08 May 2014 16:41:51
Anyone else think this proposal of b teams for pl clubs is a really good idea for the future of the National team

{Ed025's Note - sounds good in theory shakey, but a lot of cleverer guys than me reckon it would be unworkable mate..

1.) 08 May 2014
IMO Its a poor idea that has not been thought through properly. It would harm lower league clubs and the old reserve leagues restructed would be a better idea.

2.) 08 May 2014
The FA want to create a larger pool of good English players to help win the World Cup. Sounds good, but in my opinion the vested interests in the top two divisions (Premier League and Championship) are too different to the vested interests of the lower league clubs.
The Premier League clubs want a better way to see their young players come through - and see a return on their major financial investment in academies and developing players - and therefore want truly competitive football for that.
The lower league (and conference) clubs don't want this extra competition in their divisions and B teams taking places in these divisions - even though they (not the B teams) could still get promotion through the pyramid AND matches against Premier League B teams could generate bigger attendances and match day income.
I fear that without this change we could find that the top clubs - Premier League and Championship and some others currently outside these top divisions including even the likes of Celtic - will form a closed shop outside the pyramid and condemn the rest of the clubs to regional non-league football on a part-time semi-pro (low paid) basis or just force them out of existence. At the end of the day, whichever division a club plays in, it comes down to finance. The Premier League is awash with massive amounts and the lower leagues try to get by on a comparative pittance. Will the clubs at every level be visionaries or will they just stick to self-interest or greed?
The idea of B teams seems to work in Spain and Germany - and their national teams don't do too badly do they?

{Ed025's Note - it sounds good in theory sid..making it viable is a different kettle of fish mate..