Sam Allardyce has talked to Lee Ryder of the Evening Chronicle and discussed how he will use the reserve team fixtures next season.
One good thing is that the reserves will now rotate their Barclay’s Premier Reserve League home fixtures between St. James’ Park and Kingston Park. This will give our youngsters more of a taste of the big stage.
It will be interesting to see what size crowd will turn out for these games – since the team is likely to be quite strong.
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce whose Bolton Reserve team won the FA Premier Reserve League last term – told the Chronicle today:
“At Bolton players went into the reserve team for a limited time after a good, open and honest discussion with first-team members. “I would tell them that I really thought it was time they played a couple of reserve games.
“And that was because they hadn’t had as many first-team games as I would like, or they would have liked, so we would introduce a lot of senior players into the reserves in one go. “That made it a talented side who could win regularly.â€
Sam is well known for his great man-management skills and very careful planning during his days at the Reebok Stadium, and he won’t allow established stars’ confidence to ebb by playing them too much in the second team.
Allardyce went on:
“The negative side of playing senior players in the reserves is that you are throwing them in with young players. “It can be better to train them in the afternoon instead. “They are already not happy because they aren’t in the first team. “And putting them into a reserve team that then doesn’t win can have a negative knock-on effect.
We calculate when is the right time to play them rather than train them.â€
Sam was also at pains to point out that although some of the first teamers will be given a run out in the reserves there will also be plenty of room for youngsters to show him what they can do. That’s important because it looks like some of the youngsters will not be loaned out next season – so it’s becomes very important they get some games under their belts so they can progress and improve.
The United boss added:
“There is a time to leave them out and let youngsters develop. “In the end it was a perfect solution because we won the League.
“For a club like Bolton to win the reserve league is quite an achievement.â€
It looks like reserve team manager and local boy Lee Clark will have some increased responsibility next year. Lee talked about the new reserve team plans today:
“It’s great to have some home games at St. James’ Park in the new season. “It’s great experience for the younger lads, but it’s also a great opportunity if we need to give one of the senior players a game as well.
I’m sure it will be a big help to us having matches at St. James’ Park. “We’ll still be playing games at Kingston Park as well, and I’m looking forward to those too because the ground has had a new pitch laid and it should be a good surface for us.â€
Sam Allardyce continues to transform the Newcastle United club in good ways – and we think with the help of Chris Mort and Sam’s back-room staff – we’ll be one of the best run clubs in the land in a couple of years . Of course that wouldn’t mean much unless we are also up there challenging the top teams for the Premiership title.
Comments welcome.
16 comments so far
Kash
Jul 11, 2007 at 4:41 PM
Comment #1Well it makes a change from the dyas when KK put an end to reserve team football.
Nick
Jul 11, 2007 at 5:11 PM
Comment #2Interesting, the last couple of managers did not really give me the impression that they made use of those reserve games. Or for that matter that it even mattered. It seemed that the reserves team was where players were exiled. Based on what Big Sam is saying it sounds more like a place of rejuvenation and contemplation. That’s just my view. I guess new management – new philosophy and team culture. 😉
Keep Oba
Jul 11, 2007 at 5:16 PM
Comment #3The last couple of managers were overwhelmed with the first team so much they had no time for the reserves…with the amount of staff flocking around Big Sam I would imagine he will make much more use and give them a slice of his time.
Javier
Jul 11, 2007 at 6:51 PM
Comment #4Its unfortunate newcastles first team is crap. Maybe the club can push to win the reserve league this season so at least they can say theyv won summit.
Ed Harrison
Jul 11, 2007 at 7:00 PM
Comment #5javier – how do you know that – nobody knows what the team will be come Aug 9th.
Ed Harrison
Jul 11, 2007 at 7:01 PM
Comment #6Kash – exactly right.
Arthur Prince
Jul 11, 2007 at 7:10 PM
Comment #7Crap team !!!??? Javier . Just wait and see . who do you support ?
nightfall
Jul 11, 2007 at 8:08 PM
Comment #8Javier – famous/big names don’t make football TEAM!!!
WelshWizard
Jul 11, 2007 at 8:15 PM
Comment #9Javier – Who’s your Team, I expect with a name like that you obviously dont live in Manchester so your probably a ManU fan
Ed H – Why do you keep saying Aug 9th in your reports and posts? KO on 11th Aug methinks!!…
Ed Harrison
Jul 11, 2007 at 8:18 PM
Comment #10I just listened to Sam on Newcastle World and he says Aug 11th – which of course is a Saturday – i’m wrong – will correct it. so little time – so many mistakes.
rich
Jul 11, 2007 at 8:28 PM
Comment #11ID LOVE TA C KAZENGER LUA LUA GET A CHANCE LOOKS A GD PLAYER FROM WOT IVE SEEN
Ed Harrison
Jul 11, 2007 at 8:41 PM
Comment #12rich – and he’s still only 16 years old.
roscoe
Jul 11, 2007 at 9:02 PM
Comment #13Howay M.A… Howay B.S… HOWAY THE LADS!!
me
Jul 11, 2007 at 9:11 PM
Comment #14hi
sean
Jul 11, 2007 at 9:15 PM
Comment #15i don’t think kasenga lua lua is ready 4 the prem league yet, or maybe we could do what arsenal did and build up a strong youth team and play them in a cup competition just to ease them into first team football.
alex scott
Jul 12, 2007 at 2:01 PM
Comment #16Roeder didn’t have the balls to play seniors in the reserves.