Who Needs Managers?!

Whilst everyone is talking about the Andy Gray/Richard Keys scandal, and paying attention to the end of the January transfer window, it seems that one of the most ridiculous footballing decisions I've ever heard of has escaped the media limelight. I am talking about Blackpool F.C. being fined £25,000 by the English Premier League for allegedly fielding a "weakened" team against Aston Villa on the 10th November 2010. This is something I feel very passionately about; not because I have any allegiance to Blackpool, or anyone connected to the club, but purely because I think it is a genuinely shocking attempt by the Premier League to keep the 'bigger' clubs happy.

Ian Holloway has every reason to feel aggrieved

The Premier League will point towards rule E.20 which states that “In every League Match each participating Club shall field a full strength team.” However, this is a rule which is broken by all Premier League clubs, on a regular basis.

At the start of this Premiership season, every team was asked to submit a list of 25 players, from which they would have to choose their match day squad each week. Therefore, surely it is only fair that any of these players can be selected to play in any given match, if the manager deems their selection appropriate?! Apparently not.

What the Premier League have said is that this was an extreme case and will argue that Blackpool, in making 10 changes to their starting 11, were basically surrendering the game in order to prepare themselves more effectively for their next one.

However, I genuinely feel that this is not the case. Ian Holloway has said that due to the cramped fixture schedule, a lot of his players were fatigued. Therefore, whilst his 'reserves' might not be as technically gifted as the usual starting players, on that occasion, because they were fresh, they stood a better chance of getting a result. I don't know if it's just me, but I think that makes complete sense!

At the end of the day, the EPL are trying to manage the outcome of the league, in a way which cannot be allowed. They are taking the power away from the managers, and more specifically, from the managers of the lesser teams in the Premiership. In the past, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have made wholesale changes to their team for some reason or another, yet when Ian Holloway decides to rest some of his players because of the tough fixture schedule, he is punished. I know that he does not have the squad depth that these top teams do, but this is no reason to punish him and his club. He openly admits to having a tiny budget compared to every other EPL club, but he also admits that this makes him even more proud of what he and his team have achieved.

James Collins scores the decisive goal in injury time

I feel that the Premier League's actions have impacted in the following three ways;

The Club - Blackpool will now have to face a fine, which is not on (they have chosen to appeal it). They are also now under pressure to constantly field their 'strongest' team, even if the 'best' players are knackered. Holloway has come out and said even he doesn't know who to select now.

The Manager - As I have said, what has effectively happened is the FA taken the manager's responsibility away and tried to dictate future team selections. Not to mention the fact that this particular manager (Ian Holloway) has performed miracles in the last few years and should not be told how to do his job by anyone.

The Players - The players who have been selected for the game in question must feel completely worthless to their club. If Blackpool F.C. have brought these lads in to do a job for them in the Premiership, then they should be allowed to prove themselves.

I can only hope that the Premier League realise they have made a huge error and rescind the fine. Blackpool were a pleasure to watch that night, as they have been for the entire season.

I think it is only fair to call this particular blog post a rant as opposed to a balanced, objective piece of journalism, but as I stated earlier, it is something which struck a cord with me.

If you agree, disagree or would like to try and change my mind, please feel free to leave a comment.

Eb...