Holloway in trouble for too many team changes

[mmj_uk]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/11/premier-league-investigate-blackpool-ian-holloway

The Premier League has confirmed it is investigating Ian Holloway's decision to make 10 changes to his Blackpool team for last night's 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa.

In my opinion this is ridiculous, a manager has a squad of players and can pick and choose as he sees fit as long as they are a registered squad player.

Holloway has already been punished in that they lost out on a *possible* point or three, though that's not to say they couldn't have also lost 4-0 with their strongest team on the pitch due to fatigue.

 

[mmj_uk]

I can see why the FA has concerns. The danger is it could become a two tier league with the bottom 6-7 clubs only playing to beat each other to avoid relegation. That would be sad if it happend but realistically it's hard to stop without the FA dictating teams selection which would equally damaging for the game.

If they only played to beat each other then more fool them because they'd be nailed on for relegation, most of the struggling teams' points during a season will probably come from games where they weren't expected to get anything.

Why have 25 man squads if they can't be utlized? if the Premier League want to stop this then they need to bring in a rule such as allowing only 5 changes maximum between games and apply it to the top teams as well.

 

[mmj_uk]

There's a good article here showing examples of the top teams doing it:
http://therepublikofmancunia.com/st...over-premier-leagues-ridiculous-e20-decision/

Sometimes to the detriment of others...

May 1st 2007 – Liverpool book their place in the Champions League final after beating Chelsea 1-0.
Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise, Pennant (Alonso 78), Gerrard, Mascherano (Fowler 118), Zenden, Kuyt, Crouch (Bellamy 106).

May 5th 2007 – Liverpool lose 1-0 to relegation candidates Fulham
Reina, Arbeloa, Paletta, Hyypia, Insua (Finnan 75), Pennant (El Zhar 65), Alonso, Sissoko, Gonzalez (Kewell 77), Fowler, Bellamy.

Reina and Pennant are the only two players who started both games, with Pennant being subbed off on both occasions.

Out of interest, Fulham escaped relegation by one point that season, thanks to the three points gifted by Liverpool’s second string. Sheffield United were relegated in their place and haven’t returned to the Premiership since.

Where were the FA investigations back then?