Pep U23s

[MillersTime]

Devil's advocate on this one - Pep doesn't do tiki taka and all that. His philosophy is possession with purpose. Looking for the forward pass whenever it is on.

As much as it would cause a huge issue for all the reasons listed, he has a point. The younger, England U21 players for example, could well learn more playing against a crafty defender that knows a few tricks of their own and doesn't fall for fancy footwork, or a woody that knows they don't have pace but will give you a battle in the air or really press you simply because they know their positioning.

We see players with pace all the time but not always the end product. Maybe a system like that would help with the game craft.

Can't see it ever happening or working though.

Then don't hoard players in vast numbers throughout your age groups. Allow them to filter down the system and ply their trade with another team (not an u23 version, an actual football club in an actual community) and then if you think you see a player who could play in your first team then, and only then, go out and buy them for your team. If all these young players weren't hoarded by the few then they would be playing further down the pyramid, thus increasing the quality and their development.

U23 teams have no place in the pyramid. Isn't and never will be up for debate in my own humble opinion. Horrible idea. The game and pyramid is for each and every club and community in the land, not for the richest to hijack and use as training exercises. Hard squad limits, as in increase the squad numbers a touch but anyone who you don't register is free to sign with another side. That's what I'd love to see personally.

[fivetide]

totally agree. no need to have U23 teams in there, as i said, devil's advocate, i can get the principle of what he is saying. Not sure if that is contempt for english football or not?

But yes, get the younger kids out and playing through the leagues. Pay their wages.

But, won't happen for the money reasons. The facilities at those clubs needs to be better too. coaching, training surfaces, everything, but that would need the prem to let the FA actually invest in football through the leagues.

Your other concern there is that some clubs then are just feeder teams by another name but, if the FA is paying for the facilities and players are with a club for at least a season then maybe.

I don't know how it could or would work for gettign the younger players into competitive games but i do think that experience, generally isn't a bad thing.

[MillersTime]

I don't know if it contempt or just lack of awareness. Coming from Spain where they have 'B' teams in the second division and having managed in Germany with similar I think you can allow him the idea considering it is the norm in those places. I think there is part being out of touch because he doesn't understand what it is like for everyone else. I'm not blaming him for that necessarily but all he has known is the elite of the sport. He can't comprehend the other side because he hasn't experienced it, that's how it seems to me.

I think the facilities would get better if investment were made as you say but also if players were bought from clubs later on where they were given proper money. Often these lads are nabbed at say 13 years old, they get a pittance for them. If later and more established they would get more. It all goes hand in hand as you say, invest and it helps everyone but those with the money don't like to relinquish, hence having the money. The money needed is often minuscule in comparison to what is spent of agents etc. Needless and frivolous spending.

I agree about experience, my sole point is that I want them getting that with proper teams in established leagues. Not an U23 equivalent, go and play for Newport, Crewe, Mansfield etc etc. Develop and then get the move higher up when you are capable of playing in those teams. I don't blame the young lads, take 1k a week and play in league 2 say or 5k and sit in a premier league u23 side (made up numbers but you get the idea). Most, understandably, will take the money. And the facilities etc, you're right with those. That weekly wage is nothing to the rich so they don't care about handing out lots of them and hoping a couple come good. Like always, it comes down to money. The haves and have nots.

[avondalemiller]

...another knob deflecting blame for not winning enough, they still can't fill their stadium on a regular basis.

Loan them out then you knobsack.....................