THE football loan system is again a matter of much debate by City supporters. If you bring in loan players to the club, many supporters have an expectation that these players will play.

THE football loan system is again a matter of much debate by City supporters.

If you bring in loan players to the club, many supporters have an expectation that these players will play. If they are not good enough to make the team, why bring them to the club?

However, there is another side to the argument, which is that football is now very much a squad game.

Loan players are essentially brought in to strengthen a squad, particularly if a team is suffering from injuries or has only a small number of experienced players. It gives a manager choices and puts pressure on those making the teamsheet.

A negative side to the loan system is that is that these players tend to be out of their own first teams, therefore they may not have match sharpness and fitness.

Like any new player coming to a club, they need time to adjust to the style and talents of team-mates.

Another criticism is that clubs are paying high wages to players who have no long-term commitment to the cause.

I understand that in some cases the wages paid to loan players are less than expected, with their own clubs happy to pay some of the wage, but still reducing their overall wage bill.

Clubs such as Norwich may gain from the loan system by allowing young players to gain competitive football experience at a lower level, giving them an opportunity to mature and demonstrate future potential.

Reserve team football is no substitute for the real thing.

A loan period also allows experienced out-of-favour players to be in the shop window for transfers, which can benefit both club and player.

There are City supporters who will argue that young players should not need to be on loan to gain first-team football but should be given a chance at Carrow Road.

One of the disappointments this season has been the lack of first-team opportunities for Ian Henderson, Rossi and Ryan Jarvis and other youngsters. It is therefore very pleasing to see Jason Shackell back in the team, making the most of his chance to shine.

Whatever view you have on the loan system, without doubt the acquisition of Darren Huckerby, Peter Crouch and Kevin Harper was the key to the Canaries' Nationwide League championship-winning season and was followed by the permanent signing of Huckerby after his loan expired.