The one time I wish Harry Redknapp would keep his opinion to himself
Football FanCast guest columnist Marcus Jacobs wished the likes of Harry Redknapp were not so encouraging of plans to bring the SPL big guns to the PL.
I have a huge amount of respect for Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, especially given everything he has achieved in the game, but there comes a time when I wished keep his opinion to himself.
Harry likes to talk and probably the concept of keeping things to himself is not in his make-up, but his endorsement that the Old Firm should join the Premier League is incredibly untimely. Both Moyes and O’Neill has also given the green-light to a concept which will undoubtedly bring forward this plan for a two tiered Premier League that will subsequently prove the death of English football and to clubs like mine that strive to rub shoulders once again with the big boys at the top. I mean will the likes of Southampton ever be considered for a two tier closed shop?
Why many feel it premature to suggest that the arrival of the Old Firm would see the approving of this proposed reform, I ask the question as to how else will it be facilitated? Are they going to invite them south of the border and then let League Two know that as of next season five teams are going to be relegated so to even out the drop from the Championship and League One. Imagine the uproar it would kick up, therefore if they are going to do it, they’ll have to reform the Premier League, which I guess will no doubt appeal to the sponsors.
It is the old saying that the rich get richer and the poorer get poorer. Harry Redknapp as well as the other two managers have no worries as their respective teams will all be included. It is also benefits the lesser clubs whose finances are probably stretched to the maximum as it is, therefore a reformed League would safeguard their clubs future and subsequently disguise a lot of their mis-management. Phil Gartside and Bolton is one of the people really championing it, I wouldn’t be surprised if their reported debt is a large reason behind it.
The reason it all concerns me is not for the selfish reasons of wanting to see Southampton re-establish themselves in the top flight, but once you take the pyramid out of football then at the same time, you destroy a clubs livelihood, ambitions and hopes, which will filter down to supporters and subsequently teams will go out of business as all the TV money and sponsors will want to be a part of this new league. This two-tier Premier League will do this and why everything can get excited about Rangers and Celtic playing in England, perhaps they should spare a thought for teams like the Southampton and Charlton’s of this world who have more than played their part in the top flight and the Premier in the past 20yrs and who are desperate to get back there. Having influential people like Redknapp today and in the past weeks Moyes and O’Neill is exactly what the reformers need to get this plan of the ground, because the more clubs that throw their weight behind it the more chance they have of forcing it through, after all it is only going to benefit them financially in the long run anyway.
Football News 24/7
As a Spurs fan I couldn’t agree more! My initial reaction was very much the same as yours. Where would they start – Prem, first, second? Why should they have the right to included in the Prem? Moyes and O’Neil have a vested interest – celtic (O’neil), Rangers (Moyes) – bet they would love to manage them in the Prem!! But Harry, I personnally don’t fancy having more competition for fourth – they would have great player pulling power in the Prem (unlike now having at best prem rejects or retirees)!!! Harry as usual shoots his mouth off without engaging his brain (although I do like and respect the guy and fully appreciate what he has done for Spurs, bar his last three team formations???!!).. MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL (APART FROM FOR THE TWO SCOTTISH CLUBS – WHO’S FANS CAN’T STAND THE ENGLISH ANYWAYS!!)… Stay in Scotland and play in your own country and own league!!! Think about what that would do to the rest of your scottish clubs!!! Conference anyone – mind you I bet that would make them more money than curently being made!!!
)
Reply
If the Premier League gains the extra 2 Champions League slots that they are used to getting year in year out, then fine, because there is no way they would finish in the top 6 in the Prem, in fact I wouldn’t be surprised to see them YOYO in and out of relegation/promotion year after year. At least that way some teams more deserving of being in Champions League would actually get the chance to play there
Reply
How would this sit with the Scottish parliament and devolution!
let em have it and stay put!
Reply
The Scots dont wish to have GB team for the 2012 Olympics, nor do the Welsh and Irish. There are already two C/L places wasted on these two teams.
Both teams would be required to start at the bottom of the English divisions and then hope for year on year promotion to the EPL. For both teams this would be financial suicide. The EPL would also be open to compensation claims from the teams forced to give way to these two teams coming into English football.
There is a wall (Hadriens) built to keep the English out. Well now’s the time to use it to keep the Scots out of English football. They wouldn’t enhance the EPL maybe finishing half way. There’s nothing to be gained from them coming in.
Reply