Gordon EF Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 1 hour ago, G51 said: The debate about the Croatian B teams just kind of sums this whole thing up. Croatian B teams haven't been playing in their leagues long enough to make a substantial difference to their national team. So claiming "Only 1 Croatian player in their WC18 squad ever played for a B team" and "B teams are why the Croation national team are so successful" are two opposing sides of the same shit argument. Both sides are trying to express their support/opposition on the basis of developing young talent, when most of the reasons for their support/opposition isn't rooted in that. The truth is, none of us really know the best approach for developing young players, because there is no definitive answer on that at the moment. This really boils down to a couple of questions: 1) What do we want to prioritise in Scottish football? What is most important to us? and 2) What is the most efficient and effective way to develop young footballers? Do B teams have a role to play in that? With regards to 1), I've said it a few times on here that Scottish football supporters really suffer from a lack of organisation. Never has this been more apparent than this season, when the SFA/SPFL/JRG/ScotGov have treated us like total morons and kept us out of football stadia for far longer than is necessary. We have enormous power to change the game, and we don't come anywhere close to utilising that. But lets say we did form an organisation, say some kind of federation or congress of the supporters trusts. The absolute first thing we'd have to work out is what are our priorities? Because there's a chance that protecting the integrity of lower division clubs/competitions and developing young players to improve the national team become two contradictory aims. Your view on what the most important thing is in Scottish football - the national teams performance, success in European football, protecting the smaller teams, getting fans more of a say in what goes on, etc. - likely determines your view on whether B teams are a good idea regardless of the evidence in front of you. Right now, there isn't really any evidence either way, which allows people to simply draw lazy parallels to other leagues and say "They do X, so should we". Which brings me on to 2), which is - why do we not have a consensus view on what the best way to develop youth players is? Well, part of that is there might not be one true way - there's likely different approaches that suit different sizes of clubs. Maybe it's the case that for Rangers and Celtic, B teams are the most effective way for doing that because they can afford to simply implement a professional structure around a B team. For Hibs/Hearts/Aberdeen, maybe strategic partnerships work better because B teams are too expensive, while for St Johnstone, Dundee Utd etc. the best thing to do is to stick them into the first team,because it's a significantly less pressurised environment and they're afforded the room to develop. But the other reason we don't have a consensus view is because we haven't tried to develop one. What's stopping the SFA from hiring a company of data analysts and telling them to figure out what the best way to develop young players are? If we really want to figure this out, shouldn't we... try to figure it out? This is a very sensible post. What I'd say though is that nobody here is using Croatia as evidence that colts don't work. Because, as you say, that would be an utterly stupid argument to make. We're only rebutting the argument that Croatia is evidence that colts do work. Which is, of course, an even dumber argument to make. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 13 minutes ago, Hampden Diehard said: Stevie Gerrard supports an initiative that his employer has suggested. Hardly going to be objective about it, is he? Mark Warburton was against it when he was in charge. Quote “I care passionately about elite youth development and whatever structure they decide to put in place has got to give the elite young talent in Scotland the best possible chance of making it through to the first team and then on to successful international careers. “If they are saying, go and play in the Lowland League first, then in one fell swoop that argument has gone.” https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-boss-mark-warburton-insists-9480621 I'm sure people will now dismiss his opinion on youth development because Stevie G has been a more successful first team manager, or come to the conclusion that the Lowland League is magically better than it was back then making it worthwhile now. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballfirst Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Bonnyrigg update. Again it's a measured and understandable piece. https://www.bonnyriggrosefc.co.uk/news/clubs-give-positive-declaration-of-b-team-proposal-2615692.html 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drs Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 2 minutes ago, Ironside8 said: 59 minutes ago, drs said: That is so embarrassing, basically admitting the 2 Glasgow teams can rim the "Braves" any time they want. The lowland league is deid get over it Remind me what Junior games you'll be seeing this upcoming season? You let your "grade" die, how embarrassing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peternapper Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 34 minutes ago, TommyLeePwns said: Mmm, I remember it well. There was a decent amount of noise going on about bringing youth and copying the Ajax model etc. First time we fielded a team of kids and they went in at 0-0 at half time, they got slaughtered by the fans. Whole idea was scrapped. Fans don't help their own cause at times. When Rangers were reborn the 1st team they put out at Peterhead had i think 9 International players in it, hardly giving youth a chance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignoramus Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Another one for the good guy column: https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dalbeattiestarfc/news/statement-2615781.html 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamski Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Dalbeattie voted no. