Re: Marquee player rule - Approved : Fri Jun 05, 2015 1:06 am  

Before criticizing dropping the U23s, let's not forget we've never had it so good in terms of the volume and quality of young starlets.

Meanwhile, Aussie fans are genuinely beginning to question where the next superstar is coming from. Perhaps this is typical Aussie hysteria - but you'd be hard pushed to suggest this last year was a vintage. Lot of big stars coming to the ends of their careers. What's behind them doesn't fill you with the fear it once did.

We already beat them comfortably in the pack, IMO - with more kids coming through.

Now we're showing signs of competing in the centres and on the wings. The cat would really be among the pigeons if we could field someone classier in just one of four positions (centres, halves, loose).

I'm not suggesting this switch in fortunes is purely because of abandoning U23s. But I don't think you can discount it entirely.

After all, the whole argument went something like - "It'll improve the kids".

Well, the kids have improved...

Re: Marquee player rule - Approved : Fri Jun 05, 2015 5:08 am  

McManus is very passionate about the effect scrapping the u23s had on the game. What do plsyers who hit 20yr of age good now? They either get sent out on loan at lower league teams or cut loose.

Some players haven't develped yet at 19 and need more time. We could be losing a large player pool of 20yr old kids out the sport because they haven't physically grown yet.

As McManus said, for the sake of £40k a year it's disgusting.

Re: Marquee player rule - Approved : Fri Jun 05, 2015 8:29 am  

Maybe it was too far going down to under 19s. Maybe a good compromise would have been to go to under 21s????

Re: Marquee player rule - Approved : Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:20 pm  

Donkey OTay wrote:

Maybe it was too far going down to under 19s. Maybe a good compromise would have been to go to under 21s????

We, had U15's, U16's, U18's and U23's. There was nothing wrong with that system.

Re: Marquee player rule - Approved : Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:35 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

We, had U15's, U16's, U18's and U23's. There was nothing wrong with that system.

Agreed.

Re: Marquee player rule - Approved : Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:41 pm  

Wasn't this change to the youth teams only this year or last? I think the requirement to have a decent youth system in place to get a SL tick was a major part in the better development of youth.

The changes now will only impact in 5-10 years time really. Allowing clubs to scrimp on youth development is bad for the game as a whole.

Re: Marquee player rule - Approved : Fri Jun 05, 2015 1:31 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

We, had U15's, U16's, U18's and U23's. There was nothing wrong with that system.

You don't need to tell me what it was, I know that. I'm suggesting a compromise might have worked better than a full cut. If that debate is beyond you then forget it.

Re: Marquee player rule - Approved : Fri Jun 05, 2015 1:36 pm  

Billinge_Lump wrote:

Wasn't this change to the youth teams only this year or last? I think the requirement to have a decent youth system in place to get a SL tick was a major part in the better development of youth.

The changes now will only impact in 5-10 years time really. Allowing clubs to scrimp on youth development is bad for the game as a whole.

Yes it was and your totally right. The youngsters running around super league mostly came through with the other system. The impact of scrapping u23s will not be seen for few years.

I don't like that certain teams in the lower leagues are duel reg. Ive been to see rochadale few times and it was like saints reserves. This must stop local rochdale talent getting a look in also.

The has been no benefit of scrapping u23s apart from a £40k saving for each club.

Re: Marquee player rule - Approved : Fri Jun 05, 2015 3:07 pm  

How long ago was the u23s? I don't remember that age group.

I recall the u21s before it changed to u20s, with both allowing a certain number of over age players, but don't recall u23s in the recent to mid past.

The most successful academy system in respect of producing players as the u18s and u21 models. Should go back to this with say 3 overage players allowed at u21s.

To go to a full reserve team set up would just mean clubs stockpiling championship level players to the detriment of the Championship and the league below.

Re: Marquee player rule - Approved : Fri Jun 05, 2015 3:12 pm  

Paul Youane wrote:

How long ago was the u23s? I don't remember that age group.

I recall the u21s before it changed to u20s, with both allowing a certain number of over age players, but don't recall u23s in the recent to mid past.

The most successful academy system in respect of producing players as the u18s and u21 models. Should go back to this with say 3 overage players allowed at u21s.

To go to a full reserve team set up would just mean clubs stockpiling championship level players to the detriment of the Championship and the league below.

We should just put an end to the dreams of the Championship clubs and make them feeder clubs. Lets be honest, bar Leigh and Bradford, there isn't an English side in the competition that is worthy of even a minutes consideration for SL. It seems to work well in Australia?