Squad a load of rubbish!

Thursday, 02/09/2010

The Premier League’s controversial new 25-man squad system has proved to be a damp squib.

Not one player has missed out because of the new system that is designed to help more home-grown youngsters break through.

The only guys omitted from top-flight squads this time around are either long-term injuries, such as Tottenham’s Jonathan Woodgate, or players who are in dispute with their clubs anyway and unlikely to play.

All that has happened is that more young, overseas players have been bought in – such as Mario Balotelli at Manchester City.

All the so-called home-grown players are just tagged onto the end of what were already first-team squads.

Many Premier League teams use between 25 and 35 players during the course of a season. That’s still going to happen. With a few exceptions – such as some youngsters covering for injuries or managing to prove their worth – the same numbers are going to be used this term.

So all of the controversy from managers claiming their hands have been tied was wasted hot air.

And now they must remember not to blame the squad system for any of their teams shortcomings over the next few months. None have ditched any stars and if they had wanted to bring in more players it would probably still have been possible.

The next test is going to come if any team suffers a series of horrendous injuries. We know there are rules to cover for a keeper crisis and it will be interesting to see what is said or done if any team is hit badly in other departments.

* Do you think these squads are a nonsense? What should have been done to encourage young home-grown players?

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