Written by Ricky Murray
The news that Ian Holloway and Blackpool are in the process of being fined £25,000 for fielding a ‘weakened’ team is another decision by the Premier League that defies logic; have they not learned from last year’s fiasco over Mick McCarthy putting out an ‘under-strength’ Wolverhampton Wanderers side, where the punishment that they imposed on them was eventually overturned? It will be a terrible indictment on the game if this fine goes through knowing how many times down the years that other clubs have carried out the same policy that Holloway did in a bid to do what is BEST for HIS club.
He and bosses such as McCarthy have a job to do and knowing the harsh circumstances that they could inhibit if they were to be relegated, they should be able to pick a group of players who they feel are suitable for any particular match that they encounter, because if they were to go down then the repercussions can be catastrophic in this day and age, especially with the amount of money and player power that is involved.
In previous seasons – when managers have sent out an assortment of not-so-familiar faces – the 25-man per squad rule that was put in place at the start of this campaign was not there, so they could use as many players as they wished whereas with this new guideline, if someone gets injured, they will not be able to replace him. It is a 38 game league season, not to mention the cup competitions that they have to play, so certain squad members will be used for certain times according to the tactics that they use, which in turn will be influenced by the other 19 or so clubs that they compete against. As Holloway has said himself, ‘‘you can’t tell managers who to play. We should be able to pick the tea lady’s son if we think he’s good enough.’’ It was a typical riposte from the Bristol-born man and who are we to argue with him.
Some players are used for varying factors. There may be, for example, a big, imposing defender known for being physical in his style of play, who is not a regular first-team member, but is then chosen when coming up against a side who boast a striker that may not cope well to being ‘roughed’ up. To paraphrase a quote by David Brent from the TV series, The Office, a manager requires ‘different players for different needs.’
It is also an absolute insult to the players that were chosen to play in the game in question against Aston Villa last November – a match that they would have gained a point from had it not been for a late headed winner from James Collins. I wonder if this punishment would have been assigned had the ‘Pool won or drew. Maybe that is why Arsenal have got away with it so far despite resting many key players in their 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic in late December.
Is the fact that they have not been subjected to interrogation a sign that the Premier League’s top brass think that the Gunners’ ‘second string’ side are superior to that of Blackpool’s? So although they’ve both committed the same offence, it is the quality of players that determines whether one receives a penalty or not? Because that is what it appears to imply. Arsene Wenger’s side will not be sufficiently harmed if they do not win the league or reach the top four – they’ll survive – but for teams such as the Tangerines, they have to find ways to just keep their head above water in making sure that the club does not ‘go-under’ in the event of relegation.
The enquiry that will decide the fate of Ian Holloway’s side may not be actually contemplating disciplining them, but are simply sanctioning an order just so they are seen to stay within their own guidelines. Nonetheless, it makes a mockery of football’s Respect campaign; campaigning for ‘respect’? Do me a favour! RESPECT the predicaments that Holloway and his men side face in surviving the illustrious Premier League on a shoestring budget; for them, it is like doing a bungee jump without a harness, so in order to withstand the obstacles that they encounter, they have to learn how to fall safely or onto a soft surface. But if the Premier League’s actions are anything to go by, Premiership bigwigs may as well pull away that cushion and place a rock there instead for clubs like Blackpool to plough into.