A cap that fits to end a cap in hand existence

THE DECISION taken to bring in squad salary caps in Leagues One and Two is long overdue – and could have a marked positive effect on English football.

By clamping down on the amounts that clubs in the lower reaches can spend on players, the risk of clubs overcommitting themselves is massively reduced.

It may be said this is harsh on the likes of Portsmouth, Ipswich and Sunderland who are forced to observe the same spending limit as Accrington Stanley.

But football has brought this problem upon itself. The system can, however, be worked in favour of the bigger fish.

If the small print is studied, it shows that salary of anyone qualifying as an Under-21 is not included in the calculations.

In theory, this should provide a pathway for our up-and-coming talent and potentially a loophole for the bigger clubs at that level.

There is nothing in the press release, however, about deals being done with the Premier League, eager to loan out their own youngsters.

That needs addressing as do objections from the Professional Footballers’ Association.

But this move is long overdue, welcome and should have a huge beneficial spin-off – not only for domestic talent making its way in the game but also protecting the very future of the clubs themselves and levelling the playing-field for the competition.

PAKISTAN have thrown Naseem Shah (below) – aged 17 years and 174 days – into a Test match against England. Much as I want players to be picked on form and ability with Jimmy Anderson (38 years ten days) and Stuart Broad (34 years 46 days) it’s a long shot that either will make it unscathed to Australia in 15 months’ time.

Which kinda begs the question, given that

Pakistan have shown the way by tossing teenagers into the mix, shouldn’t national selector Ed Smith be experimenting more than he actually is?

Or has Broad’s sensational comeback against the Windies put an end to that?