Is now a good time?

Part of a weaker team?
By Jamie Best
February 19 2010

Tomorrows opponents roll into town tomorrow, as you all know, in the form of arguably the best team in the Premier League. Of course, it’s Chelsea. Just a formality game for the possible new champions or could an upset be on the cards?

A team that has dropped points against basement battlers come with an important midweek game against their former coach Jose Mourinho. What team can we expect? Well, it’s already been made clear that Chelsea will be without Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien amongst others. Although, the thought of “The Frenchman” (Christophe Berra for those who aren’t sure of his nickname) and good ole Jody against Drogba and Anelka is still a daunting task.

Who knows though, maybe tomorrow is a good time to play them. Let’s just hope we show the same resilience as against Liverpool and Spurs in recent weeks without the lackadaisical defending in the last ten minutes against the Blues.

Another headline maker this week ... our suspended fine of £25k. Ridiculous in my eyes, the Premier League in doing this have set a precedent that they decide who is the strongest 11 a team can field. If this is the case then managers/first team coaches will soon find themselves surplus to requirements i’d guess.

Just what is the point in having a first team squad if you can’t play these players? And moreover, how do these so called weaker players feel knowing they may never get a game for fear of the club being reprimanded or indeed being labelled inferior by a bunch of suits that have never probably played the game? It’s going over now old ground but the team that played still boasted Premier League game time as well as international caps and sizeable transfer fees. It beggars belief.

Also, what would the point be in having an academy if these youth players aren’t allowed to play due to inexperience and being valued by the Suits in the Premier League Board as not being part of the strongest possible eleven? Maybe if teams like Pompey adopted a more frugal youth policy and blooded them into first team action instead of gazumping teams with sky high wages that they can't afford, they possibly wouldn’t be in the mess theyare. But then again, by the Premier League rules they would be.

It’s definitely by appearance a case of making a stupid, unnecessary example of a smaller club. So much in my view for the future of our national team in this case.