems now that Chelsea, Man Utd and the like carry 30 odd high paid pros some of who can't get a game but would walk into the first team of all but the elite sides. Just watch to see how many starts Joe Cole gets this year.

My simple plan would be a roster limit of 18 active players, plus 6 inactive players either long term injured or on loan. A seasoned pro (either 40 or more league starts over 3 years or 20 or more starts in one season) could not be placed on the inactive list more than once. The second time he would have to go on the transfer list (and sold in the next transfer window) or released. This would not count against injured players, but they must spend at least 21 days on the injured list.

This kind of system works very well in American sports. The New York Yankees may buy up all the best players, but they can't stockpile them like Man Utd can. I wonder how many youngsters Fergie has "farmed out" on loan?

On to the Southern Softies.

Charlton Athletic
The Big Question: How many bad Italian Job references will there be now Di Canio has signed?
The Big Answer: You're only s'posed to blow the bloody doors off!
In depth analysis (i.e. a load of opinionated bollocks): Curbishley's has a habit of turning odds and sods players into a useful side. They've bought wisely and seem to have built up a good, happy squad. So why the heck did they spoil it all by buying Di Canio?
Movers and Shakers: Michael Caine or Mark Wahlberg, take your pick.
Route 1, Push and Run or Just dumb?: Clever devices to clog up the opposition midfield.
Good enough for the Champions League? Too good to be relegated? Or just plain no good?: This is the self-preservation society.

Fulham
The Big Question: Now that he's given up on British citizenship, given up on rebuilding Craven Cottage, blocked transfer funds and fucked off out of the country, has the Fugger lost interest?
The Big Answer: You're all a bunch of Fuggers.
Movers and Shakers: No more toothpick chewing Jean Tigana. New man in charge Chris Coleman has his hands full hanging on to Sean Davies and their Premiership place
In depth analysis (i.e. a load of opinionated bollocks): The new kit is crap. Inamoto beats Alan Smith for looking silly as a blonde.
Route 1, Push and Run or Just dumb?: "Stylish"
Good enough for the Champions League? Too good to be relegated? Or just plain no good?: Intertoto anyone?

Portsmouth
The Big Question: Where does all that money come from?
The Big Answer: 'Arry's winnings dahn the dogs. Or, the Slavic Mafia.
Movers and Shakers: Oh Teddy, Teddy. Teddy, Teddy, Teddy, Teddy Share-ring-um... and enough Dejans and Boris's to keep up the club's dubious Slavic connections. Fuck off, Sherwood.
In depth analysis (i.e. a load of opinionated bollocks): Blimey. How did Pompey get out of Div One when they were so shite after 1 Jan? Return of the South Coast derby. Teddy bags 12 goals, but the rest score just 12 between them. Playoffs in 2005?
Route 1, Push and Run or Just dumb?: Not quite the West Ham Academy, but there's surprising quality.
Good enough for the Champions League? Too good to be relegated? Or just plain no good?: Pompey will survive three seasons in the Premiership...autumn, winter and spring.

Tottenham Hotspur
The Big Question: What was Glenn Hoddle in a previous life?
The Big Answer: An invertebrate. No change there then.
Movers and Shakers: Money has been lavished on quality players (Helder, Zamora, Kanoute). Or, money has been wasted on foreigners lacking heart and proven lower division players (who are just that - lower division players).
In depth analysis (i.e. a load of opinionated bollocks): Spurs last won the League just before my third birthday. At this rate, not much chance of them repeating the feat before my 53rd bithday. I always rated Hoddle as a coach. But, now it turns out he has no people management skills. The end of season implosion was down to total lack of morale. He has to go: now. There hasn't been a decent manager at the Lane since Burkinshaw (with the possible exception of Pleat's first term). The team needs direction and Hoddle is not providing it. Come in, Mr Mabbutt.
Route 1, Push and Run or Just dumb?: The days of Arthur Rowe are long gone.
Good enough for the Champions League? Too good to be relegated? Or just plain no good?: UEFA Cup place and a cup run shouldn't be beyond them, but probably will be.

:: Posted by pete @ 07:24