Seven by seven

So, what's been happening lately? Not a lot since news of Danny Hutchin's very welcome signing. Skivo is on his honeymoon but before he left he told the Gazette that he's after a couple of season-long loans and hasn't completely ruled out the likes of Jon Obika and Andros Townsend returning as well. Personally I don't think we've got a cat in hell's chance of seeing that particular dynamic duo at HP again, I reckon Harry Redknapp will want them playing at a higher level next season, but we may be in with a chance with some other youngsters from Spurs in particular. Like ourselves, Spurs reserve side has withdrawn from their reserve league next season to play ad-hoc matches as and when, rather than be tied in to a formal league structure. Redknapp has also stated that following the success of last season's loans - to ourselves, Cheltenham, Exeter and Southend, amongst others - that he'd rather see his young pro's loaned out again rather than playing meaningless reserve team fixtures. So we'll see. Can I put in a bid for Ryan Mason please?

Elsewhere, the Football League have been enjoying their usual week away pissing it up deciding policy in Portugal. Two main points have been agreed. Firstly, clubs finances are to be somewhat more rigorously scrutinised than in the past and "any club that falls behind with its employee related payments to HMRC will be subject to a transfer embargo until such time the debt is cleared". Secondly, seven (count 'em!) substitutes will be permitted on the bench in football league games from next season onwards, though only three of the seven can play. All moot as far as we are concerned of course, god knows we struggled to field five subs at the best of times last season. Seven subs would mean a squad of eighteen and no injuries, neither of which is remotely likely for us.

To be fair I don't doubt that the majority of L1/L2 clubs will also struggle to field 7 subs on a regular basis. The move seems designed to let the larger Championship clubs feel better about not being in the Premiership rather than being of much practical use. Indeed, the disadvantage to clubs of Yeovil's size is that the larger clubs will possibly be less inclined to loan players out, preferring instead to keep them on the bench. Would Swansea, for example, have felt able to loan out Shaun McDonald when he could be on the bench adding to their options? If the bigger clubs do think that way then it becomes even harder for clubs of our size to compete in this league, which is another reason why success for us next season is all about survival and a bit of a cup run, if we're lucky. So thanks football league - for nothing.