I still feel very disappointed that we have not got a reserve team, as I believe that it gives young players experience of playing with first teamers and also players coming back from injury the chance to improve their fitness.
I used to watch every reserve match, and there used to be some highly competitive and watchable games up at Highfield Road.
Does anyone else feel that we need to make the reserves a competitive team again?
Yeah, but we can't afford it at this time. It's just not feasible to have a squad of 25-30 at the moment, so until we get investment/new owners or are promoted then it's a non-starter.
Would mean a much bigger squad so that we fulfill the fixtures.... that means more wages and costs...... at a time when we cant pay our bills how could the club justify it.
I keep hearing money .. but does it really cost that much?
The players have to be paid regardless and some competetive match practice far outweighs the benefit of simply training. It will blood and ready youth team players too as a stepping stone to the firsts. A massive leap from youth football straight into the team.
League registration and transport are the only real costs that I can see and I would have thought they could get a speparate sponsorship for it. Maybe even negotiate something with CityLink as I can't see it costing much at all.
Why do we need a bigger squad? Only if we're concerned about winning. I wouldn't nmind finishing bottom of the league and seeing youth players filling with those returning from injury and suspension. Maybe even let the management team sign on - I reckon Oggy could still play if needed adn Thorny looks like he should. As long as they're registered adn can be called on at the back end of the season to fulfil fixtures if required.
Why do we need a bigger squad? Only if we're concerned about winning. I wouldn't nmind finishing bottom of the league and seeing youth players filling with those returning from injury and suspension. Maybe even let the management team sign on - I reckon Oggy could still play if needed adn Thorny looks like he should. As long as they're registered adn can be called on at the back end of the season to fulfil fixtures if required.
Think it is more to do with size of squad Rob ....... we would need a slightly bigger squad to cover for injuries etc and thats going to cost. I agree it seems daft to have players paid but not playing but would we have enough for 2 teams, at times this year we struggled to get one.
We struggle to even pay for the Academy too and I bet the costs to that wont be too dissimilar if you exclude wages of players not getting a First team game to be playing in reserves
Yes they could step some of the academy up into it and thats a good arguement for a reserve team but the academy has fixtures to complete each week too.
If they could get proper sponsorship for the academy and Reserves to pay for it then it would be good. However I think for all sorts of reasons however the needs of the Academy need to come first of the two..... thats where we could build the future .... as in Cameron Clarke Thomas etc.... the future players and wealth of this team
Certainly not against a reserve team just dont think finances allow it right now..... would rather spend the money in the first team
I dont think we are in the position to now. I dont think it would cost a fortune and it does have its benefits, but we have more pressing issues at the moment.