Parky

Fieldinho.

its hardly going to be the reason the big clubs get bigger and the small clubs get smaller though is it? more subs means more flexibility, for both big teams and small teams, small teams will have a better chance to give their youngsters a run out. you can now give promising youngsters a place on the bench for if you're 3 up with 20 to while having quality on the bench incase you need a goal, or to defend a narrow lead. it'll help the development of players imo for those reasons. i can't really see the bigger teams gaining too much out of this. It's just one more of the bazillion little things that help the big clubs and all add up to make it nigh on impossible for anyone outside the big-four to have any chance of winning the league, or even qualifying for the Champions' League. The more players there are on the bench the less it becomes about the eleven players on the pitch and the more it becomes about how many zeroes there are on the end of the club's balance sheet. The big clubs already have huge squads of quality players, so can essentially injury-proof themselves, basically if one international gets crocked, then another takes his place. We've seen just how badly injuries can affect a club's season when they have a small squad and little strength in depth and the majority of clubs are a lot less well off than we are. To allow them to have getting on for a full team on the bench just adds to the advantage they have from having a huge squad and it's another step along the road to money being the only way to bring success. It's a huge advantage for the bigger clubs, I'm amazed that most people are so blind to this!! We've already got a situation where the Big Four are hoovering up all the young talent and most of them are spending their formative years playing reserve team football, not only that, but teams are seemingly buying players simply to prevent them signing for their rivals, and this is just going to make it easier for them to do that. How is that possibly a good thing!?! Football is getting progressively more and more about money and money alone, this is just another example of the authorities pandering to this, it's a very bad idea indeed. Totally agree.

BIgger sides will benefit. I'd have 3 subs + keeper.

Who, then? I don't know, quite prepared to be surprised by some total random or unknown. For a change. You know something........

You what??!!

£££ £££ Dave will do anything for a tenner.

How has GeJon managed to vote for Milner 16 times??!

He loves the Keegler tho innit.

Haven't read through the thread sorry. :-[

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=566125&in_page_id=1779 Keegan and Wise in France over the weekend.

I'm coming round to this, although SWP is the better player can we really justify the extra outlay when Pennant is almost as good. If Zoggy does go to Liverpool we'll get Pennant and if he goes to Spurs it will be Lennon I'm guessing.

Added. I've already voted for An other now. Is that the Dutch lad?

Added.

Excellent post.

Arshavin isn't a right winger.

I always used to dream of signing Duff now we have him I regret it every day. We have not had a good track record taking surplus to required players from any of the big sides. Not that I am saying SWP has not got the quality to get over being a bit part player I am just always wary of us putting alot of eggs in one basket. I guess picking up on Parkys point i think the board are looking to get these scouts out there to try and avoid having to buy players who have already shown their class at the big stage (and there for their value is at a peak) and find a gem out in the market. Saying that I still think it would come down to price if all we had this summer is 30m to spend and SWP was to cost 13/15m do you go for him when there is an obvious need for at least 2/3 quality signings needed. This is why my head says Pennant.

Agreed SWP has 'another gear'. But he would cost twice as much in wages and fees, is he that much better than Pennant?

With an eye to the wage structure although I voted SWP, Pennant would be better value.

Also we need to take into account that Pennant will be cheaper, easier to get and cost less in wages. This makes it closer for me.

You can make a case for against either imo. Pennant has surprised me with his improvement this year at Liverpool, but both have some limitations in the crossing department. KK likes SWP and it looks like Pennant is surfeit to needs at Anfield next term. Also we need to take into account that Pennant will be cheaper, easier to get and cost less in wages. This makes it closer for me. Pick one. Edit: I've added Lennon.

FFs!! No!!!

He can't pass and doesn't have that engine anymore. He still has excellent positional awareness though.

He'll be sold I reckon.