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bravehearts dad Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 And now Dalbeattie Star have issued a statement saying they voted NO. Well done The Star and they can be added to the list of good teams. I have never been to their ground but will be there in the new season to see them play The Rose. C’mon The Rose 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marten Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 That means all the good guys are known now: Bonnyrigg, Bo'ness, Edinburgh Uni, CSS, Dalbeattie Star 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slipmat Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 11 hours ago, RandomGuy. said: It's not about developing youngsters. Rangers had about 20 out on loan this season at a higher level than this, so I doubt some friendlies against Vale of Leven is adding anything at all. Its so they can hoard youngsters for as long as possible. In their mind if they can get into L2 then it allows them an Andy Robertson scenario, except he's contracted to them when he breaks through instead of having been released years ago to make way for others. No need to drag Vale of Leven into this! 1 hour ago, BS7 said: Come a years time, and its another vote whether to keep the old firm colts and go to 16 teams, I think there will be considerable squealing from those extra clubs relegated. As members of the LL I would assume that the gruesome twosome will be granted full voting rights so this could well end up on the table. The irony would be delicious if say Edufart, Gretna & Berwick got dumped AND the three feeder leagues refused to admit them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranaldo Bairn Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 The Final Reckoning... GOOD GUYS Bonnyrigg Rose Civil Service Strollers Bo'ness United Edinburgh University Dalbeattie Star WANKS Berwick Rangers Caledonian Braves The Shire Vale of Leithen Stirling University Gretna 2008 BSC Alloa East Kilbride GFR Spartans Cumbernauld C**ts GOOD WANKS Kelty Hearts (abstained) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshmallo Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 7 minutes ago, Marten said: That means all the good guys are known now: Bonnyrigg, Bo'ness, Edinburgh Uni, CSS, Dalbeattie Star Has Edinburgh University been confirmed outside of one post on here? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shanner Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 what a pathetic shower of money grabbing shite the w**k Bloc are. Viva la Good Guys. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peternapper Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Interesting to know if the colt teams will be classed as full members of the Lowland League with full voting rights as soon as they enter or as its meant to be just for a year associate members of some sort.? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tout P'ti FC Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Pleased with the composition of the FTOF Five.Bonnyrigg are a local(ish) team to me, and one I always hope do well.Edinburgh Uni is where I studied, but much more importantly, there's the home baking at the pie hut. They also do a good programme, and I can't think of a ground with a better view of a dormant volcano. CSS I've grown a wee soft spot for over the years. I might have struck lucky, but they've been involved in some of the more exciting games I've seen in the LL. They've been a beacon throughout this, and I'll be going back to visit them soonest. Dalbeattie is one of the only LL grounds* I haven't been to, and will now make a point of visiting to reward their good sense and decency. Bo'ness I'm not so fussed about either way, but well done to them anyway. (* The other ground I haven't been to is EK, and they'll be seeing none of my money, the callous sharks.) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaggyness Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 If anyone was in any doubt as to who the fans are that think this is a good idea I would direct them to listen to tonight's clyde super scoreboard 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamski Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 (edited) Just on the off chance, if anyone would like to donate a ticket to the Star... https://donateaticket.com/donate/dalbeattie-star/ After Queens shitting the bed with Rangers vote in 2012, it’s great to have at least one team I follow making a stand against these things. Edited May 11, 2021 by Adamski 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScarf Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 The Loland League mare like. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Che Dail Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 2 hours ago, Jacksgranda said: wastecoatwilly's long lost twin brother, imho. willy obviously got the brains. Do you mean 'waistcoat'? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 4 minutes ago, Che Dail said: Do you mean 'waistcoat'? No 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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