D3D4 Morecambe fan and writer Joel Shooter (@joelshooterfoot on twitter) looks at why blooding young players in the EFL is a good idea…

In May 2014, Danny Mills made the suggestion of implementing a ‘B’ team system into English football. The plans were, inevitably, met with huge backlash by fans, particularly those in Leagues One and Two. While it was somewhat shocking and disgruntling to hear a senior FA member suggest such plans, part of me couldn’t help but reluctantly admit that this might be a potential way forward to stop the national team becoming further outstripped by other countries. A few months later after the disastrous 2014 World Cup for England, that feeling was only heightened.

Fast forward four years to the present day, however, and the feeling now is that the English Football League (EFL) has been vindicated. Whether it be coming through the ranks at an EFL club or spending time on loan at one, most of the England’s 2018 World Cup squad have had experience of playing in the country’s Football League structure. In fact, nine out of the eleven players in England’s starting line up (for most of the tournament) made their debuts outside of the Premier League.

Cut up pitches, ‘hoofball’ and having lumps kicked out of you by Steve McNulty – what are the advantages of blooding youngsters in the EFL? It’s true, football is a lot more physical in the lower leagues, but this is not necessarily a bad thing for youngsters. High pressing has seen athleticism and physical prowess become an increasingly important part of football over the last few years. While technique and ability are obviously key skills that should not be shunned in favour of physicality, the option to help build a tougher edge in to young player’s games (in addition to their technical abilities) should not be sneered at.

Players are also likely to receive ample amounts of first team playing time, playing time they would not receive sat on the sides at a Premier League club. Regardless of whether the player is on loan or is an EFL club’s academy product, they will be getting game time in competitive football. These are situations where so much is at stake, and the consequent pressure to perform and win is great. It’s an important learning experience to be exposed to such situations. Not only are promotions and relegations on the line, but at some clubs jobs and livelihoods are at risk.

You could, potentially indefinitely, list off many arguments as to why the EFL is a good place to blood young footballers. The real argument and point of comparison, though, is to look at how it weighs up against the B team structure.

The plan put forward by Danny Mills and the FA was to create a new league in between League Two and the National League, filled with ten Premier League B teams and ten National League clubs. From there, the B teams would fight to move up in the Football League and test themselves against lower league opposition. In essence, the players would be gaining similar skills and experience, albeit in a different context, as those already gained in the current system.

From this perspective, it’s hard to see the point in switching to this system. In England, we are in the minority in having such a strong and well supported lower league system. The standard of football at lower levels is ever increasing. ‘Hoofball’ is becoming less and less effective and fans often cry out for football to be played on the deck. It’s becoming an exponentially better place for young players to start off and gain experience.

The EFL is a unique strength of English football. Surely – perhaps through enhancing loan partnerships or better distributing money throughout the leagues – it is something that should be nurtured and progressed in order to help boost the standard of football in England.