ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

The Reserves

Should Experienced Players Play in the Reserves anymore?

Years ago, if you didnt play in the first team you played for the reserves, and both teams used to play on a Saturday. I remember as a kid going to a few of the games with my dad; we used to scarper quick at the final whistle to avoid the crowd from the dark side of the park. In those days you had a small first-team squad of about 15 as well. Nowadays, reserve teams are usually full of youngsters or the odd injured player on his way back.

Tonight's squad for Wigan is Everton: Ruddy, Densmore, Boyle, Irving, Rodwell, Harpur, Downes, Vidarsson, Jutkiewicz, Vaughan, Van der Meyde, Agard, Stubhaug, McCarten, O'Kane, Morrison.

I know we have a lot of games coming up but only Vaughan is a player currently capable of a first-team game in that squad. I presume VDM is playing out time until he leaves. Tommy Gravesen has hardly played at all since he come here, do you not think he should be getting at least 45 minutes in this game? Jagielka too has hadn't much game time lately nor has Wessels.

Experienced players also help youngsters develop also. I can remember going to Widnes and seeing us play with Rooney and the Dunc upfront with Carsley and Osman in midfield.

Anyway just a thought and just wondering peoples opinion of who should be getting a run out in such a game.
James Elworthy, Liverpool Posted 28/11/2007 at 13:11:25

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Comments

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Michael Kenrick

The Reserves have changed a lot over the years. Today, it is simply the senior Academy team, and not a true "Reserves" side, with as you say, very few senior players ever stooping to play at Widnes or wherever, no matter how big the first-team squad is, unless they coming back from injury or desparately need a game.

I'm guessing it's not really competitive enough to be of any value to today's modern player, other than as a bit of a runabout.

[BTW, James, we request that you provide us with a valid e.mail address. Thanks]

Richard Porter
1 Posted 28/11/2007 at 13:38:13

Does anyone know where Wigan Reserves play, what time the game kicks off, and how to get to the ground from Wigan north Western rail station?

Ben Walters
2 Posted 28/11/2007 at 14:50:31

Of course Tommy G should be having a run out but he just can’t hack it anymore! Moyes signed a pig in a poke when Strachan offloaded the Dane onto his compatriot.

Paul Okell
3 Posted 28/11/2007 at 14:59:26

The reserve game tonight is at the Robin Park Arena which is opposite the JJB.
I have been there its an athletic track doesnt hold many people. Its a bit like the athletic track up at Wavertree with a pitch in the middle. A small stand on one side of the track.

Paul Okell
4 Posted 28/11/2007 at 15:31:08

In the OLD DAYS your reserve team was good enough to win the old Divison 2.
We had a striker called Frank Wignall scored loads of goals for the Reserves hardly got a first team game and went on to play for England with Notts Forest.
Roy Evans former RS manager played hundreds of reserve games and only played four first team games between 1965 and 1974.

Steve Lyth
5 Posted 28/11/2007 at 18:16:31

Ben, on what do you base your Graveson cant hack it anymore comment ?

Richard Porter
6 Posted 28/11/2007 at 23:58:02

Well, that was an enjoyable game tonight, 5-1 win, Vaughan played especially well, vd Meyde was a lot more consistent than the last two reserve games. Our bench seemed rather over-populated, between subs, coaches and physios, we seemed to have 12 people on the bench.

Ben Walters
7 Posted 29/11/2007 at 15:43:56

Just log onto any of the Celtic websites for piss taking comments about our Great Dane!