And I don't mean the cast of EastEnders...
Blackpool have become the latest victims of a fine from the Premier League for breaching rule E.20, which states: ‘In every league match each participating club should field a full-strength team.’ Ian Holloway made ten changes to his side for their game against Aston Villa earlier this season, but the Tangerines came within a minute of earning a point from the tricky away fixture. So why exactly are Blackpool being punished?
The Seasiders aren’t the first club to fall foul of rule E20. Last season, Wolves made ten changes for their game at Old Trafford with manager Mick McCarthy admitting even his first choice team would stand little chance of picking up points at Old Trafford. Wolves put in a decent performance on the night but were unsurprisingly beaten, and were fined £25,000 by the Premier League.
What will iritate McCarthy, and now Ian Holloway, is the inconsistency the Premier League have shown regarding the rule. Last season during Fulham’s Europa League conquest, Roy Hodgson fielded several weakened teams in Premier League fixtures and the West Londoners steered clear of any punishment. On the final day of the 2008/09 season, with Hull City firmly involved in the relegation battle, Manchester United arrived at the KC Stadium making 10 changes, having already won the Premier League and anticipating the Champions League final. Sir Alex Ferguson only named two of his regulars - Nani and Darren Fletcher, and it would have been solely the Portuguese international had it not been for Darren Fletcher’s European suspension.
Even earlier this season, Arsenal travelled to Wigan’s DW stadium making eight changes, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie, and Theo Walcott all being rested. Arsene Wenger, like Ian Holloway, picked a team he felt could get the desired result but the Gunners could only draw 2-2. The Premier League have either got to fine every club that fields weakened sides, or not at all. Most would agree it should be the second option.
At the start of the season, the Premier League asked all 20 clubs to submit a squad of 25 players, and Holloway duly obliged. Hence those 25 players picked had the full trust of Ian Holloway in their ability to perform in this division. He then made the trip to Villa Park and picked 11 of those 25 to start the game. What’s the problem? And if there is a problem, why weren’t Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson punished when ‘guilty’ of the same ‘offence’?
A football manager is paid to manage a squad of players, and the only person whose opinion actually matters is the chairman, who can choose to issue a P45 if he’s not impressed. Fans, pundits, journalists and even the Premier League can pass judgement on a manager’s performance if they so choose, but only a chairman should have the power to act on it.
Yes, I think this rule should change. Holloway and any other manager should decide who to play and when to play them. As long as they play a player in their 25 man squad, then there isn't a problem, surely.
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