The number of reserve games that we play is ridiculously small which doesn't give our management team sufficient data to make a decision about players who are not in the first team squad. The Checker Trade Cup is criticised by fans but in many ways it is the only way that we can judge a player on the fringes against better opposition. Maybe if the reserve league was expanded to accommodate a greater number of teams in a larger area then the reserves would be able to play an increased number of games which would give JB and Co an increased opportunity to view players on the fringes or on trial who at the moment can only be judged on in training sessions which is far removed from actual competitive game time.
I can recall the games we used to play v Man Utd and other high profile clubs that created a lot of interest, but those days are gone. Maybe it's time that those in decision making roles took a look at the entire reserve game football and opted for an overall increase in the number of games played by clubs like ourselves.
A thread elsewhere discusses players of potential who have left without an opportunity to impress. Maybe an increase in reserve team football would have aided clubs like ourselves to keep hold of young players of quality.
