Who has the power to decide what is a clubs “strongest team”?

Ninety nine percent of the time, the first answer that springs to mind is the manager, and in some circumstances, especially if you are follower of Queens Park Rangers, the chairmen and board.

Well apparently, following today’s ruling, the Premier League board are a good judge of what consists of a competitive starting eleven.

They have ruled that Mick McCarthy’s team selection against Manchester United on the 15th December was so inferior that it constitutes a £25,000 suspended fine for breaching Rule E20 and Rule B13 of the Premier League.

In that essence, the resulting fine given to Wolves is correct. Rule E20 clearly states “In every league match, each participating club should field a full strength team.” The Board also deemed that McCarthy’s selection had failed to fulfil its obligations to the League and other clubs in the utmost good, thus not complying to Rule B13 of the Premier League regulations.

Not that there is any questioning the integrity that these bring to the English game, why decided to deploy them now? Numerous examples of manager’s clearly fielding weakened sides have previously gone unpunished. How many times have Manchester United themselves, for example, having already been crowned champions, giving youngsters a taste of top flight action?

Imagine for example, Leisure Leagues bringing in implications to your 5-aside soccer or 6-a-side football league, whereby we dictate who you can and can’t pick to play. It wouldn’t go down very well, and neither should it. However, in the professional game, there is a far wider context to consider.

On the contrary, the frustration felt by the travelling Wolves contingent, on the realisation that McCarthy had indeed picked a second string side, was bound to boil over a little, with chants such as “£45, to watch the reserves ringing round Old Trafford.” Put in that context, then it is obvious why some quarters would feel that there is no excuse for fielding a ‘weakened’ side.

McCarthy has excepted the decision

Then there would also be the disappointment for the players at Wolves. Surely one of the enticements in gaining promotion to the Premier League was to play against the best players in the best stadia? That opportunity was quashed by McCarthy when he decided, without even attempting an assault, that points were Mission Impossible and weren’t worth risking injury for.

However, Mick McCarthy’s objective for the incredibly tough first campaign in the top flight, isn’t to play his strongest available side thus pleasing the supporters. It is to keep the club afloat, to stave off relegation, and stabilise Wolverhampton Wanderers as an established Premier League club. After all, won’t the Molineux hardcore be happier when (if) they don’t have to return to facing Doncaster Rovers and Scunthorpe United next season? It is a tactic which may even be deployed at your local 5-a-side soccer or 6-a-side football league, although resting players may not be such a beneficial move, it could help the side prepare for a more vital fixture.

In an ideal world, Wolves would be able to field their strongest side week in week out, but the looming threat of relegation, and the financial implications which come with it, essentially mean that this isn’t possible. Management have to consider what is the best for the club in the long run, and, subsequently, the board and chairmen. The modern game is very much money orientated, and there is more capital in stringing a few seasons together in the Premier League, than going all guns blazing at Old Trafford, picking up a backlog of injuries, and suffering the consequences.

As it turned out, Wolves went on to beat Burnley in the succeeding fixture, in what is evidently developing into a relegation six pointer. On hearing the action McCarthy has stated that he wouldn’t revert to the tactics again, despite the positive outcome: “Everyone can have there opinion on it. Mine is, I’m absolutely glad it’s done an dusted with. Will I change 10 players again? I think you will find it’s impossible to do it.”

Wolves went on to win the following fixture against Burnley, perhaps justifying McCarhty's selection

Perhaps the former Republic Of Ireland’s comments were made with a hint of sarcasm, directed at the bigger power’s who continually belittle such prestigious competitions by rotating half of their squad.

Of course, it is reference to the F.A Cup which is constantly being undervalued by sides and their managers, who feel that it is not worth fielding their strongest side for.

Now you have a situation as to where the line should be drawn. Could the Premier League Board and the F.A club together and draw out a stringent guideline which clearly states what constitutes fielding a ‘weakened side’, thus resulting in a set punishment, probably a fine?

Until there is a clear ruling in place, then fines shouldn’t be handed out on random occasions. Either bring a system into place which will be implicated, clearly, on any side which breaks the guidelines, or don’t do it at all. Why have Wolves been singled out? Maybe to be made of an example of - McCarthy stated that it was a ‘deterrent’.

Well why not put in place a permanent deterrent, and stop the pointless singling out of sides on an ad-hoc basis. Image the repercussions for the F.A and Premier League if a fine was implicated on Manchester United. Well keep on imagining, because it just wouldn’t happen. One rule for one, and another for others…

Alex Z