Hello there.
Concerned to see WaiBop not thinking today's game was important enough to field a full bench of subs (just two plus a reserve keeper who nearly had to come on outfield).
I see it's been noted the demands of injuries and a youth league game impacted.
But it's a bad look, in my view.
There is something wrong if we can't get our football calendar better harmony than this.... first team at home, youth team away on the same day.... can someone explain why this needs to be in February? (We used to schedule these things exactly to avoid such situations) And if it really does need to be, the credibility of the operation demands the national league needs take priority....
And if I put my club hat on, I'm concerned to see, on the same day WaiBop are making out they have a skeleton crew on board, Melville's Jama Boss scores a hat trick for the youth team v Wanderers SC.
To my mind it's a complete nonsense for a player like Jama to be playing in a youth league - even if he is age eligible.
Jama is a starting XI and key player for his winter senior team. If he is to develop further, he needs to be in, or around the periphery of the national league team - not playing youth football.
If there were WaiBop shortages, this was an ideal time to pull the likes of Jama into the senior team and possibly give him some game time. (I am one who thinks he could prove quite useful)
Jama doesn't need exposure at youth level. He is already developed well beyond that... give that opening to younger players looking to prove themselves capable of a place in a northern league squad.
Anyway, as always, appreciate any alternate views.
PS, final thought: does it serve the game in any way whatsoever to have artificial squad number restrictions (on who can be part of franchised youth teams)?