Running the Game

The differences in the way American Football and Association Football (soccer) are run never ceases to amaze me.

One shares its resources out reasonably equally amongst all the clubs and does its best to try and create a league where all teams are competitive. The other is a financial free for all where the amount of money you have is the predominating factor in success.

What always surprises me is that the American version adopts, what is to me, the "fairest" system and the best for the public.

Under the American system a rich owner and a big fashionable team will not guarantee you success. For instance away teams get 34% of all gate revenue from away games. The team finishing bottom in a season gets the first choice of the new college talent the next season. The NFL insists that the TV rights go to where everyone can see the games. As one NFL owner put it if the kids can't see their heroes play they won't be inspired to play ( I wonder if the ECB paid attention to this? of course not). This means that, in theory, all clubs are in with a chance with success.

In "our" game your chances of success are determined by one factor, money. If you don't have a good youth policy that's ok get your cheque book out. Team struggling? wave your cheque book. Wages alone can amount to 70% of revenue. We sell TV rights to the highest bidder and it doesn't matter who can or cannot watch.

All players, coaches and Managers MUST make themselves available. No hissy fits allowed here.

To my mind the Americans have got it right.

Mr Beckham Again

I see the England Football Manager has recalled David Beckham to save us. I know this because every clip Radio 5 plays seems to feature him.

Now its not Beckham's fault and he played ok on Saturday. Much as he always did really, good dead ball delivery but not beating anyone. I don't really see the point of recalling someone who is going to playing in a minor league like the one in North America whilst ignoring a talented young player like Bentley.

McClaren played the same midfield that singularly failed in the World Cup so why does he think its going to work this time? When did Lampard and Gerrard combine well?

There is talk that Kieron Dyer will play at Full Back, not long ago he was playing off a forward. You have to cry don't you.

Oh he played Shorey of Reading which was nice to see but we desperately need a left footed midfielder.