Post by Peter Parker on Mar 22, 2016 8:05:30 GMT
Interesting thoughts, some valid points
Football League clubs have until deadline day on Thursday to bolster their squads with short-term loans for the final time before the system is officially scrapped.
World governing body FIFA feel the loan window poses a danger to the sporting integrity of the competition and from next season, Football League clubs will have to move into line with those in the Premier League, who are only permitted to make signings during the bi-annual transfer windows.
"It certainly will have an affect on our clubs at our level," said Clarke. "We'll probably have to start a season with a bigger squad than we have done in the last few seasons.
"If you all of a sudden get four or five injuries in a couple of weeks the emergency loan safety net will not be there to compensate for that.
"What it boils down to is that we will have two months of the season to get our squads in good shape.
"If you are planning ahead and getting things put in place early enough, though, I don't see how it will be much different.
"You get your squad sorted in the summer and then you get a chance after Christmas to make adjustments and strengthen where necessary.
"I'm happy that I will be able to spend more of the weeks and months in between the two transfer windows working with and developing the players I have already got.
"When you are able to bring in emergency loans it is tempting to keep looking for that quick-fix and you also spend an awful lot of time on the phone. I've always felt that time could be spent better elsewhere."
Some Premier League managers have aired concerns that the end of the emergency loan window will make it difficult for some of their young prospects to gain senior-team experience.
"I can understand that argument, of course, but the development of a Premier League club's young players is not my concern," said Clarke.
"The rules are changing and they have to be adhered to so the Premier League clubs will just have to find ways to work around or send young players out for longer periods of time.
"I think the loan window benefits the young player and the club he is loaned from more than it does the one who takes him, but having to do longer-term deals may make it more beneficial all-round.
"The way the system is changing may persuade me to look into getting two or three players on season-long loans in order to adapt the way we recruit in line with the change.
"The biggest beneficiaries of the change will probably be the younger players who have come through your own ranks will get more opportunities when it isn't so easy to go out and get
Read more: www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-Rovers-NEWS-Darrell-Clarke-welcomes/story-28963550-detail/story.html#ixzz43cJK8Gcj
Follow us: @bristolpost on Twitter | bristolpost on Facebook
