The Football League Paper
Ex-pros can play bigger role in game
WHETHER you love him or loathe him, it’s difficult to ignore Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton. And when he talks about football, he does talk from a position of authority following a lengthy playing career in the professional ranks. Now he’s taking his first steps in management with the Cod Army and probably beginning to realise just how tough a job it is.
A few days ago, he made an interesting point, suggesting that former players should review red card incidents, the inference being that they are more likely to be able to spot what is genuine foul play.
“You should have people who’ve played and experienced the warfare to judge what’s going on,” Barton told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“When somebody with no experience makes calls, they tend to make the wrong call as they don’t know what’s unfolded.”
Three of his players have been sent off this season, meaning Barton has seen what’s happening close up. He says players are at times being sent off for ‘petty stuff’.
It is certainly worth considering Barton’s opinion. There is often a feeling that football doesn’t make the most of the knowledge of former professionals.
It was suggested many years ago that retired players could be fast-tracked to become referees, but that never really took off.
But there are plenty of other avenues for former players. Yes, there are many in the media now and some in management and coaching, but how many have been totally lost to the game?
It’s been well documented recently how difficult it is for players to make the transition to ‘real life’ once they retire and they can be at risk of suffering mental health problems.
Whether reviewing red cards is something former professionals could be involved in remains to be seen, but it would certainly be worth encouraging ex-pros to stay in the game in some capacity and pass on the skills and knowledge they possess.
Showing steel
LAST week we said that we would have a better idea if Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United were the real deal this season after Friday night’s Yorkshire derby at Sheffield Wednesday.
They might not have won, but a battling 1-1 draw suggests they are going to be in it for the long haul this term.