Lawrie in accord with French genius

6:00am Saturday 3rd November 2007

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UEFA PRESIDENT Michel Platini has wasted little time in establishing his name on radical changes, writes Lawrie McMenemy is his exclusive coulmn in today's Daily Echo.

One that would affect our game is his suggestion that the fourth place team in the Premiership should not now automatically qualify for the top European competition. Instead, that place instead should go to the winners of our FA Cup.

And Lawrie backs Platini's plan.

"It would seem obvious to most people that the FA Cup winners joining the elite would be the right thing," he says.

"Let's face it, it is still the best cup competition of its sort in the world but in recent seasons has certainly been devalued by some of the big four who know they are going to qualify via league positions, turning out reserve teams in some of the rounds.

"I don't think Platini, unlike his incisive passes from midfield during his playing days, will get this one through. But it is a good sign that someone in his position has retained the vision in his new role that he once employed so admirably for France."

Read more of Lawrie's views in today's Daily Echo.