February 14, 201412 yr Probably answers a few questions about why we're throwing so much at the 'yoof' right now.
February 14, 201412 yr it does and just goes to show having garty well connected does have its advantages initial thoughts are that its a sad day, mind
February 14, 201412 yr I quite like the idea of reserve games being more competitive, will we still get free entry with out ST? Edited February 14, 201412 yr by cbwfcd
February 14, 201412 yr If they're going to be televised, wouldn't be surprised to see them played in a nigh-on empty Reebok.
February 14, 201412 yr If they're going to be televised, wouldn't be surprised to see them played in a nigh-on empty Reebok. Don't they do that anyway? Certainly did for a few Senior Cup games
February 14, 201412 yr They can call it what they like, it'll still generate as much interest as it does at the minute, which is pretty much close to zero
February 14, 201412 yr If they're going to be televised, wouldn't be surprised to see them played in a nigh-on empty Reebok. Just like the 1st team games then
February 14, 201412 yr They can call it what they like, it'll still generate as much interest as it does at the minute, which is pretty much close to zero The cynic in me suspects that Sky would rather show something like this than the lower leagues. It allows them to show 'Manchester United' and 'Arsenal' more days of the week and flog it to overseas markets too. ££££££ Fans in the ground are a bonus, but not the key thing here.
February 14, 201412 yr The cynic in me suspects that Sky would rather show something like this than the lower leagues. It allows them to show 'Manchester United' and 'Arsenal' more days of the week and flog it to overseas markets too. ££££££ Fans in the ground are a bonus, but not the key thing here. I assume the TV money would be relatively evenly distributed like in the PL? Could allow us to recoup some of the losses on the academy
February 14, 201412 yr B team v Man U or A team v yeovil. Which one would be our A team? One important aspect is that (as now for the stiffs u21s) the matches would be on weekdays. Furthermore, in those weeks with a full first team fixture list (at least for the Premier League), there are unlikely to be any u23 matches. The money will be relative peanuts (but clearly welcome). There is no doubt whatsoever that the first team will at all times take priority over the u23s. Some stories from my past: I remember, as Stretford men's Track & field team manager, leaving a message with a bemused school secretary: "Please tell Mr Wood, who thinks he is meeting at the club at 10am for a 'B' team match at Wigan, that he is now promoted to the 'A' team, and needs to be at the club at 6am for the coach to Southampton." When I was playing rugby (yes, it was union) on one occasion I arrived at Bowdon, put my kitbag in the changing room and went out. Suddenly 4 of us were bumped up to a higher team and went in my car to Metrovicks ground (in Ashton-on-Mersey). On arrival I realised that my kit was still at Bowdon, necessitating a very quick trip across Trafford and back, and embarrassingly joining the match when it was nearly 10 minutes old. And finally, (back to athletics) Blackheath Harriers used to host a 100 x 1 mile relay (taking 8+ hours) simultaneously held at a large number of venues. But in 1977 they made it 25 x 1 mile to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. There were prizes for the first 3 clubs, and also for the first team all born in the Queen's reign (and therefore under 25). I assessed that a full strength Stretford team would not be likely to challenge for the first 3, but that a full strength under 25 team would very likely win. The chosen A team was therefore all under 25 (and finished in the top 10 overall), with older runners limited to a B team. Somewhere in Stretford is a very nice silver rosebowl. By coincidence I looked at the u21s league table yesterday: Fulham are top, 6 points above Chelsea and ManCity who each have 1 game in hand. The non-Premier League teams were placed: 10 Bolton 18 points (from 14 games) 11 Leicester 18 (14) one behind on goall difference 14 Middlesbrough 17 (15) 19 Wolves 13 (12) 21 Reading 11(12) 22 Blackburn 6 (13). Since then West Brom won last night and have moved above Bolton with 19 (from 15).
February 14, 201412 yr It would be interesting to see what would take preference for a midweek match in the eyes of the good folk at Sky.......Chelsea B v Man Utd B....or a Championship match such as Yeovil v QPR. Also, don't the likes of United, Liverpool and Chelsea who have their own TV channels currently already televise their reserve matches? - if so, would they stop doing that, if they did, then would they still be able to command as much of a subscription fee as they currently get from their members? - I'm not bothered, I'm just thinking this may well be a way to ensure the rich clubs get richer, which isn't a good for the rest of us
February 14, 201412 yr It would be interesting to see what would take preference for a midweek match in the eyes of the good folk at Sky.......Chelsea B v Man Utd B....or a Championship match such as Yeovil v QPR. Also, don't the likes of United, Liverpool and Chelsea who have their own TV channels currently already televise their reserve matches? - if so, would they stop doing that, if they did, then would they still be able to command as much of a subscription fee as they currently get from their members? - I'm not bothered, I'm just thinking this may well be a way to ensure the rich clubs get richer, which isn't a good for the rest of us Tonight's football on TV: Chelsea u21 v Liverpool u21 (ChelseaTV and LFCTV) Huddersfield Town u18 v Manchester United u18, FA Youth Cup, 5th round (MUTV) Mainz v Hannover (ESPN) AC Milan v Bologna (BT Sport2)
February 14, 201412 yr Don't they do that anyway? Certainly did for a few Senior Cup games In the current U21 league we have to play a certain number of games at the Reebok, though I think it's only been the Middlesbrough game so far.
February 14, 201412 yr In the current U21 league we have to play a certain number of games at the Reebok, though I think it's only been the Middlesbrough game so far. I think Blackburn also was due to be. And Everton on 3 March.
February 14, 201412 yr I think Blackburn also was due to be. And Everton on 3 March. Had forgotten about Blackburn. Annoyingly we don't play them away though, which is probably part of the scenario as to why nobody takes the league seriously.
February 14, 201412 yr The Elite Player Performance Plan seems designed for clubs who have an academy that produces players who go on to make something of themselves. How the hell are we in that list with our conveyor belt of underachieving shite?
February 14, 201412 yr Had forgotten about Blackburn. Annoyingly we don't play them away though, which is probably part of the scenario as to why nobody takes the league seriously. Have you seen Blackburn reserves' ground though? Right shithole, you should be glad you didn't have to go
February 14, 201412 yr Have you seen Blackburn reserves' ground though? Right shithole, you should be glad you didn't have to go But in this intended new scenario al matches would be at main stadium.
February 14, 201412 yr Have you seen Blackburn reserves' ground though? Right shithole, you should be glad you didn't have to go Do they still play in Wigan?
February 14, 201412 yr Just a basic expansion of the premier league. Driven by nothing but pound notes.
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