Rafa: I want Liverpool in the Football League

SpursLad · « **on:** April 05, 2007, 11:16:25 AM »

Quote

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants to field his reserve team in the Football League.

Benitez believes the current reserves set-up in football is not beneficial to the youngsters and wants changes.

He said: "I would like to see reserve teams of the big clubs like ourselves playing in the Football League. Why not if they have enough quality?

"Our young players may have the quality but not the experience for the first team. They are only on the bench."

He added: "That will bridge the gap between the youngsters and the first team.

"If you do not give young players the chance to play competitive football and to learn things, things become impossible."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ool/6471413.stm

There's a whole list of complications with the proposal (what would they do, just start right off in the Championship, increasing the league for instance) that make it not viable and that's without considering the idea that it is, in fact, s**t.

The reserve system isn't great - Liverpool fans were claiming Neil f*cking Mellor was some sort of Messiah becuase of his goalscoring record in it despite the fact that he's fat and wank - but then, it doesn't claim to be. It's there to keep the fitness up of fringe first-team players and give youngsters a bit of experience. As far as I can see, it does that. If they need real league games, then the loan system is more than adequate, as Ars*nal have shown with their array of talent lighting up England's second tier.

Lew · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2007, 11:19:39 AM »

On a whole if it could just be set up easily and carried out then it doesn't sound a bad idea, however there would be endless complications and problems that would arise when trying to do it all.

taimedowne · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2007, 10:33:49 AM »

Alan Curbishley wanted a West Ham team in the Football League too. Looks like he's going to have one

dannyn99 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2007, 11:17:55 AM »

Couldn't the big clubs start up teams and enter them at the lowest of the low hoping to work their way up after 10 years or so. At the beginning of the season they could register all the players they knew wouldn't make the first team that year and if they wanted a big player to play they could ¨loan¨ him. Only 12 loans a season allowed though I believe.

Lew · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2007, 01:11:19 PM »

How would you seperate the big clubs from the rest?
It would be a good idea, but too complicated to start up I think.

Daniisco · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2007, 01:13:17 PM »

Its a nonsensical idea if you ask me. Loaning players to the lower clubs is more than adequate.

Lew · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2007, 01:17:09 PM »

Indeed loaning is a perfect way to give those known as 'reserves' a chance to gain some match experience and hopefully develop into a better player, at a different club for a certain amount of time.

Powerage · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2007, 09:04:21 PM »

Heres an idea, start a premiership reserves championship, give them a trophy too play for and chuck in a reserves FA Cup, run it almost just like the real prem but with fringe players and that so they at least have got something too play for.

spurs_craig · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2007, 09:46:38 PM »

dont the spanish have somthing like this allready??

im sure i have seen malaga b,betis b and a few others way down in the spanish leagues....

Georginho · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2007, 01:22:07 PM »

I don't agree with him. It would be far too complicated and it would be unfair on other clubs with true supporters. Anyway there is a reserve league so I think it's fine how it is. You can always loan out players aswell so that's a very good option for young players.