Saddlers boss raps FIFA plans for loans

Walsall boss Dean Smith today questioned FIFA's plans to scrap the emergency loan window and insisted axing the system would be wrong.

The Saddlers boss believes loans are a lifeline to the lower leagues and ditching them could harm the growth of young players.

The game's world governing body has said emergency loans, made outside the regular transfer windows, breach rules and could be banned from 2014.

Chiefs of the 72 Football League clubs meet in Derby today to discuss the plans and will report back to FIFA, who are keen to hear their views.

And Smith insisted FIFA should not meddle with something which isn't broken.

He said: "I can't see any reason why they need to change it.

"It's never been a problem before so I don't see why it should be a problem now. It's vital, you set your budget out at the start of the season and if you had a few injuries it gives you the opportunity to get players in. No-one can foresee injuries and loss of form so you need something to go back to.

"If you need bigger squads to start with, in case you get injuries, then you are going to dilute the quality which you bring in. It's a unique league we play in and we have three lower professional leagues which are different to any other division in the world."

The Saddlers have taken Andy Halliday and Florent Cuvelier, who scored in Tuesday's 2-1 League One defeat at Oldham, on loan from Middlesbrough and Stoke respectively this season.

Last term they brought in 10 loanees, including Sunderland's Jordan Cook, David Davis from Wolves and ex-Albion striker Reuben Reid.

Under FIFA's plans standard loans, which begin and end in the current transfer windows, would still be allowed.

But Smith believes the new proposals will hurt the development of young players as they would be restricted by when they move.

He added: "I think it's hard for players who aren't playing regular football to go out and further their development.

"If some of the bigger squads are carrying 24 or 25 players then some of them won't be playing. They need to go and further their development so it puts a restriction on them if they are not able to go out."