When do the home games begin?

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Answers

Monday 1st Oct v. Everton at KP.
I bliddy hate KP but I think the resorves season will be a real treat. Oooh for a flat perfect pitch and shelter from the howling wind.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Howling wind at KP? Soft as sh*te. I've been taking in one or two of Consett's home games in the Albany Northern League Premier Division: now that's what's called a howling wind ;))

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Why is it that the likes of the smoggies can play their reserve games on their prem pitch, but we have to go just this side of the Arctic Circle ?

It can't impress new players trying to get match fit without tearing muscles and tendons etc in the freezing cold.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Now that is hard

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

It's to inspire them to get fit so they can get away from the place!

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

It's a hell-hole that should be banned, that place. I'm very much with Keegan - don't have a reserve team, let then play for Coventry instead.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

....... Pandora's Box well and truly re-opened there Gibbo!

Actually, I disagree - you must have a transition from the U-19 competition to the PL, otherwise the gulf is way too big. I will certainly accept the Central League is not ideal, but it's better than nothing.

I think I would actually favour the concept of the lower divison teams becoming feeder teams for the PL, and replacing the Central League, even though normal promotion and relegation would then become problemmatical.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Not trying to be awkward (as if), but what are the benefits of the Central league to young players trying to make it to the Prem. ? Wouldn't it be of more benefit to them to get chucked in at the deep end a lot more often than they do ?

They've obviously shown a modicum of ability since the age of maybe ten or eleven or whatever, or they wouldn't still be with the club, and as long as they progress satisfactorily through the Under xs, exposure to the perils of the premiership from 16 or 17 might do them more good than flogging their guts out at places like KP week in, week out.

Is there really that much difference between the 'senior juniors' and the prem ?

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

PB,

The Central League provides the youngsters the opportunity to play against seasoned professionals, perhaps for the first time. I think it hardens them up and eases the transition to the PL.

However, as I've said, the CL is far from ideal - in particular, the standard of surfaces they play on these days does nothing to help them hone their skills, and indeed must be the cause of numerous injuries.

There is imo definitely a need for this transitional level, but it is in need of radical improvement and a major rethink.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Clarky
My question was prompted from wondering if there were some benefits other than being kicked by players on £10 grand plus, of which I wasn't aware.

It seems to me an obvious improvement would be to let them play on the SJP pitch.

They might even get bigger crowds, made up of other fair weather supporters like me. :-)

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Not the best but heading in the right direction , PL clubs should copy the SPL teams by having a rule that the bench must consist of two players under tha age of 21, in fact I would go further and insist for development the two players must be home based , then we could move on to must be "Geordies" after a settling in period. Do I detect the laws of Europe reaching out?, maybe not, I feel this is a good idea for the development of youngsters both at club and international level

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001

It's a canny idea Buff, but what happens if they have no-one who satisfies that requirement, or there is an injury? Teams could be left with a reduced line up possibly

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001

Paul that is the point `no-one to satisfy that requirement`? cos they are not getting a chance, with a reserve team, under 19,under 17 and a first team squad it would be in the Toons case easy , for example bench today could consist of Harper, Barton , Amoebi , Caldwell G, Offiong, Toon is winning 3-0, 15 mins to go , `on yer go Offy. the whole thing is part and parcel of a correct apprenticeship,the travelling, the banter with senior players, the crowd , the full monty and in a way forces the clubs to develop youth,

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001

Kinda like WHam throwing Jermain Defoe on after they were 3-0 up? ;-)

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001