Now, we're talking!
If my criticism of the proposal was "omg, international play is teh sux!" then you'd be correct. But my concern about the suggestion, strange as it may appear, is exactly what I said it was to be - it's saying that because of some rogue actors that are sabotaging the NT/U21, we must limit the ability of all users to purchase NT/U21 players from other countries. This, essentially, is telling users who might legitimately be interested in purchasing those players that while they aren't intending to do anything wrong, their actions nonetheless can't be permitted because the international game is more important than your silly little club.
I see where you coming from. I happen to still support my opinion, firstly cause i've not read a different(or improved) one, which will address the problem, secondly because, in my eyes, setting limitations for 30 odd players/per country amongst tens of thousands, is a small(and acceptable for me) price to pay, in order to have a solution to a specific problem.
Of course, if you're more interested in actual constructive input, what about this scenario: the NT manager from some small country sees a nicely-trained player from his country on the TL at a fairly low price. And we're not even talking NT/U21 caliber player, but a nice SF let's say. The NT manager adds the player to the NT, makes the initial low bid, and walks away with a steal. Sure, this may be no more of an abuse of the system than what's going on now, but instead of a NT being hurt, actual club users (both those who train/sell the player and those who would otherwise buy the player) are harmed. And this isn't even preventing NT sabotage - it's just an opportunistic move by an NT manager to enrich their club interests.
If he's not a NT player, at the time he's put on the market, he gets transfer listed as normal, everybody can bid on him straight away.
As far as the restrictions in the real world, I've got no problems with restrictions that are set up to improve the game - not letting teams in leagues with a 50k TV contract place a bid on a guy with a $200k salary (NT or not!), regardless of nationality, for example is something I'd support.
It doesn't counter attack the main problem i addressed, but i believe it could solve a few others. Totally agree with something like that being implemented.
But adding restrictions this widespread to address a game problem that only really matters for the NT/U21 is trying to crack an egg with a hammer.
Not all problems can be fixed with general rules. Some specific ones, need specific solutions. First step is to acknowledge we have a certain problem. Second step, try to find the best plausible solution with the minimum cost for the game, in general.
P.S If you don't break eggs, whether its with a a gentle crack or ...a hammer, you're not going to eat omelet ;)
Last edited by maddoghellas at 4/11/2013 6:17:17 PM