E is for Elite Not Education

The beginning of next season sees the introduction of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) which changes radically the way leading clubs scout, sign, coach and develop young players. The relative under performance of the current England team, the spiralling transfer fees and the scrutiny of coaching in the game in general means that the subject of young player development is right at the forefront of issues affecting the modern game in England. There is little doubt that the current system does not develop young players of sufficient quantity or quality to turn the England team into potential world beaters so the very fact that efforts are being made to change it is perhaps a step in the right direction. However, RTG has some severe reservations about the plan given that it seems to favour the ‘elite’ Premier League clubs and appears to ignore what RTG considers is a fundamental factor missing from current player development – education.

EPPP itself has been cooked up by the Premier League and the FA which suggests that most of the upside is going to benefit the Premier League rather than football in general. The Football League clubs did vote in favour of EPPP by 46 to 22 but that in itself does not necessarily prove they are behind it. In truth, there was a certain degree of Hobson’s choice about it as the Premier League, pending the vote, had suspended £5.4M of its annual solidarity payment to the Football League that is set aside for youth development. RTG tends to treat with cynicism, therefore, any change to the game initiated by the Premier League as it invariably tends to involve money or influence passing from the lower levels of English football into their already bloated pockets and egos respectively. And EPPP is likely no different. However, leaving cynicism aside for a moment let’s look at the positives. Firstly, it removes the rule banning clubs from recruiting from beyond a 60-minute journey radius for players under the age of 16 (or 90 minutes for over 16s). While it is easy to see the reasons behind this rule, it was never a level playing field. Physical geography and proximity to other clubs made this rule a nonsense. Secondly, EPPP presents coaches with much more face time with young players than before. Naturally this is a good thing.

Another key change is the end of the tribunal system under which disputed academy transfers are currently resolved. The Independent describes the detail extremely well here but the basic essence is that there will be in place set rules for compensating clubs when one of their academy players switches clubs where initial fees are far lower than at present but downstream earnings are potentially more depending on the success of the player.

But in RTG’s opinion education is just as important to the development of players but glaringly omitted from any plans the Premier League have made under EPPP. La Masia at Barcelona and Ajax’s academy could both be cited as shining examples of how to develop young players to a consistently high standard. Both of these place huge importance on educational development as an integral part of the make-up of a good footballer.

The brain is like any other muscle in the body. If used and exercised it works better. If ever you wanted a clear example of the educational failure of English players, look at England’s performance against a relatively inexperienced German team in the World Cup in 2010. Yes, England was unlucky not to be awarded a goal that would have evened the game up at 2-2. But even at 1-2, we were not out of it. If the England players had had the intelligence to adapt to the situation the game was in, they might have been able to weather the storm and respond. Instead we were treated to the embarrassment of watching English players mindlessly charging forward while the Germans calmly picked them off at the back. Sorry everybody if it sounds a bit harsh but the 'Golden Generation' was simply too thick to ever win anything.

RTG has long been a fan of a co-ordinated approach to coaching and development covering all aspects of the game from grass roots upward. We applauded the fact that the National Football Centre at Burton was finally being developed only to find that it is aimed at developing coaches and referees not players. Why we need a multi-million pound centre just for this is beyond our current understanding. Just like EPPP this is yet another stand-alone initiative in a totally disjointed and mismanaged process with absolutely no intelligent planning involved.

If the culture in English football continues to mistrust education – to the point where if you read a broadsheet newspaper you are considered to be gay! – then, EPPP or no EPPP, folks get used to a disappointing summer in 2012…2014...2016…

So don't be a dummy! Sign up and Reclaim the Game

England Further Away from the Prizes Than Ever

It is now just over 41 years since England had its finest footballing hour when we won the World Cup. Now in 2007, and with only two losing semi final appearances in all competitions, we find ourselves further than ever from being able to make realistic bids to win any tournament.

In 1974 when we failed to qualify for the World Cup, and with the subsequent failure to qualify for the '76 Euros and '78 World Cup, many reasons were put forward to explain England's failings:

1. Lack of appropriate coaching at grass roots and other levels
2. Poor 'technique'. Yes this was the moment when that term became standard excuse-speak in footballing pundit circles
3. Too many non-English players. Don Revie, when England Manager, was quoted as saying that his effective pool of players available for selection numbered 54 only!

Surprise! Surprise! These exact same issues are still put forward today. But now add to that:

1. Even less English players available (with Scottish, Irish and Welsh players being replaced by everyone on the planet). And many of those that are available are, or have been bit-part squad players - Joe Cole, Steve Sidwell, Peter Crouch, Sean Wright-Phillips, Glen Johnson, Scott Parker, Jermaine Pennant.
2. Less kudos associated with appearing for your country. Look at the early retirements of players such as Scholes, Bergkamp, Carragher, Shearer. Take the example of Frank Lampard's early 'taxi' home (actually a hired private jet) from the England squad after being dropped from the first team.
3. The diminishing authority and effectiveness of the FA. It is interesting that in 1958, a post Munich Manchester United team released Bobby Charlton for an England friendly tour rather than playing him in a European Cup semi final.
4. The fewer number of pupils playing football in schools coupled with lack of facilities.
5. The continuing absence of a policy on youth development as illustrated by the demise of the FA school of excellence after years of debate over its requirement in the first place.

We're not saying anything here that hasn't already been written and discussed at great length elsewhere. But the underlying point is this. For the generation that grew out of the post-war optimism of 1966, it was still a Britain of empire that was accustomed to being the best at what it set its mind to. That included football. The tragedy is that, in 1974, we still clung to the hope that English football would get to the bottom of its problems, sort them out and move on to another victory.

But in 2007, those who can remember those days, now find themselves not only contemplating the possibility of never seeing it happen again in their lifetime, but that of England moving even further away from ever achieving it. Yet, there have never been more financial resources available to the powers that run the game to address this problem. However, when you read Sir Trevor Brooking's pessimistic view of the future for the development of young players via the club academy system, it doesn't appear that the FA have either the will or the competence to do anything about it.

If, unlike the British Empire, football should survive another 1000 years, we have to contemplate the fact that 1966 was, and will remain, it's finest hour. If it is not, then it really will owe so much to so few!

Reclaim the Game - The week's Events

• Well done to the Football Supporters Federation on finally persuading the government to reconsider the reintroduction of terracing (safe standing). Though a black mark for them for not updating their website at time of writing. The majority of those who back the campaign appear to believe that this will mean cheaper prices and a return to good atmospheres in grounds. Sadly we believe neither will actually be achieved. In the short-term, the most likely outcome is that we'll end up paying £40 plus to stand at a game. In addition, most club owners seem reluctant to reconvert seating areas they paid to have installed already. It's good that a body has managed to sway government opinion on behalf of the football supporter. But as we have already stated, decisions made by people who run football clubs tend to be made for their own benefit, not those of suporters.
• Alan Hansen's appearance. Now a beard? The mystery deepens.
• Predictions are rife. Will England beat Israel and Russia in their forthcoming "must-win" games? Do you want our prediciton? Well let's just say, we don't think you should book your flight to Austria or Switzerland next year.